Chapter 17 – A return to the waves (summer 262bc)
Julianus greeted the messenger for Sicilia warmly, it was one of the last people he expected to see, “Lucius! Good to see you boy” The boy, no the young man smiled broadly, “I have missed you father” The two embraced fiercely. Julianus composed himself once more before he spoke again, “I’m sorry I missed you coming of age ceremony, I’m afraid events here keep me long over due from returning home” Lucius shock his head, “its ok father I understand. I thought that maybe you could do with another strong sword arm at your side so I volunteered to bring the reports” Julianus embraced his son again, “Well lets eat before we talk business” Flavius was not going to argue.
Aulus the master spy rode into the Roman camp at a gallop. He did not pause until he reached the commanders tent. Within Quintus Scipio, Secundus Barbatus and Alexander the Greek waited for his report.
“I hope this Aulus does his job well” Both Quintus and Alexander laughed at their young companion’s question. He’ll learn thought Quintus, oh yes he’ll learn. Before Secundus could ask what was so funny Aulus entered. He straitened up a little before snapping off a sloppy salute, “General” Quintus smiled, all the time he’d spent with the army had started rubbing of but Aulus was no soldier, “Greetings Aulus, what news?” Aulus relaxed and adopted his usual stance, slouching and his head cocked slightly to one side, “Well it appears your second here was correct. Large numbers of Carthaginians have come south looking to link up with their forces already here no doubt” Aulus moved across to the table where a map or the area was laid out, he pointed to a position to the west of their current position. The Carthaginians have consolidated what forces they have in the area here. 1200 Skirmishers, 400 Iberian Swordsmen and 4200 Militia Spearmen, quite a force” Alexander shook his head, “They have numbers but we have the quality. Lets whip these guys and go home” Quintus glanced at Secundus who shook his head before he spoke, “There’s more. To the north we saw heavy cavalry and Libyan Spearmen” All eyes again turned to Aulus who pointed to another part of the map. North of their position and to the NW of Thapsus, “Quite right, here we have an army led by Bisaltes. He has 130 Heavy cavalry, 400 Skirmishers, 400 Libyan Spearmen, 600 Militia and 800 Balearic Slingers” Alexander sighed, “Damn them, we risk attacking one of these armies and the other falls on our flank” Quintus wasn’t worried, “Aulus I want you to return to Thapsus”
Gaius Scipio was going to be a busy man. He was due to leave for Syracuse soon to assume the governorship, he was also due to assume command of the 2nd Legion and to top it off he had recently been elected to the position of Aedile. It was a good job he trusted his younger brother Aulus because soon he would be the voice of the family in Rome and would need to represent not just him in the Senate chambers but his brother Quintus. Gaius still could not believe how he had been elected, he hadn’t been to Rome for years!
Julianus had talked for hours with his son and now listened to the reports from Sicilia and Rome. There was some good news. A squadron of Biremes had been completed in Capua and a squadron in Syracuse. The Senate had ordered another blockade of Carthage so this squadron had already been dispatched by Aulus. Julianus smiled at that, his brother may be sickly and unsuited for field command of a Legion but he was no fool either. There was news of Crispina as well, she had recently given birth to a healthy boy that she had named Placus. Julianus smiled at this too, she had only been in Africa for one night. Apparently that was enough for Quintus. And last but not least the recent Senatorial elections had finished. Julianus was not surprised to see Gaius move up to Aedile but he was to see Quintus elected as the new Quaestor.
“He hasn’t been in Rome for years. How by the gods did he get elected?” Lucius shrugged, “Well I don’t understand the politics as well as you but Uncle Gaius told me it was Tiberius Brutus who nominated him and then campaigned heavily to see this ‘brave Roman’ elected” Well that was odd, the Scipii and the Brutii had never to put it mildly got on. “Why would Tiberius want to see another Scipio elected?” Julianus did not really expect an answer from his son so was surprised when he got one, “Uncle Gaius thinks that he was worried that someone who was unfriendly was front runner to win. He guesses’s that since uncle Quintus is not in Rome and not likely to be for some time Tiberius thinks an absent Quaestor is better than an unfriendly one” Julianus understood but the conversation was interrupted by Aulus, exhausted after riding hard with a message from Quintus.
The plan was simple (as the best plans often are) Quintus with the 1st Legion was to keep the attention of the largest Carthaginian army focused squarely on him whilst Julianus and the 3rd Legion takes out their reinforcements. They had marched only three days before the intercepted the enemy closing towards Thapsus, the cry went out and the Roman army deployed for battle.

Julianus had chosen a standard formation. Hastati in the centre with the Archers deployed behind them for support. He deployed his 270 Equites to cover the left flank and let Lucius with his 130 heavy cavalry cover the right.
The enemy fell back slightly taking shelter on a hill. They deployed their two spear armed units to hold the centre with the Skirmishers and Slingers in a second line. Bisaltes deployed behind.
With little room to try manoeuvre to remove the enemies height advantage Julianus chose to trust in his superior men. They advanced towards the enemy. The strategy? A good old fashioned frontal assault with the infantry. The Cavalry would sweep around the flanks and destroy the skirmish line.
As Romans drew closer to the enemy they came under deadly accurate fire from the Balearic slingers. Romans were dying. Julianus gave the order and with a blast from a horn the signal was given. With only sixty archers returning fire the Romans were vulnerable. On hearing the signal the Hastati broke into a run and on the flanks both units of Roman cavalry galloped ahead. The Carthaginian Javelin skirmishers managed one volley the Hastati responded with one of their own before charging home. Julianus led his bodyguard to the left. He was following in the wake of the Equites who were now heavily engaged with the enemy Slingers. Julianus charged in support. From the right Lucius had scattered the Skirmishers who opposed him, directly ahead he spied an opportunity to end this. Risking a pause only to glance at the main infantry line he led his guard in a charge against Bisaltes.
In his bloodlust induced state Lucius hacked deeply into the enemy horsemen. As he slashed out to the left and to the right he realised that his momentum had carried him clear of his lines and he was now surrounded by enemy horsemen. He allowed a scream of rage to escape his lips as he set upon his foes, many of them seemed reluctant to close within sword reach. Then it was over, the enemy turned and fled Lucius gave chase along with the remainder of the Roman army.
Julianus had the final count of loses. He had lost a score of men from his bodyguard so had Lucius. The Legions infantry had got off lightly only losing 80 Hastati but 220 Equites had been lost. He would send for more reinforcements as soon as he got back to Thapsus but for now he turned to Aulus, “Go tell my brother that his flank is clear”
A son becomes a man
Lucius Scipio – Fertile, understanding of Strategy, bloody and Even Handed. Command=2 Management=0 Influence=0
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