Marching With Caesar: Conquest of Gaul (54 page)

“You crazy bastard, you should know better than to hit the ground,” he yelled at me, but I could just stare at him for a second, his words not really registering.

After a moment, my head began to clear; only then did I realize that there were men streaming past me, and I looked about to see that the entire German left wing had collapsed, with the men of the 10th in hot pursuit. Retrieving my shield, I cursed when I saw that it was ruined, split in half by the German’s axe; the cost to replace it would be docked from my pay.

Things went well on our side of the battlefield, but the same was not the case on the left wing, where the men of the 7th and 12th were threatened with being overwhelmed by the German right wing. Caesar writes that it was only due to the sheer weight of numbers, and again, despite the fact I do not like to disagree with the great man, the numbers were not any greater than what we in the 10th faced, but I suppose that’s just an old soldier’s pride speaking. Regardless of the reason, the outcome of the overall battle was still very much in doubt, so the horns sounded to call off our pursuit of the Germans we had routed. These men were running for their lives, some of them heading back to the wagons, while most streamed past them heading north. However, it is hard to re-form when the men’s blood is up and they are hot on the heels of their enemy, so it took precious moments before we began to gather in some semblance of a formation. Luckily, young Publius Crassus, who was the commander of the cavalry at that point, kept his head about him, and seeing the looming disaster, ordered the entire third line of all six Legions to head to the aid of the 7th and 12th. Moving quickly, they slammed into the flank of the Germans who were now wrapped around the two Legions, almost completely surrounding them. Before our eyes, what was shaping up to be a disaster for us quickly turned around into total victory, and it was not long before the rout was complete, with all of the surviving Germans now fleeing for their lives. Meanwhile, the Legions in the center, the 8th, 9th and 11th, had entered the camp and were eliminating the last shreds of resistance from the German warriors who retreated back there to defend their families. Again we could hear the cries and shrieks of the women watching their men slaughtered before the Legionaries turned their attention to them. By this time, we in the 10th were fully formed up, so Caesar commanded us to move north after the fleeing Germans, in the event that some of them had the presence of mind to regroup into a large formation. At the same time Caesar sent the cavalry to harass and cut down as many stragglers as they could find. Finally the cavalry provided some worth to the army, their pressure keeping Ariovistus or any of his commanders from rallying their warriors. Marching for a third of a watch in a single line of Cohorts, we were ready to confront any group of Germans who decided to stop to make a stand, but it soon became obvious that they were not stopping for anything. Once this was clear, we halted for a brief rest before turning and marching in column back to the battlefield to check for our wounded and dead.

Somehow, Ariovistus managed to escape, getting across the Rhenus in a small boat, but the rest of his family was not so fortunate. He had two wives, both of whom were slain, along with one of his two daughters, the other being captured and sold into slavery. Luckily, both Metius and Procilus were found still alive, although a little worse for wear, having been roughed up a bit by the Germans while being held captive. But the threat posed to the Aedui, Sequani, and other tribes by Ariovistus and his Germans was permanently removed, earning the gratitude of the tribes, at least for a while. Our losses in the 10th had been pleasantly light; in our Century nobody had been killed, with only a couple being seriously wounded and who would return to duty after only a couple of months’ recuperation. The 7th and 12th were not so fortunate, suffering heavy losses when they were surrounded by the Germans, but at least now both the 11th and 12th were veteran Legions like us. Despite it still being early to end the campaign season, the fact was that there was nobody left for us to fight. In the space of one abbreviated season, we had crushed the Helvetii and Ariovistus, so Caesar decided to send us to winter quarters early, marching us back to Vesontio, where the camp was awaiting us to make the necessary improvements for winter quarters. When we marched back to the town, the citizens lined the road to cheer us as we went marching by.

“Not as good as marching in a triumph, but it’s better than nothing,” grumped Vibius, who seemed to be determined to not be impressed or pleased with anything.

This was a trait of his, and I could not decide whether it was becoming more pronounced, or I was just growing weary of it. Despite his sour words, I caught him smiling from ear to ear at the accolades from the people lining our path. The small city had swelled in population; somehow the word that this would be our winter quarters was known by the camp followers long before we heard, so that all the various tradesmen, pimps, wine merchants and whores were there to greet us, along with the proper citizens of Vesontio. Beginnings of a shanty town were already springing up outside the camp gates, and the men started to talk excitedly of finally being released to spend the booty we had earned, some of it on whores, some of it on wine, although most of it would be lost to dice or other games of chance. As for myself, I was still smarting over having my pay docked for my ruined shield, so I had no plans on losing any other part of my money in the same manner as my comrades. It was not that I was a prude, or disapproved in any way the various pleasures of the flesh, and I knew myself well enough to know that despite my best intentions some of my money would end up in the purses of the purveyors of vice. However, I still had ambitions and plans, plans that called for money. Despite my visit home and the admonition from Phocas and Gaia about the folly of trying to buy their freedom from my father, I was determined that I was going to do just that, one way or the other. I also resolved that I was going to make more of an effort to write, although I wish I could say it was for selfless motives. This would be my third winter in garrison and I had learned how boring it was, so I was looking for new ways to pass the time, and for this winter I decided that I was going to pursue learning to read better. Now that I was a Sergeant, I was going to have to start doing paperwork, the bane of every soldier above the rank of
Gregarii
'
s
existence; I knew of several men who would have made fine Optios or Centurions but chose to stay in the ranks just to avoid paperwork.

Before Caesar left for the Province to resume his normal duties as governor, a formation was held where decorations were awarded, and it was here that I earned my first
corona
civica
, for saving Scribonius against the Helvetii. It came as a total shock to me; I had not known that I was even being considered, but the evening before the formation, the Primus Pilus once again showed up in front of our tent, bringing the Pilus Prior with him.

“This is becoming a habit Pullus,” he joked, which I laughed at dutifully, although I did not find it particularly amusing.

Despite my record and my hunger for glory, I still possessed the ordinary soldier’s suspicion of being singled out. Every time I was summoned, even if I was told the reason, I was sure that it would turn out to be for some sort of chastisement or punishment. I think it was this insecurity that made me such a good Legionary; no matter how hard I worked, I never thought I was deserving of any praise, preferring to focus instead on the things I did wrong and convincing myself that I had been found out.

Continuing, he said, “You’re being decorated tomorrow morning, so I don’t have to tell you that your gear better be perfectly polished. The Pilus Prior will inspect you first thing in the morning, so you better get to it.”

Standing there for a moment, I tried to figure out what this was all about. I could not think of anything I had done that was especially noteworthy, so I asked, “Sir, if it’s not too much to ask, would the Primus Pilus care to tell me what it is I’m being decorated for?”

He shrugged. “Can’t say that I know myself. All I know is that you better be standing tall and ready for inspection an hour after morning call.”

I knew better than to argue or keep pressing, so I just said, “Yes sir,” and returned to the tent to begin polishing my gear.

That next morning, I and about 40 other men from the 10th Legion were recognized for bravery, while I was one of two from the Legion to be awarded the
corona
civica
. Since it is worn on the head, it is necessary to remove your helmet, and it was only when I received the order to do so that I got an inkling of what I was about to receive. My mind raced; we had not assaulted any towns in either campaign, so it could not be a
corona
muralis
, and we had not relieved any besieged force. Anyway, I was not of sufficient rank to receive a
corona
vallaris
. Caesar stepped forward, Labienus and the Primus Pilus next to him, the Primus Pilus holding a pillow of some rich fabric, on which lay a simple grass crown. My throat tightened; winning this award for saving the life of a fellow Roman citizen is considered the highest honor a man can receive, and here I was barely 20 years old and I was being awarded this honor. Tribune Labienus unrolled a scroll, reading the citation aloud in his braying, parade ground voice, describing the event for which I was being decorated. It was for my rescue of Scribonius that day against the Helvetii, and the instant Labienus spoke the words, I was transported back to that moment, seeing the Helvetii warrior about to plunge his spear into Scribonius’ unprotected face. Feeling a warmth flow through me, I thought how happy I was that it was Scribonius that I saved, because I considered him a true friend, a good man and a good Legionary. For another time I found myself looking down at a beaming Caesar, then bowed my head to save him from being forced to stand on tiptoe to place the
corona
on my head. It was very light, the woven grass tickling my closely shaven scalp, and I was barely conscious of the words Caesar spoke to me.

“We meet once again Sergeant Pullus, and once again, you bring honor to the 10th Legion.”

“The honor is mine, Caesar,” I replied. “I’m just happy that I was able to save one of my friends from death.”

He gave me a thoughtful look, then said quietly, “That’s really all it’s about, isn’t it? We do what we do for our friends.” His eyes took on a faraway look as he gazed back through his own past. “Did you know I was awarded the same honor, when I was just about your age?” he asked, and I showed my surprise; I had not been aware of it until that moment.

Seeing my face, he laughed, “I know that it was a long time ago, probably before you were born. How old are you now Pullus?”

I almost damned myself to dismissal from the Legions or worse when I opened my mouth, because I was about to blurt out my true age. Thank the gods that I stopped myself in time.

“Twenty-one, sir.”

For a moment, my heart plummeted into my feet as his eyes narrowed, giving me a look that I was sure meant that he did not believe me. My relief was almost overwhelming when he replied, “So you were just born then, it took me a moment to add it up. Must be old age,” he laughed and I laughed with him, the feeling of escape washing through me.

“Still, it’s a remarkable achievement for one of your age, Pullus. I told you once I expected great things from you, and you have not disappointed me. Continue to serve me as you have in these campaigns, and you have a very bright future indeed.”

I promised that I would always strive to serve him as I had in the past and that he could always count on me whenever he called, something he accepted with a nod, indicating that such devotion was no more than his due, then our moment was over as he moved to the next man. Once finished, we were dismissed to go back to our place in the formation. Tradition decreed that I would continue to wear the
corona
civica
for the rest of the day, which I was happy to do, but I must admit that it felt a little strange to be standing in formation with my friends bareheaded, my helmet under my left arm.

Out of the side of his mouth, Scribonius spoke quietly, “I've never properly thanked you for what you did Titus,” using my praenomen, which in itself was rare, at least up to that point. “I’ll forever be in your debt, and the only way I can repay you is to let you know that if ever you need me, for anything, all you have to do is ask.”

A lump formed in my throat at his words, and I couldn’t trust myself to speak, so I merely nodded that I heard him.

Caesar left us behind to build our winter quarters and settle into our garrison routine, which some of the men enjoyed after living under a tent for so many months, but I personally abhorred. I hated the idea of doing nothing, which is what I considered we did in the winter months. Once the gear was mended or replaced, there was nothing but boredom and talk of how drunk we would get that night. This was the farthest north we ever spent a winter to that point, and I for one was not looking forward to the bitter cold. Even in the high summer months, the larger mountains still have snow covering their peaks, so I was sure that we would see more snow and bitter cold than we had ever experienced to that point, and that it would last longer. I was right on both counts; no matter how hard we tried, we could never seem to successfully chink the cracks between the rough boards that made our huts, so that the wind would come whistling through in an icy blast that always seemed to seek me out no matter what part of the hut I was in. Whenever it was our turn to stand guard, we bundled up with every piece of extra clothing we could find, and for the first time I began wearing the
bracae
that is part of everyday dress for Gauls, but was only allowed for our use during the cold winter months. Our
sagum
was all we had to keep out the elements, and it was not long before the tradesmen in town started doing a brisk business in selling regulation
sagum
, waterproofed on the outside in the normal fashion, but lined with animal fur on the inside. It was never allowed for parades or inspections, yet soon every man I knew spent some of their own money on purchasing such a garment. Gloves were not allowed, so we wore socks, which were allowed, on both our feet and our hands. They may not have looked very soldierly, but we had never been in cold like this before. Those townspeople who initially welcomed our presence began to tire of us because of the trouble that invariably followed some Legionaries around, like Atilius who, now that he was off of campaign, began to resort to his old ways of drinking and fighting. It did not help that the army tended to attract a certain class of people that the respectable townsfolk would under any other circumstances have nothing to do with; the fact that they were Roman did not help. While we were originally welcomed as rescuers coming to the aid of the Gauls in this area, once the crisis was averted and we did not leave, the warm feelings that our presence initially generated began to degrade and chill, with much the same speed as the weather outside. It was not long before things became tense, and there were fights between townspeople and soldiers, which was bad enough. Then Atilius killed the son of the headsman of the town in a drunken brawl. This time he was not going to get away with extra duties or shoveling out the latrine; the man he killed was too important politically for such a light punishment. The only thing saving his life were enough witnesses that were not Roman Legionaries who testified that at the very least, it was a situation where it was mutual combat, with more than one townsperson saying that in fact the son of the headsman was the aggressor. No matter what really happened, something had to be done, an example had to be made, which is why we found ourselves standing, shivering in the cold in full dress uniform, with our Century forced to stand in the front rank closest to where the punishment was to be carried out. Atilius was led out by two burly veterans in the provost unit, stripped to the waist, his torso standing out oddly white against the brown of his arms, legs and face. He had been kept under close guard so that none of us could sneak him some wine to dull his senses, and we were thankful that he could at least ascribe the severe shaking of his body to the bitter cold. The snow lay thick on the ground, and we could hear the crunching of their feet on the snow as they half-dragged Atilius to the wooden frame placed in the middle of the forum. Each guard took an arm, pulling him over the frame so that his back was exposed before tying his arms down to the upper part of the frame, then lashing his legs to the poles that supported the frame on the ground. Once in position, one of the provosts offered Atilius a gag made of a stick wrapped in leather for him to bite down on, and Atilius opened his mouth to accept it, his jaws clenching as he bit down. Labienus, serving in his capacity as our Legate since Caesar was elsewhere, then read the charge and sentence aloud for all of us to hear, with Atilius' punishment being ten lashes with the scourge. If it had been 20 or more lashes, it would have killed him; ten would be enough to almost kill him. Also present at the punishment was a group of townspeople, including an older heavyset bearded man, dressed in a rich fur cloak and fine brocaded tunic, his long hair pulled back in the Gallic style. Figuring him to be the father of the dead man, we deduced that he was here fulfilling two purposes, first as the representative of the injured party, and second as the headman of the town. There were a few other folk as well who I took to be members of his council. The Gallic chief’s face was set in stone, betraying neither grief nor delight at the sight of Atilius stripped bare and humiliated in this fashion. The man brandishing the scourge was not as tall as me, but he was heavily muscled, and clearly used to administering punishments up to and including execution. Unless, of course, the crime was such that the condemned man’s comrades were the ones detailed to carry it out. We had attended a few floggings with the scourge, yet this was the first of anyone we knew, and I could feel the tension vibrating among us as the man with the lash prepared himself to administer the punishment, swinging his arm in a circular motion to loosen his muscles, the strands of the scourge whistling in the air as he did so. The sound of it cutting through the air was a sound we could all plainly hear, and clearly so could Atilius, his shaking becoming more pronounced as his eyes widened in terror. My stomach formed into a hard knot as I watched, knowing that he had to be punished yet not liking it one bit. Now that he was warmed up the punisher turned sideways, his arm bent at the elbow, forearm parallel to the ground and the braids of the scourge trailing in the snow. With a smooth, fluid motion, he brought his now-straightened arm overhand as he stepped forward, bringing the scourge in a full circle in the air to bring the lashes down on Atilius’ back with a sickening wet slapping sound. Immediately Atilius let out a scream that was audible even through the gag and despite myself, I winced at the sound and sight of the bloody red stripes on his back, punctuated by deeper indentations where the pieces of metal that are embedded in each lash had dug out small chunks of his flesh from his back.