Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (23 page)

Servilius asked, “How did he react?”

“I think he’s had a genuine change of heart.  He’s now worried for his mother’s safety.  I think we can safely send him on to Brixia to be with her.  I don’t think he’ll betray us.”

“I hope you’re right.  I’ll tell Manius and see if he wants us to release him.”

The next day, Manius said to send the boy to Brixia and added, “The Cenomani Army is going to block any westward traffic to Milan.  So even if the boy has another change of heart, he shouldn’t be able to get through to tell Mago about our presence.”

Chapter V:  The Mercenaries 205 BC

On April 20th, Mintho, Bostar, Sirom, Haggith, Tendao, Merbal and 20 horsemen arrived at Venetiae.  It had been 18 days since they left Genoa.  They had recruited at each of the major settlements they passed: Brixia, Verona, Vincentia, and Patavium and received only empty promises.

Each of the 26 horses carried 500 silver Dishekel coins in leather bags strapped to their backs.  Collectively, they carried a fortune worth $650,000 USD.  The plan was to pay King Scerdilaidas, and Chiefs Sirium and Magimarus $10 for each soldier they provided.  The troops would probably get $3 each from their leaders.  The mercenaries’ primary pay would be the loot they could gather from the settlements they passed through and from the dead bodies of their slain opponents.

Since Mintho’s goal was to hire 20,000 soldiers from Illyria, he took 4,000 coins, and Haggith took 6,000 to hire 30,000 men from Ptuj and Posonium combined.  The remaining 1,500 coins were divided evenly for expenses along the way.

Salicar, Mago’s Deputy, told them to split up at Venetiae.  Mintho, his two men, and the 10 cavalry escorts were instructed by Salicar to hire a boat to take them to Scodra, Illyria, about 425 miles down the east coast of the Adriatic.  Haggith and his 12 men were told to ride to Ptuj and Posonium.

Mintho and his group rode to the port and began visiting the local taverns to find a ship’s Captain willing to make the long trip to Scodra.  Each man carried his heavy bag of coins and never let it out of his sight.  They were a tough looking band.  It was obvious by their dress, weapons, and Phoenicio-Punic language that they were Carthaginians.  Many bore facial scars, wore dirty clothing, and were overbearing in dealing with the tavern help.  The locals either left or gave them a wide berth.  These men were not to be trifled with.

Eventually, Mintho began a serious discussion with a Captain who had a boat with horse stalls and was willing to depart within a day or two.  The issue came down to money.  He was handed one Dishekel with a promised payment of 20 for the trip.  The Captain looked at the coin.  Tanit, the Carthaginian goddess was on one side and the horse and eight pointed star on the other.  It looked legitimate.  “Double it, and you’ve got a deal.”

Mintho stood up and drew his dagger.  “Robber!” he yelled.

The Captain smiled.  “Alright, 30 Dishekels,” he said.  He clearly wasn’t afraid of Mintho.

Mintho sat down heavily and said, “I’ll give you 25,” he sneered.  “Take it or leave it.”

“Thirty and we have a deal; we’ll leave tomorrow at 9:00 A.M.  Have your men at the dock at 7:00 A.M. and be ready to load.”

“Fifteen when we leave,” challenged Mintho, “and the other 15 when we arrive.”  Mentally, he had been prepared to pay 50 Dishekels; 30 seemed like a good deal.

“Let’s drink to it!”

The next morning, Mintho went to the docks and found the Captain and his ship, a sleek looking galley.  “How many days until we reach Scodra?” he asked as he boarded.

“Depends on the weather,” replied the Captain, “but the trip normally takes about 13 days.  With luck, we should reach port by May 4.  Are you in a hurry?”

“No, just get us there in one piece.”

*******

Haggith meets with Chief Sirium of the Taurisci Tribe

Haggith, Tendao, Merbal, and his 10 horsemen went to a tavern on the outskirts of town.  They drank too much, talked too loudly, and intimidated everyone with their bluster.  They planned to spend the night and begin their 12 day ride to Ptuj the following morning.

While there, Haggith asked about buying fresh horses.  They’d ridden their current horses pretty hard, and he wanted fresh mounts.  After the usual haggling, a price was agreed upon, and. the next morning, Haggith and his men mounted up and headed northeast.  Each man had packed his coin bag with hay to prevent the coins from making noise.  In addition, they were hidden under bags of clothing and slung across the horses’ backs.  The group travelled about 25 miles a day and stopped at taverns for the night or slept in the fields.  They rode through Latisana, Palmanova, Ajdovscina, Postonjna, Ljubljana, Cedlje, and finally arrived at the outskirts of Ptuj, the capital city.

Red marker is Ptuj.  Also shown are Bratislava, Salzburg, & Innsbruck
(Google Maps)

They were stopped at a road block manned by 20 fierce looking Taurisci warriors.  They were immediately identified by their clothing and weapons.  “Carthaginians, what brings you so far from Africa?”

“We have important business with Chief Sirium,” said Haggith.  “Hannibal’s brother, Mago, sent us.”  One of the guards rode off, and Haggith and his men dismounted while they waited.  After 30 minutes, the guard returned and told them to follow him.  They were led to a large oppidum (fortified settlement) about a mile away bristling with guards, sharpened stakes, and a formidable palisade wall.  Several severed heads decorated the top of the wall.  The gate opened, and Haggith and his party rode in.  As the gates shut behind them, Haggith briefly wondered if they would get out alive.  They were led to a corner of the fort and brought to a halt in front of a large wooden hut where they were told to go inside and wait. Taurisci guards appeared out of nowhere and stood watching them.  Haggith led his men into the structure which was spacious, reasonably clean, and had enough beds for everyone.  “I guess this is where we will be staying for a while.”

Later that evening, large pots of food were brought to them, but still no word on when they would meet with Sirium.  They ate and went to sleep.  Haggith posted two guards by the door for two hour watches.  He and his men were carrying a lot of money, and the Taurisci had a sketchy reputation.  They were great fighters when focused, but drank heavily and often fought among themselves.

The following morning, two men from Sirium’s inner circle appeared at their hut and said, “Chief Sirium will see you at 9:00 A.M.  Leave your swords here.”  That did not sit well with Haggith, but he had no choice and complied.

An hour later, they were led into a large, smoky room lined with guards.  At the far end, Sirium sat imposingly surrounded by more men who silently watched Haggith and his men approach.  Sirium was well acquainted with Carthaginians and knew Hannibal and Mago personally.  Sirium had joined Hannibal in northern Italy and participated in many of his battles.  He led his men back to Ptuj in 212 BC when the Romans began to tighten the noose on Hannibal and looting all but ceased.  He had killed his share of Romans on and off the battlefield and saw no profit in continued fighting.

As Haggith walked over the creaking, wooden floor towards Sirium, he was mindful that he and his men were being treated disrespectfully.  Sirium had kept them waiting almost an entire day and had not invited them to dine with him.  Neither did Sirium rise to greet him.  When Haggith was about 20 feet from Sirium, his guards lowered their drawn swords to block him from getting any closer.  There were no chairs.

In a flat voice, Sirium said, “You are a long way from home; why are you here?”

“Chief, I’m sure you know that Mago has landed in northern Italy with a fairly large army.  He is increasing that army now with the help of the Ligurians and Gauls.”

Sirium cut him off.  “And I assume he will try to do what his brother failed to do in 207 BC!  Hannibal is currently completely contained in Bruttium, and the Romans have more Legions in the field now then thought possible.  Spain has fallen to Scipio, and he is threatening to invade Africa.  What can Mago accomplish?”

Haggith smiled.  “I see your spies have kept you well informed, and I won’t try to deny the truth of what you’ve just said, but Carthage hasn’t conceded the war by any means.  The Senate is sending Mago and Hannibal reinforcements.  When Mago’s army is strong enough, he will, indeed, march south to link up with Hannibal who will simultaneously renew his offensive.  The fleet is being rebuilt to once again control the Mediterranean.  Our battle with Rome is not over.”

Haggith continued.  “Mago will not make the same mistake as his brother Hasdrubal who relied on the Gauls, and that’s why I’m here.  Mago is willing to pay handsomely for 10,000 Taurisci warriors.  I know that Hannibal made you a rich man with his victories in Italy, but that was six years ago.  I suspect your coffers may be running low and could use a fresh infusion of Carthaginian silver.”

Sirium nearly rose out of his chair.  “The status of my coffers is none of your business.  If I were to agree to provide 10,000 men, what would you pay me?”

“1,000 silver Dishekels ($50,000 USD).”

“Not enough,” Sirium declared, with a dismissive wave of his hand.  “My men are worth more than $5 a piece.  Double it.”

“You drive a hard bargain Chief, and Mago needs your men.  He values them above all others.  I believe Mago would agree to 2,000 Dishekels.”  Haggith turned to Tendao and Merbal and gave a small nod.  Each reached under their garments and produced a bag with 1,000 coins. A guard standing nearby took them and handed them to Sirium who handed them to another man.

“Count it all,” he ordered.

Haggith had planned to offer 1,000 coins knowing Sirium would say “double it.”  The 2,000 coins were already counted out and prepared to hand over.  This left him 4,000 Dishekels ($200,000 USD) to use to bargain with Magimarus for 20,000 Boii and Eravisci warriors at Posonium.

“When will your men be ready to move west?” questioned Haggith.

“About two weeks,” answered Sirium. “I have to recall them from the east.  They will be ready to march by May 16th.  Are you going to see Magimarus and recruit among the Boii and Eravisci?  As you know, they also fought with Hannibal.”

Haggith suspected he was asking only to find out if he was carrying more money.  “Yes. Mago said he wanted primarily Taurisci warriors, but to try to get at least 5,000 Boii.”  Haggith was lying because he didn’t want to reveal
how
much money he was carrying.  “We will ride to Posonium and could meet your men at Vindunia on May 27th.  We then plan to return to Genoa via the Inn River Valley, Innsbruck, and the Brenner Pass.  I think your men will find that route much more lucrative.”

“That’s a good idea!  That’s unfamiliar territory for them.  You could lead them to Mago.  Give him my regards when you see him.”

“I will do so.  Mago will appreciate having your men to fight alongside him, and your men should reap the spoils of war.”

Sirium nodded, and Haggith and his men turned and walked out.  They returned to their hut, to find that it had been ransacked, on Sirium’s orders no doubt.  Haggith suspected they would be followed and attacked to see what else they were carrying.  When they mounted their horses, they were escorted to the roadblock.  Once out of view, they galloped south.  They rode hard for four hours before they felt confident that they had shook anyone following them.  Then, instead of turning northwest towards Posonium, they turned northeast and rode for 70 miles until they hit Balaton Lake.  From there, they travelled mostly north for 150 miles (243km) to Posonium and arrived on May 12th.

*******

Mintho meets Illyrian King Scerdilaidas