Legatus Legionis: Book Two in the Gaius Claudius Scaevola Trilogy (14 page)

"Each of these sections will have names, and will take part in exercises in which they are either defensive or offensive. The defensive sections will have to march between two points through parts of the forest. The offensive section has to ambush them, and for the purposes of these exercises, while every soldier will fight with wooden swords, if they are struck with a wooden sword they will behave as if it were real, and there will be an assessor with each attacking party. Archers will have arrows with large soft round ends. Just in case troops run into raiders, each soldier will also carry a gladius, but they will not under any circumstances use them on other soldiers, or else.

"Now, the purpose of this, and why you are here. I want this to be a competition, so we can work out what works and what doesn't in the forest. I also want to see which of you Tribunes can contribute tactically, so feel free to use your imagination, which gets me to the next point of this meeting. Too many Tribunes spend too much time in tents. Now I know some of you are using this period to start a career in administration, and in the end will spend a relatively short period in the army, and I know the senior Centurions effectively lead the cohorts into battle. They do this because they have the experience, and we don't want amateurs blundering around."

Gaius paused, and thought to himself that that was exactly what the Centurions had thought of his actions in his first major battle. They had not been ready for a Tribune who wanted to control the strategy. Yes, he had won, but as he had begun to see more of the Tribunes in different legions, he realized the Centurions' fears would have been appropriate for most of them.

"You will have to decide whether you wish to contribute to controlling your part of the battles or not. I shall set the overall strategy for a battle, and I shall order certain advances and certain tactics, but in the heat of the action, messages do not easily get through and I need officers with the ability to control two or three cohorts to be in the field. I need to know who here has any ability. At least three of the Tribunes will be field officers and not staff officers.

"Now, to the point of these exercises. I don't mind your trying something that doesn't work, but I will be more than a little peeved if nobody tries anything. I need to find out who amongst you Tribunes has any ability, so if you think you have, now will be a good time to show it. That also means there are limitations to what you can do in these exercises. While evading the enemy is often a good idea, the marches will be long enough that it should take about five hours by the shortest route. I don't want the defensive side to win by going some other way. That could well be the best thing to do in the field, but it won't teach us anything about tactics. Right, that's it. Let's see what we can learn."

At first, nothing much was learnt, apart from the fact that some Tribunes were better than others at setting ambushes. If that was ignored, there was a further problem: both sides always fought like Romans. While this was hardly surprising given that the advances were led by very experienced Centurions, and while in many ways it was good, it also limited what could be learned. The one lesson that stood out above all else was that those not ambushing usually prevailed only when their scouts located the ambushers well before engagement. This was not exactly surprising, but it did lead Gaius to encouraging as many of those who had originated from forested areas to learn scouting.

Gaius also decided that it was better to march with centuries reasonably separated, but otherwise as compact as they could manage. That way, it would be difficult for all centuries to be ambushed at the same time, and while some would have a more difficult job defending themselves, at least for a time, the others would have the freedom to get in behind the ambushers. Would that work? He did not know, but it seemed plausible. But if he were to do that, it would be almost essential to split the archers up, and march them with centuries. That way, if an ambush commenced, the century under attack could form a small defensive square, or circle, with some archers in the middle. This might buy time.

How to attack? And what with? The gladius was an ideal weapon for the infantry in an advancing shield wall. Where the wall could close up on the opponent, the shields made it very difficult to be struck by a swinging weapon, and the offensive strike was made by a quick stabbing action. But in a forest, it was not so easy to close in on an enemy. Here, the lighter auxiliaries might be of more value. They could move faster, and might be better at fighting in open file, where quick movement and a longer reach might be important. In which case, for them longer swords and long spears, as used by the Iazyges, might be better weapons. After all, those who fought all their battles in forests had probably developed the most suitable weapons for that sort of fighting. Such a style of fighting was hardly standard Roman tactics, but one style was not necessarily applicable to all terrain, and the fact remained that it was in forested areas that the Roman army had had most of its difficulties.

The summer was surprisingly warm, and centuries of the legion marched all over the countryside, much to the initial consternation and finally the general mirth of the local population. There was no need for river crossings, and trade was prolific with those on the other side of the river. At last the Empire was working as it should, and even those on the other side of the river appreciated the civilizing effect of Rome.

* * *

In the later summer, word came of a large band of such raiders from the Northeast who appeared to be heading in the direction of the client Iazyges over the river. While there was no obligation to do anything about this, Gaius sent a messenger offering assistance. Firstly, it was always better to have friends over the river, and secondly it would give him a chance to see how the Iazyges fought in the forest. Not surprisingly, the offer was accepted, and four cohorts, including the first, crossed the river.

Now was the chance to see what they had learned, for they had to make a forced march to the main village. Fortunately, the tracks were wide and the cohorts could march almost as if in open terrain. The one difference was that Gaius insisted that the archers and auxiliaries were evenly spread throughout the heavy infantry. They reached the main village without incident, and this time the Romans constructed their defensive camp well away from the village.

The Romans and an equal number of Iazyges marched north the following day, each side watching the other with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. Fortunately, the terrain soon forced each to march at a distance from the other. The last thing either needed were the inevitable taunts that could lead to a fight between them.

On day five the first news came from one of the scouts: a raiding party was approximately a day's march to the northeast. A Council of War was held, and the Iazygian chief was asked what route the raiders were likely to take, given where they were and where they were probably heading. There was only one likely road, and they would take it, unless they wished to risk getting lost in the forest.

"So," Gaius said, "where would you suggest would be the best place for an ambush?"

At first the Iazygian chief seemed a little surprised that the Romans would opt for an ambush, but he was clearly pleased with the strategy. There were two places, he said, but one was better because it was closer, and gave them more time to prepare. Gaius agreed to the latter site, and suggested they march the following morning. This raised the question, what order would they march. In the end, Gaius pointed out that if they weren't to go together the Iazyges should lead, as only they knew the route. They agreed to set off at first light. With that settled, each party retreated to their own camps.

Gaius had just reached his own tent when Lucius Matius, his
Tribunus Laticlavius
requested to see him. He was invited in, and Gaius was amused to see the awkward look on his junior's face.

"It looks like you don't think I'm going to like this," Gaius smiled, as he indicated that Lucius should take a seat. "Don't worry. You can speak freely."

"Is this a good idea?" Matius started.

"If you mean, this expedition, I think so," Gaius shrugged. "What is bothering you?"

"It could be trap," Matius said. "They could unite with these raiders, wipe out half the legion, then cross the Danube and . . ."

"That is indeed possible," Gaius agreed. "So, how do we defend against it?"

"Well, not go . . ."

"Having come this far, that's not an option," Gaius shrugged. "That would virtually force the Iazyges into an alliance with the northern tribes."

"I suppose so," Matius agreed.

"How I intend to fight this ambush," Gaius continued, "is that because we shall be fighting on a slope, the Iazyges will attack from above. If they don't, we shall know there's treachery. If they do, then the northern tribesmen will be facing uphill, and will probably advance just a little. That will let us form a line on the road, so that if anything goes wrong after that, we are in an optimum formation."

"I see," came the disciplined response.

"Don't go," Gaius waved, to stop his Tribune from excusing himself. "Have some wine." He poured a goblet, and handed it to his Tribune. "Now, since you've raised it, what would you do if there is treachery, and the Iazyges unite with the others against us?"

"Fight our way out of it."

"Yes, but how?"

"I suppose it would depend on the terrain . . ."

"Assume it is as described," Gaius said. "If it's wildly different, we'll know in advance something's wrong."

"Then we should try to form a line, or a square."

"I want the first to form the smaller squares that we have practised," Gaius said. "Make sure the Centurions keep an eye on what is going on, and don't let big gaps form between squares. If we can trap enemy between squares, those should be able to be eliminated rapidly, while if the enemy don't go in between, then we can rest soldiers."

"Yes, sir."

"Why are we doing this?"

"I suppose, to help these Iazyges, and . . ."

"Yes, but why do we care about them?"

There was an embarrassed silence.

"The reason is simple," Gaius said. "If we adopt a totally defensive strategy, sooner or later we lose. What Augustus realized was that if we have friendly but independent tribes adjacent to Rome's domains, they do the fighting. The problem is, why won't the independent tribesmen start wondering why they're doing our fighting, and if they have to fight, why don't they unite with the opposition and raid us, especially since we're more wealthy?"

"Because we're stronger?"

"If you believe that, why are you worried about this expedition?"

There was a further silence.

"The important point is that right now these Iazyges are reasonably likely to fight with us, so if we help them, then we gain more respect. Sure, there's risk of treachery, but we mustn't be forced into inaction just because of that possibility."

"I suppose not."

"There is another reason too, which is why I want you to pay attention. The Roman army is now fairly close to being invincible against barbarians in a fight in open terrain. The same is not true in forests, where we can't form lines."

"I'm sure the men will . . ."

"I'm not doubting the men," Gaius smiled, "but don't underestimate the enemy either. No, our problem is, so far we don't know what tactics are optimal for fighting in forests. So, what I want you to do is keep an eye open for what the two enemies are doing. They may not teach us anything, but they might. Now, go and get some sleep."

* * *

The march the following morning was uneventful, and they arrived at the designated site in good time. Gaius was pleased to see that the site was very similar to what had been described. This was reassuring, although it did not entirely rule out the possibility of a double-cross. A scout had already arrived, and he informed the two leaders that the raiders were less than an hour away, and were marching quickly. There were about one and a half thousand of them.

The road passed along a flat part of the side of a hill. Anyone marching on this road could march as much as twelve abreast here, so superficially it was not an ideal site for an ambush. Above the road, a forest of quite massive trees made its way up the gently sloping hill. Below the road, the ground was shrubbier and the land fell away a little more steeply towards a small stream below. Gaius quickly ordered his infantry to hide themselves in formation downhill, and his cavalry to remain as far to the rear as possible, while remaining within the range of the horn. He also sent two centuries of men who had trained well in forest skills to go towards the enemy, to let them pass, and later to cut off any fleeing baggage train. In the event that a horn indicated treachery, they were to make their way home as best they could.

The sun was almost soporific, and for a while Gaius was wondering if the enemy could pass by while the ambushers were asleep, but he need not have worried. The northern tribesmen were not at all well disciplined, and they could be heard from quite some distance. They made a fearful racket as they marched along, full of swagger.

They had almost passed, and Gaius was beginning to wonder about his allies, when a series of yells rent the air, and Iazyges poured down the slope waving axes and yelling insults. The northern tribesmen turned to meet them, and as expected, moved towards them. Gaius gave the arm signal for a silent advance.

The Romans came forward and managed to form a line on the edge of the road without the enemy knowing they were there. Meanwhile, the Iazyges were finding the battle somewhat difficult. Superficially, the Iazyges were outnumbered, and the northerners were seemingly better fighters. The leading Roman line crossed towards the rear of the northerners, and it was only when the Romans were almost upon the northerners that they realized their problem. Fighting with large weapons with their back turned to the heavily armoured Romans left them with almost no chance. The shield wall crashed into them, and they had nowhere to go, and insufficient room to turn.