Out of breath, Maximus entered the centurion’s tent. His commander sat at a wooden desk, buried in a mountain of parchments. Maximus saluted. The centurion stood to his feet. “Reports of the enemy show they have gathered a large force. The bridge is near completion. We cross tomorrow.”
From 60-62 A.D. during the Roman Parthian War, General Corbulo stationed his legions in Syria along the longest river of Western Asia, the Euphrates. To defend against Parthian invasion from the east, Corbulo constructed forts to house his legions, and a fleet of warships along the river bank to guard the construction of a massive bridge.
Anchored to the shoreline on either side of the bridge, the Roman warships bustled
with soldiers. Beams linking one to another, the vessels formed an unbreakable line of raw power. Towers rose from the decks, catapults and ballistae forming the defenses. Maximus knew, if the enemy showed themselves now, they would not last long against the missiles of the warships.
Small Roman Ballista
Maximus marched toward the river, fear playing at his stomach. He could not shake it. When he reached the bridge, eighty hobnail sandals thudded against wood at the same moment. Beyond his men, the auxiliary infantry mounted the hills on the opposite bank. Time had run out.
Corbulo had spent a year training his legions, and had chosen his best men at the outset of the war. In the first century A.D., legionaries were recruited as young as 16 and were required to commit to 25 years of service. Recruitment was strict when it came to physical ability. Only the strong and healthy were selected, and if a candidate lacked a finger, he would not be considered. Officers had greater privileges and better pay than legionaries, sometimes twice or three times as much.
When Maximus’ century had crossed, they spread into battle lines, joining two other centuries. Climbing the hills as one army, the men struggled to keep together. Obstructions broke their lines, while uneven ground threatened to stumble them. Maximus’ training officers had hammered into him the vitalness of keeping tight ranks. Roman legionaries stood
impenetrable when together, but vulnerable when apart.
Then it happened. With an overwhelming roar, the enemy poured over the crest of the hill. Chills rushed over his body as he heard the ear-piercing cry of the Parthian cavalry. Swarming the slopes, the mounted archers released their arrows into the ranks of the Romans.
Maximus thrust his spear up, stabbing a horse in the chest. The Parthian fell with his horse to the ground. In a flash, he was on his feet, sword in hand, fire in his eyes. Drawing his gladius, Maximus charged the enemy, locking himself behind his shield. When his opponent raised his sword above his head, Maximus slipped his gladius under the blow and thrust it in and out. The Parthian fell backward.
Scores flooded upon him, trying to thwart the imperial advance. But the legions would not be stopped. Every step forward moved his men toward victory. At last, with a tumultuous cry, he reached the summit.
Historian Tacticus documents that the Romans advanced “with such rapidity and such a display of force that the Parthians, giving up their preparations for the invasion of Syria, concentrated all their hopes on Armenia.” To read Tacticus’ account of this war, click here. (15.9) To continue the story in Armenia, check out this post.
Till the future is history,
~Shane
Image Credit: Pixabay & Dreamstime