Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War

by Thomas A. Timmes

  Chapter IX: The Battle of Innsbruck

  On June 30, the Legion halted at the far end of the Brenner Pass, set up a road block, and dispersed into the surrounding woods. The mountains that had been their constant companion for the past week had suddenly given way to a wide open valley. They had reached the end of the Brenner Pass. The view was stunning. They could see the valley and river nestled between towering mountains to the north. The large Suevi settlement at Innsbruck was visible as well as the contested bridge. The valley itself was green, flat, and peaceful.

  Raeti guides were immediately dispatched to make contact with Andreas. The nights were still cold, but as each day passed, the daytime temperature began to steadily climb. The warmer weather reminded many of far off Rome, now about 475 miles to the south.

  That evening, Andreas appeared at the Legion’s headquarters. Manius was pleased to see him and anxious to hear about his crossing. The two men traded stories and had dinner. Andreas told Manius that he was confident that his command had not been detected and that he would send the 500-man Cenomani contingent to protect the pass as soon as the Legion departed. He added that the Cenomani were not happy with this decision and hoped they would still be used to fight the Suevi. After dinner, Andreas headed back to his troops to await further orders. Joseph included Andreas’ report as part of his record keeping.

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  One hundred and eighty-five miles northeast of Manius’ location is the Suevi military settlement of Radasbona [Regensburg], which occupies the northern most point of the Danubius [Danube River]. The Danube is the last major natural obstacle for southward migrating tribes such as the Teutons and Cimbri. For years, the Suevi homeland at Innsbruck maintained a large force on the southern side of the Danube to prevent these Germanic tribes from crossing into their area.

  Every six months, a Suevi army of 5,000-6,000 warriors walks the 92 miles from Innsbruck to Monachium [Munich] and from there divides into three separate groups. One group continues east to Passau, the second moves west to Ulm, and the third continues 85 miles north to Regensburg, the Suevi main northern headquarters. From these three strong points, the Suevi continuously patrol along 380 miles of river looking for any signs of a crossing. An Insubres army, allies of the Suevi, patrolled the area west of Ulm beyond the Danube.

  In order to maintain equitable deployments, the Suevi devised a simple rotation policy. 18,000 warriors were divided into three groups of 6,000. Each group would spend 6-months on the border and 1-year at home at Innsbruck. The remaining Suevi army of 20,000 warriors remained at Innsbruck and could move north if a major threat developed.

  On 30 June, the Suevi detachment at Regensburg cheered wildly when their replacements finally came into view. It had been a long 6-months and everyone, including their 26 year old Commander Bethica, looked forward to returning to Innsbruck. Bethica briefed the new incoming Commander on the absence of Cimbri activity along the Danube and issued orders for her men to prepare to depart the next day. The replacement armies at Passau and Ulm received the same warm greetings and briefings. The plan was that the three separate commands would unite at Munich for the trek home under the overall command of Bethica.

  By all accounts, Bethica was the best Suevi Commander in the army and poised to replace her father Ariovistus as the next chief. Only one man would contest her appointment ~Vocion, a rugged brute of a man despised by many and feared by all. He had a large following, maybe 6,000 men. She knew someday there would be a clash that could only end with her death or Vocion’s. Her greatest concern was that the succession struggle would rip apart the cohesion of the tribe and result in fragmentation.

  But today was a day to rejoice! Everyone was going home. Nothing had happened during her 6-month watch and she felt she had done her duty well. This deployment was actually a little boring, unlike her last rotation. A year ago, the Insubres in the west reported a major Cimbri incursion into their area and requested Suevi troops to push them back north. She gathered 2000 men from Regensburg and another 2000 from Ulm and marched west. As it turned out, the imposing combined Insubres and Suevi army was enough to send the Cimbri packing. There was no fighting.

  During this deployment, she and her Advisor named Davenhardt, along with a dozen guards, continuously rode the 200 miles from Regensburg east to Passau, back to Regensburg, and then rode the 180 miles west to Ulm. She checked to ensure the area was patrolled, the men were well and motivated, and that the river was secure. She would rest a few days in Regensburg and repeat the entire trip. Because of her dedication to the mission and concern for her men, she was highly respected and had her own loyal following, including Davenhardt.

  Davenhardt was a tall, thin, older man, who was appointed by Ariovistus to advise and assist his daughter. He basically kept a low profile, but he did speak for the Chief and, theoretically, could over rule her decisions. However, he never did and never would. Instead, he was more of a confidant, coach, and trusted friend to Bethica. She would often seek him out when she wanted to talk. Davenhardt was very protective of Bethica. He had watched her grow up and develop into a beautiful woman. He tried to deny it to himself, but he was secretly in love with her.

  Bethica’s men not only respected her, but also genuinely liked her. She was not given to violent outbursts and petty disagreements. She did not have an oversized ego like her father or Vocion. Her men could talk to her and she listened. Her judgment was sound and she had an uncanny ability to propose equitable solutions for competing interests. She was accepted as a warrior and as their leader.

  As Bethica and her 2,000 men departed Regensburg for Munich and the link-up with the rest of her force from Passau and Ulm, she discussed the route back to Innsbruck with her Second-in-Command, a stocky, strong-looking young man named Kacili. “Last time we did this,” she said, “we left Munich and went due south, crossed the mountains, and just about ran downhill all the way home.” This time I want to swing east to Kufstein and walk home via the Inn River Valley. It is only eight miles longer and we will pass through numerous Suevi settlements once we are in the valley. The people will welcome us home with food and drink. I do not think anyone wants to walk uphill through the mountains carrying eight days worth of food. What do you think?” Kacili said without hesitation, “I agree with you and I can guarantee the men feel the same,”

  *******

  On July 2nd, two days after exiting the Brenner Pass, Manius assembled his “changed” Maniple and “inept” cavalry detachment and began his 9 mile hike to the bridge over the Inn River and his meeting with the Suevi Commander. A contingent of 100 archers led by Snake silently followed about an hour behind. The archers’ job was to provide covering fire should a rapid withdrawal from the bridge become necessary.

  Behind the archers, an “unchanged” Hastati of 2000 men also began their unobserved march to the bridge. The mission of the Hastati was to show the Suevi enough of the Legion to encourage them to cross the river with limited strength and engage the Romans. Calvus stayed behind with the rest of the XVII, but would follow in Manius’ footsteps the following day.

  Elitovius and the Raeti assured Manius that there were no Suevi on the south side of the river. Nonetheless, Manius exercised extreme caution as they all moved north to the river. They slept on the ground in the deep woods and ate their food without the benefit of a fire. The guides led them along a difficult, but little used path that skirted the small hamlet of Igls.

  About two miles from the river, by the village of Vill, the scenery changed dramatically. The time for hiding was over. The covering woods gave way to a spectacular vision of an open east-west valley split in half by a river and surrounded by mountains. It was truly a magnificent sight. In the distance, Manius could just make out the twin towers of the fortified bridge. For the last two days, he had been nervously rehearsing what he would do and say to the Suevi commander and now the meeting was almost upon him. As Manius left the wood line at Vill, the 2000 Hastati, the archers, and Snake took up their unsee
n position at the edge of the forest by Igls, a mile behind him. They too would move to Vill as soon as Manius signaled the all clear.

  Manius mounted his horse and formed the Maniple with 10 men abreast and 10 deep. The “cavalry” followed in a column of twos and the entire group moved boldly and openly to the bridge two miles away. When they were about 100 yards south of the bridge, Manius called a halt and ordered his tent to be erected. The Maniple was told to cook their noon day meal and the cavalry to graze their horses. Only Elitovius and the Raeti guides remained alert. The rest appeared to be totally relaxed and unconcerned about the curious Suevi guards gathering on the south end of the bridge.

  Eventually, two guards cautiously approached the tent and asked who they are and what they wanted.

  Manius speaking through a Raeti interpreter replied, “We are Romans from southern Italy and request to speak to Ariovistus about removing this obstacle to trade that you call a bridge.” Several of Manius’ men laughed at that, which visibly irritated the Suevi. They spun around, crossed the bridge, and disappeared on the far side. Manius announced that this could take a while and told everyone to settle down for a long wait.

  Three hours later, a tall, gruff, and beefy looking man stepped onto the bridge and began to walk across. Everyone on the bridge made way for him. He had seven other warriors with him, including Vocion, his right hand man. As he exited the bridge, he abruptly stopped to peer at the unusual sight before him. The Suevi exchanged a few words, laughed loudly, and approached Manius’ tent. Manius continued sitting. The tension in the air rose noticeably as Ariovistus got closer.

  When Ariovistus was about 20’ away, he stopped and angrily yelled, “If you want to talk to me, get up, and come here.” Manius stood up and told a soldier to pick up his stool and follow him. When Manius closed the distance to 10’, he told the soldier to set up the chair, and promptly sat down again.

  Ariovistus spat and turned to walk away when Manius said, “Wait, there’s been a misunderstanding. When we talk, we sit. Obviously when you talk, you stand, so I’ll stand with you.” Ariovistus turned and said, “Talk.”

  As Manius explained who he was - an emissary from Rome - and what he wanted of the Suevi, Ariovistus’ eyes got bigger and his face took on a distinctive red hue. He was very angry and told Manius that the Romans were obviously insane and that the Semones would do what they wanted in their own land. Manius stated that everything south of the river belonged to Rhaetia and Rome.

  Ariovistus asked Manius where his army was to enforce his claim and, pointing to the Maniple, asked, “Is this the best you have.” His companions laughed loudly at that.

  Manius said that he had several thousand more and would assemble them on this field tomorrow morning and then use them to dismantle the bridges’ fortification if necessary. “Here let me show you,” he said. Manius then turned and told his horns to sound as he pointed to the distant woods. Within 30 seconds, 1000 of the 2000 Hastati exited the woods at Vill and marched single file into the open. They were barely visible in the distance. The other 1000 Hastati remained hidden in the same woods. Manius had rehearsed this with them while at Tridentum. They were too far away for Ariovistus to see how they were equipped, but close enough to validate their existence.

  In a threatening tone and with his eyes boring into Manius’, Ariovistus said, “Do not try anything foolish or your blood will be all over this field” and with that, he turned and walked back over the bridge. Manius had his answer; the Suevi would not comply, but rather would fight to maintain their expansionist and trade restrictive policies.

  Manius had his tent packed up and moved the group the two miles back to the open field next to the woods at Vill. He, the Maniple and the 1000 from the Hastati remained in plain view of the bridge. He wanted the Suevi to see that neither he nor his “army” were going anywhere. He had his tent set up and everyone lit fires. By now it was getting dark. Elitovius and the Rhaetians moved back closer to the bridge where they would remain for the night to provide early warning should the Suevi decide to cross the bridge in strength during the hours of darkness. Manius did not want to be surprised if they decided to attack him immediately. He expected that the Suevi would wait until morning and then send a small force across the river to attack his “army.”

  Once on the other side of the river, Ariovistus gathered his advisors and tried to make sense of these strange visitors and their outlandish demands. They all scornfully agreed that the Roman army they could see looked pathetic and would not present a challenge to his Suevi warriors. No one wanted to disagree with Ariovistus whose violent temper matched his over sized ego. The Council was insulted and offended that a group of weak looking amateurs could be so bold and arrogant in the presence of real fighting men. Manius’ plan to have the Suevi underestimate him was working. The Suevi viewed these Romans with utter distain and contempt. Ariovistus pointed out that the Romans had somehow emboldened the Rhaetians and that by dealing forcefully with them tomorrow morning, the Raeti would be intimidated.

  For some time now the Council had been discussing expanding over the Brenner and into Italy; the Raeti at Bauzanum would be their first objective; then Tridentum and the silver mines would be next. The Council agreed that beating the Romans and intimidating the Raeti would fit nicely into their plans.

  When it was totally dark, Manius sent Snake back to the bridge in command of a dozen archers and 15 picked men. Their job was to burn the south end of the bridge when everyone was asleep.

  When Snake and the men arrived at the bridge at midnight, Elitovius told him that the Semones had not bothered to provide any added security. There were only three guards and they appeared to be asleep. The raiders sat down to wait until the entire Suevi camp on the other side of the river was quiet. At about 0100, Snake sent three men to the bridge to quietly kill the guards. There was no noise as they accomplished their mission. Snake’s men now crept forward and removed the pitch soaked brush and sticks from their packs. They placed it on, over, and under the south end of the bridge. When everything was in place, they lit it at multiple points. It caught instantly. The guards on the north end of the bridge came fully alert when they spotted the flames and began running to the fire to see what was happening; but stopped half way across when they saw the size of the force lighting the fires. They quickly backed up and watched as the south side of the bridge was engulfed in the spreading flames.

  The entire Suevi camp came alive as Snake and his men disappeared back into the darkness. Most watched from their huts while a few ran to the bridge with buckets. They managed to save the rest of the bridge, but the south tower and part of the span was beyond saving. The bridge could now only be crossed in single file and with much difficulty. The Suevi army, en masse, would not soon be crossing it to attack the Romans.

  *******

  Ariovistus was awakened by the cries of “Fire!” He could see that the south side of the bridge was in flames and he knew immediately who was to blame. These Romans dared to attack us! He could not believe it and when he heard that several of the guards had been killed in the attack, he was outraged. He ordered the Suevi dead removed and replaced with triple their number to ensure the remainder of the bridge was not burnt.

  He summoned the tribal Council at 0300 and announced that tomorrow morning he would send 500 veteran warriors over the Inn River by boat to teach the Romans a lesson. He was not particularly bothered that some in the Council said that the Romans appeared to have over a thousand men and that, perhaps, he should send more to ensure a victory. Ariovistus said, “Did you not see how the Romans were dressed and armed? No armor, small shields, swords too long for them to swing effectively and their horses looked fit only to pull a plow. No, I don’t want to flatter them by sending more than we really need; 500 Suevi can easily beat a 1000 of these Romans.” Before the Council broke up, Ariovistus summoned one of his Commanders and told him to pick 500 men and attack the Romans tomorrow morning. He added, “Kill them all and bring me the
head of that arrogant one who sat in the chair.”

  The same night that the bridge was burned, Calvus led Legio XVII out of the woods and followed their guides on the downhill trail leading in the direction of the bridge. The heavy wagons were left in position and did not follow the Legion. These were difficult movements under any circumstance, but particularly so at night. Earlier in the day, 500 Cenomani left their position at Axams and occupied the woods adjacent to the Legion. At first light, they would move into the area just vacated by the Legion. The Roman Centurions who officered the Cenomani were extremely pleased that their men executed these movements quickly and with minimal confusion.

  Calvus put the Legion into a patch of dense woods at Igls about a mile south of Manius’ location, which put it about three miles from the bridge. Manius wanted the Legion close by in case the Suevi decided to sent their entire army over the river that night to fight him. He did not consider that option to be realistic, but did not want to take any chances. The next morning, the Legion had eaten breakfast and was ready to move by first light to support Manius and the Hastati if something happened. Fires were kept small and the thick woods masked the smoke rising in the air. So far, the Suevi had no idea that a highly trained, extremely disciplined, and very dangerous Roman Legion was only three miles away.

  The night passed cold and uneventful for all the Romans in the woods. Before first light, the men ate their breakfast consisting of cheese, nuts, raisins, and bread dipped in diluted wine. Manius moved the 1000-men of the Hastati, the same men he had used earlier for a show of force, to a ditch about 200 yards south of his location and had them lay down and remain hidden. The Centurion-in-charge was prepared to have them stand up and fight as soon as the “fleeing” “changed” Maniple reached his location.