Read Online Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War by Thomas A. Timmes - Free Book Online
Authors: Thomas A. Timmes
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slight hill. They failed to spot the heavy infantry hidden in the woods on the flanks or the ballistae on the hill. When the Praetor heard the report, he rushed his three Legions into battle. He felt confident. He had been chasing the Gauls for five days and now that he had finally caught them, he planned to bring the operation to a rapid and successful conclusion.
Marcellus was not given to seeking glory, but was aware that by destroying this threat to Rome, he would receive honors and rewards. With those thoughts, he ordered the three Legions into the triplex acies battle formation with Legions abreast. However, rather than advance in the customary checkered board pattern with staggered Maniple, he had the Hastati of the two Legions form a solid shield wall of 1500 men with two men lined up behind each lead man. He kept the staggered checkered board pattern for the Principes in case the Hastati needed to fall back and get behind the Principes to rest or regroup.
The one long Hastati line advanced in good order over the broken ground. They stretched out over half a mile in width and were about 6’ deep. The men sensed victory since they knew that they could over power the few Gauls they could see. The Centurions worked hard to keep them from breaking into a running charge. The Principes and Triarii followed closely behind the Hastati . Spirits were high.
When the lines were about 60 yards apart, the Gauls unleashed their five ballistae . The results were devastating. Each shot found a target. Three to four men were impacted by each ballista arrow as they penetrated shield, armor, and flesh, and still keep going! At the same time, skilled Gallic bowman began to fire their arrows in rapid succession. Falling men and exploding equipment opened gaps in the lines, which were not closed by these untrained troops. The line hesitated as men sought refuge by squatting down behind their shield or lying flat on the ground. The veteran Centurions ran among the ranks pushing and prodding the troops to get up and continue the attack, but most suffered the Centurions blows and stayed put.
As the ballistae and bowmen’s arrows continued to smash into the stalled Hastati ranks, the inexperienced Praetor attempted to pass the Principes , another 5000 men, through the Hastati to continue the attack. It was total chaos. The ranks became horribly intermingled with troops bunched up and not even knowing which way to face. Confusion reigned supreme. Concolitanus and Aneroestes sensed this was the moment to call the hidden warriors out of the woods and ravines to hit the milling Auxiliaries on both flanks. They also ordered the troops on the hill to jump over their now unneeded ditch, reform themselves, and attack downhill on the run.
To the Auxiliaries’ credit, those that remained on the field put up a valiant fight. Many others deserted for the woods at a dead run, but most fought in the general melee as the Gauls smashed into the flanks and head of the Auxiliaries formation. The strong Gallic cavalry circled around behind the doomed men and pinned the third line, the Triarii , to prevent them from attempting to take the pressure off the first two ranks.
In the end, the remnant, the Triarii , about 6000 of the most experienced Auxiliaries evaded the harassing Gallic cavalry by listening to their leaders, keeping their formation, and moving rapidly away from the victorious Gauls onto a wooded hill for a last stand. The main battle was over very quickly and it was a slaughter. Over 8,000 Auxiliaries were killed or captured. Marcellus was captured, nailed to a tree, and skewered with spears. The Gauls lost a mere 300 men. Rome had suffered a humiliating and devastating loss. Furthermore, this Gallic victory could embolden other tribes in the Cisalpine to try the same thing for the promise of loot, prestige, and freedom from Roman interference.
*******
After an exhausting
Marcellus was not given to seeking glory, but was aware that by destroying this threat to Rome, he would receive honors and rewards. With those thoughts, he ordered the three Legions into the triplex acies battle formation with Legions abreast. However, rather than advance in the customary checkered board pattern with staggered Maniple, he had the Hastati of the two Legions form a solid shield wall of 1500 men with two men lined up behind each lead man. He kept the staggered checkered board pattern for the Principes in case the Hastati needed to fall back and get behind the Principes to rest or regroup.
The one long Hastati line advanced in good order over the broken ground. They stretched out over half a mile in width and were about 6’ deep. The men sensed victory since they knew that they could over power the few Gauls they could see. The Centurions worked hard to keep them from breaking into a running charge. The Principes and Triarii followed closely behind the Hastati . Spirits were high.
When the lines were about 60 yards apart, the Gauls unleashed their five ballistae . The results were devastating. Each shot found a target. Three to four men were impacted by each ballista arrow as they penetrated shield, armor, and flesh, and still keep going! At the same time, skilled Gallic bowman began to fire their arrows in rapid succession. Falling men and exploding equipment opened gaps in the lines, which were not closed by these untrained troops. The line hesitated as men sought refuge by squatting down behind their shield or lying flat on the ground. The veteran Centurions ran among the ranks pushing and prodding the troops to get up and continue the attack, but most suffered the Centurions blows and stayed put.
As the ballistae and bowmen’s arrows continued to smash into the stalled Hastati ranks, the inexperienced Praetor attempted to pass the Principes , another 5000 men, through the Hastati to continue the attack. It was total chaos. The ranks became horribly intermingled with troops bunched up and not even knowing which way to face. Confusion reigned supreme. Concolitanus and Aneroestes sensed this was the moment to call the hidden warriors out of the woods and ravines to hit the milling Auxiliaries on both flanks. They also ordered the troops on the hill to jump over their now unneeded ditch, reform themselves, and attack downhill on the run.
To the Auxiliaries’ credit, those that remained on the field put up a valiant fight. Many others deserted for the woods at a dead run, but most fought in the general melee as the Gauls smashed into the flanks and head of the Auxiliaries formation. The strong Gallic cavalry circled around behind the doomed men and pinned the third line, the Triarii , to prevent them from attempting to take the pressure off the first two ranks.
In the end, the remnant, the Triarii , about 6000 of the most experienced Auxiliaries evaded the harassing Gallic cavalry by listening to their leaders, keeping their formation, and moving rapidly away from the victorious Gauls onto a wooded hill for a last stand. The main battle was over very quickly and it was a slaughter. Over 8,000 Auxiliaries were killed or captured. Marcellus was captured, nailed to a tree, and skewered with spears. The Gauls lost a mere 300 men. Rome had suffered a humiliating and devastating loss. Furthermore, this Gallic victory could embolden other tribes in the Cisalpine to try the same thing for the promise of loot, prestige, and freedom from Roman interference.
*******
After an exhausting
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