Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War by Thomas A. Timmes

Author:Thomas A. Timmes [Timmes, Thomas A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 2940045859264
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Thomas A. Timmes
Published: 2014-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

Centurion Vitulus ~ Clastidium Mission

Centurion Appollonius Albus Vitulus knew he had his work cut out for him when he received his order. He appreciated Tribune Tullus’ confidence in him and hoped the information that the Ligurians could be trusted as loyal allies of Rome was reliable. From his perspective, everything hinged on their support and loyalty.

After receiving his mission statement from Tullus in late October, he met with his War Council comprised of his two personal aides, the 10 Centurions assigned to his half of the Triarii, and the two Centurions in charge of his 100-man horse cavalry and 200 archers. He repeated the assignment to them and outlined what they had to do. Their input and perspective helped reveal the hidden and assumed tasks of the mission that needed to be accomplished in addition to the stated tasks.

Vitulus, 32, was very much like Tribune Tullus in his family background, outward appearance, and temperament, although a lot younger. He enjoyed a good laugh, excelled in all things athletic, and did not shirk physical hardship. Unlike some Centurions, he liked his troops and enjoyed their company. He could rapidly assess problems and make sound decisions on matters pertaining to troop movements, logistics, training, and morale, yet lacked the patience to deal effectively with difficult people and multiple courses of action.

He favored clear cut problems and equally clear solutions. His saving grace was that he was aware of his own shortcomings and chose subordinates whose temperament would make up for what he lacked. Even with this strategy, though, he often lacked the patience to stop and listen to their counsel.

Vitulus knew that Consul Scipio, 25, [who would later become Scipio Africanus] was preparing to drop a requisition for 30 ships. Vitulus was not 100% sure of Scipio’s overall mission, but had heard that Scipio was preparing to launch an expedition with 25,000 Legionaries in early 209. He heard that Scipio would launch his campaign from his current base in northern Spain to capture the Carthaginian city of Carthago Nova [Cartagena], which is on the east coast of Spain. Vitulus believed that Scipio’s mission was to establish a base of operations and then go after Hasdrubal who was recruiting an army to reinforce Hannibal.

Scipio’s expedition had many negative implications for Vitulus’ mission. The primary one was that they would be in direct competition for ships. Scipio needed 30 and Vitulus needed only 3, but that could be 3 too many. Scipio had priority.

Vitulus scheduled a meeting with the Naval Commander at Ostia to brief them on his mission. It went well until he mentioned that he needed three dedicated ships for the foreseeable future to carry his command to Genua and then to make frequent resupply runs. The Navy showed him the door! The reason given for not supporting Vitulus’ mission was that, “The Navy will be supporting Scipio and there aren’t enough ships to go around. You could try to hire civilian ships.”

Vitulus immediately reported this to Tribune Tullus and his Second-in-Command Tribune Calvus.

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