Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (12 page)

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Praetor Manius Tullus’ new mission

When Mago’s fleet sailed past Carthago Nova in November 206, they were spotted by a small Roman fleet.  Since they were too few in number to attack Mago’s convoy, they followed at a distance, but immediately sent ships to inform Rome.  After Mago departed the Balearic Island of Pityusa, the Roman fleet landed on the island to learn more about the enemy convoy.  They got a fairly good estimate of the number of troops and cavalry carried by the transports, but were unsure of Mago’s final destination.  Rome was again notified.

Senate leaders debated the purpose of Mago’s convoy and destination.  Most assumed he would land at Genoa, and, like his brother Hasdrubal, attempt to reinforce Hannibal.  Legions and Auxiliary Legions were notified to stand-by to march north.

The Roman fleet sent additional reports that Mago had departed Menorca, and sailed to Sardinia and then to Corsica.

Now there was no doubt as to Mago’s intentions.  In late March, four Legions and three Auxiliaries were ordered to march to Ariminum to block any southward movement by Mago.  The Legates were instructed to avoid battle, unless it was absolutely necessary, until the strength of Mago’s Army was determined.  The Senate knew he would successfully recruit additional troops from among the Ligurians and Insubres.

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In mid-April, the Legates at Ariminum were visited by the Cenomani Chief Segovesus, a loyal Roman ally and personal friend of Praetor Manius Tullus. He explained that six men and 20 horsemen from Mago’s Army had stopped at Brixia to recruit mercenaries from among the Cenomani tribe.  Segovesus told them, “We shared a meal, and I got them pretty drunk.  I provided them with companionship for the night, and they openly told the girls where they were going and why.  The girls were instructed as to what information to pry out of them.”

One impatient Legate asked, “What did you find out?”

“I had to piece together several stories after they left to get the whole picture, but here’s what I’ve learned.  Three men are going to see King Scerdilaidas to recruit about 20,000 Illyrians, and the other three are going to Ptuj and Posonium to try to get another 30,000 Taurisci, Boii, and Eravisci.  They all expect to be back at Genoa in the July-August time frame.  I don’t know how many men Mago arrived with, but if he gets another 50,000 men, he will be hard to beat!”

The Legates rewarded Segovesus for providing them the information, and he returned to Brixia.  Segovesus’ concern now was how to protect his people if 50,000 hungry men came marching through Brixia enroute to Genoa.  He called a meeting among his Council and Elders, who collectively decided to evacuate Brixia in June.  If they went south to seek the protection of the Legions, a Roman defeat by the Carthaginians would expose them to Mago’s wrath.  They decided to go north, away from both armies.  The Council withheld this information from the general population until the situation became clearer.  Rome could yet provide a solution.

The Legates immediately sent riders to Rome to inform them of this new and unexpected threat.  The Legates were concerned, lest they face two large Armies, one from the east and Mago from the west.  They requested additional Legions.

When the news was briefed to the Senate in late April, some were genuinely concerned that Mago might actually defeat the seven Legions and continue south to reinforce Hannibal.  The thought that this war could continue indefinitely was too painful to consider.  One of the many options proposed was to recall the Legions from Spain.  The problem with that idea, as was pointed out, was that Carthage would then reoccupy Spain, and all of Scipio’s good work would be undone.  No, the Legions in Spain had to remain there.  Others proposed recalling the two banished Legions from Sicily to reinforce the seven already deployed to Ariminum.  For those Senators who believed in Scipio and his plan to invade Africa, this idea was out of the question.

Then Senator Quintus Fabius who knew and respected Praetor Manius Tullus rose to speak.  “I may have a viable solution to our problem.  Some of you may recall Praetor Tullus.  He was wounded at Cannae and then assigned to the Training Center at Campus Martius.  After honorable service there, he was dispatched in 210 BC to Oenipons (modern Innsbruck) to maintain commerce coming down from Germania.  In the process, he defeated 17,000 Suevi warriors by building a coalition of local tribes comprised of Cenomani and Raeti warriors.  For that feat, he was awarded an Ovation by this Senate in 207.”

Fabius continued with everyone’s rapt attention.  “The following year, he was called upon again.  This time, he was directed to repel the Cimbri/Teuton Tribes who had crossed the Danubius (modern Danube River), and threatened to invade Oenipons and spill down into northern Italy.  With the help of a significant number of warriors from the Suevi and Raeti peoples, his two Legions defeated an imposing 90,000 man Cimbri/Teuton Army at the Battle of Radasbona (modern Regensburg).  This is a man who knows how to plan, organize, build a coalition, lead, and fight.”

“He is currently in Sicily training Consul Scipio’s two Legions.  I propose we recall him, and send him north with Legio XVII and V Etrusci to do what he does best: build a coalition from among the local tribes and defeat Mago’s reinforcements coming from the east.  I call for a vote!”

The votes were tabulated, and it was unanimous.  Once again, Manius was going to northern Italy at the direction of the Senate.

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In late April 205 BC, Manius received new orders from the Senate via a letter from Scipio, who appended additional instructions.  Manius was ordered to turn over his Praefectum to Tribune Sempronius, pack his bags, and ride back to Messana.  It was time; he was ready to move on.  He knew he was leaving Lilybaeum better than how he found it.

He held the letter and reread it.  It was intentionally vague for security reasons.  “You will depart Sicily immediately and report to Rome.  You will be met at the port of Irna (modern Salerno) by Tribune Porcius who will provide additional details.  You can expect to deploy for upwards of six months.  You have been specifically selected to lead this mission.”

Manius rubbed his forehead.  He felt conflicted.  He had planned to retire after Sicily.  He told Lucia that this would be his last assignment, and now this. 
I could turn it down, he thought, but I’m curious to know what the Senate wants me to do.
  He felt flattered that he had been ‘specifically selected.
’  I’ll listen to Porcius, and then decide what to do
.

As Manius was packing and gathering his papers, he heard a knock on the door.  Manius looked up and saw Centurion Cassius, Legionary Modius, and the two clerks.  “I see you’ve come to say good bye,” he said with a smile.

“Not exactly sir,” responded Cassius.  “We’d like to ask you a question.”

“Go on,” urged Manius as he stopped packing and listened.

“Well sir,” began Cassius, “We’ve all been working for you for about six months now.  I’m not sure how to say this, but we like the way you treat people and take care of business.  What I’m saying is that we’d all like to go with you.  We’ve talked it over and agree.  If you could speak to the Chief, and tell him that you need us, I think he’d approve our transfer.  Unless you don’t need us anymore.  We’d understand.”

Manius put down his papers and looked at the four men.  “You do know my new orders are to deploy for six months.  I’m not sure where, but I suspect it has something to do with Mago, and that could mean going to the Cisalpine.  Do you want to be part of that?”

The men emphatically answered, “Yes sir!”

“If that’s your choice, I’d be happy to have you.  Pack your bags; we’re leaving this afternoon for Messana.”

The trip east was long, but uneventful.  When they arrived at the busy port city, Manius went straight to the Chief’s office.  He wanted to confirm his orders, turn in his final report, and thank the Chief for his support during the last six months.  He also discussed with the Chief the appointments of Centurions Sertorius as Camp Trainer and Sentius as Facilities Manager.  “Sir, I’d like you to make those appointments permanent.  They’ve both done an outstanding job.”

The Chief turned to his clerk and said, “Prepare the necessary paperwork.”

“Sir, one more thing before I go.  I would like to have four members of my staff from Lilybaeum attached to the staff of Legio XVII for the duration of my new mission.  They will be critical to the accomplishment of my mission.”

The Chief looked at his clerk.  “Prepare the transfer for my signature.”

Manius saluted, turned, and walked out.  The clerk was right behind him.  “Sir, I need the names of the four men.”

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Manius arrives in Rome

Rather than suffer through a slow ship ride back to Rome, Manius was instructed to sail the short distance from Messana to Irna where he would be met by a cavalry escort to accompany him to Rome.  Manius could not believe his good fortune!  He met with the Captain of the ship, who told him that he would cover the 175 miles in 24 hours by rowing hard all night.  Such was the urgency of Manius’ new mission.  Thankfully, the sea was relatively calm, and Manius’ thoughts were focused on his new assignment rather than his stomach.

When they arrived at Irna the cavalry escort was waiting with Tribune Porcius.  Manius was anxious to hear about his new mission.  As they rode out of Irna, Manius concluded that a bouncing horse felt much better than a heaving ship.  By riding 30 miles a day, Manius expected to cover the 165 mile trip to Rome in five days.

When they stopped at a tavern for dinner and sleep, Manius and Tribune Porcius reviewed his mission.  “Sir, first off, Legiones XVII and V Etrusci have been notified and are preparing to march.  Here’s what we know about Mago and his recruiting activities.” The courier spread a map on the table.  “Mago is located here at Savona.  Our seven Legions are here at Ariminum, and prepared to move to block Mago if he attempts to go south into Etruria.  At this time, he is still recruiting men from among the Insubres and Ligurians.  We guess that once he completes that, he will have to spend considerable time training them before engaging us in battle.  We don’t envision an immediate attack.”

“We know he has sent six men to the east to recruit among the Illyrians, and north among the Boii, Taurisci, and Eravisci, who are located in Ptuj, Posonium, and Vindunia (modern Vienna).  We know this from information passed to us by the Chiefs at Brixia, Verona, Vincentia (modern Vicenza), Patavium (modern Padua), and finally Venetiae.  After that, we lost track of the six men.  Our best guess is that they separated at Venetiae, and that some went to Illyria by boat and the others continued riding north.”

Porcius continued, “We anticipate that the recruiters will be successful.  Carthage will pay them well.  The Illyrian mercenaries are expected to march north along the Adriatic, and then basically retrace the route of the recruiters back to Genoa to link up with Mago.  Since they usually travel with limited supplies and few wagons, we expect they will pretty well clean out the villages and settlements they pass through of anything edible and of value.”

“Since the Illyrians in the south have farther to travel than the Boii, Taurisci, and Eravisci. We speculate that the northern tribes will not march south to Venice.  If they did, they would clean out the villages of all available food leaving nothing for the Illyrians when they come through the same area.  We think the recruiters will tell the northern mercenaries to travel west through the Inn River Valley to Innsbruck and come down the Brenner Pass.  If our calculations are correct, and there are many variables, the Boii, Taurisci, and Eravisci should arrive at Verona in early July, and the Illyrians in late July.  We don’t think it’s possible for them to arrive any earlier than that.”

“Your mission is to block their westward movement in the vicinity of Verona.  I understand that you are familiar with the Cisalpine and may know of good defensible terrain.  You can expect to be greatly outnumbered and will need to recruit troops from among the local tribes to help you.  You could be facing upwards of 50,000 men.”

Manius was definitely intrigued with this mission.  It had everything he loved in an assignment.  It would be an independent command and not part of a larger army.  He would be far from the politics of Rome and working with Auxiliaries. 
I can’t pass this up; I’ll retire after this last assignment.  Lucia will understand.

Each night when they stopped to rest, Manius had his two clerks, Acamus and Pittacus, and Centurion Cassius join him while he thought his way through the upcoming expedition.  Manius placed a map on the wall, and envisioned what he, as the Commander, needed to know and do in the little time remaining before his Legions marched north.