Chapter 4 – A new mission (winter 269bc)
Two months had passed since he first heard the news that Syracuse had been taken (and he was still amazed that they had learnt of it through the rumour mill a full two days before word had reached them from Cornelius Scipio) and still Marcus Agrippa was struggling to find the funds to train reinforcements for the Legions. He had spent the past 30 minutes trying to ascertain the whereabouts of the governor of Campania, Gaius Scipio. He hoped to persuade his friend to part with some money from the city treasury to help but first he had to find him.
A female voice called out from behind, “Marcus, don’t rush away dear” Marcus turned and forced a smile, he did not dislike Metella as such, he just found that the elderly wife of Cornelius Scipio could sometimes go on a bit and he had little patience for this, “My lady, how can I be off service?” Metella smiled sweetly, “I was wondering if you had seen Gaius? I was hoping he would actually manage to join us for dinner this evening” Marcus shook his head, “I’m sorry my lady I was looking for him myself as we have urgent business” Metella sighed, “I’ve hardly seen him this past month, and even then not since the celebrations. Well if you do catch up to him, please remind him that I am due to leave for Sicilia tomorrow with Antistia, Crispina and the children. It would be nice to see him before I leave” Marcus recognised the implied ramifications in that last sentence. Poor Gaius would have hell to pay if he did not dine with the family before they left, “I’ll be sure to tell him if I see him” And just as Marcus thought he’d managed to extract himself without the loss of too much time the young Placidia came bouncing around the corner, “I know where uncle Gaius is, I saw him leave this morning with a girl and it looked like they were going riding” Marcus groaned, “That’s the third time this week, we wont see him for a few hours yet then” Even as the sentence left his lips Marcus knew he had made a mistake.
“Gaius has a lady friend? And you know all about her Marcus? You will have to fill me in…” Metella took his arm and led him down the corridor. Oh well thought Marcus, there goes most of this day.
Cornelius Scipio was in a good mood. It had been some time since Syracuse had fallen and although the 3rd Legion was tied down keeping the peace there he had recently received work from his son Julianus that he had begun training a force of Watchmen, when these were competent the 3rd would once again be mobile. On top of that his wife was due in Messena any day now and even better she would be accompanied by his grandchildren including Placidia. He had he would admit a soft spot for her, she was his only grand daughter and he had only sons so she was often spoiled. My little princess as he calls her. And if that wasn’t enough it was now only a matter of months before his youngest son Aulus came of age. He had planned a big party and all his family would be together for the first time since the Senate had entrusted his family with this task.
“Now that’s the look of a contented man” It was Julianus his old friend, “Ah my friend I take it you have the seasons reports from across our lands?”
Well the news was good, revenue was up, they had over 2000 Denarii in the treasury and after paying the army they’d be making a profit of over 1000 this season. Cornelius thought this day could get no better, “Well things are looking up for us, any other news?” Julianus rustled through the pile of parchments he had bought before he spoke, “Ah here we are, we have heard rumour that the Thracian and Scythian empires have declared themselves friends and allies. Not a great deal of effect on us at present.” Cornelius nodded in agreement before Julianus continued, “And it would appear that the Brutii are flavour of the month. Following their successful attack on Apollonia they now control all of Epirus, though I hardly think that little backwards country compares to the prestige of Syracuse” Cornelius of course agreed with this too, “Anything else?”
“Just this, it arrived under an hour ago” Julianus passed Cornelius a letter with the Senate seal it must be important.
Alexander was pleased. It had taken him only two days to locate the Greek army and he had got close enough to the enemy camp to confirm the full force was present. He sent a runner to inform Quintus whilst he remained in place with the remainder of the detachment that had been sent ahead.
Quintus Scipio received the message from his friend with great relief. Only three days ago his father’s orders had arrived. For the glory of Rome they had been ordered to march on the Carthaginian city of Lilybaeum and take it by force. Julianus and the 3rd Legion were still tied up in Syracuse keeping the peace so this task fell to Quintus and the 1st. It had taken him this long to gather his troops as they had been spread across the boarder in small detachments watching for the Greek. Now they were ready to march and Quintus had listened to Alexander’s council, “We must destroy the Greek army before we move on Lilybaeum or they may come to the Carthaginians aid”
It was a week before the 1st threatened the Greeks and they followed their previous form and withdrew. Only this time Quintus harried them relentlessly until at last he forced them to give battle.
The 1st Legion had 400 Velite Skirmishers and 1200 Hastati medium infantry. In addition to this Quintus also had his own personal guard numbering some 140 men, 400 Archers and 400 Mercenary Greek Hoplites commanded by his friend Alexander the Greek. Facing them were 1200 Syracusan Hoplites of which only a third were of any good quality, 400 Archers and 400 Peltasts.
Quintus deployed his Velites in the lead, as was customary there job would be to chase off the enemy skirmishers before they could damage the main infantry. The Hastati formed the main battle line with the archers deployed behind to give ranged support. With a lack of Triarii to form his reserve line with he placed the
Hoplites in this position, well they had spears like Triarii and Quintus wasn’t 100% sure about deploying them against their country men. Quintus deployed on the right flank with his cavalry bodyguard. He trusted Alexander to hold the centre if needed.
The Greeks for their part did not deploy all their Infantry in one line. The 800 Militia Hoplites formed the first line with the Archers and Peltasts behind. Finally the 400 professional Hoplites made up the reserves.
The Roman army marched forward as one, a deafening roar sounded for 2000 men marched in time. As they entered bow range the Greek archers fired a volley at the lead unit of Velites, a score of men fell and they marched on. Another volley and another score of men lay dead or dying. In the distance the enemy Peltasts could be seen moving forward to add their own javelins to the arrow barrage, Quintus ordered the signal and almost at once the Velites responded. They surged forward and drove the enemy back with one thunderous volley of javelin fire. The Roman archers now in range, at last answered the Greek bows with arrows of their own. Another volley from the Velites was all it took to convince the undisciplined Militia Hoplites to begin their own advance. Quintus smiled, the Greek commander would no doubt be tearing his hair out for they were now far ahead of their reserves. Another signal from the horns and the Velites withdrew behind the Hastati who marched with a terrifying calm onwards. The enemy Militia no doubt realising their predicament turn to march back to where they had come. Too late, another blast from the horns and the Hastati break into a run, the Militia turn to face them but are disordered, their misery further compounded by a thousand Pila and as they attempt to untangle themselves from this mess twelve hundred Romans come within sword range, unable to properly form a Phalanx the Syracusans are cut to pieces by the well trained swordsmen of the 1st legion.
The Greek Captain, surely despairing by now orders forward his final throw of the dice. The Hoplites close in an attempt to screen the Peltasts and Archers withdrawal. But it is too little too late, the brave Hoplites are quickly surrounded.
With the last of the enemy heavy infantry now engaged Quintus leads his bodyguard in a charge. The Greek light troops offer little resistance and as the last of them falls Quintus turns to see his men cut down the last of the Hoplites. The battle is over and it is a clear victory to Rome.
Later that night the piles of dead Greeks are set alight, the plumes of thick black smoke serve as a warning to the Carthaginian garrison of Lilybaeum. Be afraid, the Romans are coming. Quintus and Alexander count the cost, 70 Velites and 160 Hastati are confirmed as dead. Quintus was happy (well as happy as one could be with loses of any kind) that loses were not too heavy and he felt they were acceptable. The following morning the 1st Legion is back on the road marching for Lilybaeum, at their head rides Quintus Scipio who now knows at his back he has an army of true Romans.
Re: Rise of the Scipii
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Aulus – Feeling poorly, untruthful, plain and publicly loyal. Command=0, Management=0 and Influence=0.
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