Read Online Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War by Thomas A. Timmes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Thomas A. Timmes
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100 mile six-day forced march across the Apennines, Papus and his five Legions arrived at Faesulae from the east on the evening of the battle. They saw the shattered Auxiliary army lying in the field, but could not stop to inspect the carnage. It was late in the day and the Legions needed at least two hours to prepare their fortified camp for the night. The stranded Triarii was instructed to dig in on the hill and wait for daylight. Papus feared the emboldened Gauls might attempt a night attack against his position and posted extra security. He knew his troops needed to rest, but overall camp security was paramount. The night passed without incident. The Gauls, too, were exhausted after marching for five days, preparing defensive positions, and fighting a three hour battle. Everyone slept.
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Regulus’ two Legions arrived from Pisa around noon of the following day and joined the surviving Triarii on the hill. Regulus further fortified the hill. The men dug ramparts and ditches and added sharpened stakes to create obstacles. Regulus used the survivors from the Triarii to form a reserve Legion, but was well aware that they were spent physically and mentally. Their morale was shattered and he felt he could not rely on them.
The mercenaries Concolitanus and Aneroestes were in no mood to fight another Roman army so soon. Their men needed a rest. But they were not ready to quit the field quite yet. His men were burdened down by loot from months of scouring towns and villages and were fearful that they could lose it all if the Romans won the next battle. Their allied tribesmen, the Insubres and Boii , were beginning to talk of going home. They were tough fighters, but they were also farmers and could not remain absent too long.
Nonetheless, the two Gallic leaders decided to risk it all and attempt an attack on Rome itself or at least the rich suburbs. There would never be a better time. Morale among the troops was high and they had just decisively defeated a sizable enemy force. They felt that given the proper conditions, the army could even take on and defeat multiple Roman Legions. The decision was made to gamble it all and move south to Rome.
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Both Roman Consuls were extremely leery of fighting the Gauls other than on very favorable terrain where they would have an advantage. They could see and were beginning to smell the results of the Auxiliaries’ ill conceived plan of battle. Once the Gauls abandoned the battlefield, the Romans took possession. The Gallic camp was about a mile from the battlefield and situated between the city of Rome and the Legions. Regulus and Papus were separated by 400 yards of woods and fields and about that far from the battlefield.
Regulus assumed command of the combined Roman Army of seven Legions and ordered Papus not to engage the Gauls until the entire Army could unite and find more favorable terrain. The Romans stayed put in their well fortified camps to await the Gauls next move. Would the Gauls go north back to the Cisalpine or south to Rome? If Rome was the target, then the Legions were in the wrong place to block them. They needed to get the fighting Legions between the city and the Gauls.
Meanwhile, teams of experienced Tribunes and Centurions were sent from the two Roman camps to inspect the battlefield. Manius was one of the ones chosen. He hoped his brother had made it to the hill with the Triarii , but knew he was with the Principes and feared the worst.
Manius walked among the dead. He had never before seen death on such a vast scale. He was repelled by what he saw, but could not take his eyes off the devastation. Every manner of injury was lying before him: missing limbs, heads, horrific gashes, impalements, and arrows and spear wounds. There was blood, entrails, and body parts scattered everywhere. As he continued to walk and look, he noticed that many of the Roman shields had deep
*******
Regulus’ two Legions arrived from Pisa around noon of the following day and joined the surviving Triarii on the hill. Regulus further fortified the hill. The men dug ramparts and ditches and added sharpened stakes to create obstacles. Regulus used the survivors from the Triarii to form a reserve Legion, but was well aware that they were spent physically and mentally. Their morale was shattered and he felt he could not rely on them.
The mercenaries Concolitanus and Aneroestes were in no mood to fight another Roman army so soon. Their men needed a rest. But they were not ready to quit the field quite yet. His men were burdened down by loot from months of scouring towns and villages and were fearful that they could lose it all if the Romans won the next battle. Their allied tribesmen, the Insubres and Boii , were beginning to talk of going home. They were tough fighters, but they were also farmers and could not remain absent too long.
Nonetheless, the two Gallic leaders decided to risk it all and attempt an attack on Rome itself or at least the rich suburbs. There would never be a better time. Morale among the troops was high and they had just decisively defeated a sizable enemy force. They felt that given the proper conditions, the army could even take on and defeat multiple Roman Legions. The decision was made to gamble it all and move south to Rome.
*******
Both Roman Consuls were extremely leery of fighting the Gauls other than on very favorable terrain where they would have an advantage. They could see and were beginning to smell the results of the Auxiliaries’ ill conceived plan of battle. Once the Gauls abandoned the battlefield, the Romans took possession. The Gallic camp was about a mile from the battlefield and situated between the city of Rome and the Legions. Regulus and Papus were separated by 400 yards of woods and fields and about that far from the battlefield.
Regulus assumed command of the combined Roman Army of seven Legions and ordered Papus not to engage the Gauls until the entire Army could unite and find more favorable terrain. The Romans stayed put in their well fortified camps to await the Gauls next move. Would the Gauls go north back to the Cisalpine or south to Rome? If Rome was the target, then the Legions were in the wrong place to block them. They needed to get the fighting Legions between the city and the Gauls.
Meanwhile, teams of experienced Tribunes and Centurions were sent from the two Roman camps to inspect the battlefield. Manius was one of the ones chosen. He hoped his brother had made it to the hill with the Triarii , but knew he was with the Principes and feared the worst.
Manius walked among the dead. He had never before seen death on such a vast scale. He was repelled by what he saw, but could not take his eyes off the devastation. Every manner of injury was lying before him: missing limbs, heads, horrific gashes, impalements, and arrows and spear wounds. There was blood, entrails, and body parts scattered everywhere. As he continued to walk and look, he noticed that many of the Roman shields had deep
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