Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt (The Artorian Chronicles) (4 page)

Sacrovir’s grandfather had fought at Alesia and had veh
emently protested Vercingetorix’s surrender. The Averni and Aedui, to which Sacrovir’s family belonged, were spared by Caesar in order to secure alliances with those two tribes. With so many of the noble families decimated, they and other pardoned nobles were able to exponentially increase their land, wealth, and power. Greed drove them, and greed made them sell out completely to Caesar and to Rome.

In secret, Sacrovir celebrated the Ides of March, the date when Caesar was murdered. He loathed the Julio-Claudians
that had spawned out of Caesar’s heirs. His successor, Octavian, had married into the powerful Claudian family and created a dynastic monarchy as Emperor Caesar Augustus. The current occupant of the imperial throne was about as un-Caesar as a man could be. While Julius Caesar died because he had wanted to become Emperor, and Augustus had realized that dream through politics and civil war, Tiberius was the most reluctant ruler Sacrovir had ever heard of. In tactics and war, he had been one of the most feared commanders Rome had ever unleashed. His service record was impeccable; never tasting defeat in battle and every campaign won. Even the great Julius Caesar had been beaten on occasion; his army repelled by the Gauls at Gergovia.

Tiberius’
weakness lay in his reluctance to assume ultimate power, and the Senate had goaded him into accepting the mantle of Augustus. Although all had wished for a return to the Republic, they were terrified of Tiberius, afraid that he was not genuine in his reluctance. Sacrovir smiled at the thought. Tiberius was the reluctant Emperor who oversaw a Senate that was weak and impotent. Sacrovir knew he need not worry about Tiberius’ skill in battle, for he would be unable to take to the field in the event of a rebellion. His best field commanders were now of no concern. Caecina Severus had started to succumb to the effects of age and decades of campaign. And Germanicus...Germanicus was of no concern anymore. The timing was perfect.

Anger and disgrace sowed the seeds of rebellion in Sacrovir, for in spite of his nobilit
y he was prohibited from membership in the Roman Senate, as were all non-Latins, regardless of birth or social status. The ignominy was hard to swallow. He was granted all the other privileges of the Roman nobility, and had to pay the same taxes as well. The Emperor was said to be sympathetic to the cause of nobles from around the Empire trying to stand for senatorial membership, however the so-called
pure
Roman nobility had created such outcry that Tiberius let the issue drop. They were meek like mice any time he asked them to make a decision regarding rule and administration of the Empire, and yet they became like a pack of rabid dogs when their social order was threatened. This grievous insult was one of Sacrovir’s prime reasons for wishing to lead an uprising of the Gallic nobles. His personal reasons, though, were much darker. His soul seethed with a lust for revenge against the Roman legionaries who had humiliated and cost him so much.

Across from Sacrovir sat Julius Florus. Florus was another
Gallic nobleman, whose family had attained Roman citizenship years before and had also adopted the name of the hated dictator. He, too, felt aggrieved that he was prohibited from standing for senatorial membership. Since this rejection, he had become disaffected by Roman rule in Gaul. He was also heavily in debt from the demands of his lifestyle, as well as some bad investments, and was now facing poverty. When Sacrovir had first come to him with the possibility of raising a rebellion, he was immediately aroused by the possibility. In his youth he had dreamed of martial glory, and in his most private thoughts he knew this ambition involved defeating the seemingly invincible legions of Rome. His Roman citizenship was meaningless to him, and he would rather have lived as a lord of Gaul than a pseudo-noble of Rome. If he could put a sword through the moneylenders at the same time, then so much the better!

“I hoped you would have chosen a place a little less public,” Florus
seemed uncomfortable, looking around at the few patrons in the tavern. Most were local farmers and shop owners, though there was the occasional well-dressed merchant from Rome.

Sac
rovir waved a hand dismissively. “When we have rallied more to our cause, I will concern myself with secrecy. But for right now, I assure you we are in friendly territory. You see that man behind the bar?” He pointed to where a surely-looking fellow stood wiping down the bar top with a greasy rag. He was older, bald, with just a trace of gray stubble on his face, and a belly that protruded and rubbed against the wood. “What of him?” Florus asked, looking over his shoulder.

“This place is all he has. He makes a decent living off the drunkenness of locals and merchants. He is also nearly impoverished, owing to the enormous debts acquired at the hands of the Roman moneylenders. If he does not do something drastic soon, he will be reduced to begging on the streets.”

“A perfect candidate,” Florus observed.

Sacrovir nodded.
“Yes, and there are many more like him,
thousands
more! Your own people, the Treveri have been equally manhandled and oppressed. The
Pax Romana
of Augustus has only led to the indebtedness of our nobles and the enslavement of our people. Gaul is slowly but surely losing her identity. Gauls now dress like Romans, they talk like Romans, they build their cities like Romans, and they even bear Roman names. Just look at
our
names! Both our families adopted the name ‘Julius’ in honor of the man who committed the wholesale murder of our people, and for what? So that we could see our culture and heritage vanish before our eyes?” He took a long quaff of ale before continuing.

“I need you to rally as many sympathetic nobles as you can from amongst your people. There are many who feel the same strain of taxation and debt that we do, combined with the insult of being denied the right to stand for what is supposed to be attainable for all noble citizens! If we wait too long, the entire nobility of Gaul will be bankrupt and enslaved, our influence with the people lost. Now is the time to strike, while we can still rally popular support. Start spreading the seeds of dissention, rally the most trustworthy of your peers, and meet me in Augustodunum in thirty days.”

Florus nodded, then stopped. “But what of the army? Surely you do not think the Emperor will just allow us to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression and secede from the Empire do you? The Rhine Army is but a few weeks march from here.”

At this Sacrovir
smiled; an evil glint in his eye. “I do not believe the Roman Army will be much of a problem.”

Florus raised his eyebrows, his face showing skepticism.
“Do tell.” “All in good time my friend. Very soon all shall be revealed. But I will reveal this: grave and scandalous news should be reaching the army on the Rhine, shortly, which will benefit our cause.”

Florus grunted. “I can’t wait to hear this ‘grave and scandalous news.’”

“I just need to verify a few facts before I speak of it,” Sacrovir affirmed. “Now let us drink to the days when Gaul was free!”

The Second Century stood in parade formation in front of their billets. Vitruvius was conspicuous by his absence, being sworn into the office of
centurion by Valerius Proculus, Cohort Commander, as well as Gaius Silius, Legate of the Twentieth Legion. Caecina Severus, who commanded the Twentieth during the campaigns against Arminius, had finally been allowed to retire. Silius had been brought in to replace the commander of the Fifth Legion just prior to the last campaign of the war against Arminius. His leadership qualities had so impressed the Emperor that, when his tenure was over, Tiberius did not hesitate in granting his request for another command.

From top to bottom, the soldiers being promoted were brought before the century. First was Flaccus, as he accepted the staff that signified his promotion to optio. Next, Sergeant Statorius was handed the scroll, with his appointment to the position of tesserarius. Artorius held his breath as he waited for the next set of orders to be read. The century was in a column formation, and he stood at the extreme right of his section. Praxus stood directly in front of him, at the right of his own section. Artorius’ heart raced as Praxus was called forward to receive his promotion orders, his palms sweating as the newly promoted decanus returned to his place in formation.

“Legionary Artorius, post!”

Artorius stepped off and marched to the front of the formation, facing the centurion. Flaccus handed Macro two scrolls, each bearing a set of orders.

“
Legionary Artorius, as a testament of your sound leadership, demonstrated valor, and fidelity to the Twentieth Legion, you are promoted to the rank of
Decanus
, Sergeant of Legionaries. Sergeant Artorius, you are hereby appointed as Chief Weapons Instructor for the Second Century. The individual fighting abilities of the men of the Second Century now rest in your capable hands.” With his left hand, he handed him both sets of orders, clasping his right hand with his own. “Congratulations, sergeant,” he said in a low voice.

The
century erupted into an ovation as Artorius took his place with his section, poorly concealing a grin.

Artorius sat at his small desk that evening, reviewing the lessons that Vitruvius had drawn up years before. He found it ironic when the former chief weapons instructor himself came walking into the section’s room. He still wore the standard lorica segmentata body armor, though now it bore a harness of leather straps over the top, bearing his medals and decorations. It was tradition for centurions to display all of their awards for valor, even during day-to-day garrison operations. Vitruvius would soon trade in his segmentata and buy a suit of either lorica hamata mail or squamata scale armor. In addition to displaying their decorations, centurions were expected to purchase their own distinctive armor..

Artorius marveled at the number of awards Vitruvius had received over the years. There were
numerous campaign medals and silver torques for valor displayed. Rumor spoke of him being decorated for valor eleven times over the course of his career, though this could never be verified. He did know that Vitruvius had been awarded the Civic Crown, Rome’s highest award for valor. He and Statorius saved the life of their former optio during the battle at the Ahenobarbi Bridges several years before. Statorius had also been awarded the Civic Crown, though both men would only be required to wear it during formal functions. The newly appointed centurion also wore the transverse crest, signifying his rank, atop his helmet, and he carried the traditional vine stick.

“That helmet looks good on you,” Artorius said, rising to his feet in respect.

Vitruvius motioned for him to take a seat as he removed his helmet and grabbed a stool. “I see you found my old notes for conducting weapons drill,” he remarked, pointing to the parchments on Artorius’ desk. “They were mainly just notes I made to myself when I was learning the job. I was thrown into the position and pretty much had to teach myself the job. Eventually it all became second nature.” “I only hope I can do the same,” Artorius replied.

“You will,” Vitruvius answered
. “If you don’t, you and I
will
start up our little sparring sessions again!”

“Yes
, sir,” Artorius replied with a nod.

Vitruvius looked down and shook his head.
“
That
is a term of address that is going to take some getting used to! How about we let it go when it’s just you and I, okay?”

“Sure thing
, sir,” Artorius replied with a smirk.

“W
e’ve known each other long enough to drop the formalities when the men aren’t around. You’re about the last person I need calling me ‘sir,’ as if I need to be reminded that I am now a centurion.”

He and Artorius both laughed at that as Vitruvius continued.

“You know they’re talking about reviving the
Legion Champion
Tournament
. Flavius has tasked one of the cohorts to renovate the old arena outside the fortress; it hasn’t been used in years. There’s also been a lot more individual sparring in the drill hall.”

“When will the tournament take place, if it does happen?” Artorius asked.

“Springtime, probably,” Vitruvius answered. “With no campaigns pending, I think it will be a welcome distraction for the men.”