Read Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign (The Artorian Chronicles) Online
Authors: James Mace
Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign (The Artorian Chronicles)
Soldier of Rome:
The Last Campaign
Book Six of the Artorian Chronicles
James Mace
Electronic Edition Copyright
© 2013 by James Mace
All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Characters and events portrayed in this book are based on actual persons and events, but are used fictitiously.
Legionary Books
Meridian, Idaho 83642, USA
First eBook Edition: 2013
Published in the United States of America
Legionary Books
No one is free who does not lord over himself
.
-
Emperor Claudius
This final book of the Artorian Chronicles, and indeed the entire series
, is dedicated to my fellow Soldiers who I served with during my own career in the ‘legions’, especially those of 2
nd
Battalion, 116
th
Cavalry
Sine Mora! Ave Immortalis!
The Works of James Mace
The Artorian Chronicles
Soldier of Rome: The Legionary
Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt
Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion
Soldier of Rome: The Centurion
Soldier of Rome: Journey to Judea
Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign
Artorian Novellas
Centurion Valens and the Empress of Death
Empire Betrayed: The Fall of Sejanus
The Great Jewish Revolt
Kingdom of the Damned: Rebellion in Judea
Kingdom of the Damned: Vespasian’s Fury
Napoleonic Works
Forlorn Hope: The Storming of Badajoz
Courage, Marshal Ney
Table of Contents
Chapter VI
I: Somewhere Far Beyond
Chapter VII
I: Valeria’s Return
Chapter XII
I: Ashes from the Oath
Chapter XIV
: An Unholy Sacrifice
Chapter XV
I: The Gathering Storm
Chapter XVI
I: Mighty Rivers Run
Chapter XVII
I: Hammer the Winds
Chapter XIX
: The Alliance Shatters
Chapter XX
I: Triumph Interrupted
Chapter XXI
II: The Siege Master Unleashed
Preface
Following the assassination of Emperor Gaius Caligula in 41 A.D., his uncle, Claudius
, assumed the imperial throne. After establishing his legitimacy and stabilizing his position with the Roman Senate and people, he looks to legitimize himself militarily. His eyes turn towards Britannia; the elusive isle that even Julius Caesar failed to conquer.
Far from being unkno
wn to the rest of the world, various Britannic peoples have maintained trade relations with the continent, and a few of the tribal kingdoms have even formed alliances with Rome that extend back decades. Constant warfare, however, has left the isle in a state of perpetual instability. When several allies call upon Rome for assistance in their volatile struggles, Claudius seizes the opportunity to finish what the Divine Julius started almost a hundred years before.
In Ostia,
Centurion Artorius spends his days as a police commissioner, while only holding an honorary posting with the legions. Soon after Claudius’ ascension, however, he is recalled to active service with his former legion, the Twentieth Valeria, where his peers proclaim him as the new master centurion. It has been generations since the empire expanded its borders via conquest, and Artorius readies his men to spearhead a massive invasion force in what he knows will be his last campaign.
Cast of Characters
Soldiers:
Titus Artorius Justus
– Centurion Primus Pilus, Master Centurion of the Twentieth Legion
Magnus Flavianus
– Artorius’ closest friend and Centurion Primus Ordo
Gaius Praxus
– Centurion Primus Ordo
Tiberius Valens
– Centurion and longtime friend of Artorius and Magnus
Metellus Artorius Posthumous
– Artorius’ adopted son and a centurion with the Fifth Cohort
Aulus Nautius Cursor
– Former tribune of the plebs, given command of the invasion’s cavalry forces
Tiberius Stoppello
– Admiral in the Roman Navy
Hansi Flavianus
– Magnus’ brother and ship’s captain under Admiral Stoppello
Other Romans:
Claudius Caesar
– Emperor of Rome
Aulus Plautius
– Commander-in-Chief of the Roman invasion force
Titus Flavius Sabinus
– Legate of the Ninth Legion, Plautius’ second-in-command
Flavius Vespasian
– Brother of Sabinus, he commands the Second Legion
Honorius Geta
– Legate of the Fourteenth Legion
Valeria Messalina
– Wife of Claudius and Empress of Rome
Diana Procula
– Wife of Artorius
Marcia Marcella
– Daughter of Artorius’ childhood love, Camilla
Britons:
Togodumnus
– King of the Catuvellauni tribe and leader of the resistance against the Roman invasion
Caratacus
– Brother of Togodumnus, conquers the Atrebates in order to establish his own kingdom
Cartimandua
– Queen of the Brigantes and a Roman ally
Venutius
– Husband and consort to Cartimandua, their relationship is strained by his loyalty to Caratacus
Verica
– Exiled King of the Atrebates, a tribe that was overrun by Caratacus
Cogidubnus
– Great-nephew of Verica and his appointed heir as King of the Atrebates
Donan
– King of the Durotriges confederation and staunch ally of Togodumnus
Alaric
– A man of Germanic origins, who was raised by the Brigantes and who has returned from many years in the east
Landon
– Friend of Alaric and member of Queen Cartimandua’s bodyguard
Roman Military Ranks
Legionary
– Every citizen of the plebian class who enlisted in the legions started off as a legionary. Duration of service during the early empire was twenty years. Barring any promotions that would dictate otherwise, this normally consisted of sixteen years in the ranks, with another four either on lighter duties, or as part of the First Cohort. Legionaries served not only as the heart of the legion’s fighting force, they were also used for many building and construction projects.
Decanus
– Also referred to interchangeably as a
sergeant
in the series, decanus was the first rank of authority that a legionary could be promoted to. Much like a modern-day sergeant, the decanus was the first-line leader of legionaries. He supervised training, as well as enforced personal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. On campaign he was in charge of getting the section’s tent erected, along with the fortifications of the camp.
Tesserarius
– The first of the
Principal
ranks, the tesserarius primarily oversaw the fatigue and guard duties for the century. He maintained the duty roster and was also keeper of the watch word. On a normal day he could be found supervising work details or checking on the guard posts.
Signifier
– He was the treasurer for the century and was in charge of all pay issues, so was much-loved on pay days. On campaign he carried the century’s standard (signum) into battle. This was used not only as a rallying point, but also as a visual means of communication. Traditionally he wore a bear’s hide over his helmet, draped around the shoulders of his armor. (A signifier wearing a wolf skin is a Hollywood invention). Because of his high level of responsibility, the signifier is third-in-command of the century.
Optio
– The term
optio
literally means
‘chosen one’
for he was personally chosen by the centurion to serve as his deputy. He would oversee all training within the century, to include that of new recruits. In battle the optio would either stand behind the formation, keeping troops on line and in formation, or he would stand on the extreme left, able to coordinate with adjacent units.
Aquilifer –
This man was a senior signifier bearing the eagle standard of a legion. (
Aquila
means eagle.) This standard was the most important possession of the legion – losing it brought shame and humiliation to the entire legion. This position carried great honor, though it is debatable whether or not he wore any headdress or animal skin. It is known that he carried a small, circular shield called a
parma
instead of the legionary scutum.
Centurion
– In addition to being its commander, the centurion was known to be the bravest and most tactically sound man within the century. While a stern disciplinarian, and at times harsh, it is borne of a genuine compassion for his men. The centurion knew that only through hard discipline and sound training could his men survive in battle. He was always on the extreme right of the front rank in battle; thereby placing himself in the most precarious position on the line. Mortality rates were high amongst centurions because they would sacrifice their own safety for that of their men.
Centurion Pilus Prior
– Commander of a cohort of six centuries, the centurion pilus prior was a man of considerable influence and responsibility. He not only had to be able to command a century on a line of battle, but he had to be able to maneuver his cohort as a single unit. Such men were often given independent commands over small garrisons or on low-level conflicts. A centurion pilus prior could also be tasked with diplomatic duties; such was the respect foreign princes held for them. At this level, a soldier had to focus not just on his abilities as a leader of fighting men, but on his skills at diplomacy and politics.
Centurion Primus Ordo
– The elite First Cohort’s Centuries were commanded by the centurions primus ordo. Though the number of soldiers under their direct command was fewer, these men were senior in rank to the centurions pilus prior. Men were often selected for these positions based on vast experience and for being the best tacticians in the legion. As such, part of the duty of a centurion primus ordo was acting as a strategic and tactical advisor to the commanding general. Generals such as Caesar, Marius, Tiberius, and Agrippa were successful in part because they had a strong circle of First Cohort Centurions advising them.
Centurion Primus Pilus
– Also referred to as the
chief
or
master
centurion
,
this is the pinnacle of the career of a Roman soldier. Though socially subordinate to the tribunes, the centurion primus pilus possessed more power and influence than any and was, in fact, third-in-command of the entire legion. He was also the commander of the elite First Cohort in battle. Upon retirement, a centurion primus pilus (and possibly centurions of lesser ranks as well) was elevated into the patrician class of society. He could then stand for public office, and his sons would be eligible for appointments as tribunes. Even while still serving in the ranks, a centurion primus pilus was allowed to wear the narrow purple stripe of a patrician on his toga; such was the respect Roman society held for them.
Tribune
– Tribunes came from the patrician class, often serving only six month tours with the legions. Though there were exceptions, many tribunes stayed on the line only long enough to complete their tour of duty before going on to a better assignment. Primarily serving as staff officers for the commanding legate, a tribune would sometimes be given command of auxiliary troops if he proved himself a capable leader. Most were looking for a career in politics, though they knew they had to get as much experience as they could out of their time in the legions. In
Soldier of Rome
, Pontius Pilate is an example of a tribune who elects to stay with the legions for as long as he is able, preferring the life of a soldier to the soft comforts of a political magistrate.
Laticlavian Tribune
– Most commonly referred to as the
chief
tribune, he was a young man of the senatorial class starting off his career. Second-in-command of the legion, his responsibility was incredible, though he was often aided by the master centurion, who would act as a mentor. A soldier’s performance as chief tribune would determine whether or not he would be fit to command a legion of his own someday. Given the importance of military success to the future senator’s career, he would no doubt make every effort to prove himself competent and valiant in battle.
Legate
– The legate was a senator who had already spent time in the legions as a laticlavian tribune and had proven himself worthy of command. Of all the possible offices that a nobleman could hold, none was dearer to a Roman than command of her armies.
Legion Infantry Strength (estimated)
Legionaries – 3,780
First Cohort Legionaries – 700
Decanii – 610
Tesserarii – 59
Signifiers – 59
Options – 59
Aquilifer - 1
Centurions – 45 (approximately 80 men to a century)
Centurions Pilus Prior – 9
Centurions Primus Ordo – 4
Centurion Primus Pilus – 1
Tribunes – 6
Chief Tribune – 1
Legate – 1