When Soldiers March
Nyall trembled with fear as they marched by. Ten thousand toughened veterans making their way to the frontier camp. He watched the soldiers in awe. The armies of his own people would never achieve such a mechanical drive as the Romans.
The old Roman army was gone. Driven out by the Germanians during the winter. Romans fought in open fields and were not accustomed to raiding parties. So they’d abandoned their camp and returned to Moguntiacum where they sat safely inside their town. But spring came and the Romans returned, doubled in numbers and angry about the winter attacks. Nyall knew his people would pay dearly for defiance.
At the head of the Roman columns rode the Legate, Gaius Tertius Deius. Gaius was a recent change to the army. Rome had recalled the last commander for some reason, and in need of a commander, the army was given Gaius to retake the outposts and reestablish the frontier. The second in command was the Primus Pilus, Silvanus Verus. Verus had been with the army during the winter’s hasty retreat, and was none too happy about it.
Nyall peered around his covering bush to view the banners. The Ninth Legion’s banner flapped in the breeze. They were returning from Moguntiacum. But the new legion’s banner was the Seventh. It was a mark of how famous that legion was that Nyall shuddered. The Seventh had been Caesar’s legion back during the Republic. They’d conquered Gaul and defeated Pompey, outnumbered two to one. That was years ago. But the new legion recruits were just as fearsome.
As the column continued, Nyall noticed a cavalry unit. Around two hundred of them. It was clear this time Rome meant business.
The army reached the old fort. They set to work immediately on repairing the decaying fortifications and expanding the fort. With another five thousand men, the camp was too small to house them all. By nightfall a suitable wall had been constructed.
Nyall strode down the great hall. The German chief Arngunn sat upon a chair, raised up on a dais.
“They’ve returned.” Nyall started weakly, “Thousands of them.”
“I expected no less.” Arngunn nodded. “Raise the priests, tomorrow we once again wage war to regain our land.”
I’ve never had great success with a Roman thread. So I’m going to try again.
Some quick info,
Rome,
Current Emperor, Vespasian
Terms,
Praetorian- Elite bodyguards for officers or senators.
Moguntiacum- Settlement conquered by Rome. Not far from the German front.
Legate- Commander of a legion.
Legion- Army of five thousand.
Primus Pilus- Second in command of a legion.
Century- Section of a legion, 100 men.
Centurion- Commands a century.
Cohort- Five centuries = one cohort. Five hundred men in a cohort.
Cohort Centurion- Commander of a cohort.
Pretty much you can do what you want where you want. I’m not picky. Just keep it within forum rules.
