by C K Ruppelt
Half an hour later she was outside the city and breathed easier. Is Arretium far enough not to be caught? I will have to figure out how to be invisible there.
The first rays of morning light fought through the clouds, illuminating a trail leading away from the road. She was about two miles away from the city and decided to take the path to stay out of sight. As she stepped off the road, she heard horses close behind her and turned. Slave catchers! Already?
She rushed into the woods, though her ankle slowed her down. I need to go through some of the underbrush, deeper where they can’t follow me.
Some of the men ran after her, shouting for her to stop. She ignored the pain as best she could but realized she couldn’t keep the speed up for long since she was badly out of shape. I am no match for them.
She heard them gaining ground and frantically looked for a better direction, when her foot had hit a big tree root. She hit the ground hard. No, no, no. It can’t be over.
Knowing she had failed was unbearable.
696 AUC (58 BC), early summer
Border area, Roman Province of Gallia Transalpina and Free Gallia, lands of the Ambarri
Caesar and his five legions had successfully made their way across high mountain passes and through several skirmishes with isolated local tribes that did not acknowledge Roman rule. Now they were close to meeting with the Tenth.
“Is this the Arar flowing into the Rhodanus over there? It must be,” Caesar commented to his old friend and personal aide tribune Aulus Hirtius. It was the morning of the third day since they had reached the Rhodanus and turned north. “That means the bridge where the Tenth is waiting for us must be nearby.
An hour later he saw the old stone bridge and a full legion waiting next to it, prepared and ready for travel. This is a full-strength legion, yet it looks so small compared to the huge army already behind me.
“Tell them to cross now, we’ll sort out the marching order on the other side,” he yelled at one of the couriers in his group.
Later that same day, dirty from participating in digging the trench of their nightly camp, Caesar put down the spade to watch the legionaries erect a segment of the wall. He estimated they had made it twenty miles north on this ancient Gallic road following the banks of the Arar before they found this defensible position. He waved at Lucius Cornelius Balbus, who insisted on personally supervising camp erection every evening. He stretched and climbed out of the ditch, giving the men next to him a nod. Enough for today, they’ve seen me get dirty.
His twelve lictors fanned out around him with their axes ready, always on the lookout for potential threats. He kept watching the legionaries as they rammed in pole after pole, bracing and tying them in place as the catwalks behind were backfilled. He turned as he heard Hirtius walk up. “We have envoys in camp, both from the Aedui nation and from the Ambarri, the Aedui’s local relations. They want to talk to you at your earliest convenience. Most urgently, of course,” he said, smiling.
“Walk with me, Aulus. Let’s see if my tent is ready,” Caesar said in answer.
They strolled towards the middle of the enormous camp, now big enough to hold over thirty-five thousand fighting men and close to half that number in non-combatants. Caesar’s servants had pitched his tent, set up the furniture and even fired up a little foculi, a portable coal brazier at the tent center against the cool of the early evening.
Grateful, Caesar reached for an already filled cup of water. “The Aedui are our friends, we’re officially here to help them against invaders, so I guess I better change.” Hirtius laughed. Caesar knew the story of how he had received the last Helvetii delegation had quickly spread from the Tenth to the other legions. “Before you bring them to me, please ask all our Legates to attend.”
He walked over to the curtain leading to his private chamber. “Oh, and please walk the envoys slowly, maybe detour to show them the camp to give me a few extra minutes.” Aulus nodded with a smile and gave Caesar a brief salute, putting his right hand up to his helmet before leaving. “Thank you,” Caesar shouted after his friend and entered his private chamber. “Cleisthenes, thank you for getting the tent ready so quickly. I still need your help, please fetch more chairs or stools for the main room.”
A couple minutes later, Caesar had moved back to his writing table in the main room when the first of his legion commanders arrived. Titus Labienus, the wiry legate of the Tenth, was ahead of tall and gangly Quintus Pedius, son of his older sister Julia. Even though he liked Pedius, a young man seemingly afflicted with a rare combination of high energy and high integrity, he had yet to prove his abilities as a field commander. Caesar had given him the Seventh legion despite his reservations, though he would review as things progressed. He stood up and walked over to the two men, first clasping arms with Labienus. “It is good to have you and the Tenth with me again.” Next, he moved over to Pedius, also clasping arms. “And my dear nephew,” Caesar said, “we haven’t talked much since you joined your new legion a few days ago. Is your new task as legatus going well? And how is my sister these days?”
“I have excellent staff helping me to come up to speed. I wanted to let you know that I was so excited to receive your letter that I left Rome the very next day,” Pedius explained. “I am grateful for the opportunity.” He seems very enthusiastic, good.
The young man now continued with a broad grin. “As to my mother, she is fine. As you know she had a hard time last year after my father’s death, but I think she’s past the worst. Now that she’s out of mourning, there seems no shortage of suitors. She might yet marry again.” Caesar smiled back, happy at the thought.
The rustle of the tent flap made the three men turn to the entry as the remaining legates walked into the command tent. Publius Vatinius was in front. After complaints about misappropriation of some of the Ninth’s spoils in Hispania, Caesar had thought it wise to move him over to the Eighth. Behind him was Lucius Aurunculeius Cotta, a young man with light brown and curly hair. Another family member, Cotta was an ambitious distant cousin from his mother’s side. Being from plebeian stock, the man had first served him as a cohort prefect for the Tenth in Hispania and was deserving of the promotion to legate for the Ninth. Behind Cotta walked Servius Sulpicius Galba, legate of the new Twelfth legion. Galba was short and stocky, mostly bald with a rim of dark brown hair, and an old friend and supporter of Caesar. And so eager to make a name for himself.
Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus came next as the freshly confirmed commander of the new Eleventh. The bullish looking man was another long-time friend and had served as tribune of the Plebs last year with Vatinius. He had tipped the scale by supporting every single one of his bills and laws. He just told me yesterday about his plans for the election for next year’s aedile. I will arrange for him to stand in absentia, but that still means I need to reshuffle my legates again soon.
The last man to walk in was young Publius Licinius Crassus. Though technically still just a tribune, Caesar had decided to give him full command of all cavalry detachments. I know we will need a combined cavalry force against the enemy, and I hope I made the right choice with you.
Caesar walked among his executive leadership, clasping arms and shaking hands before getting back to his desk. “Gentlemen, now to the reason for this meeting. Aulus Hirtius is bringing a delegation of Aedui and Ambarri envoys to the tent. The latter are the local outlier of the Aedui nation and currently have the Helvetii ravaging through their lands. They should have a good idea of what their forces’ setup and baggage train look like. I have already sent for more seats.”
As if on cue, Cleisthenes and a crowd of other servants he had appropriated for the job appeared at the tent entry with more stools and folding chairs. Caesar told them how he wanted the seats arranged as Aulus promptly arrived with six Aedui and three Ambarri in tow.
With the last stool in place, Caesar waved the servants out and turned his full attention to the newcomers. He immediately recognized the Aedui leader, a tall man with piercing
blue eyes known to the Romans as Divitiacus. That man, famous for being both a master druid and a renowned warrior king, had visited Rome to plead the Aedui’s case against the Suebi and the Sequani after the loss of the great Aedui army in a disastrous battle. Caesar extended his hand in friendship. “Welcome to our camp, Divitiacus.” He opened his arms to include all the Celts in his welcome. “Welcome all of you, friends of Rome!”
“Let me introduce my officers to you.” He started from left to right, introducing every legate by name, and adding tribune Crassus. He nodded at Divitiacus to do the same.
“Let me introduce our envoys. Next to me is my younger brother Dumnorix, also member of the Aedui high council.” The man looked like a younger version of his older brother, though he made no eye contact with Caesar during the introduction and seemed rather sullen. Caesar raised his left eyebrow but dismissed the rude behavior. They might look alike, but that does not mean they are.
“This man here is Liscus, an old friend of mine and fellow council member, and current Vergobretus of all Aedui. Over to his other side is his nephew Elsed, son of his brother Drestan. Elsed is a newly elected chieftain of an eastern clan, and he has his wife Brenna with him, and his brother Morcant, a fellow druid.” He continued with the contingent of Ambarri. “These two are Arthfael and Cynbael, both among the foremost Ambarri chieftains, and this fair lady here is Lughna, a personal friend and fellow master druid.”
The seats were arranged in two arcs with the writing table in the center of the smaller one. Caesar took the opportunity to urge them all to sit while his servants offered cups of wine and water all around. The Romans all sat down around Caesar, facing the nine Celts. “Please continue, Divitiacus,” Caesar said.
“Proconsul, honored Roman officers, you must know why we are here. The Helvetii are traveling through Ambarri lands, stealing food, burning fields, pillaging farmsteads and enslaving whole families. Their trajectory leads straight to the heart of the Aedui nation. As long-term friends and allies of Rome we ask for your help. Our Ambarri envoys have seen their host with their own eyes and can give you many details, including estimates of their overall numbers.”
Caesar nodded. “I will speak for all of us and the Senate and People of Rome. We are here now to stand with our brothers and sisters of the Aedui against the Helvetii.” He looked at his officers, most nodding enthusiastically in support. “I understand that you are hard pressed for warriors since your fateful battle at Magetobriga and the continuing raids by the Suebi. We will take the brunt of the fighting, as long as we can establish our food supply in your lands. I think you might appreciate selling us food for fair compensation, especially when the alternative is the pillaging of your lands by the enemy.”
It was Divitiacus’ turn to nod. “Food will be no problem. We can supply you great amounts of wheat, and we will add legumes like beans and other fresh vegetables.” He looked at his fellow Aedui. “I have much hope that the big force you brought will prevail against the Helvetii”—he cleared his throat before continuing—”but I am also charged by our council with a second plea. We are reviving our old call for support from you against the Suebi king Ariovistus. He is ruling all the Sequani lands now and constantly brings more of his Suebi and allied tribes across the Rhenus river. Even though we are paying tribute, his warriors are raiding and devastating our eastern lands, as you yourself just mentioned. The Arverni, who plotted with the Sequani to bring the Suebi in the first place, have already distanced themselves from it all. Easy for them with the Aedui lands between them and the Suebi. The Sequani bitterly rue the day they called across the Rhenus for help.” He saw that Caesar was ready with a reply and held up his hand. “Before you answer, please let me add that Elsed and his people are here with an offer. His tribe is reduced to a thousand warriors and their families, all displaced from their homes. He has personally lost his father, sister and best friend to the Suebi. His people are desperate for vengeance and are willing to ride with you now as cavalry against the Helvetii, if only you declare your support against Ariovistus.”
Caesar had no reason to hesitate. He knew the majority of his legates would agree, either because they felt swayed by the plight of the allied Gallic nation, or because they hoped for more possible spoils. He stood up and walked to Divitiacus. The Aedui leader also got off his stool, staring at Caesar’s face for any hints. Caesar broke into a big smile and offered his hand. In response, a sigh of relief was heard from most of the Aedui. After shaking hands with Divitiacus, Caesar continued to Elsed. “I give you my word that I will assist you against Ariovistus. We shall not rest until the man and his Suebi are gone from Gallic lands.” And until I have enough spoils to pay off all my debts.
Caesar looked over to the Ambarri. “Now, please give us details about the Helvetii host. Are their four cantons traveling separately?” He walked back to his desk.
“Yes, the four main tribes travel apart. Three keep close to each other, but the Tigurini tribe is far behind, likely because they are worse when it comes to raiding,” Cynbael answered for the Ambarri envoys.
After hearing the name Tigurini, Caesar looked at his officers to gauge their reactions. That canton was infamous for having annihilated a Roman army half a century earlier, consisting of three legions led by Lucius Cassius, consul and close friend of Caesar’s uncle Marius, and had also included a grandfather of his new wife Calpurnia. He could see the fire in his officers’ eyes. Good. Righting that old stain on Rome’s honor will go a long way to appease both the populace and the Senate back home.
696 AUC (58 BC), summer
River Arar, Free Gallia, Border between Ambarri and Segusiavi
Caesar scanned the horizon. The afternoon sun had lowered and softened the landscape of farmland intermixed with a few fortified Ambarri settlements. I hope the camp prefect’s men get lucky and find some more provisions for us.
“Proconsul, you have to hear this!” Caesar turned towards the shout and saw tribune Crassus riding over with a scout in tow.
“What have you got for me?” Caesar called back.
Crassus reined in and beckoned the scout forward. “This is Publius Ventidius Bassus, decurion of the Ninth.” Crassus nodded to the man to take over. “He has found them.”
“Salve, proconsul. About ten miles north of here, the Helvetii are crossing a wide section of the Arar with many small boats and rafts. It looks like a slow crossing, considering all their belongings, livestock, and wagons. They bring the latter across in parts to reassemble on the other side. I would say that the first two cantons are across, with the third mostly done. The fourth, however...” Bassus added a dramatic pause. “They are still arriving.” He smiled. “I would consider that a perfect target.”
Caesar grinned back at the scout. “Good news indeed. I promise you we will make good use of your information.” After turning his horse to ride on, he changed his mind and pulled on the reins. “I have to ask, Crassus introduced you as a Ventidius. Are you the eques from Picenum I’ve heard about? The muleteer that turned his fellows into cavalry in Hispania to save two of the Ninth’s cohorts?”
“Ah… yes, sir, that would be me,” Bassus replied, visibly uncomfortable with his preceding fame.
“Good man, you showed initiative when it really counted.” Caesar turned his horse back to shake the man’s hand. “Please keep an eye on the situation and let us know if anything changes. We attack in the morning at first light.”
Bassus saluted with a brief tip of his fingers to the side of his forehead before riding away.
“Keep a close eye on that man, Crassus. He’s wasted as a simple scout leader.”
***
Oz rode with his men in the middle of fifteen hundred cavalry, three-quarters of all available mounted forces. The first rider in the group reached wide open country after a section of old forest. As he left the tree cover himself he could see more forest in the distance.
“Do you know why there are only three?” Adhe asked him from his left.
>
Oz turned around for a glance at three legions marching behind him. The Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth had set out at first light to follow the cavalry. The camp had been broken down, and the other three legions had left as well, but in the direction of the Arar. The remaining five hundred cavalrymen had stayed with them.
“I am not sure, all I could do is speculate. I figure we will know soon enough.” He replied. I just hope this force around us is enough for what we are about to do.
He spotted proconsul Caesar not far behind, riding at the head of the Tenth in the middle of his lictors, next to Titus Labienus. Knowing he’s here with us gives me some confidence.
The legions now left the forest and fanned out to march in three separate lines. They were only half a mile from the wide open Tigurini camp which was now clearly visible. Oz could see that the enemy had given no thought to defense, and he noticed panic taking hold when carnyx blew alarm and people on the outskirts tried to hook up their oxen to drive the wagons off. Many of them frantically began to unload the wagons blocked in to carry goods away. He shook his head. They are worried about their possessions?
Tribune Crassus raised his hand. The cavalry’s horn blowers took the man’s cue, their litui sounding the attack. Here we go.
Oz kicked his horse into a full-out gallop. The cavalry moved towards the space between the enemy wagons and the forest on the north side, encircling the Helvetii as possible with their small numbers. Oz saw an enemy force of several hundred warriors coming out from the enemy host to engage them.
“They are coming for us, be ready!” he shouted at his men.
***