Legio XVII: Battle of Zama

by Thomas A. Timmes

  Two men climbed over the parapet carrying a three foot wide plank. They slid it across the ditch. More soldiers approached the wall as Bethica climbed over the parapet and crossed the plank. She had a pila, shield, and gladius. Aze hadn’t seen her yet. He was pacing the ground and looking rear ward at his soldiers fighting one another.

  “Aze,” she called. He spun around. “You are a coward who kills defenseless women and children. You are a dog and today the birds of the air will eat your flesh.” She knew he was stronger than she was and had more endurance. She had to kill him quickly.

  Aze could tell from her voice and small stature that she was a woman. He taunted the men on the wall. “Is this the best you have? Is she your champion? Send a real fighter against me.” The idea of fighting a woman was humiliating to Aze.

  Bethica raised her pila into a throwing position, crouched behind her shield, and advance on Aze. He realized that he had to defend himself. She could kill him, woman or not. He circled to the right and Bethica went to her right. The distance closed. She faked throwing the pila to make him react. He moved to the right quickly. She faked again and again he moved to his right. They were now 30 feet apart. She drew the pila back and this time threw it to the right of Aze. He moved right and the pila hit his shield barely missing him behind it.

  He shook the shield several times to dislodge the pila, but it was stuck fast. He threw down the shield and ran at her screaming. His sword raised above his head. He would not do this if he were facing a man, but felt that with his superior strength, he could knock her shield to the ground and swing again at her head.

  Bethica waited. She had trained her men to wait until the last moment and then smash their shield in the enemy’s face and push the shield upwards at the same time to block the downward swing of the sword. Aze was two feet from Bethica when he drew the sword a little higher for maximum power. Bethica lunged forward and pushed her shield at his face with all her strength. His sword was pinned above his head. Her gladius darted out at his thigh muscled and sunk in deeply. He fell back. Bethica raised her right leg and pushed against his leg to pull out her sword. Aze tumbled backwards and lay on the ground. His right hand still grasped his sword. Bethica jumped on him and pressed her shield down on his chest. Her gladius thrust at his exposed neck. It entered and hit his spine. She withdrew it and thrust again. She then rolled him over. Stood over him and brought the gladius down on the back of his neck. She chopped again and again until it rolled loose. She grabbed his head by the hair and held it up to her men on the wall. Her men cheered wildly. Bethica turned around and held up Aze’s head for his men to see. They began to drop their weapons and begged to surrender.

  When the Raeti Legion had fought for 45 minutes, Calvus rotated forward his first Cenomani Legion. To get to the front, they had to climb over countless bodies of Taurisci and Eravisci. When the Cenomani reached the front and the Raeti began pulling back, the Eravisci and Boii were dropping their weapons. They had enough. They dropped to their knees and surrendered. The Cenomani respected the surrender and the killing stopped. Calvus took another 5,000 prisoners. He told Rasce to send a rider back to the fort to tell Praetor Tullus of the victory. Rasce said, “Yes Sir, and I need to tell you that there are hundreds of mercenary wagons by Verona and probably thousands of women and children. Something needs to be done with them.”

  Calvus let his men rest for an hour while the beaten men just sat down and awaited their fate. Calvus then had his Legion form lines on both sides of the road. The prisoners were disarmed, searched, and again sat down. Calvus and Legate Odo rode forward to confer with Bethica.

  When they arrived at the ditch and palisade, they could see captured men throwing the bodies of the dead stacked up around the palisade into the ditch.

  He quickly heard about Bethica’s one on one fight with Aze. His respect for her bravery and skill knew no bounds. He told her that if a Roman Commander had done that, he would be awarded the Spolia Opima.

  After congratulating her, Calvus listened to Bethica and Nasua describe their fight at the ditch and the disaster at Bad Tolz. Bethica asked about the battle at the wall and Manius’ wound. Calvus told them about Manius and went on to describe the ambush of Vendim’s men, the unexpected attack of the Gauls, and the battle at the wall. He then said, “Queen Bethica, I now have 11,000 prisoners that I need to take back to Rome and about 11,000 Romans to guard and feed them along the way. We can’t do it alone. I would like for Odo’s Legion to go to Rome with us. We will pay your men for their service and provide a payment to your Treasury.” Bethica turned to Nasua. “I have no objection, do you?”

  “No, the threat has been eliminated and we owe the Roman’s our gratitude. Odo, what do you say?”

  “My men are ready to return home, but I think they would like to see Rome. They would also appreciate a little more money in the pouches. I have no objection.”

  Bethica said, “Calvus, it is settled. Odo and his Legion will accompany you to Rome.”

  “Queen Bethica, I’ve been informed that there are women and children at Verona. I suspect that most of them are Suevi. The wagons are probably full of Suevi loot stolen from your people.”

  “Thank you Legate. Nasua, send a cavalry detachment to Verona to tell the women that we are coming to help them. Calvus, I would like to march my army south with you to view the defenses you constructed and to see the battlefield. We will follow your Legions.”

  Calvus and Odo rode back down the road. The prisoners were dragging their dead to the Suevi ditch and throwing them in. After two more hours of work, the ditch was filled in with dirt and Calvus gave orders to march back to camp. As the column wound its way back down the road, Calvus rode with the Legates. “Queen Bethica has agreed to allow Odo and his men to accompany us back to Rome, but I need more help guarding the prisoners. We now have 11,000 and I have only 11,000 Legionaries. Lugano and Gervasius, I have the same proposal for you that I made to the Queen. Allow your men to go back to Rome with me. We will pay them and your leaders for their service.”

  Both Lugano and Gervasius said they would send riders to ask permission, but were optimistic.

  Calvus continued, “Please do it quickly as I want to get going as soon as possible. When we get back to the camp, use the prisoners to put the dead in the ditch and fill in the ditches with dirt. I’ll have Tomaeus build a gate at the north end of the wall and restore the bridge that previously crossed the river. The people will need the bridge to return to their homes. The walls around the camp and the island, I plan to leave in place. The Legion camps between the two walls will be completely leveled. I suspect that the local people will appreciate all the wood we leave them.”

  “I plan to divide the prisoners equally among the five Legions, assuming your leaders approve of you going to Rome. That’s about 2,000 prisoners for each Legion. You are responsible to feed and guard them. If any attempt to escape, you have my permission to kill them.” The column stopped for the night and the prisoners were distributed among the Legions.

  The following day, the column closed on the fort. Calvus went right to Manius and briefed him on the results of the pursuit. He explained his appeal to the Legates to send their men on to Rome to help with the prisoners. Manius was pleased. He was very sick at this point. The bleeding had not restarted, but he was hot to the touch and his arm looked red and inflamed.

  *******

  The Suevi cavalry detachment enroute to Verona rode cross country to avoid the congested road. They found the wagons and women at the southwest edge of the settlement. They quickly learned that these wagons and captives belonged to the Illyrians. The women were mostly Veneti and other tribal people captured from the northern end of the Adriatic. The Commander, Osi, told the people to stay where they were and he would get them help. The women were distrustful and feared trading one master for another, but decided to stay put. It was too dangerous for them to attempt to walk back on their own.

  Osi wondered where Lugius and Aze had p
arked their wagons with the captured Suevi. He wanted to see if Imma’s mother and sister were still alive. He led the detachment back to the north-south road to report what he had found. Eventually, the Suevi portion of the long column came into view. He rode to find Nasua and gave his report. Nasua told Osi to talk to the prisoners to find out where the Taurisci had camped.

  Osi rode among the walking men and asked the location of their former camp. Once he learned that the wagons were at the south end of the lake, close to the islands he gathered his detachment and rode to find them. After searching for 20 minutes, he discovered the wagon park at the base of the mountain well hidden from view.

  Spread out before him were hundreds of wagons and thousands of women. His hopes grew that Imma’s mother Agna would be among them. The men rode throughout the wagons announcing the defeat of the Boii/Eravici and Taurisci. They added that, “Queen Bethica and her Army will soon be here.” There was cheering throughout the camp.

  Osi stopped to listen to a group of women who surrounded his horse. They knew he was Suevi and felt safe for the first time in months. “What is happening?” they asked. “We could hear the battle and later some of the men came back and took things from the wagons, but they’ve all gone away. Are they coming back?”

  “No, they are not coming back. You are safe now and will be returned to Innsbruck. We defeated them. Most are now dead. They can’t harm you anymore. I am looking for a woman named Agna. She has two daughters Kirsa and Odila. Do you know them?”

  The group of women stepped aside. In the back of the group stood a small woman and a child. All the women looked at her. “I am Agna,” she said.

  Osi dismounted and walked towards her. “And who is she?” he asked pointing to the child.

  “She is Kirsa,” my daughter.

  “Where is Odila?”

  Agna pointed north to a group of wagon isolated from the rest. “Somewhere over there I think. I haven’t seen her since they took us.”

  Osi mounted his horse and rode to the wagons. There were dozens of them. As he drew near, he called, “Odila, Odila. If you are here, show yourself. I am a Suevi Cavalry Commander. I am here to take you to your mother. The men who took you are dead.”

  Young women, mostly mere girls, began to climb out of the wagons and looked at him. “I am Odila!” She was about 30 feet away and stood looking at him. Osi walked his horse over to her. “My name is Osi. I found your baby sister Imma at your hut. She is alive and living with my wife and family at Innsbruck. Your mother and sister are about half a mile away. I can lead you to them.” Odila burst into tears and dropped to the ground. Other young girls rushed to her. Osi figured he better keep his distance. She probably hated and feared any man.

  Osi looked around for another horse and saw one of his men nearby. He called him over and said, “I want to allow that girl to ride your horse to see her mother. I’ll bring it back. Don’t help her get on the horse. Keep your distance.”

  Osi said, “Would you girls help Odila get on the horse so I can take her to see her mother?”

  Once Odila was in the saddle, he led the horse to Agna. Odila slid off out of the saddle and ran to her mother. They hugged and cried. Finally, Odila said, “Mother, I did what you said. I survived.”

  After a few minutes, Osi said, “Agna, your daughter Imma is safe and living with my family. You will all be reunited soon. Stay here until we can move you to Innsbruck.”

  Agna ran to Osi and grabbed his hand and kissed it. “We can never thank you enough.”

  *******

  Bethica followed Calvus’ troops to the wall. She wanted to see the defenses and she wanted her men to see a well constructed and defensible fort. Calvus told her that her men could walk about freely to inspect the site. She said she would set up her camp for the night by the wagons and captive women.

  That evening, Calvus met with his Legates, including Bethica, and her staff. He told them, “Praetor Manius’ arm is infected and he looks very weak. I’m not sure he’ll survive even though he’s getting the best possible care. We’ll just have to wait.”

  “Each of you has about 2,000 prisoners. Tomorrow, take them out and have them collect all the weapons lying about and then throw the dead into the ditch. Position wagons around your work area. Collect up anything that is metal and put it in the wagons. The metal goes back to Rome with us. When the prisoners start to pick up the weapons, have all your men standing by ready to throw their pila. If the prisoners are going to try anything, it will be when they have swords and spears in their hands. Snake, disperse your archers to cover them. Once the weapons are collected, throw the bodies in the ditch, and have the prisoners fill it in.”

  Calvus continued, “Tomaeus tomorrow start rebuilding the bridge over the Mincio. Tonight, I want each Legion to put a Maniple on the river wall and a Maniple on the west wall. The rest of the men can retire to their camps. Remember, we still could get attacked by more of Mago’s men. Gervasius, I would like your men to reoccupy the islands. Odo, you can take your men and stay with the Suevi Army until they leave. Riders are on their way to ask King Timo and Chief Segovesus for permission to retain the two Raeti and two Cenomani Legions. Until we hear from them, we will stay here. The men can use the time to repair and clean their equipment. Tend to the wounded. Tonight, we will burn our dead.”

  “Servilius, take a Maniple from Legio XVII, I Raetorum, and Odo’s men back to the ambush site and bring in any wounded still alive. Burn our dead there.”

  “In two days, I want the names of at least 200 to 300 of your men that deserve awards. That goes for the Cenomani, Raeti, and Suevi. I intend to recognize them for their bravery while we are still here and to give them their awards when we return to Rome.”

  “That’s all I have, Queen Bethica would you like to say something?”

  “I want to thank the Commanders and the men for your help. We will never forget it. Tomorrow, I will leave with my Army and the captives. We have a lot of work to do to restore the Valley.”

  “Thank you,” said Calvus. “If no one else has any comments, you are dismissed.”

  Four days later the riders returned from Brixia and told Calvus, “Segovesus has given his approval. His men may accompany you to Rome, but he would like Taluric to return.”

  Later that day, Quintus, the Medical Officer treating Manius talked to Calvus. “Sir, I’ve decided it is too dangerous to move the Praetor in his condition. Any jarring may dislodge the binding on his artery and he could bleed to death. I estimate the artery will heal itself in two to three weeks. At that time, I will reopen his arm and remove the binding. This operation will probably start another round of infection. If he survives, it will probably be two months before he can travel.”

  At the staff meeting that evening, Quintus told the Legates about Manius. Vitulus, the Acting Commander of Legio XVII, said, “I think I can speak for the men of the Legion, if Manius has to stay, Legio XVII will stay until he either dies or can travel.”

  Calvus said, “I feel the same way, but I have to get these prisoners back to Rome before our food supply runs out. If Legio XVII stays here, we will still have 31,000 men to guard 11,000 prisoners. That’s adequate. Vitulus, talk to Legio XVII and give me your final decision tomorrow.”

  The following day, riders returned from Trento and told Calvus, “King Timo had returned to his Residence and his people are reoccupying their homes. He has granted your request, but wants Lugano to return to Trento. His men will go with you to Rome and Commander Arruns will take command of the two Raeti Legions.”

  That evening Vitulus told Calvus, “The Legionaries of Legio XVII will stay with their former Legate.”

  Two days later, on July 28th, Calvus led his six Legions out of camp enroute to Rome. Since Calvus’ official position was second-in-command of Legio XVII, he knew he would be returning to Lake Benacus and the Legion as soon the prisoners were sold.

  Chapter IX: After the Battle 205 BC

  Legio XVII, Manius, Quintus, a
nd the wounded men unable to travel remained inside the fort. Five of the six Legion camps had been leveled. Their walls were removed and their ditches filled in. Only Legio XVII’s camp still stood. Guards manned the parapet on the river and west walls and the cavalry continued to scout the surrounding countryside. The main threat from the mercenaries had been successfully eliminated through brilliant planning, preparation, guts and determination. Mago, however, was still a threat, but the danger was judged to be minimal.

  The men of the Legion went about their daily chores and settled into the routine of camp life. Medical personnel were kept busy caring for the wounded and removing those who died. Cassius, Modius, and a few of Manius’ aides provided Manius with constant care. His arm was badly swollen and inflamed and his fever was high and dangerous. Liberal doses of henbane kept him calm and sleeping most of the day. Occasionally he would babble about the need for security or call out for Lucia. Quintus wasn’t sure he would live, but Manius was a fighter. Only time would tell.

  Calvus led his six Auxiliary Legions to Ariminum where he stopped for a week to rest the men and secure more grain for the army. He was half way to Rome. Along the way, each of the Legions prepared a proper marching camp for the nights. It was a matter of discipline and training.

  He dispatched an Advance Party to Rome, 250 miles (400km) away, to accomplish several necessary tasks prior to the arrival of the Legions. They had to identify a place for his men to camp. The slave markets had to be notified of the impending arrival of 11,000 prisoners, the proceeds of which would be used to pay the troops. Calvus also had to arrange for sufficient awards to properly recognize battlefield bravery.

  He planned to allow the Cenomani, Raeti, and Suevi Legions to stay in Rome for two weeks before sending them back home. He also knew he had to tell Lucia, Manius’ wife, about his condition. He was not looking forward to that.