Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion (The Artorian Chronicles) Read online

  Soldier of Rome:

  Heir to Rebellion

  Book Three of the Artorian Chronicles

  James Mace

  Legionary Books

  www.legionarybooks.net

  Electronic Edition Copyright © 2012 by James Mace

  All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are based on actual events, but are used fictitiously.

  Legionary Books

  Meridian, Idaho 83642

  http://www.legionarybooks.net

  First Edition: 2009

  Revised and Reedited Edition: 2012

  Published in the United States of America

  Legionary Books

  In Memory of

  Staff Sergeant Matthew A. Duran

  1972 – 2007

  and

  Sergeant Joseph T. Kazyaka

  1967 – 2008

  The Works of James Mace

  The Artorian Chronicles

  Soldier of Rome: The Legionary

  Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt

  Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion

  Soldier of Rome: The Centurion

  Soldier of Rome: Journey to Judea

  Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign

  Artorian Novellas

  Centurion Valens and the Empress of Death

  Empire Betrayed: The Fall of Sejanus

  The Great Jewish Revolt

  Kingdom of the Damned: Rebellion in Judea

  Kingdom of the Damned: Vespasian’s Fury

  Napoleonic Works

  Forlorn Hope: The Storming of Badajoz

  I Stood With Wellington

  Courage, Marshal Ney

  Cast of Characters

  Soldiers:

  Titus Artorius Justus – A Decanus, Sergeant of legionaries

  Magnus Flavianus – Artorius’ best friend and fellow legionary, he is of Nordic descent

  Praxus – A fellow Decanus and friend of Artorius

  Statorius – Tesserarius of the Second Century

  Camillus – Signifier of the Second Century

  Gaius Flaccus – Optio of the Second Century

  Platorius Macro – Centurion of the Third Cohort’s Second Century

  Marcus Vitruvius – Centurion of the Third Cohort’s Third Century

  Valerius Proculus – Centurion Pilus Prior of the Third Cohort

  Calvinus – Centurion Primus Pilus of the Twentieth Legion

  Gaius Silius – Senatorial Legate and Commanding General of the Twentieth Legion

  Julius Indus – A legendary cavalry commander who distinguished himself during the Sacrovir Revolt

  Aulus Nautius Cursor – A Tribune of cavalry serving under the tutelage of Julius Indus

  Rodolfo Antonius – A Centurion of Cavalry and Cursor’s deputy

  Felix, Decimus, Valens, Carbo, Gavius – Legionaries

  Noble Romans:

  Tiberius Caesar – Emperor of Rome

  Livia Augusta – Mother of Tiberius and widow of Emperor Augustus Caesar

  Drusus Julius Caesar – Son of Tiberius and his first wife, Vipsania Agrippina

  Claudius – Brother of Germanicus / suffers from lameness and speech impediment

  Livilla – Sister of Germanicus and Claudius / wife of Drusus

  Antonia – Mother of Germanicus, Livilla and Claudius / daughter of Marc Antony and widow of Tiberius’ brother Drusus Nero

  Agrippina – Widow of Germanicus and half-sister of Vipsania, she mistrusts and despises the Emperor

  Lucius Aelius Sejanus – Commanding Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, he is Tiberius’ most trusted advisor

  Claudia Procula – Betrothed to Pontius Pilate, she is also a distant cousin of Centurion

  Proculus

  Diana Procula – Claudia’s older sister and domina of the Proculus family’s Gallic estate

  Gauls and Rebels

  Heracles – Of Greek decent, he was one of Sacrovir’s most trusted lieutenants. Opted to go into hiding instead of committing suicide with the rest of the rebel leaders

  Radek – A rebel sent to the mines of Mauretania following the Sacrovir Revolt

  Broehain – Impoverished Gallic Noble

  Kiana – Daughter of a Gallic noble, her lover was slain during the rebellion by Roman soldiers

  Tierney – Kiana’s older sister, sent by her father to Lugdunum to watch after her

  Erin – A slave

  Roman Military Ranks

  Legionary – Every citizen of the plebian class who enlisted in the legions started off as a legionary. Duration of service during the early empire was twenty years. Barring any promotions that would dictate otherwise, this normally consisted of sixteen years in the ranks, with another four either on lighter duties, or as part of the First Cohort. Legionaries served not only as the heart of the legion’s fighting force, they were also used for many building and construction projects.

  Decanus – Also referred to interchangeably as a Sergeant in the series, Decanus was the first rank of authority that a legionary could be promoted to. Much like a modern-day Sergeant, the Decanus was the first-line leader of legionaries. He supervised training, as well as enforced personal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. On campaign he was in charge of getting the section’s tent erected, along with the fortifications of the camp.

  Tesserarius – The first of the Principal ranks, the Tesserarius primarily oversaw the fatigue and guard duties for the Century. He maintained the duty roster and was also keeper of the watch word. On a normal day he could be found supervising work details or checking on the guard posts.

  Signifier – He was the treasurer for the Century and was in charge of all pay issues, so was much-loved on pay days. On campaign he carried the Century’s standard (Signum) into battle. This was used not only as a rallying point, but also as a visual means of communication. Traditionally he wore a bear’s hide over his helmet, draped around the shoulders of his armor. (A Signifier wearing a wolf skin is a Hollywood invention). Because of his high level of responsibility, the Signifier is third-in-command of the Century.

  Optio – The term Optio literally means ‘chosen one’ for he was personally chosen by the Centurion to serve as his deputy. He would oversee all training within the Century, to include that of new recruits. In battle the Optio would either stand behind the formation, keeping troops on line and in formation, or else he would stand on the extreme left, able to coordinate with adjacent units.

  Aquilifer – This man was a senior Signifier bearing the Eagle Standard of a Legion. (Aquila means eagle). This standard was the most important possession of the Legion – losing it brought shame and humiliation to the entire Legion. This position carried great honor, though it is debatable whether or not he wore any headdress or animal skin. It is known that he carried a small, circular shield called a parma instead of the legionary scutum.

  Centurion – In addition to being its commander, the Centurion was known to be the bravest and most tactically sound man within the Century. While a stern disciplinarian, and at times harsh, it is borne of a genuine compassion for his men. The Centurion knew that only through hard discipline and sound training could his men survive in battle. He was always on the extreme right of the front rank in battle; thereby placing himself in the most precarious position on the line. Mortality rates were high amongst Centurions because they would sacrifice
their own safety for that of their men.

  Centurion Pilus Prior – Commander of a cohort of six centuries, the Centurion Pilus Prior was a man of considerable influence and responsibility. He not only had to be able to command a century on a line of battle, but he had to be able to maneuver his cohort as a single unit. Such men were often given independent commands over small garrisons or on low-level conflicts. A Centurion Pilus Prior could also be tasked with diplomatic duties; such was the respect foreign princes held for them. At this level, a soldier had to focus not just on his abilities as a leader of fighting men, but on his skills at diplomacy and politics.

  Centurion Primus Ordo – The elite First Cohort’s centuries were commanded by the Centurions Primus Ordo. Though the number of soldiers under their direct command was fewer, these men were senior in rank to the Centurions Pilus Prior. Men were often selected for these positions based on vast experience and for being the best tacticians in the legion. As such part of the duty of a Centurion Primus Ordo was acting as a strategic and tactical advisor to the commanding general. Generals such as Caesar, Marius, Tiberius, and Agrippa were successful in part because they had a strong circle of First Cohort Centurions advising them.

  Centurion Primus Pilus – Also referred to as the Chief or Master Centurion, this is the pinnacle of the career of a Roman soldier. Though socially subordinate to the Tribunes, the Centurion Primus Pilus possessed more power and influence than any, and was in fact third-in-command of the entire legion. He was also the commander of the elite First Cohort in battle. Upon retirement, a Centurion Primus Pilus (and possibly Centurions of lesser ranks as well) was elevated into the Patrician Class of society. He could then stand for public office, and his sons would be eligible for appointments as Tribunes. Even while still serving in the ranks, a Centurion Primus Pilus was allowed to wear the narrow purple stripe of a Patrician on his toga; such was the respect Roman society held for them.

  Tribune – Tribunes came from the Patrician class, often serving only six month tours with the legions. Though there were exceptions, many Tribunes stayed on the line only long enough to complete their tour of duty before going on to a better assignment. Primarily serving as staff officers for the commanding Legate, a Tribune would sometimes be given command of auxiliary troops if he proved himself a capable leader. Most were looking for a career in politics, though they knew they had to get as much experience as they could out of their time in the legions. In Soldier of Rome, Pontius Pilate is an example of a Tribune who elects to stay with the legions for as long as he is able; preferring the life of a soldier to the soft comforts of a political magistrate.

  Laticlavian Tribune – Most commonly referred to as the Chief Tribune, he was a young man of the Senatorial class starting off his career. Second-in-command of the legion, his responsibility was incredible, though he was often aided by the Master Centurion, who would act as a mentor. A soldier’s performance as Chief Tribune would determine whether or not he would be fit to command a legion of his own someday. Given the importance of military success to the future senator’s career, he would no doubt make every effort to prove himself competent and valiant in battle.

  Legate – The Legate was a senator who had already spent time in the legions as a Laticlavian Tribune and had proven himself worthy of command. Of all the possible offices that a nobleman could hold, none was dearer to a Roman than command of her armies.

  Legion Infantry Strength (estimated)

  Legionaries – 3,780

  First Cohort Legionaries – 700

  Decanii – 610

  Tesserarii – 59

  Signifiers – 59

  Options – 59

  Aquilifer - 1

  Centurions – 45

  Centurions Pilus Prior – 9

  Centurions Primus Ordo – 4

  Centurion Primus Pilus – 1

  Tribunes – 6

  Chief Tribune – 1

  Legate – 1

  Preface

  Gaul, A.D. 21

  A year has passed since the end of the Gallic rebellion of Sacrovir and Florus. Retribution has been exacted and the province is at peace once more. And yet there are some who escaped Rome’s justice. They are led by a man whose heart burns with hate; an heir to rebellion. Knowing that there can be no victory against the legions; his vengeance can only be wrought through terror and murder. The Gallic city of Lugdunum will be the first to taste his wrath.

  The city of Lugdunum flourishes; the Twentieth Legion’s Third Cohort having been stationed within the city since the end of the Sacrovir Revolt. For Centurion Proculus and his legionaries their comfortable assignment will soon come unraveled as a series of grisly murders looks to upset the order of the city. Sergeant Artorius inadvertently finds himself at the center of the search to find these mysterious killers before they undermine the city’s faith in the protection of the legions; a search that will lead him on a journey into the darkest corners of what lurks in a broken man’s wicked soul.

  Chapter I: Rebellion’s Heir

  Massilia, Gaul

  April, A.D. 21

  It was a good sword; a bit gaudy for his taste perhaps, but a fine weapon nonetheless. Sacrovir had had an affinity for cavalry weapons, and this spatha had been specially made for him. Well balanced, it rested easily in his hands. Heracles turned it over while running an oiled cloth along the blade. The blade had been honed to a fine edge, working all the nicks and burrs from where the weapon had lain. It had been buried in Sacrovir’s heart as his burning estate collapsed over his head. The Romans had made no effort to excavate the ruins, content as they were that the rebel leader was dead.

  Romans, Heracles thought to himself as he let out a sigh. I hate Romans! Indeed he had plenty of reasons to hate Rome. He had been an impulsive gambler in his past life, much to his wife’s chagrin. Things were taken too far when he tried to take on the provisional governor himself.

  Heracles had always taken it as a personal umbrage that his native Sparta was little more than a sub province of the Roman Empire. He had sought to humiliate the governor at a gladiatorial spectacle, placing a massive wager that he knew he could not cover. Before the match Heracles was caught trying to bribe one of the combatants into losing. The governor’s bodyguards beat him and dragged before the man, in full view of his fellow Spartans. The governor became enraged at how the Greek had tried to humiliate him he declared that if Heracles was determined to fix gladiatorial fights, he could do so from within the arena. His wife and children were seized and taken away, their property confiscated in retribution to what the governor called “a blasphemous insult against your betters.”

  Betters, Heracles growled inside. No Roman is my better!

  Memories enveloped him as he remembered all too well; his wife and children were sold into slavery, while he was beaten once more and left in the hands of the local gladiatorial school where his hatred consumed him. He spent several years in the arena, being cavorted all around the Empire, gradually making his way west. It was not too far from where he was now that he fought his final battle in the arena. His hands trembled at the memory, almost cutting him on the sword’s razor sharp blade.

  It was during the autumn festival, and the magistrate wanted to celebrate with games and gladiatorial matches. Heracles was amongst the prime attractions. Heracles was not his real name; but rather one given to him for his terrifying feats in the arena. Though only a small percentage of matches ended in death, his high rate of killing made him feared amongst the other gladiators, and loved by the spectators. This time would be no different; he would not be deferring to the crowd as to whether his foe lived or died. Indeed the young whelp that faced him in the sand proved little match for him. He had seen the young man fight before, always with a masked helmet on, and often being overwhelmed by the more experienced fighters. On at least two occasions the crowd signaled that they wanted him slain by his conqueror, only to have the magistrate overturn the crowd and allow the man to live. It baffled Heracles, because t
he magistrate had had no issue with allowing other gladiators to be executed, even some who had fought far better than this pathetic excuse of a fighter.

  He took it as an insult when on the last day of the festival Heracles was slated to fight this man. So tired was he of watching this pathetic gladiator be allowed to live that he stabbed him through the heart with sheer malice as soon as he tripped him to the ground. Then tragedy struck. He roughly ripped the masked helm and gazed on the face of his own son. The lad reached for him piteously as blood streamed out of both corners of his mouth. Heracles’ strength left him as he fell to his knees. In an instant he realized the sick and twisted mind of his captors; to have had his own son so close for so long, and yet completely out of reach. Only now did they place father and son in the arena together, knowing that unwittingly Heracles would destroy his own flesh and blood. He sobbed that only a short moment ago he wanted, and looked forward to, killing the young man.

  Heracles set down the sword and closed his eyes. He had tried to plunge his blade into his own heart, but was forcibly restrained by guards. He refused to fight thereafter and was cruelly punished by scourging. When the slave master realized there was no fight left in him, he sold Heracles to a noble family. They soon learned that he could read and write and he started his life anew. The family told him news of his wife. She had been sold to a brothel and hanged herself. He would never learn the fate of his daughter.

  His new owners treated him kindly enough, but they were still Romans and therefore his enemies. Heracles bore the indignity of teaching their children Greek letters well enough, but he refused to allow any compassion to enter his heart. It was when the father was away that he took the first steps of his revenge on the Roman people. Pity and any sense of remorse had died with his family, making it all too easy to slash the throats of the Roman babes while they slept. The wife took much more doing, for he first had to be rid of her troublesome maidservant. He was pleasantly surprised to learn that if honed sharp enough, a butcher’s cleaver could sever a human head from its shoulders. He had at first thought to rape the domina of the house, but so hot was his hatred that his manhood failed him. She had mocked his lack of masculinity as she struggled in his grasp. He then settled for disemboweling her, spilling her entrails with repeated blows of the cleaver. He left her convulsing in agony as death took its time coming for her. With as much coin as he could carry and one of the children’s horses he fled. Racing through the night he felt a morbid sense of satisfaction. There was no room in his now blackened heart for anything else. If happiness was gone forever from his life and such feelings were the best he could hope for, then so be it.