Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (16 page)

Tomaeus thought for a while, then said, “I’ll stay here tomorrow and the next day, and leave on the 24th to go back and give the Praetor a preliminary report.  You two can stay here and nail this thing down.  After looking around a bit more, I’ll probably get the engineers to start sighting in the palisade along the river.  At this point, this area looks pretty good.”

“I agree with you,” said Servilius.  “This looks like the best blocking position around.  Tomorrow, I’ll get an escort, pack animals, maybe a guide from the village and begin my ride around the lake.”

“I’ll cross the river and look at this site from the mercenaries point of view,” said Vitulus, “and try to figure out how I would attack it.  I’ll also see what the mountains on the east side look like.”

*******

Segovesus, Chief of the Cenomani Tribe

Andreas, Elitovius, and their escort rode another eight miles west after separating from the Advance Party.  Brixia was 22 miles from the lake.  It was almost dark when they stopped and set up camp.  They hurriedly ate a simple dinner and went to bed exhausted from the day’s ride.  The next morning, they decided to let the horses graze and the men rest.  Brixia was now only 14 miles away.

“I think it would be best if we arrive about 3:00 P.M. in the afternoon, mused Elitovius.  Any earlier and we’re just going to be in the way.  Let’s send some cavalry ahead this morning to tell them we’re coming.  Cenomani aren’t keen on surprises.”

He continued.  “Here’s what I think will happen.  We’ll greet Chief Segovesus and his elders and be assigned a shelter for the night.  He’ll invite us for dinner; I recommend we do not talk business until we finish eating.  I’ll ask him to clear the room before we tell him why we are here.  He’ll like the secrecy, and it will allow him some flexibility. He has a typical Cenomani heart for intrigue and conspiracy.  Even if you supply him with all the facts, he will construct a story that fits his mindset. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m just like him.”

Andreas laughed.  “That’s what I like about you.  You don’t take anything at face value.  You’re always searching for the big picture and trying to get it to fit into your preconceived notions.  I’ll admit, sometimes you’re annoying, but it’s also useful.  I’m too trusting.  Tell me something and I believe it exactly as you say it.  Don’t change Elitovius; we need people like you.”

After the long rest, the ride to Brixia was easy and pleasant.  They arrived at 3:30 P.M. and were expected.  They were among friends and received deferential treatment.  The villagers yelled their greeting as they rode by, everyone smiled.  They rode to Segovesus’ hut and dismounted.  They waited respectfully until he and the elders appeared.

“Andreas, Elitovius my old friends, it’s good to see you both!  We’re honored by your visit.”  Andreas tucked his helmet under his arm and climbed the four steps leading to the hut’s entrance.  After they greeted each elder, Segovesus said, “My daughter Mincia will show you to your hut; why don’t you clean up and rest for a while.  Join us for dinner at 5:30 P.M.”

When they arrived at the hut, Mincia hinted that she was willing to return later if Andreas wished.  Puzzled, he looked at Elitovius who shook his head vigorously from side to side.  When she left the hut, Elitovius explained, “She was only being polite.  She didn’t expect you to say yes.  I thought you knew that.”

“She’s nice looking, but too young for me.”

“I agree she is good looking, but asking her to return would have been a major breech of protocol.  Mincia is 15 years old and Segovesus’ only child.  He should be finding her a husband, but ever since his wife died, he’s been holding on to Mincia.  If you really want a woman tonight, I can arrange it.”

“Better not.  I want to keep this meeting strictly professional.  Trysts have a way of complicating things.”

After they cleaned up and rested for a while, they went to Segovesus’ hut for dinner.  About 30 people were sitting on the floor next to a low table.  A strong raisin wine was being poured by female servants.  Andreas and Elitovius were escorted to their place of honor next to Segovesus.  Andreas left his armor and sword at his hut, but carried his pugio in his waist belt.  A man was never without his dagger.

In no time, the table was creaking under the weight of a sumptuous banquet as the servants went back and forth to the kitchen carrying an assortment of tasty items.  Andreas recognized everything on the table.  He saw bread made from emmer; there were a variety of cheese dishes, eggs, milk, chicken, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and a locally made fish sauce to add spice and additional flavor.

Elitovius leaned over to Andreas and whispered, “Watch out for that fish sauce; it’s not the high quality stuff you’re used to.  Smells pretty bad!”

As the food was passed around the table, the musicians took their seats and began to play, softly at first, but increasing in volume and tempo as the party got progressively louder.  Topics of conversation included the weather, crops, farm animals, births of babies, the gods, food, health, illnesses, and soil conditions, but no business!

After two hours of merriment, food and drink, Segovesus thanked everyone for coming.  He asked Andreas and Elitovius to remain to catch up on old times.  The servants cleared the table, and only a few body guards and advisors remained sitting.  “Tell me my good friends, what brings you from Rome to Brixia?”

Andreas thanked the Chief for his warm hospitality and for an especially good dinner.  Elitovius quietly added, “Friend, the message we carry is for your ears only.”

Segovesus looked at the four body guards and said, “Wait outside; these others can hear the message.  I assume this has to do with Mago and the recruiters that passed through last month.”

Andreas carefully explained the mission given to Manius by the Senate, the seven Legions tasked with preventing Mago from moving south, Scipio’s impending invasion of Africa, and then focused on the size of the expected mercenary army and their expected arrival dates.  He was careful not to immediately ask the Chief for troops to help hold the blocking position.

Segovesus and his advisors asked numerous questions as the gravity of Andreas’ words slowly sunk in.  Segovesus and his people were facing an impending disaster.  His small army of 20,000 warriors mostly faced west towards Mediolanum (modern Milan), the heart of Insubres territory, a mere 56 miles (91km) from Brixia.  He had managed to negotiate an agreement with their Chief, and the peace was holding.  A handful of mercenaries passing through his land was one thing, but 40,000 to 50,000 would have a severe and lasting impact on the people and the land.  This was, indeed, cause for alarm.

“What do you want from us?” asked a clearly worried Segovesus.

Elitovius picked it up.  “We would not ask you for anything unless the future of the Cenomani was in jeopardy.  By helping Rome, you can also help yourself and spare your people from devastation and want.  I believe it is in your best interest to support Rome and stop these killers before they reach Brixia.”

“Segovesus,” said Andreas, “Rome has only assigned 11,000 men, two Legions, for this important mission.  We need warriors who are willing to fight to protect their homeland.  Manius has asked me to implore you to give us 10,000 men, who are led, if possible, by the able Taluric.  He also suggests that you should consider an evacuation of your people to the north in case the mercenaries break through our blocking position.”

Segovesus looked at his Advisors.  They looked back.  No one spoke.  After a long pause, Segovesus said, “We will discuss this matter in private.  I will give you my answer tomorrow morning before you leave.”

Andreas and Elitovius thanked the Chief again for his hospitality and for any help he could provide the two Legions facing 50,000 mercenaries.  They returned to their hut and went to sleep.

Segovesus looked at his two Advisors.  “Well?”  They talked long into the night.

Andreas, Elitovius, and the cavalry escort were in the process of packing their gear to depart when Segovesus and his Advisors met them by their horses.  Segovesus looked like he hadn’t slept.

“Good morning Chief,” said Elitovius.

“I see you’re still an early riser,” replied Segovesus.  “The Cenomani will give you 10,000 men to aid in our common defense.  They are stationed mostly in the west to guard against the Insubres, but we now face an even greater threat.  I will have them recalled and sent to Benacus.  When do you think Praetor Tullus will arrive?”

“He thought at the end of May or the first few days in June,” answered Andreas.

Segovesus said, “That gives me about 10 days to assemble the men and send them.  I plan to arrive with my men, so I can speak with Manius,” Segovesus informed them.  “Have a safe ride back.  We all have much work to do.”

Andreas, Elitovius, and the cavalry completed their packing and rode out of Brixia.  Andreas turned to Elitovius, “I think we did fairly well.”

“Tribune, we did indeed.”

*******

Still sluggish from the heavy dinner the previous night, the three Tribunes began their separate tasks.  Vitulus and Servilius assembled their cavalry escorts and rode in opposite directions out of the camp.  Vitulus went east to the bridge over the Mincio, and Servilius west towards the settlement to talk to the men who had joined them for dinner.

Blocking Position on the Mincio River.  The bridge and three islands are visible.
(Google Maps)

Tomaeus had a few more things to do before he could leave.  He called all his engineers together.  Some of the men were highly skilled surveyors and builders and the rest were experienced helpers.  “I plan to ride along the river’s edge to ensure we can build palisades all the way south to the swamp.  When I hit the swamp, I’m going to ride around it.  I’ll probably be gone for four or five hours.  While I’m gone, I want the rest of you to start setting up markers for the wall along the river.  Leave enough space for a ditch between the river and the wall.  I might even want to connect the ditch and the river at some point to make a bigger obstacle.  Just follow the contour of the river.”

He looked at his master builder, Decimus Nepos Atius, a man in his early forties and childhood friend of Tomaeus.  The two had shared many an adventure together, some of which they would rather forget.  “Decimus, you seemed to enjoy the fish last night.  How’d that fish sauce sit with your stomach?”

“I paid for it all night, but it was good going down.”

“I had the same, but drank a cup of chamomile tea before turning in, and it helped.  Decimus, you saw the three islands at the mouth of the river?  Get a boat from the locals and check them out.  The Praetor mentioned that we may have to fortify them.  Find out how deep the water is and if we can connect all three islands with bridges.  If we can connect the palisade running along the river with the eastern most island by extending the wall into the water that would be ideal.”

Tomaeus rode along the river with five of his engineers and a small cavalry escort.  He stopped periodically to test the river’s depth and the soil composition along the banks.  When he reached the swamp, he sent a few men into it at separate points.  “Just walk your horses in until it gets too difficult to go any farther.”

After about 45 minutes, they returned and all had the same story.  “It starts off fairly shallow with firm ground, but the water get deeper as you go.  Trees and brush are all intertwined; you’d have to cut your way through it.  With all the fallen trees in there, it’s like an obstacle course.  An army could come through, but they would be in no shape to fight afterwards, and I’d pity the condition of their feet.”

“Let’s ride along the edge of the swamp.  I want to see how far west this thing goes.  The locals say it’s about three miles deep and extends along the river for another two miles.  Let’s check that out.”