Legio XVII: Battle of Zama Read Online Free PDF Page B

At 17, I thought I was indestructible, that battle taught me otherwise.”
    “I was with the Principe of the leading Legion when we were surrounded,” Manius recounted.  “I took a Roman pila in the leg and a Celtic war ax in the helmet.  Luckily, I was found two days later under a pile of bodies by two Samnites who nursed me back to health.”
    “I know you were the Commandant at Campus Martius for several years and have a reputation as the best troop trainer in the Roman Army.  I have a proposition for you,” said Scipio.  “I am not ordering you to take it, just listen for a moment.”
    “As you may have heard, my Consular assignment is Sicily, which includes Legiones V and VI as well as any other men I may be able to recruit from the island.  I’ve argued publicly that the only way to get Hannibal out of Italy and to end this war is to attack the problem at its origin, Carthage itself.  My goal in Sicily is to build a sufficient force to conduct a seaborne invasion of Africa, which, I hope, will force the recall of Hannibal by the Carthaginian Senate.”
    “Eventually I envision meeting the Great Hannibal on the battlefield and defeating him.  The Senate is concerned that Mago and Hasdrubal Gisco may invade Italy and attempt to join forces with Hannibal.  I personally don’t believe that’s possible.  Rome has sufficient Legions in the field to contain Hannibal and defeat any Carthaginian reinforcements.”
    Manius sat and listened to the Consul and occasionally nodded his head in agreement.  He had not been privy to these policy discussions and felt ill-equipped to make any worthwhile comments.  He also noticed that Scipio would occasionally slip in a Greek word that he learned from his tutors as a youth.  Manius neither spoke nor understood Greek, but continued to nod as if he understood Scipio’s point.  Scipio was highly educated; Manius was not.
    “Praetor, I would like you to go with me to Sicily and train the two Sicily Legions stationed there as well as any other men I can recruit.  Since Cannae, I fear the two Legions have grown soft.  I know they have no experience fighting Carthaginian, Celtiberian, or Numidian warriors who use their cavalry very effectively and very often.  Their troops are as tough a foe as we’ll ever meet.  If you want the job, I would suggest that you talk with the common Legionaries who have fought the enemy in Spain and build a realistic training program that will prepare them for the rigors of battle in Africa.”
    Scipio continued, “I don’t have a timetable for the invasion, but I would guess it’ll take me a couple of years to pull together an Army and Navy capable of posing a significant threat to Carthage.  If you want the job, it’s yours and will last until you say the men are battle-ready.  What do you think?”
    Manius was put on-the-spot.  If he said he needed time to think about it, Scipio would look elsewhere.  A simple “yes” or “no” answer was expected. Without hesitation, Manius declared, “Consul, I would be honored to help prepare forces to invade Africa.  When can I get started?”
    Scipio smiled broadly and rose to shake Manius’ hand.  “Welcome to the Army that will defeat the Carthaginians and end this war.  I’ll make arrangements for you to leave Rome in a week.  Take whatever men and materials you need.  Keep my staff informed.”
    Manius rose from his chair, saluted the Consul, and left.  Now he had to face Lucia and tell her he would be deploying yet again.  He would miss her and the children, but this was his passion in life, and it overrode every other interest.  This will be my last assignment.  I’ll tell Lucia that I’ll retire when I return from Sicily.  That’ll make her smile.

Chapter II:  Sicily 206-205 BC
     
    Praetor Tullus deploys to Sicily
     
    After leaving Scipio’s office, Manius headed straight to the office of Scipio’s Chief of Staff, P. Stasius, to inform him of what had