Roman Legion Scenarios List

The Senator's Lecture

2004-09-23T01:13:00.000-07:00

"It's a great evil, cousin, this so called, compromise."

Senator Vibius Varro muttered under his breath softly as he lifted a small cup, taking the tiniest sip of wine, grown and bottled in his own winery.

Throughout the entire electoral process, the Senator had been frequenting the Palatine Forum and the Imperial Senate a bit less, taking time out from the grand speeches in the forums and the passionate debates in the Imperial Senate to sit and drift in thought, here in the small winery shop that he owned.

It had been a nice surprise to find Quaestor Annius Varro here, requesting to converse with a not too distant cousin, one that held certain office.
"If I ever teach you something Annius, when you become a tribune, and some day a Senator, remember that compromise is the art of selling out your beliefs against those who would muffle it."

He was not terribly old for a Senator, but Vibius had seen better days. Senator Varro was still on the verge of a strong recovery, thanks to the priests at the temples, he had gone from barely able health to that of renewed vigor in the course of a few weeks. However, the recent division and arguments in the Imperial Senate had left the man stressed and weakened. The elections were not going in his favor as well.

Socrates once said, "He who would move the world, must first move himself."
Vibius chuckled softly placing his cup back down on the wooden surface and grinned.
"I say, I shall move the world, and I shall move myself forward, but first I shall move you."

The Quaestor did not laugh, but merely nodded his head as if he were appreciating a great inspirational thought. Whether he was appreciating Socrates or Senator Vibius Varro was up for question.

"You should speak with Consul Varro, Senator. He is one of the most loved in Rome, he seems to have found a great liking to you."

Before the Quaestor had any chance to go on with the rest of his comment, the Senator seemed to already have found a tangent and he was in the midst of opening his mouth again. Annius took that as a cue and stopped himself from further speaking.
"You know Annius, we the Varro family have stood shoulder to shoulder as long as I can remember. Oracle Varro of Mars was the finest prophet and voice of the Gods Rome has ever seen. There were bills proposed on behalf of the Oracle that would have given him and the rest of the Oracles say in the Senate- powerful, that man was. Had Emperor Daia not passed, many swore that Oracle Varro would have become the Emperors Imperial advisor. Senator and head of house Raeus Varro lost the title of Proconsul by a small fraction, and he with Senator Verius Varro commanded the Senate for two terms with a very firm grip."

The story the Senator was telling must've caught Annius' attention, for the Quaestor was leaning in, having abandoned his cup of wine on the wooden table as the Senator had a while back, but now his hands were searching for it again."

"Consul Varro, I, you, whoever the Varro family might have to offer must bring the prestige back into our family name. The only man we're going to have next year seems to be Consul Varro. Watch yourself carefully Annius, and watch the Consul carefully. It seems whenever a Varro rises too quickly in the ranks, the Gods find some reason to strike them down. Oracle Varro of Mars was killed by the pathetic Emperor Manus' cleansing and both Senators were sentenced to death by Emperor Vitellius for accounts forgotten to our family now."

Annius along with any other member of the Varro family knew of these sentences, but if the Senator would not speak, he would not ask. Taking a sip from the cup in his hands, he did not bother to interrupt the Senator's lecture.

"We shall have to watch out for that Antonia, she may have ruined me this term, but we as Varros cannot let the Consul crumble from his position of power. Her finger pointing has placed dirt on pure robes where none have been before. Thankfully it seems I and that nuisance called Antonia has received much of the blame for the bickering in the Senate. Consul Varro is the key to keeping out family's name and integrity Quaestor, remember that Annius."

The Quaestor simply nodded.

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By: Verius Vibius Varro, Augustus Annius Varro

AD 35

Imperator Honorius

2004-09-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

In the weeks that had passed since the announcement that the Magister Militum Sarius Honorius Julianus would be Romes next Emperor, much preparation had taken place. Now the time had come for Honorius to officially ascend to the helm of the Roman ship of state. It was the day of his coronation.

The pomp began with a massive procession of deputations from the cities of Italia, the Army and Navy, and the Senate. This was followed by the Legion of Honour, which consisted of a quarter of the men in Consular Legion III. The rest of the troops acted as additional security forces in Rome during the celebrations. The Honour Legion was followed by a procession of Priests from the various gods of Rome and included some Priests who served the gods of subject nations. The streets were packed with cheering citizens who had come to pay homage to their new Emperor. Next to appear were the Guests of Honour. Among them were Otho Vitelius, Valens Verus, Tacitus Sarius Julianus, Acedus Florianus Julianus - a young Centurion of Legion XXXVI Dodona and nephew of Honorius, and other members of the Julianus family. Each of these esteemed Romans rode to the coronation in highly decorated chariots pulled by horses of great beauty. Last of all was Honorius's Imperatorial chariot ornamented with gold and emblazoned with a capital H, drawn by eight white horses, and bearing the Emperor dressed in purple silk and fine linen embroidered with gems and gold. With him was his wife Ula robed in silk and sparkling gems her face glowing in pride and excitement. Many had not ever seen her as she had until now resided with her family in Tuscania. The Emperor's chariot was surrounded by one hundred cavalrymen from Legion III dressed in the most elaborate full armour parade uniforms followed by an equally impressive cohort of the Praetorian Guard. As each group reached the Temple of Jupiter Capitolium they took their places inside. The priests marched up the aisle in formal array and took their places before the grand alter. Honorius took his place on a throne at the right of the altar, on a platform about waist high, with Ula on a smaller throne at his right side. Another throne on Honorius's left was taken by the Praetor Otho Justius Vitelius. A Praetorian Guardsman stood at either end of the platform. The Guests of Honour stood in the central hall of the temple. Finally, when all were inside, twenty men with corni (horns) played a fanfare, signaling the commencement of the ceremony.

One of the Pontifices, arrayed in ceremonial garb, stood before the altar and began to announce the credentials of Honorius, "Sarius Honorius, Head Ancient and Noble House of Julianus, Praetor of Armies, Secondo Legatus of the Empire, Magister Militum of the Legions...", he continued on.

Next, the Priests performed the various religious formalities, chants, and prayers to the Gods of Rome. Then, Honorius presided over the sacrifice of ten bulls. The religious ceremonies proceeded in the solemn traditions of the Roman State Religion.
With the conclusion of the religious ceremonies, the entire group of high officials and dignitaries processed outside to the grand staircase. Consuls Publius Varro and Lucius Agrippa stepped stood before the Emperor-elect. Lucius took a gold laurel crown and held it over the head of the Emperor, as Publius announced, "Hail Sarius Honorius Julianus, Imperator, Princeps Senatus, holder of Tribunician Power for Life- by Decree of the Senate and People of Rome!" Lucius placed the laurel crown firmly on the head of the new Emperor. The people cheered "Hail Honorius! Hail!" As the crowds chanted, Honorius placed laurels on the head of Justius Vitellius.

Then, raising his hand for quiet, he gave his first speech as Romes new Emperor. " Honoured guests, Consuls, Senators, Military leaders, Priests and all Citizens of Rome. Today marks the beginning of a new time of prosperity for Rome. I have served you for forty eight years as a humble servant. This will not change. My interest is the Roman people. It is my belief that no Roman should be without a home, a job, food and the protection they deserve. This is the right of every Roman. I vow to put every effort into making this Empire the jewel and envy of the world. It is my aim to bring greater favour by the Gods to Rome. I will not tolerate those who sit back and earn a fortune at the expense of the citizens of Rome, whether they be found in the Senate or temples of Rome. I will ensure that Rome is protected from its enemies and all who dare oppose our mighty civilisation. Now my friends," Honorius continued with a smile " it is my delight to name Otho Justius Vitellius as my chosen successor ." More cheering and clapping began. Many Romans were that Rome had gained a new and promising Emperor and Prima without any rebellion or loss of life. Honorius went on, "Now dear Romans join with me in the next two days of festivals and celebrations ." And so it was that the throne of Rome was for the second time taken up by a member of the house of Julianus.

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By: Sarius Honorius Julianus, Acedus Florianus Julianus
Editted by GMs

AD 32

Thunder in the East II

2004-09-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

===================
Preparation for War
===================

The death of Emperor Tiberius would not, as it turned out, significantly slow the Roman invasion plans for Thracia. Praetor O. Justius Vitellius had been vehement, "The invasion goes on Dio. Don't let this slow you. I support Sarius Honorius and I know you do to; there isn't a military man in Rome who doesn't respect the man. I'm returning to Rome, but you know the plan. Execute it!"

Now some months later, Legio XIX was preparing to invade Thracia. They had landed yesterday on the southern coast of Macedonia, just west of the Thracian boarder. The XXXVI had been there to greet them. Generals Rufus Actius Dio and N Publius Crassus were in Crassus's tent, looking at maps.

"Actius, I see how the first stage of the campaign is dictated by the course of the Hebrus River and the position of the Rhodope Mountains. The Rhodope range runs west to east parallel to the southern coast. The Hebrus has its source in western Thracia, north of the Rhodopes; it flow eastward past the Rhodopes and then turns south into the Mediterranean Sea. There's a big city, Philippopolus up north near the source of the river; it's bound to be held by the Asians."

"But Actius, I still don't see how this plan will work. I understand that our two armies will sweep the coast eastward to the mouth of the Hebrus River. I also understand that the VII and XV will be north of us over the Rhodope Mountains pushing the Asians eastward along the river. Won't the Asians just flee eastward toward Byzantium and make a stand there?"

"Yes indeed, Publius, that's what Praetor Vitellius thinks and I agree. Their idea will be to mount a defense on the ridges west of Byzantium. But we won't let them."

"How do we stop them, Actius?"

"My XIXth will drive east with your XXXVIth until we reach the mouth of the Hebrus, then while you turn north on the West Bank of the river, I'm to cross the river and quick march eastward and get between the Asians and Byzantium. The XIX will take those ridges and cut off the Asian retreat."

"Ah, Actius, now that makes sense. Then I'll join up with the VIIth and XVth and we'll drive them into your elevated position. Not bad, it should work. But Actius, your timing will be important. You don't want to get onto those ridges too far ahead of our arrival or you could be trapped between the Asian army and the Asians in Byzantium."

"Yes, Publius, you're right. Timing will be important; but these Asians don't really want to fight anymore. Praetor Vitellius thinks they'll run if they can. They have a new King and would like to be friendly with Rome. Their problem is that Rome wants to take Asia; we'd rather destroy their army here where it cannot be so easily supported.

=====================
On the Southern Coast
=====================

The eastward sweep of the coast had gone as expected. Resistance had been light, the Asians made no attempt to resist at the border. Evening was approaching and Dio's XIX was stretched out on the coast, ahead of the XXXVI. They were approaching the mouth of the Hebrus, and Dio expected resistance soon. The Asians would probably have some protection for the mouth of the river. It was their shipping link to the interior. This was a dangerous time in the campaign; the XIXth could not afford a delay.

The vanguard had just chosen a site for the evening's fortified camp. They were busy digging the perimeter ditch. The rest of the legion would complete the camp as they marched into it. Each man carried two large stakes that were used to form the perimeter wall just inside the ditch. Any enemy attacking the camp would be faced with crossing the ditch while being fired upon from behind the wall.

Later that evening the legion was safely behind the stockade walls. Dio and his officers were listening to the scouting reports.

"The Asians have a fortified post just two day's march ahead. It's on our side of the Hebrus and it guards the mouth of the river. I would say they have roughly 7,000 men and several triremes beached there to give their force some naval coverage sir."

"What do the fortifications look like scout?" asked one of the officers.

"Their walls look solid sir, nearly as good as our own stockades, except they haven't dug as deep a Velum, as we would, around them."

"Scout," said Dio, "How many ships could you see? How many men could they evacuate quickly?"

"I saw three triremes sir; they could probably load 100 infantrymen on each. There might have been one or two more, sir; I couldn't see everything."

Dio looked at his officers and raised an eyebrow. None of them had any more questions so he turned to the scout himself. "I'm going to write a message for General Crassus of the XXXVIth Legion. He's just a day behind us on the shore. You go get some food and take a short rest. Then you will ride back to Crassus and deliver my message."

===================
Mouth of the Hebrus
===================

Two days later General Crassus and the XXXVI were at the mouth of the Hebrus. He stood gazing at the Asian fortification on the river. He knew that Dio and the XIXth were headed up the Hebrus, but the Asian commander did not know it.

Nine cohorts of the XXXVI were encircling the fort. Based on Dio's information Crassus had already sent his own first cohort upriver to cross and guard the east bank.

"Spread out and let yourself be seen. Fly this banner that General Dio gave us." Crasus had told his Primus Pilus. "I want them to think the XIXth is over there not just one of our own cohorts."

O. Justius Vitellius' doctrine was clear on matters like this. You did not fight a pitched battle when a siege would do the job. Soldiers were too valuable. The cost and time to train them would not be thrown away lightly. Crassus could take nearly two thirds of the Asians with no battle at all. If this little deception worked, he might even do it quickly.

Inside the fort, the Asian commander watched the Roman deployments closely. Yesterday he had seen the XIXth legion march past in the hills beyond his fort; he had hoped that the Romans would pass him by. Now one of his trireme captains had seen the flags of the XIX on the east bank. There were Romans seemingly everywhere. He could not now easily ferry his men across the River. Damn that Alujah for delivering them to this fate, it would have been infinately more desirable If only he had been assassinated sooner. King Pontus was a man action, but even such a dynamic leader needed time to remedy years of complacent inactivity

Here, the Asians had four triremes to defend the shipping lanes of the Hebrus, in addition to about 7,000 soldiers. These were men who were trained well enough, but equipped in the manner of the Medes and Persians of old. Namely they were "light", not "heavy" infantry like the Romans. The defences were essential to allow his men to fight without being simply slaughtered like cattle. those defences, would allow the garrison to buy King Pontus time to prepare the main army.

This was now taking shape on the other side of the Bosphurus, that would be the real core of the Asian efforts to resist the Roman advance. He had received confirmation by dispatch, that King Pontus was even creating "legions" of his own. They would be drawn from the land of the Galatians. So those Celts would now provide not just their cavalry, but Heavy Infantry, that it was expected would be equipped to a level comparable to that of the Romans themselves.

of course the majority of his heavy troops would be "Macedonians", along with the untold numbers of lighter troops that Asian commanders had marched to victory with, for generations past!

====================

By Rufus Actius Dio and O Justius Vitellius

AD 32

Imperial Perspectives

2004-09-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Rome entered a period of relative calm following the ascension of Emperor Sarius Honorius Julianus. As a distant relative of the revered Emperor Gaius Julianus, Honorius was second man of his esteemed Patrician House to hold the Imperial title. As a leader with extensive military and internal security experience, the new Imperator’s reign seemed secure and destined for great things. His legitimacy was confirmed by a traditional decree of the Senate. Now, the Senate and People of Rome prepared for the formal ceremonies accompanying the coronation.

Despite the general optimism, there were some unfavorable omens. The economy suffered a noticeable decline during the interim between reigns, and it was only slowly recovering. The Praetorian Guards were angry that no bonus had been paid, and the legions also expected a share. In the east, war continued to loom on the horizon. The young, impetuous King Alujah of Asia had been replaced by his experienced and pragmatic uncle, Pontus. Prima Legatus Justius Vitellius and his deputy Actius Dio were charged with destroying or neutralizing the Asian threat. The task would not be easy.

Following the Egyptian King’s acceptance of Emperor Tiberius’ intentionally one-sided trade agreement, Egyptian shipping disappeared from Roman waters. However, the Prefects of the Empire’s port-cities noticed that the total volume of trade remained nearly identical. Papyrus, trade goods, and grain from Aegyptus continued to flow into the Roman Empire by way of Greek and Assyrian vessels. A number of customs authorities suspected the registration of various ships, but there was so little proof. And so the trade continued as usual.
Some Romans longed for glorious conquests under the new Emperor. Some hoped for nothing more than a sound economy. The poor of Rome called for "bread and circuses". Decisions, decisions...

"May the gods smile upon Imperator Sarius Honorius Julianus, Princeps Romanus"

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By: GM (QMA)

AD 32

Prison Escape

2004-08-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

**Imperial Prison, Rome**

Trunicus Agrippa leaned on the bars mulling over the events of the past few months and the events that led to his imprisonment. His thoughts continuously on two particular people. Trunicus had for months wanted to get out of prison, and after a year he was worse. Then there had been the terrible news that the emperor had been assassinated. The young man greived at this terrible deed, but he also saw opportunity for himself. Most of the Praetorians had been summoned by the Secundo to enforce "order" in the City and its environs. Consequently the numbers of guards had been greatly reduced in the last few days. Here was the chance that Trunicus Agrippa sought!

A Praetorian called Lucian approached the bars of Trunicus’ cell. Lucian had been a childhood friend of Trunicus and had been able to get Trunicus some of his personal belongings into his cell. But now Trunicus wanted more.
(Trunicus) “Lucian!!!!” Trunicus whispered
(Lucian) Lucian approached the bars and looked at Trunicus “Trunicus what do
you want?”
(Trunicus) “I need you to do one last favour for me, when the last guard goes could you leave my cell unlocked”
(Lucian) Lucian looked at Trunicus with a raised eyebrow “You are asking me
to allow you to escape?”
(Trunicus)”Something along those lines, Lucian”
(Lucian) Looking at the ground “Trunicus I cannot, if I am found out I will be executed for sure”
(Trunicus) “Look at me Lucian, how can it be that I am imprisoned, for a meagre crime of which I notice that there are no philanderers in here just thieves and murderers. How can it be I am imprisoned for serving the Emperor to the end with out question even when I know he used me to his own personal gain?”

Lucian stood there for a few minutes mulling over the request made by Trunicus. It was a big request and one that Lucian was ready to make for an old friend. “I will do this for the friend of my youth, Trunicus, but this is the last time that I want to see you do you understand me” Trunicus nodded
"You will though give me 5,000 in gold to do this. I want it in my hand before I do this for you!
Trunicus grimmaced, then nodded silently.

**Night fall**

Having been paid in full, Lucian did the night rounds of the cells. His duty was to ensure they were locked. He looked into Trunicus’ cell to see his friend for the last time. He put his key in slowly into the door and slowly turned the lock. Lucian sighed and walked off to his post where he sat there with his eyes closed in complete contradiction to his orders. Of which he knew he could be killed for if he was caught asleep. Trunicus acted as if he was asleep too. Suddenly opened his eyes. The time to go was now.

Darkness had come over Rome shadows were the masters of the streets where
the black to hide anything in its wake. Trunicus sat up in his cell, listening to ensure that all the other prisoners were asleep. He crouched and went to the
door, slowly and surely opening it. The door made a slight creek, alerting Lucian. Seeing Trunicus head fertively look out the small cell door, Lucian closed his eyes again. At the end of the corridor that the cells all faced on to, was the door that led to freedom. Through there, was another longer passge, which lead to the sewers of Rome.
Trunicus knew that no guards patrolled down there and this would be his best place to go and get out of Rome. Trunicus went into the sewers almost being consumed by the noxious fumes. Until he could take it no longer he went up to a
drain cover to gather some air. He then returned to the sewer and continued North along the sewer. Eventually, far from the prison, he pushed the cover away and climbed out in to a small side street. He glanced left and right, then Trunicus headed home.

**Trunicus Arrives Home**

After hours of travelling on the outskirts of Rome he reached his home the sun was just beginning to rise. Trunicus rushed in to his small home and began to fumble through his home looking for two specific objects.
These being his father’s sword and armour. These two pieces of material were now Trunicus’. His father Castor Augustus Servo sent these items to Trunicus before his death. Trunicus donned his armour and sheathed his sword on the right hand side of his body. Trunicus placed a black cloak over himself and then began the long arduous journey by horseback towards Praetor O. Justius Vitellius and to join him on his march towards the capital. Trunicus had decided instead of taking the route south towards the heel of Italia he would go north to confuse any
pursuers, knowing that usually criminals would try and get the quickest way out of the country. Trunicus Agrippa would try to evade any pusuit by doing the unusual. Thus, the journey to Praetor O. Justius Vitellius had begun.

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By: Augustus Trunicus Agrippa and Otho Justius Vitellius

AD 31

Outrage

2004-08-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

Inside his luxurious field headquarters in Macedonia, essentially a villa that the Romans had seized and turned in to a residence suitable for a Praetor, Praetor Otho Justius Vitellius sat reflectively. A cup of watered wine on the desk in front of him, as he studied maps and diagrams for the Invasion of Thracia that both he, Emperor Tiberius, and Praetor Valens Verus had forged.
On the shelves of his office sat many books. History, philosophy, literature. His father, Otho Vitellius had insisted that his son have more advantages than he, and had spared no expense in a lavish education for his only child. Justius was therefore more bookish than a typical Praetor, if there even was such a thing. He started to see his father’s wisdom in this insistence, though, now that he was spending so much time in the provinces, and negotiating on behalf of Imperial Rome.
The planned invasion would launch within two months. All preparations would be in place by then. Negotiations had gone well with the Greeks, and First Magistrate Theodosis had given a pledge of cooperation between the Aegean fleet and the growing naval forces of Rome itself. Tomorrow, Justius would move to his field camp, and then Asian encroachment in the region would end swiftly. Decidedly end. Emperor Tiberius’ long sought, long dreamt expansion of the Empire, delayed annoyingly by a feeble and poorly conceived second civil war against his authority, would at last begin. Justius was happy to play a part in seeing his father in law’s dreams become a reality. Focusing on battle also helped Justius deal with the anguish of the recent loss of his beloved wife Lora. The mutual pain that both he and Tiberius felt had brought the two men even closer.
What no one except the Emperor and Justius knew, was that Tiberius had recently told Justius of his desire to name his son in law as Prima Legatus and his successor. Justius was still grappling with the ramifications of that stunning announcement. His father in law had wished to make the announcement at once – but Justius thought it premature. He had never coveted power – all his life he only sought to do his duty, to Rome, to his wife, to his children, and the Vitellius name – his father would have said ‘as a proper Roman man would’ He chuckled to himself while thinking about it. Now he was being thrust into the center of power of the mightiest Empire the world had ever known. Tiberius planned to name him Prima once the conquest of Thracia and that of Aegyptus was complete. He would do his duty, as he had always done. He was not a man to worry or fret needlessly.

-----------

His reverie was interrupted by a sudden, insistent knock on his study door. Without waiting for permission, General Rufus Actius Dio entered, his usually stolid face wearing a visible expression of shock and dismay.
“Justius!” the General exclaimed before Justius could even acknowledge him. “News from Rome – terrible, terrible news - a courier just arrived – I had to bring it to you personally”
“Gods, Actius! What is it? What’s wrong?!!”
“Emperor Tiberius… is dead!!!!”
“What???!!! HOW???”
“Murdered, Justius… assassinated.”
The Praetor’s reaction was merely to bury his face in his hands, his body wracked by a few silent soundless sobs. Actius knew that Justius still suffered from the loss of Lora and now this too. For a minute that seemed like an eternity, Justius remained quiet, face hidden from view. Actius wondered if he should leave. No man would wish another to see another cry. It was terribly uncomfortable, and then it ended.
Justius slowly raised his head. His eyes glistened, his expression weak. Then, like a wave crashing on a beach, his expression changed. In the years to come, Actius would always remember the moment. A steely look he’d never seen came across his Praetor’s face a clenching of teeth, slightly feral and savage. His eyes glinted with sparks of barely concealed fury.
“How did this come to pass? Who was the traitor or traitors?”
Actius explained it all. A letter from Secondo Verus told of the assassination, the mad treachery of A. Maximus Terpus on the day of his wedding, and how the man had been brought to his end by the quick actions of a Praetorian named H. Valens Vitellius.
“Terpus!” Justius hissed. “The fool! What did he think to gain from such insanity? It doesn’t even make sense. Someone shall pay for this, Actius. It has to be more than just Terpus involved.”
There are MANY things to be done, Actius, and time is of the essence. This news is already almost a week old! Here are the things I see happening now, and what WE must do immediately. We shall waste no more moments on grief, or futile rage. Action shall be the balm to soothe my soul’s turmoil. Please, get a scribe to take some notes”

It only took a minute for Dio to bring a scribe into the office. What followed was more of a lecture than a discussion.
“With no Prima officially named, no doubt ambitious aristocrats with no real claim, might see a crown for themselves in the near future. Honorius Julianus is the senior military leader in Rome, he is respected by the entire Army and can command its loyalty to him personnally should he desire it. By rights HE should take the throne, in my opinion. But I know he is somewhere in Tuscany. I don’t even know if Verus has sent word to him. We must send a courier to Honorius! Telling him he was my sword at his disposal. He must take the Throne and quickly! And Honorius must be told that I am to be named Prima as the Emperor had wanted after this Thracia business.” Actius tried to interrupt, but Justius waved him off. “Please, my friend, no interruptions. There’s no time. I’ll tell you more of it after we’ve made our first moves.
“We must dispatch messengers to every legion under the Emperor’s command here in the East, and ask for their vow of allegiance to the Imperial Flag that I, as a member of the Imperial Family, really the only member until Honorius takes the throne, will now command. We must also make explicitly clear to those generals that my intent is not a revolution, usurpation, or Civil War. Simply to support fully EMPEROR Honorius and Secondo Verus!”
“Additionally, we need to extract elements from all these legions – the finest men of all – preferably picked from the calvary units in each legion, since I can move the fastest with them. I plan to return to Rome, with my own elite legion, a LARGE legion, to make certain that no further treachery unfolds there. Valens wants me to stay here, he worries about a possible invasion. Well, the only ones with a worry are the Asians who dare to soil Thracia. He must see that I cannot obey his wish. He may be underestimating his political adversaries. Send a courier to him – tell him that I am returning as his ally and as a loyal Roman.”
Before Rufus Actius Dio had a chance to respond , The Praetor contined. “Then, politely send for First Magistrate Theodosis. I need his assistance again. I know his fleet has moved northwards in the Aegean, towards the waters bounding Thracia. However, I need to negotiate passage to the coast of Campania. We can use merchant vessels to make the crossing. But I want those elements in place before we arrive at the ports. The minium of delay is essential. The shipping can be concentrated, as the troops are moved to the ports." R. Actius Dio knodded.
_____________

30 DAYS LATER
A weary, but resolute Praetor Justius Vitellius stood in the port city of Naupauctus, gateway to the Gulf of Calydon and the Ionian Sea. He’d only slept here and there in the last month. There had been so much to do, so many negotiations, so many elements to draw together. Much had unfolded as he’d planned. He mused that he could rest and recuperate over the couple days of sea travel. As he watched, his proud force moved past his review, and onto the waiting merchant ships that crowded the docks. These ships, were those that Theodosis had assembled. The troops hailed their Praetor as they passed. He was forced to trim a few thousand men – there were not enough vessels available for such an undertaking. Those men were returned to their units, and would fight in Thracia. However, 5000 legionaries and an equal number of the finest auxiliary cavalry, and archers, would return to Rome with him. They would surrender their lives, if need be, to make certain that Imperial Rome would continue. They would cross as a fleet, and land on the Eastern coast of Italia as a single force.
First Magistrate Theodosis and R. Actius Dio both flanked the Praetor. Justius had taken great pains over the last few weeks to make certain that Theodosis understood how strong Rome’s presence remained in the region. He doubted that Theodosis planned deceit, but he would realize that this powerful force would and could quickly return if need be. Theodosis was also cognizant of the mighty legions already in place within the provinces.
There had been a good deal of mutual mistrust, and old animosity, between Greeks and Romans. However, Justius had tried through his conversations with Theodosis to make it clear that his own mother was a Greek, and that his heritage was both that of Rome and Greece. Justius wished only prosperity for both Romans and Greeks. He thought that Theodosis was beginning to understand that he meant exactly what he said, unlike other Romans he might have dealt with in the past.
Justius turned and faced Theodosis. He smiled and clapped his hand heartily on the magistrate’s robed shoulder. “Excellent! You’ve done well, friend Theodosis. As we’ve agreed, I’ll make certain you’re richly rewarded for your efforts on Rome’s behalf. I am glad we can continue to work well together for the betterment of all. I am in your debt.”
Theodosis looked startled for a moment, put off by a soldier’s common familiarity, then his expression eased. He took Justius’ gesture for what it was, and accepted it and chuckled a bit.
“Of course, Praetor. Likewise, it is good to work with you.” Theodosis was surprised at by the sincerity of his own words. They were indeed a good partnership, this Justius and he. As an aristocrat, Theodosis knew Justius was not some illiterate lout with a sword, but a highly educated, intelligent man, who possessed a great knowledge on many subjects, not just warfare. There was no guile in Justius’ words when he spoke of his love for Crete, and for many facets of life in Greece – the Praetor owned a magnificent villa there. Against his better judgment, he was beginning to like this Roman.
“Excellent! I shall hopefully return soon." Justius smiled at the Magistrate, then turned his gaze to his general. "Actius, continue on with our plans. You have my confidence and my faith”
“Of course, Justius! May the gods be with you!” Replied Actius and offered a cisp military salute.

Justius nodded. “And may they be with you both. Farewell!” With that, Justius turned and followed the rest of his men to the wharves.

----------------------------------
By: Otho Justius Vitellius

AD 31

Inspections and News

2004-08-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

As part of his ongoing inspection tour, the Magister Militum himself had arrived about an hour before, as he inspected the Cohorts of the legion one after another. S Honorious Julianus felt that Legio XXXIX was no where near where it should be, but was doing well for the limited amount of time that it had been formed. Granted they were all young men enlisted to serve into this new Legion. Most of the unit was nothing more than 17-19 year old men from all over Italia and Cisalpine Gaul (now it had been extended Citizen status). Valens did not think that a good excuse for the poor performance of standard drill evolutions. Only about a forth of the unit had any type of experience and that was light field duty, for they had been drafted from more seasoned legions to help the with the formation of these new legions, there were several raised at the same time.

The equipment had been supplied in exactly the proscribed manner from the Imperial armories at Capua. They had been issued with the standard mail shirts, of a uniform quality that the government owned armory was designed to provide. The unusual thing about the recruit's equipment, apart from it being so uniform in type, was that the troops had all been issue with the "Italic" style. This was the very latest pattern and apart from the Praetorian Guard, was still rare indeed in most of the Army.
Honorious shook his head and cursed to himself again before walking over to the cohort to his front. Using the Centurions, again, the Magister Militatium demonstrated the proper way to form a tortoise formation. He quickly saw that the recruits had grasped the initial cohesion, yet lacked the ability to move together correctly without breaking formation. This was an important point and one he made a note of, so that he could press the legion's general to address the matter.
“Again…” he ordered moving away. “…remember what I said.”
They did as ordered, and almost achieved a success. Valens was getting frustrated, but he looked back up and smiled and shouted to the recruits, “Better.”
Turning away from the Cohort he said in a conversational tone. “Good work on your troops Officer!" Honorious said with a bright smile. "If they keep this up they might be fully trained in a few more weeks.” He said confidently.
The young officer beamed in pride and Saluted the retreating back of the Army's professional head.

A Centurion came running over. Valens, Behind him ran a messenger who had obviously been on the road for some time and had not slowed his progress for rest. Turning to face them, they exchanged salutes before the Centurion almost shouted “My Lord. I bring urgent news”. He handed Honorious a message which he quickly snatched and opened, then began to read. Honorious' face turned pale, betraying the terrible event which he was discovering as he read. Looking up at the Officer, who had stayed close to see what this message could mean, the Magister Militatium said simply. “Officer, inform the other men of rank in your legion, that the honorable Emperor Tiberius has been assassinated.”
Honorious turned to his aid and shouted the order, “ Call up the escort, we must make for Rome immediately”.
The legion's various officers, gathering rapidly as the news of the assassination spread. They were only just fast enough, to watch the Magister Militatium leave with his escort, heading for the camps gate that was the best one for Rome.
Only after seeing him pass from view did the young officer turn around and make his way toward the men under his direct command. He had to task of telling them of the death of the man who many believed to be a god !
“Ok, lets get this right.” He said to himself.

----------------------------------------
By: Hadrius Valens Vitellius & Sarius Honorius Julianus.

AD 31

Imperial Betrayal II

2004-08-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

Secondo Valans Verus immediately took the widow, Senator Vitellius into his protection, as well as the rest of the Imperial Family that resided in Rome. The Entire Praetorian guard was alerted for possible action. The Secundo also dispatched a messenger to the General of Legion I(c) in Campania.
“General, our Emperor has been slain by Praetor Terpus, there will be unrest in Rome. You are to move your troops to the southern limits of Rome, and prepare for battle. Your duties are to ensure than no forces, enemy or roman get within 10 miles of the southern borders of the city. Stop them at any cost. If roman legions try to enter rome they are considered traitors.
S. Valens Verus
Secondo”

--------
Similar messages were sent to the Generals of Legion III(c), ordered to protect the eastern border of Rome and Legion IV (c), ordered to protect the northern border of Rome. Legion XII Classis was ordered to patrol the waters of the western border and guard from any movement. If all the Generals sent messages back that they understood their orders, then would comply with those orders. Rome was going to be a huge guarded fortress.

All of Rome was closed off and a Curfew seemed in the offing. The Urban Cohorts went from house to house, ensuring all Romans stayed in their dwellings until informed otherwise. The Praetorian Guard took their posts to protect Rome itself. No Roman would be able to move, the city was in lock down. All Senators and Tribunes, for their own safety were taken to their homes if they lived within the city and provided with guards. If they lived out side the city walls, they were taken to the Senate and protected.
Secondo Verus also sent message via fast galley, to Praetor O. Justius Vitellius,
“My Dear Friend, I sadly inform you that our beloved Emperor has been slain by Praetor Terpus and a small band of traitors. Please do not leave your post in haste. It is imperative that you maintain a military presence in Macedonia to hinder the Asians from attacking Rome in this time of dispare. I promise you, I will get to the bottom of this and vengence will be certain.
Your friend,
Valens”

--------------------
By: Sextus Valens Verus

AD 31

Imperial Betrayal

2004-08-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

The group that were allowed in to the palace, from the great procession that had come to the Imperial Palace, were searched for weapons by the Praetorian Guards at the gate. The people who were honored enough to enter the Palace and witness the ceremony beheld a large podium upon which the Emperor's throne sat. It was set nearly 10 feet high, so that the Emperor could survey all and at the same time make it impossible for a person to reach him without assistance. A guest had to ascend several steps to reach the top the podium and access reach the throne itself.
The entrance to these stairs was heavily guarded. He sat on his throne with his bodyguards and the Secondo, who had been leaving briefly to inspect his troops to the east, but was re-called by the Emperor. In his note, he had made it clear to Secondo Valens that at no time was he to leave Rome unless it was with him.
When the wedding party arrived they knelt before the Emperor. The Emperor smiled and ordered the beginning of the official religious ceremony. Outside some thousands of Romans waited patiently. The young priest Marcellus Decendus Varro was naturally nervous when he started to pray to the Gods: "Almighty gods, we thank thee for the gift of love to these two, and we rejoice on this glad occasion, when these two have come before the altar to be joined in this sacred ceremony. We bow in thy presence to ask thy blessing upon their marriage and upon the home which they shall establish."
The Emperor himself, all the guests and the crowd outside applauded, while the sounds of the trumpets and drums echoed in the Imperial Palace. Then Consul Crassus Dio and Senator Lucius Agrippa requested permission of the Emperor to speak. The Emperor nodded his head affirmatively. The Consul Crassus Dio was the first to speak. Then was the turn of the Senator Lucius Agrippa to spoke. With the formalities of the ceremony complete, the Emperor rose to leave the great room.
The Emperor escorted by the Secondo and their collective lictors, moved towards the exit. This was not far from Maximus. Maximus knelt before him as they approached, keeping his head bowed until he speak in a loud clear voice.
MAXIMUS: Hail Emperor, may I serve?
TIBERIUS: Arise Warrior of Rome. You have brought much glory to the Empire.
Maximus stood up before the Emperor and the Emperor extended his hand. As Maximus took it the plan sprang into action. His fifteen loyal men immediately jumped forward to form a small screen around Maximus.
As this occurred Maximus clasping the Emperor's hand in his own right one, pulled him in close. With his left hand, the Praetor pulled out a dagger and jabbed it expertly into the Emperor's throat. Blood fountainhead out the massive wound to the jugular. In that wave of blood, the longest and arguably most successful reign of the Empire, came to an Infamous end. dellusion, had defeated Grandeur, or so it seemed.
As the Emperor collapsed a woman broke the amazed silence and screamed. It was A. Antonia Vitellius, he face a mask of horror. The most idyllic of days for any woman, Roman or Barbarian, had been destroyed by the Hubris of A. Maximus Terpus.

Failed Protection

The blood curdling scream reverberated throughout the chamber. Senator Agrippa Antonia Vitellius clutched her chest with her right hand, her normal, elegant and peaceful face contorted to the exact opposite counternance. Before her, her eyes beheld her husband of only several minutes, Praetor Antonius Maximus Terpus, thrusting a dagger into her distant uncle Emperor Augustus Tiberius Vitellius. Tiberius’ eyes widened in shock and pain. The man whom won Rome a tremendous victory, whom Tiberius had given a triumph of such grandeur it surpassed any in living memory, had betrayed him. Maximus’ eyes were determined and unflinching, even in the wake of his wife’s screams. He was ending the reign of a man who was superior to him in so many ways, that he had been incappable of comprehending his own inability to replace him, as he had hoped.

The Secondo Legatus, Sextus Valens Verus, stepped back ever so slightly shielding himself even though he was not in danger at that moment.. Immediately the fifteen soldiers who accompanied Maximus, adorned in ornamental parade armor pulled out the daggers they had slipped in to the Palace, and moved in to surround Maximus with a wall of protectors. The plan called for them to deal with the Emperor’s lictor body guards but also of the Secondo’s. They were in no way able to intercept the Secundo, his Lictors reacting to the threat moved in and bundled him behind them, as they drew their weapons.

Both Lictor groups, arrayed behind the Emperor and Secundo, however only sported their purple tunics and toga’s. None had armor of any kind, yet that would not deter them. They at the very least still had a sword each. All of this was happening in a matter of moments. Maximus and his men had the element of surprise, but what they sorely lacked was numbers and equipment. This doomed their hopes of escape to total oblivion.Maximus surmised he and his men could deal with the un-armored lictors, hoping to take weapons from them and cut his way out. This though had relied on the additional troops who had been prevented from entering the Palace by the Praetorian Guards earlier.

In all fairness they may have very well succeeded, had it not been for the large numbers of Praetorian Guards, who were also on duty in a ddition to the Lictors. Even at such an auspicious event, Tiberius had been in the habit of demanding massive protection for himself for many years.

A nobody in Rome, a foreigner from Africa born of Roman blood Officer Hadrius Valens Vitellius had been in attendance with the some twenty odd Praetorians, in "close attendance" to the sovereign. No one cared to speak to him and no one seemed to acknowledge his existence. Yet he was a very important person at this particular moment in Rome's history. Before the ceremony he would have been seen leaving the chamber and speaking with several Praetorians in the vestibule outside. That is if anyone had noticed. He was also wearing an overly concealing togger and no one cared to see. He was in fact a Praetorian, but not under the Secondo. He answered to and only to, Tiberius and had his own little band of men. Now at this crucial post within the chamber hall, when the legionaries of Maximus bore down on an off balance Praetorian Guard Valens in his own shook threw off his white cloak, which several none PG lictors wore and exposing his Praetorian Armor and yelled, “Praetorians, defend your Emperor!”

He need not even have spoken, for the eight Praetorian Guardsmen Valens commanded, burst in to the chamber room. Unlike their contemporaries already inside, they not only were fully armed with gladius and pilum, but fully clad in armor and held a shield.

The melee that followed was a bloody affair. As Maximus stood over his Emperor’s body, his feet in a collecting pool of his blood, he tried to calm everyone by spewing forth words of caution and reasoning. Valens had unsheathed his gladius and dashed towards Maximus, who was trying to make some sort of speech in the pandemonium. The Secondo was rallying his men by the time several of Maximus’ soldiers fell upon them. Maximus ceased his speech and turned to his horrified and frightened wife, trying, perhaps, to say something to her. Seeing himself surrounded by his men, he surmised he had a few moments to at least try to help his poor wife.

Valens seeing his chance flipped his gladius round and held it firmly with the blade pointing downward. Side-stepping one of Maximus' men, he brought up the hilt of his weapon into the lower jaw of the assailant, sending him reeling, headlong backward. Valens then ran over to the side of Maximus and bringing his arms up in an arc across the right side of his body brought them back down to bear. As Maximus stared into his wife’s eyes, Valens' gladius pierced the thin ornamental armor which Maximus wore and drove deep into his left flank. Valens drove the blade far enough into his Emperor’s traitor that only a few inches of steel could still be seen. Waiting but a mere moment, he extracted his blade from Maximus’ side. So rapidly did he do this that it caused the bloodied gladius to fling a cup full of blood outward. Innocent Antonia, having just witnessed her uncle’s death and now seeing her husband slaughter in front of her was sprayed with his blood across her face and neck for a second time.

The crimson blood covered her eyes and entered her open mouth. A petrified and scarred Antonia, covered in the still hot blood of her husband, opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. She was too, frozen, too horrified. All she could do was stare at the eyes she fell had fallen in love with as they slowly glazed over and Maximus’ body collapsed to the floor, gripping Antonia as he fell, pulling her with him. Several other bodies had littered the floor already. Most of them the unarmored lictors, but that was about to change.

One of Valens’ Praetorians, seeing a lictor being double-teamed by Maximus' men, moved to interfere and save his comrade. He took his shield and sent the sliver and gold weaved front crashing into the back of one of the traitors. The legionnaire was thrown forward, his momentum carrying him into the hard marble floor with a heavy thud, dislocating his shoulder upon contact. The Praetorian then drew his gladius and plunged it straight into the legionaries’ chest killing him instantly. Another fully equipped Praetorian fell upon the legionnaire with the dislocated shoulder. The legionnaire, his face in a look of fear threw up his good arm and pleaded with the Praetorian. The Praetorian replied by taking the bottom of his shield and slamming it into the face of the wounded legionnaire. The heavy shield, its sides lined with silver and gold, crushed the traitors face, first destroying his nose and then his jaw before it finally came to rest into the marble floor with a large ‘CLANG’ sound. Blood splattered upward onto the shield and partial obstructed the large Scorpio insignia which covered the center of the shield.

A single legionary was brought to bay, and fell to the ground, badly wounded by a new group of Praetorian Guards, who had now also charged in to the room. Valens bent to his knees and looked coldly into the traitor’s eyes and demanded darkly, “Who else was part of this assassination? Who else was in league with Terpus!”

The legionary, covered slightly in his own blood from a cut just stared blankly back not answering, a defiant look in his eyes. Valens calmly stood up and went behind the legionary, forcibly grabbed his jaw and pulling his head back cut the man’s throat. Blood fell to the marble floor as the legionary recoiled into himself clutching his neck and gasping for his terminal breathe.Valens then went to the front of another prisoner and demanded the same information.

The younger looking legionary just shook his head frantically, his eyes wide with fear, repeating, “I don’t know! I don’t know! Please don’t execute me!”

“Liar!!” screamed Valens as he systematically repeated the same thing as before. This time though the victim twitched and convulsed as he tried to breathe. He did this for another five minutes before finally dying. Yet as he still twitched, Valens asked the same thing of the last prisoner, whom he was no legionary but a more senior officer. Before Valens complete his execution the Secondo only noticing after the second prisoner had been killed rushed over and stopped Valens.

“Officer,” he began in a rage. “…what are you doing!?”

“Trying to find answers, I know this is not just Terpus acting alone.” He replied in a voice that should not be spoken from a lowly officer to a Legati.

“Just who are you anyway? You are not one of my Praetorians, neither are of these!” he demanded motioning toward Valens eight men.

“I am a Praetorian my lord, except I served the Emperor himself in case he could not trust his lieutenants.” Valens informed him, pointing out that Tiberius questioned the Secondo’s loyalty.

------------------------------------

By: A. Antonia Vitellius, A. Maximus Terpus, H. Valens Vitellius
Players co-operation: A. Tiberius Vitellius (Emperor), Crassus Dio
(Consul), Lucius Agrippa (Senator), A. Tiberius Julianus (General), R. Actius Dio (General), P. Nero Terpus (General), V. Tiberius Julianus (Officer), M. Decendus Varro (priest) , S. Iona Julianus (priestess).

AD 31

Echos of Scipio Maxus

2004-08-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful sunny day in Rome. The Forum, the heart of the Roman Empire looked so big, that people had come to wonder, if the gods had anything to with it’s construction. Small-scale merchants put out their products, preparing for another great day in Rome.

This is what Rufus enjoyed, the smell of fresh baked bread, and feeling the rising sun on his face..

‘Do you smell it, Cato?’

‘What smell ?’

‘The smell of a city that’s awaking in the early morning...’

‘Rufus, you are still that same old dreamer as you were as a kid’

‘Old? You calling me old Cato.. You are just one year younger than me. Haha!’

The two men walked down the Forum. Cato was a young man, he was a member of the Verus family. One of the most respectable families, they had been in Rome since it had been founded by Romulus and Remus. Cato was a centurion in the legions, so he didn’t have to be with his family and become a politician. That was also the reason why he and his father never talked to each other. His father wanted him to be a great politician, but Cato didn’t really have any interest in politics. Cato was caste in the mold of a more an adventurous person, than a good speaker and politician.

Rufus had met him when they joined the Legions. They both enlisted the same day. Not as unusual as it would seem, because the young nobles of Rome would gather at the Campus Martius on a specific day to begin their military service. Rufus had been lucky, and was promoted to Officer shortly after enlisting with the Eagles. Perhaps his superiors saw a leader in him, perhaps they were short of Officers.

‘Hey let’s get some bread, Rufus, I know just the place to buy some of the best Bread in Rome’

‘Alright, although the best bread is baked by the hands of Aurelianus...haha..’

‘That’s so not true..’

‘He does... really.. well let’s get us some bread from both merchants’

‘Okay, but I doubt that your Aurelianus can compete to Severellius’

‘We’ll see...’

Rufus grinned when he gave Cato a piece of Aurelianus’ bread.

Cato: ‘It’s good, very good..

Rufus: I told..

Cato: But not that good

‘Alright Cato, show me your bakery...’

Severellius: 2 denarii please..

Cato got his little leather purse, and took 2 denarii.

‘Here you go Severellius..’

The moment Cato handed over the 2 coins, a young man shot forward out of the passers by and stole his leather purse.

‘What the... HEY YOU STOP THAT’S MINE, THIEF !!’

Rufus and Cato ran as fast as they could after the fast disappearing thief. The thief apparently knew exactly where to run, for he never seemed to waver as he turned off main streets and in to by-ways and alleys. Rufus stumbled over a rock, and nearly fell as he twisted his knee badly.

Cato looked back, and was returning to help Rufus getting up..

‘GO CATO, CATCH THAT BASTARD’

Cato turned around again and ran after the thief again, throwing his head back to make up the ground he had lost.

Rufus could feel that his knee was already tender and would be more so in a few minutes, if experience was anything to go by. As Rufus pause, he took up the hue and cry. ‘GUARDS, GUARDS!’ His strong voice carried well. In Just a few moments, five soldiers of the Urban Cohorts, who were on regular patrol, arrived to investigate Rufus' calls.

‘Don’t just stand there, they went true that little street. ‘ Rufus shouted at the bemused patrolmen, pointing down the alley. They immediately began to continue the chase themselves.

Rufus and the other 5 men heard a loud scream as they ran the way that Cato had disappeared. At the moment he turned around the corner they saw Cato falling down.

‘Cato? CATO !!!!’

Rufus kneeled down ‘Cato answer me, Cato please...’

The guards spread out, and the commander looked back and saw Cato was drenched in his own blood.

Suddenly the men heard a small noise, a bird had been scared away by something, or someone...

Rufus and two men from the Urban Cohort patrol slowly walked down the ally. They saw an object lying on the ground in the distance. Rufus ran as fast as he could, blinded by anger he didn’t notice his knee was already aching horribly now. The object that Rufus saw, clearly it was the blood drenched cloak of the thief. Suddenly the thief bolted from the dark corner that he had sought to hide in. Desperate to escape, the thief stumbled over his own feet. As the pursuers arrived, the thief was already up and had drawn his dagger to fed off his pursuers. Pushing the unarmed Rufus aside, the commander of the patrol drew his gladius and advanced on the criminal before him. The Urban Cohort soldier, rapidly demonstrated he was skilled in handling his gladius, as he began to fight with the thief.

The Urban Cohort soldier, armed with a sword, made short work of the attacker. Stabbed viciously, the criminal fell to the ground mortally wounded in the stomach. Rufus stepped forward and knelt next to the dying man and asked him simply, to identify himself.

‘My name is Marcus Maxus, I’m your cousin... ’

Rufus: Marcus ? Son of Scipio ?!

Thief: Yes!

A patrolman looked down at the corpse looked at the corpse and asked as he shoved it with his sandal, . ‘So who was he ?’

‘A fainted memory’ Rufus whispered ‘nothing more than a faint memory’

Rufus went quickly to their domus, then informed Cato's family about what had happened that morning. Cato's father knelt down and wept in unimaginable sorrow for his son, who was killed on that still idyllic morning. Cato was placed on a funeral pyre, just outside Rome, on a calm peaceful piece of land that was owned by the Verus family. Close by was a mausoleum where every member's remains were interred as an old tradition.

The next morning Rufus wrote a small letter to the Imperator. Although the note would be read by a minor Imperial secretary, mislaid and then lost, along with the fine golden signet ring Rufus had enclosed in his scrolled note. All this, long before it reached its intended recipient

*****

Avé Imperator.

It is with deep sorrow in my heart that I inform you about the death of one of your soldiers. Yesterday morning, Cato, from the house of Verus, was killed by no one less than some one claiming the name of Scipio Maxus’ son, Marcus. Marcus had stolen his money on the Forum. Cato chased him, so did I , but I fell down. By the time I got to centurion Cato, he was already dead. I immediately hunted Marcus down and killed him in a man-to-man swordfight. While we were fighting he told me he was Scipio’s son and was about to start a new revolt, as his father had did before.

I gave the messenger who bore this message, the Ring of Scipio Maxus. Marcus was wearing it around his finger. I hope that I have cleared the name of the Maxus Family with this gesture.

Sincerely,

A. Rufus Maxus,

Officer IVth Legion

---------------------------------
By: Antoninus Rufus Maxus

AD 31

Training Day II

2004-08-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

A strong, stout Roman stood at the front of a short line of centurions, who in turn stood in front of an even larger column Legionaries from Legion X. He made a swift motion, which was replicated by the centurions, followed by a quick 'about face'. The entire line then staggered to the right, not quite as synchronized as he would have liked. He stroked his stubbly, bristled and graying beard and looked down, and then back up his troops. He walked down the strictly lined path, carefully examining the two lines he passed in between.

"What," he shouted, "was that? You are trained Legionnaires of the Roman Army, you are supposed to move as one, think as one, be as one. But yet you don't cease to screw up over a trivial drill maneuver..."
"Let them alone, we both know the Pax has softened the military." Said the General, who was in charge of overseeing the training, with a detectable amount of spite in his voice

Officer Pollio, the strong stout Roman in question, looked over his shoulder to observe the General, but did not stop his steady litany of commands as he marched down the column of soldiers. He arrived at the other end of a century and looked at the following century, in which the Centurion was conspicuously absent. He called over for his clerk.
"Yes Officer Pollio?" he said, saluting him
"Why do we have an open space there, Tacitus?" he asked in the exasperated tone, of a man who knows he will not like the answer he knows he will receive.
"Well, I believe he was reassigned, and I have a letter here from Praetor Terpus that I was going to give you after you had finished drilling the Cohort."

Pollio paused a moment, then drew in his breath and with a hand outstretched, said the following. "Let me see it, this letter that denies me the use of one of my better Centurions."
Tactius handed him the letter, and he promptly opened and read it. Apparently, he was being sent a centurion from Legion XXIX. He wasn't here though.

"I see," pondered Officer Pollio "Very well, lets hope he shows up soon. I don't like a gap in my line."
Tacitus nodded, took the letter from him and walked away, embarrassingly stumbling over a rock, but a moment later he regained his composure.
"Very well then, let us continue." Pollio stroked his short beard again, in a manner that his Legionaries mimicked when he was safely out of sight. Then looked to his right, sure enough the Centurion he had been awaiting arrived on horse back. He dropped off his steed and approached the Officer.
"Hail!" he reported, delivering a crisp military salute.
"Hail, I take you are Centurion Ecellius?" Pollio replied, returning the salute
"Yes sir, where would you have me?"
Tetricus made a motion to the gap in front of one of the Prior centuries of legion X. He delivered another crisp salute and turned to walk to the line. Once he had arrived at the line, Officer Pollio believed it fit to continue drilling the Cohort.

--

It didn't take long after the arrival of Centurion Julianus for there to be marked progress in the maneuvers of the legion. General Abraxus oversaw the training from his command tent, on a hill above the Rhaetian countryside. He watched for an hour or so, as Officer Pollio drilled the Cohort under his command. Impressed with their progress, he decided to send an update of the Legion's status to his Praetor. He turned about and sat at his desk, pulling a piece of parchment from a drawer and dipping his quill in the inkwell.
---
Ave Praetor Terpus!
I've been overseeing the recent training of part of my Legion, Legion X, by the Officer T. Romulus Pollio. I think there has been a great improvement in not only the experience and poise of the troops, but also the morale (the upcoming campaign has really motivated them, the Pax is nice and all... but it is rather boring for a soldier). There was a gap in the line, and he was concerned, but it seems that you sent a Centurion on loan. The Centurion was very professional, and I give him my praise. Oh yes, I congratulate you on your triumph, 'tis a wonderful occasion that I wish I could have attended. News of the Emperors daughter has reached me, and I am deeply saddened. Please send him my, and my legion's, deepest
sympathies.
General Abraxus
Legion X
SPQR

---

He folded the letter up and tied a thin red string about it, and then placed it in his pocket. He opened the tent flap and approached the post tent. There was a small tremor as thousands of Romans turned about. Sometimes going around in a circle, other times walking a short distance and turning. In an instant, the soldiers dropped down and jumped back up, doing calisthenics. He arrived at the post tent and returned the salutes of the officers working there.
"Take this to Praetor Terpus, in Rome." he ordered, handing one of the Officers his letter.
The recipient of the letter nodded, saluted him again, and turned to put it in a bag of letters.
"This will all go out tonight, he should receive it quite soon." chimed the officer placing the letter in the pack.
The General nodded, and left the tent. He stood watching the Legion for a moment, then turned on his heel and walked back to the relative comfort of his command tent.

---
Several days later a letter arrived from the Praetor for the General. He smiled wide when he read it, and promptly showed it to his Chief of Staff, Officer Pollio. Romulus sat at his desk and read it aloud:

---
I am glad to hear that the training of Legion X is going quite well. I'm still here in Rome, but look forward to returning to the troops once I have married. Tell the men that the training is not in vain. The Pax will be over soon, and when I return it will be time to mobilize for Germania. Keep up the training.
A. Maximus Terpus
Praetor
---

"This is great!" exclaimed Officer Pollio
"Ha, yes it is, finally the end of the Pax is upon us. I can not wait to see the field of battle again, hear the clashing of the shields, the screams of the barbarian tribes. This will be a glorious war for the Empire, for the Emperor." General Abraxus rambled
"Shall I address the Legion?" asked the Officer, who was really quite a deal older than the General, who took advice almost as an order, rather than a hint.
"Yes, I am sure they will be excited as well, tell the men that they have double rations of wine tonight, in celebration of the good news."
Pollio nodded and stood up, saluting the General. He took his leave from his tent and stood at the hill that overlooked the Legion's training grounds and quarters. He called out for their attention, and briefed them of the campaign, and of the general's order for double rations. The Legionaries roared in excitement (though it is not measurable which they liked more, double rations or the campaigning), and a small roar of chatter among the Legionnaires broke out. A wide grin spread across the Officer's stubbled visage, and he turned and walked back to his tent.

-----------------------------------------------------------

By: Tetricus Romulus Pollio (Reply letter by A. Maximus Terpus),
assistance with ideas and such from A. Maximus Terpus and Rufus Actius Dio

31 AD

Publius and the Poor

2004-08-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Antonius Cajus awoke and stretched, scratching at his new flea bites. He stood up and pondered his surroundings. A gloomy back alley lit by what little sunlight penetrated through the looming, decrepit, buildings. With a frown he turned to the rest of his family; his wife and his 3 children, all lying in the dirt and filth. A tear trickled down his cheek. He turned away so that his family wouldn't see his shame. "Feed the children what's left, I'm going to the docks to see if there is some work today."

He went quickly; before his wife could give him some of the little food he had been able to buy yesterday. His children were starving and he could miss a couple of meals. Arriving at the docks he fell into line with his fellow laborers, all of them hoping they would be chosen to work today. Some of the men were skin and bones and he knew they would not be picked. The haunted look in their eyes showed they also knew this; he figured he wouldn't be seeing them too much longer. It was an all too common sight, too weak to work they died or went to jail for stealing bread so their children might live another day. It was a sad life but one did what one must to stay alive and provide for family. Antonius heard mutterings in the line as one man fell, but soon another had taken his place. He sighed. "Hail Antonius. Good to see you again." A tall man stepped up to him, he nodded. "And you my friend. How have you been?"

The man scowled. "I lost another small one yesterday. My wife waited in line all day at the local Prefecture Office, but the bread ran out. There's simply not enough bread for all of us." A look of desperation crossed his face. "I think those damned officials steal some of the grain so they can sell it on the black market. I swear, if I get my hands on one of those corrupt bustards, I'll slit him open and use his innards to feed the dogs." He clenched his fists as he shook them in silent rage. "And these wealthy senators just sit on their cushions in their marble halls and do nothing!"

Antonius put his hand on the shoulder of his friend. "That is not entirely true. The senate is trying to do things for us. I heard from a friend who is a subcurator in the senate building that someone named Flavius Publius Varro is trying to get some cheap housing for us." Wistfully he added. "A real apartment, can you imagine?"

The tall man scowled again, a look that seemed all too common on his face. "Aye, I heard good things about him, but I'll believe it when I see it. The Senate has promised things before. So what if they give us free bread, free apartments? It helps but it isn't a job. The rich men have done well under Emperor Tiberius and the current Senate. But never us."

Antonius shrugged. "You want a job, my friend. Maybe, if conditions continue to improve, those rich man will hire us."

The tall man laughed bitterly. "Really, do you think it matters, what the high-and-mighty do? No matter how wealthy Rome becomes, no matter how generous the Emperor and Senate, we will always be like this."

A shout went up as the dock master approached. "I'm sorry men, no work
today we have all we need." The men slowly left the docks, a look of despair on their faces.

From a dark alleyway a man dressed in a cloak that hid his features watched as the dejected men left the docks and went elsewhere in search of work. He sighed and turned to his companion. "Well Decendus there you have it. These men are a part of our glorious empire." The words echoed in the dim alley, their sarcastic bite almost enough to chip at the old stone walls. "We must do something, but as long as there are men who profit from these poor fellows misery there will always be resistance. I just hope my housing proposal makes it. It's not much but its better then nothing." Publius sighed. "Well let's get back; there is nothing we can do here."

In his house Publius sat down and poured himself a glass of wine,
slowly swirling it in the glass he thought of the men he had seen. "Here I sit, drinking fine wines, surrounded by luxury, whilst those poor people suffer." He mused. Decendus Varro, priest of Mercury and nephew of Publius, relaxed and sipped his wine. "Don't be too hard on yourself Publius. You worked hard to get here and now you can do something for those men and their families. They don't mind that you have it easy, as long as they know you work for them and not for yourself." Publius looked up and smiled. "Yes, I suppose you're right. Let's hope the Senate thinks as you do. Though on that account I am not worried, this senate is full of fine individuals who all work as hard or harder as I do. Together we will help these people." He chuckled. "With a little help from the Gods of course." Decendus shook his head at his cousin's irreverent attitude. But he knew Publius revered the Gods so he said nothing.

---------------------------
By: Flavius Publius Varro

AD 31

Mare Nostrum II

2004-08-14T23:38:00.000-07:00

The waters settle and the battle with the raiders concluded. Officer Verius Tiberius Julianus began to inspect the cargo ship his trireme had engaged in combat. Upon inspecting the raided ships, Tiberius discovered a cowering Aegyptian youth hiding behind earthen vessels below decks. Tiberius surveyed the youth and determined he must have been one of the ship's original crew, for his dress was fine and hygiene well kept for a boy at sea. Like all educated Romans, Tiberius knew enough Greek to ask the boy several questions. He was most interested in determining if the boy would be a threat and if he had knowledge of further pirate activity. As he concluded his questioning, he ordered the men to take the boy to Praetor Sextus Valens Verus for further questioning. He then went to his tent to write a brief note to accompany the boy:

"Praetor Verus,
Upon inspection of one of the plundered ships I discovered this boy who claims to be the son of this merchant fleet's captain. When the battle began his father hid him below deck so as not to be harmed. When I questioned him about the preceding happenings, he said the morning before last the merchants had discovered a fleet of no less than 40 vessels traveling northward on their horizon. The merchant ships swiftly attempted to sail away from the large fleet to avoid detection. However, by this morning, a small portion of that pirate fleet followed and attacked them. These are the men who murdered the sailors and whom we engaged in combat. From my knowledge of the boy, he appears to be speaking the truth and his words require immediate action.
Officer Verius Tiberius Julianus
Commander of Trireme Maximus"

The officer then dispatched a small boat to row to the Praetor's Flag Ship. Once onboard the message was given to Praetor S. Valens Verus. Upon reading the scroll Valens directed one of his ships to transport the youth back to Rome, coming from an obvious wealthy Aegyptian Family, this boy just may be a pawn for the Emperor's dealings with Aegyptus. The Praetor then sent orders to Officer V. Tiberius Julianus to take a group consisting of the Trireme Maximus and twenty Cypriot Trireme back to Crete, regroup with the twenty Cypriot Trireme already headed to Crete, then make a mass sweep all forty-one warships of the waters east of Cyprus to the shores of the eastern Mediterranean, destroying any and every pirate vessel encountered.

***Onboard the Trireme Maximus***

As the sun set low and red on the horizon and the decks still tinged red by the blood spilt, the patrolling fleet of Roman and Cypriot warships moved toward the shore. The Triremes and galley-line warships were beached for the night, according to typical practice.

In his tent on the shore, Verius Tiberius Julianus sat in the dim lamplight writing in his small journal. Today his entry was concerned with the day's engagement:

"Though we search the sea for piracy, we have yet to see the great pirate fleets of story tales. The tales of home speak of massive fleets destroying Asian and Aegyptian Armadas. These fleets consisted of dozens of ships, sometimes carrying great treasures. In our search, we have found one young boy who has successfully avoided the grasps of this formidable nemesis. However, his words were not comforting. He has seen these great foes who plague the Cilician coast attacking from their hidden strongholds. Their numbers are vast and their ships well equipped. His words, however, required more skilled evaluation.

Today, we have only seen a taste of what is to come, a small group of bandits who had little expectation of a clash with the great Roman Naval initiative to purge the sea of their kind. Though our forces had the advantage, this was a great victory towards our control of the great sea. Though the battle was clearly one-sided, it was my first opportunity to see the men in action. They have done well today, proving themselves not only capable in the face of combat but superior to the majority of the flotilla. Their abilities at rowing are surpassed by few other ships. Even the Cypriot commanders have since committed on the veteran-like skill, but they are equally masterful in their swordsmanship having decimated the foe cutting them down like dry stalks of wheat. I only wish my men will be able to continue to show their honor, courage, and ability in the future battles for Roman supremacy of Mare Nostrum."

The sky and been twilight for some time now, when a flash of lightning lit the sky. A storm was fast approaching.

***Onboard the Flag Ship***

In the morning, Praetor Valens departed with his fleet to the shores of Thracia. He had great confidence in the abilities of Officer V. Tiberius Julianus to command. Now, he waited to see if it would pay off. For eight days, Valens and his vessels sailed along the cost of Asia Minor. On several occasions they encountered small pirate flotillas; on every occasion, the criminals were brought to justice. The Romans recovered some items from the pirate ships: ebony, ivory carvings, glass, textiles, spices, Aeqyptus linen. Then on the eighth day, after an hour long battle at see with nine pirate vessels (mostly manned by Assyrians) they recovered a small group of Asian merchant vessels that had been raided by the pirates. Valens embarked on the largest ships and saw gold, armor, weapons, and shield. Clearly, this vessel had been sailing under the standard of the Asian Kingdom! Valens ordered his Trireme Commanders to follow him... It was time to return to Rome and inform the Emperor.

-----------------------------------
By: Verius Tiberius Julianus and Sextus Valens Verus
AD 31

Thunder in the East

2004-08-14T23:37:00.000-07:00

-----------------------------------
Imperial Palace, Rome
-----------------------------------

Word of the slaughter of Senator Vitellius and her unborn child reached the ears of the Emperor, who sat in his study, only recently having emerged from his period of mourning. Tiberius knew that Cassandra was having an affair and guessed that Agrippa found out, as well. He had to find some way to turn this event to his advantage; put his own Imperial spin on the matter. He sent a scroll to King Alujah, whose forces were still in Thracia.

"King Alujah,

Your whore, Cassandra, has been slaughtered, as has your barbarian seed! If your forces remain in Thracia one moment longer, her end will appear a blissful, merciful event compared to what I shall do to you!

Tiberius, Imperator of Rome"

The Emperor smiled as the messenger left. He was ready to expand. He had more worlds to conquer! He thought hard about how to deal with Agrippa.

-----------------------------------
Nicomedia, Asia
-----------------------------------

The Royal caravan arrived in Nicomedia around midday. The gates were opened, and King Alujah passed into his nation’s northern adminastrative centre, with his small entourage. His principal military commander, General Hasifine, followed closely behind. Unbeknownst to the monarch, the General was in a very bad mood. Hasifine had urged his young master to withdraw the main Asian army from Thrace, before it was too late. But Alujah refused. Instead, he planned on raising a second army back in Asia combat the Assyrians. "This arrogant fool of a king wants war on two fronts," Hasifine muttered to himself. "He is sentencing his kingdom to death!"

As Alujah strode into his palace, a steward approached him and declared, "Your Majesty! Welcome. Lord Pontus of your eminent family arrived yesterday. He is waiting in the Southern Hall." Pontus was the brother of the late King Charios and the uncle of Alujah. Alujah suppressed a groan, nodded to the steward, and made his way to his private chamber. "Uncle Pontus is such a patronizing old... old..." he didn’t finish the sentence. "Well, there is plenty of time in the day! I will see my uncle later. General, why don’t you go keep him company?" The young king grinned. General Hasifine bowed and moved, quickly, to obey.

Minutes later, in the Souther Hall, Hasifine and Pontus exchanged friendly greetings. "General, I have not seen you in months! We have much to discuss."

-----------------------------------
Nicomedia, the next day...
-----------------------------------

Alujah slept until nearly midday. Finally, he rose. "I suppose I ought to see uncle," he muttered, as his servants prepared his robes. They finished their work, and the King proceeded into the Central Hall. He saw Pontus and Hasifine, waiting for him.

"Your Majesty! It is an honor to see you," declared Pontus, bowing. Alujah was surprised and pleased by this gesture. In the past, Pontus had always treated the young monarch as a nephew, not a king. Perhaps his attitude was changing!

"It is good to see you, uncle," Alujah declared. "Come! Today I go hunting. General, uncle, I want you to join me." The king smiled. Pontus was a portly man of 53 years, and hunting was not his best enterprise. But the Royal uncle didn’t raise any objections; he only bowed obediently.

After four hours, the small hunting party returned to the palace. Hasifine caught several quail, while Pontus (not surprisingly) caught nothing. Alujah, of course, returned with the greatest prizes- a wild boar. Surprisingly, Pontus was in a good mood. He turned to his nephew. "Excellent, Your Majesty! Very well done, indeed! Your hunting skills rival those of your great father. Perhaps they exceed...."

"Trust me, uncle. I could kill several boars in that amount of time, without the burden of guests," exclaimed Alujah.

"Well, then, you clearly exceed your father!" added Pontus.

Alujah was pleased to hear his uncle’s compliment. Despite his arrogance and vanity, the young king still admired his illustrious father. Pontus had never complimented anyone... not until today that is.

Now, General Hasifine spoke. "Come, Your Majesty. We shall must discuss the military situation. Now, our armies in Thracia..."

Pontus, almost if on cue, cut him off. "No, no. Not now. We just returned from a grand hunt! Let’s celebrate. It is time to celebrate the glory of our kingdom, and its king!"

He led Alujah and the General into a small, ornate room called the "peacock chamber". He ordered the servants to depart, and then he produced a jug of wine and three goblets.

Alujah smiled as his uncle filled the cups. He sat down on a luxurious, cushioned seat and took a goblet. Pontus and Hasifine did likewise. The King’s uncle raised his glass and declared, "Cheers, to the King! May he lead us to victory over all our foes!"

Alujah, never a man to sip wine, took several gulps. Ah... so refreshing! He began to speak to his two companions. "Now I think it is time that I tell you of my military plans. You see, I feel that we can crush the Assyrians in a quick battle and then turn our full strength on Rome. The Seleucids are cowardly, and their king is an old man! My forces have me at their head. Surely, we cannot fail! I will attack aggressively, quickly. How long will it take to raise an army of 30,000, General?"

The General rubbed his chin. "Perhaps two months, under ordinary circumstances. But I am certain that you will inspire a frenzy of patriotism in your people. With your leadership... two weeks."

Alujah was delighted. The General was always criticizing his strategic plans. But not anymore! "The gods will grant me victory. You shall see! I am, after all, the divine king. The King of Kings!" Alujah’s ego was at an all-time high. He glaced across the table at Hasifine and Pontus. The two men were smiling, but their expressions were stiff and rigid. Alujah thought, with some amusement, that they resembled the masked actors of Greek drama. He continued to gaze at the faces of the two men. Suddenly, the smile on his own face turned into an expression of shock- and then horror. A thought spun through his mind.

He opened his mouth to speak, "General.... Uncle.... why aren’t you drinking any wine?"

-----------------------------------
Nicomedia, three hours later
-----------------------------------

Pontus XIII sat on the mammoth gold throne, wearing the crown of the Kings of Asia. Messengers had been dispatched to all corners of the kingdom, announcing the unfortunate deaths of Alujah, his six young children, and two pregnant concubines. All fatalities had been accidental, of course. The official dispatch didn’t bother to mention any additional details.

King Pontus dictated a letter to his scribe.

"To the Roman called Tiberius,

I must sadly inform you that my dear nephew and his children have joined the gods. On a brighter note, I am pleased to learn that you killed his whore Cassandra. As a typical Roman woman of high birth, she could scarcely resist the allure of an Asian man. Tiberius, the gods have charged you with the divine duty of cleaning the whores from Rome. Hurry, for you have much work to do, and there is so little time in a life, as my poor departed nephew had some opportunity to understand! Your killing of my grand-nephew was unfortunate, but it did have the beneficial side-effect of placing the crown on my head. For this service, dear Roman, I am forever grateful. May you live a long and blissful life under the guiding hand of Aphrodite, and may Ares grant you success in your campaign against Roman harlotry.

Pontus XIII Rex"

--------------------------
By: Quinarius Mardraeus Agrippa (GM), Augustus Tiberius Vitellius
AD 31

Senatorial Blood

2004-08-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Agrippa Vitellius arrived in Rome after being appointed the Secondo. He would finally be able to see his wife. He had not heard about the results of her trip to the east, and he was worried about her. Cassandra was, after all, the most beautiful woman in Rome. He was very anxious as he opened the door. His wife greeted him with beautiful open arms. After a week of "catching up", Agrippa went to start his new job as the protector of Rome. He felt his stomach churn as he thought, "I am the second-most powerful man in the world."

Only a short time into his tenure as Praetorian Guard commander, Agrippa heard a horrible story. His wife, Cassandra, was pregnant... with the child of the Asian King! "It can't be true" he thought. The Secondo left the Praetorian Camp as soon as possible and hurried home. He looked at her carefully, and saw that it was true. He was amazed that he hadn't noticed earlier!

"Why has my wife turned into a prostitute!" he shouted.

I thought it would convince him to leave. I was doing this for Rome," she said, crying. "I hated it! I don't want an Asian Bastard!"

"Your actions weren't diplomacy, Cass! You were a prostitute!" Agrippa almost drew his spatha, but then remembered the Emperor. Tiberius might want the child to live. Agrippa realized the possible strategic advantage of having the child of a foreign king. He decided to consult with the Emperor next week during their appointed meeting.

The week passed, and Agrippa waited. But on the day of the meeting, all of Rome heard about Lora Vitellius's death. The Emperor refused to see anyone. As a result, Agrippa couldn't ask about the baby. The Secondo was frustrated. The days passed, and still the Emperor refused to grant an audience for discussion. Agrippa was angry. He needed an answer! The Emperor emerged from his seclusion to attend the execution of King Caros, but Tiberius had not presented a chance to discuss private matters. To top it off, Agrippa had been hearing rumors for these many months that Cassandra had been unfaithful with another man. He didn't totally believe them, but the thought continued to nag at his mind. Was it true? She had a child with an Asian... so why wouldn't this rumor have been true?

Agrippa bolted to his house. Thoughts raced through his head. "I was betrayed by my wife and my friend!" He had never been enraged like this before! He busted in the house with his spatha at his side and rushed into the family's private chambers. He bellowed, "Trunicus!?".

A scream alerted the household slaves, who rushed to the hall before the chamber. They didn't dare to enter. A few minutes later, they watched with horror as their master rushed out of the chamber with blood on his hands, on his tunic, and smeared across his face. When they entered the room, they found Cassandra dead. Her body was mutilated, especially her lower torso. One young maidservant fainted, and an older woman screamed.

Agrippa rush onto the city streets, seeking to kill Trunicus. His search was not successful, so he went to the Praetorian Camp and ordered the Tribune's arrest. By the time Trunicus was brought to the prison, Agrippa's rage had decreased. There would be no more blood shed today. He had other plans for the prisoner.

---------------------------

The next day, the assembled Senators were shocked to hear of Cassandra's death. Rumors spread quickly through Rome...

---------------------------
By: Augustus Agrippa Vitellius.
Consultation with Tiberius Vitellius, edited by GMs
AD 30

Return to Scenarios Archive

Triumph of Maximus Terpus

2004-08-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

(Maximus sat in his command tent in Belgica looking over his new assignments. The Legions of Rome had again been re-arranged he was receiving a few Legions, he had not worked with before. He was now in command of Legion XXXIII stationed in Western Belgica, Legion XX
stationed in Southern Belgica, Legion XXIX in Western Rhaetia, Legion X in Eastern Rhaetia and of course his prized possession of Legion XXXIV in Central Belgica. These Legions surrounded Germania, which Maximus assumed would soon be his duty to claim for Rome. Maximus had also been given the one of the newly created fleets Classis Marsillia. Although it had no ships as of yet, he looked forward to developing and training the new fleet in amphibious tactics. Suddenly Lucius came in to the tent and interrupted the Praetor.)

MAXIMUS: What is it Lucius?

LUCIUS: Praetor, a rider from Rome, bearing the seal of the Emperor himself.

MAXIMUS: Send him in immediately.

LUCIUS: Yes Praetor.

(The Rider enters the tent)

RIDER: Hail Praetor! I bring word from the Emperor!

MAXIMUS: Hail Rider. Long Live the Emperor!

(Maximus pounds his chest with his right fist, signifying his heart serves Rome and the Emperor. The Rider then hands the correspondence to the Praetor. Maximus immediately begins reading the letter, and then looks towards Lucius, somewhat in shock. He then looks back to the Rider.)

MAXIMUS: Rider tell the Emperor we will be on our way. Help yourself to any supplies you may need and you are dismissed.

RIDER: Yes Praetor.

(The Rider leaves the tent and Maximus again looks back to Lucius.)

MAXIMUS: Lucius, We're going to Rome. The Emperor wishes to hold a Parade to honor our victory in Hispania.

LUCIUS: That is wonderful news Praetor.

MAXIMUS: Get me General Julius Augustus Daia and Officer Marcus Jasinus Verus immediately.
LUCIUS: Yes Praetor.

(With that Lucius immediately ran out of the tent to find the General and the Officer. With that Maximus sat down and began to write a letter to his dear friend the Senator Antonia Vitellius.)

LETTER:

Dear Senator Antonia Vitellius,

It has been a long time since we have seen each other my friend, but I have good news. I have been called to Rome by the Emperor for a Parade to honor the Roman Victory in Hispania. I will be arriving soon and hope that we can see each other.

A. Maximus Terpus
Praetor

(Maximus immediately called in a messenger and sent him to Rome with the letter for his dear friend. Soon after that Lucius returned with the General Daia and the Officer Verus.)

DAIA: Hail Praetor!

VERUS: Hail Praetor!

MAXIMUS: Hail! Gentlemen I have just received a rider from Rome. Our efforts in Hispania are to be honored by a Parade in Rome. We will be leaving for Rome tomorrow, but we need to pick out a few hundred of our top men to march in the Parade. I will expect your recommendations by
nightfall so that they can be informed and prepared to march tomorrow.

DAIA: Understood Praetor, I would propose that we select mostly veteran Centurions, especially those that have served on multiple campaigns.

MAXIMUS: I concur General. Also pick only a few officers, since most of them will have to stay behind in order to run the camp while we are gone.

VERUS: Shall we consider Cavalry in this selection?

MAXIMUS: Yes Officer. Make a small cavalry unit that will march in the parade as well.

VERUS: Yes Praetor.

MAXIMUS: Also, while we are in Rome Gentlemen you will have free time to take care of personal affairs and anything else you need to pursue. So send necessary messages to let family know you will be in town.

DAIA: Understood Praetor.
MAXIMUS: You are both dismissed. Try to get me the list of men as soon as possible.

(The General and Officer left the tent and the Praetor to his thoughts. It had been sometime since Maximus had been to Rome. So long he couldn't even remember. His ex-wife had mostly visited him in the field and then returned to Rome when she was pregnant. His sons had all visited him in the field but lived in Rome. They ran the family businesses, the bakeries, wineries, jewelers, etc for him. Maximus looked forward to visiting with his family in their element, and meeting some of there friends. He also looked forward to seeing the young and beautiful Antonia Vitellius. He had not seen her in almost 10 years, ever since he convinced her to go to Rome and take up politics. Maximus' thoughts were interrupted when Lucius again entered his tent.)

LUCIUS: Praetor, the General Daia has returned.

MAXIMUS: Send him in.

(General Daia enters the tent and presented himself before the Praetor, handing him a list.)

DAIA: Praetor the list of recommendations you requested.

MAXIMUS: Excellent General. I will trust the judgement of yourself and Officer Verus, inform the men that they will be leaving for Rome tomorrow.

DAIA: Yes Praetor.

MAXIMUS: Also assemble the Men, I wish to address the Legion.

DAIA: Immediately Praetor.

MAXIMUS: That is All General, Dismissed.

(With that the General Daia went off to begin informing those men that would be going to Rome for the Parade. He then began to assemble the Legion XXXIV in an inspection formation, so that they may be addressed by the Praetor Terpus. The General then found Officer Verus and they reported back to the Praetor.)

DAIA: Praetor the men are Assembled.

MAXIMUS: Excellent General. Then we go to Address them.

(The Praetor Maximus Terpus, escorted by the General Augustus Daia on his Right and the Officer Jasinus Verus on his left. He approached a makeshift stage that had been set up with a podium from which he could address his men. The General and Officer took their positions on either side of Maximus, just a few feet behind him as the Praetor walked up to the podium.)
MAXIMUS: Hail Legion XXXIV!

ALL: Hail Praetor!

MAXIMUS: Men I have assembled you this day in order to convey to you my happiness with your performance and success over the past few years, especially in putting down the Rebellion in Northern Hispania.

(The Men cheered)

MAXIMUS: Also men I have received this day word from Rome. The Emperor himself personally wishes to send his congratulations and thanks to the men
of Legion XXXIV. He says you have served the Empire well.

(The Men drowned Maximus out with their cheers, until he raised his hand to quiet them.)

MAXIMUS: The Emperor has even requested the presence of Myself and the General Daia in Rome for a parade that will honor the Legion and its accomplishments.

(Cheers again began)

MAXIMUS: I ask you men will you allow me to go to Rome on your behalf and receive these honors from the Emperor and the Empire for you?

ALL (chanting): Maximus, Maximus, Maximus!

(Maximus again quited them down by raising his hand.)

MAXIMUS: I accept. Tomorrow men I leave for Rome to accept the honors that the Emperor and the Empire will bestow upon you.

(The Chant began again and Maximus raised his sword above his head, fully extending his arm. The Legion exploded with cheers. No man could even hear his own thoughts. The Praetor then lowered his sword and left the stage with the General Daia and Officer Verus following closely behind.)

***Preparing the Parade***

A. Agrippa Vitellius had only a short time before been named the Secondo and was glad to hear that his Praetor at the time would be honored. It was great to finally have the Hispanic rebels defeated. He was looking for this Parade because he had been instrumental in the success of the legions in Hispania. First thing to do was to secure the parade route with the PG and make sure the emperor was safe wherever he went.

(Maximus led the small contingent of men selected to march in the parade to just outside Rome. They prepared an encampment, but did not worry much about defenses since afterall they were in the safest place in the empire. A few guard stations were set up and rotations were set up. Then
Praetor Terpus went into the city to meet with the Emperor. As he walked through the streets many people cheered him, others begged for money. He eventually made his way to the Imperial Palace. When he entered the Audience Hall he saluted the Emperor.)

When Maximus went to meet the emperor, Agrippa was there with the elite bodyguards of the emperor. Agrippa was very embarrassed when he had to frisk Maximus but he had his orders that nobody got near the emperor without this. The emperor was grieved about his daughter who died the week before.

"I must do the same for all, Maximus. You are a great warrior but even my loved ones will be searched," said Tiberius. He seemed very somber to Praetor Terpus, who had heard about Lora's death. Emperor Tiberius promised to honor the Praetor, though, and he kept his promises even while mourning. Maximus deserved it.

MAXIMUS: Hail Emperor Tiberius! Your servant Pretor A. Maximus Terpus submitting before you for your orders.

TIBERIUS: Rise Maximus, Rise. You have served Rome well. I have brought you here as you know to participate in a parade honoring yourself and your legions for their great victory in Hispania.

MAXIMUS: I know, Emperor.

TIBERIUS: I have planned out the following route for you. You will enter the city and proceed down past the Imperial Palace to the Senate House, before turning to march past the temples of Jove and Mars. Finally you will march into the Arena.

MAXIMUS: I see. Will you be marching with us Emperor?

TIBERIUS: No, Maximus. This is to be your time to shine. I will be waiting for you in the arena, where you will present me with this Rebel King Caros. From there I will execute him before the masses.

MAXIMUS: Understood Emperor.

TIBERIUS: Maximus unless you have any questions for me, you are dismissed.

MAXIMUS: No Emperor. I will see you tomorrow.

TIBERIUS: Yes, see you tomorrow.

(With that Maximus returned to the encampment of his men just outside the city limits. He thought on his way of how long this route was, the Emperor certainly was giving him a grand parade. When he arrived at his tent he immediately sent Lucius to get General Daia and Officer Verus so that he could pass the plan on to them.)

DAIA: Hail Praetor!

VERUS: Hail Praetor!

MAXIMUS: Hail!

(Maximus began to outline the parade to the men, just as the Emperor had outlined to him. He paused however when he got to the part about the temples.)

MAXIMUS: Here we will stop at the Temple of Jove. All three of us will then kiss the Statue of Jove on the feet. Then we will proceed to the Temple of Mars and do the same. We must show our love and thanks to the gods that have guided us in our lives.

DAIA: Excellent plan General.

(Maximus then continued on sharing the plan with the the General and the Officer. Once he had finished he dismissed them and he prepared to sleep for the night. After all, tomorrow would be a big day.)

***The Parade***

(Maximus positioned himself at the head of the Parade followed closely by General Augustus Daia and Officer Jasinus Verus. Behind them came the Cavalry, followed by the Legionnaires and in the end came a King Caros, guarded by a small troop of Praetorians. As they kicked off the parade people had already started to line the streets and cheered as Maximus and his men walked by. Everyone jeered King Caros when he passed them and some even threw old food at the King. The Procession proceeded past many of the most important and historic buildings of Rome. When they reached the Temple of Jove the procession halted and Maximus followed by General Daia and
Officer Verus went and knelt before the Statue of Jove, said a prayer and then kissed the feet of the statue. They then proceeded on to the Temple of Mars and did the same. After kissing the feet of Mars, Maximus pulled out King Caros' sword and placed it at the feet of the statue as an offering.

The procession then marched on and into the Arena where the Emperor awaited them. The Cavalry men and Legionnaires stood in formation in the arena as the people crowded in and cheered for them. Maximus stood at the front of the formation with General Daia on his right and Officer Verus to his left. The Emperor apporached and stood before them and the crowd quieted down.)

TIBERIUS: Praetor A. Maximus Terpus. Report in from Hispania.

MAXIMUS: Hail Emperor. The Legions under my command destroyed the Rebel Army of King Caros, and restored order to the Province of Hispania.

(The People cheered)

MAXIMUS: Also I have brought a gift for yourself and the people of Rome.

(He threw King Caros at the Emperor's feet)

MAXIMUS: The Man who would dare call himself King and defy an Emperor.

(The crowd began to chant Kill Him, Kill Him.)

In the arena, Agrippa stood next to the emperor as they watched the Parade come in. He stood proudly when they brought in King Caros, who was badly beaten. Agrippa had fought valiantly and knew the emperor would recognize him in front of everyone. The emperor went from his seat into the middle of the arena, surrounded by his bodyguards and the Secondo. Nobody could get within 5 feet of the emperor. King Caros rose when Agrippa was near. He couldn't see him because Agrippa blinded him, but he could smell the man who defeated the valiant king. He smiled and Agrippa smiled back and said, "You are a valiant warrior!" Caros sat back down saying nothing.

Tiberius saw the proud look on Agrippa's face and after Agrippa had spoken to the fallen king, Tiberius whispered to him, "You are responsible for the King's direct defeat, but Maximus destroyed his armies. You were great in the fight and were important in the destruction of the rebels, but this time belongs to Maximus. Your time will come."

TIBERIUS: Caros, you are hereby sentenced to death.

(The Emperor pulled out a rope and strangled Caros himself in the center of the arena. The People cheered for Tiberius. Once Caros lay dead on the arena floor his body was dragged from the Arena and put on display for the people of Rome.)

TIBERIUS: Maximus Terpus, Rome thanks you and welcomes you back from your journey.

MAXIMUS: Thank you Emperor. I hople to serve you well in the future.

(With that the Ceremony was over and everyone went their separate ways.)

--------------------------------------------------
By: Antonius Maximus Terpus, Augustus Agrippa Vitellius, Augustus Tiberius Vitellius, Julius Augustus Daia, Marcus Jasinus Verus (let me know if I missed anyone)
AD 30

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Trade with Egypt

2004-08-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Tribune Trunicus Agrippa and Quaestors Mucius Varro stood outside the Senatorial building after their meeting with the Emperor. Both men were highly excited about their new mission. The two Romans had been given the opportunity to go to Egypt to negotiate a trade agreement. Trunicus had been doing some swatting up on the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty and the new king; King Syphax was relatively young and new to the Egyptian throne; maybe Trunicus and Mucius could use this to their advantage. The hot Roman day greeted the two Quaestors as they left the Senatorial building. They were to leave for Egypt tomorrow morning. Accompanying them would be several business advisors who would be there for advice and which brought a selection of goods of which to show King Syphax what was on offer while also being accompanied by a small contingent of Legionnaires.

**The Day After**

Both Quaestors both met again outside the senatorial building with Mucius having a scowl on his face.

(Trunicus) "What is wrong Mucius you look a bit nervous?"

(Mucius) "Yes I am a bit, this is my first assignment I don't want to let people down"

(Trunicus) "Don't worry Mucius I have done this sort of thing before just follow my lead" Trunicus said while slapping Mucius on the back.

(Mucius) "Thank you Trunicus." He said while smiling with some of the nervousness being removed from the young Quaestor's voice.

(Trunicus) "Well Mucius I better inform you of our journey…we will be travelling from here to the Sicilian harbour of Syracuse. From there we will go to the South Numidian portal city of Hippo Regis. Then straight to Alexandria, where we will camp outside of the city and conduct the talks with Egyptian king; King Syphax…Do you understand Mucius"

(Mucius) "Yes I do, quite a long journey I see."

Over a period of time the rest of the party arrived and gathered all preparing to leave to go to Syracuse. The party departed Rome at an average pace. With Trunicus and Mucius both looking over their shoulders towards Rome and their homes, which they knew, they would not see for a few months. Their new destination was Alexandria.

**After a months journey**

The party arrived on the outskirts of Alexandria tired and weary after their long journey and yet still the heat of the Egyptian sun beated down on them, as if an unnatural being was controlling the sun and directing it towards the group of Romans outside of the gate. The group halted and made camp outside of the city. Trunicus and Mucius left to go to announce their arrival to King Syphax. Trunicus informed Mucius that he would speak personally to the King and must be careful what he says. At the gates of the palace, they were greeted by an official named Imetti, who escorted the pair to the King. The pair entered the Egyptian king's throne room. The room, like the palace, formed an interesting hybrid of classical Greek and Egyptian architecture. This mix was an appropriate symbol of the Ptolemy dynasty: Macedonian-Greeks ruling over the ancient Egyptian civilization. As the pair of Romans entered the throne room, a voice signaled their arrival.

(Egyptian Palace Official) "Sire and members of the court, I am pleased to announce the arrival of Duvius Mucius Varro and Augustus Trunicus Agrippa from Rome!!" The voice sounded.

(King Syphax) "Why does Rome send a delegation to my great and peaceful kingdom? What do you desire? An alliance, trade? Speak"

Mucius looked back at Trunicus and whispered, "Are you sure about this?"

Trunicus' face said it all.

Mucius faced the Egyptian king… "Hail King Syphax Ptolemy of the Egyptian Empire we come to your magnificent city to propose a trade agreement…I…"

(King Syphax) "Trade, hmmmmm trade yes trade benefits us all, who is the leader of this delegation" Syphax looked at the two Romans.

(Trunicus) He stepped forward and announced, "I am your Majesty, I come to you to hopefully put forward a proposal that would benefit us all."

(King Syphax) "It is too late in the day for such talk return tomorrow and we will discuss what you have to offer me." With that Trunicus turned and headed for the exit, and back to his diplomatic residence to discuss the plan for the negotiating.

As the day for the talks arrived, there was an air of apprehension around the camp. The businessmen, Tribune, and Quaestor alike dressed smartly to be greeted by the Egyptian king. The Roman equite tradesmen had brought with them examples of there products to show the king. With a deep breath Trunicus, Mucius and the other attendees left for the Egyptian court, in eager anticipation. Arriving at the court in time.

(Egyptian Court Official) "I will now announce the arrival of the Roman Trade Delegation!"

(King Syphax) "Welcome Romans…let me hear your proposal," He said with anticipation.

(Trunicus) "For years Rome and Egypt have been friends and now Rome's Emperor, Emperor Tiberius Vitellius wishes to propose a trade agreement, we wish to offer you, Marble, Athenian Oil, Wood, Silver as part of a trade agreement what can you offer us in return."

(King Syphax) "It is true that our friendship goes back a long time, and Aegyptus is proud to call Rome a friend. Indeed, trade has already existed between our nations for many generations. We offer many fine products, such as papyrus, slaves, ivory and wheat. But the most important issue at stake here regards the protection of our merchant ships from the pirate infested waters."

(Trunicus) "I am not authorized to discuss such matters, but one thing that we would like to trade for is wild beasts" He says looking up towards the king then bowing his head.

(King Syphax) "Ah, elephants and lions I presume, for your games. I have heard much of these games, perhaps one day I could see one of them, in your glorious arena. But my Roman friend, what are you authorised to discuss?" He says perplexed.

(Trunicus) "Trade agreements your majesty, I cannot discuss anything militaristic"

(King Syphax) "Well, part of a trade agreement is the protection of the merchant fleet. A very important fact even. And I have heard that your emperor has commissioned a rather large fleet. Could you describe this fleet?"

(Trunicus) "Sire, perhaps that can be discussed at a later point in time"

(King Syphax) "Of course, you are correct. Well, as for normal trade, I see no objections to signing a trade agreement between our nations as long as prices are fair and our merchants can set up shops in Rome and other cities without prejudice. Your merchants shall be treated likewise of course. But trade between our lands has existed for a long time." Trunicus smiled "As a gesture of goodwill I present you with these examples of Roman goods" (The Roman businessmen step forward each presenting an example).

(King Syphax) "Ah, very nice. You have outdone yourselves. I am pleased with this presentation of Roman goods, although I am quite familiar with them. Perhaps we could reconvene tomorrow and I will have some of my own merchants present so you can go over details. Or if you wish we could sign a general agreement right now, and save the details for later. But, only after some entertainment."

The King smiled and nodded to a steward. The steward pounded his staff on the floor. Within moments, a retinue of dancing girls appeared...

-----------------------------*

The delegation returned on the second day and the final arrangements were made. Rome and Egypt would trade all items presented with each Empire presenting a merchants fee being 10% of Merchant earnings, to be given over to the ruling state of which they come from. The second day of negotiations ended and the delegation once again went on its travels back to Rome and home Trunicus and Mucius had been looking forward to this for a while. They headed home.

**Return to Rome**

The two men entered the Imperial palace and announced their success to the Emperor. The Emperor smiled. Tiberius Vitellius was ready to begin his intricate, long-stewing plan to bring Aegyptus, and all of its wealth, into the Roman Empire. "Poor Tribune and Quaestor", thought Tiberius. "They think in such limited quantities. Let's see my ‘friend' Syphax swallow this!" Emperor Tiberius changed the terms of the agreement, knowing that the young king was in awe of him. Rome's merchant fees would be 33% for the privelege of trading with Rome! The tone was such that if Syphax did not accept, it would be a "slap in the face" of the Emperor. Tiberius assumed that this would not happen...

----------------------------
By: Augustus Tiberius Vitellius, Augustus Trunicus Agrippa, Flavius Publius Varro
AD 30

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Silent Tears

2004-08-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Childbirth is often a happy time, but this was not the case for General Nero Terpus. Nero had been so happy when news of his wives pregnancy had reached his ears, his men had joked that a child would make him soft. His hopes had been doubled when he was promoted to general and transferred to a brand new legion of elite men, the XVIII in Africa. He had been given leave to return to Rome for his promotion, had met and spoken for over a hour with the emperor. Nero was proud to be alive.

But rumors can kill men. Word from his friends was increasingly disheartening. Jania was late in pregnancy and incredibly grumpy. She regularly told him to flat out leave their Domus (in all reality, she had a right, she owed the estate) and then one of his servants told him they had to discuss something private. Nero met him in a drink hall. the information broke his heart. He told Nero that his wife Jania was not pregnant with his child, but the child of a 26-year-old politician named Postumus Lianus (NPC). Nero had met the man once before, a true ass. He was a idiot, one of the old style politicians who were cocky and rude. As much as Nero did not wish to believe the fact, he knew it was true. Nero was far to furious to return home. He knew of a few places to go. He could of course go to the Palatine Guards Barracks. As a general he could find shelter there. His friends in Rome could also give him quarters. Nero decided to visit the home of his commanding officer and friend Justius Vitelius, and his wife (and close friend) Lora Nervae. When he arrived at the beautiful house, he carefully knocked on the doors of the building, where a servant opened it, noticing his generals uniform. He was taken to the seating area, where a few minutes later, Lora entered, hugging him gently, ordering a servant to bring him wine. Strangely enough, Lora knew exactly why he was there.

"Nero, I have something that you need to see." She said. She left and returned a moment later with a small piece of parchment. On it, in the careful handwriting of his wife, Nero read the horrible document

"Postumus,
We will be safe. It's a good thing your political friends were able to get Nero on leave, to return home. He will not be at all suspicious when I tell him I am with child. But I can't stand him, the fool. I though I was marrying rich man not the poorest noble in Rome! I am so glad to know that you will continue to keep me company after this bastard child is born.
Yours,

Saria Jania"

"A servant of my house was paid by your wife to deliver it, he returned to the home and gave it to me. " Lora told him. Nero laid back, sipping his wine, nearly emotionless, he was deep in thought. "May I stay here for a few nights? I cant possibly return home after this." Nero asked.

"Justius would certainly want to help one of his men any way possible, and I certainly will." She said, carefully leading him to a guestroom for the evening.

That evening, and over most of the next day, Nero stayed in the room,
planing his actions. Jania was perhaps a week from giving birth, now he understood the reason for her telling him to leave the house. Nero had one of Justius servant's keep a eye on Jania's Domus for the next several days. He was to report back when Jania went into labor. Over this time Nero ate little and slept little. Lora visited a few times, trying to help his spirits, and Nero acted happy in her company, she made him forget for a few moments his troubles.

It was raining heavily the night Justius' servant returned. Jania was in labor. The moment had arrived for Nero. He went to Lora, asking her to take his gladus, and not return it no matter what he did. He took a cloth robe he owned, walking into the rain, the several miles to the home of Jania. He climbed over the main wall, with the assistance of a tree, he expected Jania to have the front door locked. Her servants pointed him into the main bedroom, where he entered slowly. Jania was still in labor when he entered, leaning on a midwife for assistance, moaning slightly. As he walked across the room, she caught sight of him.

"Nero, Nero, where have you been?" she kept crying. He did not respond.

Instead he took out the note she had written. Throwing it on the ground at her feet. She quieted to silence, the midwifes even stopped their work for a moment.

"I'll not stay long in a house of prostitution." Nero said, quietly, and slowly "Vale"

As he left though the same door he had just entered, he heard her crying, as the labor continued. That however was all Nero had in plan for the night, he walked back to Justius' house silently.

Nero didn't enter Justius house that night, instead he sat down in a corner of a pavilion they had in their gardens, as the rain came down, leaning on a pillar, he thought back on his life, and slowly fell into sleep. He woke at dawn, quickly standing, making way back to Jania's home. When he arrived, a servant waited at the entrance. Silently he handed Nero a note. Nero entered the house, reading it:

"Nero,
Let me leave in peace, with my life, and I will leave you to live yours. My property rights are on the desk in the bedroom. I never loved you."

Saria Jania Nero entered the bedroom, a young servant was attending to the child, asleep on his bed. In the corner table waited the papers for Jania's property. He sighed slightly, feeling the roughness of his untended face.

"It is a girl, sir." The servant said quietly.

"A girl" Nero said to himself. "Where did Jania go?" he asked

"She and her best servant headed to Osita to make way to Aegyptus. I'm sure you can find her if you hurry" the servant girl said.

Nero thought back to the letter "let me leave in peace" he remembered. "for how I did love you at one time, I will let you run away" Nero thought.

"No, she will be allowed to run." Nero said allowed "But Postumus will not".

Nero had a manhunt for Postumus executed quickly. Guards and servants of all his friends were on a manhunt for him, the prefect's office had him on a "arrest" list for a supposed charge of corruption in his afairs in Hispania . Late that night, a guard found Postumus trying to get out of the city. He ran past the guard, and was struck in the back with a spear, for trying to escape. That night, Nero returned one last time to Justius house, with a wet-maid and his baby. Lora was incredibly interested in the child holding it close to her for much of the night. Nero was able to finally smile again, wondering what Jania was doing at this moment. He ate a wonderful meal Lora had prepared, and told stories long into the night, as a few friends of Nero, Justius, and Lora had gathered.

"Nero" Lora asked "What are you naming this baby girl?"

Nero thought for a moment "Amava" he said sipping a glass of wine. "it means loved"

----------------------------
Aftermath:
Saria Jania Terpus runs into exile in Aegyptus.
----------------------------
By: Publius Nero Terpus
AD 29

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Mare Nostrum

2004-08-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

“THE LUCKY ROOSTER”

Praetor Sextus Valens Verus tightly rolled the papyrus and motioned for his messenger. “Take this to the Rooster”. Bowing his head, the messenger placed the scroll into his satchel and climbed atop his steed. “Fair winds Sir” he uttered to the Praetor, and galloped out of the camp.

***Two weeks later***

The messenger trotted his steep to the gates of the Roman fortified camp just outside Dodona. In the background loomed Mount Tomaros, the camp was located in a sanctuary, not spectacular in appearance, but the perfect location to train troops in the disciplines of warfare.

"I am a messenger from LEGIO XII Classis with word from Praetor S. Valens Verus for 'The Rooster'." The guards began to chuckle... ”The Rooster” they said in a playful voice – “Come, I will take you to him”. The guard led him to just outside the General’s tent, clucking about were a group of hens, some chicks, and perched atop a wooden stump proudly stood a large, dark red rooster. “Sir, he will see you now” as the guard opened the entrance flap to the General’s tent.
Inside sat a pale skinned man, his head covered with thick, curly, bright red hair, almost the color of copper. “Ah, Sir…” with a broken voice.
“Yes? you have word from Praetor Valens for me”. The young messenger pulled the scroll from his satchel and handed it to the General. As the General stood up to take it from his hands the messenger’s eyes become as big as the eggs laid by the hens outside the tent. When fully standing the General was more than a full head taller, approaching 6’8”. “Son, what did Praetor Valens tell you to do?” The guard took a hard swallow, “Ummm, deliver this to The Rooster”. A warm laugh filled the room. “Well son, I am the lucky rooster, the bird outside my tent is General S. Gallus Fortunato of LEGIO XXXVI DODONA."

***Three days later***

Officer Julius Tiberius Verus, cousin to Praetor S. Valens Verus, arrived at the fortified camp at Dodona to report to his newly assigned legion. Upon arrival he met with General S. Gallus Fortunato and was given the task of training the legion’s cavalry, archers, and siege weapon teams. The report given to him from the transferring officer stated that the men were trained well in the basics of formation warfare, but had never learned advanced tactics. Tiberius would have a job ahead of him, training them in whatever areas he deemed necessary. Upon reviewing the men however, he quickly realized that they had trouble even holding their lines straight; it was obvious why he was given them to train. He had the cavalry learn to control their mounts while the siege teams and archers practiced putting projectiles down range on target; at the end of every day, Tiberius would force march the men in formation at great distances to teach his men to work as a team and to gain much needed experience in the basics.

After a month of extensive training, all of the men were able to march together, as one cohesive unit, as a legion. The archers and siege engines were deadly accurate in destroying their objective, hitting the mark almost each and every volley. It was time to begin teaching commands, as the men marched Tiberius would begin calling commands and watching to see which groups obeyed and which had difficulty, the ones who listened and responded the best were put in front, and those who did not were put behind where he could keep a closer eye on them. As time passed all the men had learned enough that he considered them well trained. He sent word to General Gallus, “In the time I have been training these men I have come to the conclusion that they are good men, men you can rely upon during difficult times, I will now only review them, letting the Centurions lead the training. I have instructed them with regard to tactics, horsemanship, siege warfare, and have drilled into them the basics. They are now useable as part of your legion.”

Upon receiving the message from the field, General Gallus quickly wrote down a few lines on papyrus and sent his personal messenger off to deliver.
“Officer Tiberius, when you were first sent by your cousin, Praetor Valens to LEGIO XXXVI DODONA, I figured that he really did not like you very much, now I know the truth: he liked the men of the Legion. You have done extremely well with your assignment. I feel you would best serve the Legion as my Chief Staff Officer. Report back to the camp immediately. We have new orders from the Praetor”.

***On the "MARE NOSTRUM”***

A lone long blast of the horn filled the air; the men of LEGIO XII Classis quickly fell into formation. Following their cue, the warriors from Athens and the Aegean League fell in on their flanks. Praetor S. Valens Verus walked before the assembly. “Men, today we embark on a voyage to rid Rome, her citizens, and her allies of a parasite – one which feeds off the labor of Rome’s merchants, stealing food out of the mouths of your loved ones. An act, which insults our great Emperor and mocks the ability of his mighty legions!!!” In unison, the men of LEGIO XII Classis frantically pounded the hilts of their gladii upon their shields. “TIBERIUS, TIBERIUS, TIBERIUS” echoed on the waterfront. With perfect timing, the officers barked at the cohorts – “Take your stations”. In orderly fashion, the men fell out of ranks and boarded the warships. LEGIO XII Classis was ready to take back “Our Sea”.

Four days had past, the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea had been as calm as a feeding baby. Valens could see land on either side as the Flotilla of 121 ships transited the Straights of Messana. Here the flotilla met up with the 40 ships from Cyprus. By nightfall they would rest at Melita, the largest of a group of islands strategically located between Europa and Africa in the narrow channel which links the Western and Eastern portions of the Mediterranean Sea.

From the Flagship Valens could see it, a grand harbor, which faced northeast on Marsasciroco Bay, lined with wharves, store houses, and large baths. The city was completely encircled by a 12 foot white washed wall with strategically placed circular defensive towers built at the approaches to the city. The flotilla moored inside the safety of the harbor, half of each crew was allowed to go ashore and enjoy the hospitality of the local women.

Praetor Valens called for the ship commanders to come in groups to the Flagship – he would spend the evening instructing them on his plans. Charts covered the large table in his quarters. Forty of the Trireme from Athens would wait at Melita to escort grain transport ships from Leptis Magna back to Ostia. The other forty Triremes from Athens would sail to Alexandria and escort Aegyptus’ large shipment of grain, textiles, and glass to Ostia. Last, Praetor Valens called for the commanders of the forty Cypriot vessels. They would go with LEGIO XII Classis and actively patrol the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Valens specifically chose the Cypriots because they knew the intricacies of the waters just off the shores of their homeland and because of their skill as great archers. His plan was to patrol the coastline of Cicilia, long known as a haven for pirates.

With the rising sun, the Roman fleet broke up into 3 flotillas, each heading in a different direction. Valen’s Flagship, the pride of Rome’s Fleet, led the way. With him would be twelve Deceres, twenty-eight Roman Trireme, ten Onerariae transport ships, and forty Cypriot Trireme. It had been many years since the last time Rome had a fleet as large.

It had been 7 days of sailing without any hostile contacts; along the way the Roman and Cypriot ships practices maneuvers, honing their ability to work as an orderly team, like a wolf pack, each member of the pack knowing its responsibility and place in the hunt. “Sir, unknown vessels have been sighted 1000 yards off the port side,” reported the General’s Aide. “Very well, prepare to intercept”. Once the flotilla was within 500 yards they could tell that there was a group of transport vessels being raided by 4 others. “Prepare to engage”, with this order the men started to take down the sails, the flotilla spread out, twenty Cypriot Trireme kept under sail and proceeded to out flank the raiding ships. Two Deceres stayed back with the ten Onerariae. The rest of the Roman ships advanced, oarsman in unison, toward the raiders. Valens directed the Roman Trireme to take the other flank. The Flagship moved ahead to ram the raiders; on its first pass it successfully destroyed its target. The ten Deceres all fired their catapults at the remaining ships, causing severe damage to all. Next their troops boarded the raider’s vessels and hell was served. Scream of pain filled the air, all the raiders had been killed; a dozen or so Romans lay dead on the decks of the ships. A young soldier, looking at one of the transport ship logs recognized the writing in it as Aramaic. Ivory, Ebony, purple dye, textiles, spices, and silk filled the cargo areas of the transport ships.

Praetor Valens ordered the twenty of the Cypriot commanders to escort the bounty back to Crete and to await his orders there. He and LEGIO XII Classis, along with the other twenty Cypriot ships, would continue to hunt out pirates. The Roman Imperial Fleet was still not "at Sea", however Rome was already proving that she had the will to project naval power if she chose. Would this trend continue? How would it impact upon Piratical activity, as well as potentially "hostile" nations to the East?

------------------------------------
By: Julius Tiberius Verus and Sextus Valens Verus. (General S. Gallus Fortunato is an NPC)
AD 29

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Clouds in the East V

2004-08-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

Galkinasus Seleucos was happy to be back in Antioch. The large, prosperous Assyrian capital had been founded generations earlier by Galkinasus' distant ancestor, Antiochus III "the Great". Antiochus reigned over a mighty empire. But the years had not been kind to the Seleucid Kingdom. First Asia Minor was lost to the upstart Kingdom of Asia. Then, the Parthians moved in from the east and snatched a number of Seleucid provinces. Now, the Kingdom comprised little more than Syria and Mesopotamia. As a consequence, it was often called "Assyria". Galkinasus scoffed at the diminutive name. The Seleucid Kingdom was the true successor-state of Alexander the Great's Empire! The King smiled and whispered to himself, "one step at a time! But the road to glory starts in my reign."

The Seleucid King and his counselors considered themselves far wiser than the impetuous young Asian monarch, Alujah. Unlike the idiot Asian leader, the Assyrian monarch and his ministers understood the precarious position of all the eastern kingdoms. Rome's might overshadowed the entire Mediterranean! It was not wise to pull the lion's tale. No... for now, attention should be focused elsewhere. Fortunately, the Romans were inexperienced in the affairs of the east. Galkinasus chuckled when he recalled the Romans' attempt to fool him with a forged document. They were entirely unconvincing, and they underestimated the extent of his own intelligence network. The Assyrians were watching the Asians like hawks, and it took only a very short time for Galkinasus to realize that a Roman delegation was approaching the Asian King "in secret".

Galkinasus did not fear the diplomatic prowess of the Romans. But he dreaded their swords. And he feared the plots of the devious Greek politicians and merchants. Fortunately, at the moment, he did not have to face Rome. Thank the gods!

Astute Seleucid diplomacy had secured a non-aggression pact with the Parthians. Fortunately for Galkinasus, the Parthians were engaged fighting the Kushans far to the east. And Asia was pulling the Roman lion's tail in Thracia... this was a widow of opportunity for Assyria!

-----------------------------------
Rhodes
-----------------------------------

In the city of Rhodes, Theodosis and several prominent Greek dignitaries welcomed a guest: Tronicese Elon Beth-Karon. The Hellenized Jew was a wealthy merchant, with bases of operation in Antioch, Alexandria, and Cyprus. Beth-Karon was accompanied by Grescus Keleogenikos, a wealthy Cypriot nobleman. The men exchanged greetings, then began to confer.

Keleogenikos initiated the discussion. "Friends, I have good news. As you know, the Cappadocian king maintains absurdly high tariffs on all trade goods. This makes trade with Tarsus unprofitable. But the unfortunate situation is about to change..."

Theodosis frowned. "Are we reaching some kind of deal with the Cappadocian King? "

Beth-Karon smiled. "No, my friend. Very soon, that worthless King Peliandar will be a non-entity. Fortunately, my good Lord Galkinasus is favorably disposed toward his Greek and Cypriot brothers. If have ensured that your ships will be permitted to trade in Tarsus... with absolutely no tariff. Meanwhile, all Egyptian ships will be excluded."

Keleogenikos the Cypriot nodded. "You see, my friends, Tarsus is about to come under... new management. And thanks to this fine gentleman..." he nodded at Beth-Karon, "we will be in a position to profit! Now consider..."

Aphinos, Archon of Rhodes, interrupted the Cypriot. "What do you expect to gain? Why would you invite competition into Tarsus? Why not monopolize the trade yourself, along with your Phoenician comrades?"

"I am from Judea, sir." Corrected Beth-Karon. "And of course, there are two sides to every bargin. ‘Quid pro quo', as you Romans would say!" He sipped from a goblet of wine, and continued. "I require that your naval forces assist and protect my ships as they pass through the Aegean. I request your assistance in dealing with the Romans. And, finally, I want access to markets beyond the Bosporus."

The Greeks considered the offer. Theodosis said, "So, the Seleucids are invading Cappadocia. That's no surprise! You want us to open our markets to your merchants in exchange for free trade with Tarsus? It seems like a lopsided deal. For Alexandria, maybe. But Tarsus? We will still have to compete with Assyrian, Phoenician, and Roman merchants. Unless, of course, you can convince your King to ban Assyrian merchants from trading in the city. And I doubt, dear sir, that the King will accept such terms."

Beth-Karon smiled at the Greeks, but inwardly frowned. It was time for some more incentive.

"My brothers, of course I have some additional proposals. Now, let us discuss Ephesus..."

-----------------------------------
Meanwhile...
-----------------------------------

Cappadocia was a very young nation. For years, it had been claimed by both Asia and Assyria. Parthia also coveted northern and central Cappadocia. Throughout most of the preceding century, the regions of Eastern Anatolia hosted a series of wars between the competing powers. Finally, in a diplomatic agreement between the Seleucid King Goricos (Galkinasus's father) and the Asian King Answar II (Alujah's grandfather), a Kingdom of Cappadocia was created as a "buffer state". The new Kingdom was in a horrible strategic position. It claimed land from Trapezus in the north to Tarsus in the south, but it was surrounded by potential enemies on all sides. Cappadocian independence was the product of a balance of a balance of power. Neither Asia, nor Assyria, nor Parthia dared to invade the weak Kingdom for fear of retaliation from the other two. King Peliandar of Cappadocia understood this fact of diplomacy. His foreign policy rotated around maintaining a delicate balance between his nation's powerful neighbors. He was successful for several decades... until King Galkinasus decided to tip the scales.

The Assyrian army moved rapidly into Cappadocian territory. The two-pronged offensive drove north, toward Melitene, and west toward Tarsus. King Galkinasus personally led the southern flank of his army. Tarsus was the principal capitol of Cappadocia, and it was the invaders' main objective. The conquering army's moral was high, and the troops were well-equipped.

-----------------------------------
Tarsus
-----------------------------------

Residing in his Tarsus palace, King Peliandar was paralyzed with indecision. He knew that he didn't have the forces to repel the Assyrian invasion alone. Finally, after the prodding of his counselors, he sent out pleas for help- one to Parthia, one to Asia, and one to Cyprus. Then, he sat lethargically, waiting for the Assyrians to arrive.

"My Lord, please, you must give us orders!" Implored his army commander, Pargosio. "Shall we fortify the city? But there are other options. I recommend that you withdraw the entire court to Trapezus."

Peliander moaned. Neither option was particularly attractive. He deplored the thought of retreat. But he also understood that his small army could never hold Tarsus against the invading Assyrians. Finally, he submitted to his commander's advise. "Very well. We leave the city at first light tomorrow."

-----------------------------------
Two days later
-----------------------------------

A jubilant King Galkinasus led a column of his elite Royal Guard into Cappadocia's capital city. "This is a proud day for the Seleucid Kingdom!" he said to himself. Galkinasus was not young, but he felt the vigor of youthful blood in his veins. One step at a time... yes, this was a great step toward empire. He planned on establishing a permanent government in the city. These were not temporary conquests.

The people of Tarsus were apathetic; they had no particular loyalty to Peliandar and his cronies. The city Councilors greeted the Seleucid King as neither conqueror nor liberator. He was a new master- nothing more, nothing less.

Galkinasus "graciously" announced that he would maintain the Council as the primary governing body of all civil affairs. Then, he settled down for a night of comfort in the Cappadocian King's palace.

-----------------------------------
Headquarters of Asian Forces, Byzantium
-----------------------------------

When Alujah heard the news of the Assyrian attack on Cappadocia, he was furious. "First they leave me here in Thrace, then they grab some land for themselves? Galkinasus, that treacherous snake! I'll have his head on a stake!"

The Asian King's officers and counselors winced. Their young lord was very angry. Only General Hasefine dared to approach the King. "Your Majesty, we must withdraw from Thrace. We must place all forces on our eastern border with Cappadocia, in order to halt possible Assyrian aggression."

Alujah shouted, "No! How dare you suggest that I simply abandon my newest domain! Idiot, don't you realize that we cannot show weakness before the Romans? They will exploit our cowardice. I will be no coward. We leave the army in Thrace. But fear not... I shall return to Asia in person and form a new army. I'll issue a Royal Decree ordering conscription of all able-bodied men. We will hold our land against all enemies."

Hasefine bowed. "As you wish, My Lord." But his emotionless face and tone concealed a deep feeling of contempt for his monarch.

King Alujah began to dictate a letter to the Royal scribe.

"Dearest Cassandra,

Know that you are always welcome in my court, as one of my people. I value your wit, your intelligence, and your beauty. I am preparing to lead my nation against great adversary. I have instructed my priests to offer sacrifice in the temple in your honor. My men are brave and will overcome the enemy. May the gods bless you!

Alujah"

The scribe could hardly keep a straight face as he sealed the letter. It was disjointed, a short ramble from the King to some Roman Senator. How peculiar...

-----------------------------------
Two weeks later
-----------------------------------

Galkinasus was pleased. His armies had conquered most of southern Cappadocia, as well as the central city of Melitene. Peliander of Cappadocia was cowering to the north in his last major city, Trapezus. Now, it was time to watch and wait for Alujah's next move.

-----------------------------------
By: GM (QMA) and Others?
AD 29

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Warf Rat III

2004-08-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

The tavern was small dark and dirty. The smell of fermenting wine strong cheese and rotten fish dominated the rooms aroma. At a corner table sat a lonely inconspicuous figure who caressed a cup of cheap wine. He unlike the others in the tavern was a stranger to this area. The man had been assigned to investigate a theft ring which had been operating in the Roman port of Ostia. All his leads had lead him to this place where he waited and watched. His name was Sarius Fortunus Alarius, an Officer of Rome's Praetorian guard. He had thought that this assignment had been given to him as punishment for stepping on the toes of his superiors but to his surprise the more he investigated the more he realised the importance of his investigation. He had requested a contingent of 50 Praetorians be kept on standby should the need for force arise and had been granted his request. Two men entered from the street . One was tall and thin then other was of medium height and stature and has a distinct scar across his left cheek. Neither looked to be of Roman decent. They sat themselves down at a table across from Fortunus and spoke in whispers. Moments later a third man entered at sat down with them. This man was hunched over. He appeared to be Sicillian, or the native of one of the Mediterranean islands. They ordered from the waitress then began to discuss something. Fortunus strained his ears to listen in on their conversation.

Tall man: "My people are set for tonight".

Hunched man: "Good good.... and the manager?"

Scared man: "He will cooperate. Nothing will go wrong tonight."

Hunched man: "And the funds from the goods that have been sold are where?"

The tall man reached under his clothes and pulls out a leather pouch handing it to the hunched man who quickly snatched it. He says to the scared man "You'll get this and the rest tonight ."

The waitress returned and places three goblets of wine on the table and some bread and cheese. Waiting as the waitress moved away, the scared man said: "My ship is moored at the usual dock. We sail for Narbo Martius as soon as you are ready."

Tall man: "What is the target tonight?"

Hunched man: "We strike at the warehouses of a wealthy Roman aristocrat . This man has much which will aid our cause. I know for a certainty that there is an arms store among tonights loot as well as gold, fine wine, pottery and wheat ."

The tall man looked surprised: "You aren't serious? Surely someone will notice! "

Hunched man: "Yes, are you concerned? Anyone who has ever noticed has only ever done so once. Remember that and you'll go far".

Tall man: "Yes boss.".

The scared man raised his goblet of wine. " To the future of Rome" he snickered.

Laughing, they finished their meal and one by one they left, the tall man being the last. Fortunus was quick to follow. Later that night: Fortunus and another Praetorian watched in disbelief from the shadows behind some empty crates as about thirty men,some acting as armed watchmen, carried varying goods and loaded up carts in the light of the half moon and a few lit torches. The tall man who he had followed could be seen directing things just inside the warehouse's entrance. Fortunus whispered to the other Praetorian . "Go quickly. Bring the men. We must surround the area and arrest these villains before they take off with anymore of these goods."

Nodding the other man swiftly headed off to carry out the order. No sooner had the Praetorian gone than another sinister character entered into the scene that Fortunus had been watching. He recognised him immediately as the hunched man who he'd seen earlier that day. Now, however, he carried a short spear and appeared to have another weapon beneath his gray cloak. He looked over the progress the men were making . Grunting and banging the end of his spear against the ground, he said , "Faster Faster! We have not got all night!"

The tall man approached him. "Sir we have everything now . We are set to go".

He responded, "Excellent. You've exceeded even my expectations." Turning the the men who now stood awaiting the next command " Take this to the usual spot place."

The carts began to move out to their destination .

"No" Fortunus thought . "I must buy time". In a moment of desperation and lack of thought for self preservation Fortunus from the shadows shouted, " Halt! In the name of the Emperor and the Praetorian Guard I order you to halt!"

The mention to the feared Praetorian Guard brought an instant paralysis on the thieves. Moving out from the behind the crates Fortunus continued , "You are all under arrest for plotting against Rome and for theft. Return what you have stolen and beg for mercy"! There was a few moments of silence as the crooks all stared at this lone man who dared get in their way. Then they all burst into a round of uncontrolled laughter which reverberated through the quiet streets of Ostia. As the laughter subsided all men looked to the hunched man who Fortunus was sure was the 'Wharf Rat', the leader of this theft ring and other criminal activity in Ostia. He stood , supporting himself on his spear leering at Fortunus. Lick wipe. "Continue moving the loot to the ship....... and will someone kill this fool!"

Fortunus drew his sword and readied himself as six armed men raced towards him. The sound of steel begun to echo through the night air as the men attempted to dispose of this loyal Roman. Fortunus felled one man with a quick stab and twist into his unprotected belly and parried the blade of another. The last of the carts were disappearing into the night in the opposite direction the wharf rat going with them. CLANG , SWISH, CLANG ,SLASH ,THUD. Another man was cut down. Fortunus could hear the sound of feet marching toward him. Now he was tiring . The four remaining men had him trapped. He fought for his life with his back to the wall of the warehouse he had sought to protect. As he dealt with the blades of two men Fortunus failed to notice the sharp glistening swords tip which was violently thrust into his unprotected side. Stunned, Fortunus fell to his knees as a second blade pierced through his chest armor and found its way between his rib cage.

Now the world was ablure as many more figures surrounded him three more objects hit the ground beside him. Footsteps rushed off in the other direction. He could hear voices. Familiar voices. A man knelt by him. "Fortunus, sir , the carts where have they gone? Where is the wharf rat?" Fortunus coughed as he struggles to suck air into his lungs . Blood oozed out the sides of his trembling lips. "The ....cough, wheeze wheeze........ wharf. Ship sailing to..... cough ... Narbo Martius, cough .... supplies rebels with money. Must be sto ......." Fortunus draws his last breath . His eye's roll back in his head and his life expired.

Looking up to the men who stand around him the Praetorian says, "Fortunus is with the Gods now. May he rest." Then to his another Praetorian he says "Have a trireme dispatched to Narbo Martius to alert them of the criminals who at this moment sail to that port. And alert the higher authorities in Rome. Hurry!" "Yes sir". Another Praetorian comes forward . "We captured the man we pursued . We are confidant he will supply us with the needed information to destroy this theft ring."

"Good ,do what you must to end this. Make sure they pay for the loyal Roman blood that was shed this night"

Result of scenario: Theft ring in Ostia is destroyed. The army in Narbo Martius is alerted to the escaped criminals and await their arrival.

-----------------------------------
By: Sarius Honorius Julianus
AD 29

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Clouds in the East IV

2004-07-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

This particular trip was more terrifying than the first, that the Senator had made to the East a few years before. Cassandra Vitellius was throwing up overboard because the seas were rough and she was getting closer to Thracia. She had prayed to Venus that she could go with her very close friend Trunicas Agrippa. But both Antonia and the Emperor refused to allow the young Quaestor to leave Rome.

She was mad at the Emperor. She had made him go there initially and now is making her go back alone a second time. She had a duty to Rome, as Antonia pointed out to her, this did not make her feel any happier that her duty took her to the East. Consul A. Antonia Vitellius had been very cold in her words, but knew that her thoughts were caring. They were young noble women, in a mans World. No matter how disparate their paths may prove, they would always share that degree on commonality.

Her words inspired her to do the best for Rome. Oh, how she wished for to be in the arms of her strong, warrior husband, Agrippa. He would be able to protect her, comfort her and help her decide the right choice of words to employ. The better to weave the web that would bind Asia to Rome's will.

She landed on Thracia's coast to the greetings of the servants of the King of Asia, his retinue included flunkies, whose sole job was to handle diplomatic protocol of this type. A General was there also, giving her a suspicious looks, as if he could look at her and tell what was her intent, along with what concessions she could give and take in the bargaining. Mostly his eyes conveyed resentment. Cassandra knew he didn't trust her for that reason, even though he smiled and bowed when formally introduced to her.

She had a long road ahead. Emperor A. Tiberius Vitellius had sent several thousand troops to be stationed along the border to "encourage" her efforts by the simple expedient of a display of Rome's "other" means of settling foreign questions. It made Cassandra more uneasy, to know that the seemingly cordial negotiations were a thin skin over possible warlike resolutions.

She went in to the King. He smiled at her. "I received your message. It seems your last trip out here was too short. And you might have been right. After your warning and we got our troops together, the Assyrians left. Thank you!"

Cassandra silently thanked the gods at her fortune. "I am only interested in the peace of our border states. You know about the peace my Emperor wants."
Cassandra paused to watch the impact of her honey smooth words, then continued. "I am here to ask (she cough delicately) that you be "encouraged" about leaving Thracia and making my Emperor feel better about your foreign affairs."

The Potentate barked his answer back "I don't care how your Emperor feels. I am the King of Asia! I am a warrior. I am handsome. I have it all. I don't care about Rome. We are greater than your little "Empire"!'

Cassandra smiled at this self-deception. she noticed too that some of the Asian Courtiers did not look as resolute as the king did at that particular moment.

"Why did they send you back, anyway?" Continued the King, his eye brow raised. "Why not a diplomat. You are not the best that Rome has to offer are you?"
The king added hastily as the Chamberlain coughed meaningfully. "I don't mean to insult you!"

Cassandra Vitellius smiled slightly then swept her hand back at the eight lictors, carry axes in the fasces and said simply, "The men are the sign of my Imperium. They also denote Rome's power to punish wrong doers, the rods. Or Make war, the axes!"

Cassandra then added simply. "I volunteered."

"You did? Why"

Cassandra smiles coyly at the brazen king. "I don't know. I wanted to give you a second chance. The Senate wanted to kick you out by force. We are stronger than you." Cassandra raised a finger as the King moved as if to speak. "You must see that Rome is not mired in Civil War and the Emperor is not known to like a "retiring" foreign policy."

"Why? And you are not stronger!" Inside, he thought that maybe she could have been right, the king though was not a man given to displays of self doubt.

"I do not want to see you hurt. I treasure all life." Cassandra said quietly.

"Me or my people?" Asked the King.

"Both."

The king looks around and dismissed all but Cassandra. "Come, join me in my chambers."

She nervously followed him. She hoped it would not lead to further closeness with this stinking scum bucket. Cassandra deplored the man, but the nature of her task forced her to hide her real emotions from him.

The King sat on his bed, inviting her over. Cassandra moved gracefully and sat the end of the bed.

"You love me, don't you?" he asked.

She knows how to play the game. "Hardly" is how she responded.

"Oh, really?" He is really full of himself. "You are and you don't know it."

The moved to kiss her The king smiled at the moment of his triumph.

Another month had passed and Cassandra was at the end of her rope. She had to get out of the Palace that seemed like a prison. She was disgusted by the decadence of the Asian Court, as well as the special attention paid her by the King. The Lictors never said a word to her, but she was sure she saw them smirking at her from the corner of her eye.

The King had dallied with a Roman Senator, but that senator had failed to extract any diplomatic agreement from him about an Asian withdrawal from Thracia. Finally, Cassandra managed to get a formal audience from the king (not a nocturnal one) and tried one last time to make the case that Emperor Tiberius Vitellius had sent her to make. As normal, the king totally rebuffed the diplomatic content of the discussion.

Cassandra Vitellius, sensing that there was nothing more to be gained finally turned to her secretary and took from him scroll that Tiberius had handed to her, before she had left Rome. She turned and handed it to the Chamberlain. "There is the formal note from my Emperor to you. It is for you to read and decide if the contents merit your compliance."
Cassandra then wheeled about abruptly and walked out the Throne Room, her lictors and staff in tow. Alujah, despite his better judgement, stood from his throne and ran after her.

"Wait! Wait... Cassandra, please, tell the Emperor that I do not seek war. I want to safeguard my kingdom... nothing more."

Despite his previous warmongering intentions, the King seemed to speak with an air of sincerity. "Will you take some gifts with you, from me to your Emperor?"

Cassandra sighed. "Your departure from Thrace would be the only gift worthy of our Emperor." Nevertheless, she accepted Alujah's material gifts, on the behalf of the Roman state.

Cassandra boarded a beautiful Asian vessel flanked by two Roman transports. The ship contained spices and amber and other exotics not seen before in Rome as a token of the king's good will and presents for Cassandra and Emperor A. Tiberius Vitellius.

The rest of the trip was miserable for Cassandra. Not only was she sick, but she had an Asian child inside her. She wanted to rip it from her womb.

--------------------------
By: Astria Cassandra Vitellius
AD 29

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Training Day

2004-07-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

Titus Antonius Servo arose from bed as the sunlight came through his villa window. He placed on his tunic and washed his face when his son came into the room. Antonius picked him up and carried him downstairs to the atrium where a servant was waiting. After the servant had dressed Arae the family sat down in the triclinium to eat breakfast before their days started out.

“I have decided to join the legions.” said Antonius to break the silence.

“What? Why didn’t you discuss this with me?” Asked Antonius’ wife Laena.

“There is no need to discuss it. It was my decision and I made it, simple as that.”

“You could at least told me that you had these plans. When did you make your decision?”

“Yesterday. Marcus Verius Cornelius has convinced me to join with him. I have been ordered to the XIX Legion in Achae and am to leave today. I wish that it was not so early but joining the legions will bring in more money and more honor to our family. I do not want Arae to grow up to be a farmer or some street urchin in Rome. If I have to give my blood for the empire so that will not happen then so be it.” said Antonius as his son hugged him, possibly for the last time as the servant took him off the school.

“Don’t worry Laena, I will be back once my term of service is up and we can move out of this small villa into that magnificent townhouse you always wanted in Neapolis.

-----------------------------------------------

After Antonius’ and Laena’s goodbye he left his villa in Gabii and put the cushioned pad on the back of his horse, Crito, then set out on his journey to Rome. It took two hours to reach Rome along the Via Appia and the great city still took Antonius’ breath away as he handed his horse over to the guards outside of the walls when he went inside.

The city shone brightly in the sun as marble structures rose up everywhere. In the rich community large villas and palaces of the emperor took structure on the Palatine Hill. Many different peoples of all races moved through the streets to and through.

Antonius moved towards the River Tiber to the Army Garrison that sat beside it. The large building, of white marble and columns of black marble, shone brightly in the midday sun. Soldiers patrolled around it and two stood guard at the wooden double doors. Antonius walked up the steps and entered the great hall, he then entered the room that was designated officer’s quarters.

General Maximus Quintillius Disius sat behind his desk with a secretary beside him processing the orders of the new officers that had joined. A line had been formed outside the office and there officers that were going to the eastern theater of legions were to be processes. Four other offices were around Disius’ for Italia, Gaul/Germania, Hispania, and Africa. After a short wait Titus entered the office and handed the general his scroll and waited to be analyzed.

“Officer Titus Antonius Servo, you have been ordered to the XIX Legion in Achae, yes?” asked the General.

“Yes sir.”

“This is a release order that you will take to the harbormaster in Brundisium, there you board the transport ship ‘Mercuria Varro’ to Athens, once you arrive, you will have to report to the XIX Legion barracks for orders. Ensure that your personal equipment and traps are in order before you sail.Dismissed.”

Leading several pack horses and a couple of body servants wound his way out of Rome later in the day and headed for his port of embarkation, for service in the East.

---------------------------------

After a week at sea the transport ship docked at Athens, and the officer stepped off with a servant in following. Antonius rode a horse to the XIX Legion camp. He passed through downtown Athens, near the Pantheon where he would receive new orders and perhaps an exciting assignment for this new soldier.Titus had on his mail armor, pteruges, and red tunic under it all. He carried his helmet under his arm as he entered the office. Messengers, officers, and servants mingled around doing their duties. Centurions and legionaries snapped to attention and saluted Antonius as he entered the room where the secretary to the Praetor was.

“Officer Titus Antonius Servo reporting for orders.” He handed the "immunes" a scroll he had been issued in Rome. He was ushered in to the Praetor's private office a few minutes later.

“Officer Titus Servo… yes here you. We have been expecting you for some time. Messengers get here faster than the troops. You are to take command of a junior Posterior cohort of this legion. your orders are to train the troops and yourself for active service. We should be ready if the Asians present a threat, this legion with those in Macedonia are the first line of defense. The legion is just a few miles north of Athens, obviously we guard that important city. You should be able to find it.” said the Praetor.

With that Antonius left the headquarters and had his servant unload his horse. They made there way through the camp of the XIX Legion, the walls of fort overshadowed the country side, this was going to be a change for Antonius, nothing like this was found in south Italia. In a few minutes he reached the section of the camp occupied by 'his" Cohort.

After getting settled in, he had all of his six centurions come to his personal residence for orders.“Welcome centurions, I am your new commanding officer, Titus Antonius Servo. You six are the link between orders and practice. Our new orders are to begin training of this cohort. I want your centuries to begin training on the following.” he said picking up some notes on the training practices he wanted the soldiers to do.

“I want the whole cohort to go north where the terrain is more mountainous and to practice combat in confined elevated spaces. Thracia and Asia Minor is covered with this kind of terrain and if the Asians wish to break our Pax, then we will show the Asians that we will defeat them quickly and swiftly so that the Pax can be reestablished. Combat in this kind of terrain will bring the battle to them. We out fight them in the mountains of Thracia then they will retreat. Hand to hand combat, climbing with full equipment, small siege practices with scorpion and onagers will be included also, and lastly I want this cohort to be timed on how fast they can get over this terrain to the plain that is north of it. I want it to be quick, if it is not then we will do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day until it is. Understand?”

“Yes sir.” said the six centurions. The grizzled veterans left the building without further comment. what they thought of this new Officer telling them how to fight, they kept to themselves. the system was clear, higher command slots were as a matter of course held by young men of wealth and social stature. The Centurions were men of lower social standing, who had made the Army their life long career.

----------------------------------

The centuries marched in column formation out of the camp and to the east. Officer Servo marched in front with the senior centurion. Servo had decided that all men had to walk, unless the soldiers could all ride horses, he told them with humor. The cohort made it to the city in two hours. The new roads laid out, made that possible. Servo and the senior centurion overlooked the city looking for points of entry. Helike had small village walls, but no gate houses except for one located at the area of the city where they were not allowed. He had decided the route.

“Sir, the wooden swords have been handed out and the regular ones loaded onto the Cohort mules.” a centurion reported.

“Good. Bring the other centurions here.” “Men, from what I can see the village has two main entrances, one facing towards us on the main road from Athens and that one having the road towards the seafront. Okay, I want three centuries with me on the front and senior centurion Pontus Varro will take the other three and head through the woods and onto the side. Go.”

The three centuries of Varro moved through the tangled forest to a break and waited for the signal from the officer to attack. While this occurred Servo had the centuries positions for entry into the city. He made out a few guards on the walls with bows, and thus ordered a few soldiers to arm themselves with bows and arrows with padded cloth ends as not to wound anyone. As the men positioned themselves he ordered the arches to the edge of the woods and to fire.

The non-lethal arrows shot forth taking down the few guards at the walls, then the first century on Varro and Servo advanced, to secure the outer region of the city. Small engagements occurred as soldiers clashed with the psuedo-enemy.

“Forward!” cried a centurion slashing down at the man in front of him in yellow. Legionaries broke into houses and fought more of the yellow enemy and drug them out onto the street. None hurt but had to act as if dead, knowing their commanders were watching. The second wave pushed in behind the first and around them relieving the clashes. Archers on the walls shot down into the fray and took their marks. A centurion near the wall ordered soldiers up the stairs to neutralize the archers. The soldiers struggled with the archers as they repelled them down the stairs, one made took a fall off the staircase and broke his arm. His comrades took him and drug him out of the city to the training hospital near the forest road.

Antonius watched from the hilly forest as the men fought on. He then noticed a century moving from the woods on the south and was marching to flank the troops inside the city. Antonius sent a messenger to Varro to advance his third century to counter the enemy. Antonius’ century divided itself to secure the roads around the city and to flank any more that tried to surprise them. After twenty minutes of fighting Varro’s third brought back the prisoners of the engagement nearly twenty or so.

The fighting in the city had bogged down as Servo’s second had reached a blockade of the streets where archers on the roofs had began to pick off soldiers and then a century descended upon them as if they came out of nowhere. Realizing what was happening a centurion ordered a round about action with his century to counter the blockade and for soldiers to secure the buildings around the streets.

Another hour passed as Servo’s cohort battled the psuedo-Asian army in the Greek city. Eventually the enemy surrendered as the Romans took the center of the city where the command center was. The soldiers, tiered, but trained moved back to the wagons to load their equipment and to begin the march back to camp.

---------------------------------------------------

The training in the mountains had gone well. The cohort had gone through rigorous climbing and combat with another cohort in the mountains. Though the cohort of Servo had been repelled from the mountain heights twice, on the third tactical maneuvering had pushed the Imagined "yellow" cohort back down the mountains. The climbing time of the cohort was better than expected. With the unknown enemy cohort waiting for them, they responded quicker and better that a normal training exercise would have gone. Primus Pilus Marcus Verius Cornelius had driven the cohort hard until they were perfect in the areas that they had been ordered to complete.

The tension when the cohort had gotten back to the camp was realized that today, they may had to use these new skills in facing a enemy not of themselves anymore, but one that would annihilate their world in the name of jealously and power. Part, at least, of this legion was trained in the art of mountainous and city combat. The Praetor and general would be proud because action would come in the future, and they would be ready.

-----------------------------------------
By: Titus Antonius Servo
AD 29

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The End of Caros

2004-07-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

***Destroying Osca***

Legions XXXIV and XIII sat just outside the ruins of what used to be Numantia. Praetor A. Maximus Terpus knew that he had destroyed the main rebel strong hold, but that their army was still on the loose. His tactics of sailing around behind them had obviously worked, but he still had to finish the job. Once his army had rested they began a march Eastward towards Osca the other center of Rebel support. Along the way the Legions destroyed a few small
villages and pillaged for more supplies as they went. When they finally reached the Osca the Legions camped a few miles away, and Maximus convened his Generals and Officers to plan the assault on the city.

MAXIMUS: Gentleman, we have yet another strong supporter of the Rebellion that must be destroyed. Again no one is to be left alive and the entire city is to be burned to the ground. Anything we cannot carry or otherwise take with us is also to be destroyed.
This is how I want the assault to take place. We will send One cohort of Legionnaires along with our archers around to the East bank of the river. They will be led by Officer Marcus
Jasinus Verus. They are to insure no one can flee across the river. Legion XXXIV will come in from the West and Legion XIII from the South. The Cavalry elements will be stationed to the North, again picking off anyone that might attempt to flee the city. Word of Numantia has spread so we can expect some resistance and I also think they may have a small militia,
but it should be easily cast aside since their best fighters will be with the Rebel Army in the Mountains. This attack is to commence in the morning at dawn. Are there any questions?
MAXIMUS: Then you are all dismissed. Officer Verus please wait around for a second.
VERUS: Yes Praetor?
MAXIMUS: You have been very impressive so far on this campaign. Your leadership and abilities have really shined through in front of the men. That's why I'm giving you this assignment, so perform well.
VERUS: Yes Praetor, I understand.
MAXIMUS: Make sure that no one gets across that river. And fire those arrows into the center of the city right up until the legions are in the range.
VERUS: Understood, I will turn the river red with their blood.
MAXIMUS: Good, you are dismissed.

With that Officer Verus left the tent and the Praetor A. Maximus Terpus alone to his
thoughts. He had recently received word that his good friend Rufus Actius Dio had been promoted to General, which pleased Maximus very much. He knew Actius was a deserving man, he had worked hard for Rome. Maximus then read a report on the Legion VII's cavalry experiment with his nephew Publius Nero Terpus. He was very happy to hear that Nero was doing well and looked forward to having his own legion's cavalry trained in the new
tactics. Hopefully once they returned from Hispania that would be in the works. Finally he sat back and thought over his career. He had accomplished much, he was the first Terpus ever promoted to General, and then on to Praetor.
He had during his time accumulated great wealth for his family and brought much honor to himself and to Rome. He knew he owed all of this to one man, the Emperor Tiberius Vitellius. The Emperor had given Maximus every opportunity to succeed and for that Maximus owed him everything. And finally he went to bed.

Maximus was awoken by the bustling of soldiers preparing for the battle that was about to begin. When he awoke he immediately began to put on his armor and prepare for the battle.

MAXIMUS: Lucius, go get me Officer Verus I want to review with him.
LUCIUS: Understood Praetor.
A short time later the Officer Marcus Jasinus Verus walked into the Praetor's tent.
VERUS: Yes Praetor.
MAXIMUS: Jasinus, you are to leave as soon as you are ready and take your men around to the East side of the River on the he other side of the town. Once you are in position immediately begin raining arrows into Osca. That will also be the signal for the legions to begin their march upon the city. Is that understood?
VERUS: Perfectly Praetor. I assure you everything will run perfectly.
MAXIMUS: Excellent, and remember no one crosses that river.
VERUS: Yes Praetor.
With that the Officer left to prepare his men and begin to move them into position. Maximus finished preparing himself and then walked out of his tent and into the bustling commotion of the camp breaking down and preparing for battle. Maximus was very confident this battle would be short and sweet, since they were not believed to have a large militia maybe a few
hundred men. It would be a massacre and then the last major rebel city would be destroyed. Maximus began deploying his troops, and the Cavalry rode off into position. All of a sudden the arrows began to rain down upon Osca and the Legions began their march towards the city.
The Legions made their way towards the city and almost immediately dispatched the small
militia that had formed just outside. Suddenly the Legionnaires were ripping into the middle of Osca and killing everything in their way. Men and women, young and old were screaming and dying as the legionnaires tore through the city with a vengeance. Some tried to make a run for the river and get across, but they were either shot down by arrows or stabbed upon
reaching the other side. The Officer Jasinus Verus had prepared very well for their attempt to escape. Once the population had been dealt with the Legions began pillaging the city for supplies.
After the Legions had taken out all they could carry, they prepared to set up camp on the East side of the river and set the city of Osca on fire. It burned all through the night as the Legion rested. It burned on for two days while the legions rested in preparation for their march towards the Pyrenees. Maximus had decided it was time to flush this rebel army out once and for all. He also thought that since they knew Hispania was destroyed for them that they might make a run northward into Gaul.
He immediately dispatched marching orders to General Agrippa Vitellius to march Northward into Western Aquitainia Gaul and position himself for the fleeing rebels.

***Positioning of Legion VI***

Agrippa Vitellius had requested Legion VI be moved to Western Aquitania Gaul because strategically, that is where the rebels would flee from Numantia. They wouldn’t run across Hispania and then over the mountains. After waiting, permission was finally granted and he moved his Legion into Aquitania Gaul to fortify for the potential fleeing of the rebels. Chief of Staff Tiberius Julianus had to do the majority of the fortifying.
His reasoning and plans were:
Inside a craggy mountain pass bordering Hispania, Chief of Staff Agrippa Tiberius Julianus of the VI legion sits inside his command tent, pondering the unexpected. His orders were simple; defend the mountain pass from the rebels in Hispania at all costs with a force of 3,000 men. This worried Tiberius for he knew that a possible contingent of Rebels could attack his position at anytime and catch his men off guard. Feeling restless Tiberius orders several contingents of cavalry given to him by General Vitellius, to scout the nearby countryside for possible enemy sightings. Their orders were to disperse through the country no more than 3 miles in distance from the camp.

He gave stern orders to the cavalry officers not to engage the enemy but to observe and gather intelligence of rebel movements. After which they are to report back to camp for debriefing. Thundering off into the distance the cavalry charges out of camp. Leaving behind a maze of fortifications and ditches. Ever the textbook soldier, Tiberius had the camp surrounded by a standard fortification ditch shadowed by an array of stakes driven into
a pile of breastworks made of earth and nearby timber. Which is dotted with guard towers high as a three-floor insuale. As a result a catapult crowns each tower.

After the initial construction Tiberius was very confident with his idea. But soon he realized that such a textbook endeavor would be known to the enemy, thus they would have a counter strategy. As a preventive measure, Tiberius ordered a massive ditch to be constructed at the mouth of the pass and a breastwork similar to the camp lodged behind it. This massive ditch spanned a quarter of a mile east to west. With a width of 8ft and a
dept of 7ft. Thereby any advancing army should be temporally slowed. As a counter measure, Tiberius gave strict orders for two cohorts to stay within the camp and the rest of the troops to the ditch. If the line of battle fails at the ditch, the men are to draw back to a clearing between the camp and the ditch for an engagement on open ground.
Thereby the enemy will be forced to fight a pitched battle on open ground. When applicable the legionaries are to throw the pilum at 15yards and engage the enemy with the gladius. Tiberius knew that such an open battle on untrained rebels would be traumatic to any enemy aggression. If the last line fails, the troops would retreat inside of the camp until reinforcements arrive.

The plan was as good a one, as Tiberius could think of. Agrippa added his own. He constructed double-walls ahead of the fortifications filled with water. Then came a series of "man-traps", buried, then he built carefully concealed holes in the ground, several feet deep and containing pointed stakes in the center that would easily impale. They were called "cippus". Fortifications complete, Agrippa waited.He began to think that maybe his father had been wrong. He thought he knew what to do but that maybe the Praetor, Secondo and even the Emperor did not understand. Waiting is all he had been doing since officially joining the legions at age 17, even though he had fought as a young lad with his father.

Meanwhile, he had heard that the emperor Tiberius had ordered his wife, Cassandra to go back to the east on a dangerous mission. He pleaded with the emperor to allow him to go east to protect her, but he responded that his duty was to Rome and not his wife. Agrippa was torn and angry, but just then, a scout had returned.
He had sent scouts to locate the rebels. He thought that maybe Terpus had beaten them, he received news. “Sir”, said the scout.
“Report” Agrippa said.
“The Arevaci tribe is only a day's march away!”
“Perfect.” Finally a chance to show his abilities and Rome’s power.It was now time to set his trap.Agrippa had been ordered to defend against the Arevaci and then force them to retreat. He was hoping to do much more damage.He scattered his men amongst the mountain range in such a way that they would “force” the Arevaci directly to the defenses they had set up.
These men would close in from both sides and eventually trap them from behind so that the only way for them to go was into the strength of his legion or retreat through more of his legion. He would defeat them before Terpus could come.
Agrippa knew he could eventually win, but at what cost to his valiant legion? A scout had informed him that Terpus' legions were on the march. Agrippa swallowed his pride and realized that even though he could win, he would lose much. Instead of losing men needlessly, Agrippa ordered his men in the mountains, through pre-arranged signals, to retreat back into the mountains when he knew Terpus was close. The Arevaci knew
they could not get through the thick defenses of the Romans. They had lost too many at first. They saw the retreat in the mountains and took advantage, deciding they would find another way around.

***Making a Stand***

The General Agrippa Vitellius regrouped his legion and began to fall back, hoping that the Praetor Terpus would be able to catch the Rebel Army while it was on the move. However the Rebels were moving faster than the General had originally figured and he began to realize that he would be forced to make a stand in order to slow them down enough for the Praetor and the two legions under his command to catch them. He chose a plain just south of Elus to make his stand and hopefully slow the rebels down just enough. He deployed his troops in a defensive position, and just as they had finished preparing the fight was upon them. The Rebel army charged into the Roman defenses and a bloody battle ensued. At the start, the General Vitellius sent word to the Praetor Terpus as to his plan, so that hopefully the Praetor would be able to find them.
Praetor Maximus Terpus rode along as his legions continued their march. Suddenly a runner came bearing the message from General Vitellius.
RIDER: Praetor Terpus.
MAXIMUS: Yes, speak.
RIDER: I come from General Vitellius, bearing a message. He stands at Elus. The battle has already commenced.
MAXIMUS: Will he be able to hold?
RIDER: Yes for at least a while.
MAXIMUS: Dismissed. Lucius get up here.
(Lucius runs up to the side of Maximus' horse.)
LUCIUS: Yes Praetor?
MAXIMUS: Legion VI is in the fight up ahead. Lets get to a Double Time pace. We are still quite a ways back of the Rebels.
LUCIUS: Immediately Praetor.
(With that Lucius ran off to give the orders to move to a double time march. The Army quickly sprung to action around the Praetor's order.)

The Rebels continued to charge into the lines of Legion VI and continually the Romans repelled them. The battle had ensued for most of the day now and both sides were taking on heavy casualties. The General Vitellius continued to show his skill as a tactician moving his men at precise times to avoid the rebel army's flanking movements and frontal attacks. The
battle was very fierce as the Arevaci people were ferocious fighters. They continued to give the Romans all they could handle. The General Vitellius watched as his casualties mounted, he was beginning to wonder how much longer he would need to hold against such numbers, when he began to see the forward scouts of Praetor Terpus' Army. Finally the General thought to himself.

***The Battle of Elus***

Praetor Terpus looked at the battle as his men began arriving. He immediately sent forth his cavalry elements straight into the fray. The Rebels were caught somewhat off guard by the arrival of two more legions and the cavalry rode right into the rear of their formation. King Caros however was also a skilled commander and immediately began shifting his forces into
a defensive position. Basically forming a square with his army so that they could defend against both attacks. Maximus then began to position his troops strategically.
He spread out his two legions and soon they had surrounded the rebel army completely and the Roman archers began to rain arrows down upon them. Immediately the Praetor also began to coordinate with General Vitellius in order to insure their attack would go off
simultaneously.
MAXIMUS: General Vitellius, glad to see you again.
AGRIPPA: Hail Praetor. I'm glad to see you as well.
MAXIMUS: Alright here is the plan. On my signal we will attack the rebels from all sides with the Legionnaires. The cavalry will hold back until we get a break at a point in the rebel lines. Once we have that break the cavalry will ride straight for it and get inside their perimeter and we will destroy them. Understood?
AGRIPPA: Yes Praetor.
MAXIMUS: Excellent, then prepare your men.
With that the General immediately went back to his troops and explained the plan to his officers. Maximus set about making sure his men had what they needed for this battle, since for the time being it seemed some of the fighting had died down while both sides were regrouping. Then Maximus again ordered his archers to unleash a storm of arrows upon the rebel army. Once the storm of arrows subsided, Maximus gave the signal for the men to
begin the attack.
The men of all three legions immediately began their march towards the rebel army. The cavalry followed in close behind preparing to storm through any break in the line once it was achieved. Again the fighting was fierce but the new strength and size of the Romans quickly turned the battle in their favor. Once Legion XXXIV broke the line, the cavalry struck a decisive blow by streaming into the rebel position and being able to attack their lines from behind.

Across the bloody battlefield, Agrippa finally found his quarry. A man he had heard much about and not believed. King Caros was fighting maniacally, slaughtering his men almost as easily as Agrippa had been slicing through the Arevaci. He licked his chops at the opportunity to fight such a warrior. His blood boiling, he charged toward Caros. He was aware of the orders to take the King alive, so he knew he had to be more careful than Caros did. An advantage for Caros. It did not matter. He took the first swing at Caros with his sword, which was easily parried by the King as almost an afterthought. Caros swung almost casually with such speed that it caught Agrippa by surprise. Such speed from such a large man! He was caught on the shoulder, which spurted blood. Caros turned to him, surprised to see he had not lopped off his head. Agrippa had his own speed, but was now bleeding.Suddenly, it was like the gods pre-ordained this battle as the less-skilled
warriors fought amongst themselves, leaving the masters to decide their own fates. Agrippa threw the king off by swinging again with his sword but quickly following up with a kick to the knee of the King. Caros fell on the
knee but quickly parried another of Agrippa's thrusts. With the parry, he rose and threw an uppercut into the General’s jaw, rocking him back, blood streaming from his mouth. Slightly dazed, he was unable to completely reject the next thrust from Caros, that caught him in the thigh. With a scream, Agrippa went down to the ground.Time then slowed down for the courageous General. He was looking up at Caros, who was readying for a death blow on Agrippa’s head. Agrippa smiled as he licked the blood around his mouth. He was finally happy.
Vaguely remembering that he could not kill Caros, he leaned over as if in pain, and pulled out a dagger from his breast plate. He then lunged at Caros with sword in his right hand. Caros parried to the right, then Agrippa followed with the dagger in his left hand, raking the eyes of the King, gashing the bridge of the nose. Blood poured from the King’s eyes and nose as he swung wildly, trying to located Agrippa. After one swing, Agrippa sliced off the right arm of King Caro. Caros began screaming but still remained standing. Fearing that another similar wound would kill him, Agrippa simply took the butt of his sword and cracked it against the skull of the King. Caros had fallen.
He ordered a couple of centurions to take him away and bind him as a gift for Praetor Terpus. Meanwhile, he continued to fight, even though blood flowed from his shoulder and leg.
With the fall of their king and the cavalry running rampant in the Rebel lines, the battle quickly turned into a massacre. When the dust settled almost the entire Rebel Army was destroyed and the rest had been taken captive, including their King Caros.

***Transporting a King***

The Praetor Terpus sat in his command tent going over casualty reports from the battle when Lucius stepped in.
LUCIUS: Praetor, the General Vitellius is here to see you.
MAXIMUS: Send him in.
AGRIPPA: Hail Praetor.
MAXIMUS: Hail General. Report on your legion?
AGRIPPA: The numbers do not appear high, but to me, there are too many. I should have anticipated their speed. I shall do better the next time, sir. The dead number around 900 and the wounded upwards of 1500.
MAXIMUS: That is expected but you made a wonderful stand. You performed well today.
AGRIPPA: Praetor, I would like you to meet my Chief of Staff Officer Tiberius Julianus.
TIBERIUS: Hail Praetor.
MAXIMUS: Officer Julianus, I have heard much about you. I'm glad to finally meet you. You seem to be a budding star within the military.
TIBERIUS: Thank you Praetor.
MAXIMUS: The General Vitellius has spoken very highly of you. I must get back to my report for the Emperor now.
With that the General and Officer left the Praetor alone to his thoughts. Not long after though Lucius was again stepping into the tent
LUCIUS: Praetor, Officers Daia and Verus are here.
MAXIMUS: Send them in.
AUGUSTUS: Hail Praetor.
VERUS: Hail Praetor.
MAXIMUS: Hail, what is it men?
AUGUSTUS: Praetor we need to know what to do with the captives we have taken.
MAXIMUS: Kill them all, except for their King. He is to be a gift for the Emperor. And men you both performed very well today. Officer Daia leading that cavalry into their position was wonderful and they performed excellent.
AUGUSTUS: Thank you Praetor.
VERUS: Praetor should we continue all patrols?
MAXIMUS: No, keep patrols to a minimal tonight. The men have won a great victory and the main threat in the area has been eliminated. The men have earned some deserved rest.
VERUS: Understood Praetor.

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By: Praetor A. Maximus Terpus, General Augustus Agrippa Vitellius and Officer A. Tiberius Julianus
28 AD

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Bringing Misenium to Life

2004-07-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

The passage of the two Naval Bills in 28 AD, was the last official act on Consulus A. Titus Sabaco, before his retirement and the return of the historical two-Consul system.

Funding had been extracted from the Senate to build a large fleet base at Misenium, Campania, along with a smaller base at Marsillia. There had been some initial complaints from Consulus A. Antonia Vitellius, these though had been silenced in peremptorily fashion by the Emperor.

The second bill addressed the building and maintenance of a large fleet of purpose built warships. It would take several years to complete both projects, as funded, but a start had been made. The planned Imperial Fleet would finally number several hundred "large" and "small" warships. The avowed intent of this whole project, was the suppression of "piracy". Of course the Western part of "Our Sea" was under Roman Hegemony. This meant that the fleet's final deployment would be to the East. No officially comment was ever made as to what "Piracy" might mean in the Emperor's mind.

Shortly before A. Titus Sabaco retired he journeyed South from Rome, to visit the site of the Fleet's main base. The surveyors had staked out the ground, from the water's edge back hundreds of yards. Slaves toiled to build brick buildings, like long "sheds" for the making of think hawsers for the ships. There were other buildings that would house the carpenters who would craft the timbers that a warship would need for construction, as well as annual up keep of the warships.
One the waters edge, huge piles were being driven in to the sea bed, using pontoons, to form the base of piers that stretched like fingers in to the sheltered bay that would house the fleet. Stone wharves too were taking shape, these would eventually stretch for hundreds of yards. At several points, there were covered slipways that would house gallies when they were hauled ashore during the Winter storm season, or when they needed repair.
A technical wonder that captured the Consulus' attention was a huge dry dock that was being built employing a coffer damn, while the dry dock was being excavated, the "puddle and lined prior to mounting great lock gate and flooding for the first time.
All this planned building would take years to finally complete. However, there would be facilities completed in two years or so. This was planned to allow the warships available to have at least a minimum of base support all through the planned project.

The warships were not of radical design. They were based upon earlier Roman and Greek designs that were well understood by the shipwrights that would build them. They would be the standard long sleek design that worked so well in "Our Sea". The ships were to be to be manned by professional crews who would enter in to long term service of the Empire, both as sailors and marines.
Experienced Centurions from Legio XII, the only Imperial Legion that was trained to fight aboard ships at this time, were sent to handle the training of the marine recruits that were required. The men would have to undergo about a year's training before they were capable of ship to ship battle and amphibious landing, against an experienced foe in any numbers. A large part of the Base at Misenium, was given over to the barracks to house these men and their sailor crewmates. No detail was to be overlooked in the creation of an effective Imperial fleet. The sailors were an issue. Even after combing the "Greek" cities of southern Italia, there were not enough experienced men found to man but a fraction of the ships. Posters had been posted in Rome, and this had gathered many more men from the cities poor. Attracted by the regular pay and the fact that navies only worked half the year! The storms of Winter made large scale operations impossible and fleets would beach their ships and wait for the better weather of the following Spring. Not a bad life for men who had scratched out a living on the margins of Rome's economy in most cases.
The raw "sailors" were put to regular exercise on mock ups that were mounted on shore. They practiced rowing a as a crew, the fleet would not employ slaves to propel their ships in battle. The manning of rigging and handling of sails was a job that was reserved for a special section of the ship's company. This too was practiced.
The ship commanders, were men of some experience in seamanship, in many cases they had been private employ of those Romans who owned triremes as part of their commercial activities. They were though made to demonstrate their military abilities, both on shore and later with ships as they were brought in to commission.
It was the need to train ships crews that most vexed the mind of the Emperor and Military Consulus. There was only so much training that could accomplish. The time would come, perhaps in two year's, when these ships and the men that man them, would be ready in sufficient numbers to allow a "fleet" to be dispatched to the East of "Our Sea". General Sextus Valens Verus, was the obvious man to command this fleet. Until then he would have to muddle through with the "allied" warships that he had been supplied from places such as Athens and Cyprus to help him suppress Piracy in the Aegean

******************************

The General Sextus Valens Verus sat alone in his tent. A dim flicker of light barely illuminated the room. With his hands rubbing his temples he reminisced about the first time he stepped foot onboard a ship of Rome's Fleet. How at the age of twenty he was sick as a dog the first 2 months at sea, vomiting every time the sea state was greater than 3-5 feet. How after that first 2 months he adjusted, stopped vomiting, got his sea legs, and grew to love being at sea. But that was over twenty years and more than a few battles ago. Sextus Valens Verus stood up, walked over to the polished silver mirror hanging near his armor and gazed into it. "Valens, make your Emperor proud!"

Three weeks had passed and General S. Valens Verus had finally arrived at Misenum. Comprising of three volcanic craters and forming the northwest extremity of the Gulf of Neapolis, a pair of harbors behind the cape- inner and outer, formed Rome's principal naval base. The outer harbor of Misenum was active with vessels of the Roman Navy, providing room for training exercises, while the inner harbor, which was linked by a canal a crossed a wooden bridge, was designed for the reserve fleet and for repairs, and offered refuge from heavy storms. All he could do was open his mouth in awl at the some 40 ships that appeared before him. Twelve Roman Deceres, large war vessels which were manned with 572 rowers and 250 marines, armed with two fighting towers and 6 catapults, one of which could be used to fire a harpago, a harpoon-like grapnel which could be used to reel in an enemy vessel so that you could board it. Also in the harbor sat twenty-eight Roman Triremes. Each had one sail as well as three banks of oars, a compliment of 170 oarsman and 70 marines. Last, but not least, sat the Flagship, Rome's only Quinquereme. Distinguished by a reddish-purple oblong vexillum and a raised bow with a wolf's head decoration, it was manned by 270 oarsman and 40 of the General's loyalist men.

"General, should I muster the Officers Sir?" asked his Aide. "Yes, tell them all to report outside my quarters immediately". The Officers assembled and were greeted by the General; he smiled as familiar faces from past battles fell into ranks. "The Gods look favorably upon me" he thought to himself. "Have your men in formation tomorrow morning"... "And tell them, prepare to go to sea".

The next morning, under a hazy sky, the whole of LEGIO XII stood in formation, five thousand strong. The Change of Command is rooted deeply in Roman military tradition, when the baton of command is presented to a newly designated commander. The ceremony itself symbolizes passing the responsibility of command and maintaining an unbroken succession of command for the unit. The senior Centurion walked from the first cohort and presented the colors of the Legion to the outgoing General, symbolizing the function of entrusted leadership each General has; responsibility for the men of the Legion. The outgoing General then turned and surrendered the unit colors to the Chief Staff Officer. In doing so, the outgoing General publicly relinquishes command of the Legion to the Chief Staff Officer. The Chief Staff Officer, acting on behalf of the Emperor, receives the colors and passes them to the incoming General. "General, by order of the Emperor I present the colors of Legion XII Classis to you". General S. Valens Verus firmly takes the colors and proclaims "I, General Sextus Valens Verus willingly accept responsibility for Legion XII Classis, its mission, and most importantly, its men!!" The General then walks over to the senior Centurion and passes the unit colors to him to symbolically state his acceptance and reliance on the soldiers of the Legion. At least the raw recruits who would man the fleet when ready would have a glimpse of what a functional fleet and it men looked like!

The general having surveyed the new Roman warships, waited impatiently for the Greek ships that he would employ for his campaign, to arrive. Athens and the Achaean League was sending 80 triremes, Cyprus was sending another 40 such warships. As on cue, for the General was well aware when they would arrive the Allied warships moved under oar rapidly unto the Base roads and flawlessly deployed in to a line that swept to the shore. The crews shipped oars a few hundred yards off shore then glided up the shelving beach where Legio XII stood in formation awaiting them.
Once the warships were beached, then troops moved forward and in an orderly fashioned boarded the ships that they were assigned to. Within four hours or so, the fleet was manned and had sailed out of Misenium heading for the Aegean and action!
All made the sweeter with the arrival of an Imperial Courrier, bringing an Imperial Commission, appointing Sextus Valens Verus to the rank of Praetor. The Emperor, as well as the gods it seemed, smiled on this rising star in the Roman military. As Rome no longer relied solely on its Army to enforce its will!

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By: General Sextus Valens Verus
28 AD

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Memories and Action

2004-07-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

When riding for long distances, a man is best to try not to pay attention to how he is riding. This is a little trick Nero Terpus had taught his officers, time passes faster when you aren't trying to worry about your surrounding's. As his men were riding to their new camp along the northern boarder of Panninia, Nero thought back on his past.

He remembered, so vividly the races, 5 years ago, in Eutrusca. The Governor of the province had put on his annual horse race, he had been so excited when father told Nero, a 16 year old boy, that he could race. He practiced over and over on his favorite horse, Lillius the gray steed his father had bred for him. He remembered those few moments in the middle of the race when he was in the lead, the ecstasy of it. Then he remembered how undaunted he was when a rival of his trumped into the lead, and the breathtaking margin by which Nero had lost the race. He remembered the beautiful award the Governor handed him, and standing in the governor's box, the tall beautiful daughter of the man, smiling at him, captivating Nero. He remembered walking in the governor's courtyard at the victory party that night, in arm with her, talking of his life, it seemed so exciting to her. Nero remembered meeting her in Rome every so often, and returning to the Etruscan races 3 more times, not with victory in mind, but the name Saria Jania. He remembered kissing her for the first time, and then proposing to her a year later, how her father had been assassinated just days before the marriage, ruining his hopes for a happy occasion. Nero discovered to his horror how very different Jania was from him, how hard it was to live with her for a long time, the mixed emotions of missing her, yet despising how she nagged him, how happy she was when he returned home, how wrathful she was when he prepared to leave, and the constant flood of letters devoted to complaints and rumors.

And then Nero regained sense of reality, although nothing was changed from the last time he had looked. He fell back into his trance, remembering how he had given his beloved mount, Lillius, to the Emperor as a gift. How he had become a family friend of Justius and Lora Vitellius, and how odd it felt to see how happy they were together. Nero had no complaints in life, but he was nearly depressed by how imperfect his marriage, his carrier had been. Talk was that Nero was on a list to be General soon, and Nero hoped the life of a General was more fulfilling than the long depressing void army life had been. If it were not for his friendship with the men of his cavalry, Nero would be a truly wretched man indeed. Nero recalled his gladiator had failed to win events over and over again, a true waste of money. But through the depression like a knife, Nero remembered what his wife had told him, in one of her few kind letters, which he had read last night. Nero and Jania were to have their first child, Nero wondered how his father would feel about another grandson, as his 3 older brothers already had grandchildren of their own, and his younger brother, only 18 had proposed to the daughter of Military Consuli, and friend of Nero, Titus Sabaco. Their was joy is his life, Nero remembered, it was just sown among many disappointment's.

Again Nero regained his senses, and in the distance he saw his units base camp, on a massive hill overlooking the plains of Pannonia. Nero rode up to the camp, faintly noticing the waves and calls of his soldiers. He headed to his personal tent, sitting on his chair reading reports from his officers. Apparently a tribe of Goths who lived 10 miles north of his camp were in awe of the cavalry's horses, and wanted to help train his men in horsemanship, in exchange for protection. Nero wondered if the men were reliable, and remembered how the Goths of this area were truly good people, not near as barbaric as he had anticipated. He decided to accept the offer.

Over the next few months Nero's men became nearly as good on a horse as he was, they became friends with the Goth's of the area, who revered the cavalry for their skills. The Goths set up a village and trading post at the base of the cavalry's hill-fortress, which was being built into a small fort of wood. A few Goth women married his young gallant men, and Goth horsemen began volunteering to help the Romans scout the countryside. Nero was careful that the Romans were scouting enough that the Goths could not lie to his men, but they proved loyal and excellent scouts. Word came from his wife that he was now 6 months pregnant, and suspected the child to be a girl. The letters of nagging stepped finally. Nero's father had come to visit, and agreed to start breeding the heavy horses for his son. Nero decided his life may have become better with timeâ€¦

Aftermath:
Cavalry of Legion VII sets up camp on north boarder of Panonia
Cavalry of Legion VII becomes even better on the horse due to help from local Goth horsemen
The Goths in the area become friends of the Roman Empire and assist the Legions
Trade of precious Amber from the lands of the Goth brings a profit of 100,000C for the empire

-------------------------
By: Publius Nero Terpus

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Day's End

2004-07-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Praetor Sarius Julianus sat lethargically at his desk. He was deep in thought. He had served Rome’s emperor for nearly four decades. In that time he had fought in Hispania, Gaul, Rhaetia, Germania, and in the recent civil war. Since that war Sarius had often idled about. There was nothing for him to look forward to in the military.

Praetor Tacitus Sarius Julianus had duties to attend to. They could wait. Memories kept his mind away from the present. Disease claimed his mother at an early age. His father, a general, was often away on campaign. Sarius thought about the first civil war, and the death of his father. That was when Sarius decided to begin his long and eventful career the army. Looking back it seemed to him that death and destruction had been following him his whole life.

Suddenly Sarius felt weary, the memories of past struggles coming back to haunt him. He no longer belonged with the troops. He felt like an outsider trying to find his place. The more he thought about it the more he realised. The army was no longer his home.

Praetor Tacitus Sarius Julianus wrote and sent his resignation. Then he sat about, planning his new life. He would finally move into his house in Rome, or perhaps purchase a pleasant little villa someplace. He would visit old friends and enjoy life, and perhaps even begin a new career as a writer. He smiled, idealising this new and peaceful life. Then another thought crept into his mind; would Death follow him to Rome?

----------------------
By Tacitus Sarius Julianus

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Warf Rat II

2004-07-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

Two mornings after his steward had left, Dio put a junior officer in charge. "Continue our regular patrols. I'll be at my warehouse in Ostia and will return sometime tomorrow." Then he mounted his horse and rode off with Brutus, his trusted centurion.

Dio and Brutus rode quickly, saying little. Eventually they came to the Via Ostiensis and followed it into Ostia. They took a ferry across the Tiber and onto the Isola Sacra. The island had been a part of the mainland, but the channels for the new harbor had created an island. Dio stopped at the temple of Neptune, prayed and made a small donation.

A vaulted bridge crossed the canal that connected the new harbor to the Tiber. Dio's warehouse was set back from the southern quay of the harbor. As he tied his horse, Ari came out to meet him. "Sir, you're early. but the men are here."

"Fine, I'd like to walk around a bit and then I'll need a private room. I'll talk to the day manager first."

With that Dio strolled around his warehouse. He had bought it sight-unseen trusting to Aristotle's advice. He was pleased to see everything clean and orderly. There were stacks of lead and iron ingots along one wall, amphorae of wine on another, and huge piles of wheat.

With a grunt of approval he turned to Ari. "Let's hear what Titus has to say."

Ari lead Dio to a small room near the front of the warehouse. There was one small table with a bench. The table was piled high with slates and scrolls. Dio sat on the bench and looked at Titus as Ari brought him in.
"You're Titus, my day manager?" The man was stiff and clearly nervous. Dio wanted him to talk freely so he added, "The warehouse looks neat and orderly. You've been making a good profit for me. Tell me what's bothering you."

Titus relaxed visibly at these words of approval. "Sir, it's the shrinkage. Aristotle tells me you don't want me to be overly strict with the employees. I thank you for that sir; in the long run it will make money for you. But sir, it's growing. Usually it's the grain sir. The men take a small sack of wheat and maybe some dried fish or oil; but last night it was wine. Sometimes we open a cracked one and share the wine, but we never open a sound one. Last night 16 amphorae disappeared! That's over 400 liters of wine! Other things have happened too. It's got to stop."

"Who's behind it Titus?" said Dio. "My time is very limited. We need to settle this."

Titus swallowed hard. "Sir, I can't prove anything, and I hate to do this, but Falco has been acting very strange lately. He's been my friend for almost twenty years, but lately he's avoiding me. We barely talk. And sir, I've heard that his son has been selling wheat to merchants in the market. That must be your wheat, Sir."

"Titus, you've done right to tell me of this. Go now. Ari will tell you what to do next."

Titus said, "Sir, be merciful to him if you can. He's worked hard for both you and the former owner." With that he bowed and left.

Dio thought for a few minutes then turned to his centurion, "Brutus, take Titus to show you the way. Bring Falco's son and wife here. Keep them out of sight until I call for you. Quickly, now." Brutus nodded and left, grinning. He'd seen Dio's methods before.

Dio waited an hour and then called for Ari. is Brutus back with the son and wife? Ari nodded. Good then bring in Falco, but dont let him see his family.

The man was ushered in. "Falco, what have you to say for yourself?" said Dio.

"Sir, I don't know what you mean." muttered Falco. He kept his eyes on the floor unable to look Dio in the eye.

"Falco, you've been stealing from me. I can take you to the courts and have you thrown in prison or worse. Don't lie to me. Your only chance is to tell me exactly what happened."

Falco lifted his eyes briefly then looked away again, he was trembling. "Aw, Sir, I've taken a bit of wheat for me wife now and then. But everyone does that. Life's very hard, Sir."

"Don't toy with me Falco, I'm not talking about petty theft and you know it. This has gone beyond that. Talk. I'm loosing my patience." Dio looked to Ari and nodded.

"Sir, that's not fair, Sir." Falco went on not noticing the byplay. Then Brutus walked in guiding a fourteen year old boy by the shoulder.

Falco went pale.

"Look Falco," said Dio "Do you want your son sold into slavery? It's the only way you could ever pay for what you've stolen."

"Sir. . .", Dio could see the big man crumble into himself. "Sir, they'll kill me. They'll kill my son too..." Then the floodgates burst and Falco told him everything.

A half hour later, Dio strode from the warehouse and into the street. "Centurion Brutus, chain Falco and his son, they've been stealing from me and I won't have it. I'm going to get a court order and sell the whole family into slavery. Get the wife and bring her too."

Within just a few minutes Dio and Brutus rode out of town with the Falco family stumbling behind in chains.

A hunched gray figure watched from an alley mouth. Lick, Wipe.

A week later Dio was in Praeneste, reporting to General Castus.

"So, general, that's how it happened. Falco told us everything. This Wharf Rat character blackmails warehouse employees and then gets them to steal for him. The goods are sold on the black market. Everyone is so scared that they don't say anything. If it hadn't been for Falco's son he probably would have kept quiet too. Slavery is better than death."

"But officer Dio, who gets the money? Surely we would have spotted someone spending even a tenth part of the money."

"General, I can't say for sure. But Aristotle and Titus have made some enquiries. The Warf Rat has been seen talking to a captain that sails in from Narbo Martius. That's a port on the eastern edge of Narbonese Gaul. The money could be finding its way to our enemies in Hispania or in Gaul."

Crastus nodded, "What did you do with Falco and his family?"

Dio laughed. "I was afraid they would kill themselves with grief before I could get them out of town. I couldn't leave them in Ostia. They'd have been killed for sure. And I couldn't tell them I wasn't going to prosecute, their elation would surely have tipped off the Wharf Rat."

"So," said Dio, "once we were out of town I told them I would change my mind if they would work on one of my barley farms. Work as freemen, not slaves. They were so grateful, Falco nearly wet himself!"

"Furthermore, it seems to have fooled the Wharf Rat. Ari tells me that he's still stealing from other warehouses in Ostia. We won't grab him until we get the bosses in Narbo Martius."

"Good job Dio," said the general, "Now write a report and send it to the Praetorian Guard. This is their business now."

------------
By: Rufus Actius Dio

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Warf Rat I

2004-07-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

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Ostia
-----------------

Ostia had become the principal port of Rome. Goods of all kinds were unloaded there for inland transport to Rome. The natural port at Ostia is shallow and not accessible to sea-going ships. The man-made Portus lay just north of Ostia along the coast and had channels leading east into the Tiber.

A short gray figure wound around a corner and into the alley behind a warehouse. This warehouse had a new owner, a distant patrician, his source had said, who would never visit. A rich fool with more money than sense, preoccupied with war and grand schemes. He licked his lips following his tongue with the back of his left hand. It was an habitual gesture. "Good pickings," he hissed.

He'd been watching this warehouse for several weeks, ever since he'd heard of the sale. Every warehouse had petty thieves. The employees themselves were the worst. A sack of wheat for their wife, a few dried fish for soup; everyone stole. Warehouse managers called it "shrinkage." The night manager in this warehouse was worse than most; he not only filled his cook pot, his son peddled the excess. Lick, wipe.

The night manager saw the hunched grey man standing on the loading dock staring at him. His stomach tightened as he swaggered over to confront the man. "You, wadda you want?"

"Just a word to your advantage, Falco". Lick, wipe. "You've been noticed. Your son has been noticed too."

Falco blenched, his face drained as gray as the little man's cloak. "Wadda ya mean?" He growled. "Wadda ya mean--noticed"

"Come on, Falco. You didn't think your son could sell your pickings and not be noticed, did you?" Lick, wipe. "But don't get so excited. I'm not threatening you. I've got a proposal for you. Your owner knows nothing." Lick, wipe. "You've been small-time. Now you'll be big-time." Lick, wipe.

Falco swallowed hard. He needed to pee.

Weeks later, Officer Dio was in his tent finishing his breakfast and listening to reports from the night patrols. The legion was split into three groups. They wanted to be seen regularly throughout Latium. One senior officer had three Cohorts marching in southern Latium just north of Capua . The commanding General, N. Pertinax Castus, maintained base HQ with four cohorts near Praeneste in central Latium. Dio himself commanded three cohorts and was marching up the coast from Antium towards Ostia.

With the Civil War over, there was no threat of enemy action. Their orders were to put on a grand display and make the plebeians and merchants feel secure. The empire needed no more rebellions and no discontented mobs. March. Show the flags. Let them know we're here. Keep the Appian Way open and free of brigands.

Dio was surprised to see Aristotle, his financial steward approach. "Sir, may I speak to you in private?" Dio dismissed his military attendants and ushered the steward into his tent.

"What is it, Ari? What's happened?"

"Sir, it's about the warehouse you just bought in Portus Ostia. Something strange is going on and I need your advice." Ari looked down. He was clever and well-trained. He took pride in his ability to handle his master's financial affairs without constant guidance; he did not like asking for help.

Dio knew his steward's pride and understood his discomfort. "Ari, it must be strange indeed if you need my help. You know how much I depend upon you. Tell me about it."

Ari looked relieved. "Sir, Titus, the day manager, is concerned about shrinkage."

"Hmm, Ari when you recommended I buy this warehouse, you explained that the workers would steal. You warned me that if I tried to stop it, I would probably loose my workers or make them hostile. It makes sense to me Ari, I don't mind a pit of petty theft as long as we stay profitable."

"Yes sir, but Titus says it's much worse than usual. . . And sir, he thinks he knows who's behind it. The problem sir, is that it's the night manager. They've been friends for years and Titus is very upset about it."

"He betrayed his friend?"

"That's a bit strong sir, but yes. He said he'd known of the petty thievery for years, like we've discussed; and he ignored it like everyone else. He said he'd also known that Falco was a bit worse than most; but this was too much. He's afraid he himself will be blamed."

Dio was a reasonable man, but his temper was slowly rising. "Good, Titus should be afraid. I may turn a blind eye, but I will not be victimized." Dio settled himself and thought about it for a few minutes. Ari could handle this, but perhaps a personal appearance would help. Put a good scare into these people and then turn it over to Ari.

"Ari, you did well to bring this to my attention. Meet me at the warehouse in two days. I want to see both Titus and Falco just after midday. Tell them immediately. There, that should give them time to get really worried, thought Dio.

After Aristotle left, dio called for a courier. His orders were to maintain security in the north-eastern section of Latium. Primarily that meant marching the troops to show their presence, but it also meant investigating suspicious activity. He could stretch his orders to investigate his personal warehouse in Ostia, but he'd better inform General Crassus."

--------------------
By: Rufus Actius Dio

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Personal Letter of Verius Varro

2004-07-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

General Gaius Verius Varro sat at his camp desk, exhausted after a long day. Most of his men (excluding some night guards) were enjoying well-deserved sleep. But Verius had some thoughts on his mind. He put them to paper:

"I have not felt this drained of life since the Belgica campaign. I must be getting old to be tired at a time of peace. The Emperor has declared Pax Romana upon Rome. The Pax Romana is a time of peace and rest, free from the toil of war. However, it is at times of such peace that the Legions of Rome must be most vigilant, lest they grow fat and content.

With this in mind, I decided it best for myself and Rome’s soldiers to remain combat “fit.” The IX has marched more miles these past months that I can remember. The might of Rome has been experienced by many villages scattered all across Macedonia. Though whispers of a terrible massed army from Asia jump from mouth to ear all across Macedonia, these whispers must contend with a very real Rome.

However, all this patrolling has not made me the most beloved general.

The demand for swift, consistent marching has taken its toll on the troops. This swiftness and consistency is not only demanded from the legionaries, but the entourage as well. The boys running water to the thirsty soldiers must be as fit as any soldier. Swift discipline meets all discontent.

The soldiers may not have a lot of love for their general currently, but at least they have no time to fear the Asians.

~Gaius Verius Varro”

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By: Gaius Verius Varro

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Fighting for the Pax

2004-07-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

***Enjoying the Peace***

General Augustus Agrippa Vitellius was left wondering what was next because the Civil War was over with him sitting on his ass doing nothing. He was mad that the Emperor and the Secondo did not let him fight. He heard about what the new Praetor Maxus did and applauded him for solving everything without blood. But he wanted to avenge his father who died by the coward’s hand of Manus. The emperor would not let him take his legion to hunt for the renegade Maxus. He was mad and had to let it out. He was known for his love for his men, and his lust for defeating his enemies. He was going crazy because of no action. He knew that his superiors were doing the right thing. He was fanatical about the chain of command. Even if he doesn’t like what a superior does, he knows it must be right if it is loyal to Rome. Agrippa wanted an assignment with action. He was in the consular Legion II which was an honor. It was an elite legion but didn’t see a whole lot of action. He really liked the idea of the Pax Romana but still needed action. He was a fighter and a brilliant tactician so rose quickly under the learning of his father. He wanted to use his qualities. Just as he was thinking this while eating his supper, a edict came from the emperor Tiberius Vitellius. His wishes had been answered but not like he thought. "Legion VI?" he thought. "Huh, I just got to know my men. I guess I can use this to train another legion and show what I can do."

Maximus sat in his Praetorium and decided to write a letter to his friend Consulus A. Antonia Vitellius:

Consul Antonia Vitellius,

It has been a long time my friend. I am sorry I did not get to write to you as often as I would have liked during the Civil War, but we were often on the march. I am writing to first of all congratulate you upon your success in the Consular Election. I remember many years ago when I first encouraged your move to Rome, during a time of Rebellion in the Iberian Peninsula. I am glad to see that you have been very successful in your mission. Anyway, like I said it has been some time, How have you been? Are there any love Interests of the Lady Antonia these days? It seems that we have been training for some time since the end of the Civil War and rumors are that we might be heading back to Hispania. Its unfortunate but they never really seem to learn their lesson there. Anyway I have to get back to drill. I look forward to hearing from you.

A. Maximus Terpus
Praetor of Rome

(With that Maximus handed the letter to Lucius and informed him to send it off to the Consul Antonia Vitellius immediately.)

With a smile, the Consulus recaived the latter and composed this reply. she wrote a short letter :
"My Dear friend and noble Praetor Maximus Terpus,

I thank you for your compliment. In fact being Consul is a hard job. I regret that you need to go to Hispania again to put down the revolt there. When I was in Hispania I saw the start of a rebellion there. Later when I returned to Rome I warned the senate on the danger of rebellion in Northern Hispania and the high corruption. In that time the senate was so weak that they did nothing at all. Now we have the results of that. Many times I thought about you, but I can not tell all I feel because you are married. Although I am famous in Rome now I still feel very alone my friend. I serve the roman people and they pay me with their devotion and that makes me happy. Do you remember that soldier called Antoninus? That you rebuked him because he said a silly thing about me? I received yesterday a notice that he died by accident in the streets of Rome. Poor man, now he will not enjoy his retirement.

I gave some money to the widow. I hope one day we can be together again my friend for I enjoyed the long conversations we used to have. Be careful in Hispania my friend and bring us a swift victory. However be just with the natives, they have already suffered a lot. Please write me with notices from you and your campaign. That the Gods enlighten your path and protect you.

Yours sincerely,

Antonia Vitellius
Consul of Rome"

***Word of Trouble***

(Maximus continued to drill his legionnaires. Even though they stood in a time of peace he knew that the legions of Rome could not lose their vigilance or their skill. He was preparing to begin drill for the day when Lucius entered his tent.)

MAXIMUS: What is it Lucius?

LUCIUS: I have a rider here.

MAXIMUS: Send him in.

RIDER: Praetor Maximus I bring news from Rome, from the Military Consul

MAXIMUS: Lucius, our drilling has definately not been in vain, it appears we will be heading to Hispania soon.

LUCIUS: Again Praetor?

MAXIMUS: Well, unfortunately. The Consul seems to believe there is an amount of political corruption in the region. Aparently there are rumors of possible rebellion in the North by the Arevacii Tribe. We have been tasked to address the later matter!

LUCIUS: I see.

MAXIMUS: Excellent, dismissed.

(Maximus immediately sat behind his desk and began going over his maps and reports. Apparently some of the spies had to be right, but what was the exact strength of this uprising? Could there really be that many that would rise up after last time? Maximus almost immediately began to draw up his plans, but took a break to write a brief letter back to the Consul.)

***Meetings***

(The entire Officer Staff of the Praetor as well as the Generals of Legions VI (Augustus Agrippa Vitellius), XIII (Fortunus Arcadius Julianus) and XXXIV (Antonius Marcus Daia) along with their staffs were all assembled in the command tent of Praetor Maximus Terpus as he prepped them for the invasion of Hispania that was about to come.) MAXIMUS: We unfortunately are going to be forced to return to Hispania to subdue another rebellion that is cropping up in the North. It is believed the Arevaci tribe which are established in the North and Northeast and their capital at Numantia have begun to raise an army. We don't believe their strength to be too great yet, but it is rising..... (When Maximus finished briefly outlining the situation and the plan, he dismissed everyone, except for General Agrippa Vitellius)

MAXIMUS: Agrippa, I have great plans for you.

AGRIPPA: Yes Praetor?

MAXIMUS: I'm going to place your Legion VI as the defenders in Western Narbonesis Gaul. You cannot allow the rebels to cross into the whole of Rome. I know that you are up to the job.
AGRIPPA: I will not fail you Praetor.

MAXIMUS: I know you won't. Your success will be great for Rome, and will end this rebellion once and for all. Your are dismissed.

(With that the General left the tent, leaving the Praetor to his thoughts. Maximus tossed the ideas around in his head, considering his plan. He knew that it could strike an immediate blow to the rebellion, but also worried about what could happen if they had accumulated numbers and tried to march out of the Iberian Peninsula.)

***Breaking Camp***

(As Maximus awoke he could already hear the hustle and bustle of the camp being broken down around him. He immediately sent for his Generals and his Staff Officers. Once they had arrived, immediately they began to go over the plan once again. This time it was to insure that everyone knew what they planned on doing.)

MAXIMUS: The Legions XXXIV and XIII will be taking a float through the Mediterranean and landing in Southern Hispania. From there they will begin to round up the politicians listed as corrupt by the Senate while they march north towards the supposedly rebelling Arevaci Tribe. Legion VI under the command of General Augustus Agrippa Vitellius will remain on the other side of the Pyrenees in case the Arevaci try and make an attack into the whole of the Empire. They are simply to keep defend against an attack until the Arevaci and drawn back to defend their homeland. Then they are to give chase and if at all possible strike from behind once the final battlefield is set. And gentlemen once we get into rebel territory we are to take on a scorched earth policy, no village or farmland is to be left untouched. Anything our men cannot carry must be destroyed, a message must be sent that no rebellions will be tolerated. Are there any questions? (No one raised their hand)

MAXIMUS: Everyone is dismissed, General Vitellius I would like to talk to you quickly. I know we have been over this, but you must defend against anything. And when the time is right give chase. You will lay the decisive blow in ending this rebellion.

AGRIPPA: I understand Praetor, I will succeed. Not one rebel shall remain alive to soil the good name of Rome! The rivers shall run with their blood and I will capture the rebel king and hand him to you, barely alive! Long live Rome, Sir!

MAXIMUS: Excellent, dismissed.

***Landing in Southern Hispania***

(Since unfortunately there were only enough ships to move 1 Legion at a time, the Legion XXXIV landed first and immediately march on the quick time for Carthago Nova where they would set up camp on the cities edge while they waited for Legion XIII to arrive. Upon setting up a camp patrols were immediately dispatched throughout the area and envoys sent in to see the leading politicians of Carthago Nova. Maximus knew he was going to need their help as well as that of the surrounding populace. The Legion camped for about 2 weeks, continuing to drill while Legion XIII made their way across the Mediterranean. Once they had arrived in Carthago Nova, they could finally make their move Northward. In those two weeks the Legion XXXIV had gained valuable information and acquired a few spies and scouts. Maximus sat in his tent going over maps and reports with his Generals and his Staff.)

MAXIMUS: Gentleman, if you will look over this map here we need to move Northward into the Arevaci territory and begin our scorched earth policy. Nothing and I mean nothing is to survive. Man, woman and child of every village I am about to point out on this map. Any crops or supplies we cannot carry are to be burned. We must cut off their supply line in order to destroy them. First however we must take Numantia, so I'm going to draw a path for the two legions to move Northward burning a few strategic cities to the ground and then relinking outside Numantia. Legion XIII will move Northwest to Alces, then due North to Casada, before relinking in Tarna, just south of Numantia. Legion XXXIV will march due North to Lobeotum, then continue North to Urbiaca, before moving Northwest to relink in Tarna. We will then storm the city, and burn it to the ground. No rebel is to live through that assault. Does everyone understand this?

(No one raises their hand.)

MAXIMUS: Alright we march first thing in the morning, you are all dismissed.
(With that the Generals and Officers all left, leaving Maximus to make his final preparations and get some rest, before the campaign began in the morning.)

***The March Northward***

(When Maximus awoke, the legions were already up and moving around. The camp was being disassembled and the men were beginning to form up ranks. Advanced scouts had already been sent ahead and the cavalry was near ready to begin their forward march. Maximus immediately got dressed and headed out of his tent to find his Cavalry Commander for Legion XXXIV.)

MAXIMUS: Commander, are you prepared to do your duty for Rome?

COMMANDER: Yes Praetor.

MAXIMUS: Well then you personally will be leading the Cavalry of Legion XXXIV. Your cavalry will ride ahead of the legion blazing a trail as we march and seeking out any possible ambushes. Inform the Cavalry Commander of Legion XIII to do the same for them.

COMMANDER: Immediately Praetor.

MAXIMUS: Excellent then prepare your men and begin the march. The Legionnaires will not be far behind.

(With that the Commander went and prepared the Cavalry to depart. By the time Maximus had conferred with the Generals of Legion XIII and XXXIV the respective Cavalries were already on the move carrying out their orders. Not long after, both legions had begun their marches. It took a week or so but they were soon upon their first objectives. The same tactics were employed by both legions of having the cavalry ride to the North side of town while the legion would attack from the South. They would kill everyone in the town and anyone that tried to escape would be run down by the cavalry. At the first objectives no one really put up a fight since most of their warriors were already off joining the rebel army. The legions then resupplied their food, etc. before burning the villages to the ground. They both then proceeded on their path marching northward towards their second objectives. As Legion XXXIV approached Urbiaca they began to use the same tactics by sending around the cavalry to the north and having the Legionnaires attack from the South. However the citizenry had obviously been tipped off and they proceeded to put up a small fight but soon enough the city was in flames as the Legion XXXIV began its march to Tarna. Legion XIII again found little resistance at their second objective and was now also marching on Tarna. When Legion XXXIV reached Tarna they were attacking into what as already a melee. The Legion XIII had arrived some time earlier and was already routing the populace. Soon enough the city was in flames and the two legions had made camp just to the South of Numantia, where it was understood the elders of the Arevaci tribe were currently living.)

***Destruction of Numantia***

(After many weeks of marching and destroying Northern Hispania the Legions XIII and XXXIV had finally reached the outskirts of Numantia. Maximus assumed and reports had shown that almost all of the Rebel Army was in Osca or the Pyrenees with this King Caros, leaving Numantia almost unguarded. However he knew they would put up a little bit of a fight. He called a meeting of his Generals and staff Officers.)

MAXIMUS: Gentlemen, most of this campaign has been easy so far. We have very few casualties either dead or injured to report which is excellent. However it is about to get a lot tougher. Numantia is basically their capital and although mostly unguarded those that are there will fight to the bitter end. I want the cavalry to hang back a little with the Legion XIII's cavalry stationed to the North and the Legion XXXIV's cavalry stationed to the South. The Legionnaires will position themselves to the East and West sides of the city. The Legionnaires will then move in and begin an attack upon the city itself with the Cavalry waiting in reserve to chase down anyone attempting to leave. If possible the elders are to be captured alive so that they can be crucified upon the ashes of the city once we burn it to the ground. Are there any questions?
(No one raised their hands so they were dismissed.)

(As the battle began everything went mostly as planned. The city had some defenses, but with most of the army gone with their so called King, they didn't put up much of a fight. The slaughter went on for hours and eventually the elders of the town were drug from the city while the legionnaires lit the city on fire. After a few days of letting the city burn to the ground it was finally time to deal with the elders that had defied their emperor. Maximus had them paraded through the legions, before being taken to what used to be the center of the city. There they were crucified and left to die. From there the legions marched back to the outskirts where they set up camp. Maximus had decided that for now they would wait until more reports from spies and informers returned with word on the movements of the rebel army.)

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By: A. Maximus Terpus, A. Agrippa Vitellius and A. Antonia Vitellius

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Musings of an Emperor

2004-07-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Augustus Tiberius Vitellius walked through Rome on a clear brisk morning, working his way along the Varran Marketplace, visiting the Circus Maximus, etc. He stopped in each temple to pray to the gods, not so much for himself, as he knew he had the favor of the gods, but for Rome. He loved the Empire more than life itself and was concerned that the gods were becoming apathetic. He worried not at all about his legions, as Mars loved Rome. But Jove had become more impatient, and the love that the Romans had for one another was waning. He spent more time in the temples of Jove and Venus than any others.

As he walked, he thought about how he never tired of seeing, no of imbibing, this glorious city into his being. He has been the Emperor for more than twice the age when he became Emperor. He can vaguely remember not being Emperor. It had been confirmed time and again by the gods that his destiny was to be the Emperor and to lead Rome to new heights.

His entire life had been characterized by conflict and war. He was born and raised during the worst Civil War in memory. His father had been killed during the Great Purge; his father! Whose loyalty was unquestioned! But those had been strange times. Sarius Manus had come to power as the result of a revolt, which had succeeded in overthrowing the old regime in a mysterious one-week coup. The success of the revolt had been assisted by a variety of misfortuntes: a plague and untimely deaths of the old Emperor's commanders included. Surely, such a thing would not happen again.

What was he to do? Fortunately, then as now, Vitellius family ties were strong and his uncle Otho took care of him. Perhaps in time, he could reward Otho through his son Justius, who was a very promising individual indeed, not to mention his son-in-law.

Now he had declared a Pax Romana, delayed by the very weak effort of a group of rebels who had no chance against the mighty Emperor. A Pax Romana, which would inaugurate new heights of economic prosperity and artistic adulation. Yes, he had his military challenges—the small band of rebels in Hispania that were not a serious threat, the mounting Asian threat in Thracia, which was being taken care of as he walked, and the border threats of Germani barbarians. Aegyptus seemed serious in the quest for an alliance with Rome, but Tiberius was never quick to sign alliances. All in all, it was a good day in Rome.

Upon finishing his walk after seeing a couple of plays (are the days of good playwriting gone for good?) he went into his private chambers to write some missives to be declared in the Newsus Maximus. The first concerned two festivals to the gods. The Temple Funds were to provide for two celebrations: one to Venus and one to Jove. This was a time when all of the gods should favor Rome.

As he turned to write the second, his young wife massaged his shoulders. She had provided him with two beautiful children whom he loved very much. He though on them and then on his adopted daughter Lora, who was married to Justius and his oldest son by his first wife, who he missed desperately, despite having a new wife. He had not heard from Augustus in some time, and that worried him.

His second missive was to his Military Consulus, Titus Sabaco. He was worried for Titus, for his health had been an issue throughout his life. He was bed-ridden during the last Civil War and now had requested to be relieved of his duty as Consulus because of health reasons. Tiberius regretted this because he was a true soldier of Rome and would have made a fine Prima. The Emperor assented and would soon be "demoting" him to Tribune. As one last act, however, he required the Military Consulus to direct action on the eastern border. Senator Cassandra Vitellius had reported the events of her mission with Senator Trunicas Agrippa.

The Emperor was not pleased, yet was not utterly dismayed. The mission, while not necessarily a success, had its merits. "Intelligence is no substitute for experience," thought the Emperor. Yet these two Senators still showed much promise.

Tiberius was not worried, but knew something had to be done in Rome. If he was to believe his Greek "spies", the Assyrians had retreated from Thracia, hoping to gain a small advantage on the neighboring Asians.

The Asian King intrigued Tiberius. He seemed brash and cocky, not to mention that he loved himself too much. A perfect candidate for deception. Perhaps Cassandra was on the right track. Maybe she could convince him to leave Thracia with no war. Tiberius wished for no armed conflict during this Pax and was willing to sacrifice the Senator for the good of the Empire if need be. The Empire came first! He sent a messenger to call for the young, beautiful Senator.
His Pax would begin on his terms, and end on his terms! He would expand the Empire to great lengths and heights, from Asia to Aegyptus to Germania! At least, that is what he wanted. Only the gods knew for sure what was in store for the future.

His musings being disturbed by his two grandchildren breaking in wanting to play, Tiberius enjoyed the rest of the morning with his family, content with the state of the Empire--yet the fire still raged inside for an even greater Rome!

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Written by Augustus Tiberius Vitellius

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Clouds in the East III

2004-07-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

A few months before earlier, Cassandra had asked Senators if she could be included in any Diplomatic missions. They did not answer her so she went to Emperor Tiberius, who reprimanded her for her breach of protocol for asking him directly. She was sent away. One month later she found herself leaving the throne room with an edict from the Emperor himself. He had charged her to go to Thracia and convince the two kings from Assyria and Asia to fight against each other and make them leave the land. He told her to petition Tribune Augustus Trunicas Agrippa to accompany her, since he knew the land well. She sent him this letter:

"Honored Tribune, I have been charged with a diplomatic mission to Thracia in order to ascertain what actions are to be taken concerning the threat to our eastern borders. The emperor suggested I contact you as an additional representative. I volunteered for this dangerous mission, but he insisted I be accompanied by one as intelligent as yourself. Are you interested?

Tribune Astria Cassandra Vitellius"

Thankfully, he responded positively.

The plan they agreed to follow was:

I. They left with a small contingent of Roman servants and Praetorain Guards for their protection.

II. They met in Greece with the leaders of the Aegean League as follows: The trip to Athens went by sea to Corinth, and then cut across land to Athens Later they would head to Thrace by sea.
----------------------------------

As they arrived in Athens, they were escorted into a luxurious villa belonging to Ioconsicles. Cassandra and Trunicus agreed that Trunicus would be silent until he needed to speak because he knew the area but wanted to be able to assess the situation. Theodosis, the Leader of the Aegean League, was also present. He said to the arriving diplomats, "Hail, Romans! I offer the greetings of the Aegean League. We are your loyal servants, as always. How may we serve you? We trust that you want our advice on the current situation, with Asia and the Seleucid Kingdom?"

"We request that you comply with any requests that me and Cassandra make," started Trunicas. "Also that this mission is kept quiet."

"Certainly! That is a reasonable request," replied Theodosis.

"To get straight to the point," Cassandra started, "We are representing Rome on a mission to rid the east of this incursion against our empire. We wish to play the Asian and Assyrian tyrants against each other."

"Yes, that's not surprising," Theodosis replied. "Tell me, Tribune, is your Emperor going to dispatch his legions to the east? Now that the Civil War is over, we are expecting a reasonable response on the part of the Roman military."

"You shall soon see legions mounting on the borders. The Emperor takes this as a serious threat," Cassandra said.

"Good, as we expected. We regret that we could not stop the crossing of the Bosphorus," said the leader of the Aegean League. "But we were in a difficult political situation. We had to protect Rhodes against a possible Asian attack, and no state of war exists between Rome and Asia"

"Your actions were correct," Cassandra calmy said. "It is our intent to get rid of them without war."

Theodosis nodded. "Allow me to share my thoughts with you. Ioconsicles and I both agree that Asia and Assyria are not firm allies. In fact, they are more naturally enemies than friends."

Cassandra responded, "Trunicas and I and the emperor agree and would reward assistance in playing the two of them against each other."

"If you are journeying to the Bosphorus, I suggest that you approach the Assyrians alone. Ignore the Asians," warned Theodosis.

"We have slightly different plans but respect your opinion, Theodosis."

"Certainly. Our navy is yours, of course!", said Theodosis.

Cassandra smiled. "Trunicas can be our guide and we can follow his lead. He has been to Thracia and it is a dangerous place.

"Trust me, Cassandra, we know Thracia very well," said Theodosis. "The people of Byzantium are our Greek brothers."

"Yes," Ioconsicles added, speaking for the first time that night. "I visited myself. I will go with you, if you wish."

Cassandra agreed. "I see. That is good. Ioconsicles, you can join me to meet with the Asians while if Theodosius does not mind, he can join Trunicas to meet with Assyria."

"So you wish for both of us to accompany you?" Theodosis asked. "To let you know, Asia and Assyria are not on friendly terms. We think that the Seleucid (Assyrian) King has some secret motives. Otherwise, he would not be committing an army to Thrace"

"King Galikanasus is of the old guard of Seleucid nobility," Trunicas added, "and is coming to the end of his days, but I personally see no advantages in occupying Thrace in the first place for Assyria."

"I will also go with you in person, if you wish," said Theodosis.

Trunicas replied, ""I would like some political advice, in some areas, so yes I would appreciate your accompanyment, but I recommend that I do the talking as Rome being neutral in this."

"Alright. That is understandable. Now," continued Theodosius "we Greeks have a few requests for your government."

"Yes? We are willing to listen and help where we can," Cassandra responded. Trunicas raised an eyebrow.

"Your tax rate is set at 40% for the provinces," said the Greek leader. "This is somewhat heavy. Especially considering our services to the Empire... our fleets are expensive, as you know."

"The Emperor recently made it lower to be easier for you," the Tribune countered. "It was at 45%. I believe that shows his concern for the provinces."

"Yes, he lowered the taxes and we appreciate it," Theodosis conceded. "We have never doubted the good will of the Romans. However, we might have a few extra requests, if possible. We would like Rome to place the Aegean League in charge of maritime governance in the Aegean."

"We cannot authorize this, of course, but we can present it to the emperor" she said, with no intention of doing so. Cassandra was aware of the recent rumors about creating a large Roman navy.

"You see," Theodosis explained, "because of the absence of a Roman navy and also a military absence during the Civil War, we have been de facto administrators of maritime affairs. We collect the tariffs and direct the policies of Aegean trade. We would like a Roman statute granting the Aegean League governance over the affairs of the Aegean Sea" he requested. "This would simply confirm in code the status quo."

Cassandra smiled and says nothing. Theodosis continued, "We are, of course, your loyal servants. We do not desire independence... simply some reasonable authority."

"I personally see nothing wrong with you request," Trunicas says. "It is both informative and has logic behind it, but you must remember this recognition can only come from the Emperor himself."

"That is a big demand," Cassandra finally responded. "And I agree with my compatriot. We promise to bring it to the Senate for proposal. We will do everything we can to make it go through." Part of diplomacy is to shade the truth at times, she thought.

"Well it is best that you take control of this Cassandra for I will not be returning to Rome after this, I will hopefully returning to my Great Grandmothers home near Dodona, where I will be studying."

Cassandra smiled. She remembered now their discussion while they were sailing to Greece.

"Thank you," Theodosis smiled. "You see, actually it is not such a large demand. We already administer maritime policy in the Aegean. This simply confirms what already is! As always, we will assist you against the Asians."

"Both you have already stated and we stand ready to commence our journey," she said.

"We also hope for eventual independence for our Greek brothers in Ephesus and the coastal cities of Asia Minor, who are currently under the Asian yoke." Theodosis was fishing for something and she knew it.

"We unfortunately are not aware of all of the policies of the Senate, being mere Tribunes, but you can bet we will look into it."

"I understand," said Theodosis. "Very well. Now, my servants have prepared a banquet in honor of our Roman friends.
Will you be my guests?"

"We will happily attend," Trunicas responds.

"Good. Right this way, to the dining hall."

The diplomats enjoyed a beautiful evening in Athens. Everything was calm. Cassandra said to herself, "The storm, the trip to Thracia, starts tomorrow."

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III. On the trip to Thracia, the two tribunes discussed their plans without the two Greek representatives. Cassandra was going to use her great wiles and beauty to impress the young and impetous Asian king Alujah while Trunicas would use different methods to turn the aging King Galikanasus against the Asians.

They showed each other the forged letters that would aid in their quest. With the chaos that would hopefully ensue, the Roman armies could demand that the two armies leave Thracia under threat of severe retribution. The ultimate plan was for Thracia to ask Rome to occupy their land for protection from the eastern civilizations. Of course, one point bothered the Tribunes. After the discussions, the two slept restlessly.

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IV. Trunicas went to meet with Galkinasus with Theodosis and Cassandra traveled with Iconocles to meet King Alujah. They landed in a secret area and split so they could not be discovered as in cahoots. Of course, this was incredibly difficult to accomplish, as Theodosis had warned. But the Romans proceeded anyway- it was worth an attempt.

Trunicas attempted to convince the older king that Asia was about to attack him there. After Trunicus completed his account, the chamber was full of awkward silence. The Seleucid monarch sat silently, pondering what he had heard. He frowned- then turned and muttered something to his General Tekinatus. The General responded in quick Greek. Galkinasus stood and addressed the Tribune. "Very good. Thank you, friend, for this information. You are dismissed." After the delegates left the room, Theodosis whispered to Trunicus, "They don't believe you. This plan was not very convincing. The Seleucids have many spies watching the Asians. And yet you tried to convince them that you, a Roman from far away, knew some secret information that they did not know themselves! Everybody knows that the Romans have very few agents in the eastern world. I wish that you had followed our advice. But fortunately, the Seleucids have no particular motive for aiding the Asian agenda. We'll have to see how they respond."

Meanwhile, Cassandra visited the Asian King. She tried to personally impress Alujah while persuading the king that Rome's intentions were good. She then said that she had to meet with him privately to share some sensitive information that the Greeks should not know about. Ioconsicles was not pleased by these developments; he had been against meeting with the Asian king to begin with. Nevertheless, he took the hint and excused himself from the audience.

"So what is so important, young Tribune of Rome?" asked the king inviting her to sit across from him on some cushions."

"I actually just received news that I have become a Senator," she said.

The King responded with a positive note; "Excellent. Congratulations." She had to be careful.

"King, the Roman Empire has just declared a Pax Romana, I am sure you have heard. I know that the Emperor is tired of fighting. There has been war his whole life. That is why he now wants peace. I am here to help make the peace easier. We have intercepted an important message from the Assyrian king to his army."

Alujah sat up in alarm. "You have? What did it say?"

Cassandra unrolled her forged scroll. "I will show you."

He fell for it. "It is his writing and his seal," he said. "He plans to attack me next week? He thinks I am blind to him? We will see!"

The king stood up and summoned his guards and sent the message to his general. "Why did you show this to me? Don’t you want war between us?"

"We want peace. I wasn’t going to share this, but..."

"But?" he asked, seeing a light in her eyes.

Cassandra smiled. "But you are so passionate about your people and I love that. You love your power and what you have. We are hoping that helping you with this will lead to a pact between us. We can trade and so forth. Maybe even more."

"My lady, if you really want peace, why not abandon Rome? Come and live with me." He smiled, trying to appear charming.

"No, I will not. You are very charismatic and I am truly taken with you, but at the moment, my duty to Rome and peace is most important. I shall not get rid of the notion of seeing you further, though."

King Alujah smiled and admitted, "Very good, Cassandra. I am pleased. You go back to your emperor and tell him that I am interested in talking about peace. We shall deal with the Assyrians and stay in Thracia, but we will talk about a pact. Now, perhaps you will want to spend some time here..."

Suddenly, the doors opened and Asian General Hasefine walked briskly into the room, with Ioconsicles close behind. The General, clearly annoyed by the Greek's decision to follow, turned and said "Leave, now!"

Ioconsicles glanced at Cassandra. He appeared to be concerned.

Hasifine snapped at Cassandra, "You, out as well!"

Alujah was infuriated by his General's rude demand. "How dare you, General! She is my guest!"

But the General pulled his young King aside and began to speak rapidly to him in a hushed tone. Alujah was clearly dismayed. But he submitted to the advice of his General, and turned to Cassandra. With a look of disappointment, he said, "you may leave." Cassandra nodded, and departed from the chamber.

Outside, Ioconsicles told Cassandra, "There are spies, my lady. There are spies..."

Cassandra frowned. She wasn't entirely certain what he was talking about.

The Greek continued, "I am certain that they were aware of our joint landings. As I said, they are old enemies... they don't trust each other. Both Kings are carefully watched by the agents of the other. Alujah is an arrogant young fool, but his Counselors understand the situation. Now they both know that we were trying to stir up trouble by sending a delegation to 'secretly' approaching each King."

Cassandra wasn't sure if she believed him. "But Ioconsicles, Alujah trusted me."

The Greek sighed. "One King does not make a nation. But he can ruin a nation. Alujah's General obviously learned of your attempt to secretly negotiate with two sides at once. Your ploy didn't work, but I feel that our possition is still strong. The Asians and Assyrians are no more trustful of each other today than they were yesterday." He was tempted to state, once again, that they should have approached Assyria alone, as Theodosis had suggested. But he diplomatically decided to keep his mouth shut.

The journey back to Rome was short and uneventful. Cassandra prepared for an audience with the Emperor; she planned on explaining everything to him.

Meanwhile, in his Palace in Rome, Emperor Tiberius received some vital information from Aegean League. Assyria's entire army had withdrawn from Thrace! There was no war or conflict between the two sides, but now only the Asian army was left occupying Byzantium and the surrounding region. The Assyrian force was heading back to Antioch (perhaps), along with the Seleucid King. Tiberius read a letter from Theodosis:

"Our information suggests that the Seleucid monarchy was never committed to this alliance, and had ulterior motives. Alujah is young and vain- he is also aggressive and unpredictable. Military action, or at least a military display, could be required to expel his forces from Europe forever. We suspect that Assyria might attempt to take advantage of Asia's current weakness.

~Your Ob't Servant, Theodosis of the Aegean Leaegue."

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By: Astria Cassandra Vitellius, Augustus Trunicus Agrippa, GM (QMA)

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The Games of Titus Sabaco

2004-07-23T10:55:00.001-07:00

Military Consulus A. Titus Sabaco was a man renowned for his prickly temperament, when he felt his dignitas impinged upon. He believed in Rome's old ways. A rigid social hierarchy, with each citizen in their place. As to non-citizens, they never entered in to his personal, or political calculations. The possibility of holding a great games though was an idea that appealed to his religious, political and social inclinations. More importantly, he was a man wealthy enough to act upon his inclinations.

He called his chief steward and asked him simply to find the funds to pay for a great games and public festival to be held in Rome in honour of Titus' Patron god Mars. It was to be held as soon as the resources, animals for the beast hunts, Gladiators and additional food supplies could be procured.

The steward looked pensive for a few moments then asked what for him was the most important question. "How much am I allowed to spend on this, one, perhaps two million sisterces?"

"No, what ever it takes. My only caveat is that what I spend shall not exceed what is spent by the Emperor in the Imperial Budget. I am not seeking election to office. I simply wish to pay homage to the god that has made Rome great!"

The steward retreated hastily from Titus' study, his mind awhirl with a thousand details that had already sprung to mind with this command from his master (he was a Greek Slave trained to run a great Aristocrat's household)

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, bathing a city that was buzzing with excitement for the huge games that would begin that day. It had taken months to bring exotic animals from all points of the compass. there were lions, crocodiles, wild beasts from within the Empire and far outside its limits. Most amazing, and reputedly shockingly expensive, were strange white bears from the far North that were reputedly able to swim like fish!

There would be one hundred pairs of trained Gladiators, in addition to the beastiarii who would fight the various wild animals. The Imperial prisons had been emptied of 300 convicts, who would find "interesting" deaths to entertain the crowds between the "Main Events" of the two day spectacular.

The crowds began to gather early. seating for most was free, but the number of seats that offered good views of the Arena were limited. Thousands had come to Rome to view the games and join in the feasts. It would be a Public Holiday for all, in all but name and funding. So those Plebeians who wanted a good view had to come early. already crimpers, whores and street vendors were plying their trades. Praetorian Guards and soldiers of the Urban Cohorts kept a close eye on the crowds to ensure that there was no public disorder.

By mid morning the Arena was full to the Brim. the best seating was in the first tier of seating. The Imperial box of course was the best seating in the whole stadium. Also on the lowest tiers of seating were the seats assigned to Senators, Equites, soldiers of the Praetorian Guard and those foreign dignitaries that were though "worthy".

Above them, was the seating for the common people of Rome. Higher still sat slaves and highest of all women.

The Emperor acted as the presiding magistrate the first day. Titus did not even attend the games that he had spent millions to provide Rome. On the second day though, Emperor Tiberius very thoughtfully excused himself from the day's games and asked Titus himself to preside. As guest of Honor, to sit in the box with him, Titus invited Proconsulus Brutus Crassus Dio. There were a few other young senators and aspiring military offices invited to join the two men in the box, although they would have seats in a second row behind the Consulus and Proconsulus. Among them was Officer Rufus Actius Dio- a man of potential, in the eyes of Titus Sabaco.

The games went well on both days. The weather had been kind and the games had been exciting to see. The polar bear had been a show stopper of course. The festivities had also provided thousands with food in a huge out door extravaganza that had fed and entertained all who wished, while laying honour upon the Mars for his obvious favour of Rome.
Titus went to bed that night a happy man. What was 5,000,000 to him? He had paid honour to his patron god and revered Emperor.

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By: Augustus Titus Sabaco

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Imperial Cavalry

2004-07-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

Publius Nero Terpus was known as a man who enjoyed to enjoy himself, yet in the wine garden he was sitting in, he remained alone, in the corner, with nothing but a small glass of the cheapest wine available, he spoke to none. He was instead looking through out the open door, in the back, at the young men who were riding on this dark night. Nero was outside Syracuse, looking for recruits into his new cavalry Ala. He had found after many months of hand picking, that pubs and taverns were you would find brave young cavalry officers. True he had recruits from the elite of Rome, but he also had selected a dozen men from the prisons of Napoli. Nero knew the type of man he wanted, young, daring, rash and overconfident. These were the best. And as he looked out the door, in the back of a cheap, smelly pub in Syracuse, Nero believed he had found another soldier for his unit.

The idea had been brewing in his mind for years, Nero was raised on the backs of horses, his father, Titus Publius Terpus, was a master horseman. Nero had never forgotten how his father had become a rich man, by breeding the finest horses in the empire, The Romana Terpine. his father had called them, they were larger than many others, but they were bred for obedience and speed before beauty. Publius had spent his entire life breeding his new horse, and now his son, Nero, would take his fathers horse, and make it a tool of the roman legion. Only months after joining the legion, Nero sent a proposal to the Military Consul, A. Titus Sabaco, it was titled "Report on VII Legion Experiment with Regards to Mounted Warfare". In it, Nero illustrated his plan to take the rather weak roman cavalry and transform it into a formidable force by creating 2 types of cavalry. The first type would be called the Clibanarii, they would be mounted very heavily, and would be used to destroy enemy formations. They were to be a fast moving battering ram of sorts, a unit that could move much more quickly than legionaries, and smash formations much more formidable than the legions were easily capable of defeating. The second unit would be equally as intimidating, they would ride on his fathers horses, who were being mass bred and gathered , and would be very lightly armored. These men would be his light cavalry, they were a more rugged breed than they heavy cavalry. They would rely on the bow in battle, riding quickly into the enemies rear to create chaos, and destroy a enemy from behind. They would spend whole weeks in the field, away from the enemy. Nero tried to pick these men from the lower classes, and particularly from men who had grown up far away from Rome, in the country.

Nero had taken over a year to find over 1,500 men, personally for his unit. He selected based on horsemanship, discipline, and bravado. The light cavalry had to be master archers, as well as masters of the mounted charge. The heavy cavalry had to be able to wear their amour correctly as well as be able to fight flawlessly in battle in it. Nero had selected his officers from the best and brightest young men in Rome, but not exclusively. True, the men in his officer ranks HAD to be Roman, but not noble roman. About half his men were selected from around the empire for their intelligence and skill on the horse, the other half were some of the best young men from other cavalry units. These men were selected by Titus Sabaco, and sent to his new unit. The consul for military was extremely interested in the success of the unit. No expense had been spared. He sent the best equipment, the best drill officers, the best food, the best wine, and the best young cavalry men to Nero. This unit was to be a model of the future of roman cavalry, a blueprint for how cavalry in Rome should be made after in the future.

This is not to say the new units were without problems, the Clibanarii had trouble finding horses strong enough to carry them in full armor into battle. In order to find the right mounts, Nero had sent his officers all over the empire, until one returned from a region on the northern fringe of the empire. Old men in the village were once cavalry for the northern league, they spoke of a "Master Horse" they had ridden so many years in the past. Eventually the officer had found them, a group of horses who lived on the edge of the alpine mountains, now wild. These horses were larger than any Rome had ever seen, and they seemed large enough to support the Clibanarii. Nero had brought up his officers to that remote area, and spent a month personally domesticating the horses. The new horses had a mind of their own, but were massive, even compared to the Romana Terpine Nero loved so dearly. Nero had had much trouble deciding how to arm the Clibanarii. He had eventually settled on giving them javelins, specially designed for both throwing, and for thrashing, as well as the cavalry spatha. Nero gave them cavalry spears but had designed them to be slightly larger than a typical roman cavalry shield for extra protection. They also wore a heavy helm, a new type that had been designed during a meeting between Nero Terpus and Titus Sabaco. The light cavalry was revolutionary in its design. They wore long chain mail shirts, painstakingly made by the blacksmiths to the Emperor himself. But they wore only a standard helm, and their shields were painfully light. The light cavalry was dependent largely on their arrows and javelin to win a battle, but they were excellent at mounted charges with the cavalry spatha. Speed was their great weapon.

Nero made sure the men were united in mind as well. He had them always work as a unit. Individuality was promoted on a group level only. Each Alae was to act different from another. Each Alae had its own personality, a slightly different uniform and a slightly different way of doing things. In this way unit competition was started, although it was very important that each unit get along with the next, the element of competition drove the men to work harder. It also drove the units to stamp out individualism. Men were made to act just like the next, personal effects were not permitted beyond a few trinkets and a few letters from home. Prostitutes were kept away from the units, and a soldier had to literally get permission from his superiors to leave camp to visit one. In this way no soldier could be a "pimp", preventing individuality (and venereal diseases). essentially, each unit was made to be a fraternity, a all inclusive group of soldiers totally committed to being the best cavalry. This singular goal and drive was perhaps the most important element of the new cavalry.

Finally, on the plains of Northern Italy, Nero assembled his full cavalry division, over 1000 men and horses stood in perfect formation, with the light cavalry to the left side, and the heavy cavalry to the right side. They all stood, unit banners waving, the men mounted in perfect uniform. Nero, although renowned for a fabulous and carrying voice, could not possible call out loud enough for every man to hear. Nero instead spent the better part of a hour talking to individuals and small groups of men, he knew the names of almost every man, as he had hand selected them. For that entire hour, not a man flinched, and no man dismounted. Finally, with great pageantry, Nero headed to the front of the unit, mounted his grey steed, and drew his spahta. In his loudest voice, he yelled "Let this be the weapon to crush all foes!" at which his vanguard shouted, and then every man, in unison cried out. For miles the call was heard, and then the unit leapt forth, the sound of over 4000 shoed horse feet crashing on dirt and stone pulverized the silence, as the New Cavalry Vexillation of Legion VII rode, making way to Rome for inspection.

It took them only a few short days, and when they arrived at their camp, 3 miles north of Rome, Nero had them break for the evening. He rode with a few of his officers into the city. They entered the walls, and made way to the palatine, where they were instructed to meet Consul Titus Sabaco. There in the full and beautiful regalia of the military consul, stood Titus.

"Hail, Sir. I have completed the task you assigned me, and it is excellent" Nero called to Titus

"I certainly expected no less, and I hope your work is truly grand, they are to be inspected by a man even more important than I. " Titus Replied. "The Emperor has decided he must see our little pet project for himself."

Bewildered, Nero quickly returned to his unit, making sure everything was immaculate. Nero was incredibly and visibly nervous that night, he sent men to get the best wine, he prepared the grand officers tent as a reception room for the emperor. His units woke at dawn, polishing armor and cleaning off uniforms. The men stood in their formations as the emperors party arrived, mounted on the parade-ground. The emperors men made way past the units, the emperor barely visible, clad in black and purple, made way to Nero. And dismounted.

"It is good for our empire that this unit exists, you have my thanks." He said.

Nero dismounted and removed his helm. He bowed slightly before saying "Sir, I should thank you for letting this unit be born. On behalf of the men here assembled, and on behalf of the Terpus House, I offer you my mount as a gift." Nero reached back, as a stable hand brought the grey horse forward. The Emperor looked at it, and smiled slightly, mounting it

"You will go far, Publius Nero Terpus, do not fail the Empire, and do not fail me." The emperor said

"The two are inseparable" Nero said, bowing low

With that, the emperor rode back past the unit and to the walls of the city of Rome. The men of his unit felt as though they were the best unit ever, their confidence at a all time low, as the next morning they made way to link up with the rest of the legion.

Aftermath:Legion VII builds 3 new units of cavalry, of extremely high ability. The other cavalry is broken up and reintroduced throughout other legions. 2 units is light cavalry, 1 is heavy cavalry

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By: Publius Nero Terpus

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A New Era

2004-07-23T10:54:00.001-07:00

With the end of the Civil War, Rome was clearly on the brink of a new era. But many people wondered what kind of era it would be. Were they destined to live in a great Pax Romana, as Emperor Tiberius proclaimed? Or would this be an age of more suffering and strife? The purge of the Manus family was cheered by some elements of the populace, but other Romans thought that the slaughter of even the young children was extreme. After all, Manus was a very large family, and many of the members were only distant relatives. Nevertheless, a large number of prominent business-minded Equites rejoiced with the end of the Civil War. They were very fond of Emperor Tiberius... the Emperor's low tax policy was viewed as a godsend. Stability was also a source of commercial prosperity. Recently, a group of wealthy merchants of the equite Galerinus family announced a plan to honor the Emperor. "As a tribute to his glorious leadership and wisdom, we shall contruct a great statue of Tiberius Vitellius alongside the statue of Antoninus Maxus in the Forum Romanum!" proclaimed paterfamilias Julius Glerinus.

But not everyone was satisfied by the current state of affairs. The urban prolitariate demanded the "bread and circuses", while the provincials appealed for a tax cut. Bad news continued to emerge from both Hispania and Thrace. The powerful Greek Aegean League continued to minotor the Asian advance, but clearly they expected some action on the part of the Romans.

In Rome, some of the most significant elections in recent history were ongoing. Politicians vied for office. The Eternal City was once again a bustling center of commerce, government, festivities, and intrigue. For better or for worse, this was a true Roman era.

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By: GM (QMA)

OOC GM Note: This sets the stage for the post-Civil War period of the Roman Legion. It will be different (and hopefully better) in a number of ways. We have the new election system in process. There is plenty of room for political intrigue and military strategy. I hope to retain a high level of overall activity, through scenarios and extra features such as the festivals. Also, keep your eyes open for an official fleet listing on the garrison in the near future. I plan on posting scenarios at least once a week, and sometimes more often. Congrats, everyone! The game hasn't been this successful in a very long time!

Any questions, comments, or suggestions can be sent to QMARoma@hotmail.com

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The New Consuls

2004-07-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Consular elections immediately following the end of the Civil War were unlike any elections in recent history. They aroused the Roman people, from the lowliest plebeian to the greatest patrician. Of course, only the propertied notables were permitted to vote. But a variety of elements of the Roman society eagerly pressed their agendas. In the eyes of any foreign visitor, the vibrancy of the world's greatest city was clearly evident. Distant threats in Hispania and Thrace did not dull the spirit of the Romans. They retained overwhelming confidence in the abilities of their military.

Roman citizens followed the progress of the elections with apprehension. The news of the execution of Prima Legatus Horadrius Appus- a significant event under normal circumstances- did very little to distract their attention from the political theater. Prima Horadrius had been a non-entity in the government, and few Romans mourned his death. Without a doubt, the purge of the Manus family stirred up more resentment toward Emperor Tiberius than the execution of Appus. Some Romans even cheered the demise of the Prima. But most simply didn't care. They preferred to hear news of the elections.

Finally, after a long period of balloting, the electoral officials prepared to announce the results. The respected Pontifex Borius Publius Sabaco (NPC) declared, from the steps of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolium, "Aggripina Antonia Vitellius and Brutus Crassus Dio have been elected Consuls of Rome!"

The crowds cheered as Antonia and Crassus made their way up the steps. There, they were saluted by twenty-four lictors- twelve for each Consul, according to the ancient tradition. Then they each sat on an ivory curule chair: the throne of a Consul of the Republic.

Antonia and Crassus were the leaders of the new Senate. Nevertheless, they both understood that their powers were limited. After the initial ceremonies of inauguration, the Consuls processed to the Imperial Palace to pay respects to the Princeps, Imperator Augustus Tiberius Vitellius.

**SPQR**

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By: GM (QMA) and everyone who voted! ;-)

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Numantine War

2004-07-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

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Tarraco: Roman Administrative Capital of Eastern Hispania
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As the litter moved along the streets of Tarraco, the provincial peasants scurried to get out of the way. The slaves carried the "mobile couch" at a quick and deliberate pace, despite the three hundred pound load, while a squad of bodyguards marched behind. The occupant, Sarius Vibrius, gazed out at the commoners. "Bloody pigs," he moaned. "They were meant to fill the treasuries and purses of the glorious Roman race. Otherwise they serve no purpose." He reached for another grape, and considered his current situation. Everything had been going along rather well until some intrusive young politicians from Rome arrived in Carthago Nova, to the South. Ever since then, the Roman officials of Hispania had been barraged with the news that the central government was intent on investigating "excessive corruption" in Iberia. Sarius Vibrius scoffed. As Procurator of North Hispania, he was primarily responsible for overseeing the collection of taxes. Somehow, his name had been included in a report of corrupt officials. "Me, corrupt?" Vibrius muttered to himself. "What a travesty!"

A few minutes later, he arrived at his opulent villa. Sarius Vibrius loved his estate in Tarraco. Recently, however, some prominent Romans had been complaining about the fact that he lived far away from his assigned Procuratorial post: Numantia. "Why would I want to live in Numantia?" Vibrius said to himself. "I'd probably be killed in that filthy latrine of a village! The barbarians hate me. Here, I am comfortable and safe." He chuckled. His well-armed agents were still able to collect taxes in the north-western regions of Iberia. They did not require direct oversight!

Once inside his Villa, Vibrius began to review the tax records along with his deputy, Actius Ponus. Vibrius frowned. Record low returns this year. Maybe his agents did require some oversight! He turned to Actius and declared, "Those ruffians are stealing money from me! Err... from Rome! This is unacceptable. Go find Tentrius, and have him report to me at once." Actius nodded and quickly set off on his assignment. The Procurator moaned and rubbed his bloated stomach. "I suppose I'll have to limit myself to three hundred thousand this year. The rest will go to the vile Tiberius and that despondent Senate."

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Numantia: Capital city of Northern Hispania
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In the heat of the summer, the farmers were in the fields for one of the best harvests in recent years. The theme of their conversation was the same everywhere: the independence of the Northern Hispania and the choice of a new King by the assembly of the elders. However, the Arevaci tribe was divided about the path for obtaining independence from Rome. In the eyes of the majority, only war could bring them total independence, but for others, negotiation with the Romans was a viable alternative for progress toward limited autonomy. The chieftains from each clan, usually old and wise men, came to the meeting in Numantia. They came from important cities such as Valentia, Osca, Toletum, Segovia, and Numantia itself. Their mission was to choose the new King and approve, or reject, his policy.

After several hours of debate, a name emerged as the best candidate for the crown: Caros. This young, athletic, very tall man, with long blond hair, beard, brown eyes, and dark skin, was the man who promised the Averaci tribe total independence from Rome. His parents had been killed by the Romans in the last rebellion, and he hated the Romans so deeply that he promised himself that he would do anything to defeat and humiliate Rome. Over the last 3 years, he and some of his followers had created a new, disciplined and motivated army. Surprisingly, the native army's existence was not noticed by the local Roman officials. Fortunately for Caros, the Romans only ventured into the northern regions of Hispania when they wanted to collect taxes. Otherwise, they ignored the activities of the Iberian tribes. The Roman Procurator didn't even reside in his own region of jurisdiction!

In the afternoon, finally, the assembly of the elders formed a big circle. Inside this circle stood the four final candidates. Outside the circle stood an enormous crowd of thousands of Arevaci people. Caros spoke first "My People, my brothers! We have now an unique opportunity to achieve the best prize that a man can have: total freedom. For many years the Romans ruled us, controlled our lands, and demanded taxes , but what have we gained with their rule? I tell you: famine, war, humiliation and slavery. Now we can choose to fight and be free or remain slaves for the rest of our lives. Is this the legacy that you want to leave to your children: slavery? Join me, be strong, control your own lives! We the Arevaci people… "

But Caros was suddenly interrupted by another candidate called Zavala "You refer to yourself Caros? Your grandfather was Suevi and consequently you are not an Arevaci of pure blood. And now you want to rule us? Besides, your policy of attacking the Romans will bring us the destruction of our land through war and famine. Yes, the Romans will react to our attack, I have no doubt about that. They will march against us with full strength and will annihilate us as they did before. Thus if we attack them it will be a serious mistake. We must negotiate with them in order to gain more autonomy. You only will destroy our people and…"

Caros became furious and interrupted Zavala "What you said is true, my grandfather was Suevi, but I love this country more than you and your pathetic friends. You speak as a traitor and it is clear to me that you have some kind of pact with the Romans! I will bring a new era to our people, but you propose slavery and obedience to your masters: the Romans!" Many tribesmen looked to Zavala and disapproved his lack of patriotism. Zavala understood the popular sentiments. He moved forward and yelled at Caros "You are a pig! The Arevaci people will not follow a mad man like you! I challenge you to a duel with the traditional weapons. Let the Gods decide who will rule the Northern Hispania."

The others two candidates remain in silence and fearfully left the assembly of the elders. The two men started to move in circle, each of them armed with a falcata, traditional Hispanic sword, and a small wooden shield. Zavala was the first to strike but Caros ducked from his blow. Then Caros attacked and destroyed Zavala´s shield with his falcata. The two adversaries continued to move in circle. Zavala thrusted again with his sword, but he was punched in his face by the Caros´ wooden shield. Zavala was bleeding from his nose and mouth but didn´t give up. He attacked again but Caros moved fast and avoided each of Zavala´s blows. Zavala became very tired and Caros didn´t miss the opportunity; he moved fast and stabbed Zavala´s stomach. In agony, Zavala fell to the ground and died.

After a brief moment of silence, thousands of Arevaci people started to yell "King Caros! King Caros! King Caros!". The assembly of the elders, more intimidated than convinced by Caros, decided to proclaim him King of the Arevaci people. In the evening the Arevaci priests performed a great religious ceremony in honour of the new King Caros and their God of health and welfare, Eudovelicus. The new King offered some sacrifices to the Eudovelicus and also to some minor bull deities, while many Arevaci people danced, drank wine, ate pork and prayed. In the morning of the next day the King Caros left Numantia with all his cavalry, 6,000 mounted men, and went to the city of Osca in order to gather his army there.

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By: Aggripina Antonia Vitellius, GMs (Titus Sabaco and QMA)

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End of a Rebellion

2004-07-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

The Civil War that seemed to blight Rome without end, continued to drag on with seemingly no end in sight. However behind the scenes the rivalries and hatreds of Rome's leaders continued to effect the way that the outcome would be resolved. As it was both sides had large armies that glowered at each other, without seeking military resolution, from both sides of the Alpine Passes.
Politicians feared to speak, as they thought that their words would be used against them by one side or the other. This had done much to paralyze the internal political life of Rome. Foreign powers and rebels from within the Empire sought to use Rome's distress to further their own agendas. Even business life in Rome had been effected by the Civil Wars, with reduced activity by the Equites as they waited to see what would be the outcome of the war before they invested their capital in fixed assets. Such were the baleful impacts of Civil War.

General A. Julius Maxus was commander of an Imperial Legion under the command Of Praetor Terpus. They were located, along with the bulk of the legions deployed to fight the Rebellion, in Cisalpine Gaul. There was one other thing that marked A. Julius Maxus' life, his brother was A. Scipio Maxus Praetor and sole commander of the Rebel Army. Such were the fissures that Civil War opened in families, brother fought brother. It was there for perhaps, logical that Julius would receive a secret dispatch from his brother asking for his help. to seek aid from a brother is a natural thing indeed.

Julius looked at the message in total disbelief. His brother, A. Scipio Maxus, was offering to allow him to command his legions. He was it seemed ill and was not able to exercise any kind of practical leadership and thought that his sibling would be able to do this in his stead. Julius was after all an experienced General.

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After several weeks of preparations, A. Julius Maxus slipped away from his post. Employing backroads and byways he traveled in plain clothes to join his brother in Rhaetia. It seemed that the plan to have a new battle commander was unfolding nicely for A. Scipio Maxus. Additionally, Julius Maxus was RICH, he had the personal wealth to pay the whole army for the first year of his command.

This was no small matter, as the Rebel troops had not been paid in months. This was causing great discontent in their ranks. Where was the loot and bonuses that Marius Manus, the now deceased commander of the Belgican Legions, had promised? The troops wanted gold and they were not very particular where it came from.
Also Julius had thought about the matter of food supplies. The Empire was closed to the Rebels as a source of food supplies. Rhaetia was stripped bare, both from the Civil Wars, as well as the earlier campaigns of Praetor T. Sarius Julianus. This too was an issue the Julius felt he would be able to address, should Scipio give him command.

General A. Julius Maxus reached the camp of the Rebels and immediately went to see his brother. Praetor A. Scipio Maxus lay on a cot in his Praetorium. He was pallid and thin, his limbs wasted from the illness that had blighted him these several months.
Without too much preamble, Julius stated simple "I am to be appointed your Praetor?"

Scipio looked at him and stated simply "Yes brother, I am ill and unable to act. You have said that I can trust you if I give you command. I believe that, for you would never dare to join me unless your heart was completely in the Rebellion I lead."

Julius paused a fraction then after a deep breath spoke. "I will assume command of your legions. I will pay them and I will feed them. You though will allow me complete control of the troops until my plan is complete?"
Scipio coughed horribly and simply nodded in reply.
Julius. "Complete Control?"

Scipio summoned up his last strength and said simply one word. "Yes!" Then he fell back unto his cot.

Looking at his brother with a calm eye, Julius looked at his brother. "I think you need to take a cure, in one of the spas. Your health look deplorable! Plus I do not want the troops to think there are to heads that rule this army."

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Now "Praetor" A. Julius Maxus span about on his heel and marched out the Praetorium. He immediately ordered that all commanders should report to him at the first hour of the afternoon.

The meeting was brief and to the point. A. Julius Maxus announced that the troops would receive, as soon as the collection of wagons arrived a full years pay in gold coin. The various commanders were surprised. He then stated that the army would soon have its food supplies guaranteed,. Julius rapidly established that no commanders had any issue with these promises.

Indeed the relief that they had a capable and decisive commander was palpable in the room. Many knew that Praetor A. Scipio Maxus had never been a man of decisive action and recent events had proved this.

The troops had at first been leery of their new "commander". However the rapid appearance of 20,000,000 sisterces in gold had done much to improve the credibility of Julius with the troops. Julius took pains to tour the legion camps and speak to grizzled Centurion as well as more fresh faced Legionaries on his tours.

In a period of three months, the troops may not have loved Julius, but they did TRUST him, as did his commanders.

All through this period, Julius had been in constant contact with his "spies". Some were men who had been trusted by A. Scipio Maxus in his attempts to divide the Imperialist forces. Most notable was Genera A. A. Vitellius. Commander of an Imperial legion (Legio II (c) in Noricum), who had been in secret negotiation with Scipio for some time. From this source, food supplies had suddenly began to pass to the Rebel forces, allowing the troops to return to full rations for the first time in months.

Other communications were to "sources" in far away Rome. Of these Julius said nothing. When asked about the sources, his bleak gaze had persuaded all NOT to continue the subject.
So it was, that the Rebel position seemed much improved, even if there had been no battles, no attacks, much less major battlefield victories!

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However there was a simple fact that A. Julius Maxus had always kept in the dark corners of his heart, that non would ever know it. He HATED his brother Scipio. He was for this reason complete committed to the Imperial Cause. It was an irony that made Julius want to laugh each time he thought of it, his brother had invited in to his Rebellion, an infection every bit as enervating as the one that had laid Scipio low! The gods must laugh at the follies of men!
As soon as Julius had received the initial letter from Scipio Maxus, he had informed Praetor Maxus, the Secondo and not least the Emperor. The Emperor and Secundo had willing accepted Julius' offer to attempt the subversion of the Rebel cause by any and all means. It had taken some time for the Imperial Government to understand that in Julius they had a means to fatally undermine the Rebellions cause. The plan finally drawn up, was helped by those men that had managed to gain the trust of A. Scipio Maxus while still remaining in fact loyal to the Emperor.
Now was the time to close the matter, with certainty and finality for all!

Praetor A. Julius Maxus prepared to commanded a great parade of the troops. But first, he called several of the men most loyal to his brother to attend a meeting. It went unremarked that Julius left the Praetorium alone, not least because the guards were men who had joined the Rebel army with Julius.

The Praetor strode confidently to the Dais placed before the assembled army. Heralds were placed throughout to repeat what he said to those troops who were standing beyond earshot of the Praetor directly.

"Soldiers! I am Antoninus Julius Maxus. Son of a GREAT Roman!"
Julius roared the last phrase at the top of his lungs, so that most of the troops did not need the heralds voices to hear the comment.

Although few if any of the Legionaries knew of Antoninus Maxus, none the less they cheered. For they did like this man and wanted to make that fact plain.

Julius waited for the cheers to die down, then he continued. "I have seen to it, from my personal resources, that you, EVERYONE of you has been paid in full."
The troops cheered at that, with genuine happiness.

"This was the first pay you have received since you were led on this revolt by your past commanders Praetors Scipio Marius Manus, and Antoninus Scipio Maxus!"

The soldiers murmured their agreement at this fact. The murmur rolled back through the ranks as every soldier heard the comment.

"I have seen to it that you have been fed on full rations for the first time in months. Is not a full belly and fuller purse a good thing lads?"

The troops yelled "Yes Praetor!" In reply to that comment

"Well boys", Julius paused and seem to look every soldier in the eye before continuing. "We have to face facts, how is this to continue?"

Julius could see that the front ranks obviously could offer no simple answer from the blank looks on their faces.

"We can march South and attack over half the legions of Rome that await our arrival!"

The soldiers shuddered at that fact, they were not fools and knew what happened to beaten armies.

"Well Lads, do you want to fight great battles to place my Brother on the Throne. Of course we may fail but is not death a desirable thing?" Julius looked innocently at the soldiers.

The troops did not look innocently back at him, they looked pensive, even surly in demeanor.

"Perhaps though there is another course we can follow. One that offers regular pay, Full Rations and a warm woman in your retirement!" Julius leered at the last comment.

The soldiers laughed at that and looked interested in the first two points.

"Well boys, long life, warm women, or Battle against fellow Romans for a Roman, my brother Scipio, who does not feel he can lead you personally in such a risky undertaking?" Julius waited for the soldier to shout a reply.

As one man, the soldiers shouted "Women and Gold!"

Julius seemed to laugh at being told something he did not expect to hear. "You want ME to lead you to that?"

"Yes!" Yelled the soldiers.

Julius continued, driving his advantage home. "You trust me to choose the right course. One that serves YOUR interests over those of an unfeeling commander who does not care for your well-being and future comfort!"

"Yes Praetor! We hail you as our Commander!" Julius had posted some men in strategic position to lead this ovation. Julius was a practical man, but he did like to have things happen as he foresaw!
Julius paused, now was the critical point.

One the next moments rested his and Rome's fate. "Well then my boys!" He smiled benignly at the gathered troops, then continued. "I have the VERY solution to all out problems, isn't that a SURPRISE!" Julius grinned broadly.

The soldiers laughed, but looked most interested in Julius' 'solution'.

"I have been PROMISED by the Emperor, who has never held you boys in contempt as my brother has, that he would receive you back in to his service. he will pay you, feed you, honour your retirement bonuses. You would not even have to die fighting Romans. There will be NO punishment for men who were led astray in their duty by men who led them FALSE!" Julius roared the last word.

The troops stood stunned. They were so taken aback by these words!

General Gaius Verius Varro stepped from the head of Legion IX that he commanded and shouted at the top of his lungs "Hail Praetor A. Scipio Maxus, Hail Imperator A. Tiberius Vitellius. They pay us, feed us and promise us LIFE!"

Officer Agrippa Tiberius Julianus stepped forth from his position shouted "Hail Praetor Maxus, hail The Imperator, we serve them both!" Tiberius had long harboured the desire to lead Legion XIX and this was his attempt to do so, when his voice would carry the most weight and gain the most recognition for "services rendered!"

As one the troops cheered and screamed "Hail Praetor Julius Maxus, hail Imperator Tiberius!"
Those commanders who might have spoken against this move were silent- they lay dead in a small side room of the Praetorium. They had been silently killed by Julius' personal guards as they individually arrived for their earlier 'meetings' with Julius. The names of men who might be more amenable had been supplied to Julius by the Secundo weeks before, allowing Julius to speak to each of them in private, as the opportunity offered itself.
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Thus it was, that A. Julius Maxus sent a coded dispatch to The Secundo and Emperor stating that he had regained control of the of the rebel legions. Julius cared nothing for the Barbarian rabble that S. Marius Manus had supposed would aid the Rebel cause!
The gods, or A. Tiberius Vitellius, would decide the fate of A. Scipio Maxus, who Julius did not know the whereabouts of, nor would he raise even a single finger to protect.

Civil War, bred in duplicity and deceit, had been vanquished with the same weapons!

Pax Romana!

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Edited By: GM (A. Titus Sabaco)

Based on Input and Secret Scenarios emails from:
Antoninus Scipio Maxus, Antoninus Julius Maxus, Augustus Agrippa Vitellius, Gaius Verius Varro, Augustus Tiberius Vitellius, Sarius Honorius Julianus, Agrippa Tiberius Julianus

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Clouds in the East II

2004-07-23T10:49:00.001-07:00

The Asian and Assyrian armies crossed the Bosphorus over a period of several days. The Rhodian-Greek Allied Fleet did not appear, to the great relief of Asian King Alujah. The troops landed several miles north of Byzantium; two thousand Asian advance infantry moved immediately to secure the city. Phocaeos, Prince-Councillor of Byzantium, consulted with the leaders of the Polis Militia. They all agreed that it would be best to welcome the invading army into the city. There was not really any other choice. The men of the militia were ordered to return to their homes, and the weapons were hidden. Phocaeos personally greeted King Alujah, who road at the head of the Asian army. "Greetings, Glorious King! I am Phocaeos, Prince of Byzantium. On the behalf of the Council, I welcome you and your men to our humble city." The King smiled. Everything was going as planned! "Thank you, good Prince. From this day forward, you will serve the Kingdom of Asia. Serve well, and you will find great rewards! But only an iron first shall await traitors!" Alujah was young and arrogant; he was ready to conquer the world. He frowned as he recalled the Seleucid King's cowardly demand that the alliance avoid attacking the Roman Empire. "Those stupid, lazy Syrian Greeks!" he thought to himself. But it didn't matter... Alujah knew that he could never attack Rome alone. But perhaps someday things would change.

One week after the crossing of the Bosphorus, Aegean League envoy Ioconsicles arrived in Byzantium. He greeted the Assyrian and Asian monarchs in customary style. Then, he began to question them. "Your Majesties, the Aegean League is concerned that your invasion of Thrace has violated the political sphere of the Roman Empire. Rome has long held sway over all European affairs. We do not understand why you want an outpost on this side of the Bosphorus." Of course, Ioconsicles knew the answer. Asia was taking advantage of Rome's civil war to gain a new realm in a region of Roman influence, but outside of the actual Imperial domain. But he asked the question anyway; it was a necessary part of diplomacy. Alujah smiled and declared, "Dear friend, you can rest assured that I harbor no ambitions against your great, almighty, fearsome Roman conquerors and masters! Of course, if you would join us, we could provide...." King Galikanasus broke into a fit of coughing, cutting off Alujah mid-sentence. Ioconsicles surpressed a laugh... obviously, it was a strategic cough! The Greek diplomat sensed tension between the two "allied" Kings. As soon as the coughing stopped, Galikanasus began talking. "We wish you and your Proto-Archon and the Roman Emperor long lives of prosperity and peace. Is there anything more to discuss?" Before the envoy had a chance to respond, King Alujah cut in once again. "Tell me, Greek, when will the puny Rhodians recognize my authority over their island? They have never been and will never be a sovereign state. I am a kind King, but my patience wears thin." Ioconsicles frowned. "Your Majest must realize that Rhodes is a Greek state. It is member of the Aegean League, and its ships are a part of our Allied Fleet. We did not choose to interfere with your little adventure here in Thrace. For this, you can thank us. Please do not chide us about your dubious claims of sovereignty over our ally." The Greek Envoy realized that very little could be accomplished through conversation with Alujah. However, he now knew that the two Kings were not particularly strong allies. This was valuable information.

Over the next several weeks, the Asian and Assyrian armies occupied several major Thracian cities and fortified centers. The locals didn't attempt to resist. Everything seemed too easy. Alujah continued to insist that the allies attack Rome, but King Galikanasus refused to reconsider his position. And so the Asians went about the task of establishing a provincial government in their newest territory.

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By: GM (QMA), others?

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Bumps and Bruises

2004-07-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

Tacitus Sarius Terpus walked along the streets of Rome and gazed at the beautiful blue sky. Ah, he enjoyed being a patrician! The poor plebeians rushed about, doing their jobs and trying to earn a living. Sarius was happy to have very little on his agenda for the day. He was running for Tribune, but that didn't really mean anything to him. He had no desire to speak publically, or carry out official duties. He viewed the Tribunate as an avenue of social prestige. In fact, amazingly, in his six years of public life, he had never made a single statement before the people in one of the forums. He was happy to manage his estates and leave the governing to the politically active.

As Sarius walked along the street, oblivious to everyone around him, he was followed by a disgruntled equite- H. Brutus Ianus. Brutus Ianus was a man with a keen interest in politics and public administration. Brutus had served in a series of minor procuratorial offices within the Urban Prefecture. This exposure to the Roman elite prompted a sense of hatred for the lazy patricians who held political office without any sense of public responsibility. Brutus was generally a law-abiding citizen, but today he had a little plan. It was time to stir up some trouble. And he had plenty of friends who supported him.

Some coins changed hands, and a group of several dozen plebeians formed. Brutus Ianus stood back at a distance and watched his handywork. The small mob of commoners moved quickly toward Sarius Terpus. The patrician Quaestor didn't notice anything... until suddenly he felt the sharp blow of a staff on his back. "Ugh!" he grunted, and fell to the ground. The small mob ran over him, inflicting injury and humiliation upon the would-be politician. Less than a minute later, the plebeians had melted into the surrounding crowds. Sarius Terpus groaned. Surely, they broke a few bones! Maybe... he couldn't really tell. Sarius shouted "Guards! Guards!" Several patrolmen of the Urban Cohorts appeared and helped him to his feet. "Sorry, sir. What happened?" Sarius tried to explain, but the guards didn't seem to understand. Why would a random group of plebeians assult a patrician without stealing anything? The patrolmen consulted with each other in a hushed tone, then turned to Sarius. "Sir, we will provide escort to your home. Also, we shall inform the Urban Prefect and Praetorian Subprefect." Sarius nodded, but he noticed that they were not attempting to arrest any of the plebeians. The Quaestor rubbed his head and wondered why he had been the victim of a random, pointless attack!

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By: Unknown

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Desolation of Gaul

2004-07-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

“Marching north?” a general exclaimed. “We just marched from there. Isn’t the enemy to the East?”“We are in civil war,” Praetor Sarius Julianus replied. “There are enemies everywhere. Not least are those that have decided to side against the Imperator. WE will punish them, so that all will see the price of sedition!”

Surprised at their new orders the generals of Legions XIV, XX and XXIX relayed their orders to their officers and men. The army of Praetor Julianus prepared to move north, away from the rebellious army of Praetor Maxus.Many of the men were relieved that they were seemingly marching away from the war; They did not want to fight other Roman legionaries, no matter how treacherous. Others were not so happy. They were naïve, looking forward to spilling rebel blood. Praetor Julianus announced to all that their chance for battle would come soon. This aroused great curiosity; The enemy had been able to evade them before, had they done so again? Sarius refused to reveal more.

Days passed. Soldiers marched. They marched passed Gallic settlements and hillsides similar to those they had seen on the way south. Or were they the same? No one could tell but they kept on marching, drifting part the unchanging scenery.About a week into the march Sarius revealed to his troops his true intentions. He visited their legions, on their weekly rest day from the exertions of their long march and spoke to the men about their new orders.

“Rome is at war! We are marching to fight! Many miles away stands the army of the treacherous Praetor Maxus. Standing in that army are barbarians! He has recruited men from Gaul, from Germania, from Belgica, to fight for him! His allies are Rome’s enemies and we are here to destroy them! All areas known to be supporting Maxus are to be destroyed! Kill any barbarian you see, destroy their homes, their food, their animals, everything! If any barbarian manages to survive the war, make sure they have no home or family to return to. Tomorrow, when we march, we march to battle!”

The following day the troops marched out with renewed vigor. They had a patriotic purpose in Gaul to destroy it. The desolation of Gaul would be satisfying to those who were eager to see a bloody rebel defeat. Most were obeying the orders simply because that is what a soldier does. Everyone else was doing it. A few others were reluctant. Praetor Julianus authorized officers to execute any man refusing to follow orders as a traitor. This encouraged most men, but a few were defiant. For refusing to burn homes and villages they were killed by their own officers. Those staunch soldiers fighting wholeheartedly for the loyal cause looked down on these men. There are enemies everywhere, they thought.

The legions spent the next few weeks marching north through Northern Gaul and Belgica, annihilating everything and everyone. No attempt was made to spare the old, or the young,male and female. There was some resistance, but with thousands of the barbarian’s fighting men hundreds of miles away it was weak and posed little problem for the nearly thirty thousand Roman soldiers in the area. The terrible wrath of Rome fell upon the populations of tribes that had been identified as being in revolt. Farms, villages and crops were burned and destroyed. So vigorous was this process that even the corn needed for next year's seed was destroyed too.

No thought now of administration. Bedazzled by Praetor Manus' false promises of wealth and influence, the Northern Tribes were now subjected to an agony made worse, as they became the first real victims of Imperial retribution. The message was clear "defy the Emperor and their is NO escape!"

Happy with the havoc he and his men had caused Sarius then informed the Emperor and Secundo. They had ordered this expedition and now at least the Barbarian Allies of the rebellion would know that there was Imperial ability to exact from them the price of revolt! The Praetor's dispatch was simple.

“Northern Gaul and Belgica's rebels are no more."
- Praetor T. S. Julianus”

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By: Tacitus Sarius Julianus

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Clouds in the East

2004-07-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

King Alujah of Asia Minor sat in the capital palace at Pergamon, young and brash and full of energy not knowing what to do with himself, it was ‘thumb twiddling, mind numbing boringness’ in his view until a scout came riding into the palace grounds. The scout rushed up the steps to the palace with the utmost haste in search of King Alujah. Instead King Alujah found him saying… (KING ALUJAH) – “Scout what is it?” Looking at the scout with a scowl on his face.
(SCOUT) – “Sire, I have good news for you, the Romans have once again gone to war against themselves, Greece is totally undefended.” The scout said.
(KING ALUJAH) – “Fantastic, now it is my time I will invade the Roman Empire and take Greece for myself, which my grandfather tried to do so many years ago.” Puffing out his chest…
(GENERAL HASEFINE) – “Sire may I be as bold to say, that we alone could not hope to hold the Greece and Macedon provinces, once the Romans had finished slaughtering each other they will turn on us with full force. We must ally with King Galikanasus of Assyria and persuade him to join our cause, this way we have a sufficient chance of success sire.” He says while bowing in front of King Alujah.
(KING ALUJAH) – “Yes Hasefine you are right… (King Alujah looks over to his right) scribe take this message down and hand it to the scout who will ride to Antioch with all haste…King Galikanasus of Assyria, a great opportunity has presented it self to us in the form of another Roman Civil War, we have long hated the Romans, now lets take our chance. I suggest that we both attack Greece and Macedonia and hold there to strengthen our position. This is also a great chance for plunder and loot, apparently there is a great amount on Crete waiting to be shipped back to Rome but have been forgotten. I say lets take our chance…King Alujah of Asia.”
With that the scribe stood up and handed the letter to the scout who went on his way to the Assyrian capital. Meanwhile, the King ordered his royal caravan to prepare for movement. He was going to visit the Assyrian Court in person. Bodyguards, courtiers, servants, slaves, and concubines gathered the king belongings. At a frantic pace they loaded the materials required for this great journey. He ordered that word of his movements must be kept silent. For if the enemy were to find out about the plan, the element of surprise would be lost. The caravan advanced out of the capital. The king’s servants traveled in the vanguard with his bodyguard. Meanwhile, his light Calvary of bodyguards advanced ahead of the column patrolling for bandits and setting up rest camps along the way. The party moved quickly through the Kingdom of Cappadocia, which was weak and fearful of the power of its western neighbor. After many days travel the king arrived in Syria. Upon his arrival, the king greeted the local magistrate, who provided an escort to the great city of Antioch.

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Antioch
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King Alujah arrived in Antioch shortly after noon. The heat was almost unbearable, but the sight was magnificent. Antioch was the third largest city in the Mediterranean world, behind only Rome and Alexandria. The Asian king was quickly escorted to the huge Palace of the King of Assyria. "Assyria" was a strange name, really, for the Middle Eastern Kingdom had very little in common with the ancient Assyrian empire. Rather, it was a Hellenistic domain which had emerged from the fragments of Alexander the Great's Empire. Assyria was governed by the Seleucid dynasty - it was commonly known as the Seleucid Kingdom. The once-mighty state had lost ground to the Parthians in the east over the last two hundred years, but it remained a potent force.

King Galikanasus of Assyria was a shell of the man he once was. He was thin and old but in his heart he was still a fighter. His grey-silver hair and beard made him look very authoritative and full of wisdom. The man standing next to him was his opposite. King Alujah of Asia Minor was a young, broad, athletic man who looked almost prematurely triumphant. Next to King Galikanasus stood a man younger than himself though not as youthful as King Alujah. This was General Tekinatus, though it was already clear from his uniform that he was a military man. He was in his thirties but look a little fatigued. Another man stood by King Alujah’s side. General Hasefine was very much like Tekinatus but older and clean-shaven. King Galikanasus spoke: “Then it is agreed, I shall gather an army and lead it to Nicomedia. The Cappadocians will allow passage through Cilicia. From there, we will pass through Anatolia until we have reached the city. Your officials shall arrange for my troops to be supplied.” “And then we will cross the Bosphorus and gain the support of the Thracian Tribal Leaders” added King Alujah, nodding.

The Syrian sun was warm and the sound of silence surrounded the men, except for the distant shouts of merchants and citizens in the Antioch markets. “General Tekinatus, would you help an old man to his horse?” King Galikanasus held onto the reigns while Tekinatus gave him a helping hand. The two appeared to be quite close. King Alujah and General Hasefine both mounted their horses. “Farewell, brother... until we meet again.” Said King Galikanasus as the men rode off in opposite directions. Later, after the departure of Alujah and the Asians, Galikanasus consulted with his senior advisors. Hercleanos, the King's First Counsellor of State, spoke first. "Sire, please recall that the Romans have already approached us diplomatically. We assured Emperor Tiberius that we would not attack the Roman provinces! And what are the chances of success? We might succeed initially, but in the end.... they will come back and crush us."

The Assyrian army consisted of several divisions infantry at the head of the marching column, and more in the rear. Also included was a contingent in the middle assisted by archers. The cavalry completed the force. The baggage train was organized with artisans, carpenters, engineers, and blacksmiths. Their main purpose was to repair and build all equipment needed for the march. They were followed by merchants, who brought the delights of women and wine too the soldiers. The army passed through Cilicia and Anatolia without incident, arriving in Nicomedia ahead of schedule.

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Nicomedia
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Tekinatus, commander of the Assyrian forces, met with King Alujah of Asia and the Asian General Hasefine in the city citadel.
(GENERAL TEKINATUS) - "Your Majesty, I bring greetings from my noble King Calikanasus Seleucos! We stand firm as friends and allies."
(KING ALUJAH) - "Hail Tekinatus! Welcome, welcome... I thank my noble brother Calikanasus for his eternal friendship."
(GENERAL TEKINATUS) - "We are always happy to assist. However, there are a few conditions that we must discuss. First, we will not attack the Romans. Their empire is too powerful, and it would be suicidal to assult their sovereign empire. Furthermore, I have heard that your navy is inferior to the combined fleets of the Athenians, Rhodians, and other Greek states... all Roman allies."
(KING ALUJAH) - "Well... yes, yes that is true, so we will pass through Thrace as I discussed earlier! Why shouldn't we attack the Roman dogs, now at their moment of weakness? This may be our last chance to stem their advance eastward! And my Kingdom is, I fear, the next target of Roman aggression."
(GENERAL TEKINATUS) - "The Romans are too powerful. However, the civil war is a temporary distraction that will allow you to establish a foothold in Thracia. This will enhance your security, my friend. It will provide a strategic position for your armies. In exchange for our assistance to you, we expect you to provide certain favor in the future. King Galikanasus will be arriving soon. We will consult again after he arrives."
The Assyrian General bowed, and departed from the King's makeshift throne room.

About a week later, King Galikanasus arrived at Nicomedia. He was immediately escorted into an audience with King Alujah. The two monarchs discussed the current geopolitical situation. The Seleucid Assyrian King refused to compromise on his new terms: there would be no combined attack on Roman territory. However, Assyria was prepared to assist Asia in conquering and securing Thracia. Thrace was a satellite region of the Rome, but it was not an official province of the Empire...

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Byzantium
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Pocaeos, Prince-Councillor of Byzantium, frowned as he read the dispatch. He turned to his deputy, Agnesto, and said, "It seems that the Asians are massing forces in Nicomedia. Our spies report that they will cross the Bosphorus in the immediate future." Agnesto stroked his chin and inquired, "Do we have numbers?" "The dispatch says that there are tens of thousands, but we don't have any specific information. However, we do know that the Seleucids have added their numbers to the Asian army."

Agnesto's eyes opened wide. "Assyrians, allied with the Asians? And they plan to attack us!" Pocaeos nodded. "Yes, the situation is grim. Obviously we will not resist. The Romans are fighting a Civil War, they will not be able to help us. However, if we could convince the Allied Fleet to intercept the Seleucid-Asian army as they try to cross the Bosphorus. Otherwise, I am prepared to surrender the city to the invaders."

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Athens
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As Theodosis walked into the Council Chamber, the Athenian Magistrates stood and extended a warm greeting. "Greetings, friend!" exclaimed one Athenian dignitary. Theodosis smiled and expressed a polite half-bow to the Council. Although he was a native of Thebes, he had gained the confidence and loyalty of the major cities of Greece, including Athens and Corinth. He was a wealthy and powerful man- clever, diplomatic, and prudent. He had been recently selected "Proto-Archon", or First Magistrate, of the Aegean League (Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Rhodes, and some other minor Greek city-states under Roman rule or protection). He owned several large private fleets, but he always worked with fellow merchants (potential competitors) for the common good of Greek trade. Of course, this brought wealth and prosperity to the coastal cities. His popularity worried some local Roman officials; this was one man who could unite the Greek cities against the Empire. But Theodosis was not a radical revolutionary. He understood that the city-states could never remain both united and independent. History displayed time and time again that multipolis alliances always crumbled as soon as the immediate foreign threat passed. Anyway, the chances of maintaining permanent independence from Rome were very slim. Therefore, Theodosis prefered to maintain a rich, peaceful Greece under the relatively lax governance of a foreign empire.

The Athenian magistrates began to address the Thebian magnate. "Good Lord Theodosis, we have a problem. We have received dispatches from Byzantium reporting that the Asians and Seleucid Syrians are preparing to invade Thrace with a combined army. Our spies have confirmed these reports; they are assembling in Nicomedia. Should we dispatch our fleet to the Bosphorus?" Theodois considered the options. "Yes, my friends, I am aware of the Asian military activities. I also have heard that the Council of Rhodes is fearful of a possible Asian attack on their island. I think that we should keep the Allied Fleet in the Aegean, at least for the moment. If they are going to cross the Bosphorus, they have probably crossed already. I do not think that they will attack Greece. It would be eventual suicide. Also, we must consider the Romans. They are distracted at the moment, but the Civil War is nearing an end. Also, consider the 'allies'. Asia and Assyria... they have a long record of hostility." Athenian Councillor Hokansos reponded, "But it seems that they have allied in some common cause. Perhaps this is an attempt to stem Rome's slow-but-certain advance?" Theodosis smiled. "No, honorable Councillor. You see, the eastern peoples are like children. They fight among themselves, always, while ignoring the greater powers looming on the horizon. The days of Asia are limited, and an invasion of Thrace will only put them in a more vulnerable position. The eastern peoples admire our great civilization, language, and culture. They wish to be like us. But they also attempt to copy our attempts at national unity... and I must admit, we haven't set a very good example!" Some of the Council members frowned at this light-hearted jab at Greek history, but most of the magistrates laughed. It was true!

After a short period of brief debate, the Council of Athens voted to support Theodosis' proposal. The poular politician had already gained the official confidence of Corinth and Thebes; he had also consulted with a delegation from Rhodes. Therefore, his decision was official. The Allied Fleet would be placed on alert, but it would remain in the Aegean. Meanwhile, the Athenian diplomat Ioconsicles (Theodosis' trusted friend) was dispatched to the Bosphorus as envoy plenipotentiary of the Aegean League. Also, in a highly irregular move, Theodosis composed a letter directly to Rome, bypassing the Roman governor:

"Glorious Emperor, Esteemed Senate, and Honorable People of Rome,

From your friends in the Aegean League: Greetings! We are obliged to inform you that the Asians and Seleucid Assyrians are assembling a joint force in Nicomedia. They are poised to launch an invasion of Thrace, although we have no direct knowledge of their intentions. With the grace of the gods, their will not be an invasion of Macedonia. Our fleet is prepared to intercept any naval movements across the Aegean, but we do not have the means to prevent a crossing of the Bosphorus.

Your Loyal Servant,
Theodosis, Proto-Archon of the Aegean League"

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By: Augustus Trunicus Agrippa, Agrippa Tiberius Julianus, GM (QMA), and maybe others...

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A Bloody Dagger

2004-07-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

WOW LOOK! This scenario is a REPEAT of a previous scenario! I made a mistake. Unfortunately, I doubt that very many RL members will bother to visit this page. If you ARE visiting this page, good for you! Simply email QMARoma@hotmail.com with an email saying "I caught the mistake on the scenarios list", and I will give you 100,000c, plus recognition on the Palatine. This is a little test, to see how many people bother checking the scenarios archive. ;-)

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Rome, 23 AD
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Early in the morning, the young quaestor Antonia Vitellius awoke to the loud noise of a legionary unit, 80 men strong, marching rhythmically outside her house. The commander of the century, Antoninus Nervae, yelled to the door, “Anybody home?! Is this the house of Antonia?” For a brief moment the quaestor thought the force had come to arrest her. The previous Agrarian Law that she had proposed to the Senate aggravated some important Roman landlords and was completely ignored by most politicians in Rome. Although she had some friends in Rome, she didn´t feel secure because of her Republican sentiments and controversial actions. She had even received notice from some fellow Romans about the arrest and execution of her friend, General Castor Augustus Servo, and about rebel activities in northern Italy. Without a word, she nervously looked through the window to the tall and strong centurion and his men standing just outside her door. Suddenly a familiar voice came from outside through the window, “Hey, Antonia! Are you there?!” Antonia Vitellius recognized the voice of her friend and colleague, the young quaestor Brutus Crassus Dio. Relieved, she slowly opened the door and said, “Hail my friend, why you and these soldiers here?” The centurion didn´t give time for Crassus Dio to respond. He immediately rose his right arm and with a salute said, “Hail, quaestor of Rome! I have orders from the Senate to escort and protect you and your friend on your mission to Hispania. Please hurry! We need to leave Rome at once.” The centurion´s words made her remember her mission to Hispania. She had practically forgotten that the Proconsul Julius Daia, despite previous arguments she had had with him, trusted her with this very important mission.

After she dressed she looked again to the letter she received from Senator Castilius Lucius Agrippa. In that letter she had all the details for her mission to Hispania. Both must travel through Hispania, make contact the local citizens, find out the root of the problems in the region and in the final report summarize the economic, political, social, and military situation in Hispania. In 30 minutes Antonia Vitellius joined Crassus Dio and the legionary century. In her baggage she had some food, some clothes, and a lady´s personal items for the long journey. The centurion Antoninus Nervae looked to the two quaestors, smiled, and then yelled to his men, “Forward march!” The two quaestors smiled to one another in silence, both knowing this was a dangerous mission, but they also knew they had a sacred duty to Rome and her people. Because of the rebel legions in northern Italy, the small convoy embarked from Ostia and voyaged by sea to southern Hispania. Of the men in the century, only the centurion and ten soldiers boarded the ship. With a Civil War ongoing in the north, the military authorities had not been willing to send any significant number of troops on a civilian government mission. However, the Military Consular Office had arranged for a force of auxiliaries in Hispania to provide additional protection.

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Mediterranean Sea, 52 miles South-West from Corsica
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After the small convoy embarked from Ostia, the centurion and the two quaestors held a short meeting on board. Crassus Dio was the first to speak, “Tell us Antonia, what we should expect from these natives?” Antonia Vitellius responded with a short description of the land and tribes of Hispania:

“Well, there are many tribes in Hispania, each of them with their own religion, customs, and language. In western Hispania live the Lusitani, a proud and war-like tribe. In southern, central, and eastern Hispania live the Belli, Titti, and Lusones. They are warriors and farmers. They are also excellent blacksmiths and their weapons are known across the Roman Empire for their quality. In northern Hispania lives the powerful Arevaci tribe. They are warriors and merchants, but they have a very strong nationalist sentiment.” Crassus Dio interrupted his friend Antonia, “What do the natives of Hispania rely on for commerce?” Antonia Vitellius continued, “In eastern Hispania they produce grapes, wine, and olive oil. In central Hispania they mine silver, while in Gallica there are iron and gold mines. As you can see, they have industry and jewelry, too.”

The centurion listened to Antonia´s description and commented, “The gold mines in Hispania must be a reason for the constant warfare. All of this is important, but tell me, quaestor, should I be worried about attacks from the natives? I mean if they attack us, we will only have a small guard force.” Antonia Vitellius noticed Antonius Nervae’s concern and tried to reassure him. “Don´t worry, they will not attack us if we don´t provoke them. Besides, I speak their language so we can negotiate at any time should we need to.” As the Roman ship crossed the Mediterranean Sea swiftly, the small group of soldiers reveled in the voyage. Many of them had never seen the sea and marveled at such beauty. Others played games and sang some military songs. After 21 days of voyage, the Roman ship arrived at Carthago Nova in Southern Hispania.

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Southern Hispania
City of Hispalis
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After the ship arrived in Carthago Nova, the centurion met with seventy auxiliaries. These troops had been assigned the duty of protecting the Quaestors; combined with the ten legionaries, the escort was eighty strong. Soon, the convoy departed from Cathago Nova and moved toward the city of Hispalis, Antonia Vitellius´ homeland, 178 miles west of Carthago Nova. During the travel both quaestors took notes about what they saw. It was obvious to the quaestors that famine was the worst problem in southern Hispania. They saw hundred of people begging for food and money. Crassus Dio, moved to compassion by the suffering, and gave some food and denarii to dozens of children and women. Dio’s kindness, however, rose tensions between the two quaestors and the centurion Antoninus Nervae. Although Dio’s actions were altruistic, they were also dangerous because they could have attracted attention to the convoy and endangered their security. After a short but tense argument between the centurion and the two quaestors, the two parts agreed that the command of the mission belonged to the quaestor Antonia Vitellius and consequently she was the only one responsible for civilian and military actions. After one week the convoy finally arrived in the city of Hispalis.

Hispalis was small and part of the city had been destroyed during the Hispanic rebellion. The quaestor Antonia Vitellius hardly recognized her own town and commented to the centurion “It is a pity the town is almost destroyed. It was so beautiful. As you can see, my home is small so I cannot give you and your men shelter inside, but you may camp outside on my fields.” The centurion looked at Antonia Vitellius and said “We are used to camping in the countryside, don´t worry,” then he yelled to his men, “Quickly, prepare to camp here before the nightfall!”

The next morning the two quaestors, with a small escort of 8 legionaries and auxiliaries, went to the local market. With sorrow on her face and tears in her eyes, Antonia Vitellius realized how serious the famine was. Crassus Dio tried to comfort her, “You will see, Antonia, soon they will have another good harvest and this problem will be solved.” Antonia Vitellius looked sadly to his friend and whispered, “This is not so simple, look at them.” While the two quaestors looked to the poor townspeople, a drunk approached them and started to shout, “Roman dogs, hic!, because of you the people are dying, hic!, go home and don´t come back, hic!” “What did he say?” asked Crassus Dio. But Antonia Vitellius remained in silence until some legionaries tried to arrest the drunk. “No, leave him alone. He is drunk and he is in pain” she commanded the legionaries.

Meanwhile a small crowd surrounded the two quaestors and their small escort. The legionaries tried to disperse the crowd but Antonia Vitellius didn´t allow that and spoke openly to the crowd, “ My good people, I am your sister because I was born here, in this land. The Senate of Rome and the Emperor send us to Hispania to get information about your problems. We will...“ “Will you exploit us more, Roman!?” shouted a young man from the crowd. “Maybe raise our taxes!? Or maybe threaten our women!? We are all tired of you, all of you Romans! You make me sick!” The crowd murmured in agreement. Meanwhile the crowd grew to over three hundred people. A legionary whispered to Antonia Vitellius, “My lady we must leave now. We can not assure your safety with a crowd of such size. It is better we leave while we have the chance.” But Antonia Vitellius, with Crassus Dio at her side, continued the speech in the native tongue, “When I was young I played with your children, maybe with some of you, and for many years I lived among you, ate among you, cried with you, and felt your needs. I am not a stranger here and I love this land as much as you do. When I die I want to be buried here. My home is over there and you are welcome to my humble house any time. If there are corrupt Romans who oppress the people, you must tell me their names. Yes, I am a Roman, but a Roman who cares about you all. I am not here to destroy, I am here to build. Will you help me?” Although the legionaries and Crassus Dio didn´t understand what she said in the native tongue, they saw that her words calmed the crowd. For a brief moment, the crowd remained in silence, and then many of them simply left the market and went to their houses peacefully. But this wasn´t what the quaestor Antonia Vitellius wanted. She wanted names, she wanted to know the truth and some kind of reaction from the natives who she considered her brothers and sisters. Two men approached the quaestors and one of them said with a tremble in his voice, “I believe you. Do you really want to help us?” and Antonia Vitellius replied without hesitation “Of course, my brother. I am here to listen to your problems. Go ahead and tell me the names of those who rule here.” The man looked around and said, “Not here. We must go to your house. There we can speak freely.”

In a few hours the two men described an incredible history about the corrupt local officials, most of them Romans of low political and military rank, and the way they killed, threatened, oppressed, and took advantage of the local population. While the two natives spoke, Antonia Vitellius translated their words to Crassus Dio and Antonius Nervae. Crassus Dio could not believe such perfidy! “So in southern, central, and western Hispania, the corruption has spread like a disease? If you add to this the famine in southern Hispania and the warring among the tribes, we can begin to understand the root of the problems in Hispania.” Antoninus Nervae shook his head and said, “This is incredible! In fact there is a web of corruption across Hispania, which principal bases are in western and northern Hispania and we even know now the names of those Romans who have neglected their duties! These two natives rendered a good service to Rome. Sadly, I fear that there might be similar cases of corruption around the empire."

Two days after their meeting with the quaestors, the two native men were hanged by unidentified men near their own houses. Many locals said this was because they helped the two quaestors. Antonia Vitellius felt grief and heartfelt sorrow because she felt their deaths were her fault. Sobbing, she said, “These two poor men died because of me. They paid with their lives for information they gave us.” Antoninus Nervae said with urgency, “Lady, please stop crying! This is not good for the moral of my men. The two natives were good men but we must proceed with our mission. It is clear to me someone is trying to intimidate us, trying to scare us into giving up our mission. Be strong young Lady, be strong.” Crassus Dio agreed with the centurion´s comments, saying, “He is right Antonia, you must be strong. We must carry on with our plan.” She turned her head to her friend and responded “You are right. Tomorrow must continue to Hispalis and northern Hispania.”

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Northern Hispania
The Ambush
------------------------

The two quaestors didn´t suspect that their convoy was being followed by the same men who killed the two natives in Hispalis. These men were deserters of the Roman army and local warriors at the service of the local Roman officials. They had strict orders to ambush and kill the two quaestors in order to prevent their findings from reaching Rome and the Senate. For 8 days the convoy advanced without problems, and on the 9th day they stopped near a tributary of the Iberius River, 42 miles northeast of the city of Numantia. While the legionaries and auxiliaries drank water and ate their small rations of grain, assassin eyes observed all their movements. The leader of the bandits, a former soldier from the Roman army who served in Hispania during the Hispanic Rebellion, explained his plan to the others, “This is a suitable place for an ambush. There are many trees and rocks, so we can hide and attack them under cover. Use arrows and try to kill the two quaestors. They are our main targets.” Almost 90 bandits took positions behind trees and rocks. The sentries were silently eliminated and suddenly the leader of the bandits gave the signal to attack. A whistle echoed in the forest and the bandits launched a massive attack with arrows against the unprepared legionaries and auxiliaries.

Before the soldiers could react to the onslaught, one arrow found its mark, piercing the left arm of Antonia Vitellius. The bandits continued their attack, loosing many more arrows before the legionaries could react. “Quickly, form a testudo around the quaestors!” shouted Antonius Nervae to his troops. “Protecting their lives is what we are here for!”

The onslaught of arrows lessened as the testudo proved its effectiveness and absorbed all arrows loosed in the direction of the quaestors. Next, the legionaries and auxiliaries, protected by their long shields, advanced in a straight-line formation to the bandits´ position and prepared to engage in close combat with the bandits. The bandits realized they could not match the professional soldiers’ superior military training and experience and retreated into the woods. “Damn cowards!” griped Antonius Nervae. “Fortunately we took some prisoners. They will tell us all we want to know, I promise you that!”

With the skirmish at an end, the centurion turned his attention to Antonia Vitellius. “Let me see her. Yes, she was wounded by an arrow in her left arm and lost some blood but this is not serious. I will remove the arrow and then use some medical herbs to heal her wound.” “Aiiii!! My Goddess Venus please help me!!!” Antonia Vitellius screamed in pain as Antonius Nervae removed the arrow from her left arm. “Stay calm, be brave. Press here to stop the bleeding," said the centurion. He spoke with one of the auxiliaries, who had rudimentary medical experience. "Do you think we'll have to amputate the arm? Such a move may be required to save her life?" The auxiliary examined the injury carefully and responded, "Thank the gods, it was a fairly clean cut. No amputation is necessary, in my opinion." After the centurion treated Antonia Vitellius’ wound, he turned to one legionary and said, “Report our casualties and bring me any prisoners for interrogation.” In a few minutes the three bandits were brought before the centurion. “Sir, I regret to inform you we lost 12 men and have 15 wounded. Some of them will not survive their injuries.” The centurion was furious at this news. With only 53 capable men he knew he could not advance any further north. He gave orders to his men to torture the prisoners, away from the attention of the quaestors. In only two hours the prisoners revealed some important and awesome information. According to their information, the corrupt Roman officials, low in political and military rank, controlled some gold and silver mines in Hispania. They became powerful in Hispania because of their treacherous alliance with the Arevaci tribe in northern Hispania. The Arevaci tribe had plans to rebel against Rome and create an independent kingdom in northern Hispania. The Arevaci were also planning to join the Gallic tribes and move east in order to attack the rear of the imperial forces. For that they were training a small army of 30,000 men.

Antonius Nervae knew this wasn´t good news for Rome. Crassus Dio interrupted Antoninus Nervae´s thoughts, “Centurion, where are the prisoners? I want to talk with them.” The centurion looked up in silence to Crassus Dio and said, “Too late, they are dead.” Crassus Dio was surprised with the centurion´s comment and asked for more information. “Dead?! Why!? You killed them!?” The centurion became furious and yelled, “Look, Quaestor, I lost many men on this mission! You have already accomplished your mission and you already have enough information for your report to the Senate. I will not risk my lives and the lives of my men by venturing any farther north. From now on, this is a military mission and I am in charge!”

Crassus Dio tempered his slowly rising anger, and said, “This mission belongs to us, and as we agreed before, the quaestor Antonia Vitellius is in charge and...” but suddenly, a legionary interrupted and said, “Sir, bad news! Some of our men seized several horses from the local natives and did a small reconnaissance raid in the area. It seems the bandits are regrouping and will attack us again with a force larger than before.” The centurion turned to Crassus Dio and said “See? We must leave at once. I will now command the mission and when we are all safe I will give the command back to Antonia.” Given the quickly developing news and Antonia Vitellius’ physical health, Crassus Dio had no choice but to agree. “Quickly leave the dead and dying where they are. Prepare to move on immediately. If the bandits catch us this time, none of us will be able to set foot in Rome again.”

------------------------
Central Hispania
City of Valentia, at 3 miles from the sea coast.
------------------------

For 8 days the convoy advanced swiftly through northern and central Hispania and managed to escape the bandits. Upon arrival in Valentia, Antonia Vitellius spoke to her colleague and the centurion and decided to write a letter to the Senate:

*******
“Distinguished Proconsul and Noble Members of the Senate:

I have grave news from Hispania. The people in southern Hispania are suffering from a severe famine. To make the things worse, local politicians have taken advantage of the void left in the territories by the previous rebellion and the current civil war. Sensing the power vacuum, Roman officials from the local garrison were corrupted by some politicians and took control of silver and gold mines in northern Hispania. They have exploited and oppressed the natives, taking their food, money, and dignity. However, the extent of their oppressive influences does not stop there. Using their new-found wealth, they have made a loose military alliance with the Arevaci tribe of northern Hispania. The Arevaci seek to create an independent kingdom in northern Hispania, free from Roman rule. Their main bases are the cities of Numantia and Okilis. According to the information we have, they are amassing an army of 30,000 men. It is very likely that they will join with the Gallic tribes in order to attack the rear of the imperial forces. These are the names of the traitors of Rome we know were instrumental in the events that have unfolded in Hispania:

Gaius Maximus Arius
Augustus Romulus Boronus
Severus Thrax Caesiro
Castilius Lucius Venanus
Cenius Jovinius Casaeus
Scipio Gaius Panillus

One last thing - there is a serious lack of basic facilities in some regions of Hispania. When we arrive in Rome, Crassus Dio and I will give you more details.

Yours Sincerely,

Quaestor Antonia Vitellius”
******

The centurion Antoninus Nervae and a few legionaries went down to the city ports and found a merchant ship that was scheduled to depart for Rome the following morning. After offering the captain money and protection from pirate raiders, the small convoy embarked on the voyage back to Rome the following morning. Twenty-three days later, Antonia Vitellius was climbing the steps to the Senate house, followed by Crassus Dio, letter in hand, ready to tell the Senate about Hispania.

------------------------
Authors: Aggripina Antonia Vitellius and Brutus Crassus Dio

Special Participation: Castilius Lucius Agrippa

Return to Scenarios Archive

Mission to Hispania

2004-07-23T10:45:00.001-07:00

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Rome, 23 AD
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Early in the morning, the young quaestor Antonia Vitellius awoke to the loud noise of a legionary unit, 80 men strong, marching rhythmically outside her house. The commander of the century, Antoninus Nervae, yelled to the door, “Anybody home?! Is this the house of Antonia?” For a brief moment the quaestor thought the force had come to arrest her. The previous Agrarian Law that she had proposed to the Senate aggravated some important Roman landlords and was completely ignored by most politicians in Rome. Although she had some friends in Rome, she didn´t feel secure because of her Republican sentiments and controversial actions. She had even received notice from some fellow Romans about the arrest and execution of her friend, General Castor Augustus Servo, and about rebel activities in northern Italy. Without a word, she nervously looked through the window to the tall and strong centurion and his men standing just outside her door. Suddenly a familiar voice came from outside through the window, “Hey, Antonia! Are you there?!” Antonia Vitellius recognized the voice of her friend and colleague, the young quaestor Brutus Crassus Dio. Relieved, she slowly opened the door and said, “Hail my friend, why you and these soldiers here?” The centurion didn´t give time for Crassus Dio to respond. He immediately rose his right arm and with a salute said, “Hail, quaestor of Rome! I have orders from the Senate to escort and protect you and your friend on your mission to Hispania. Please hurry! We need to leave Rome at once.” The centurion´s words made her remember her mission to Hispania. She had practically forgotten that the Proconsul Julius Daia, despite previous arguments she had had with him, trusted her with this very important mission.

After she dressed she looked again to the letter she received from Senator Castilius Lucius Agrippa. In that letter she had all the details for her mission to Hispania. Both must travel through Hispania, make contact the local citizens, find out the root of the problems in the region and in the final report summarize the economic, political, social, and military situation in Hispania. In 30 minutes Antonia Vitellius joined Crassus Dio and the legionary century. In her baggage she had some food, some clothes, and a lady´s personal items for the long journey. The centurion Antoninus Nervae looked to the two quaestors, smiled, and then yelled to his men, “Forward march!” The two quaestors smiled to one another in silence, both knowing this was a dangerous mission, but they also knew they had a sacred duty to Rome and her people. Because of the rebel legions in northern Italy, the small convoy embarked from Ostia and voyaged by sea to southern Hispania. Of the men in the century, only the centurion and ten soldiers boarded the ship. With a Civil War ongoing in the north, the military authorities had not been willing to send any significant number of troops on a civilian government mission. However, the Military Consular Office had arranged for a force of auxiliaries in Hispania to provide additional protection.

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Mediterranean Sea, 52 miles South-West from Corsica
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After the small convoy embarked from Ostia, the centurion and the two quaestors held a short meeting on board. Crassus Dio was the first to speak, “Tell us Antonia, what we should expect from these natives?” Antonia Vitellius responded with a short description of the land and tribes of Hispania:

“Well, there are many tribes in Hispania, each of them with their own religion, customs, and language. In western Hispania live the Lusitani, a proud and war-like tribe. In southern, central, and eastern Hispania live the Belli, Titti, and Lusones. They are warriors and farmers. They are also excellent blacksmiths and their weapons are known across the Roman Empire for their quality. In northern Hispania lives the powerful Arevaci tribe. They are warriors and merchants, but they have a very strong nationalist sentiment.” Crassus Dio interrupted his friend Antonia, “What do the natives of Hispania rely on for commerce?” Antonia Vitellius continued, “In eastern Hispania they produce grapes, wine, and olive oil. In central Hispania they mine silver, while in Gallica there are iron and gold mines. As you can see, they have industry and jewelry, too.”

The centurion listened to Antonia´s description and commented, “The gold mines in Hispania must be a reason for the constant warfare. All of this is important, but tell me, quaestor, should I be worried about attacks from the natives? I mean if they attack us, we will only have a small guard force.” Antonia Vitellius noticed Antonius Nervae’s concern and tried to reassure him. “Don´t worry, they will not attack us if we don´t provoke them. Besides, I speak their language so we can negotiate at any time should we need to.” As the Roman ship crossed the Mediterranean Sea swiftly, the small group of soldiers reveled in the voyage. Many of them had never seen the sea and marveled at such beauty. Others played games and sang some military songs. After 21 days of voyage, the Roman ship arrived at Carthago Nova in Southern Hispania.

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Southern Hispania
City of Hispalis
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After the ship arrived in Carthago Nova, the centurion met with seventy auxiliaries. These troops had been assigned the duty of protecting the Quaestors; combined with the ten legionaries, the escort was eighty strong. Soon, the convoy departed from Cathago Nova and moved toward the city of Hispalis, Antonia Vitellius´ homeland, 178 miles west of Carthago Nova. During the travel both quaestors took notes about what they saw. It was obvious to the quaestors that famine was the worst problem in southern Hispania. They saw hundred of people begging for food and money. Crassus Dio, moved to compassion by the suffering, and gave some food and denarii to dozens of children and women. Dio’s kindness, however, rose tensions between the two quaestors and the centurion Antoninus Nervae. Although Dio’s actions were altruistic, they were also dangerous because they could have attracted attention to the convoy and endangered their security. After a short but tense argument between the centurion and the two quaestors, the two parts agreed that the command of the mission belonged to the quaestor Antonia Vitellius and consequently she was the only one responsible for civilian and military actions. After one week the convoy finally arrived in the city of Hispalis.

Hispalis was small and part of the city had been destroyed during the Hispanic rebellion. The quaestor Antonia Vitellius hardly recognized her own town and commented to the centurion “It is a pity the town is almost destroyed. It was so beautiful. As you can see, my home is small so I cannot give you and your men shelter inside, but you may camp outside on my fields.” The centurion looked at Antonia Vitellius and said “We are used to camping in the countryside, don´t worry,” then he yelled to his men, “Quickly, prepare to camp here before the nightfall!”

The next morning the two quaestors, with a small escort of 8 legionaries and auxiliaries, went to the local market. With sorrow on her face and tears in her eyes, Antonia Vitellius realized how serious the famine was. Crassus Dio tried to comfort her, “You will see, Antonia, soon they will have another good harvest and this problem will be solved.” Antonia Vitellius looked sadly to his friend and whispered, “This is not so simple, look at them.” While the two quaestors looked to the poor townspeople, a drunk approached them and started to shout, “Roman dogs, hic!, because of you the people are dying, hic!, go home and don´t come back, hic!” “What did he say?” asked Crassus Dio. But Antonia Vitellius remained in silence until some legionaries tried to arrest the drunk. “No, leave him alone. He is drunk and he is in pain” she commanded the legionaries.

Meanwhile a small crowd surrounded the two quaestors and their small escort. The legionaries tried to disperse the crowd but Antonia Vitellius didn´t allow that and spoke openly to the crowd, “ My good people, I am your sister because I was born here, in this land. The Senate of Rome and the Emperor send us to Hispania to get information about your problems. We will...“ “Will you exploit us more, Roman!?” shouted a young man from the crowd. “Maybe raise our taxes!? Or maybe threaten our women!? We are all tired of you, all of you Romans! You make me sick!” The crowd murmured in agreement. Meanwhile the crowd grew to over three hundred people. A legionary whispered to Antonia Vitellius, “My lady we must leave now. We can not assure your safety with a crowd of such size. It is better we leave while we have the chance.” But Antonia Vitellius, with Crassus Dio at her side, continued the speech in the native tongue, “When I was young I played with your children, maybe with some of you, and for many years I lived among you, ate among you, cried with you, and felt your needs. I am not a stranger here and I love this land as much as you do. When I die I want to be buried here. My home is over there and you are welcome to my humble house any time. If there are corrupt Romans who oppress the people, you must tell me their names. Yes, I am a Roman, but a Roman who cares about you all. I am not here to destroy, I am here to build. Will you help me?” Although the legionaries and Crassus Dio didn´t understand what she said in the native tongue, they saw that her words calmed the crowd. For a brief moment, the crowd remained in silence, and then many of them simply left the market and went to their houses peacefully. But this wasn´t what the quaestor Antonia Vitellius wanted. She wanted names, she wanted to know the truth and some kind of reaction from the natives who she considered her brothers and sisters. Two men approached the quaestors and one of them said with a tremble in his voice, “I believe you. Do you really want to help us?” and Antonia Vitellius replied without hesitation “Of course, my brother. I am here to listen to your problems. Go ahead and tell me the names of those who rule here.” The man looked around and said, “Not here. We must go to your house. There we can speak freely.”

In a few hours the two men described an incredible history about the corrupt local officials, most of them Romans of low political and military rank, and the way they killed, threatened, oppressed, and took advantage of the local population. While the two natives spoke, Antonia Vitellius translated their words to Crassus Dio and Antonius Nervae. Crassus Dio could not believe such perfidy! “So in southern, central, and western Hispania, the corruption has spread like a disease? If you add to this the famine in southern Hispania and the warring among the tribes, we can begin to understand the root of the problems in Hispania.” Antoninus Nervae shook his head and said, “This is incredible! In fact there is a web of corruption across Hispania, which principal bases are in western and northern Hispania and we even know now the names of those Romans who have neglected their duties! These two natives rendered a good service to Rome. Sadly, I fear that there might be similar cases of corruption around the empire."

Two days after their meeting with the quaestors, the two native men were hanged by unidentified men near their own houses. Many locals said this was because they helped the two quaestors. Antonia Vitellius felt grief and heartfelt sorrow because she felt their deaths were her fault. Sobbing, she said, “These two poor men died because of me. They paid with their lives for information they gave us.” Antoninus Nervae said with urgency, “Lady, please stop crying! This is not good for the moral of my men. The two natives were good men but we must proceed with our mission. It is clear to me someone is trying to intimidate us, trying to scare us into giving up our mission. Be strong young Lady, be strong.” Crassus Dio agreed with the centurion´s comments, saying, “He is right Antonia, you must be strong. We must carry on with our plan.” She turned her head to her friend and responded “You are right. Tomorrow must continue to Hispalis and northern Hispania.”

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Northern Hispania
The Ambush
------------------------

The two quaestors didn´t suspect that their convoy was being followed by the same men who killed the two natives in Hispalis. These men were deserters of the Roman army and local warriors at the service of the local Roman officials. They had strict orders to ambush and kill the two quaestors in order to prevent their findings from reaching Rome and the Senate. For 8 days the convoy advanced without problems, and on the 9th day they stopped near a tributary of the Iberius River, 42 miles northeast of the city of Numantia. While the legionaries and auxiliaries drank water and ate their small rations of grain, assassin eyes observed all their movements. The leader of the bandits, a former soldier from the Roman army who served in Hispania during the Hispanic Rebellion, explained his plan to the others, “This is a suitable place for an ambush. There are many trees and rocks, so we can hide and attack them under cover. Use arrows and try to kill the two quaestors. They are our main targets.” Almost 90 bandits took positions behind trees and rocks. The sentries were silently eliminated and suddenly the leader of the bandits gave the signal to attack. A whistle echoed in the forest and the bandits launched a massive attack with arrows against the unprepared legionaries and auxiliaries.

Before the soldiers could react to the onslaught, one arrow found its mark, piercing the left arm of Antonia Vitellius. The bandits continued their attack, loosing many more arrows before the legionaries could react. “Quickly, form a testudo around the quaestors!” shouted Antonius Nervae to his troops. “Protecting their lives is what we are here for!”

The onslaught of arrows lessened as the testudo proved its effectiveness and absorbed all arrows loosed in the direction of the quaestors. Next, the legionaries and auxiliaries, protected by their long shields, advanced in a straight-line formation to the bandits´ position and prepared to engage in close combat with the bandits. The bandits realized they could not match the professional soldiers’ superior military training and experience and retreated into the woods. “Damn cowards!” griped Antonius Nervae. “Fortunately we took some prisoners. They will tell us all we want to know, I promise you that!”

With the skirmish at an end, the centurion turned his attention to Antonia Vitellius. “Let me see her. Yes, she was wounded by an arrow in her left arm and lost some blood but this is not serious. I will remove the arrow and then use some medical herbs to heal her wound.” “Aiiii!! My Goddess Venus please help me!!!” Antonia Vitellius screamed in pain as Antonius Nervae removed the arrow from her left arm. “Stay calm, be brave. Press here to stop the bleeding," said the centurion. He spoke with one of the auxiliaries, who had rudimentary medical experience. "Do you think we'll have to amputate the arm? Such a move may be required to save her life?" The auxiliary examined the injury carefully and responded, "Thank the gods, it was a fairly clean cut. No amputation is necessary, in my opinion." After the centurion treated Antonia Vitellius’ wound, he turned to one legionary and said, “Report our casualties and bring me any prisoners for interrogation.” In a few minutes the three bandits were brought before the centurion. “Sir, I regret to inform you we lost 12 men and have 15 wounded. Some of them will not survive their injuries.” The centurion was furious at this news. With only 53 capable men he knew he could not advance any further north. He gave orders to his men to torture the prisoners, away from the attention of the quaestors. In only two hours the prisoners revealed some important and awesome information. According to their information, the corrupt Roman officials, low in political and military rank, controlled some gold and silver mines in Hispania. They became powerful in Hispania because of their treacherous alliance with the Arevaci tribe in northern Hispania. The Arevaci tribe had plans to rebel against Rome and create an independent kingdom in northern Hispania. The Arevaci were also planning to join the Gallic tribes and move east in order to attack the rear of the imperial forces. For that they were training a small army of 30,000 men.

Antonius Nervae knew this wasn´t good news for Rome. Crassus Dio interrupted Antoninus Nervae´s thoughts, “Centurion, where are the prisoners? I want to talk with them.” The centurion looked up in silence to Crassus Dio and said, “Too late, they are dead.” Crassus Dio was surprised with the centurion´s comment and asked for more information. “Dead?! Why!? You killed them!?” The centurion became furious and yelled, “Look, Quaestor, I lost many men on this mission! You have already accomplished your mission and you already have enough information for your report to the Senate. I will not risk my lives and the lives of my men by venturing any farther north. From now on, this is a military mission and I am in charge!”

Crassus Dio tempered his slowly rising anger, and said, “This mission belongs to us, and as we agreed before, the quaestor Antonia Vitellius is in charge and...” but suddenly, a legionary interrupted and said, “Sir, bad news! Some of our men seized several horses from the local natives and did a small reconnaissance raid in the area. It seems the bandits are regrouping and will attack us again with a force larger than before.” The centurion turned to Crassus Dio and said “See? We must leave at once. I will now command the mission and when we are all safe I will give the command back to Antonia.” Given the quickly developing news and Antonia Vitellius’ physical health, Crassus Dio had no choice but to agree. “Quickly leave the dead and dying where they are. Prepare to move on immediately. If the bandits catch us this time, none of us will be able to set foot in Rome again.”

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Central Hispania
City of Valentia, at 3 miles from the sea coast.
------------------------

For 8 days the convoy advanced swiftly through northern and central Hispania and managed to escape the bandits. Upon arrival in Valentia, Antonia Vitellius spoke to her colleague and the centurion and decided to write a letter to the Senate:

*******
“Distinguished Proconsul and Noble Members of the Senate:

I have grave news from Hispania. The people in southern Hispania are suffering from a severe famine. To make the things worse, local politicians have taken advantage of the void left in the territories by the previous rebellion and the current civil war. Sensing the power vacuum, Roman officials from the local garrison were corrupted by some politicians and took control of silver and gold mines in northern Hispania. They have exploited and oppressed the natives, taking their food, money, and dignity. However, the extent of their oppressive influences does not stop there. Using their new-found wealth, they have made a loose military alliance with the Arevaci tribe of northern Hispania. The Arevaci seek to create an independent kingdom in northern Hispania, free from Roman rule. Their main bases are the cities of Numantia and Okilis. According to the information we have, they are amassing an army of 30,000 men. It is very likely that they will join with the Gallic tribes in order to attack the rear of the imperial forces. These are the names of the traitors of Rome we know were instrumental in the events that have unfolded in Hispania:

Gaius Maximus Arius
Augustus Romulus Boronus
Severus Thrax Caesiro
Castilius Lucius Venanus
Cenius Jovinius Casaeus
Scipio Gaius Panillus

One last thing - there is a serious lack of basic facilities in some regions of Hispania. When we arrive in Rome, Crassus Dio and I will give you more details.

Yours Sincerely,

Quaestor Antonia Vitellius”
******

The centurion Antoninus Nervae and a few legionaries went down to the city ports and found a merchant ship that was scheduled to depart for Rome the following morning. After offering the captain money and protection from pirate raiders, the small convoy embarked on the voyage back to Rome the following morning. Twenty-three days later, Antonia Vitellius was climbing the steps to the Senate house, followed by Crassus Dio, letter in hand, ready to tell the Senate about Hispania.

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Authors: Aggripina Antonia Vitellius and Brutus Crassus Dio

Special Participation: Castilius Lucius Agrippa

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Command of a Legion

2004-07-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

‘Sir, it is with sadness that we have to inform you that Marius Manus is dead. After he killed General Vitellius, he was slain by the General's loyal retainers."

Maxus seemed to be shocked about Marius death, why on earth would he have killed the General?

Perhaps he found something out about Vitellius, perhaps some plans, but what for plans…

Immediatly Scipio took action and wrote 6 letters, to every legion of the rebel forces. Normally there would have been 7 but the state of the XIX Legion (Vitellius') was questionable.

A few days later the Praetor received 6 replies, all confirming loyalty to his command. Praetor Maxus was in control of Marius Manus' "core legions". But he had another concern.

"Prepare my horse, officer."

"Yes sir" a young man answered.
The Praetor took all of his gear with him, towards the stables.

‘Sir, do you really think it is safe to ride alone? Allow me to come with you…’ The officer seemed to be worried about the Praetor's safety.

"Yes, alright, you can come", Maxus responded, and both rode out of the camp.

‘Sir where are we going?"

‘We are heading for the camp of Legion XIX, we need that legion.’

Many hours later, they arrived at the camp of legion XIX.

‘Hail! It’s Praetor Maxus!’

The Praetor and officer entered the camp, and an elderly officer walked towards the two soldiers.

Officer: ‘Avé Praetor, we have been expecting you.’

Maxus: ‘You were officer? Why is that?”

Officer: ‘We expected that you would take command after the death of our General and Marius. Sadly, the men are not happy about situation."

Maxus: ‘You seem to read my mind Officer, what is your name?’

Officer: ‘Rufus of the House of Scipii’

Maxus: ‘Aaaah yes, a strong family, honorable Romans, yes, I’ve known some Scipii, but that was a long time ago. Let the legion gather at the middle of the camp’

Officer: "Yes sir"

The officer nodded his head, and got on his way to gather the legion.

30 Minutes later they alll stood in the middle of the camp. Some of them were whispering

“Soldiers of Rome! I know that there have been some problems, but it is time to move on! I’m not Marius Manus, I’m Praetor Scipio of the House of Maxus, I do not wish to be compared with your previous leader, although he was a great leader. So was Vitellius, it is a shame that both left us so fast!

I know that some of you do not wish to fight any longer, I understand that! But what about your families, your children, your parents, friends… Will you let them live in an Empire that is ruled by a tyrant? Will you let them die? Because currently people are dying.. There is not enough bread, and the state doesn’t interfere, they sit back in their fancy chairs, drink whine, and eat the best food!! Even I think that is not fair!

I ask you to keep fighting, like I will, I have a son, I will fight for my son!! I eat the same food as you do, I sleep in an equal bed as yours, and I fight as all of you have done for so many years.

If you want to see your family again , alive, you will have to keep fighting for a better Rome, a Rome where brothers don’t kill eachother, a Rome where a son never raises his hand towards his father, and where a child, our future, can learn, grow, and enjoy all the beauty of Rome!!

Rumors are a disease gentlemen, they slowly betray you, and when it is too late you know why you shouldn’t believe things so fast. Nations have been whiped out for the smallest rumors.

We are strong, WE CAN WIN THIS WAR, gentlemen!! WE CAN WIN THIS!! We have got support that reach deep down in Rome itself, we have Gauls backing us up! I mean, gentlemen this is not the time to quit, you could make a difference in this war for justice!

SOLDIERS WILL YOU JOIN ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The troops were wary, cautious.... they did not immediately respond. But a group of soldiers led by the Centurion Sarianus raised their swords high and chanted "Hail Scipio! Hail Scipio!"

Praetor Maxus looked over the crowd, holding his sword high up in the sky.

And the soldiers followed this sign.

Soon the sky was filled by swords that had seen more death that life.

Legion XIX remained with the rebel forces. However, some of Praetor Maxus' advisors warned him that its loyalty was questionable. The Praetor's dramatic appeal had received a favorable response, but the men of the legion were not deeply committed to the rebel cause. Legion XIX might prove to be the rebel army's weak link... or it might safe the rebellion.

Praetor Maxus was pleased with himself, but he knew that he still faced a very difficult challenge....

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Shifting Sands of the Army II

2004-07-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

A man in a hooded cloak began to write two letters both being addressed to the Generals of Legion VI (General Horadinus Varro) and Legion XV (General Telivicus Terpus), these two letters addressed there recent disillusionment with the Emperors decision making. These two Generals from the very beginning have been in favour of Manus and wished to retreat for a very long time to Marius Manus’ cause. The hooded man knew whom to target and he did.

Within two weeks of the letters being sent they arrived back at the hooded mans quarters, both the letters agreed to meet. Again the hooded man wrote another letter back to the two Generals telling them where and when to meet. The hooded man chose 3 days time at night just on the outskirts of the Blarjach forest, this forest was away from both friend and foe so obviously the best location. The hooded man sent out the letters. And began to get ready for the meeting of the three.

The day of the meeting arrives and the hooded man was eager to get this over and done with, he was becoming very edgy as not quite sure what will happen out of this meeting, although he knew this was very dangerous also. He left for the place of meeting with the wind blowing and his cloak being rustled continuously. He always made sure that his identity was made was hidden throughout the journey he arrived at the appointed location as darkness fell. In the darkness the dark hid the still forms of several men hiding in an arc around the area. His hood served to mask the small sounds that might have escaped from metal on metal.

The hooded man arrived at the location, and entered a small hut on the top of the hill he heads to the hut and sits on a chair in the corner of the room. Soon after both Generals Varro and Terpus arrive, they enter the hut looking at the furnace complaining that it’s not on when a voice came from the darkness…

“Dark times call for dark rooms Generals, please sit, and don’t be frightened I came alone as both you should have done.”

The two Generals looked at each other both edgy and warily sat in their chairs waiting what was to come next. The hooded man entered into view out of the darkness his hood over his face as to not reveal his identity ‘Now Gentlemen shall we start’.

“So Gentlemen we are all clear why we are yes…just in case you aren’t sure we are hear because we feel that the present circumstances under the Emperor’s regime are not the type of circumstances that we wish to serve and the men that are under our command happily agree on this matter.” Both of the Generals nodded.

“I will rebel against the Emperor and go to Manus,” Says General Varro of Legion VI.

“As will I,” The General of Legion XV General Terpus,” He nods at the hooded man. It never struck General C. Augustus Servo, that men of low birth who owed their entire careers to Imperial favour, would so rapidly agree to try to overthrow the source of their personal success. Such lowborn men had no hope of rising higher. Yet theses same men were "willing" to assist in Emperor A. Tiberius Vitellius from the throne.

The Generals agreed on a strategy on how they will reach Manus’ lines or a certain point in which they can easily contact him. The Generals stand but ask for the hooded man to reveal himself. The hooded man bows his head and smiles ‘very well’ he says with that his steps forward and removes the hood. Both men look at each other and chuckle.

The cloaked man says ‘Gentlemen you will enact precisely what we have discussed with immediate effect no questions you will head to your position with haste there we will sort things out’. With that the two Generals left and the hooded man left with a smirk pleased at what happened.

Within seconds C. Augustus Servo was aware of the sound of pounding feet outside the hovel's door. As C. Augustus Servo rose to his feet, the rough planks of the door seem to explode as several soldiers burst in to the shack. They each held a drawn sword and closed in rapidly upon Servo. Instinctively the general's hand went to his sword hilt, but seeing that the armed men were upon him, he had to make a positive mental effort to check himself, not to have done so, would have resulted in his instant death. One of the soldiers roughly seized him by his upper arms, another swiftly disarmed him, whilst yet another tepped upto him and said following in a low matter of fact tone. "C. Augustus servo, I arrest you on the charge of Treason. Your fate will be sealed at the Emperor's whim!"

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By: C. Augustus Servo and several Others

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Marius' March South

2004-07-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Throughout Northern Gaul, everyone was preparing for war. Likewise, in Rome, news was being greatly awaited for the happenings of the North. For the Praetors Julianus and Terpus had now concentrating a huge army on the Southern borders of Belgica, perhaps relying on sheer numbers to defeat him.

Marius Manus of course had other ideas. Marius had served as a solider in the reconquest of the Belgic Provinces, where he was latter rewarded with a Praetorship. Throughout these years, , Manus had established quite a few allies in the Gauls. Having placed aristocratic Gauls that would later be loyal to the Praetor of Gaul's cause as King, he has begun calling up their forces, restoring to their armies the arms which had been seized during the campaigns under the military consul, A.Titus Sabaco. But there had been the setback with the early invasion of the Imperialist forces; this had narrowed the Gallic forces under Marius to be about 30,000 un number - 5,000 from Gaul, 15,000 from Belgica, 5000 cavalry from both combined, and a further 5000 from across the Rhine. The quality and loyalty would remain a matter that would vex friend and foe alike, until these warriors were tested in battle's forging heat.

Now with the Imperialists preparing for war to Marius' South and South West, he set about a simple strategy; based on the huge flaw that the Praetors coming after him had left in their preparations. His first order of business was, through the Remi, to encourage the parts of Gaul held by the Imperialist army into revolt, while in the north apply a scorched earth policy. All the cities and villages, crops and roman fortifications were all put to the torch by the legions and the gallic forces. Marius himself, with these labors done, began to move, by forced marches, with all the Gauls and Romans south, undetected by the Imperialist into Western Germania Superior where the XIXth and their General (A Augustus Vitellius) met up with Marius' forces. He had managed by the use of simple boot leather to negate the Imperialist strategy of overwhelming him

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Diviaco, the Remi king who had gained his position of authority through the graces of the Romans had they had begun the invasion of Belgica. The King had been sent across the Rhine to meet with the leaders of Germanic tribes of the Ubii and Suebi - the two most powerful northern tribes which had yet been unaffected by the initial invasion earlier by Praetor Julianus and the Army of the Danube.

The Remi king was serving as ambassador from Marius Manus - his mission quite simple. Offer a treaty with their tribes and grant them title of "friend and ally of the Roman people" if they would aid Marius in this war briefly. The terms were that Marius would not in the future bring or order and army to cross the Rhine and war against them. In return, these Germanii would be required to cross the Rhine into Belgica, and attack the Roman Imperialist Army when they reached it, in order to hold them up and further delay their abilities to track Marius and his movement south. Further, they should use their influence to guarantee Manus' Armies march though Western Germania Superior and back into Roman territory. Any grounds they captured fighting against Julianus and Terpus they would be granted.

With Diviaco having secured this temporary treaty between the Marian forces and the Germanii, he headed off with his cavalry guard back to meet up with the Roman column back on the Roman side of the Rhine. S. Marius Manus calculated that he could afford to "concede what he had, as in reality it had never been his to give! for their part, the leaders of the various tribes had their own agendas too. For them, the "alliance" was a way to remove "Rome" in the form of Marius' legions from their environs.

The various tribes would happily allow the Praetor to pass through their lands, but they had no intention of getting involved in a war that they knew offered them no long-term advantage. They knew what had happened to those that had sought advantage from the last Civil war. Rome had repaid them in full measure for their perfidious rebellions and attacks. enough for these men that Roman troops went to fight Roman troops far, far away. they could always seek gain if and when the situation became more clear to them.

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The Marian forces consisting of now four legions (IX, XIII, XXXIII, XIX) and 30,000 Allied forces from Gaul, Belgica and Germania were making their way down upon the Eastern margins of the Rhine's watershed, and on towards the Alps. If the pass through the alps had been left unprotected, as he thought, then Marius' entire route south to Cisalpine Gaul would be uncontested and easily hidden from imperial scouts who looked in totally the wrong area for his legions.

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Praetor Maxus' Forced March
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“Praetor, Praetor!”

Praetor Scipio Maxus turned around and saw an officer running towards him.

“Praetor, a messenger at the gates, he’s asking for you..it sounds urgent sir.” still breathing heavily from running, the Praetor told him to get back to work.

The Praetor turned around and walked towards the gates of the camp, where he saw the messenger seated on his horse. When the Praetor arrived at the gates, the messenger got off his horse:

“Salute Praetor Maxus, I have a message from Praetor Marius Manus. He told me it was urgent and that I should wait for your reply, sir”

The messenger handed over the letter that was written and sealed by Praetor Manus.

“Officer, find this man a tent where he can sleep for this night, and get him some food.”

The officer nodded his head and lead the messenger to his tent.

The Praetor looked at the letter, and then returned to his tent, where he opened it, and read it. Moments later the Praetor closed the letter again, just staring at the candlelight that stood on his table next to his bed.

“Sir, your diner”, an centurion came in carrying a silver plate with a nice cooked diner on it.

The Praetor didn’t seem to take notice off the centurion.

“Excuse me sir, your diner, it’s ready.’

The Praetor now turned his face and told the centurion to put it on table.

“Do you need anything else sir?” The centurion asked.

“No, thank you, you can go now centurion.” Replied Scipio Maxus.

The Praetor started to eat his dinner, it smelled good, and it probably tasted good, but the Praetor didn’t care, he just kept staring at the candlelight.

That same night he wrote a letter back to Praetor Manus, that he was going to give to the messenger first thing in the morning.

Then he wrote letters for all his legions. Next thing he did, was composing a list of the things that the legion was supposed to do tomorrow.

Then he called one of his servants to take away the silver plate and the rests of his diner.

He blew out the candlelight, took off his armor, and his sword, and placed it all on a chair.

After that he finally went to sleep.

The Praetor was up quite early, only few men were already awake, and so the Praetor got dressed, went outside handed over the letters for his legions to his messengers, then went to the other messenger and gave him the letter that was meant for Praetor Manus. After handing out the letters he placed the list, that he had made the evening before, on the wooden board in the centre of the camp.

Of course his servants were already awake, and they had made the Praetor a small breakfast.

When the Praetor finished his breakfast, the men started to gather at the board, where they all read the list. Most of them seemed to be confused, but eventually did what was on the list: ‘break up the camp, we’re moving on’

Not long after, the general rushed towards the Praetors tent, where he got all the explanation he needed. Both officers and centurions were informed after this little meeting between the general, and the Praetor.

Just an hour later the Praetor inspected his troops, finally he took stand on some higher ground where everyone could see him.

“Soldiers, officers and centurions, I owe you some explanation why we suddenly have to leave.

Yesterday evening I got a letter from Praetor Marius asking for our help. I’m willing to give him that help, and that’s why we go north. All the legions under my command will gather in South Dalmatia, where we will start our march all together.

We will march on the border of Noricum and Etrusca, and so on to Eastern Rhaetia. We’re we will make a hold for a few days to gain strength. Our final goal will be Rhaetia. After his speech the Praetor gave the order to leave from Southern Dalmatia.

Weeks went by when they finally reached the borders of Rheatia. The soldiers were tired for they only had about 7 hours of sleep a day. It was important that they got in Salona in time.

Salona was the town where all the legions would come together. Salona had been in hands of Greek colonists for about 300 years. Now it was a Roman town with good roads that went in and out the city. The city that once was a Greek settlement had grown into a nice Roman town with a good economy. No wonder this was the place where the legions would come together, here they could sleep, eat, trade, and get supplies from the market in the centre of the town.

The legions of Scipio Maxus arrived as first, soon afterwards the other legions arrived too, tough some of them arrived 20 days later for some of them were further removed from South Dalmatia. When the legions were together they stayed a week longer, to get them supplies, weapons, clothing and food.

At the end of the week the 3 legions started their next long march. The weather was quite good and the legions didn’t suffer from the rain. Just when they were about to cross the border of North Dalmatia and Noricum/Etrusca it started to rain heavily, so the march got stuck, and soldiers had to put up their camp until the weather got better. The soldiers used the time to rest, train, play and gain their strength. When the sun was shining again, the soldiers broke up their camps, and marched on, passing Noricum at their right, and Etrusca on their left.

After 2 months they finally reached Eastern Rhaetia some men got ill, and needed medical care. Others had terrible pain at their feet. Luckily the Praetor and the general agreed to give the men 2 hours of rest before they had to put up the camp that would be little fortified afterwards. This camp would be a temporary base for the 3 legions. When the camp was built, the Praetor called his Officers and his General together. He informed them on what the real goal would be:

“Officers and General, I haven’t been completely honest with you. We are marching towards this region to join with our comrades of praetor S. Marius Manus' legions. By a brilliant feat of deception he has managed to escape from those that would have destroyed his army!.”

“General would you be so kind to get a messenger in here, thank you.”

The Praetor saluted the officers and his general, and they left the Praetors tent.

Scipio Maxus sat on his table again, took a piece of paper and wrote:

“Avé Praetor Manus,

We have successfully reached Eastern Rhaetia,

Some men are ill, but they are going to be alright, we haven’t got any losses…not yet.

When you have further updates on this matter, you can sent a letter, with this letter I will sent also my personal messenger to you, only he knows where the camp is situated.

Good luck Praetor Manus,

Vae Victis,

Praetor A. Scipio Maxus”.

While all this was being done, Marius received word from Praetor Maxus that his Army was on the way from the East, as per ordered by their commander, Marius Manus. Soon these legions too would reach the Alps and help to divide the Imperial forces in Rome with their much greater Army that now sat in Gaul, still thinking that their enemy was to their north. The furious pace of advance made Marius feel confident that the great vistas of martial glory he hoped for, were finally within his reach.

The legions of A. Maximus Terpus and T. Sarius Julianus, had been decisively outpaced, of that he was sure. Now his scouts were deployed to the South, it was now that Marius became aware that other too were capable of deception!

The pass he had intended top pass through was defended! Not some small force of militia, but by a legionary force of substantial numbers. To reach Cisalpine Gaul, as his plan called for, S. Marius Manus would have to storm fortifications that had obviously been prepared for several months prior to their discovery.

The scouts were not able to probe far enough South to discover more than the fact that there was certainly more than one legion guarding the pass. However the Imperial troops also had scouts out, unhampered by the nature of a single narrow mountain pass. these troops, fighting hard discovered that S. Marius Manus had managed to get his entire army to the gates of Italia itself. they also detected the approach of Praetor Maxus' three legions too.

Of course nothing in war is "free", in gaining this information, several Imperial scouts were killed in skirmishes. There shields immediately identified them as members of two separate Consular legions!

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By: Scipio Marius Manus, Antoninus Scipio Maxus, GMs

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Release the Hounds! Musing of an Emperor

2004-07-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

Emperor Vitellius had not slept much over the last few months. He knew his family was protected in the Palace. His soon-in-law, Justius, was temporarily in command of the Praetorian Guard while Secondo Julianus was in the field commanding consular legions II and V, who were waiting for action in Cisalpine Gaul. He knew the waiting was the hardest part for a soldier. He had been an Officer in the legions briefly before deciding that the Empire needed him in the political arena. Boy, did it ever.

“I have had a very eventful reign,” Emperor Augustus Tiberius Vitellius thought aloud. He has two beautiful children with a grandchild on the way. His son, Augustus, named after his grandfather, was coming of age and decided to dive into politics. The Emperor had acceded to this wish provided that he first spend a large amount of time in the military—perhaps to become General. He had learned a lot about military life after joining politics by spending much time in the field and watching the men train, but it was no substitute for actual combat. He was blessed to have had Otho Vitellius as his Secondo and military advisor at the beginning of his reign, followed by the very astute genius of the Military Consul, Titus Sabaco, who had been beset by a very unfortunate malady that rendered him incapable of movement or speech. Fortunately, he has very capable commanders in the field and here in Rome.

“Perhaps the gods are testing my fortitude,” the Emperor theorized aloud. “After all, we had just become as large as we ever had been before, our provinces are re-building and the people and gods are as happy as
ever, despite the lack of political action on the part of the Senate. This madman Manus is the cause and he will be stopped.

It seemded that over the past few years the madman Praetor Manus had been developing a strategy to revolt. He had been promoted too quickly, the Emperor was now discovering. The power had gone to his head and he now believed he could rule Rome. He was even identifying with the distant relative who had caused the last Civil War, Gaius Scipio Manus, who had managed to bring Rome to the state which the Emperor had worked these many years to crawl from, and very successfully. He would ensure this did
not happen again.

The Emperor had his devoted legions, and knew the traitor did not have much support. His biggest support came from Praetor Maxus, who had become a lazy, fat drunk who would rather eat and watch games rather than fight. Tiberius regretted not taking action on him sooner. “Don’t worry, Maxus,” he thought aloud, “I have someone who will be more than happy to meet you!”

He smiled at the fortune of having a devoted General like Agrippa Augustus Vitellius in his legions. He had shown his abilities in the field and was now showing his loyalty by providing the Emperor with a double-agent in the military. The General had led all to believe he was a traitor; all except those who needed to know. He would take Legion XIX to Maxus and side with the Praetor until the time for actual battle. This is when the General would turn and assassinate the Praetor with extreme prejudice, creating
confusion amongst the other legions, enabling a swift victory over Maxus’s forces. He had even heard that there was a very loyal Officer with the General. Tiberius was always wary of these double-agents, however. He worried that perhaps they really would turn traitor, but the Emperor had to trust at some point. His lack of trust was rooted in the events of the previous civil war. In that war, his father, the Proconsul, had operated as a double agent, unmasking the many plans of the traitor, only to be betrayed by his those he thought could be trusted.

Praetors Terpus and Julianus were readying their forces with capable Generals throughout, two know personally to him; General Julianus and General Servo, in command of Rome’s most capable naval fleet. He would be the one to support General Vitellius in his efforts against Maxus. The Secondo would be support for the Praetors while squeezing Manus from both sides. Manus was overconfident. He had poor leadership and only a few legions. He had counted on support from foreign powers. This was counteracted, as the Aegyptian leader informed the Emperor that Manus had contacted him. Tiberius also learned through General Vitellius’s infiltration that Manus had petitioned the Asians to support with their navy. This was a desperate attempt that would probably not come to fruition, but in case it did, the Aegyptians assured they would keep them at bay.

The Emperor finished his musings by looking upon his Empire, satisfied in the knowledge that Justius and the Praetorians were handling the small riots here and there, and confident that he had enough legions posted around the Empire that would keep order in the rest of the provinces. Besides, why would they revolt. The massive provincial improvements were underway and the people should be happy, shouldn’t they.

Emperor Vitellius looked forward to spending some time with his daughter and grandchild and walked down the hall to find them. He was confident in quick victory and expansion of the Empire ahead.

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By: Augustus Tiberius Vitellius

GM Note: I have removed some sections from the Emperor’s musings, because they involved “musings” that should still be secret. I decided to post the rest of Tiberius’ musings because they involve events that are already public knowledge.

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The Escape of Legion XIX

2004-07-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Praetor Julianus, I would like my legion to have the night’s watch, with permission to scout the area for Maxus’s spies,” requested new General A. Augustus Vitellius. Praetor Julianus had been following the progress of this young man, an especially astute military strategist and even more of a fighter. Julianus thought about this unusual request deeply, aware of the passion Augustus has for the fight, for battle. He has seen his especially gruesome tactics. They were gross, but effective at instilling fear in the enemy. The Praetor nodded yes, and Augustus smiled, ready for his escape.

Late into the night, General Vitellius directed his legion further and further away from the rest of Praetor Julianus’s legions until, while the rest of the legions slept, he had managed to take his entire legion to Praetor Maxus while the rest of the legions and their Praetor slept. It would be morning until the Praetor realized he was missing an entire legion.

At about the same time as this discovery, word reached the Praetor that Augustus had declared his loyalty to Praetor Manus and the cause of the rebellion. Augustus had times these events perfectly. The Praetor knew that he would not be able to catch up to the Elite Legion, but knew that they would meet again soon. Meanwhile, General Augustus Vitellius and Elite Legion XIX met several days later with Praetor Maxus, whose rage against the emperor grew day by day.

He relished the opportunity to command an Elite legion, and immediately started planning with the General and one of his capable Officers, Tiberius Julianus.

Written by Agrippa Augustus Vitellius

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Shifting Sands of the Army

2004-07-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

The outbreak of the Civil War, caught the legions stationed in a round belgica in a dilemma. Two legions had IMMEDIATELY declared for S. Marius Manus. This had left three legions that were far from certain to be on either sides Order of Battle. Publically all three lefions (XIII, XV and XXX) were loyal to the Emperor. However after "Lights Out" the soldiers had discussed the political situation in hushed tones.

For Legio XV, the decision was easiest. they had not been in as close contact to S. Marius Manus and his legions, as the other two.
Legio XV and XXX had not objected to the appointment of Praetor A. Maximus Terpus to command them. The Praetor was new to his rank, but he had developed something of a reputation in Hispania. Nor had the blandishments of marius Manus proven able to sway them from finally declaring for the Emperor. promised loot, did not match the regular pay the Emperor's service offered!

With Legio XIII there was a sad misjudgement. The Emperor opted to sendan order to this legion. Simply put, it was ordered to attack their former comrades in arms, Legio IX under Marius. Immediately the troops, who had been paraded to receive their new orders, commenced an unplanned mutiny. They had been tested, and perhaps with suitable leadership and leadership being there that day, they would have reacted otherwise.

By days end S. Marius Manus had gained a legion and Rome stood on warning that No one's allegiance could be counted upon, as vouch safed. Both sides had lost legions when the loyalty of commanders and troops had not been suitably bolstered before they were committed to an uncertain future.

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Rampaing Rumors II

2004-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

News of the riots spread quickly . Within moments of being informed of the events unfolding in the streets of Rome, Secondo Julianus sent orders to the Praetorian Prefects ordering that the full number of Praetorians to be placed on the streets to quell the riot using whatever force they deemed nessessary. A short while later thousands of Praetorians were on patrol, greatly boosting the Urban Cohorts already attempting to control the situation. Locating the riot was easy. Stopping it would be another matter. Honorius, who had also taken to the streets with the Praetorians to get the best scope of the situation now ordered the Praetorian cohorts to fan out and totally surround the entire area of the riot. Once this was done they were to advance towards the forum, ensuring all rioters were forced along in that direction, thus tighting the Praetorian noose around them. Those who resisted were to be executed on the spot. The Praetorians moved into the Subura district in force, "herding" anyone who they found out on the street. Many young troublemakers and disgruntled plebeians on the fringe of the mob were successfully "caught" by the Guardsmen. But several veteran Praetorian and Urban Cohort officers noted that the mob rapidly dissolved into the surrounding apartments as soon as the caught sight (or heard word) of the Praetorian deployment. Praetorian Centurion Tillus Vetaeus muttered to a fellow centurion, "The mob is behaving as espected. They are cowards... the instigators are probably the first to clear the streets! It's not possible to control a mob in such a dense part of the city, with a high plebeian population. But at least we'll have some token arrests for the Secondo's sake."

Within the hour, the remaining rioters had all been confined to the forum, with but a mere handful having to perish for their stupidity. Secondo Honorius Julianus surveyed the scene... his men had done their jobs well. But the "mob" that appeared before his eyes was far smaller than earlier reports had indicated. He frowned; this was not ideal. It would send a message to the people, anyway. Having done what was needed, Honorius returned to the Praetorian headquarters to question some who had been arrested. In the forum, the Emperor had decided to address the crowd. He now appeared, guarded by hundreds of Praetorians, and spoke.

"Fellow Romans! I understand your dismay and will this once forgive your actions. We have uncovered the the foul murderer of Prima Agrippa was General Arcadius Julianus during one of his unapproved trips to Rome. He neglected his duty on the Germanii front in order to insult my daughter, ner mother and kill the Prima. Once this was discovered, I dispatched to Praetor Julianus to have the General captured and brought to Rome. Unfortunately, we have just received word that the General fell in battle at the hand of a Germanii arrow through the neck. It appears the gods performed their own justice of this obscene matter. Concerning Oracle Tara, who is standing beside me, she shall explain how Manus raped her. Before she speaks however, heed this warning and heed it well. If any citizen decides to continue with this action, the Praetorian Guard is ordered to kill that person on the spot, then go to their homes, and execute the entire immediate family, burning the home to the ground! All citizens know that I love you and Rome with all of my heart, through my willingness to forgive ONCE! I am sure all should thank the gods for my generosity. Now, I present the Oracle Tara Vitellius!"

Oracle Tara stood before the crowd. She hoped to portray herself as a dark and mysterious character... the person of an Oracle. Her voice echoed across the Forum. "How dare you question me, the conduit of the gods! I have served Rome faithfully and now you accuse me of lying? I am loyal to Rome. I was raped by the dreadful Praetor, shortly before the Festival. All of you may recall that I was not available the month before the Festival. That is because I made a trip to the field in Germania, with several Praetorians for protection, as the Secondo can attest. I prayed to the gods to look for favor in the heathen land. A priestess of each god accompanied me, including the brave Priestess of Venus, Iona. It was she who saved my life. I had a message for Praetor Manus, a dire message that Jove delivered to me; that he and his Legions were in dire danger from a force I could not determine, but it wasn't the Germanii. He scoffed at me, then had his way with me saying that the Germanii women were fun, but a Roman Oracle would be a crowning achievement. I screamed, and the preistess ran to get the Praetorians. One of his guards informed Manus, who, when he finished with me, said that if I told anyone, he would kill me and all of the priestesses of Rome. He said he would prove he was not kidding. When the Praetorian arrived, Manus claimed that I fell and hurt myself. On the trip back, four of the priestesses were killed by arrows. The Praetorian blamed Germanii, but I know it was Manus warning me. I had no idea that the gods would retaliate. That is when I realised I had to tell someone. And instead of sympathy and compassion, you Romans attack me." She turned around and departed, crying....

Rumors spread quickly in the slave quarters of Rome's great homes. The domus of shipping magnate S. Libaeus Caestelus was no exception.. the kitchen was alive with chatter. "Did you hear?" said the girl to the older woman. "Bad omens for Rome! As Oracle Tara spoke to the mob, an eagle dropped dead at her feat!" The old woman frowned. "Bad omens indeed! Ye think she has angered the gods by breaking the truth and playing politics for her kinsman the Emperor?" The girl shook her head vigorously. "Methinks it might be! Our Emperor is a divine man, may the gods bless him, but the Oracle..." Similar rumors were heard in other circles of the city. Obviously, some people were very eager to spread the story of the eagle and the shameful lies of Tara Vitellius. However, the Oracle was not without her supporters. A substantial number of wealthy equites were quick to support Tara and condemn the "bloody mob" and the "traitor Manus". But of course, the equites formed Emperor Vitellius' most solid block of supporters. They enjoyed the relative stability of his reign and deplored mob violence... mobs were the great bane of successful businessmen.

The next day, as the early morning sun rose over the hills of Rome, people flocked to the Temple of Jupiter. There, in the residence of the priests and priestesses, Oracle Tara Vitellius lay dead. The killers had left a sign reading: "THIS IS THE FATE THAT AWAITS ALL THOSE WHO CONSPIRER WITH THE IMPERIAL DOGS! FOR ROME!"

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