Legio XVII: Battle of Zama
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Rome disbanded many long serving Legions from active duty, but maintained a sufficient number to address problems that had been put on hold during the war with Carthage such as the ever fractious Gauls in northern Italy, Philip V of Macedon, and Antiochus of Syria.
With Scipio’s approval, Hannibal was allowed to live in Carthage and even became a civic leader before moving to Tyre and Syria.
The two Legions that had been banished to Sicily after the Battle of Cannae were allowed to return to Rome following their honorable service in Africa with Scipio.
Masinissa was under intense Roman pressure to send Sophonisba to Rome. She refused to go and be humiliated. In order to avoid breaking favorable relations with Rome, Masinissa sent her a vile of poison and asked that she take her own life. She complied. Syphax, her first husband, died in 201 BC while a prisoner in Rome.
Hamilcar and his fellow Carthaginians who stayed behind in the Cisalpine when Mago sailed for Africa in 203 BC spent the next three years coercing the Gauls, Insubres, Ligurians, Boii, and even the loyal Cenomani to rebel against Rome. In 200 BC, 40,000 rose up and sacked Cremona and Placentia. Rome responded and crushed the uprising in the same year. The Cenomani were spare any reprisals because they deserted Hamilcar before the Battle of Cremona. For the next nine years, the Cisalpine was the scene of many more such uprisings and battles.
At the same time, from 200 BC to 197 BC, Roman Legions fought Philip V of Macedon and won a decisive victory at Cynoscephalae. Legions that had fought at Zama were exempt from this war.
Titus and Mincia were married in 204 BC had a son the following year whom they named Segovus in honor of her father. They returned to Rome in 202 BC shortly after Scipio’s victory at Zama. They would have stayed at Brixia longer, but Mincia’s father, Segovesus, had been replaced by a young firebrand who befriended Hamilcar. Hamilcar had no problem convincing him to rebel against Rome. Fearing for their lives, Titus and Mincia left Brixia in the middle of the night and fled south. Shortly after they arrived in Rome, Titus entered Legionary Basic Training and was a stand out among the young recruits. He had trained with the Cenomani army and had added muscle and fighting skills. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Legio XVII.
Levi died in 205 BC while Manius was in northern Italy. His wife Rivkah moved in with the Tullus family.
Praetor Manius Tullus brought his two Legions back from Africa and retired from the Army at age 57. He kept busy by adding new rooms onto to his villa for Rivkah, Titus, Mincia, and Segovus whom he thoroughly enjoyed.
Calvus assumed Command of Legio XVII and led the Legion in battle against the Gauls in 200 BC. Titus fought with the Hastati at Cremona and was awarded battle honors for his bravery. Manius was overjoyed with his son’s success.
Titus followed his father’s career path and was promoted to Centurion. He and Mincia moved into a villa provided by Manius and had another child whom they named Lucia, after Titus’ mother.
Osi, the Suevi cavalry Detachment Commander, who found Imma and reunited her with her mother Agna and her two sisters, Kirsa and Odila, took all three under his protection and care. Odila was pregnant and gave birth to a son. She loved the little boy and named him in honor of her father. The three girls eventually married and stayed in Innsbruck.
Kai, the Suevi scout who walked all night to Ainring to look down on Salzburg, was decorated for bravery by Queen Bethica and provided a monetary reward. He continued to serve in the Army.
Alina, wife of Kuno, who led the survivors from Bad Tolz to Innsbruck, was appointed by the Queen to the Tribal Council. She was the first woman to serve on that governing body. A year later, she led a delegation to Bad Tolz to honor those who died. While she was there, she gathered the bones of her beloved Kuno and buried them near Innsbruck. Over time, Bad Tolz became a shrine of national resistance to invaders.
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About the Author
Thomas A. Timmes, a 28 year active duty veteran of the U.S. Army, holds the Bronze Star for Valor and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for combat in Vietnam. He served with the 3rd and 8th Mechanized Infantry Divisions in Germany during the Cold War as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Battalion and Brigade Operations Officer. Tom has extensive experience with Military Psychological Operations as a Team Leader, an Executive Officer, and Battalion Commander of an airborne unit. Tom also served on the Department of the Army Staff and the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. After retiring from the Army as a Colonel, Tom joined the Office of the Secretary of Defense and was involved with the planning, deployment, and execution of numerous overseas military operations. He worked in the Department of Defense for 42 years including 24 years in the Pentagon. Tom earned military and civilian awards including the Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, holds a Master’s Degree in History, and is a member of the National History Honor Society. In 2013, he was designated a Distinguished Member of the Psychological Operations Regiment. Tom is married and has five children and nine grandchildren.
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