Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (52 page)

Mago arrayed his troops in two thick lines.  The Romans did the same.  Legiones XI, XII, and XIIII were placed side by side in the center with an Auxiliary Legion on each flank.  Legio XIII stood in the second line behind Legio XII and alongside the one remaining Auxiliary Legion.  The opposing armies each had about 35,000 infantry.  Proconsul Cornelius sounded the trumpets and the Roman line advanced at a walk.  Mago’s army did the same.  Two large armies yelled their battle cries and closed the distance. Unlike Hannibal who led with his elephants, Mago held them back behind the first line.  He was worried about the Roman cavalry and planned to use his mighty beasts to scare the horses.  It was well known that horses that are not use to the smell of elephants will easily panic and become uncontrollable.

When only 100 yards separated the lines, the Romans began to attack on the run.  When they were 50 feet away from the Carthaginians, they threw their deadly pila.  Mago’s men unleashed their spears at the same time.  Shields took the impact.  Some were penetrated; men began falling on both sides.  Gladii were drawn as the two lines smashed together.  Men were uprooted by the impact and knocked down or pushed into the man to their rear.  The fighting was intense and soldiers dropped all along the line.  Legionaries rotated to the rear for a brief respite, but quickly found themselves back in the front fighting for their lives.

The two armies fought to a standstill when Praetor Varus loosed his 4,000 cavalry on Mago’s right flank.  Expecting a cavalry attack, Mago turned his elephants to run into the horses.  The Roman horses panicked as expected and scattered across the field.  Mago then turned the elephants on the Legions.  His Carthaginians facing Legio XII parted to allow the elephants to pass through and the animals smashed in the Maniples.  The troops scattered to get away.  The Carthaginians saw their opportunity and drove deep into the Roman first line.  Proconsul Cornelius ordered his second line to advance.  Legio XIII filtered through Legio XII and countered the Punic advance.  With their pila and shouts they managed to kill four elephants and turned the rest back into Mago’s own men.  The Roman Auxiliaries on the flanks broke the Gallic and Ligurian formation and they began to turn and run.

Mago seeing his army beginning to crumble rode forward to rally his troops.  Something struck him in the thigh and he fell from his horse.  Loyal Carthaginians rescued him and the army began to retreat.  Mago’s wound was serious; he lost a lot of blood.  His army was disheartened by his wound and lost the will to fight.  Mago was carried from the field.  The Romans did not pursue because Mago’s army was still a lethal and organized force.  The Carthaginians lost over 5,000 men and the Gauls many more.  Legio XII lost the most of the Legions on the field that day.  Overall, the Romans lost 2,300 men and a number of cavalry.  They returned to Etruria to await Mago’s next move.

Mago and his army returned to Genoa.  Most of the Gauls and Ligurians returned home.  Mago had no choice but to sail for Carthage.  He stayed for another month hoping his leg would heal, but the infection only got worse.  In early June 203, Mago and his men boarded the ships and set a course for Carthage.  As they passed Sardinia, Mago succumbed to his wound.  The fleet evaded Roman warship and eventually landed in Africa.  The Carthaginians had another 12,000 veterans available to fight Scipio, but were sorely grieved by the loss of Mago, and his defeat.  Everything now hinged on Hannibal’s return.

Hamilcar stayed behind at Genoa.  His orders were to try to inspire a Gallic rebellion against Rome and continue to tie up Roman Legions in northern Italy.  For the next three years he travelled throughout the Cisalpine fomenting rebellion by words and bribes.

Chapter XI:  Battle of Zama 202 BC

News of Mago defeat hit Rome like a thunderbolt.  The number one priority had been to prevent a Mago-Hannibal link up and the chance of that now happening was gone thanks to the discipline and courage of the Legionaries.  The Senate heard that most of the Gauls and Ligurians had deserted Mago and his fleet had sailed back to Africa.  Their number two priority was to rid Italy of Hannibal.  Roman sources indicated that the Carthaginian Senate had sent a courier to recall him from southern Italy to deal with Scipio.  The Roman Senate made a decision that should a Carthaginian fleet appear off the coast of Africa headed to Italy, to allow it to sail unmolested.  If Hannibal was, indeed, going to return to Africa, Rome would not stand in his way.  The Roman fleet was alerted not to interfere.

Segovesus and the Cenomani were relieved when news reached them of Mago’s defeat at the hands of the Romans.  For the last two years, the threat posed by Mago and his allies had weighed heavily on everyone’s mind.  Life in the Cisalpine returned to normal.  Titus was busy training with the Cenomani army.  He and Mincia had visited King Timo and Rosa and crossed the Alps to visit Queen Bethica.  Titus considered remaining in Brixia.  He spoke the language and was familiar with Cenomani customs.  It felt like home.  Mincia was expecting and Segovesus begged Titus to stay.  He agreed.

Lucia welcomed the news about Mago’s retreat from Italy.  She knew it was a matter of time before Hannibal would go back to Africa and Manius could finally set aside his sword and live a more comfortable life.  She felt relieved that he would be available to spend more time with her.

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Two months after the defeat of Mago, a Carthaginian fleet set sail for Bruttium.  It was spotted by Roman warship, but allowed to pass.  The Roman Senate was alerted and collectively held their breath.  Hannibal had been in Italy for 15 long, bloody, and costly years.  Would they finally be rid of him?

The Carthaginian fleet comprised of warship and transports swung south of Sicily and headed northeast.  After rounding Cape Colonna, they beached at Croton.  The Legions were ordered to not to interfere with Hannibal’s troops as they marched out of Bruttium enroute to Croton.  An unspoken truce kept the peace.  It took four days to load the men and animals before the ships disembarked for Africa.  All of Italy breathed a collective sigh of relief.  Their long nightmare was finally over.  Soldiers and civilians alike took to the street to rejoice.  All of Italy rejoiced, except Scipio who doubled down on his determination to defeat Hannibal.  He was facing the greatest challenge of his life!

The many Legions that had been fully occupied containing Hannibal expected to return to Rome, but their dreams of marching home were dashed.  Instead, they were directed to disperse among the many cities in southern Italy that had pledged their allegiance to Hannibal and turned their backs on Rome.  These cities were occupied by Legionaries and forced to pay a tribute to Rome.  Traitorous city leaders were executed and new leaders loyal to Rome were installed.  Rome imposed its will throughout southern Italy.  Loyal cities were rewarded and those disloyal were punished.  These duties occupied the Legions for the next few years.

Hannibal landed at Leptis (modern Al-Khums, Libya).  He disembarked his troops for several days to allow himself and his men to recover from the sea voyage.  He then set sail along the coast for Hadrumetum (modern Sousse, Tunisia) 300 miles (560km) to the northwest and 90 miles from Scipio and Carthage.  The town of Hadrumetum had pledged their loyalty to Rome during the war and was garrisoned by 5,000 legionaries under the command of Septus Loriinus.  The garrison was shocked when they saw a huge armada approach the harbor.  They were even more shocked when they saw Hannibal along with 15,000 troops occupy the surrounding area.  They expected an attack, but it never came.

Shortly after Hannibal landed, he sent out mounted scouts to locate Scipio’s army. When news of Hannibal’s arrival reached the remnant of Mago’s army of 12,000 men, they marched to join him.  Tychaeus, a relative of Syphax, arrived with 2,000 light cavalry.  Similarly, Vermina, a son of Syphax, promised to join Hannibal with troops and cavalry, but said it would take time to gather his army. Mesotulus, a local Chief, joined him with 1,000 horsemen.  Throughout the winter of 203 BC, Hannibal sent his men far and wide to recruit troops, punish deserters, and acquire grain and other necessities for war.  He estimated that it would take six months to build his army to take on Scipio.

A few weeks after the scouts went to find Scipio, they returned with an intriguing tale.  Scipio’s men had captured them, but instead of death, they were treated to a complete tour of Scipio’s camp.  Scipio himself asked them if they had seen everything they wished.  When they replied in the affirmative, he released them.  Hannibal knew he was facing a Roman General unlike any other he had faced before.  This man was different and it gave him a chill.

Day by day, Hannibal’s army was growing larger.  He heard that the peace treaty had been voided and he continued to prepare for war.  Men were sent to hire elephants.  He wanted more than he had ever used before.  He recruited Balearic and Numidian slingers, archers, and Numidian spearmen.  His goal was to form an army of 40,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, and 80 elephants.  It would take time.  Carthage sent envoy after envoy to Hannibal ordering him to attack Scipio.  Each time, he would reply, “When I’m ready.”

Eventually, Hannibal acquired the army he wanted.  He had 15,000 veterans from Italy, 12,000 of Mago’s troops, and he gathered another 14,000 raw recruits that he would have to supply with weapons and training.  Feeding such an army was a constant struggle, and Scipio didn’t make it any easier.  Scipio’s supplies came across the sea from Sicily.  Hannibal had to acquire them locally, which made them vulnerable to Roman attack.

Scipio learned that a large supply column was enroute to Hannibal’s camp.  He sent Tribune Quintus Minucius Thermus and a large force of cavalry to conduct a surprise night attack, which caught the convoy totally unprepared to fight.  Thermus killed 4,000 African locals and took hundreds of prisoners.  The supplies were taken to Scipio.  Hannibal knew that many more such raids by the Romans would create a serious food shortage.

And the raids did continue.  To buy time, Hannibal tried to initiate peace talks with Scipio, but to no avail.  Scipio’s major concern was not supplies, but Masinissa.  After defeating Syphax, Masinissa stayed in Cirta and declared himself King of all Numidia.  Since then, he rode throughout his territory imposing his will on the cities and towns.  As Scipio watched Hannibal’s growing army, he knew he had to have Masinissa’s cavalry and troops.  It was critical.  He sent numerous envoys to Masinissa asking him to send his army. He also demanded that he send Sophonisba, Syphax’s wife, for transport back to Rome. Masinissa still loved her and would not comply.  To shield her from the Romans, he married her.  Scipio chided him for this and his failure to send troops.  It was now a waiting game.  Scipio needed the Numidians’ support before he could move against Hannibal.

Scipio continued to send troops to the fertile Bagradas Valley, the home of wealthy Carthaginian landowners, some 15-20 miles from Carthage to pillage and loot.  These rich men applied continuous pressure on the Carthaginian Senate to have Hannibal attack Scipio to stop the raids.  “When I’m ready,” was his response.

Roman and Carthaginians scouts and couriers constantly patrolled and crisscrossed the area from Masinissa’s capital city of Cirta to Utica, to Hannibal’s base at Hadrumetum.  Couriers and scouts generally tried to evade enemy patrols, but were occasionally forced to fight and were killed or captured.  Armed patrols sometime went looking for trouble.  The Romans generally won these contests.

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Legio XVII deploys to Africa

In one such encounter in the summer of 202 BC Scipio’s cavalry captured a Numidian horseman coming from the east with a message for Hannibal from Vermina, Syphax’s son.  The threat of scouring and crucifixion convinced the man to give up his message.  It was most disturbing to Scipio.

Vermina’s message was that he was recruiting 4,000 horsemen and 6,000 infantry and would join Hannibal as soon as possible.  Scipio was relying on his numerically superior cavalry to tip the odds of victory in his favor.  If Vermina’s Numidians reinforced Hannibal, he would lose his advantage.

That evening he summoned his Commanders to review this latest piece of intelligence.  Scipio started the discussion.  “You’ve all heard that the Numidian Vermina is sending Hannibal more cavalry.  We can’t allow them to reach Hannibal.  I don’t want to send our cavalry to attack Vermina for two reasons: they may be defeated or they may suffer too many casualties.  I will need every one of them for the fight against Hannibal.  We can’t rely on Masinissa; his cavalry may never arrive.  We also can’t spare any Legions to confront the Numidians.  I’m open to any ideas.  Speak freely.”

Laelius, Scipio’s multi talented Commander, said, “Why not ask Rome to send us more Legions.  There’s still time to get them here.  Once we find out the expected route of the Numidians, the Legions could block them from joining Hannibal.”

Silanus, Scipio’s Deputy Commander, said, “The only problem I can see with that idea is where these Legions will come from.  The seven that fought with Mago are still in the Cisalpine conducting punitive operations and the Legions that were containing Hannibal in southern Italy are now spread out all over the region.  It would take too long to recall them and get them here in time.”

Scipio held up his index finger and had a look of hope on his face.  “Laelius you used the word ‘block,’ which reminds me that Praetor Manius Tullus just blocked 50,000 mercenaries from joining Mago.  What’s he doing?”

Silanus said, “The last I heard was that the Praetor and his two Legions were quartered just north of Rome to protect the city.”

Scipio said, “That’s the answer!  He’s available and close to the port of Ostia.  He could be here within a week of notification.  Send a ship back to Rome with all haste.  Tell Army Headquarters that I need Praetor Manius Tullus and his two Legions.  Silanus, I want you to go to Rome to make our case.  This has the highest priority.  Leave tomorrow.”

Silanus said, “Sir, with your approval, I’ll leave tonight.”

“Yes,” said Scipio, “that’s good.  Take 20 warships and 100 transports.  Use the most direct return route.  Land the Praetor at El Kala and direct him to march to Ouled Moumen by the Medjerda River.  That’s the usual route the Numidians use to travel to Carthage.  Tell him to establish a blocking position and to not allow Vermina’s cavalry to pass.  Make sure he understands how important this is.”  He turned to a clerk and said, “Prepare a letter for my signature that requests the immediate deployment of Praetor Tullus and his two Legions.”

Hannibal found out that Masinissa was withholding his cavalry and troops from Scipio and decided to move his army to block a Masinissa-Scipio link up.  His odds of defeating Scipio without Masinissa’s support rose considerably and compelled him into action.  In May 202 BC he moved his army to modern Seba Biar, which is 30 miles southeast of El Kef and 12 miles southwest of Silina.  Scipio’s scouts reported Hannibal’s movement and Scipio moved his army farther west to maintain an open path for Masinissa to join him.  Scipio camped 50 miles from Hannibal at Naraggara (modern Sakiet Sidi Youssef), which is also 10 miles south of Ouled Moumen.  Scipio was now 24 miles west of El Kef.

Hannibal continued moving west to get between Scipio and Numidia.  It was critical that he be in a position to block Masinissa from joining Scipio.  Hannibal went to El Kef.  He was now 24 miles east of Scipio.

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Silanus sailed to Rome that night on a fast warship.  The warships and transports to carry Praetor Tullus’ two Legions sailed the following day.  Silanus and the fleet sailed directly to the port of Cagliari, Sardinia where they took on fresh oarsmen, food, and water.  The empty ships rode high in the water and traveled much faster without troops and cargo to weigh them down.

Two and a half days after leaving Africa, Silanus landed at Ostia and went directly to Army Headquarters.  He arrived late in the day after most of the staff had gone home.  Only the Duty Officer was there.  He said, “Sir, may I help you with something?”

Silanus, who out ranked the Tribune said, “Yes you can.  I am Proconsul Scipio’s Deputy Commander.  I am here on urgent business that must be addressed this evening.”

“Sir, what is the nature of your business?”

“Proconsul Scipio needs Praetor Tullus and his two Legions to deploy immediately to Africa to participate in the coming battle with Hannibal.  This can’t wait.  The Legions need to deploy without delay.”

The Duty Officer thought for a minute and said, “If the Senate debates this request, it will take days if not weeks to get approval.  Sir, I think I may know of a way to avoid the full Senate’s involvement.  Senator Quintus Fabius is a friend of the Proconsul and of Praetor Tullus.  If you speak to him and get his approval, he could explain the need and urgency to the Senate after the fact.  Even if the full Senate disapproves, the Praetor and his Legions would be long gone.  Senator Fabius is probably home by now.  Here’s a map to his residence.  Sir, I’m sure he’ll approve on behalf of the Senate.  He’s been in favor of bringing the war to Carthage since it started.”