by David Adkins
The Roman infantry held up their shields to protect themselves and in the main the arrows bounced harmlessly away, but Arite was right for some were getting through. I saw some arrows piercing the shields and pinning them to their owner’s bodies and some hitting the few parts that were unprotected by armour. I do not think a lot of Romans were being killed but many were being wounded. I felt safe where I stood for few Lazyges arrows had the range to reach where I stood watching and it was the infantry that was under attack. I could understand the dilemma that faced Fronto. If he attacked with his infantry then he would lose discipline and the very mobile Lazyges horsemen would simply gallop away before later renewing their attack. He did not have enough cavalry or archers to make a real difference and to have sent his cavalry into the fray would have condemned them to annihilation.
Fronto commanded every other legionary to place his shield above his head to protect him and the man next to him from falling arrows while his partner used his shield to protect their front. The infantry huddled into pairs and this manoeuvre decreased the number of arrows reaching their targets but, apart from that, little was being achieved. Fronto had to decide whether to counter attack or wait for the Lazyge to run out of arrows. Both options were risky in the extreme.
While he was waiting the cataphracts launched their attack. The heavily armed cavalry aimed straight at what they perceived to be a weakness in the Roman line and drove a wedge between the IV Flavia Felix under Praesens and the XXI Rapax under Mattius. The attack had taken the Romans by surprise and Mattius and his legion found itself isolated from the rest of the Roman army. The Rapax totally lost discipline and panic was setting in as men broke from their ranks running towards the main Roman army in a bid for safety. They were mercilessly being cut down and the whole legion was in danger of being wiped from the face of the earth. I looked in horror as the Rapax was disappearing before my eyes. Praesens with the nearest legion to the Rapax must also have watched in shock and dismay as his colleague and his legion were now being obliterated by the Lazyge cataphracts, for they had lost all will to fight.
I heard the voice of Praesens above the din. I think he acted on his own and not from orders from Fronto. “Shields at arm’s length, javelins forward, keep ranks and run at steady pace at the enemy.” His words echoed around the battlefield. One of Rome’s most famous legions ran at the cataphracts. The Lazyges’ heavy armoured cavalry turned to meet the threat and their cavalry met the Roman infantry of the Flavia Felix head on. I sensed even with my lack of military knowledge that this could decide the battle. While the Lazyge light armoured horsemen continued to shower the Adiutrix and the Italica with arrows the Flavia Felix engaged the enemy.
I watched as they clashed and I watched as the javelins did their deadly work, unseating the enemy cataphract horsemen where, once on the ground, they were swiftly dispatched by Roman swords. The cataphracts were reluctant to withdraw under the onslaught and held their ground. The Sarmatians knew that victory was almost within their grasp and it was obvious that the attack from the Flavia Felix had been too late to save the Rapax.
“Parthenian, why are you not at the baggage train?” It was Arite.
“I was fascinated watching the battle develop and I could not draw myself away. Why are you heading back to the baggage train? Is your input no longer required?”
“Not now in the heat of battle. Domitian and his rage were unbearable. I told him that I felt unwell and he dismissed me back to the baggage train. I think he is completely mad.”
“I am sure he is,” I agreed. Arite was already making her way quickly towards the baggage train and so I followed close behind her.
“Over there,” she indicated pointing to some long grass surrounding a few isolated trees.
I grasped her arm. “Why not go to a wagon?”
She yanked her arm free. “Just follow me, Parthenian.”
We dived into the long grass, I think unseen by any of the auxiliaries. We stared out at the men under Otho’s command who were on high alert. “Things are not going well,” I commented.
“Not for you Romans, and because of that I think there may be an attack on the baggage train.”
“Is that why we are in the long grass, Arite?”
“Yes, if there is an attack, the wagons will be set ablaze with fired arrows.”
I was puzzled. “If you think an attack on the baggage train is imminent then why did you return to it? You are obviously not unwell.”
She ignored my question. “Just keep out of sight, Parthenian.” I was growing suspicious and she saw that. Her dagger was at my throat. “Keep quiet and do not make a sound, Parthenian. I do not want to kill you but I will if I have to.”
I was staggered. “What is going on here?”
“Lay on the grass, face down,” she ordered.
“Why, what are you going to do?” I was nervous of my predicament.
“Just do it and do not make a sound.”
The tip of her dagger at my throat, and knowing she was a warrior, convinced me to do as she ordered. “Are you going to kill me?” I asked as I lay face down in the grass, feeling the cold blade against the back of my neck.
I felt her sit on my back and I tried to turn my head as much as I could with the knife still pressing against my skin. I was staring at her knee as her weight pressed down on me. “Do not struggle, Parthenian,” she commanded.
“What comes next?” I asked with difficulty as her knee pressed into my face and I felt a trickle of blood down my neck where her dagger had broken my skin.
“I get comfortable and we wait,” she said.
“Wait for what?” I asked.
“We wait for the attack on the baggage train and then I will be free. I could not wait for you to provide my freedom, Parthenian.”
“Who are you, Arite?”
“I am Arite, daughter of Saruke, sister of Medosaccus.”
“You are the Lazyge king’s niece?” I gasped.
“That is right and I was captured by a Roman patrol, taken to Singidunum and sold into slavery. I could not be rescued from Singidunum because it is an impregnable fortress, but I will be rescued now.”
“They are coming for you?” I could barely speak.
“They are, Parthenian. Surely you do not begrudge me my freedom.”
“I did try to get Domitian to release you.”
“I know you did and that is why you still live,” she said.
“So you sit on me until they come, Arite?”
She laughed. “Am I heavy?”
I started to think. “Did you lead the Roman army into a trap?”
“Not exactly,” she replied. “I led them to this vast plain which I knew would give our cavalry the advantage, but there are many plains in Sarmatia and they would have waited for a good place to attack without my help.”
“You have been in communication with them?”
“A few signs were passed back and forth at that meeting you Romans were kind enough to let me attend.”
I was staggered, for it had not been noticed. “I do not begrudge you your freedom, Arite,” I sighed.
“I can see a dust cloud, they will soon attack,” she informed me. “The Romans have seen it too and are taking up defensive positions. When they attack I will make a run for it to the Lazyge horsemen. I require you to be silent so that the Praetorians do not get any warning of my intent.”
“Does that mean you are going to kill me?” I asked, feeling the blade pressing against my neck again.
“I have two options. The first is that I kill you and the second is that I let you live and you give me your word that you will not raise the alarm.”
I could hear arrows flying through the air. The Lazyge horsemen were getting closer. I caught a glimpse of a wagon going up in flames. “I give you my word.”
“You are the only Roman that I would trust, Parthenian. I know that last time you tried to keep your word and this time you can make amends for your failure last time.”
“I will.” I wanted to live.
“They are almost here, Parthenian. I like you and you have been a friend and you could have been more. If you are taken alive then tell them that Arite would wish to see you and you should be taken to her. Prisoners are usually tortured before execution but I would make an exception for you. I would give you your freedom if you wanted it.”
“I am very grateful, and if all is lost and our army defeated I will surrender if I get the chance,” I smiled.
“Then show your gratitude and kiss my thigh once again. I know you love my legs.”
I placed a lingering kiss on her thigh which was pressing against my face. “It is time to go,” she said, interrupting my kiss, and she was on her feet and running. I sat up and watched entranced as her long legs took her at great speed past the Roman defences. The Romans were desperately using their shields to defend themselves against the flurry of arrows and did not have time to try and stop the flying woman. Indeed they were not sure whether she was friend or foe. I saw Otho stand up to get a better view of her fleeing form but he took an arrow in the throat for his trouble. She rushed at breathtaking speed towards one of the Lazyge horsemen and he offered his outstretched arm and she took it. He pulled her up on to his horse behind him and they rode away from the Roman baggage train. The rest of the attacking Lazyge broke off the engagement and followed. I was glad that she had safely escaped and had at last procured her freedom, for she said she would give me my freedom if I wanted it. I reflected on those words, ‘if I had wanted it.’
I then rushed towards the stricken Otho. The man had not exactly been a friend but he was not an enemy either, and had been a great improvement on his unpleasant predecessor, Tero. When I reached him he was surrounded by some of his guardsmen but there was nothing anybody could do, for he was dead. While the guard and the auxiliaries tried to restore some order and put the fires out, for many wagons were ablaze, I made my way back towards the main battlefield. Here also the Lazyge had broken off the engagement and had retreated. The Roman army looked decimated but it seemed that it had not been a total defeat.
I joined Domitian, Fronto and Glabrio and they hardly noticed my presence. The Emperor was extremely agitated and they were trying to pacify him. “We will march on Dacia,” he was shouting.
“My Emperor, we must accept the situation as it is,” Fronto was trying to reason with him. “The XXI Rapax has been wiped out and Veranius Mattius killed. In all we have lost about seven thousand men and we have large numbers wounded where their arrows got past our shields and armour.”
“We killed a lot of them,” countered Domitian.
“Praesens inflicted heavy losses on their cataphracts but they lost less than half the number we did,” replied Fronto.
Glabrio gave his opinion. “We have a diminished and demoralized army of about ten thousand men. Decabulus will have twice that number at his disposal and he may well be supported by the Lazyge and other Sarmatian tribes. I believe that if we march on Dacia we will all die there.”
Praesens strode up to us. “I have ordered the men to pick up all the arrows, for we do not want them to fall back into Lazyge hands.” He shook his head. “There are many women among their dead. It is not right.”
Domitian ignored his words but appealed to the hero of the moment. “Sextus and Manius say it would be folly to attack Dacia. Surely you do not agree with them.”
“I do agree with them, for the situation was only rescued by the experience of the Flavia Felix and the fact that their archers were getting low on arrows, otherwise it could have been total defeat. It was a stalemate with much the upper hand to them. The army is now in no fit state to attack Dacia.”
Domitian put his head in his hands. “What a disaster!”
Glabrio tried to console him. “If we return to Singidunum and then Rome you can still return in triumph. We have subdued the Alamanni, Quadi and Marcomanni and, as Caius states, this battle was not lost but was a stalemate.”
“The whole point of the campaign was to destroy Decabulus,” groaned Domitian.
“That can wait,” said Fronto. “Glabrio is right and it will be difficult enough to retreat to Singidunum. We cannot march on Dacia in our present state.”
Praesens supported Fronto. “We have inflicted losses on them and saved the Rapax Eagle. They are low on arrows so we should be able to make it back to Singidunum without further damage. I hate to retreat, Emperor, but I feel it is our only option.”
Domitian at last saw sense and conceded to the wishes of his generals. “We will return to Singidunum immediately. The campaign has ended. Get things organised and have us ready to leave as soon as possible.”
The three generals walked away relieved that Domitian had finally taken their advice. Domitian turned to me. “I hear the baggage train was attacked, Parthenian.”
“Some of your guard have been killed including Otho and some auxiliaries but casualties were not high,” I answered.
“Otho too,” he mused. “Is Arite safe?”
“I do not know; she has disappeared,” I lied.
“There is no good news,” he muttered and walked away staring at the bodies that littered the nearby battlefield.
My gaze followed his. It was a horrific sight, seeing the grass plain covered with the dead and the dying and listening to the death groans that seemed to leave the plain and reach towards the vast blue, empty sky. Birds were wheeling back and forth in flight, waiting impatiently for the banquet that would surely come. I felt sick and I turned away in disgust and made my way sombrely back to the baggage train. The medics would be busy with those who could be nursed back to health and the others that were not already dead would die painfully where they had fallen.
The journey back to Singidunum was solemn and humiliating for the vast Roman host, but no further large losses were inflicted on us. Praesens was right that the army could probably return to Singidunum in comparative safety but we were occasionally harassed by enemy archers and a small number of Romans were killed. The Emperor was targeted in one of these enemy forays and his shoulder was grazed by an arrow but it was only a minor flesh wound. I was disappointed it was not more.
Chapter 25
Singidunum – Winter AD93/94
My disappointment became a matter of hopeful optimism when Domitian’s minor wound became infected. Perhaps the Emperor, whom I despised and who had already cheated death once might yet succumb on this ill-fated campaign. By the time Domitian and his demoralised army reached Singidunum his shoulder had become most painful. The best doctor in Singidunum was called upon to treat it and I watched as he examined the wound. It was obvious he did not like what he saw and he shook his head thoughtfully. “Emperor, your wound is infected but I am sure that I can successfully treat it for you.”
“You had better,” said Domitian through gritted teeth.
The doctor then proceeded to drain a yellow fluid from the infected wound and then he bandaged it. He turned to me. “It is not too serious at the moment but I suggest he remains under my care and he abandons any immediate plans to return to Rome. I will return tomorrow to re-examine it.”
“Come over here, Parthenian,” commanded the Emperor.
I moved close. “What did the doctor say?”
“You will be fine but you must remain in Singidunum under his care and not return to Rome.”
He groaned. “I know it is the start of winter but the journey through Italy would have presented no problems and I was eager to get back to Rome.”
“That is what the doctor said but it is up to you, of course, your majesty.”
“I had best heed the doctor’s advice. I came close to death once and I do not want to risk doing so a second time. Now I wish to try and sleep, though this shoulder is so painful it will not be easy.”
I bowed and left, passing the guard at the door to his chamber. Personal security was always uppermost in the mind of Domitian, even when he was sick.
The next day I
was again in attendance when the doctor arrived. He took off the bandages and studied the wound. “It is red, warm and swollen,” he observed. “I will drain it every day and bathe it in warm water and put the bandages back on. It will take time but it will heal. I expect it is very painful.”
Domitian moaned in confirmation. The doctor had almost finished his task when one of the guards brought a communication to the Emperor. “This has just arrived by messenger from Rome. It is from the Empress.” Domitian was having his bandages replaced and so was in no condition to receive it. The guard thrust the scroll into my hand, bowed and left.
“Until tomorrow,” said the doctor and followed the guard from the Emperor’s chamber.
“Open it and read it, Parthenian,” ordered Domitian.
“It is from the Empress, it may be private,” I hesitated.
A painful smile crossed his face. “Nothing from Domitia Longina will be private.”
I broke the seal and unrolled the scroll and read it to Domitian.
To my Lord, Emperor and Husband,
I understand that after a long and successful campaign in the lands of the barbarians you will soon be returning to Rome. I, and all your people, long for your swift return and we pray to the gods that you return to us safe and in good health. The city will be ready to celebrate the triumphs of our beloved Emperor. The renovations to the Imperial Palace have very recently been completed and now the palace is a fitting residence for an Emperor who has become a God to his people. I hope you will be as pleased with the improvements as I am.
Casperius, the Praetorian Prefect has been a difficult man while you have been away and his recent behaviour and rudeness have compelled me to dismiss him. I am sure you will approve of my decision and would have done exactly the same. I have appointed Titus Petronius Secundus as his successor and Titus Flavius Norbanus as his deputy. Secundus will be dedicated to the safety of the Emperor and in running a successful Praetorian Guard and is much more trustworthy than Casperius. Norbanus will prove a worthy deputy. Everything is fine with your family and we all look forward to seeing you again soon.