Camp of Lucius Valerius Poplicola - Apulia - 481AUC

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The men have finished making camp and have begun to play the dangerous game of sit and wait. The consul has allowed the soldiers to begin to loot the countryside so they may bring back food and supplies for the siege. Lucius waits in his tent, satisfied with himself with Vibius at his side, his armor in a chest in the back of the room with his family-made sword inside. A messenger arrives bringing news from the city.

So, the motion was vetoed. As planned, though by my design or simply his patriotic fervor is yet to be seen. Lucius has deliberately opposed the bill, thinking that the tribune had been so sick of his little show that he may be against anything that Lucius would support. Doesn't seem that way though, only one way to be sure.

Vibius, write a letter to the senate with my reformed proposal for the bill:

Lex Valeria De Re Census 481AUC

1. The taxes at: Arretium and Arpi are to be set to very high, until the end of the war with Epeiros
2. The taxes at: Capua and Ariminum are to be set to high, until the end of the war with Epeiros
3. The fleet at Arretium will be disbanded
4. The Taxes in Rome shall remain unchanged at the standard.

There, maybe that will satiate the will of the body. After all, the path to become master of the world requires blood to be revealed.

[Pharoah]

Delete

[War lord]

To the camp of Consul Lucius Valerius Poplicola
For his eyes only.

Noble Consul,I am not sure if you are aware of this,but many of the fools in the senate wish to spare the people of Taras and Region,this is an affront to Roman justice and cannot be allowed,if you are willing to do the correct thing I can Veto any motion to spare the scum.

For the People of Rome.

Aulus Licinius Caldius.

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Lucius read the paper then threw it into the fire, luckily, it fell short and didn't catch and he picked it up again. Now that's a Pleb with the blood of a king. Lucius began to contemplate. No, fear will be my weapon. Killing these people is pointless, it just brings retaliation, fear is eternal. I will crush this army without my fellow consul's help and be done with it, afterward I will deal with this tribune. Lucius chuckles, I suppose this will be sporting after all if my co-consul fails to make it.

Send a letter to Caldius, tell him that justice will be done.

[Pharoah]

A note bearing the seal of an "S" is delivered to the camp

Ave counsul I'm sextius aetius africanus wishing you luck on your campaign

[Pharoah]

A note bearing the seal of an "S" is delivered to the camp

I say that you should attack now as chances are that councel caldius is not going to make it befor the enemey is forced to attack. Sextius aetius africanus

[Winter]

A folded note arrives at the camp of the Consul. It bears the distinctive insignia of Aurelius Lepidus.

AVE CONSVL

I am writing to you in light of certain events that have taken place in the Senate of late. You may be aware that a measure that would have decided the fate of the people of Tarentum was hastily vetoed by our Tribune not long ago. You should know, before the veto, the vast majority opinion was against the destruction by violence of the civilians of the city, and indeed, it is this course of action I dearly hope to dissuade you from.

As you well know, our confederacy in Italy is based upon the trust of our allies. All of the nations we have thus far accepted into our commonwealth have joined because of the alliances and bonds we have established therein. It is our conspicuous virtue to spare the humbled. Surely, their leaders deserve punishment, and shall receive it, for their hubris and greed, but when the people of this city surrender to your victorious army, when they are truly humbled, I urge you to extend not harsh judgement upon them, but clementia, clemency, and allow this prosperous city to join our commonwealth unmolested.

May Minerva's wisdom and Bellona's protection guide you.

AVRELIVS LEPIDVS

[Kubrick]

A messenger arrives, carrying a sealed letter directed at the Consul.

Ave noble Consul,

I, M. Sempronius Sophus, write to you about shocking matters going on in the Senate. The warmongering Tribune of Plebs has veto'd both proposals who where in favour of sparing the innocent citizens of the Italic and Greek cities.

His veto has left the decision about the faith of the citizens in the hands of you, noble Consul. I wish to point you at the fact that those citizens have not harmed Rome, their leaders did. And please realize that if you decide to enslave or exterminate the populations of these cities, this will not be received well by our allied states.

Also, when you return to Roma, I invite you to stop by at my humble Villa, for food, drinks and other important matters.

I trust in your wisdom and pray that Mars will be with you and your troops in the siege of Taras.

Signed, M. Sempronius Sophus

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Read to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqb0SvPirYo

A messenger from Legio II arrives with dispatch from the province of Apulia.

Legate Manius Geganius, commander of Legio II reports,

Major riots in the settlement of Arpi, 600 soldiers opposing our front, awaiting orders from the senior consul with no response, requesting counsel.

Well Vibius, just as planned and on schedule no less. Once these riots are dealt with I expect the men to be prepared to assault Taras in preparation for the arrival of Lurco. Make sure the legate has all that he needs for the defense.

* * *

Lucius arrived at the scene and it was glorious, Samnites dressed up in their colourful battle dress, ready to attempt to outmaneuver his legion. Feels good to be commanding again, these Samnites have no idea who've they've offended on this day. Lucius sat on Amyntas wearing his white and purple armor and battle dress, setting a very imposing figure amongst the dim tan that the Romans presented towards the enemy, one that was also easy for the enemy to spot. He rode out to meet the enemy line, staying out of missile range of the enemy and within the hearing range of his own legion so they could hear him speak. Always the showman aren't you Lucius, got tired of acting for senators and now you're acting for two angry mobs, nice to see you keep good company. Lucius stretched out his sword at what he guessed was the enemy commander and spoke.


For your offense towards the authority of the senate and people of Rome I hereby sentence you to death! Surrender your weapons and some of you may be spared the honor of being defeated by a legion of Rome!

The response was a short cry and the lowering of their spears, perfect, they are fit and ready to fight. Lucius looked toward the settlement and he could see many people watching from a distance, war as a spectator sport how barbaric, I'd expect that behaviour in an arena, not out on the field, though deep inside Lucius knew that those were the families of those he was about to kill. Lucius swept his arm forward as the signal to advance was given, very little tactics would be needed, a show of force was necessary if he was to save those people.

The Centurions gave their orders, the perfect marching order of the Hastati advanced in open order and closed ranks within 15 meters to throw their pila into the Milites as they responded in turn, inflicting greater casualties, probably veterans of past wars. The Centurions blew their whistles and the command to advance to close-quarters was obeyed. The Italic short swords cut a deep swathe into the Hastati of the enemy now unable to use the range their spears afforded them. Deep-gashing wounds were inflicted as the melee became a mass of flailing limbs, turning the green field into a sea of blood.

After 10 minutes, the withdrawal order was given and the Principes threw their pila into the Milites, now unable to use their shields to any effect, Lucius expected them to retreat but instead, they continued to fight with a renewed tenacity, the leves began skirmishing to their left and right with a small number of Lucanian mercenaries that had traveled through the region. Soon, what was left of the Samnite Hastati advanced on the left flank, leaving Lucius no choice but to commit his equites in response to check their advance as the Rorarii were brought up to take their place as they too threw their javelins into the Samnite Hastati as the Equites made a timely withdrawal. You Equestrians will be required later to tell of this campaign to your high-ranking friends.

The Samnites threw in the last of their reserve force and the Roman Hastati were recommitted with Triarii in a supporting role as the Accensi then made their move around the right flank to deliver the coup de grace but the Lucanians charged into the Accensi and they were forced to withdraw momentarily, order to do so by Lucius. Noble or Plebeian, they both make up the same numbers on a casualty list, you will not be allowed to ruin it. The final order to advance was given as both units of Leves were ordered to the right flank, and with the Accensi, they routed the Lucanians through weight of numbers. Once that occurred, all cavalry were ordered towards the center of the line and in a combined thrust, a two-pronged attack was developed around the enemy commander, who was hewn where he stood, his spilled guts covering his aide de camp as his guard had begun to surrender.

The Samnites were forced into a full retreat, the Romans, viewing an opening, hacked their way into their ranks and a wholesale slaughter began of those unlucky enough to be in the first few ranks of any Samnite units. Lucius and his cavalry burst through the center, taking many of the richer soldiers prisoner to be made an example of later. Lucius had won his first battle on behalf of Rome at small cost, mere practice for what lie ahead of him.

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Lucius arrived back at the camp in Lucania, he was mentally exhausted from the battle, he did very little physical exertion but he made sure his presence was noted during the fighting at the front line, what an utterly stupid thing you did, definitely good fun but I doubt I'll ever lead that close to the front again. Lucius let the rebels return to their homes in Arpi, as planned. Each one signed a petition against the taxation bill, although if they had surrendered first it may have given their argument slightly more credibility.

Lucius entered his tent and the first thing he noticed was a stack of letters on his table, I suppose I brought these upon myself. Lucius spent the entire night going through each letter but sent no replies, better that the entire senate sweats before they learn of my decision first, that would have the desired effect. Lucius wondered what that Patrician, Geminius Scaeva would think of the decision he was about to make. Too soon for a class-war Lucius, take your time. No matter how many years it takes your reforms will take the Republic by storm. The battle won is the one nobody knows was fought.

Lucius spent the rest of the night going over the plans for Taras, intermittently thinking about where his co-consul may be.

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Lucius received word of workings within the senate to subvert his position. Missing? I sent you a report of the battle at Arpi, did some kind of apparition write that letter Attelus? Lucius mounted his horse, it's time to show those old and decrepit men what a soldier can do.

Vibius, was your mission a success?

Yes sir, I was a friend to some of the men at the guard post, I told them I'd be back, they will be eliminated in hours.

All tasks at hand have been cleared then...Give word to Legio II, tell them to let the Samnites that rebelled keep watch while we are gone, I shouldn't expect any more trouble from them in the near future and I will need every man available to take the city, tell Lurco those men have my trust..

Yes sir, and with that, Lucius left the camp, he would take Rhegion by storm.