Chapter 2 – To War! (winter 270bc)

Cornelius was sat in his chambers mulling over the reports from the Scipii provinces. He was worried, he had less than 500 Denarii left in the treasury and if the projections were correct he’d need all that just to pay the army over the next season. Still he had commissioned a port to be built here in Messena last summer and Gaius had done the same in Capua so that should encourage some trade to pass through the two cities, trade that they could of course tax. In some ways it was good that his three legions where somewhat under strength as they probably would already be bankrupt if they weren’t. His thoughts were interrupted by a faint knocking at his door and before he could call enter the door swung open.

The aged Scipio smiled, aside from his sons only one man would dare enter his chambers without permission, “Ah Julianus, it is good to see you. Please tell me these financial reports are not accurate” Julianus was an old man, he had schooled Cornelius many years ago and the two had grown close. Now he was a trusted advisor and friend (Cornelius was so found of his mentor he had even named his 1st born son for him) “I’m sorry old friend they are as accurate as I could make them” Cornelius cursed, “That means we’ll be bankrupt within a year if we don’t increase revenue!” Julianus took a seat and smiled “Then it’s a good thing Syracuse is wealthy, it shouldn’t be long before our flags fly over the city” the old man caught his breath “but that is not why I have come. Your son Aulus has returned from visiting Quintus on the boarder, it would seem the journey has taken its toll and he has retired to his bed” Cornelius sighed, “still the effects of that fever he had, do you think he’ll ever get his old strength back?”
“I’m afraid he may never fully heal, but time will tell”

Quintus Scipio cursed, it was cold and one of his men had roused him from his bed and some ungodly hour, “What is it Centurion?”
“We have spotted ships on the horizon Sir, moving towards land, possibly those damned Greeks trying to outflank us” This was news worthy of waking him indeed, Quintus threw on some clothes and followed the Centurion towards the sea, he laughed when he arrived, “I wouldn’t panic just yet, see those sails? That’s a Scipii squadron, I think our reinforcements have arrived”

Some hours later the transports of the 3rd Legion where beached and two brothers were reunited.
“Welcome to Sicilia big brother” Quintus was overjoyed to see Julianus, who in turn was equally happy, “Ah LITTLE brother, its good to see you, Crispina asks me to remind you to look after yourself”
“We all know which part of me she really wants safe” A smile broke out on Quintus’s face even as he answered until at last both brothers could not stop the laughter.

Gaius Scipio was sat bored watching 600 men, newly raised into a town watch parade around the drill square, “Very good Marcus, but really are we going to send these men to fight in the Legions?” Marcus shot his friend a look that could have killed if looks could indeed kill, “Gaius really, we don’t have the coin to outfit professional fighting men at this time. Besides the people in this city don’t seem to happy, it is prudent to have some sort of force to police the streets with the Campanian Legion now on Sicilia” Gaius knew Marcus was right, still it irked him that they could not yet send reinforcements to his father and brother.

Several weeks had passed since Aulus Scipio had returned from his journey to visit Quintus and still he was poorly. But he had for the 1st time in those weeks roused from his bed and was now walking with his father through the grounds of their villa. “What use am I to be if I can not even undertake such a small journey without falling ill, how am I too lead your armies in battle?” He was understandably upset, he had always dreamt of following in his fathers and brothers footsteps and joining the military. “Aulus my son, we are in need of more than just generals if we are to succeed in the Senates quest. We will need governors and diplomats too”
“I know father, but where is the glory in that?” Before Cornelius could answer his old friend Julianus appeared, “News from Rome, news from Rome!” Cornelius was glad as this had diverted Aulus attention immediately and the young Scipio was first to respond, “What news Uncle?” (Although not related, all of Cornelius’s sons called Julianus Uncle)
“It would appear that Rome’s domain has expanded, the house of Julii have successfully taken the town of Segesta and now hold the province of Liguria”
Cornelius was pleased for his old friend but also concerned. Although no one had said it, this was as such a popularity contest, if the Julii had gained territory then this would no doubt increase their standing in the Senate as well as with the common plebs (the people really do love a winner) He knew that his family could not afford to fall behind, “Send word to Julianus and Quintus. I want the 1st and the 3rd marching on Syracuse before the week is out.

Julianus and Quintus were on the move less than a day after they received word from their father. As their armies broke camp they received word from Aulus Ovdius. The majority of the Syracuse garrison had left the city and marched to the Carthaginian boarder, maybe they had not spotted the Romans massing to the north. With this news it was decided that Quintus would take his Legion west to intercept the Greek army whilst Julianus was to march direct to Syracuse. As the 3rd did not have any Velite skirmishers to cover the army the mercenary Peltasts that Quintus had hired some months ago would also transfer to march with them.

Quintus’s Legion had marched for a month before they managed to find the enemy force but they could not bring them to battle. The Greeks fled into Carthaginian held lands and Quintus did not want to risk starting a war by following them.

With only one week left until the end of winter Julianus Scipio and the 3rd Legion laid siege to Syracuse. He was confident of victory but would need some time to build some siege equipment before he could breach the walls. One day later the Scipii fleet blockaded the Syracusan port. The war had begun.