Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (9 page)

When Manius arrived at the camps, the difference between what they looked like before and what they looked like now was astounding.  They were clean, the buildings had been repaired, and the palisades stood straight.  The gates swung easily and the god-awful smell was gone.  The ground had been leveled and freshly raked, and all the weeds and grass removed.  They were proper Roman camps fit for Legionaries to occupy.

At 10:00 A.M. the next day, the two Legates came to see Manius.  So far, they were both cooperative and friendly.  They viewed Manius and his favorable recommendation to Consul Scipio as their ticket to eventually returning to Rome.  They were intent on providing him their full support.  “Gentlemen, I want to thank you for your cooperative attitude.  We all know that I am not in your chain of command.”

“That’s true,” said Legate Quinterius, “but the Consul has given you far-reaching authority.  More importantly, we want our men to be fully trained to deploy with the Consul if he does, in fact, go to Africa.  We care about our men, and want to ensure they have every chance to win battles and survive.”

“I’m glad to hear that, and I respect it,” said Manius.  “I would like each of you to select 20 men from your Legions to assist Centurion Sertorius run the training sites.  Please have them report to him tomorrow morning.  Once your men come off their three day break, I’ve scheduled a 12 mile march with full field packs, three days’ rations, and all their mules and wagons.  It’ll be a circular route that begins and ends at their camps.  They will have four hours to complete the route.  Those men who fail to complete the march because of poor conditioning will be placed in a remedial physical training program for two weeks.  The day after the 12 mile march, they will begin their training under the direction of Sertorius.”

“I suspect that once Consul Scipio arrives and has had a chance to see our training program, he will make modifications based on his experience in Spain fighting the Carthaginians and Celtiberians.  Our initial training will give the men a solid foundation to master any new requirements.”

The next day, Manius convened what would be a daily 8:00 A.M. meeting among the two Legates, Quinterius and Antimus; Tribune Sempronius, the Provost; the two centurions, Sertorius and Sentius; his two Greek clerks; the Medical Officer, Epeius; and the civilian Port Manager, a native Sicilian named Vanni.  Each attendee was told to brief Manius on their progress and problems in his area of responsibility.  It was an effective system to ensure everything was properly coordinated and everyone kept informed.  Manius said to the two Legates, “I watched your men this morning as they marched out of camp.  They were looking good.  I’ll keep this short so you can join them on the march.”

Tribune Sempronius reported that the three taverns had all hired men to maintain order in their establishments, and he recommended the guards be removed and the taverns be placed on limits again.  Manius agreed and asked Epeius to monitor any Legionary injuries resulting from fights at the taverns.  Sempronius added, “I will still maintain a roving guard of 10 Legionaries at night to patrol the town, particularly near the taverns.”  Manius nodded his approval.  “We have also begun to issue passes to men who work within the camp.  They now walk through a gate where their pass is checked, and they are searched for stolen goods as they leave.”

The Legates reported that they had each sent their 20 men to Sertorius to support the training site.  “Yes sir,” said Sertorius, “they arrived this morning and will enable us to get the site up and running in two days. I would like to invite the Legates to visit the site to see what we have waiting for their men.”  Both Legates nodded.  Sertorius continued, “The Training and Testing Center still needs some work, but the rest is mostly completed.  The two Legion camps have been cleaned up and repaired, and I’ve put the local volunteers in one.  I understand we can expect another 4,000 volunteers by the end of the week.  They will need to be issued equipment and I plan to fold them into the training program.  They will be placed in the other Legion camp while they undergo Legionary Basic Training.”

“I would like the two Legions to accept them eventually as routine replacements,” added Manius.  “Integrate them into the Maniples.  As Sertorius said, he has already developed a Legionaries Basic Training program, and when they are ready, they will be turned over to Legiones V and VI.  Sertorius, I would like to talk with you when the meeting ends.”

The Sea Port Master, a large swarthy man named Vanni chimed in. “I have a complaint.  The Pay Master, one Tribune Lartius, is a month behind in paying bills.  I have ship builders and suppliers to pay.  They won’t work for nothing.  Excuse me for saying it, but the man isn’t doing his job.”

“Thank you,” said Manius, “I’ll look into it.  In fact, why isn’t he here?”  He then adjourned the meeting.

The clerks knocked on Manius’ door and said, “Sir, we have the first report ready to go to Tribune Velius and the Consul’s Chief of Staff.”

“Sertorius, I’ll be right with you.  I need to look over this letter first.”  After reading it he said, “It’s good and covers all the highlights.  I would like you to add a sentence that acknowledges that I may have exceeded my authority in a few areas, but as the Senior Roman Officer on scene, I felt it incumbent upon me to take charge and correct the numerous self evident deficiencies that were present at this camp.  I hope my improvements meet with your approval.  Say something like that.  I don’t want Durius and the tavern owners to overwhelm the Chief with complaints when he gets here.”

Manius then turned his attention to Sertorius.  “Sertorius, you’re doing an outstanding job, and I’ll note it when the Staff and Consul arrive.  I would like to go over a few aspects of the Training and Testing Center.  I want the wooden swords used in training to have no edge whatsoever.  Any one-on-one fighting and even Maniple-on-Maniple combat needs to be closely monitored for injuries.  These young guys can get easily carried away and start thinking they’re fighting the Carthaginians instead of fellow Legionaries.  If it gets too rough, stop it.  I’ll have the Medical Officer give me daily reports on injuries and I don’t want to see too many due to training.”

“We know that the Carthaginians and Numidian cavalry have archers, and are armed with throwing spears.  The men need to hear and feel the effects of an arrow storm and spears hitting their position.  Work with the cavalry on this.”

“I envision an initial demonstration for the men whereby some of your instructors are placed in a field about 200 yards from the archers.  They demonstrate how to properly crouch behind the shield for maximum protection, which means squat or sit, otherwise Legionaries may take an arrow in the leg or foot.  Teach them not to kneel.  Once the men understand the principles, march them into the field.  Use only blunt arrows.  No sharp points.  The same for the spears, remove the points.  I want the men to hear and feel what it’s like when hundreds of arrows are striking the ground all around them and impacting their shields.  They must have confidence in their shields and learn to take this threat in stride.  Let me know when you plan to run the first group through this station; I want to see it.”

“The Cantabria Tribe in the northwest of Spain has developed a cavalry-on-infantry attack that the men need to know exists.  Some of the Cantabrians were at the Battle of Metaurus in 207, but the battle moved too fast for them to employ what’s called the Cantabrian Circle.  I was briefed on the tactic before I left Rome.”

“Essentially, Cantabrian cavalry is comprised of men with javelins and archers.  They ride in a circle around an infantry formation, careful to stay outside pila range.  While riding, they throw their javelins and fire arrows at our men who are packed together in their defensive square.  Their javelins and arrows have greater velocity and range due to the speed of the horse.  They can hit us, and we can’t strike back.  Our scorpio and slingers can fire on their horses, and that’s about the only offensive action I can think of.  We need to train the men to form their customary square to repel cavalry and overlap their shields to offer greater protection.”

“Your task is to ensure the men can form a square rapidly, overlap their shields, and rapidly move the scorpio to the four sides of the formation to fire back.  Any questions?”

“No sir, I’ll get right on it.”

“Cassius, Modius, Acamus get your gear; we have to go see the Pay Master.”  His Office was a short distance away from Manius’ office.  While they walked, Manius told the clerk Acamus, I may ask you to do an audit of the Pay Master’s books.  It all depends on what we find out.”  When they arrived, the Chief Clerk, a bookish man in his mid-forties told them that the Pay Master, Tribune Lartius, was out and not expected back for a few hours.  When pressed as to his whereabouts, the clerk grew nervous and his answers became more evasive.

Cassius said to Manius, “Sir with your approval.”  Manius nodded.

Cassius led the man outside.  A few minutes later they returned, and Cassius said, “Sir the Tribune is at the Flying Eagle in Lilybaeum and hasn’t come to work yet.  The clerk is just trying to cover for his boss.”

Manius asked the clerk his name.  “Horatius,” he replied.

“Cassius go see the Provost, and tell him to ride to town and arrest Lartius.  Have him brought to my office.  Acamus, go get Pittacus and audit the books.”  He looked at Horatius, and said, “If you value your job, show them the real books, not the phony ones you show visitors.  Modius, let’s go watch the two Legions complete their 12 mile march.  They should be finishing up about now.”

When Manius and Modius arrived at the newly built Legion camps, the dusty columns were still about a mile in the distance and well within the four hour time limit.  Manius sat on his horse and was shortly joined by the two Legates.  They watched the men as they filed into their camps.  They were dusty and tired, but appeared fit and ready to fight.  A few stragglers from each Legion brought up the rear, but no more than normal.  Men suffer blisters, chaffing between their thighs, dehydration; any number of legitimate reasons may cause a man to fall out.  Manius addressed both Legates.  “The men look fit.  Congratulations.  You’ve obviously had them doing physical training as best you could.”

Quinterius responded with an obvious sense of accomplishment.  “Sir we have a training schedule for the garrisons and Headquarters Staff, and the training’s inspected periodically to ensure the schedule is being followed.  The Centurions in charge at each garrison have done a responsible job.  The men swim in the Mediterranean, run, play sports, train with their weapons, and conduct short marches in full battle gear.  We have not neglected our training.”  Antimus said pretty much the same thing.

“Let’s give the troops a day’s rest and start training the day after tomorrow, the 20th, rather than tomorrow.  I think they’d appreciate a day off.  Lilybaeum is now off-limits for them until the men complete three of the six weeks of training.  After that, the town will be on-limits for two days then off-limits again until they complete the full six weeks’ training.  The Provost will patrol the town to ensure compliance.”

“As you know, we have about 7,000 local men who have volunteered to join the Army and undergo training.  We will train them separately for the first two weeks, and then I would like to give half to each of you to integrate into your Legions for the remainder of the course.  After that, they will be permanently assigned to your Legions.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Antimus. “We can always use men to fill out the ranks.”

“I’ll send Centurion Sertorius to see both of you today to explain the training course, walk you through it, and provide specifics for the first day.  You’ve both done a good job with your Legions, and I’ll mention it in my reports to the Consul.”

When Manius arrived back at his Headquarters, Cassius met him outside.  “Sir, Lartius is in your office, hung over, and in no condition to explain his actions.”

“Tell Sempronius to lock him up in the guard house for the night and bring him to my office tomorrow at 7:00 A.M.  Also find out when the next ship is sailing for Rome.”

Later that day, Acamus and Pittacus knocked on Manius’ door.  “Sir we’ve completed about half the audit and discovered many deficiencies.  It’s obvious that the man has been raiding the funds to cavort in the taverns.  His clerk says he’s rarely in the office and is living high at Lilybaeum.  We both believe that Horatius is not part of the theft.  In fact, he’s been completely open and honest with us.”

“Good, tell him to attend tomorrow’s 8:00 A.M. staff meeting.”

*******

The 20th dawned with an overcast sky.  It was obvious that rain was coming.  At 7:00 A.M., Sempronius entered Manius’ office with a now sober and worried Lartius.  “We’ve audited your books with the help of Horatius, and it appears you’ve been skimming funds from the Treasury,” said Manius.  “Additionally, you were absent from your duty station without authorization and drunk.  What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Sir I’ve got a drinking and gambling problem.  I’ve tried to make it right.  I’ll pay the money back and perform my duties in a responsible manner going forward.  Just give me a chance to prove myself.”