Legio XVII: Battle of the Danube (42 page)

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A few hours later, Timur arrived with his leaders.  He again apologized for yesterday’s incident and thanked Manius for allowing the Teutons to deal with the man.  “He has been exiled from the Tribe for life.  I hope that satisfies the blood debt we owe.”  Manius nodded.  Then Timur said, “Yesterday you asked me what we want and I am prepared to answer your question.”

“Go on,” said Manius.

“Allow my people to live on this side of the river in the land north of and including Ulm to Augsburg to Munich to Passau.  We will join forces with the Suevi and prevent other migrating Tribes from crossing.  We will be good neighbors and welcome trade and diplomatic relations between our three Tribes.  The Suevi alone cannot prevent migrations, but our combined Tribes can.  That is want I want.”  Bethica looked at Manius and thought to herself, “He already figured out what Timur would propose.”

Manius looked at Bethica and said, “You’ve heard Timur’s proposal; what do you say?”

Bethica had already talked to her leaders as Manius suggested the other evening and replied, “We agree.  However, because of the way your soldiers mistreated the refugees who were peaceable vacating the land and because of your failure to properly supervise these soldiers, your Tribes may live from Donauworth in the west to Passau in the east along a line generally connecting Donauworth, Plaffenhofen, Landshut, and Passau.  Land north of that line is yours; everything south is ours.”

“We want to meet with your representatives to work out the exact details of where the dividing line will be.  Additionally, we propose a two-mile (3.2km) wide buffer zone between our Tribes.  We would like a Roman scribe to record our agreement so there is no question in the future.  We only ask that your representative negotiate in good faith.”

Timur said, “So, it is settled.  My Army and my people thank you for your generosity.  You will not regret it.  I will send my two Tribal Leaders to meet with your representative Bethica and the Roman scribe to record what is said.”

Manius said, “I want your Tribal Leaders and Bethica’s representatives to meet here at my headquarters tomorrow morning at 8:00 A.M. to begin talking.  I want this matter resolved in a week.  Timur, one last item before we discuss an indemnity, we have 5,000 of your men from Augsburg and Landshut.  I intend to return them to you tomorrow morning as a gesture of goodwill.  In return, I want you to return any hostages you are holding.  Specifically, I want the family of Milo returned.”

Manius then asked Timur how he planned to pay the Army that had just defeated him and to show his gratitude for the favorable peace terms.  Timur was not prepared for the question and asked for time to talk to his Leaders.  Manius said, “No later than one week from today, I will expect to see wagon loads of payment coming across the river.  Your people will not be allowed to cross until this obligation is settled satisfactorily and I will determine what is satisfactory.”

Timur said, “I have no way to bring the wagons across the Danube.  Pontoon boats cannot hold up against the current.  We have tried several times.”

Manius said, “We can build a bridge, which you can also use to get your people safely across the river.”

He then dismissed the meeting and asked Timur, his men, and an interpreter to stay.  As he had done with Bethica three years earlier, he unrolled a map on the side of the tent and began telling Timur about Rome.  When he finished, he said, “In one year, Roman cavalry will arrive here to escort you to Rome if you are interested in visiting the city.  You will be my guest.”  Timur agreed and departed.

Manius called for Tomaeus and told him about the need for a bridge.  Tomaeus left to study the river and find a suitable site.  Manius considered recalling the Legions from around the Teuton fort, but decided to leave them in place to continue to apply pressure on the Teutons.  He gave orders that nothing could leave or enter the fort without his approval.  He knew that hungry bellies or full bladders markedly reduced the time needed to reach agreements.

At 8:00 A.M. the following morning, the two sides met inside the Roman fort to decide the details of the agreement reached by Timur and Bethica.  Joseph had a few scribes present to record the discussion and details of the settlement.  Bethica spread out a map and traced a line from Donauworth in the west to Passau on the Danube in the east.  “Everything south of this line is Suevi territory; everything north is Cimbri/Teuton.”  The two Tribal Chiefs studied the map for a while and asked to step outside so they could discuss the proposal in private.

Once outside, the two Chiefs said to each other that when they surveyed the land with the Clan Leaders earlier, the land north of the line is exactly what they had looked at before they were recalled because of the Suevi/Romans advance.  They would lose a lot of territory by this agreement, but it was better than nothing.  One said, “We would be along the Danube and could control its traffic.  Boats would have to pay us taxes to continue downstream.”  They went back inside and said that they had no objection to the Suevi proposal.

Bethica then said, “Since you agree, I propose that a team of Suevi and Cimbri/Teutons surveyors ride the line and mark it with stone monuments every mile.  I would like to start planning our strategy to establish these markers seven days from today.  Additionally, to avoid any future conflict, we think it would be appropriate to designate a two mile (3.2km) wide strip of land north of the line in which neither Suevi nor Cimbri/Teutons would live.  This line would also be marked.  We also plan to post military garrisons at several points along our side of the line to ensure our security.  Do you agree to all this?”

The Tribal Leaders said that they have no objection and in seven days would send a team of men to begin the planning to establish the border.

Bethica then said, “As you know, there are a considerable number of your dead in the Augsburg area.  If you wish, we will lead your men to them so they can be properly buried.  If you would like to do this, the burial team can go with the men that will establish the markers.”

“Yes, we would like that,” replied the Chiefs.

When the meeting adjourned, Bethica hailed Tomaeus as he was leaving the tent.  “I need your advice and assistance to set the border between the Suevi and Cimbri/Teutons.  I saw your surveyors set the boundaries of the camp at Bad Tolz and here.  They used an instrument called a groma or surveyor’s cross.  Can your engineers assist my men to build four of these instruments and teach us how to use them?”

Tomaeus said, “Let’s go to my tent to talk about this.”  When they arrived, Tomaeus said, “Explain to me your concept to lay out a border.”

Bethica said, “We’ve only begun to think about it, but my idea at this point is to have four teams of surveyors and assistants start the project at four different places.”

“Go on,” said Tomaeus.  “How great a distance are we talking about?”

Bethica responded, “The total distance to be marked is 120 miles (193km).  I want a reasonably straight line to run from Donauworth in the west all the way to Passau in the east.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly straight, but the best we can do.”

“How would you use the four teams?” asked Tomaeus.

“I would place two teams in the middle of the line, which is northeast of Munich,” responded Bethica.  “These two teams would then work in opposite directions; one east the other west.  At the same time, I plan to have a team in Passau in the east surveying westward.  The fourth team would start at Donauworth and work their way eastwards.  Somewhere the four teams should meet.”

Tomaeus said, “I like the plan.  We normally plan three to four days per mile to do it perfectly.  Since you’re not seeking perfection, let’s say it only takes you two days per mile.  With four teams working that would be 30 days, but since you have to stop and build stone markers, I would estimate two months and probably longer.  If you started the project now, you could complete it by mid October.”

Bethica smiled broadly and said, “When can your engineers begin teaching us how to build and operate the groma?”

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In eight days a wooden bridge spanned the Danube that could handle two wagons side by side.  The Teutons did not think it was possible to build such a bridge in a strong current and watched from the walls of their fort in utter fascination.  They also observed the techniques used by the Roman engineers.

With the Proconsul’s approval, Timur’s men rebuilt the ferry and began regular trips to the settlement while they waited for the bridge to be built.  The first order of business was to calm the people and recall those who had scattered.  Once the people were reassured about the future, he discussed an indemnity with the Clan Leaders.

They decided to order everyone in the settlement to surrender every ounce of gold, silver, tin, copper, precious stones, and jewelry they owned.  They explained that no one would be allowed to move across the river until the Romans were paid.  It took a week of brow beating and shaming to force the people to give up their wealth, but in the end, Timur filled eight wagons with valuables.  By the time the bridge was completed, the eight wagons rolled across.

Manius and the Commanders inspected the valuables and accepted the payment.  The goods were distributed equally among the eight wagons by the Roman Pay Master under the close observation of representatives from each Legion.  That evening, the soldiers received their share according to rank and time in the Army.

All that remained for Manius was to get his three Legions safely back to Rome, a distance of 655 miles (1054km), but he had one more very important task to accomplish before departing Regensburg.  He assembled his Legates and said, “In two days, I want to conduct an awards ceremony for the soldiers who fought with distinction at Augsburg, Landshut, and Regensburg.  Send your nominees to my headquarters by tonight.  I would expect at least 50 nominees per Legion.  Form the eight Legions into a square with those to receive awards standing in front of their Legions.  I will comment on their bravery and they will receive their actual award when we return to Rome.  Awards for the Suevi and Raeti will be sent to Bethica and Timo to present to their men.

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On 15 July, all eight Legions walked out of the fort and turned south.  Innsbruck was 180 miles (289km) or 15 days away.  Bethica and her Commanders decided to grant her men a two week vacation when they got back to Innsbruck and then use them to help the refugees get resettled.  She assumed that those who used to live south of Munich would return to their former homes.  She also planned to post an Ambassador at Regensburg.

Lugano planned to take what he had learned from the Romans and implement it throughout the Raeti Army.

The Legions arrived at Innsbruck on 30 July.  Manius, his three Roman Legions and I Raetorum stayed for three days across the river from Innsbruck to rest the troops and animals and use the Inn River to clean up.  Some of the women from Bad Tolz arrived to find their Legionary boyfriends.  They planned to follow the Legions back to Rome.

Bethica visited Davenhardt and her father Ariovistus.  She told her father that she and Davenhardt planned to marry in two weeks.  He was not surprised.  He had watched their relationship grow over the years.  Bethica was the last to have seen it!

Bethica learned that the kidnapped women were successfully reunited with their families, but would never fully recover from the trauma they had experienced as Teuton slaves.  The valuables and animals recovered from Augsburg and Landshut were claimed by their owners with a few minor disputes over ownership.

On 1 August, Bethica, Davenhardt, and Ariovistus hosted a dinner for Manius and his Commanders to thank them for their help and to bid them farewell.  Manius and his four Legions left the next day.  As he had done three years ago, Manius paused at the entrance to the Brenner Pass and looked back at Innsbruck.  It was beautiful.  This time, he did not say, “I will return to this valley,” but simply turned and rode on.

Ten days later, the Legions arrived at Trento.  Lugano was hailed for his successful operation and appointed by Timo as the new commander of the Army.  Few Raeti warriors had been killed and the survivors returned with valuables in their packs.

Manius was delighted to see Rosa and Timo.  After Innsbruck, Trento was his favorite place to visit.  That evening, Timo served another grand meal to Manius, his Commanders, and staff.  This time, when the servants brought around the fish, Manius caught the eye of Quintus, his Medical Officer, smiled at him, and said, “No thank you, this time I will pass on the fish!”

Proconsul Tullus and his three Legions departed Trento on 11 August and stopped at Verona where they linked up with the Cenomani Chief Segovesus who rode in from Brescia.  Manius thanked him profusely for providing the constant supply of grain and corn and told his Pay Master to give him a 15% bonus with his final payment.