Legio XVII: Battle of Zama (46 page)

Osi looked around for another horse and saw one of his men nearby.  He called him over and said, “I want to allow that girl to ride your horse to see her mother.  I’ll bring it back.  Don’t help her get on the horse.  Keep your distance.”

Osi said, “Would you girls help Odila get on the horse so I can take her to see her mother?”

Once Odila was in the saddle, he led the horse to Agna.  Odila slid off out of the saddle and ran to her mother.  They hugged and cried.  Finally, Odila said, “Mother, I did what you said. I survived.”

After a few minutes, Osi said, “Agna, your daughter Imma is safe and living with my family.  You will all be reunited soon.  Stay here until we can move you to Innsbruck.”

Agna ran to Osi and grabbed his hand and kissed it.  “We can never thank you enough.”

*******

Bethica followed Calvus’ troops to the wall.  She wanted to see the defenses and she wanted her men to see a well constructed and defensible fort.  Calvus told her that her men could walk about freely to inspect the site. She said she would set up her camp for the night by the wagons and captive women.

That evening, Calvus met with his Legates, including Bethica, and her staff.  He told them, “Praetor Manius’ arm is infected and he looks very weak.  I’m not sure he’ll survive even though he’s getting the best possible care.  We’ll just have to wait.”

“Each of you has about 2,000 prisoners.  Tomorrow, take them out and have them collect all the weapons lying about and then throw the dead into the ditch.  Position wagons around your work area.  Collect up anything that is metal and put it in the wagons.  The metal goes back to Rome with us.  When the prisoners start to pick up the weapons, have all your men standing by ready to throw their pila.  If the prisoners are going to try anything, it will be when they have swords and spears in their hands.  Snake, disperse your archers to cover them.  Once the weapons are collected, throw the bodies in the ditch, and have the prisoners fill it in.”

Calvus continued, “Tomaeus tomorrow start rebuilding the bridge over the Mincio.  Tonight, I want each Legion to put a Maniple on the river wall and a Maniple on the west wall.  The rest of the men can retire to their camps.  Remember, we still could get attacked by more of Mago’s men.  Gervasius, I would like your men to reoccupy the islands.  Odo, you can take your men and stay with the Suevi Army until they leave.  Riders are on their way to ask King Timo and Chief Segovesus for permission to retain the two Raeti and two Cenomani Legions.  Until we hear from them, we will stay here.  The men can use the time to repair and clean their equipment.  Tend to the wounded.  Tonight, we will burn our dead.”

“Servilius, take a Maniple from Legio XVII, I Raetorum, and Odo’s men back to the ambush site and bring in any wounded still alive.  Burn our dead there.”

“In two days, I want the names of at least 200 to 300 of your men that deserve awards.  That goes for the Cenomani, Raeti, and Suevi.  I intend to recognize them for their bravery while we are still here and to give them their awards when we return to Rome.”

“That’s all I have, Queen Bethica would you like to say something?”

“I want to thank the Commanders and the men for your help.  We will never forget it.  Tomorrow, I will leave with my Army and the captives.  We have a lot of work to do to restore the Valley.”

“Thank you,” said Calvus. “If no one else has any comments, you are dismissed.”

Four days later the riders returned from Brixia and told Calvus, “Segovesus has given his approval.  His men may accompany you to Rome, but he would like Taluric to return.”

Later that day, Quintus, the Medical Officer treating Manius talked to Calvus.  “Sir, I’ve decided it is too dangerous to move the Praetor in his condition.  Any jarring may dislodge the binding on his artery and he could bleed to death.  I estimate the artery will heal itself in two to three weeks.  At that time, I will reopen his arm and remove the binding.  This operation will probably start another round of infection.  If he survives, it will probably be two months before he can travel.”

At the staff meeting that evening, Quintus told the Legates about Manius.  Vitulus, the Acting Commander of Legio XVII, said, “I think I can speak for the men of the Legion, if Manius has to stay, Legio XVII will stay until he either dies or can travel.”

Calvus said, “I feel the same way, but I have to get these prisoners back to Rome before our food supply runs out.  If Legio XVII stays here, we will still have 31,000 men to guard 11,000 prisoners.  That’s adequate.  Vitulus, talk to Legio XVII and give me your final decision tomorrow.”

The following day, riders returned from Trento and told Calvus, “King Timo had returned to his Residence and his people are reoccupying their homes.  He has granted your request, but wants Lugano to return to Trento.  His men will go with you to Rome and Commander Arruns will take command of the two Raeti Legions.”

That evening Vitulus told Calvus, “The Legionaries of Legio XVII will stay with their former Legate.”

Two days later, on July 28th, Calvus led his six Legions out of camp enroute to Rome.  Since Calvus’ official position was second-in-command of Legio XVII, he knew he would be returning to Lake Benacus and the Legion as soon the prisoners were sold.

Chapter IX:  After the Battle 205 BC

Legio XVII, Manius, Quintus, and the wounded men unable to travel remained inside the fort.  Five of the six Legion camps had been leveled.  Their walls were removed and their ditches filled in.  Only Legio XVII’s camp still stood.  Guards manned the parapet on the river and west walls and the cavalry continued to scout the surrounding countryside.  The main threat from the mercenaries had been successfully eliminated through brilliant planning, preparation, guts and determination.  Mago, however, was still a threat, but the danger was judged to be minimal.

The men of the Legion went about their daily chores and settled into the routine of camp life.  Medical personnel were kept busy caring for the wounded and removing those who died.  Cassius, Modius, and a few of Manius’ aides provided Manius with constant care.  His arm was badly swollen and inflamed and his fever was high and dangerous.  Liberal doses of henbane kept him calm and sleeping most of the day.  Occasionally he would babble about the need for security or call out for Lucia.  Quintus wasn’t sure he would live, but Manius was a fighter.  Only time would tell.

Calvus led his six Auxiliary Legions to Ariminum where he stopped for a week to rest the men and secure more grain for the army.  He was half way to Rome.  Along the way, each of the Legions prepared a proper marching camp for the nights.  It was a matter of discipline and training.

He dispatched an Advance Party to Rome, 250 miles (400km) away, to accomplish several necessary tasks prior to the arrival of the Legions.  They had to identify a place for his men to camp.  The slave markets had to be notified of the impending arrival of 11,000 prisoners, the proceeds of which would be used to pay the troops. Calvus also had to arrange for sufficient awards to properly recognize battlefield bravery.

He planned to allow the Cenomani, Raeti, and Suevi Legions to stay in Rome for two weeks before sending them back home.  He also knew he had to tell Lucia, Manius’ wife, about his condition.  He was not looking forward to that.

Calvus sent riders to coordinate with the seven Legions in Etruria.  He wanted them to know that the mercenary army had been destroyed and he was escorting 11,000 prisoners back to Rome.  He instructed his riders to brief them on Praetor Tullus’ condition and the fact that Legion XVII remained at Lake Benacus.

The Legions departed Ariminum on August 11th and arrived at the outskirts of Rome on September 4th.  The men were moved into an area suitable for camping during their visit to Rome.  Contractors were waiting to take the prisoners.  They had each submitted bids for a specific number of men to fill a variety of needs.  Roman iron, copper, tin, lead, gold, and silver mines in Italy, Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, and the Transalpine had an insatiable need for workers.  Farms and construction projects always clamored for able men.  The Contractors paid the Treasury and the Treasury paid the Commander who captured them.

Calvus arranged to have the money provided to the men by rank and time in service.  Within a week, the pockets of the men were full of money and they headed to the city.

The evening he arrived in Rome, Calvus rode to Manius’ villa to talk with Lucia.  He knew her to be a level headed, flexible woman, and felt that she would deal with the bad news in a restrained manner.

He dismounted and approached the door.  A servant let him in and Lucia appeared shortly thereafter.  As soon as she saw him and not Manius, she recalled the day Manius arrived at her house in Soldier’s Town many years ago.  He was there to tell her that Gaius, her first husband and Manius’ brother, had been killed in battle.  She froze and studied Calvus’ face for a hint of what was to come.  He looked into her eyes.  “Lucia,” he said, “Manius was wounded, but he’s alive.”  Her shoulders dropped.  She turned and walked to the courtyard to sit.  He followed her.

“How bad is it?” she asked as the color drained from her face.

“A spear hit his left bicep.  It sliced a part of his artery and he lost a lot of blood.  Quintus repaired the damage to the artery and he’s optimistic it will heal, but he said that Manius couldn’t be moved.  In three weeks, he will reopen the arm to remove the binding on the artery.  That will probably cause more infection.  If all goes well, Quintus estimates a full recovery in two months.  Lucia, I don’t want to mislead you.  There is a chance that he may not survive.”

“Then I must go to him.  He needs me.  I’ll take the children.  My staff can manage things here,” she said in one breath.

“Lucia, that’s not practical.  You can’t travel that far by yourself. It’s too dangerous.  You wouldn’t know where to go.”  Calvus was feeling desperate.  He had to dissuade her.

“Give me some of your soldiers!  Men from his Legion will take me!”

“Lucia, you...” and he stopped in mid-sentence.  “If you are serious about this, there is a way.  His Legion stayed with him, but I brought back to Rome 25,000 loyal tribesmen who fought with us.  I will be going back north with them in two weeks.  They could escort you.  Can you leave in two weeks?”

“Calvus, I can leave tonight!”

“If you really want to do this, I’ll assign a few men to assist you with the preparations.  They can rent a carriage and provide for you during the journey.  Lucia, it’s a long trip.  It’ll take about a month.  That’s a long time to spend sitting in a bumpy carriage.  What about Titus and Flavia?”

“Titus would love it, but I’m not so sure about Flavia.  I may leave her here.  Regardless, Titus and I will definitely go.  Please make the necessary arrangements.  Calvus, you are a good soldier of Rome and your loyalty to Manius is unquestionable.  I appreciate everything you’re doing for us.  Thank you for personally coming to tell me about my husband.”

Calvus understood by her words that the visit was over and left.  He had misgiving about Lucia going to Lake Benacus, but she was a strong woman and her mind was made up.  He knew that by the time she arrived, Manius could be dead.

*******

Three weeks after Manius was wounded and about the same time that Calvus and the Legions were arriving at Ariminum, Quintus entered Manius’ tent.

Once the Legions departed, Quintus devoted every minute of the day to caring for the hundreds of wounded men still remaining at Lake Benacus, but still managed to check on Manius three times a day.  Quintus was pleased that the blood had drained from Manius’ arm.  The swelling was down, and the infection looked less angry.

Manius was awake and talking, but in pain despite the potions.  “You know why I’m here Praetor?” asked Quintus as he smiled in an attempt to soften what was coming.  Quintus had been dreading this moment.

“Because you’re a good doctor checking on your patient?” replied Manius looking intently at Quintus.  Manius hadn’t been told about the second operation.

“Well that too, but today is the day, I have to remove the wrapping from the artery.  The artery has healed, and the papyrus needs to be removed.  I’m sorry to tell you this, but I have to open your arm to do it.”

“You mean you have to cut it open just as its healing?” asked an incredulous Manius.

“Yes.”

“What would happen if you just left it in there?” asked Manius.  His voice had a pleading tone.

“You would die of an infection or I would have to cut off your arm,” replied Quintus.  His sudden impatience with Manius surprised him.  “Sir, as your doctor, I’m telling you I have to do this and let me add that I’ve done the same procedure to dozens of your soldiers and not one has ever complained.”  Quintus was willing to lie if he felt it would benefit his patient.

Quintus’ sharp rebuke had the intended purpose.  Manius drew in a deep breath and said, “Whenever you’re ready,” and stuck out his arm.

Manius drank Quintus’ concoction of herbs and was asleep in 15 minutes.  Quintus worked quickly and skillfully.  He removed the stitching, made a thin incision, and opened the arm.  The thread and papyrus were removed and the wound cleaned.  Quintus re-stitched the incision and liberally applied infection fighting medications.  As Quintus stood up he said, “It’s now in the hands of the gods,” and he meant it.  This was his fifth attempt at working with an artery.  Two of the first four patients had died.  He wanted Manius to survive.

*******

Titus was overjoyed at the prospect of a long trip to visit his father.  He was also thrilled with the idea that he would be able to explore a real battlefield.  Flavia declined immediately.  She could not imagine being surrounded by 25,000 men with no real privacy for days on end.  “Besides,” she told her mother, “Petronius would miss me too much.”

Lucia expected Flavia would want to stay in Rome.  “Petronius is a fine young man from a good family, but it would be a scandal if I left you here unsupervised.  I’ll talk to Rivkah. Maybe you can stay with her.  She’d appreciate the help with Levi.”

Two days later, Calvus returned with two Legionaries of Etruscan descent.  “Lucia, these two men will be your personal assistants to arrange your travel and provide for your security on the road.  Another 10 men will assist you and Titus during the trip.  They will drive the carriage, prepare meals, set up the tents, and so forth.  Tell these two men what you need and they will see to it.”

“Thank you Calvus, but with a war going on, how did you get an escort for me?”

“The Garrison Commander of Rome is a personal friend of mine.  He gave me the best of the best.  You’ll be well taken care of!”

On September 18th, two weeks after they arrived, the Cenomani, Raeti, and Suevi Legions departed Rome under the overall command of Calvus.  Many hated to leave.  Rome was exciting and cosmopolitan compared to the small settlements they called home.  Nonetheless, once they stepped off, the thought of getting home warmed their hearts.

Flavia was with Rivkah who appreciated the company.  Titus could barely contain his excitement thinking about the trip.  For the next three weeks, he would be living in the field like a real soldier.  He even brought his Legionary armor, shield, gladius and pila that Cassius had gotten for him.  Lucia was not excited, but happy to be finally underway.  She was counting the days until she could be with and help her husband.

At the same time, 450 miles away, Quintus was very disappointed with the status of Manius’ recovery.  He remarked to one of his assistants, “We have got to bring down his fever.  Keep bathing him with cold water.”

As he left the tent, a Legionary standing guard outside asked him, “Sir, is the Legate getting better?”

“No son, his fever is high and he still has a very nasty infection.  At least there’s no sign of gangrene.”  Quintus was worried.  Manius’ arm was very swollen and inflamed.  He was pale and could barely hold up his head.  He abruptly turned around and went back into the tent.  “Are you getting him to drink any soup?” he asked the attendant.

“Yes sir.  So far today, he’s had a full cup.”

“Well, that’s encouraging.  Continue to push it.  He needs nourishment.”

Lucia decided to join Titus who spent his days walking alongside the carriage.  Titus enjoyed walking with the troops and would join his mother only when he had something exciting to tell her.  Lucia quickly learned that sitting all day in a bumpy carriage was not good for her health.  The swaying made her nauseous and her digestive system was not operating normally.  The walking felt good and she did more and more each day.  Her favorite Greek servant, Polona, washed her hair and looked after her clothing.  In return, Lucia gave Polona adequate time to tend to her own needs.  Titus thought living in a tent at night was a privilege.  Lucia found it different, but not uncomfortable.  She found herself beginning to enjoy the journey.

Six weeks after Quintus took the papyrus wrapping out of Manius’ arm, he began to improve.  Quintus was mystified and pleased that the infection that had been raging and life threatening, had so quickly begun to subside.  Manius’ color returned, the swelling went down, and his appetite increased.  He had lost about 20 pounds and was weak, but the prognosis was good.  In early October, Manius began to walk a little each day and was eating regularly.  Quintus said to him during one of their daily walks, “I can’t tell you how pleased I am with your recovery.  You are now my third patient to undergo artery repair and survive.  Just keep wearing that sling for a few more weeks.”

“I thought you told me that you had performed dozens of similar operations.”

“Sir that lie was necessary to save your life.  I was afraid you would resist the second surgery to remove the papyrus.  It was a stratagem not unlike what you do when trying to deceive the enemy as to your true intentions.”

“Well your stratagem worked and I’m grateful.”