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.

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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

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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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