A Roman Story: General Engagement

By C.A. Baugh

It is 145 AD; the Roman Empire flourishes, and Emperor Antoninus Pius rules.

Gaius Vantinius, Master General over all the Legions of Rome, is called to Rome and given an assignment by the Emperor that seems totally contrary to all other past assignments. His two brothers Marcus and Syrus, also Generals of Rome, are to assist him.

A seemingly never ending thorn in the side of Rome has been the Celtic tribes of the north eastern mountain passes, which harbor major trade routes that Rome desperately depends on. In order to subjugate these tribes under Roman rule, Emperor Hadrian, prior to his death, put into play a plan that required the Celtic tribes to give up three royal hostages, to be married off to Roman aristocracy some time in the future; one of them is destined to be the Celtic nations chief Druid.

Follow Gaius Vantinius and his brothers as they weave their way towards their final destiny, while in the process, fighting barbarian hordes and senatorial assassins in an attempt to protect and defend three of Rome’s most beautiful and enigmatic hostages, even unto death; so decrees Rome!

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.A. Baugh
• Release date: Feb 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9780986332333

Book preview

A Roman Story

GENERAL ENGAGEMENT

By C.A. Baugh

A Roman Story – General Engagement Copyright © 2014

All rights reserved.

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

This is a work of historical fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents

are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously;

any resemblance to actual events or persons,

living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

For comments, questions and more information about upcoming books

and appearances by C.A. Baugh, visit www.cabaughauthor.com

ISBN-10: 098633233X

ISBN-13: 978-0-9863323-3-3

TXu001892394

Dedication

To Jordan our princess, and Ian a real Celtic warrior.

Acknowledgement

Chris; thank you for bailing me out of all the computer

‘glitches’ I managed to create!

PROLOGUE

AD 135, VILLA ADRIANA

Emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus brooded as he reclined in the private suite he maintained at his family’s villa, a half days ride east of Rome. Deep in thought, he neither moved nor acknowledged the servant who placed a cup of wine on the table next to him. Eventually, he glanced at the burgundy liquid and his thoughts turned to blood; not the bright red blood from a simple cut, but dark scarlet blood from deep, mortal wounds. Wounds like those received on the hellish battlefields of Rome’s conquest in Britannia, where war proved the necessary precursor to Celtic subjugation. And still the savages resisted with stoic determination, forcing him to order the construction of barrier walls to contain them. Now, like a recurring bad dream, a faction of those very same people, Celtic refugees from Britannia living in the Alps north of Italia - refused to become a province of the Great Roman Empire.

He shook his head, picked up the cup and gulped down the wine. The time has come to put an end to this! he said aloud to himself. With a sigh of resignation he called for a scribe. The old man appeared a moment later carrying his equipment. With lowered voice the emperor dictated a message, read it over carefully and then dismissed the man. Slowly, the emperor rolled the document tight, dripped hot wax onto the seam, and then pressed his signet into the cooling mass, imprinting his official emblem. Next, he called for the Prefectus of the Home Guard, who always accompanied him whether the emperor was in Rome, here at the villa, or on campaign.

Flavius, I have an assignment for you to handle personally. Rome is still having problems with that colony of Celtic tribes living along the far northern border.

Are you referring to Alpina, sir? The northern Alpine border territory brought under jurisdiction during Trajan’s reign?

Indeed I am. Although considering them under jurisdiction appears to be far from reality. Even after all these years they still rebel against the empire. And quite frankly Flavius, I’m sick of the whole situation up there. The emperor slapped his hand on the desk for emphasis. I’ve devised a plan that will bring them under Rome’s control once and for all, but it must be carried out covertly. He lifted the scroll. You will personally deliver my orders. This must touch no other hands but those of Alpina’s consul, Quintilius Vitruvius.

The Prefectus accepted the document, raised his hand in salute and left for Alpina that very hour. The emperor smiled to himself and eased back in his favorite chair; it was out of his hands now.

Three years later, Emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus was dead, leaving his plan firmly set in place, hidden away in the African Province of Numidia and concealed deep within the legions of the Roman Army.

CHAPTER 1

AD 145

The early morning air thundered with the sound of marching feet as the knob-soled boots of a thousand legionaries from the First Legion Italica pounded on the pavement of the Via Cassia. With a fast-shuffling pace, the soldiers advanced on Rome, returning from campaign. They had spent the last two years in Colonia Augusta Raurica, a prosperous commercial trading center set high in the Alpine mountains. Now, as they moved south along the well-constructed highway, the promise of their familiar city lightened their step and fueled their determination to make the last leg of their trip in record time.

Master General Gaius Atius Vantinius galloped past numerous cohorts in order to allow Arion, his high-spirited horse, a chance to run. Turning toward a large outcropping of rocks that was set back off the roadway, he encountered two tribunes and the legion commander sitting on their mounts watching the passing legionaries. They saluted smartly, but he was unable to return the gesture because the tall black horse demanded both hands on the reins.

Good morning, he nodded in response to their salute and pulled the powerful animal to a halt beside them, which earned him a snort of protest from the horse. Arion balked in rebellion, sidestepped, and then tossed his head in an attempt to break free of the bit, but the general kept a tight rein until the quivering flesh beneath him quieted into submission. He reached out and patted the animal’s muscular neck and turned his attention to the passing cohorts. A few minutes later, he rubbed the back of his own neck.

You always know you are near Rome when the sun begins to sting, one of the men commented.

Gaius Vantinius gave a half smile, Indeed, he nodded and directed his horse on to a nearby stand of trees; allowing them both a few moments in the shade. A breeze passed by, carrying the sweet fragrance of warming grass and the pungent odor of sweat and horseflesh. When the breeze subsided the distinct essence of a nearby seaport settled around him. The General closed his eyes and allowed himself a moment to be carried away by the familiar scent. He pictured the commercial harbor where merchant ships would be docked, appearing as skeletons against the pale morning sky with sails rolled tight like scrolls. He could almost hear the captains shouting orders to the slaves unloading cargo onto the docks while merchants stood ready to direct the transport of wine-filled amphora fresh from the vineyards of Hispania into their warehouses. And there would be wagons loaded with Egyptian grain, their wheels creaking from the weight as they rolled to the granaries.

In his opinion, Rome was becoming an insatiable creature, growing greedier with each injection of foreign treasure that pulsed into her heart from the veins of distant trade routes. He placed blame on past emperors for pressing their armies farther and farther outward in an attempt to locate more exotic commodities to keep the wealthy masses content, while at the same time handing out free allotments to the public. The result was an empire grown to such an expansive size that it was becoming increasingly difficult to control its borders. Gaius knew his opinions were controversial and best kept to himself, of course. He would never make the mistake of saying these things aloud to the tribunes and their commander who sat nearby. All of them—himself included—were devoted soldiers, but once they were back in Rome they would become enmeshed in the politics of the day. As Master General, Gaius had to walk the line of politics and loyalty very carefully. History had proven many times that Rome’s generals were more popular with the Senate when they were far from Rome. With a sigh, he walked his now-subdued horse back to the road following along at the flank of the marching legionaries. The legion commander followed behind, but the two tribunes remained. They watched the retreating back of the Master General.

Did you have an opportunity to get to know the Master General during his stay with us?

His acquaintance shook his head. He stayed pretty much to himself and didn’t engage in private conversation. Personally I don’t care for the man. He’s too intense for my taste, no fun to be around; know what I mean?

The first man nodded. Aside from that, he certainly knows his legions. The Master General had ridden into battle with the First Legion Italia, a fact which impressed the regular troops, earning him their loyalty.

The second man flicked a fly off his hand. Seems like we all improved under his tutelage, but I never warmed to him. And the Commander put up some resistance.

I’m not fond of him personally, but I give credit where credit is due. I don’t know why the Commander resisted so strongly. If anything, General Vantinius boosted our confidence, and that let us dominate on the field of battle. In my opinion, the entire Legion’s been transformed. He paused and gave the other a conspiring look. So now we return to Rome as heralded victors, with pomp and accolades due. Not to mention the distinction it will add to our careers.

Indeed it will! They shared a smile, anticipating the attention their success would receive from the Senate, and the silver that would also be their reward.

Early that evening the troops arrived at Castra Urbana, an army fort on the outskirts of Rome. The legionaries stood at attention while General Vantinius officially handed back command of the legion to the commanding Legate. He held the man’s gaze as he recited the formal words ending his assignment. The staring contest was a showdown of sorts. The general was well aware that no commanding officer appreciated a superior coming into his legion and taking over command. But this was the emperor’s decree, fashioned after the one Hadrian created specifically to ensure that the legions maintained rigid standards of discipline and protocol, whether in the center of Rome or at her farthest borders. Commanders who did not comply did not last in the emperor’s legions. Needless to say, those who were smart masked their unhappiness at the arrangement, which didn’t hide the fact that they felt threatened by his presence. It simply showed their ability to proceed with the program. The ones he admired most came to respect him when they saw how their legion began to improve under his command. Gaius knew this particular commander had never liked him, appearing to have an issue with the politics of the program as well as personal envy. Gaius wished he could tell the man that being Master General was a solitary and demanding responsibility. Instead, he raised his arm in salute and dismissed the commanding officer, who returned the salute, took a step back, turned on his heel and dismissed his legion to their quarters.

At the conclusion of the brief ceremony Gaius saw to his horse, giving precise instructions to the slave as to its stabling and care. Next, he stopped by the command office to see if any messages had been left for him. After acknowledging salutes from scores of soldiers, he was handed a scroll fastened with the emperor’s seal. Already guessing its contents, Gaius didn’t open it right away, but instead carefully tucked it under his arm and headed to his room in the officers’ barracks. Since his position demanded constant travel, he found it more convenient to use a room here at the fort when he was in Rome. Unlike most men of rank in the Imperial Army, Gaius had no interest in maintaining a home or acquiring a wife, since he would so rarely see either.

He set the scroll on the bed and removed his armor, placing it on a t-post installed for that purpose. Next, he unlaced his boots, freeing his feet from their restrictive confines. Last, he meticulously removed and folded every item of clothing until he was down to his trousers. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he reached for the document and opened it. As he suspected, it requested his presence at the imperial palace the next day.

Gaius smiled as he thought about the Emperor, who—seven years prior—slid seamlessly into office after the death of Hadrian. Antoninus Pious had been one of Rome’s richest men and conservative to a fault, yet when he became emperor he opened his own coffers to support the empire while he and his late wife, Faustina, created and supported charities throughout the city. For that, they received the devotion of the masses. Having been friends with them both, Gaius had not hesitated to pledge his loyalty to the emperor. Their friendship now, however, had to be masked with protocol and political discretion.

The soft light from the oil lamp cast a comfortable glow about the room, and fatigue slowly began to overtake Gaius. He stuffed a pillow under his neck and fell asleep with a soldier’s ability to drop off quickly when the chance to rest presented itself.

Several hours later he awoke in the same position, stretched and felt his stiffened limbs complain. He allowed himself the luxury of a slow rising, listening for a few minutes to the sounds of the barracks: the occasional tread of military boots on the wooden walkway in front; an early rooster anticipating the nearness of dawn even though darkness still covered the sky outside. Motivated by the possibility of privacy, he left his room and quietly made his way to the officers’ baths, where he lowered himself into the steaming water of a large, sunken tub. Gaius submerged slowly until only his chin rested upon the top of the heated water. His stiff muscles began to loosen and the stress of the campaign started to soak away.

After the bath he turned himself over to the ministrations of a slave for massage and personal grooming. Returning to his room, he found soft cheese, bread and a cup of mulsum waiting on a side table. He spread a little cheese on the bread and took a bite, following it up with a sip of the sweet, honeyed wine. Glancing around, he noticed that his battle armor had been replaced with his dress armor and accompanying accessories. The gear he had worn the day before would now be in the hands of a legionary who would polish and inspect every inch for damage. He would, of course, check it over himself before he put it back on.

When his meal was finished he began to dress, methodically donning each article of clothing and each piece of armor, adjusting the items meticulously, from the signet ring on the last finger of his right hand, to the silver helmet topped with a purple plume. Satisfied with his preparations, he stepped outside and commanded a fresh horse and guard.

It was an easy commute from the fort to the Imperial Residence. Emperor Antoninus stood on a balcony concealed behind a potted palm, as he watched the approach of his top general. Antoninus’s predecessor, Hadrian, in his declining years, had created the title of Master General and Consul Militum specifically for General Gaius Vantinius. It was the highest military rank in the empire, making Gaius second only to the emperor himself. The post gave Gaius command of all the emperor’s legions. Of course it had been assumed that when Hadrian died the position would be revoked. Leaving that much power in the hands of a general would normally be dangerous for a new emperor, but Antoninus knew there was no competition for the throne from Gaius, who had rejected all offers of political office and remained devoted to his work within the Legions. And because of the massive size of the empire, Antoninus, like the aging Hadrian, needed a strong, trustworthy military leader.

Today, as the Master General approached in the full uniform, Antoninus admitted to himself that the man exuded military authority. From his six-foot height to the knotted muscles of his arms and legs, he was a daunting figure. The emperor wondered if Gaius realized the impact his image presented. If so he never showed it; if anything, he rejected it. Antoninus chuckled to himself. He had long enjoyed teasing his friend that Hadrian had instructed the local sculptors to use Gaius as their body model for imperial statues.

Master General! As always, you return with honor. Antoninus met Gaius in the hall of state. Despite the formal surroundings, he smiled and grasped the General by the shoulder, thwarting any effort by Gaius to salute. Stepping back, he gave him a once-over. These last two years haven’t diminished your bearing my friend. How many women did you have to fight off when you returned to Rome last night? he teased.

Gaius responded with a grin. The first lesson a legionary learns is never fight the women; they always win!

The emperor chuckled No truer words were ever spoken. Come sit down and give me a briefing of your campaign.

It was near mid-day when Gaius’s report was finished and all the emperor’s questions were answered. They dined together outside in a private garden, and despite the rigid protocol that they followed for the benefit of the servants, slaves and courtiers, the two men relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company.

You hear much from your brothers? The emperor inquired.

Not much since Marcus is stationed at the opposite end of the empire. However, rumors did reach my ears that Syrus has been promoted to Tribuni Equites with the Praetorians.

The rumors are true. He took title just after you left for the colonies, the emperor confirmed. "He’s very popular with his men. You should be proud of him; he’s done well for himself.

Gaius couldn’t help but to feel pride in the accomplishment of his youngest brother. He hadn’t seen him in years, and secretly he hoped he might find a little time for a reunion before he deployed again.

A servant entered the garden, bowed and then made eye contact with the emperor. No words were spoken. The emperor simply nodded and the servant retreated.

Let’s go inside, shall we? I’m sure you are anxious to receive your next assignment.

Anxious? Gaius was puzzled by Antoninus’s choice of words. The emperor knew the Master General’s life revolved around assignments. There was no anxiety, no anticipation; assignments were simply part of his routine. He held his tongue, keeping his thoughts to himself, and followed.

They proceeded along a darkened hallway until Antoninus stopped by an open doorway. I have a little surprise for you in here, he explained before disappearing into the room. A little apprehensively Gaius followed, noticing two legionaries, sitting side by side deep in whispered conversation. They jumped to their feet when they noticed the emperor and immediately saluted. Then seeing Gaius entering behind him they extended the salute.

I can’t believe my eyes! Is it really you? Gaius rushed forward to embrace his brothers.

I’m afraid so, Syrus laughed as he pushed back, allowing his eyes to travel over Gaius. I guess those rumors are true, Marcus! He directed his comment toward the middle brother.

What rumors? Gaius asked with mock suspicion.

That your body was the model they used for those statues surrounding the Forum.

Oh, for the love of the gods! Gaius spun around and stared at the emperor, who had taken a seat and was now shaking with silent laughter.

Sit down. Sit down, all of you, Antoninus flapped his hand toward the chairs. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up, after we attend to business.

All three men claimed chairs and immediately focused on their ruler, who got straight to the point of the meeting.

"My legion commander in Numidia reports an influx of Bedouins, many from tribes that he is unfamiliar with. Because they seem to be infiltrating from different directions and converging on an area near Vescera, he is concerned about the possibility of an impending revolt. If that were to occur, Third Augusta Legion could easily become overpowered.

The three of you possess a combined expertise that I need down there. I want you to survey the outposts along the borders, inspect the forts, observe the leadership, training, and morale of the legionaries and ensure that our defenses are impenetrable. Make whatever leadership changes you deem necessary and see if you can determine what is causing that influx of tribes.

Gaius was suspicious. He could easily accomplish this task on his own. It seemed odd that the emperor would send his brothers along—not that he minded, of course. But something felt off about these orders. There were always tribes plotting to revolt. The Roman army was well-equipped and prepared to deal with them. Why was Vescera so important to the emperor that he would send all three commanders there?

Antoninus could see Gaius’s mind working, but the emperor was not ready to explain his reasoning yet. Once the forts and outposts have been inspected, settle into the fort at Vescera and initiate the same tactics and techniques which you have established around the empire. We have a limited number of legionaries posted along the desert border, so you may need to provide specialized training of centurions and legion specialists at Vescera. They in turn can train their own men without depleting their fighting population by sending them away from their posts. I leave that decision up to you and the legion commander.

Now in answer to that question you are struggling to restrain, Antoninus jokingly chided his commander. Undoubtedly, you have noticed that since taking office I rarely travel, he began his explanation. And after the vast excursions of my predecessor, I feel Rome needs her emperor and his funds right here at home. For that reason, I need you to be my diplomats. I want you to visit the harbor forts as you sail down the coast. Let them know their emperor cares, wants to hear their ideas, and is keeping a close eye on their region. In fact, I’ll send personal messages to each base commander. You can deliver them, share a meal, take a look around, and then be on your way. I anticipate the impact of your visits will be well worth the time.

Sir, with all due respect, would you allow a question? Syrus ventured and received a consenting nod in reply. As a Praetorian I am a home guard. What exactly do you wish me to contribute to this endeavor? The emperor smiled at him and stood. The three men sprang to their feet as well.

You are my emissaries, the emperor answered lightly. Just keep your eyes open and send me detailed reports.

Antoninus picked up four scrolls from a table and handed one to Gaius. Master General, your orders. Gaius accepted it and saluted. Marcus Theonius Vantinius Africans, the emperor said, as he moved to stand in front of Marcus, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Legatus Augusti Praepostitius. Marcus accepted his scroll and gave a salute, his expression blank as befit a good soldier. But Gaius caught a momentary look of surprise and wonder on his brother’s face. He was certain