Legio XVII: Battle of Zama

by Thomas A. Timmes

  “Commander Taluric will now explain the status of our army.”

  “Councilmen, we have 20,000 men under arms. Five thousand are stationed south guarding against a Boii incursion from Bononia. Another 10,000 are garrisoned at the three main roads coming from the west: Bergomum (modern Bergamo), Mediolanum (modern Milan), and Cremona. The remaining 5,000 are scattered among the settlements from Brixia to Verona with about 2,000 in Verona. Some of the men experienced fighting the Suevi at Innsbruck in 209 BC. The entire army is well equipped, fit, and brave.”

  “Thank you Taluric,” said Segovesus. “Let us all understand that the Roman defense at the lake is our defense. We have as much to lose as the Romans if the mercenaries break through to join Mago. The mercenary horde will pass through Verona and denude the land of food, livestock, and valuables. If they get here to Brixia, we will suffer the same fate. I propose that the Council approve the following emergency measures:

  1. Recall the 5,000 men guarding Bononia and the 5,000 spread out among the settlements, and send them to the lake to help Manius. Recall 7,000 from the roads around Bergamo, Milan, and Cremona, and have them join us here at Brixia. Leave 1,000 in each of those locations to block all west bound traffic. Nothing must be allowed to go west. If Mago finds out that the Romans are blocking his mercenaries from joining him, he will probably send his entire army right through Brixia. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing will be allowed to go west!

  2. Send riders to Verona and all the settlements to tell the people to evacuate back here to Brixia by June 15th with all their food, livestock, and valuables.

  3. The entire Tribe will evacuate to the northern end of Lake Iseo; that’s about 30 miles distant and should put us out of the reach of all but the most determined foragers. Our 7,000 man army guarding the people should be a strong deterrent to marauders. We need to start moving our people in three weeks. I proposed that we get underway by June 20th.”

  “Councilmen, you have heard my proposal and rationale, what say you?”

  The Hall was filled with shouts of approval and encouragement. It was unanimous.

  “Thank you for your support. Alert the people; have them start the preparations to move. Taluric get the army repositioned, and send riders to alert the settlements. I want 10,000 men at the lake by June 1. Send a rider to King Timo. I want him to know what we’re doing.”

  *******

  The next morning, the 23rd, Servilius, Postumus, Emil, and their escort rode until it got too dark to travel. They had passed through smaller and poorer settlements as they rode north: Toscolano Maderno, Cecina, Roina, Bogliaco, Gargnano, and stopped at a cluster of four settlements called Tignale, Aer, Gardolo and Oldesio. Throughout the ride, Servilius was earnestly searching for ambush sites in case the mercenaries came around the lake. He decided to keep this information to himself.

  Tignale was the largest of the four settlements, but they opted to stay at the one closest to the lake, Oldesio. Once again they were made welcome with smiles and much curiosity. Postumus explained that the Romans were map makers exploring the lake. The four villages joined together to prepare the feast. Wineskins were passed from man to man.

  When the villagers left and things quieted down, Postumus sat next to Servilius. “I talked to Emil. It took a little prodding, but I learned his story. He is angry. He’s angry at all Romans.”

  “Why?” asked Servilius. “He’s too young to have fought us in the Gallic War.”

  “Here’s what he told me. After a battle, he thinks it was Telamon in 222, the Romans invaded his Boii village and killed and carried away all the people. He was a year old at the time. He and his mother were taken to a Roman farm at Ariminum to work in the fields. His father was killed in the village. His mother was abused by the owner of the farm, but continued to care for young Emil. When he was five years old, he was forced to join his mother in the work. They worked from sun up to sun down. When he was 12, he and his mother escaped one night during a violent thunderstorm. They fled to the Boii at Bononia, but were rejected. They continued walking and finally arrived at our village. We took them in and his mother married a Cenomani. They have a good life now. But I’m afraid he still harbors deep resentment for the loss of his father and what he and his mother had to go through.”

  “I’ll talk to him,” said Servilius,

  “I don’t think that will help. The past is the past. It can’t be changed. Talk won’t heal his scars.”

  “I have an idea. Come with me.”

  Servilius and Postumus approached Emil and sat down next to him. Servilius said, “I just heard what happened to you and your family. I know there is nothing that can make up for the loss of your father and the hardships you and your mother have had to endure. Emil, I want you to seriously consider what I’m about to say. You can continue in your anger and hatred, but you will be the one who suffers from it. Life for everyone else will continue. You are stuck in the past, and it will destroy you. For your own sake, you must set it aside. I understand that your mother has moved on with her life and has even given birth to two more children. You are not moving forward, but backward.”

  Emil glared at Postumus. “You don’t have to translate. I speak Latin better than you. I learned it on the farm; and you Romans speak empty words. I will never forget, and someday I will get my revenge.”

  A chill went up Servilius’ spine! This boy is dangerous, he thought, and not to be trusted. When we return, I’ll send him to Brixia. If given the chance, I think he would join the mercenaries and tell them everything that we’re doing. He might even try to kill some of us on his way out.

  Servilius and Postumus left the boy and walked to where the escort was gathered. Servilius spoke to the leader of the group. “That young boy, Emil, is not to be trusted. In fact, I think he would kill us all if given the chance. Tell the men to keep their guard up whenever he comes close. Continue to talk to him and be respectful, just be careful.”

  The next day, the roadway narrowed considerably and became more difficult, but was still passable by horses and a marching army. They passed three small settlements where fishing nets and boats lined the water’s edge. The people always waved to the men passing by. After only seven miles, the group halted for the night at Limone Sul Garda. Emil said, “This is the place where we have to enter the mountains to get around the cliffs. There is no more road. From here on we’ll be in the mountains following small trails.”

  “How many miles would you estimate until we reach the northern most part of the lake?” asked Servilius.

  “We’ll be in the mountains for about eight miles. We’ll have to spend one night on the trail. The horses can make it, and it’s not too hard to walk; it just takes more time. The top of the Lake is a short distance away once we start to descend.”

  On May 24th, the rising sun ushered in a clear cloudless sky while a strong, steady breeze came down from the north. The locals said the breeze would continue until noon and then shift directions and come up from the south. They said it was the same every day. The men finished their breakfast and saddled the horses. They rode up a valley for about three quarters of a mile and dismounted. At this point, Emil said, “We need to lead the horses until we reach the top where it’s not so steep.”

  Servilius glanced at the men around him, “After that winding trail up the Alps on our way to Bad Tolz, this doesn’t look too bad.” They laughed.

  *******

  Tomaeus rode completely around the swamp until he was back at the river on the far side. It was exactly as he had heard; the swamp extended about three miles inland and extended along the river for about two miles. It was quite an obstacle for men on foot or on horseback. The swamp wasn’t impossible to cross, but it would take hours and be exhausting. He made a mental note to tell Manius that he needed to post cavalry scouts and place watch towers all around the swamp to listen for anyone trying to get through.

  The day was fast fading as he rode back to camp. When he arrived, the fire was blazing and the
evening meal was cooking. “Decimus, tell me how the survey team did today while I try to straighten out my legs.”

  “We rode along the edge of the river and placed markers every 100 yards. We measured 25 feet from the river to the wall to allow for the ditch and mound. After that, we sited the center spot for eight separate Legion camps. We spaced them out so that they’ll extend from here all the way to the start of the swamp. Tomorrow, we can site in the second wall. When it’s all done, the Legion camps will sit nicely between the two walls. I figure the men can cut all the logs they need from that thick stand of Scots pine trees, oak, chestnut, and sycamore down by the swamp and east of it. I will also hire a few boats to do a preliminary survey of the islands. I don’t expect any surprises. We should be able to fortify all three islands.”

  “Excellent Decimus! Use your men to lay in the second wall. You and I need to examine those three islands in more detail and test the water’s depth. Manius said he wants the wall here along the river to connect with the wall on the island. That means stretching it across the water.” Tomaeus called one of the cavalrymen. “Before it gets too dark, take some men and go to the villages. Ask if we can rent three boats and hire men for tomorrow. Ask them to have the boats here by 8:00 A.M. Decimus, pick two of your best survey men and two helpers to go with us. This looks like it’ll be fun; like when we were kids exploring the neighborhood.”

  Decimus replied, “You know, ever since you organized that testudo at Innsbruck when the Suevi stormed over the walls, you’ve become a lot more relaxed and easier to work with.”

  “I’ve never been that close to death before,” said Tomaeus. “When the Suevi began to pour over the walls, there was nothing else to do but form up with our backs to each other and our shields over our heads.”

  “Tomaeus, I’ve heard this story a dozen times before.”

  “But it gets better each time doesn’t it?”

  “Not really. Same story, only the place you’re telling it is different.”

  “I’ve never felt such fear and fatigue in my life,” continued Tomaeus dramatically. “Legionaries were being wounded and killed all around me. When I picked up a shield to close a gap, I could barely hold it up. It took all my strength. I certainly have a lot more respect for these men. When we’re in battle, they feel that all the time. I don’t know how they do it.”

  “Well, for one thing,” said Decimus rolling his eyes, “they’re a lot younger than we are, and they’re in better physical shape. That’s the answer. They’re younger and stronger. I’m turning in. It’s been a long day.”

  The next morning, Tomaeus stood at the edge of the lake and watched the three boats slowly making their way into the little cove that held the three islands. He looked at the water between the land and the islands and the space between each island. It can be done; just depends on how deep the water is, he thought.

  After breakfast, the six men got into the boats for the short ride to the eastern most island. Along the way, Tomaeus periodically stuck a long stick into the water looking for the bottom. When they reached the island, he announced, “The depth is no more than seven feet. We can build the Praetor’s wall!” Tomaeus had the men row a little beyond the islands and discovered that the lake got much deeper.

  For the next several hours, the group explored the three islands. They were mostly flat and covered with thick underbrush. The edges were firm and would support palisades. After some careful measurements they concluded that the island closest to the enemy (east side) was 1,200 feet long, 400 feet wide and 50 feet from shore. The middle island was 1,000 feet long and 400 feet wide. The island closest to the west side was 1,200 feet long and 600 feet wide. It is also about 50 feet from shore. The islands were separated by 50 feet, and the water was six to seven feet deep between them.

  Tomaeus thought, I think I’ll recommend to the Praetor that we connect the three islands with bridges. We can run other bridges from the lake’s shore to the eastern island and one to the western most island. That way they can be reinforced or evacuated as need be,” decided Tomaeus. “I’ll also suggest that the Legionaries build walls completely around each island. The men can float the logs out to them. If we actually have 30 days to prepare our defense, we can do it, and be ready when the mercenaries arrive. I hope Andreas is successful in getting some help, otherwise we won’t be able to mount much of a defense with only 11,000 men.

  The boats carried them back to shore, and the men from the village were paid. When they left, Decimus said, “To do this, we’re going to need a lot more boats.” As they walked back to camp, they could see riders coming from Brixia and entering the settlement. Some riders continued up the side of the lake and others crossed the bridge going east. They all seemed to be in a hurry.

  Tomaeus ordered his cavalrymen to go over to the settlement to find out what was happening. They returned just thirty minutes later with exciting news. “Here’s what we heard. Chief Segovesus is ordering all the people to converge on Brixia. They’re supposed to bring all their food, livestock, and valuables. The riders are saying that 50,000 mercenaries from Illyria will be passing through here in July. The entire tribe is evacuating to Brixia. The other riders are going to Verona and the surrounding area to spread the word. I heard that Segovesus is sending 10,000 men to help us man this position, and they should be here on June 1st. Sir, this is great news!”

  Tomaeus slapped Decimus on the back and said, “Decimus, we may come out of this alive! That also means that when the people leave, we’ll have all the boats we want. Tomorrow, I’ll take a small cavalry detachment and ride south to find Manius. They should only be a six or seven days’ ride away.” Tomaeus looked at the cavalryman who had brought the news and said, “Tell your Centurion that I plan to leave here tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. to ride to meet the Legions. Plan for a seven day ride. Decimus, while I’m gone I would like you to go to the islands and site in the walls completely around each island. Figure out how we’re going to extend the wall through the water and how to build the bridges. That should keep you busy until I return.” He smiled at Decimus who shrugged his shoulders.

  The following morning, Tomaeus and his escort rode south, while Decimus assembled his engineers and described the tasks that lay ahead.

  *******

  Servilius and his group covered six miles that day on top of the massive hill that was flanked by a sheer drop to the lake, hundreds of feet below. They made camp and ventured to the edge to look down. It was quite a sight. They could see about halfway to the southern end of the lake, and had a full view of the northern end, which was flat and dotted with huts and fishing boats.

  The following day, when they were about 2,000 feet from the villages at the northern end of the lake, Servilius reined in his horse. On his right, the land was relatively flat as it approached the cliffs. On his left, about 1,600 feet (487m) away, was an irregularly shaped lake that extended for some distance. He questioned Emil, “What’s beyond that lake over there?”

  “Nothing,” said Emil. The ground is so broken and steep, you can’t cross it.”

  “Have you tried?”

  “Yes. One time I was chasing a deer, and it ran into that area. I tried to follow, but it was too difficult and dangerous. I gave it up.”

  Servilius rode over to the small lake. He was envisioning a perfect blocking position. He made a note in his journal: “Not too wide an area; the cliff’s on one side, and the lake is on the other. Both flanks well protected.” The group rode down the gently descending hill into the villages at the top of the Lake. They stopped and took a break. The local people all gathered to talk to them and find out who they were. They had lunch with the people, then remounted and rode east. They crossed the bridge over the Sarca River that feeds Lake Benacus, and then rode south along the eastern side of the mountains for another 15 miles before stopping for the night.

  The next day, they rode the remaining 33 miles and arrived back at camp late in the evening. It was May 26, and they had been gone fo
r five days. During a late night dinner, Decimus told Servilius, “Tomaeus and Vitulus left two days ago to link up with Manius and brief him on what they found. Segovesus is sending riders throughout his territory warning the people that mercenaries are coming and to evacuate to Brixia. He then plans to move the people north. Everyone is supposed to be in Brixia by June 15th. The good news is that Segovesus has promised to send us 10,000 men to help man this position. They should arrive by June 1st. That’s a good start, but we need more men if we are to hold this position.”

  “Tell me Decimus, what did Vitulus find?”

  Decimus thought for a moment and responded. “The day after we arrived, Vitulus surveyed the eastern approach to our position. He said we need to thin out some of the trees and brush on the eastern side of the river to give us more observation into how the mercenaries are moving about. He also found an ideal observation post in the mountains for our men to watch the road on the eastern side of the mountains, in case they try to move around the lake. He feels that we will need a strong mobile reserve inside the camp to support the defense of the walls. He foresees that if the mercenaries concentrate their forces at one point on the wall, while creating diversions, they could overcome our defenses. The next day, he examined the westerly approaches to the walls. Visibility is not an issue on that side; it’s pretty much open terrain. He is of the opinion that if we are attacked simultaneously from the east and west, we’re in serious trouble. We simply won’t have enough men to effectively man the walls. I expect Tomaeus and Vitulus will return on June 1st, and the Legions should arrive on the 5th or 6th. How was your trip?”