Rise of the Scipii

[Horseman]

Prologue

It was late in the year 271bc and Cornelius Scipio stood at the entrance to the senate chambers waiting for his call to enter, he had been summoned by Servius Maxentius the Punifix Maximus who was the elected leader of the Roman Senate and therefore unofficially at least the ruler of all Roman domains. His four sons Julianus, Quintus, Gaius and Aulus stood with him.

The youngest Aulus (who at a mere 14 years had not yet come of age to manhood) was the first to break the silence that had fallen “Why have you been summoned father?” before Cornelius could answer Julianus (the eldest at 36 years and heir to the family estates) interrupted “Don’t bother father with pointless questions little brother. You ask him to read the future” Aulus felt the colour rise in his cheeks, it was always like this. A full 15 years younger than even Gaius he was (he felt) always treated like a child and teased by his three older brothers but before his mind had prepared a retort his father spoke “The question is neither pointless or a waste of my time, seeing how we are just stood waiting for me to be taken inside. However the truth is I am not 100% sure why I am here. However if the rumours are true then we could be stood on the brink of greatness”
“What do you mean father?” before Aulus’s next question could be answered the five Scipii were distracted by another group of Roman nobles arriving.

“CORNELIUS!!” The head of the Scipii family smiled with warmth and moved to embrace his old friend Flavius Julius. Flavius was head of the Julii family and had served with Cornelius in the Legions. They had fought in many battles together and both rose through the ranks, even obtaining command of their own legions on the same day. “So old friend what brings you here on this morning?”
Cornelius pulled back from the embrace before answering “I was summoned by Servius but no reason was given”
“The same for me, do you think the rumours are true?”
Before an answer could be delivered the doors to the senate chamber opened, Decius Maxentius (the senate Censor) strode out and spoke “Ah Flavius, Cornelius, good you are both here. Please only yourselves and 1 other may enter” No more words were spoken, Julianus moved to stand beside his Father and the two of them accompanied by Flavius and his eldest son Lucius followed Decius inside, the doors slamming shut behind them.

A full 12 hours passed before Cornelius and Julianus emerged to be greeted excitedly by Aulus “So father, why were you summoned? What is going on?” before any more questions could escape his youngest sons lips Cornelius spoke “Here is not the place, let us hurry home and all will be explained”

Back at the Scipii family residence he explained in full. The Senate has decided in all its wisdom that to ensure the safety of Rome and its rightful place at the heart of the world to conquer the lands of her barbarian neighbours. The three greatest Roman families had been chosen to lead the assault. To this end they had each been given direct control over two provinces and the armies they supported. The Julii would assume control of the provinces of Etruria (main settlement Arretium) and Umbria (main settlement Ariminum) The Brutii would have Apulia (main settlement Tarentum) and Bruttium (main settlement Croton) whilst the Scipii were blessed with Campania (main settlement Capua) and Sicilius Romanus (main settlement Messena)

It was clear from the discussion that The Julii would be expected to push north into the barbarian lands of the Gauls, indeed their 1st target as dictated by the Senate was to take Segesta off the Ligurians . The Brutii would push east into Greek and Macedonian lands, their 1st target was Apollonia located in Epirus.
We were expected to secure the island of Sicilia from the Carthaginians and also the Greeks who lived there. The 1st target was Syracuse. Cornelius was a little disappointed, he would have liked to have been given control of the Greek campaign for those lands were rich and would have given much prestige to the conqueror. Still Sicilia was better than the Gallic lands and he was sure that from there he would be asked to take the fight to the Carthaginian mainland, he relished the opportunity to destroy those vile baby eaters. He did feel a little sympathy for his old friend Flavius and he suspected that Tibius Brutus had used his position of Quaestor (Low ranked but still within the Senates ruling council) to influence the decision to give command of the eastern campaigns to his family.

The five Scipii talked tactics and strategies late into the night. Cornelius was impressed with his son’s ideas and their knowledge on these matters. Julianus was a gifted tactician and had even shown his father a few tricks, he had served in the Legions and had proven his worth in the campaigns to secure Messena from the Carthaginians only recently. Quintus like his older brother had served in the Legions and had learned a few tricks of his own. He was however not as naturally gifted. Gaius had not served in the military but he did posses a keen natural gift for leadership. As for Aulus, well he had not yet reached manhood so naturally had no experience of war he had also not shown the natural aptitude that Julianus and Gaius possessed, though there was still time. Of course all four of his boys had wanted to accompany him to Sicilia and onto the campaign against the Syracusans but Cornelius had had to tell them that this campaign of conquest would also require for our cities to be well managed to ensure logistical support remained at all times.

After a sleepless night spent in deliberation Cornelius addressed his sons “My sons, to stand before you now I am proud, proud to look upon 4 true Roman men such as you. Tomorrow we set off to our new homes, provinces granted to our family to rule with only one aim, to conquer the world in the name of Rome herself” He allowed a pause for his sons to cheer then went on to detail his plan. The Senate had advised that there was a Legion stationed in Campania and two stationed on Sicilia. Further more they had given the Scipii command of two squadrons of Biremes currently anchored in Rome’s harbour.

Quintus was to sail to Sicilia with his father and assume command of the 1st Legion. Julianus would travel to Campania to assume command of the 3rd Legion and await the Bireme squadrons to escort the transport ships safely across. Gaius would travel with him to Campania and assume governorship of the province. Cornelius had expected some argument from Gaius as he had been given arguably the lesser role with little to no glory to be won but Gaius uttered not a word of complaint. Cornelius was glad for he had deliberated long and hard at which of his sons he should leave on the mainland to govern and did not relish an argument. He had reasoned that Quintus though arguably not as gifted a commander as Gaius had more experience. Gaius had also yet to find a wife and Cornelius figured that to remain in Italy provided him with far better opportunity to correct this. Aulus was to accompany Cornelius to Messena to learn from his father. The rest of the day was spent in preparation and then finally in celebration for soon the sons of Scipii would part company and who knew when next they would all be together.