Rise of the Scipii

[Horseman]

Chapter 5 – A new foe (summer 268bc)

Cornelius Scipio was happier than he had been in a long time. His wife had arrived in Messena several months ago along with all his grandchildren. Whilst Flavius and Lucius had only stayed a week before moving onto Syracuse to visit with their father Julianus both Publius and (even better) Placidia had remained with their mother here. This was of course because their father Quintus was currently in the field with the 1st Legion. Not just in the field but in enemy lands, that was no place for children. Further more it was now only a week until his youngest son Aulus came of age and a huge celebration was planned, all his sons would be here with of course his grandchildren and Metella had told him that his third son Gaius was also bringing a lady to meet his father. This was good news as one of the reasons he had left Gaius to govern Campania was to allow him to find a suitable wife before he began his military career. And to complete this feeling of sheer joy Cornelius had just read a letter from his eldest son Julianus. Antistia (Julianus’ wife) was with child again, their third and another grandchild for the elderly Scipio and his wife to dote on. The pregnancy had been spotted late and the child was due in only six months time.

Quintus was looking over a rough map of Lilybaeum provided to him by Aulus the spy, “How accurate is this Aulus?” Aulus knew Quintus would be pleased with his response, “I sketched the street plans myself my lord when I was in the city” Quintus was pleased, “Good, now what can you tell me of the garrison?” The spy grinned before responding, “The garrison is lead by Theages of Carthage. He has 140 heavy cavalry that act as his personal guard, 2400 Militia and a company of 400 Skirmishers. Surely no match for the mighty 1st” Alexander the Greek coughed, “Tell me spy, how sure of these numbers are you?” Aulus looked at once to Quintus who gestured for him to answer the question, “100% my lord, I made enquires with some of the local merchants and finally scouted their barracks myself to be sure, I would stake my reputation on it” Marcus coughed again but this time it was Quintus who spoke, “My father places great stock on your skills, I will take you at your word. I want you to go back in, see if you can stir up some minor trouble to distract them” Aulus had guessed this would be asked, “It will not be as easy to get in this time my lord, the garrison was called to heightened readiness as I left, I suspect they have seen your army approach” None of those gathered here was really surprised, over 2000 men marched with the army, not easily hidden. Alexander smiled to himself, “I have an idea”

Julianus Scipio was getting tired of Syracuse, true enough it was a nice enough city and almost as civilised as Rome but the Greek architecture just made something shudder deep inside of him. He was looking forward to a chance to get away, even if it was only for a few weeks to attend Aulus’ coming of age celebration. He could of course make the trip quicker but his wife was with child so travel would be slow and he didn’t want to tire her out to much by forcing a return trip on her the day after they arrived. Julianus’ mind was snapped back to the present by his eldest sons voice, “Check mate” They were playing Latrunculi (A game not to dissimilar to modern chess) Julianus studied the boarded intensely before he spoke, “By the gods Flavius that’s the fourth game in a row” Flavius grinned at his father, “You play too defensively father, you need to be more aggressive in your style and attack me first” Julianus could see an element of truth in this, “Ok, rematch”

Alexander the Greek was smiling to himself as his party rode out of the gates of Lilybaeum. He had been sent with an escort of thirty men to try and negotiate the surrender of the city. The Carthaginians had of course turned him away trusting in their wooden walls to hold the enemy until Carthage could send aid. Plus Theages himself had pointed out the garrison outnumbered the Roman army. Alexander couldn’t help finding it amusing that the enemy thought their militia would stand up to professional fighting men. Still no one had noticed that the Roman party was short one man when they left.

Quintus ensured the siege lines were in place before he left for Messena. Alexander was to remain behind to command the Legion as he had proven himself a very capable tactician. Some of the Centurions complained but Quintus was adamant, he had no doubt that Alexander was a better leader than any of them and it made him happier knowing that if the Carthaginians did try something a man of Alexander’s calibre was here to make sure the appropriate action was taken. Quintus would be back before the end of the month, then the plan they had hatched with Aulus would be put into action.

It had passed midnight and the party was all but over, there had been a great feast and enough wine had been drunk to sink a Bireme. Tales of battle had been told and retold a hundred times, each telling becoming more and more exaggerated. The children had been sent to bed, the Scipii woman had retired of their own acord and the majority of guests had also turned in for the night. The remaining revellers though had no intention of calling it a night, the five Scipii men along with Marcus Agrippa and Julianus the aged had not all been together for a long time and tonight they were determined to make the most of it. “I’m telling you, those Greeks are no fighters and even the MIGHTY SPARTANS” Julianus Scipio stood and raised his hand to emphasis the last words, “are no match for good honest Romans” Quintus shook his head, “No no no, these Greeks they aren’t so bad. Why I know a Greek who knows his stuff” the others groaned but it was Gaius who spoke, “Not again, Qunity you’ve told us about Alexander a thousand times already, if I didn’t know better I’d say you were in love” Quintus joined in the laughter with the others but it was Aulus who spoke in his defence (in between fits of giggles) “Well Gaius would know all about love, Gaius loves Fabia, Gaius loves Fabia, Gaius loves Fabia, Gaius loves…” With one final hiccup the young Scipio finally passed out. “Youth, they have no stamina” noted Julianus. The others agreed. Marcus had to concentrate to get his mouth working, “Young and drunk he may be but by the gods he actually had a point. Gaius you spend more time with your lady than with me!” The six men talked long into the night, one by one passing out until finally they all slept.

A week later Aulus was finally able to rouse himself form his bed, the party had taken its toll on his health. He was up and about in time to say farewell to Julianus and Gaius before they returned to Syracuse and Capua respectively. Even more importantly he was able to attend the ceremony that proved his drunken prediction was correct. Supervised by Cornelius Scipio, Gaius & Fabia were married. Gaius had expressed discomfort going ahead without Quintus present, he had naturally left as soon as he was able, with the 1st Legion currently maintaining siege lines around Lilybaeum he did not want to be away for longer than necessary. Cornelius had advised that Quintus would understand and why wait longer than was needed, Gaius was swayed.

Alexander made sure a full hundred men where ready to greet their general on his return. In less than an hour Quintus had been fully briefed. It had been quiet, the siege lines had not been crossed and soon the Carthaginians would start to feel the bite of reduced rations. Further more Aulus had been in touch, the plan would go ahead as scheduled, all Quintus and Alexander had to do was make sure the Legion was ready at the predetermined time.

It was the last day of summer and Julianus was comfortable sat in his chair. In the bed next to him lay his wife, tired and half asleep. In his arms he held his third son, Marcus Scipio. Truly he was blessed by the gods.

A son becomes a man

Aulus – Feeling poorly, untruthful, plain and publicly loyal. Command=0, Management=0 and Influence=0.