Gallic Diplomacy/fact Finding: Massilia 47 BCE

[Pontifex Maximus]

Various Gallic chieftains have been summoned to Massilia for a conference. The Aquitani and the Aedui have been summoned, but it would be some days yet before they arrived. In the meantime Severus has arranged for several of the captured Gauls to be tortured for information regarding their revolt and the climate of Gaul in general.

Severus has had his men construct several devices that would ensure the procedure would be painful...perhaps painful enough for a confession. The Centurion Publius Milo of the IX presided over the tortures.

[Aetius]

The wretches of the Gauls stared blankly at the devices, and at the Roman commander. The looked like broken men, nothing left to live for.

One spoke up pleading;

"Grant us mercy and we will not trouble Rome again!"

[Dark Storm]

"Mercy, mercy, for barbarian scum like you hah, in all my days i have never heard such nonsense, now if you wouldn't mind following me, i'd like you to meet some of my toys." The centurion smiled wickedly

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus nodded to Publius and he addressed the prisoners via a translator...

You men are condemned. All of you will be executed, your only chance to save your lives shall be to endure what is in store for you and to prove useful. Only then will our governor exercise mercy. If you refuse to cooperate you will be crucified and left hanging on the hilltops outside Massilia.

Publius gave the signal and two legionaries dragged a tribesman forward. Milo produced a small flat stone and a wooden hammer. Placing the stone on several of his front teeth the centurion delivered a savage blow, knocking several teeth out in one swoop. Blood erupted from his mouth, but he had little tine to recover. One of the legionaries punched him in the stomach to stifle his yelling. Severus looked away and the beating continued for several more minutes. After some time the proconsul called for peace.

Tell me, traitor, what do you know of the Aedui? From where did this rebellion seek support? From where did it receive weapons?

[Aetius]

Now that they realized the Romans had no inention to be lenient, they became sullen and resolved in the inevitability of their death.

"We are the proud people of the Arverni and Allobroges, we can forge our own weapons you ing Roman dog."

[Dark Storm]

The centurion, was going to enjoy this one, speaking to one of his men he said, "Bring the barbed whip, this man doesn't look like he needs the skin on his back"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Milo clubbed the side of his head with the mallet and looked to Severus for direction.

Make an example of this one.

Milo nodded and retrieved a multi-pronged whip, each bristling with multiple iron filings. Within the first several swings the Gaul's back was almost completely devoid of skin. He was then thrown to the ground and two large beams placed next to him. He was flipped onto the first beam and his arms were nailed through at the wrist onto the freshly cut tree. His legs were then securely tied to the lower beam and it was hoisted into a small hole and secured into place. The man's gurgling groans carried to where the other Gauls now sat, chained together. A second man was brought forward. Milo addresses him saying

Let's hope you will be smarter than your friend.

And then launches into a furious assault. Milo put on his metal gauntlets and repeatedly struck the man in the ribs and face intermittently. After some time had passed he stopped and once again repeated the Severus' initial line of questioning.

[Dark Storm]

"Tell me, traitor, what do you know of the Aedui? From where did this rebellion seek support? From where did it receive weapons?" He spit at the Gaul, puntuating every word with another strike from his Gauntlets

[Aetius]

"Tell me, traitor, what do you know of the Aedui? From where did this rebellion seek support? From where did it receive weapons?" He spit at the Gaul, puntuating every word with another strike from his Gauntlets

The newly tortured gaul gurgled pitifully, blood now covered the floor.

"P...please...no more. I...know -

Aedui....merchants...we bought supplies. We...have become martyrs... Every tribe in Gaul... now knows that Rome is..."

The light begins to fade from his eyes

"...a common enemy..."

[Dark Storm]

"Oh no you don't" Milo said, "You don't get out of this that easily," Grabbing a bucket of water, he added a handful of salt to it and poured it over his prisoner. He waited exlectantly for the screams.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Enough! Is what you say true? By Mars Ultor I swear I shall not hesitate to put you on a cross right next to your friend.

[Dark Storm]

Milo held up the mallet and nails, whilst grinning wickedly to illustrate the point of his commander

[Aetius]

"Its true....

...true that Rome will never be the master of Gaul as long as any man, woman, or child can yet draw breath.

I have told you all that I know."

[Dark Storm]

"May i sir" Milo asked staring pointedly at the objects in his hands, and then at the wooden cross lying next to the prisoner

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus stood

I have heard all that I need from you. Send them to the mines, Milo.

Casting a glance at the dying man on the cross Severus poured himself some wine

And now we will wait for Dumnorix of the Aedui and Brennus of the Aquitani. We will see how they answer these accusations.

[Dark Storm]

Milo smiled, "yes sir" before signalling the guards to take the unfortunate men to there death sentence.

[Aetius]

Dumnorix of the Aedui and Brennus of the Aquitani

Both cheiftans arrived on the same day accompanied by a numerous entourage. Dumnorix of the Aedui was especailly guareded by 10 Gaelic heros wearing shiny gold bands and long mustaches. Brennus seemed to not mind the meeting with the Romans, indeed his people had recently won their independance from the Arverni, whom Severus had crushed. He even wore celtic-influenced Roman armor.Dumnorix on the other hand was obviously displeased, primarily because he did not like being summoned by anyone like a servant. He was used to great respect in Gaul


Brennus spoke first; "Splendid victory over the rebels, Roman peace in southern gaul is most preferable to its former masters."

"Indeed." commented Dumnorix "So why are we here?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus stood and welcomed the chieftains.

Hail, Chiefs Brennus and Dumnorix. Yes, I have quashed the rebels. It would appear their motivation was an attempt at Gallic liberation, in complete denial of their unlawful actions three years ago in sovereign Roman territory. This marks a disturbing trend of Gallic disdain for Roman authority and sovereignty in Gaul. Recent...events have illuminated further issues. Under interrogation we have learned that these political dissidents received aid from other tribes, namely remnants of the Averni

Severus cast a piercing gaze at Dumnorix

and the Aedui tribes. I do not mean to infer that you supported these rebels, chief, but I find these stories distressing. I would ask you to address this before we proceed.

[Aetius]

Dumnorix scoffed at the accusation;

"Your informants tell you lies, as long as Rome remains in southern Gaul we can be at peace.

I have my own serious problems, far more pressing than aiding hopeless Arverni and Allobroge rebels in roman territory. Currently my lands are under attack by a vast germanic horde. Invited into Gaul by the treacherous Sequani tribe, Warlord Ariovistus (King of Germania) and his Suebi army are ravaging Gaul and settling in Aedui land. Other gallic tribes have failed to lend their support, out of fear.

I know you want an answer to your rebellion, and this is my theory. The people of Gaul see Rome as a conqueror, like the Germans, who we would fight to our dying breath. What we need is an ally and protector against the Germans and their treacherous allies.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus considered this. He had little trust for the Gauls but knew that if the Germans moved into Gallic lands it was only a matter of time before they threatened Roman holdings to the south by mass migration.

What can you tell me of them? What is their strength?