The Road to Rome: A Forgotten Legion Chronicle by Ben Kane

Author:Ben Kane
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: Historical - General, Historical fiction, Historical & Mythological Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Fiction - Historical
ISBN: 9781848090149
Publisher: Random House UK
Published: 2010-09-15T06:30:02.387000+00:00

Unfortunately, the senior centurion’s effort at rallying the legionaries’ spirits did not last for long. While the Twenty-Eighth steadied itself, the surrounding cohorts did not. The Numidian attacks grew ever bolder, with squadrons of horsemen riding in with the skirmishers to launch huge volleys of javelins at the Romans. Nervous of being struck down, the inexperienced soldiers clustered together, reducing their ability to fight back as well as making themselves more of a target. On and on it went. There were so many Pompeian troops that they could keep up a constant attack on the beleaguered Caesarean cohorts.

The only things that differed from Carrhae, thought Romulus, were the facts that the enemy javelins didn’t have the penetrative force of the arrows from the Parthian recurved bows, and that the temperature wasn’t quite as hot as the Mesopotamian desert. All the same, thirst and dehydration were beginning to rear their ugly heads. The battle had been going on all day now, and most men’s water carriers were long since empty. They’d had no food since dawn either.

Caesar did not disappoint Romulus. Ordering the cohorts to spread out, he had alternate units turn about so that they faced the Numidian cavalry which was attacking their rear, while the others continued to confront the waves of skirmishers to the front. Atilius and the other senior centurions were entrusted once more with the task of rallying the men’s morale. Then, in a simultaneous action, both parts charged at the enemy, hurling their remaining pila. To the legionaries’ surprise and delight, the Numidians retreated before the ferocity of their attack.

At once the recall sounded.

‘This is the first time we’ve got the fuckers on the run!’ Sabinus cried.

‘Our energy won’t last,’ Romulus explained. ‘When we stop, they’ll turn on us again. This is our chance to get away.’

The bucinae repeated their command, and men’s faces lit up at the chance of escaping the hellhole in which they’d been trapped all day. Forming up, the cohorts began retreating towards Ruspina with the remaining Gaulish cavalry formed up on the flanks as protection. They didn’t get far before enemy reinforcements could be seen approaching from the south. Comprised of cavalry and infantry, the newly arrived Pompeians immediately set out in pursuit of the battered foraging party. Reinvigorated, their exhausted comrades followed close behind.

Seeing the new danger, Caesar had his men halt and turn about once more. Soon afterwards one of his messengers came in search of Atilius. ‘Caesar wants six cohorts to lead a counter-attack, sir,’ he panted. ‘Three from the Fifth, and three from the Twenty-Eighth. Says you’ve earned it.’

Atilius’ chest blew out with pride. ‘Did you hear that, boys?’ he shouted. ‘Caesar has noticed your bravery.’

Despite their cracked, dry throats, the legionaries managed a rousing cheer.

‘What are Caesar’s orders?’ demanded Atilius.

‘He wants an attack three cohorts wide, two deep, sir,’ came the answer. ‘Push the fresh enemy troops back. Give them a bloody nose that they won’t forget. We just need enough time to get back to Ruspina.

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