Read Online Legio XVII: Battle of Zama by Thomas A. Timmes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Thomas A. Timmes
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men here within eight days.”
“That sounds about right,” agreed Quinterius. Praetor, are you also aware that Consul Scipio has sent numerous recruiters to our island, who are shaking the trees from one end to the other looking for volunteers to join his Army? I’ve heard that so far about 3,000 have signed up, and many more are coming. You will have to factor that into your training plan. The first batch of new recruits is due to arrive in two days.”
This new information was not totally unexpected. “You know the Senate did not authorize Consul Scipio any additional Legions, funding, or ships for an invasion of North Africa. The Consul has to find those resources on his own. I assume that these growing stock piles of supplies show how successful he’s been. I notice a number of new warehouses and stables being built.”
“Yes,” injected Antimus, “they will hold the equipment to outfit the new volunteers and any additional Legions that the Consul can scrounge up.”
Quinterius suggested they now tour the existing training facilities. Cassius, who was present during the discussion with the Legates, sent the young Legionary, Modius, to fetch Manius’ horse.
The site was in worse shape than Manius expected. A lot of repairs would be required before they could be used. They then rode to inspect the two Legionary encampments that had been there for years and had been home to numerous Legions. The two camps were about a mile away from the cantonment area that would serve as Scipio’s Headquarters, and were separated by about 500 yards from each other. The camps were in even worse condition.
“Legate Antimus,” said Manius, “your Legion is the closer of the two to this area. As you screen the men, please identify two senior Centurions who are at or near retirement age. I need one to manage the new training site and the two Legionary camps, and the other to manage all the other facilities. Look for older aggressive Centurions who can get things done. The Manager responsible for these sites is obviously not up to the job, and, I suspect, the other facilities are in similar shape.”
The Legates rode off to visit their garrisons, screen the men, and send the rest back to Manius for testing and training.
Manius returned to his quarters and called for the two clerks. He had to determine what he would do when 10,000 Legionaries walked into camp. Over the next three hours he developed a detailed plan. The two Greeks were extremely helpful and offered numerous suggestions. “One more item,” said Manius, “I want you both to keep a written record of what we’ve found here and any improvements we make. I want to send a weekly report to the Consul’s Chief of Staff and Tribune Velius to keep them informed. Not too much minutia, just the major items. Prepare the reports for my signature.”
He sent Pittacus to find the current civilian Camp Manager who arrived about two hours later. It was obvious from the moment he walked into Manius’ office that he had a chip on his shoulder and was in no mood to cooperate. His body language signaled disrespect and irritation.
“Praetor, I am Durius, the Manager of the military portion of this entire port city minus the docks. I’m a very busy man, so please state your business so I can go on about mine.”
“I am Praetor Tullus on special assignment for Consul Scipio and invested with all the necessary authority to prepare this area for the arrival of the Consul and his staff.” Manius knew that last part was a bit of a stretch. “Citizen Durius, you are hereby relieved of your assignment. Centurion Cassius will escort you to the boundary of the camp. If I see you again, I will have you put in chains and shipped back to Rome on the next boat. Is that clear?”
Durius’ attitude changed in an instant. “Yes sir, it is clear, but why?”
“Today, I and two Legates inspected the training site and
“That sounds about right,” agreed Quinterius. Praetor, are you also aware that Consul Scipio has sent numerous recruiters to our island, who are shaking the trees from one end to the other looking for volunteers to join his Army? I’ve heard that so far about 3,000 have signed up, and many more are coming. You will have to factor that into your training plan. The first batch of new recruits is due to arrive in two days.”
This new information was not totally unexpected. “You know the Senate did not authorize Consul Scipio any additional Legions, funding, or ships for an invasion of North Africa. The Consul has to find those resources on his own. I assume that these growing stock piles of supplies show how successful he’s been. I notice a number of new warehouses and stables being built.”
“Yes,” injected Antimus, “they will hold the equipment to outfit the new volunteers and any additional Legions that the Consul can scrounge up.”
Quinterius suggested they now tour the existing training facilities. Cassius, who was present during the discussion with the Legates, sent the young Legionary, Modius, to fetch Manius’ horse.
The site was in worse shape than Manius expected. A lot of repairs would be required before they could be used. They then rode to inspect the two Legionary encampments that had been there for years and had been home to numerous Legions. The two camps were about a mile away from the cantonment area that would serve as Scipio’s Headquarters, and were separated by about 500 yards from each other. The camps were in even worse condition.
“Legate Antimus,” said Manius, “your Legion is the closer of the two to this area. As you screen the men, please identify two senior Centurions who are at or near retirement age. I need one to manage the new training site and the two Legionary camps, and the other to manage all the other facilities. Look for older aggressive Centurions who can get things done. The Manager responsible for these sites is obviously not up to the job, and, I suspect, the other facilities are in similar shape.”
The Legates rode off to visit their garrisons, screen the men, and send the rest back to Manius for testing and training.
Manius returned to his quarters and called for the two clerks. He had to determine what he would do when 10,000 Legionaries walked into camp. Over the next three hours he developed a detailed plan. The two Greeks were extremely helpful and offered numerous suggestions. “One more item,” said Manius, “I want you both to keep a written record of what we’ve found here and any improvements we make. I want to send a weekly report to the Consul’s Chief of Staff and Tribune Velius to keep them informed. Not too much minutia, just the major items. Prepare the reports for my signature.”
He sent Pittacus to find the current civilian Camp Manager who arrived about two hours later. It was obvious from the moment he walked into Manius’ office that he had a chip on his shoulder and was in no mood to cooperate. His body language signaled disrespect and irritation.
“Praetor, I am Durius, the Manager of the military portion of this entire port city minus the docks. I’m a very busy man, so please state your business so I can go on about mine.”
“I am Praetor Tullus on special assignment for Consul Scipio and invested with all the necessary authority to prepare this area for the arrival of the Consul and his staff.” Manius knew that last part was a bit of a stretch. “Citizen Durius, you are hereby relieved of your assignment. Centurion Cassius will escort you to the boundary of the camp. If I see you again, I will have you put in chains and shipped back to Rome on the next boat. Is that clear?”
Durius’ attitude changed in an instant. “Yes sir, it is clear, but why?”
“Today, I and two Legates inspected the training site and
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