Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (15 page)

“Tomaeus, let’s focus on the ditch, wall, and palisades.  The wall we build at Lake Benacus will not be a typical marching camp wall or even like the one we built at Bad Tolz.  This wall will make or break our defenses.  It is our primary means to stop them, and the single most important piece of construction we will undertake.  Allow sufficient space between the river and where you start constructing the wall.  I want the “V” shaped ditch to be 10 feet deep and 15 feet wide.  Throw some of the spoil on the river side of the ditch to create a mound 6 feet high and 6 feet wide at the base.”

“I want the dirt rampart to be 20 feet wide and 12 feet high to allow me to rapidly shift forces.  Construct the enemy side of the rampart with horizontal logs to a height of 12 feet.  On top of the rampart, implant five foot vertical logs for the parapet.  Between the horizontal and the vertical logs, place 2 foot long sharpened stakes facing the enemy at irregular angles.  Lastly I want the towers to be between 20-25 feet high above the rampart.”

“Gentlemen, that’s everything I have at this point.  Before you go, is there anything that you need to know to do your job that I haven’t covered?”  The men looked at each other and shook their heads.

Manius left the meeting to find Titus talking to a group of Legionaries as they were preparing their evening meal.  Cassius never left Titus’ side.  “Titus,” Manius called, “are you ready to go home?  These men need to eat and take care of their preparations to march.”

Titus reluctantly stood up.  The Legionaries said their farewells and Titus walked to the camp gate with Manius and Cassius.  Cassius went to fetch two horses while Manius asked Titus about his day.  “Father, this has been the best day of my life!” he exclaimed.  “I threw the pilum, wore Legionary armor, practiced sword fighting with Cassius, and ate lunch with real soldiers.  They told me a lot of stories about battles and fighting.  One day, I would like to be one of them.”

“That’s still a few years off.  We’ll talk about it.  I’m happy you’re so interested.  How did you do with the shield?” asked Manius.

“Fine in the beginning, but then it got too heavy to hold up.  Father, everyone speaks well of you.  They like you and are glad you are their Commander.  No one said anything bad.”

“That’s nice to hear.  When I return, we’ll do this again since you like it so much.  I’ll see if Cassius can get you a helmet, pila, armor, shield, and legionary sandals for you to use while I’m gone.  Would you like that?”

“Very much!” exclaimed Titus as his eyebrows shot up.  “That would be perfect.”

When Cassius returned from taking Titus home, he went to see Manius.  “Sir, young Titus is safely home.  He’s a fine boy, and will grow into a strong and capable man someday.”

“Thank you Centurion.  He told me that this was the best day of his life.  I appreciate all you did.  I have one more task for you regarding Titus.  Look through our supplies, and get Titus a complete Legionary uniform along with pilum and gladius.  I told him I would do this before we leave.  I’ll give you money so it’s legally purchased.”

“Yes sir, no problem.  When I assemble the gear, I will take it to him personally.”

*******

At 7:45 A.M. on May 8th, the lead element, consisting of cavalry, light infantry, and Snake’s 1,000 Illyrian archers, stepped onto the Via Flaminia.  Ariminum lay some 195 miles (314km) across the Apennius Mons (modern Apennine Mountains) to the northeast. The job of the lead element was to provide early warning and clear the route of civilian traffic.  Marching troops always had priority.

By 8:00 A.M., the Legions were formed up outside the quadrangle on the edge of the Via Flaminia awaiting the order to march.  The Standard Bearers, followed by two Maniples, each from the two Legions, along with Engineer troops formed the vanguard.  Manius, the two Legates, body guards composed of elite troops from the Legions, signal trumpeters, and all 100 scorpio formed the Command Group.  Legio XVII and V Etrusci were next in line with six Legionaries abreast.  The baggage trains and assorted camp followers and slaves followed the Legions.  Cavalry provided the rear guard.

At the sound of the trumpets, the Standard Bearers stepped off.  Praetor Manius Tullus’ third independent expedition in four years had begun.

Tomaeus, Andreas, Vitulus, Servilius, and Elitovius, along with an engineering survey team, a cavalry escort, and extra pack horses began their separate journey north.  Since the baggage trains would not leave the area for at least another three hours, the animals continued to graze.

The Legions walked through the slightly ascending Tiber River Valley to the small town of Castello della Formiche and entered the Apennines.  Since leaving Rome, they had climbed 219 feet (67m) in elevation and crossed several stone bridges.  The terrain slowly got steeper with each step, and the pace slowed a little.  Breaks became more frequent.  By the time they reached Tadinum (modern Gualdo Tadio), they had ascended to 1,759 feet (536m) and they were still climbing.

The column stopped at Tadinum to allow the troops to view the ruined remains of the small community, which had been completely destroyed by Hannibal in 218.  It now stood as a bleak reminder of why they were marching north.  If the Legions could not prevent Hannibal and Mago from joining forces, Rome could look like this small community.  All that remained were blackened foundations of homes and barns and an occasional chimney rising defiantly from the ruins.

The men breathed easier when the Scheggia Pass came into view.  At the 2,073 foot (632m) summit of the divide between east and west, the Legions rested and took in the scenery.  From here on, it was all downhill.  They passed over more bridges and through one tunnel cut out of solid rock.  When they reached Cale (modern Cagli), they had descended to 1,167 feet.  At Forum Sempronii (modern Fossombrone), they had dropped another 500 feet.  After a short distance, they could see the Adriatic and entered the coastal town of Fanum Fortunae (modern Fano).  They had crossed the Apennines, which included one tunnel and over 20 bridges.  They also saw a little of the terrible destruction that Hannibal had wrought upon Italy.

The long column turned north, passing through Pisaurum (modern Pesaro), and arrived at Ariminum, their interim destination.  It had taken 14 days, and it was now May 22nd.  Manius planned to rest the column for one day, depart on the 24th, and cover the remaining 125 miles in eight days.  He estimated the column would arrive at Lake Benacus between June 1-5.

The Advance Party had already alerted the Commanders at Ariminum that Manius and his Legions were on the way.  The column of troops was led to their encampment area where everyone was looking forward to a day’s rest.  Manius met with Proconsul Livius, where he learned that Praetor Lucretius had already moved his Legions into Etruria (central Italy) and had taken up a defensive position at Arretium (modern Arezzo).  The Proconsul added that he was planning to leave Ariminum shortly and join Lucretius.

*******

The Advance Party arrived at the southern end of Lake Benacus on May 21st.  They had ridden 25 miles a day since leaving Rome.  Andreas, Elitovius, and their cavalry escort broke away from the Advanced Party and rode west towards Brixia to talk with the Cenomani Chief, Segovesus.  Two other riders continued north to tell Timo and Bethica that Andreas and Elitovius were going to visit them shortly with a message from Manius.  Tomaeus and the two Tribunes along with the engineering survey team and cavalry stopped on the west bank of the Mincio River close to the single bridge in the area and set up their camp.  The lake was about 100 yards north.

As he dismounted, Tomaeus, who was older than the rest of group, grunted, “I may never recover from that ride.  I still feel like there’s a bouncing saddle under my butt.”  Facing the Commander of the cavalry escort, he said, “Push out some riders both east and west to give us some early warning if anyone is coming along the road.  I don’t want to be surprised by the Advance Guard of the mercenaries, in case they didn’t get a copy of the schedule that we set for them.”  He meant the last part as a joke, but no one laughed.  He shook it off and told his engineers to set up the tents and tend to the horses.  It felt good to stretch his legs and just walk around a bit.  The ride had done nothing good for his chronic constipation; he felt that if he ate anymore garlic to help, he would turn into a bulb.  He hoped that some exercise would do the trick and continued walking.  He was actually intent on looking at the lake and the surrounding terrain. He hoped a brisk walk would accomplish two tasks at once.

“Vitulus, Servilius, let’s go for a walk.”  He outranked them and was the Commander of the Advanced Party, so he felt comfortable giving orders.  They all walked up to the lake.  They first saw the three islands that Manius mentioned and then the towering mountains that rose up on each side of the lake.  The mountains stretched north as far as they could see.  Tomaeus said, “It looks like there’s a road around the lake on both sides.  I can’t see how far it goes, but there may be a way to get around this beauty.”

Lake Benacus (modern Lake Garda)
(Google Maps)

“If there is,” said Vitulus, “then that’s a major concern.  The mercenaries could get behind us and attack our rear while pinning us in the front.  I can see why the Praetor said we will probably need two walls: one facing east and the other west.”

Servilius added, “This Lake looks huge!  It would take days to get around it.  Look!  There are some fishermen throwing nets off to the west.  I can see settlements on the east and west sides.  We need to talk to the local inhabitants to learn more.  I’ll get some of the cavalry to ride around and invite them to talk with us tonight.”

“That’s a good idea,” agreed Tomaeus.  “The Cenomani in this area are supposed to be friendly.  We’ll give them some wine to loosen them up.  Ask them to bring some fish for dinner, but tell the cavalry not to talk about why we are here.  That goes for us too.  I think their Chief should be the one to tell them.  We’re just a survey party; map makers for the Roman Army.  That should sound convincing.”

That evening seven men from the local settlements on the southwest side of the lake accepted the invitation to meet and dine with the Romans.  One spoke Latin, a man named Postumus, and served as interpreter.  He said that Postumus was not his Cenomani name, but his adopted Roman name which meant that he was “born after his father died.”

Before the villagers entered the camp, they were searched for weapons.  Other than small personal daggers, they were all unarmed.  They were not only friendly and talkative, they brought along their catch of the day.  The cavalry men prepared a typical Roman soldier’s meal and incorporated the fish.  The fires blazed, the wine flowed, and the aroma of a tasty dinner filled the air.  Logs were cut for sitting and placed around a central fire.  Soon the men were laughing and joking.  They were used to Roman soldiers, and, in fact, welcomed them.

When dinner was served and the group began eating, the food dampened the effects of the wine, and the mood become more serious.  Tomaeus and the two Tribunes began to ask their questions about the Lake and surrounding terrain.  After two hours of talking and eating, the villagers reluctantly departed.

Vitulus and Servilius both agreed that the information they obtained was very helpful. Vitulus told Tomaeus, “We need a few more days here to study the terrain.  With the little we’ve seen so far, I think Manius has the right idea.  This piece of land is an ideal spot to set up a blocking position.  The lake will protect our left flank, and the swamp will guard our right.  I know the villagers said the swamp is impenetrable, but until I can see it for myself, I’ll remain skeptical.  The last words of many a brave man has been, ‘We don’t have to worry about our flank, the cliffs can’t be climbed.’”

Servilius added, “I really need to ride around this lake.  The villagers said it can be done, but it’s going to take time.  If it’s 90 miles in circumference, it could take me nine days considering the way they described the hills and rough terrain.  I need to see if the mercenaries can find a way around the lake, and thereby, completely bypass our blocking position.  I’ll also be looking to see how we can prevent that from happening.”