by Miller, Ian
The summer was surprisingly warm, and centuries of the legion marched all over the countryside, much to the initial consternation and finally the general mirth of the local population. There was no need for river crossings, and trade was prolific with those on the other side of the river. At last the Empire was working as it should, and even those on the other side of the river appreciated the civilizing effect of Rome.
* * *
In the later summer, word came of a large band of such raiders from the Northeast who appeared to be heading in the direction of the client Iazyges over the river. While there was no obligation to do anything about this, Gaius sent a messenger offering assistance. Firstly, it was always better to have friends over the river, and secondly it would give him a chance to see how the Iazyges fought in the forest. Not surprisingly, the offer was accepted, and four cohorts, including the first, crossed the river.
Now was the chance to see what they had learned, for they had to make a forced march to the main village. Fortunately, the tracks were wide and the cohorts could march almost as if in open terrain. The one difference was that Gaius insisted that the archers and auxiliaries were evenly spread throughout the heavy infantry. They reached the main village without incident, and this time the Romans constructed their defensive camp well away from the village.
The Romans and an equal number of Iazyges marched north the following day, each side watching the other with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. Fortunately, the terrain soon forced each to march at a distance from the other. The last thing either needed were the inevitable taunts that could lead to a fight between them.
On day five the first news came from one of the scouts: a raiding party was approximately a day's march to the northeast. A Council of War was held, and the Iazygian chief was asked what route the raiders were likely to take, given where they were and where they were probably heading. There was only one likely road, and they would take it, unless they wished to risk getting lost in the forest.
"So," Gaius said, "where would you suggest would be the best place for an ambush?"
At first the Iazygian chief seemed a little surprised that the Romans would opt for an ambush, but he was clearly pleased with the strategy. There were two places, he said, but one was better because it was closer, and gave them more time to prepare. Gaius agreed to the latter site, and suggested they march the following morning. This raised the question, what order would they march. In the end, Gaius pointed out that if they weren't to go together the Iazyges should lead, as only they knew the route. They agreed to set off at first light. With that settled, each party retreated to their own camps.
Gaius had just reached his own tent when Lucius Matius, his Tribunus Laticlavius requested to see him. He was invited in, and Gaius was amused to see the awkward look on his junior's face.
"It looks like you don't think I'm going to like this," Gaius smiled, as he indicated that Lucius should take a seat. "Don't worry. You can speak freely."
"Is this a good idea?" Matius started.
"If you mean, this expedition, I think so," Gaius shrugged. "What is bothering you?"
"It could be trap," Matius said. "They could unite with these raiders, wipe out half the legion, then cross the Danube and . . ."
"That is indeed possible," Gaius agreed. "So, how do we defend against it?"
"Well, not go . . ."
"Having come this far, that's not an option," Gaius shrugged. "That would virtually force the Iazyges into an alliance with the northern tribes."
"I suppose so," Matius agreed.
"How I intend to fight this ambush," Gaius continued, "is that because we shall be fighting on a slope, the Iazyges will attack from above. If they don't, we shall know there's treachery. If they do, then the northern tribesmen will be facing uphill, and will probably advance just a little. That will let us form a line on the road, so that if anything goes wrong after that, we are in an optimum formation."
"I see," came the disciplined response.
"Don't go," Gaius waved, to stop his Tribune from excusing himself. "Have some wine." He poured a goblet, and handed it to his Tribune. "Now, since you've raised it, what would you do if there is treachery, and the Iazyges unite with the others against us?"
"Fight our way out of it."
"Yes, but how?"
"I suppose it would depend on the terrain . . ."
"Assume it is as described," Gaius said. "If it's wildly different, we'll know in advance something's wrong."
"Then we should try to form a line, or a square."
"I want the first to form the smaller squares that we have practised," Gaius said. "Make sure the Centurions keep an eye on what is going on, and don't let big gaps form between squares. If we can trap enemy between squares, those should be able to be eliminated rapidly, while if the enemy don't go in between, then we can rest soldiers."
"Yes, sir."
"Why are we doing this?"
"I suppose, to help these Iazyges, and . . ."
"Yes, but why do we care about them?"
There was an embarrassed silence.
"The reason is simple," Gaius said. "If we adopt a totally defensive strategy, sooner or later we lose. What Augustus realized was that if we have friendly but independent tribes adjacent to Rome's domains, they do the fighting. The problem is, why won't the independent tribesmen start wondering why they're doing our fighting, and if they have to fight, why don't they unite with the opposition and raid us, especially since we're more wealthy?"
"Because we're stronger?"
"If you believe that, why are you worried about this expedition?"
There was a further silence.
"The important point is that right now these Iazyges are reasonably likely to fight with us, so if we help them, then we gain more respect. Sure, there's risk of treachery, but we mustn't be forced into inaction just because of that possibility."
"I suppose not."
"There is another reason too, which is why I want you to pay attention. The Roman army is now fairly close to being invincible against barbarians in a fight in open terrain. The same is not true in forests, where we can't form lines."
"I'm sure the men will . . ."
"I'm not doubting the men," Gaius smiled, "but don't underestimate the enemy either. No, our problem is, so far we don't know what tactics are optimal for fighting in forests. So, what I want you to do is keep an eye open for what the two enemies are doing. They may not teach us anything, but they might. Now, go and get some sleep."
* * *
The march the following morning was uneventful, and they arrived at the designated site in good time. Gaius was pleased to see that the site was very similar to what had been described. This was reassuring, although it did not entirely rule out the possibility of a double-cross. A scout had already arrived, and he informed the two leaders that the raiders were less than an hour away, and were marching quickly. There were about one and a half thousand of them.
The road passed along a flat part of the side of a hill. Anyone marching on this road could march as much as twelve abreast here, so superficially it was not an ideal site for an ambush. Above the road, a forest of quite massive trees made its way up the gently sloping hill. Below the road, the ground was shrubbier and the land fell away a little more steeply towards a small stream below. Gaius quickly ordered his infantry to hide themselves in formation downhill, and his cavalry to remain as far to the rear as possible, while remaining within the range of the horn. He also sent two centuries of men who had trained well in forest skills to go towards the enemy, to let them pass, and later to cut off any fleeing baggage train. In the event that a horn indicated treachery, they were to make their way home as best they could.
The sun was almost soporific, and for a while Gaius was wondering if the enemy could pass by while the ambushers were asleep, but he need not have worried. The northern tribesmen were not at all well disciplined, and they could be heard from quite some distance. They made a fearful rack
et as they marched along, full of swagger.
They had almost passed, and Gaius was beginning to wonder about his allies, when a series of yells rent the air, and Iazyges poured down the slope waving axes and yelling insults. The northern tribesmen turned to meet them, and as expected, moved towards them. Gaius gave the arm signal for a silent advance.
The Romans came forward and managed to form a line on the edge of the road without the enemy knowing they were there. Meanwhile, the Iazyges were finding the battle somewhat difficult. Superficially, the Iazyges were outnumbered, and the northerners were seemingly better fighters. The leading Roman line crossed towards the rear of the northerners, and it was only when the Romans were almost upon the northerners that they realized their problem. Fighting with large weapons with their back turned to the heavily armoured Romans left them with almost no chance. The shield wall crashed into them, and they had nowhere to go, and insufficient room to turn.
The battle was surprisingly brief but exceedingly bloody, and only a few of the northerners could even manage to flee. A huge pile of weapons were gathered and were then loaded onto the carts that carried a large amount of what was presumed to have been loot from previous raids.
As Gaius was to remark to Lucius Matius later, the slaughter of so many barbarians so quickly would ensure the loyalty of this client tribe for some time. Generosity also helped: Gaius said that the tribute for this year could be waived.
The parties then marched back to the village, where the villagers were amazed to see the volume of loot, which was all laid out on a bare area.
"We share half each," Gaius said to the chief. In response to the pleasantly surprised look on the Chief's face, he added, "We were allies, and your charge, and the noise you made were critical to the easier success."
The chief was pleased, and the next hour was spent sorting and selecting. Following that, the chief invited Gaius and the senior officers for a meal. Large fires were formed, and quite large amounts of venison were being roasted. Gaius provided wine, the Iazyges provided ale and mead. At the end of the meal, when much laughing and singing was underway, and when some of the Romans were eying the possibilities of some available women, the chief indicated that he wished to have a more private conversation with Gaius.
"The horses your cavalry are using are not very good horses," he pointed out.
"You have better ones?" Gaius asked encouragingly. He sensed what was coming, and it was important that the chief felt free to make his proposal.
"We have much better horses, and I know how to get more, but of course . . ."
"You wish to be paid," Gaius nodded. "Of course you will be paid, if we think they're good enough to buy."
"Yes, but some Romans don't. They take, and then challenge . . ."
"There's a simple answer to that," Gaius nodded. "I'll set up a trading post. You sell whatever you want there, and you'll be paid immediately. Of course, I'll have to on-sell it, so I'll take a commission, but you will know your payments are secure, and if you don't like the price, you don't have to sell."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because I'll make some money out of it as well. And also, we'll put one of your son's into the business, to teach him the art of trading with Rome. He can look after your interests, and help me a bit too. What do you say? Drink on it?"
They drank on it. As Gaius noted, the fact that he would make a little on each transaction eased the Chief's mind; a deal in which the other party also made something was much easier to understand than one that did not.
* * *
The return to Lussonium was uneventful, and when Gaius reviewed the exercise, he had to admit that while it had been spectacularly successful, he had learned surprisingly little about forest battle tactics. The value of an ambush was well known, and the brutal efficiency of the killing had been achieved on the road, the one piece of non-forested land available, while the enemy had their backs to the Romans.
The captured weapons were also less informative. The large axes were valuable, if for no other reason that they could also be used for cutting down trees, and he already knew the swords would be longer than the gladius.
The drills would continue; they kept the soldiers in form, and they ensured the local population knew there was a fighting force available. However, Gaius remained less than satisfied; he had learned little during that raid, and he felt confident that in further drills, his men would simply continue to do what they were familiar with and that would merely reinforce what everyone thought was right. They were not learning anything new, and the problem of how to fight most effectively in forests remained.
He sent a letter to Claudius, outlining what had happened to the expeditionary force, how the allies had fought, then the size and amount of the loot he had gathered. Items such as axes would be retained and sold locally, but the items made of precious metal were to be despatched to Rome immediately. When he had finished arranging the transport, he realized that he had been a Legate for nearly a year. Soon it would be time once again to return to Burnum. He remembered the tension of the previous year, and smiled as he realized that Valerius Messala no longer felt the need to get so far from Rome.
Chapter 15
"You're not going to like this," Timothy said.
"I guess not," Gaius shook his head. "What is it that I'm not going to like?"
"Your cylinder," Timothy explained. "You want a piston to go up and down, and be pushed by steam?"
"So?"
"The cylinder has to be even," Timothy said. "I can cast a cylinder, but it is very difficult to get the inner surface all exactly the same diameter, and it's too big to put on a lathe."
"I see," Gaius said. He thought for a moment, then said, "But you could put something the size of a piston on a lathe?"
"Maybe," came the doubtful and somewhat unenthusiastic response.
"This cylinder? It is cast from bronze?"
"Yes. Maybe one day you might want iron, but bronze will be good enough to see if it works."
"Then try to get it as round as you can with the casting," Gaius said, "then you could put something on a lathe the size of the piston and put something very abrasive around it and wear down the cylinder evenly?"
"And what's this, 'something very abrasive' going to be?"
"The most abrasive stone you can find." Gaius paused, then added, "It also has to be fine-grained, so that it wears the bronze down, not scratches cavities."
"I suppose I could try, but I'm sure the result won't be perfect, in which case the steam will leak and won't push the piston," Timothy warned.
"Then try to get the best you can. Same with the piston. Get rings on the piston like we agreed, grind the rings to fit, and if it doesn't fit well, maybe try a bit of leather around the rings."
"That may not last very long," Timothy warned.
"No, it mightn't, but it might last long enough to see if it works. We might need to have some sort of oil drop onto the leather or the rings, we'll have to wait and see. If you can make the cylinder's errors only in whether it is round, as opposed to lumpy, you might be able to use the stone to grind down parts of the rings so that it fits the cylinder. I am afraid we just have to try something."
"It'll still leak," Timothy said doubtfully.
"It may well," Gaius shrugged, "but it depends on how badly. If it works while it is leaking a little, does it matter?"
"It would be better if it didn't," Timothy grouched.
"Yes, it would." Gaius paused, then added, "Timothy, if you don't want to do this . . ."
"I'll do it," Timothy interrupted, but without any enthusiasm.
Yes, Gaius thought to himself, because if he did not, he would have to earn his living some other way. Still, he had to try to give Timothy a little more confidence. "I'm sure you'll manage something sooner or later, and remember, you can get all the help you need. As for the longer term future, if it works but has flaws, remember that one of the problems we have now is we can't turn anything on a lath
e that is very big because we can't power the lathe. If we can get a small engine to work it might power a bigger lathe, which would make all this easier. I don't know how to do it, but let's try something."
Gaius watched Timothy saunter off. Timothy was obviously getting tired of this engine that was still more an abstraction than a tangible thing. This cylinder was proving to be quite a problem, and he rather fancied that the piston would prove to be an equal one. The good news was that Timothy had in principle worked out a way to fit a ring onto the piston by sweating it on, which meant that the engineering there did not need to be so accurate, and as he had pointed out to Timothy, the cylinder would probably wear the ring into a desirable shape. One thing he knew was that this would leak some steam, but if he could make it big enough to do something that could be useful, and if it worked for long enough for the principle to be established, then it would be merely a matter of improving it. As yet, it was unclear whether this would work at all. However, at least it was giving him something to do over the winter.
He longed to be back in Rome, with Vipsania, but the practicalities were that he could not go. He was an army commander, and he had to be with his legion. Then there was the small matter of the prophecy: he was not to return to Rome until it was in ruins. That was simply impossible; Rome could not fall into ruins in his lifetime.
As the winter deepened, very little happened at Burnum. The possible size of his engine was becoming smaller, simply because there was a limit to how big a cylinder could be ground with the available lathes. A smith suggested that he was going about it the wrong way, and it might be better to get the piston round, and use that to make the mould to cast the cylinder. Gaius shrugged, handed over yet more sesterces, and told him to get on with it. This was not an extreme problem; if the machine worked, something bigger could easily be made. If nothing else, a small engine could power whatever was required to make bigger cylinders.