Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (31 page)

“I have one more item to mention.  Gates are viewed as a weak point in a wall and usually draw the greatest number of assaulting troops.  With that in mind, Tomaeus, I want you to build the facade of gates on the outside of the river and west walls.  They must look like gates, which means build real gates and simply attach them to the outside of the walls.  I want a total of six fake gates; three on each wall.  Place one on each end and one in the center.  The real gates that we will use will be located on the north and south ends of the camp and invisible to the attackers.  Commanders, these false gates will serve as bait to draw enemy troops and will require stronger defenses.  Three days from today, I want each of you to brief me on the additional measures you plan to take to hold these positions.”

“Tomaeus, I assume that you are planning to put ramparts on the north and south walls and that you will allow gaps for the two gates.  I want a 20 foot wooden walkway to span the overhead distance over the gaps so we can properly man that portion of the wall if we have to.”

Manius stood up and looked at everyone.  “Can anybody in this tent think of anything else that needs to be discussed, corrected, or expanded upon?  This planning is a collaborative effort; there are no bad ideas.  Let’s hear them.”

Manius’ body guard, Centurion Cassius, spoke up.  “Sir, I have a comment.”  Everyone in the tent turned to look at Cassius.

“Let’s hear it,” said Manius.

“Sir, if I were on that first island in the dark of night and suddenly became aware of movement on the land and splashes in the water, I would sure like to be able to see what those mercenaries were up to.  If I had an onager, I could fire a shot of burning oil to light up the area and see what they were doing.”  He sat down.

Manius was stunned for a moment and wondered why he hadn’t thought of that himself.  Cassius was correct, and everyone in the tent knew it.  It was a brilliant idea.  Caile stood up, faced Cassius and began to applaud.  Soon everyone was on their feet applauding and congratulating Cassius for his superb comment.

When the noise quieted down, Manius said, “Men who are not gifted have to surround themselves with those who are, and that’s why Cassius never leaves my side.”

The meeting adjourned and the real work began.

Acamus and Pittacus made sense of their notes and prepared several detailed letters for the various staff officers and Commanders for Manius’ signature.  When the letters were ready, Acamus brought them to Manius.  “Sir, with all due respect, Pittacus and I want you to know that you are a far more detailed planner than even the great Scipio.  You don’t miss a thing and you try to plan for every contingency.  It’s a pleasure to work for you.”

“Thank you; I’m flattered, but I find that hard to believe.”  He signed the letters, and the clerks went out to distribute them.

When Manius’ meeting broke up, the four Legates, including Tribunes Tomaeus, Canutus, Servilius, and Vitulus went to Calvus’ tent.  Manius had explained his concept for the defense of their position and now they had to work out the details to bring it to a successful conclusion.  They had to identify who would be assigned to the many work parties that were needed.  Specific units had to be tasked and supervised to build the bridges, walls, ramparts, and towers by the river and the islands.  Trees had to be cut, trimmed, and hauled up to the river and Legion camps.

Tomaeus had a complete list of all the tasks.  He had arranged them in priority of effort, and had identified the number of men and skills needed for each.  Calvus’ clerks took notes while the leaders talked through the issues.  After two grinding hours, the participants agreed to the division of labor, and the wheels were put in motion.

When the meeting ended, Servilius, along with 300 archers and wagons with the extra pila rode north to intercept the Suevi Legion and redirect them to the northern end of the lake.  He was accompanied by several engineers to help site the position.

Lugano and Taluric had watched their men dig the ditch.  They had never before seen their men work so purposefully.  Having the Legionaries working alongside them was a powerful motivator, but the ditch was only the beginning.  Taluric and Lugano needed to impress upon their men that their lives depended on doing the work right and on time.  Anything less would spell their death.

On June 10th, the Army, now 31,000 strong and happy not to be marching with their heavy loads, began cutting and hauling timber and building the ramparts, parapets, and towers.  Tomaeus estimated they could complete the river wall in three days, and then they could begin working on building the Legion camps.  The west wall and work on the islands would follow.  Some of this would be done simultaneously such as putting together the pontoon bridges.

In the end, it took four days to complete the river wall, three days to prepare all six Legion camps, and four to finish the west-facing wall.  Simultaneously, teams of men were constructing the ramparts and parapets around the three islands.  After the west wall was completed, the Legionaries and Auxiliaries crossed the pontoon bridges and work began in earnest on the islands’ defenses.

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On June 13th, Servilius intercepted the Suevi Legion just north of the top of the lake at the village of Rovereto.  Through his Cenomani interpreter, he introduced himself to the Suevi Legate, Odo.  They recognized each other from the time they spent together training at Bad Tolz and campaigning against the Cimbri/Teutons.  Servilius accorded him all the courtesies due a Roman Legate.

“Sir, Praetor Manius Tullus sent me to talk to you concerning a change of plans.  I have a written communication from the Praetor to you that summarizes the change.”  Servilius handed Manius’ letter to the Legate.  The Legate passed it off to an aide who read it aloud.  Servilius waited until the Legate looked at him before he said, “I respectfully request that you march your Legion east at the next road junction and continue for eight miles to the top of the lake before making camp.  With your permission, I’ll explain the Praetor’s concept as we ride.”

Legate Odo was an experienced, brave, and cautious Commander, but acted boldly when required.  He was part of the Suevi army that attacked Landshut with Legio XX.  He had a good reputation and was decorated for bravery at the battle of Regensburg.  Bethica believed him to be her best Commander.

Odo used his signal horns to summon his leaders.  When they were assembled, he informed them of the change in plans and directed them to march to Riva del Garda at the top of the lake and make camp.  The advance guard was recalled and Suevi engineers were dispatched to site the camp.

When the Suevi Legion began moving again, Servilius rode alongside Odo and laid out the Praetor’s defensive plan at the Mincio. He briefed him as to the number of expected mercenaries, their expected date of arrival, his trip around the lake, the proposed Raeti blocking position, and the possibility of an ambush should the mercenaries attempt to go around the lake.  The Legate listened intently and asked several questions.  Servilius recommended that on the following day, they ride to the blocking position while the Suevi Legion remain in camp.  Odo agreed and began issuing guidance to his aides.  Servilius backed his horse away from the Legate and rode alongside a few of the staff officers that he recognized from Bad Tolz.  At first, they talked about the new role for the Legion, and then began reminisced about the Cimbri/Teuton campaign and enjoyed reliving old times.

When the Suevi Legion stopped for the night, they established a Roman style marching camp which they had employed while training and campaigning with Manius in 210-209 BC.  Servilius was impressed with the way they had so thoroughly adopted Roman Army field techniques.

That evening, Odo asked Servilius to brief his staff on what lay ahead and the plans for the next day.  Through his interpreter, Servilius went into great detail about the military features of the defensive position by the Mincio River.  He discussed his trip around the lake and why Manius was redirecting the Suevi to establish a second defensive position.  “Sir, I recommend that tomorrow you and your staff accompany me to the new position, which is about half a mile from here.  I believe the site on top of those sheer cliffs, that overlooks our position here, is ideally situated to stop or slow the mercenaries from going around the lake.  The gap is about 1,600 feet long and sits between the edge of the cliffs and a small lake.  The one problem I foresee is that I haven’t conducted a test of the soil, and I’m not sure how deep we can dig.  Hopefully, the soil is deep enough to support a wall and ditch.  If we can’t dig, there are other options.”

After breakfast, Odo assembled his staff, and Servilius led them up the grassy slope to the crest of the hill.  Initially, everyone gathered at the cliff’s edge to look at the unprecedented view of the lake.  They could see their camp, the Sarca River, and the road coming from the east, everything but the south end of the lake.  It was windy, but otherwise comfortable.

Odo and the staff walked the area and talked among themselves while Servilius’ engineers began to dig.  They were concerned that the rock of the cliff was only a few feet beneath the surface soil, so they dug several test holes along the 1,600 foot gap.  The results were the same.  About two to three feet down was solid rock.  The position would not support a wall or ditch.  Odo and his staff watched the digging and were disappointed with the results.

The chief engineer stepped forward and signaled the interpreter to translate as he addressed the group. “In lieu of a wall, I propose a barricade of logs lying horizontally on the ground at the very crest of the hill and rising five feet in height.  As you can see around you, there is adequate lumber.  In addition, the ground in front of this position and extending down the slope for several hundred yards could be pitted with hidden traps to pierce the feet of the attackers.  If the attackers reach this position and threaten to overrun it, the logs could be released to roll down the hill.  A rear guard of archers, combined with the logs, would give your men time to withdraw across the plateau and down to the lake.”

“Thank you, Chief Engineer; I think that’s the best we can do,” said Servilius.  Odo sat down with his staff to discuss the proposal.  Most thought it could work and were now curious about the route of retreat.  If there were 10,000 to 15,000 mercenaries on their trail, they wanted to make sure they could escape.  Odo motioned for Servilius to join them.  “Tell us about the plans to withdraw from this position should it become necessary.”

“This plateau is about seven to eight miles long and fairly flat.  It then descends steeply to the village of Limone, which is located on the lake.  There is a road at Limone that runs along the lake all the way down to the southern end.  This road is about 200 feet wide and sits between the lake and the forested hills.  About 10 miles before reaching the southern end of the lake is a village called Salo. A road goes west from Salo and eventually joins the main road to Brixia.  We are concerned that if the mercenaries reach Salo, they will simply bypass our defensive position at the Mincio and continue on to Genoa and Mago.  They must be stopped before they reach Salo.”

“During my reconnaissance, I discovered several ideal ambush positions.  Because the road north of Salo narrows, the mercenaries will be strung out for quite some distance.  They can march with 10 abreast and maybe 15 with some difficulty.  The Praetor has not yet approved the ambush location or forces needed, but I envision the cavalry and some troops blocking their forward movement.  We may even dig a ditch.  I will propose that we place 10,000 Legionaries in the forested hills above the road to attack straight down the hill while another 5,000 men, perhaps your Suevi Legion, block any escape back to the north.”

“Tribune, that sounds like a good plan and a perfect role for the Suevi,” said Odo as he stood up.  “We will defend here and, if necessary, withdraw south and support the ambush.  I would like your engineers to stay here to help us construct the log wall and emplace the foot traps.  Also, take a few of my staff officers and show them the route off this plateau and the way to the ambush site.  When you return to the Mincio, you may tell the Praetor that the Suevi will hold this position as long as possible before we withdraw.  As with our performance at Augsburg, Landshut, and Regensburg, he can be confident the Suevi will accomplish their mission.”

The group rode back to the camp and ate lunch.  Afterwards, Servilius and several Suevi staff officers and cavalry guides rode back up to the plateau and began the long ride south to Salo.  Later that same day, the Suevi Legion marched up to the plateau and set up a new modified camp.  On June 15, they began constructing the blocking position and emplacing the foot traps.

Servilius led the Suevi staff officers and his cavalry escort down the mountain side to Limone and stopped for the night.  The settlement was deserted.  They spent the second night at Tignale.  It was also empty of the inhabitants that had so warmly greeted Servilius a few weeks earlier.  They rode harder the next day and took fewer breaks.  After travelling for three days, they reached the ambush site at Maclino whereupon Servilius dismounted and allowed the Suevi to walk the ground.