Chapter 3 – First Blood (summer 269bc)

Quintus Scipio gazed wearily into the early morning mist, just over the horizon to the west he knew the Greek army was encamped. The 1st legion has been shadowing this force, marching north then south then back north and so on for two weeks now. The Greeks were attempting to slip past, no doubt they desired to return to Syracuse though they were probably not aware that the city was currently besieged by the 3rd Legion under the command of Quintus’s older brother Julianus. Quintus for his part just needed to prevent them returning until at least the siege was completed in Rome’s favour. The Roman force numbered over a fifth again what the Greeks could muster but for now the enemy had retired into what was considered Carthaginian country, this had achieved exactly what the Greeks had hoped for as Quintus was reluctant to provoke any hostility from Carthage. It wasn’t that he was scared of this enemy (or any other) but he was experienced enough a warrior to know, never provoke a fight until you are ready.

“May I make a suggestion General?” The accent was unmistakeable, it was Alexander the Greek mercenary captain that Quintus had hired along with 800 of his country men, “Alexander you’ve seen more of battle then any man in this army, me included!” Quintus was not exaggerating for Alexander had fought all over Greece for various employers. He’d even fought as far east as Galatia in the employ of the Seleucid Empire, he truly was a veteran, “I’ll take that as a yes General. We have 140 Cavalry with the army, we could use them to scout the surrounding country side, if they find no sign of a Carthaginian patrol we could get this little dance finished” Quintus admitted this was a good idea. He’d never really thought about it, the cavalry that Alexander referred to was his personal guard and as heavy cavalry were not accustomed to scouting. Still with the Legion lacking any cavalry of its own this was a good plan.

Near the city of Messena Cornelius Scipio and his old friend Julianus were busy inspecting the new port that had been constructed to service the city. Julianus gave his report, “Well as hoped revenue has already increased, it won’t be long before we have some good solid trade routes established, especially with a new trade agreement made with a confederation of Gallic tribes. With the new port facilities also constructed in Campania we should start showing some improvement in profits” Cornelius was glad, he knew the treasury was almost empty and they still owed pay to the majority of the army, “That’s good news, so we can get the pay sent out to the legions we have in the field?” Julianus looked sheepish, “Well, not really. If we did that it wouldn’t leave our coffers looking to healthy” The old Scipio let out a sigh, “How much would we have left?”
“Well actually if my working out has been correct we are over 100 Denarii short of paying the full wages owed” Well that was that, Julianus was very rarely wrong in these matters and Cornelius would have gambled his life that his old friend and mentor would not have made some mistake with his figures.
“Well we can’t keep the men waiting much longer or there’ll be mutinies. Send a message to Syracuse and tell my son we need that city in our hands now and if he can loot the city vaults so much the better”

Quintus was sure the gods were playing some cruel joke on him. Mere hours after he had despatched over a hundred men into the surrounding country to check for any Carthaginian presence he received word from the Velite detachment he had watching the Greek camp. They had broken camp and retreated further into Carthaginian territory. His scouts kept contact with them for most of the following day but in the end Quintus had to recall them. To risk war with Carthage at this stage would not have pleased his father. Instead he contented himself with posting a series of detachments along the boarder, the Greek force would not be slipping back to help their city any time soon.

Julianus Scipio dismissed the messenger. He had hoped to continue the siege a little longer to weaken the enemies resolve. His father’s orders dashed those hopes and he would need to assault the city soon if they did not surrender. It would be bloody, assaulting fortifications always was but Julianus did not doubt victory was assured. The Greeks had only 400 Syracusan Hoplites and 190 heavy Cavalry from Sparta (the personal guard of Dionysus) while Julianus commanded 2200 men including his own guard.

Two hours later Julianus accompanied by a dozen of his guard rode under a flag of truce towards the northern gate of Syracuse stopping just short of bow range. There they waited. After what seemed like an age the great gates swung open and the Roman party advanced to meet their Greek counterparts. As the two groups neared each other Julianus was the first to speak, “Hail, I am Julianus of the house of Scipii and commander of the 3rd Scipii Legion” The lead rider of the Greek party replied, “I am Dionysus of Sparta, what do you want Roman scum?” Julianus ignored the obvious insult, “I am here to offer terms for your surrender” before he could offer his terms Dionysus cut in, “We will not surrender, take your army and leave these lands” Julianus paused to prepare his response when one of Dionysus’s comrades moved forward a little, “I speak on behalf of the Syracusan people and I would like to hear…” before he could finish Dionysus had rounded on him, “Silence, I am the commander hear and you do not speak out of turn” The Syracusan shied away and spoke no more. Julianus had heard of Spartan arrogance and stubbornness, indeed who had not heard the tale of the 300 Spartans? Still he delivered his terms, “The Syracusan garrison will surrender to me and be disarmed. The Spartan contingent will be allowed to leave to the coast and is granted safe passage to Greece. The city itself will submit to the rule of Rome and pay us 5000 Denarii in reparations” Julianus did not have to wait long for his answer.
“Surrender? WE ARE SPARTANS!” With that Dionysus led his companions back towards the city. Julianus had no doubt what was meant by that last statement, Dionysus would fight to the last. Still this exchange had not been a complete waste of time. In the past weeks the spy Aulus had managed to maintain contact with Julianus despite the siege, he had reported that many Syracusans were friends to Rome and would happily surrender to save the city from destruction. The Syracusan companion of Dionysus had confirmed that these people were not quite so ready to die like the Spartans.

At first light the following day Julianus received the news he had been waiting for. At noon a group of Syracusans would storm the northern defences and hold the gate house long enough for the Romans to enter the city unopposed. It would then be a simple mater of hunting down the Spartans. Julianus briefed his army, there would be no looting. The army would march through the gates in good order and then move to eliminate the Spartans, for now any Syracusan who did not offer direct opposition would be spared.

As noon approached Julianus detailed his two Mercenary companies (the 400 Samnites he had brought from Italy and the 400 Peltasts that Quintus had hired locally) to remain in camp to guard the supplies whilst he led the legion into the city.

Dionysus was eating his lunch when a commotion broke out and one of his guards burst into the room, “My lord the Romans advance on the city and the northern gates are open!” Dionysus was on his feet in seconds, “By the gods get those damned gates closed ad fetch my armour”
“We can’t sire, the gatehouse has been taken by a group of rebels, our Hoplites have moved to storm them but the enemy have barricaded all the entrances” Dionysus was no fool, they had been betrayed, “Get those men back to the city square, there we will make our stand”

Julianus smiled, Aulus had made good on his promise and shortly after noon the 3rd Scipii Legion entered the City of Syracuse. Once inside Aulus approached him, “Ah master Julianus, the Spartans are forming to make their stand at the city Plaza and I’m afraid the Syracusan Garrison has chosen to stand with them” Julian was disappointed, he had hoped to spare their lives, “Lead me to them Aulus”

Aulus led the Legion to where the enemy was waiting. Julianus admired their courage, the Hoplites though not Spartan had already formed a Phalanx formation ready for the combat to come. Dionysus stood with his mounted guard ready to sell their lives. Julianus formed his men up and marched forward, soon blood would be spilt.

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The battle itself was over in mere minutes, before long the last pockets of Greek resistance were surrounded and cut down. Julianus truly did admire their courage and only hoped that when it was his time he would die as well as these men.

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Over the next few weeks small riots broke out in the city, each one was forcibly put down and any rioters caught were sold as slaves. With help form Aulus and the loyal Syracusans who had helped the Romans Julianus also rounded up many of the citizens who opposed Roman occupation (and in this it did not matter if they bore arms or not) their fate would also be to live out their lives as slaves.

Cornelius Scipio could not contain his happiness at the news he heard. Syracuse had fallen to Julianus and Scipii flags now flew all over the mighty city. Further more a chest of 633 Denarii looted from the city was sent with the news as well as a considerable number of slaves. The victory was complete when a gift from the Senate arrived at his villa. As promised, a reward of 5000 Denarii had been given for completing his assigned objective. All this for the loss of 210 Hastati.

Gaius Scipio was in a tavern with his friend Marcus Agrippa when cheers began erupting outside, straining Gaius could just make out what was being said, “Up the Scipii, up he Scipii” Gaius was puzzled whilst Marcus just laughed, “What is your secret Gaius? How are you so loved?” With a shrug Gaius rose from the table and went outside. There he stopped a young lady in her tracks, his sudden appearance jolting her and making her drop her basket, “I am sorry Lady and have you any clue to why the people cheer the family of Scipio?” Even before the question had escaped his lips he was already aware of her stunning beauty. Moments after she delivered her answer Gaius knew this was a day he would never forget, “For the Scipii, FOR THE SCIPII!”