Legio XVII: Roman Legion at War by Thomas A. Timmes Read Free Book Online Page A

the Cisalpine Gauls in northern Italy were quiet for now, but always dangerous and unpredictable.  They were a fiercely independent people and vigorously resisted Roman interference or domination.
    His service with the Army had taken him and his brother to every corner of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, and several Greek Islands aboard the Navy’s quinqueremes.  He enjoyed all his assignments except those that involved traveling on water.  At first, the idea of being rowed across the Mar Nostrum [Mediterranean] seemed like an exciting adventure, but quickly turned sour when the ships hit the open water.  Like many of his comrades, he was sea sick for the entire voyage and vowed that he would do whatever it took to avoid a similar experience.  He also served under a few Centurions who were brutal in their treatment of minor infractions.  He did his utmost to steer clear of these men and vowed not to duplicate their mistreatment of Legionaries should he ever become a Centurio [Centurion].
    Like his brother, he rose through the ranks and attained the vaunted position of Centurion and eventually Military Tribunus [Tribune], a senior Legion officer, [equivalent to a Brigadier General].  His demonstrated leadership and bravery were undeniable, but it was his ability to think and plan that caught the eye of superiors.  He was known to remain calm in the midst of chaos and was always mentally two steps ahead of his adversaries.  Because of his Plebian status, however, Manius knew he could never command a Legion.  That was the job of the Legates (Legion Commanders), as well as the two elected Consuls, Provincial Proconsuls, and Praetors most of which were drawn from the Patrician class.
    In 225 BC, Manius was 34 years old, unmarried, and had served in three different legions over his 17 years in the army.  Six years earlier in 231 BC, he had been elected a junior Hastati Centurion [ Hastati is the first of three lines of a single Legion facing the enemy] and this year was appointed a Senior Principes Centurion [second of three lines of a Legion facing the enemy] by the Legate for his ability to lead and motivate troops.
    Legionaries were required to serve for six years in the Army, but could stay on and retire at age 35 with 18 years’ service if they so chose.  Manius was undecided at this point whether to continue the work he knew and at which he excelled or retire and become a fisherman like his father.  The fisherman desire was really an unrealistic escapism fantasy, but he would think of it often.  Within the year, circumstances beyond his control would decide the matter for him.
    [Typical Roman Legion:  A Centurion [U.S. Army Captain] commanded 1 of the 10 Maniples that comprised each of the three battle lines of a Legion: Hastati , Principes , and Triarii .  The three battle lines were called Triplex Acies or “triple battle order.”]
    Depending on the number of sick soldiers or those otherwise unavailable for duty on any particular day, a Maniple comprised 160 men [U.S. Army Infantry Company].  The Centurion was responsible for everything the Maniple did or failed to do.  During the attack, his fighting position was to the right of the first man in the first row.  Many a Centurion died while leading thus from the front, but it was necessary for his men to be able see and hear him during battle.
    The Legions had recently undergone a reorganization and Manius preferred it over the previous one.  The older formations were comprised of 60-man Maniples with 15 Maniples assigned to the Hastati and Principes for a total of 1,800 men, and 45 Maniples for the Triarii .  These Legions totaled 4,500 men each while the new Legions totaled 5,500.
    Despite his good intentions, Manius treated the men roughly.  He saw them as mere farm boys who needed to be bullied and driven like plow horses.  He could tell the men feared him, which he liked, but they also despised him, which he did not like.  Over time, his abusive