Read Legio XVII: Battle of Zama Online

Authors: Thomas A. Timmes

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Genre Fiction, #Historical, #Military, #War, #Historical Fiction, #African

Legio XVII: Battle of Zama

BOOK: Legio XVII: Battle of Zama
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Legio XVII: Battle of Zama
Number III of
Legio XVII
Thomas A. Timmes
(2015)
Rating:
****
Tags:
Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Historical, Military, War, Historical Fiction, African
Literature & Fictionttt Genre Fictionttt Historicalttt Militaryttt Warttt Historical Fictionttt Africanttt

Legio XVII Series, Book 3 (historical fiction): Following Scipio’s victory at Ilipa, Spain in 206 BC, Mago Barca, Hannibal’s brother, sails with his army to the northern Italian port of Genoa in 205, to attempt to do what his brother Hasdrubal failed to do in 207: reinforce the embattled Hannibal. Mago recruits mercenaries from as far away as Illyria (modern Albania) and Posonium (modern Slovakia). Praetor Manius Tullus leads Legiones XVII and V Etrusci to Verona to prevent the mercenaries from joining Mago and fights them at the Battle of Lake Benacus. Scipio arrives in Africa in 204 BC and fights two decisive battles. Under intense pressure from Carthage, Mago engages the veteran Legionaries blocking his way south. Carthage recalls Hannibal from Italy and sets the stage for the Battle of Zama between the two greatest generals of the 2nd Punic War. A last minute appeal from Scipio draws Manius and his two Legions to Africa to block Numidian cavalry from joining Hannibal. The fictional exploits of Legio XVII are impacted by the Punic War and its military operations are conducted in support of the overall war effort, but do not intrude into or alter actual historical events. Together, the three books present a complete summary of that ancient War.

**

Legio XVII: Battle of Zama

 

Published by Thomas A. Timmes at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Thomas A. Timmes

 

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

 

Also by Thomas A. Timmes

Book I -
Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War

Book II -
Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube

 

Customer reviews for Books I, II, and III

 

“I'm 62.  I've been reading about Roman Military history since I was 8.  This book trumps them all!  Fantastic read!”

 

“Excellent book that is rich in detailed strategy, weapons development and battlefield maneuvers.  One of the best I’ve read of the dozens concerning the Roman Legions and their role in Rome’s expansion.  A must read!”

 

“I am an avid reader of Roman history - both fact and fiction and consider this title one of the very best I have found. The narrative, the characters have been treated in a manner that are totally engrossing. The battle scenes are graphic and I would certainly enjoy a similar offering from this author.”

 

“I am an avid reader of historical fiction, especially of Roman and British military expeditions. This is one of the most interesting books that I have read in the past thirty years. As a former Captain of Marines, I was especially impressed by the detailed description of the preparations of both operations and logistics. Too many writers focus on just the battles and totally miss the critical issues of preparation that leads to success.”

 

“Thomas A. Timmes has written a fascinating insight into the Roman Legions
....
I was afraid that this book would read like a bland history book. It was instead a very interesting, educational read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the early BC Roman Empire.”

 

“Thomas A. Timmes knows how to write history fiction books.   thoroughly enjoyed reading Legio XVII - Legio at War. The author displays superior characterization skills in this book. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and how it concluded. The Introduction was a priceless gateway to the story and the Epilogue was a treasure chest of ah-ha moments. I would wake up in the middle of the night just to read a couple more paragraphs. I honestly could not put the book down. Thank you for turning me into an addict of your work.”

 

“Good, enjoyable reading by a sound author”

“Best book of its kind”

“Excellent series with good historical and accurate assessment of the Roman Legions and battle strategy”

“I found it a fascinating and an extremely entertaining read”

“Rates as one of my top authentic Roman factual books, excellent keep them coming”

“Absorbing in detail, gripping in action and had the feel of real history”

“Well written book on the operations of a legion and how it works”

“Keeps you reading all way to the end very enjoyable good read”

“....new and refreshing style... very interesting and exciting read”

“Good exciting book with plenty of action”

“We'll worth a read, couldn't put it down. We'll researched, didn't want it to end. Look forward to more books”

Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents

Preface

Prologue

Chapter I
:  Battle of Ilipa 206 BC

Chapter II
:  Sicily 206 - 205 BC

Chapter III
:  Mago Barca 206 - 205 BC

Chapter IV
:  Legio XVII Deploys 205 BC

Chapter V
:  The Mercenaries 205 BC

Chapter VI
:  Prelude to Battle 205 BC

Chapter VII
:  Battle of Lake Benacus 205 BC

Chapter VIII
:  The Assault 205 BC

Chapter IX
:  After the Battle 205 BC

Chapter X
:  Scipio in Africa 204 - 202 BC

Chapter XI
:  Battle of Zama 202 BC

Epilogue

About the Author

Connect with Tom

Preface

 

The Legio XVII series,
Roman Legion at War
,
Battle of the Danube
, and
Battle of Zama
are
historical fiction novels
that take place during Rome’s Second Punic War with Carthage (218 - 202 BC), the other Mediterranean economic and military super power of that era.  In addition to presenting a summary of authentic Second Punic War history, I added a fictional Legion to represent the typical activities of Roman Commanders and Legionaries of that period.

The exploits of Legio XVII are impacted by the Punic War, and its military operations are conducted in support of the overall war effort, but do not intrude into or alter actual historical events.  My challenge was to present Punic War history that is accurate and entertaining, while maintaining a separation between fact and fiction.  Together, the three books present a complete summary of that ancient War.

Like my other books, the
Battle of Zama
is not written in a purely linear fashion, but rather describes the many moving parts of conflicting forces and events that occur simultaneously.  Eventually, the parts come together in a violent collision.

I salute those historians of antiquity, Livy, Polybius, and Appian, among others, who had the interest and took the time to record Rome’s early history.  Those deserving equal credit are the many scholars who preserved their writings over the years and translated their works.  Without these authors, copyists, and translators, we would all be the poorer.

Since Livy, Polybius, and Appian differ on the number of troop and cavalry engaged in the battles used in this book, I present a range of numbers or use Livy’s account as the most acceptable.  Similarly, historians debate many aspects of Zama such as its location, the number of elephants employed by Hannibal, if any, the role of the cavalry, and the date the battle was fought.  This book presents the generally accepted version of events.

Authors have a variety of resources available to them to discern the facts of events that happened so very long ago.  Besides the ancient sources, there are many books, both old and new, that try to piece together the differing accounts of the same event.  The Internet is invaluable in this effort and hosts several very good Roman-oriented websites.  The ones I am most familiar with are UNRV, Roman Army Talk, Classical History, and Historum.  The members of these sites are extremely knowledgeable about antiquity, and more than happy to discuss issues or to answer questions.

In book one,
Roman Legion at War
, I incorrectly stated that Queen Teuta of Illyria sent Agron and his Ardiaei warriors to join Hannibal.  She was the Queen from 231-227 BC.  The correct Illyrian ruler during Hannibal’s rampage through Italy was King Scerdilaidas who ruled from 218 until his death in 205 BC.  Similarly, the Gestates tribesmen who fought Rome at the Battle of Telamon in 225 BC disappeared from history after the battle and are presumed to have settled in modern Slovenia.  There is no record of their supporting Hannibal as stated in
Roman Legion at War
.  I apologize for these and any other errors of fact.

I owe a sincere debt of gratitude to my wife for reading and commenting on the drafts of all three books and my grown children, especially Bethany and Andrew, for their invaluable assistance in helping me to edit the series.

Prologue

 

When Proconsul Manius Tullus returned to Rome from Regensburg, Germany with Legiones XVII and V Etrusci in September 206, he was anxiously looking forward to seeing his wife, Lucia, and his two children, Flavia and Titus.  He had been gone from Rome for about a year.  First, he made sure his two Legions were secure in their camp on the outskirts of Rome; that they were properly paid, and given a two-week vacation.  Then he confirmed with Army Headquarters that his returning Legions would be ineligible to deploy again for another six months.  Barring any emergencies, they would be held in reserve to support the defense of Rome, should the need arise.

After taking care of his troops, he returned to his villa and family.  Lucia greeted him at the vestibulum (entrance hall) and had a lot to say.  “We all missed you terribly,” she said as she embraced him.  “I hope you are home for good, and will now retire from the Army.  You’re 53; let younger men take up the fight.  And you seem to be limping more.  Does your leg hurt?”

“We’ll see about retiring,” Manius said in a noncommittal way, “and, yes, my leg hurts.  I think the cold weather at Bad Tolz affected it.  You look so good to me,” he said as he looked deeply into her eyes. “I couldn’t get you off my mind.”  Titus then rushed at his father and clung to him.  The almost 15 year old had grown considerably in a year and loved his father.  Flavia, now 17, gave her father a polite hug, and said she had missed him.  It was obvious her mind was elsewhere.  Manius quickly added, “I have a few gifts if anyone is interested.”  He then presented Titus with a Teuton sword and scabbard of fine craftsmanship. To Flavia he presented a pair of silver brooches and glass beads used by Cimbri/Teuton women. She was obviously pleased and disappeared to try them on.

Titus went outside to practice swinging the heavy sword.  Manius and Lucia smiled at each other and walked hand in hand to the bedroom.

Manius’ deployment and success against the Cimbri/Teutons in support of Bethica’s Suevi Tribe was recognized and appreciated by the Senate and Army; however, all eyes were on Scipio and his success at Ilipa, Spain six months earlier.  Manius had never met Scipio, but heard he was returning to Rome shortly to run for Consul.  He hoped to meet him and tell him that he had successfully used his Ilipa tactics against the Cimbri/Teutons at the Battle of Regensburg.

When they finally did meet, Manius was impressed with the 31 year old no-nonsense Commander.  Within a few months, Manius found himself working for Scipio in Sicily.

New Army orders for Manius and his Legions would cut that assignment short, and Manius would once again lead Legiones XVII and V Etrusci into the Cisalpine Gaul.  This time, he would face battle-wise mercenaries enroute to join Mago Barca who had travelled by sea in 205 BC from Spain to Genoa, Italy after his defeat at Ilipa, Spain.  With Hannibal successfully contained in Bruttium (modern Reggio Calabria) at the very tip of the Italian peninsula, the Roman Senate declared a Mago-Hannibal link-up their greatest threat.

Manius’ new mission was to prevent 50,000 mercenaries from joining Mago.  This was the Roman Senate’s number one priority and a critical piece of the Senate’s overall war strategy.  Failure would prevent Consul Scipio from invading Africa and facing the Great Hannibal on the battlefield at Zama.

BOOK: Legio XVII: Battle of Zama
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