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That's also why I have this journal; my mother bought it for me so that I "wouldn't forget to tell her anything when I write home".
Jeeze. Like I'll forget anything.
I suppose I should start off by telling you, my trusty journal made of papyrus (which I had better take care not to ruin, it would be so much easier to destroy you than a wax tablet), about my recruitment. My friends were all joining up, and they told me they were paid just for joining. Now, I was the youngest of seven boys and completely uninterested in being a farmer like my father. I needed a career, and lo and behold the Roman Military is always hiring!
I signed up as soon as I could. I had to prove my citizenship first - if they thought I was a provincial I would have wound up the in auxiliary, and the pay there is worse than what the legionaries get. When I went to sign up, I was also given a medical exam and had my height measured. I was lucky - I'm close enough to five feet and eight inches that they let me in. I didn't realize the Roman army had a height minimum. They decided I would do, and gave me 75 denarii! They said it was "travel money" but everyone knows it's an added incentive to join. Who wouldn't want to work for the army if they pay you before you've even started the job?
After getting the money I swore an oath, and then I became an official member of the Roman army! (Or at least an official recruit.)
When I was signing up, I heard the recruiters getting a lecture on what to look for in a recruit, and they told me it went something like this: feet and calves that were tough and sinewy, a broad chest, strong shoulders and arms, alert eyes and upright heads. The man giving the lecture said to try especially hard to get "young men who show they've got more than muscle between their ears".
I was told by my grammar school teachers that I was bright, and with any luck this will help me in my new career.
- Location:Imperium Romanum
- Mood:
excited
I am also learning how to march at the military pace. The centurion who's in charge here said that by the end of our training we'll be able to march twenty four miles in five hours. THAT'S A LOT OF MARCHING!
I'm not sure if the centurion is just lying to be mean, or if he's telling the truth. You can tell he's a centurion because he has a crest on his helmet, and he carries around this wooden staff as symbol of his rank. It's also used to whack anyone who gets out of line.
- Location:Hell
- Mood:
exhausted - Music:People Yelling At Me
My new optio has been telling my unit horror stories about men who desert the army. I mean, the centurion in the army camp told us that we could go Absent Without Leave (I'll be writing AWOL from now on) for certain reasons. Illness, chasing a fleeing slave and family problems were the three reasons he gave us. My optio though, he was telling us about what happens if you go AWOL and don't have a good reason.
A lot of men run off during peace time if they commit a crime and want to get out of the punishment. He told us if we return of on by our own volition, they'd be more lenient. I suppose that those who are dragged back kicking and screaming wind up screaming even after they've been returned.
The optio (his name is Brutus) told us that whole units have run away before. Apparently if you return to the main camp within a certain time period, you won't get a beating. Even if you get away with the skin on your back, you are still separated from the men in your unit. They just put everyone in a new unit, making sure no one is still together.
Brutus told us that if we get into trouble, our past behaviour will dictate the punishment, and if we are well-behaved soldiers, we will be shown more leniency when we screw up.
It just gives me warm fuzzy feelings inside to know that.
I heard from another soldier about men who desert in the face of the enemy - or worse, those who join the enemy. They are killed; there is no other option.
Man, I'm never deserting! If I ran away to save my own skin, I'd end up being killed by the men I work with. That would suck so badly!
- Mood:
shocked
The centurion was ready to hit me with his vitis, and he was poised to strike when Brutus appeared. He told the centurion that "He'd take care of it" and I guess the centurion had better things to do because he left me alone.
I was convinced my optio was going to beat me, but he just sighed and said "I'll give you a warning this time; don't drop your weapons. They cost a lot to fix if you break them, and more if you lose them. The centurion won't hesitate to flog you if he finds out you've lost armour or clothing, I can promise you that. If I see you drop your weapon again I'll fine you for it, understand?"
I just nodded, glad my superior wasn't going to hit me. I didn't know Brutus was so nice! I'll have to find some way to thank him. Maybe I can get some good wine next time we pass through a town.
Later on, I talked with one of my new friends, Severus, and he told me about some of the other punishments he's heard of. Beatings for small infractions are pretty common, as are fines, but once a soldier stole a few goats from a heard and the Tribune ordered his hand to be cut off.
(I made a note to myself not to steal any animals, I like my hands)
- Mood: grateful
He had one hell of an arm when it came to hitting with that damn stick of his.
There's another rumour that he was dishonourably discharged. Imagine working for ten or twenty years, only to be fired without the usual bonus of land or a huge sum of denarii! It's around 3000 denarii, so that's a pretty significant sum.
I'll have to try very hard to make sure that doesn't happen to me. I want that extra money, and being without a job would be terrible. I'd have to go back to boring old farming.
- Mood:
worried
I learned something new about Brutus today. He's a really good story teller! He was telling us (the newer soldiers) about this soldier named Modestus. No one is really sure if this Modestus actually existed, or if this is just an amalgamation of terrible mistakes made by many people. Another rumor is that this is just a story some witty centurion wrote up as an example of what not to do as a soldier. But whatever the source is, the story is really good. When Brutus told it to me, he made voices, wild hand gestures and everything, except he kept his face completely serious the entire time. IT WAS SO FUNNY. I laughed so hard it hurt, or at least I did until he glared me into silence. Anyway, Diary I recorded the story for you so that I won't forget it.
( Strythio )
Wasn't that a great story, Diary? I'll update you with some of the other stories of Modestus later on. Brutus told me he'd tell me the rest later, because I nagged him about stopping.
- Mood:
giggly
Brutus was promoted! He's the new centurion, which is really good for me because he seems to like me. Well, at the very least he can tolerate me, which is enough.
This got me thinking: anybody in the Roman Army can be promoted! Usually you get a position that doesn't pay more than the usual salary, like a clerk, accountant or orderly. These jobs are great because you don't have to do as much work! Then you can move up to optio, standard bearer and cornicularis. (I hope I can become an optio one day, maybe then Brutus wouldn't think I'm such a blockhead - it was really mean of him to say that, even if he only meant it in jest!)
After this you can become a centurion like Brutus.
Brutus is so cool, I want to be him when I grow up!
- Mood: jubilant
- Mood: chipper
There are so many rewards you can get for acts of bravery! Some of the older soldiers were showing theirs off, and telling me about the other awards. Soldiers who rank about centurion can get hasta pura - silver spears!
Centurions can get civic crowns, which are crowns made from oak leaves - but there is so much honour that comes with these crowns. The men I was talking with were below the rank of centurion, so some of them had phalerae. That's a disc-shaped medal, and it's made from precious metals. They hang these from leather straps near their shoulders. Some men have medals shaped like torques, which are also made of precious metal and hung near their shoulders.
There is one man who has a torque in the Celtic style that he wears around his neck - and damn does it look good.
The thing I like the best, and the thing I would love to be awarded with is the armillae. These are similar to bracelets except manlier and you wear them on your wrists. Also, they're shiny. I like shiny things.
- Location:Marching Through Britannia
- Mood:
determined - Music:Achilles Last Stand - Led Zepplin
"Let me show you my pilum, ladies."
SMACK!
That was my day. I don't even know what I did wrong. It's not like I asked them to polish my gladius or anything. I tell you, diary, sometimes I just don't understand the opposite gender.
I mean, I only wanted to show them my awesome pilum (javelin). What's so wrong with that? Sure, it's a weapon, but I wouldn't have used it against them or anything. But they didn't want to hear anything about it, so I guess I'll just tell you, diary.
My pilum measures approximately two meters long and consists of two main parts: the one-and-a-half meter wooden shaft, and the sixty centimeter long pointed iron head. The head is actually really cleverly designed: the first twenty-five centimeters are made of made of hardened, tempered iron, while the rest of the metal is softer and more liable to bend. This means that when I hurl my pilum at the enemy (which happens just as I’m about to charge), the tempered part of the head penetrates the shield or armour, and the weight of the shaft causes the untempered metal to bend, rendering the pilum useless so that it can’t be thrown back at me. In fact, the weight of the pilum embedded in the shield is so great that the enemy soldiers often end up having to drop their shields altogether, which gives me a great tactical advantage in battle.
Scutum
Actually, though, my scutum (shield) is my favourite piece of equipment. It’s a semi-cylindrical object, the convex side of which measures approximately one meter long and sixty centimeters wide. Due to its curved shape, the scutum offers excellent protection for my front and sides (which is why I'm so fond of it). It’s made of two thin planks of wood that have been glued together; the convex side is covered with canvas and leather. The edges of my scutum are rimmed with iron to increase durability and prevent it from cracking if anyone aims a downward blow at me. In the middle of the scutum, there’s a large iron boss with a long spina (spine) protruding from it. The boss and spine help me deflect any projectiles.
I've also included sketches of the rest of my armour and equipment.
Helmet
Gladius, Scabbard
Pugio
Belt (Cingulum)
Lorica Segmentata
Caligae
- Mood:
confused
Here's another Modestus story for you - these things are the best! This one is a short one about Modestus and Strythio after they've escaped from the prison. They're hiding under the granary. Why would they hide there? It's dark and dirty and smelly and boring. But each to his own, I suppose.
Under the Granary
For three days, Modestus and Strythio hid under the granary to escape the soldiers whom Valerius had ordered to find them. On the third day, Modestus got tired of waiting and started to complain. He was hungry and bored, and Strythio’s continued silence did not help matters. Strythio offered to get food once it got dark, and Modestus was comforted. He then ordered Strythio to get food from the cook, and to find their friends Aulus and Publicus, who were to bring wine, a lamp and dice respectively. He further ordered Strythio to run to the nearest village and bring back Nigrina, a dancing girl.
Strythio, shocked and appalled, questioned Modestus about wanting to bring a dancing girl into the camp.
Modestus yelled at Strythio, telling him to go away and calling him an idiot. Strythio went, though unwillingly. He got food from the cook; he persuaded Aulus and Publicus to bring the wine, lamp and dice; and he begged Nigrina to come to the gathering but he couldn’t win her over.
- Location:NOT under the granary
- Mood:
nostalgic
Today, Brutus told me yet another story about Modestus, although it was just a summary this time; I got the impression he wasn't really in a friendly mood. Also, he turned some really funny colours when I asked him questions about it. Then he yelled at me and told me to go jump in a lake. So I did, but then he came and fished me out, saying he hadn't meant it literally. Well how am I supposed to know that, I ask you? Excuse me, I can't read minds.
Anyway. The story. Right.
Modestus the Deserter: A Summary
( Read more... )
- Mood:
cranky
Dear Diary,
Our instructors at the training camp taught us about Siege Tactics, which seemed pointless to me.
Why teach us techniques we'll never use? Everyone knows the empire is at peace, and with Britannia conquered, I probably won't see much action beyond minor skirmishes to keep the damn barbarians in line.
When I told Brutus I thought this was all pointless he got angry and went on a really long diatribe about times when the siege tactics had been used successfully in war.
Therefore, I present...
Things I Have Learned About Roman Siege Tactics:
( Siege Tactics )
- Mood:
working
This is the finale of the Modestus stories, Brutus says. Although sometimes he says things are over when they're not, like that time we were marching and he kept telling us it was almost over... it was "almost over" for ten kilometers!
Modestus Promoted
Vercobrix ordered his men to arrest the fleeing Modestus, but when one of the Britons approached Modestus to tie him up, he ended up lighting him on fire! Modestus saw his chance and tore away from the hands of the Britons. He had not gone far when he met Strythio and his friends, Aulus and Publicus. He seized the wine jar from Aulus and poured the wine over his tunic, ignoring Strythio’s astonished cries.
Once his tunic was extinguished, Modestus called for help, shouting that he had caught the Britons. The commander of the camp ran over to see what was going on.
Exulting, Modestus announced that he had caught the Britons, adding that Vercobrix himself was trapped under the granary among them.
There was a short scuffle, wherein the Britons were overpowered by the great power of the Romans, and the Romans returned the Britons to the prison. Then, the leader of the legion himself summoned Modestus to praise him. He complemented Modestus on his bravery and offered him a reward. Modestus was elated and could barely contain his excitement. Visions of money danced through his head.
The legionary informed Modestus that he was putting him in charge of the prison.
Whew! We’ve finally reached our destination: Segedunum, a fort near the east end of Hadrian’s Wall. At the beginning, I almost didn’t think I’d make it, what with marching 30 km a day and all. But now I’ve definitely toughened up – even carrying my pack doesn’t seem like such a hardship anymore.
I was talking to Brutus again, and he told me about Hadrian’s Wall. I learned that construction on this wall was begun after the emperor Hadrian’s visit to the province of Britannia in A.D. 122. I guess he must have thought that a wall would look really good along here. It’s 117 km long and stretches from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne, to the shore of the Solway Firth, and took the soldiers five years to complete. Can you imagine? I’ve only been a legionary for about ten months now, and these men built this entire wall, and it took them five years. I asked why they’d needed to spend five years here just building a random wall, and Brutus said that the wall was actually very important and served many functions. As he said this, he gave me a Look : one that I have classified as Look no. 23 "Shut Up and Listen" . So I did. Apparently, Hadrian's Wall not only provided an actual physical boundary to the Roman Empire, but it also served as a military stronghold (although that's pretty clear, what with us being stationed here, and all) and facilitated communication and travel in the surrounding regions. He also told me that using the wall as a boundary line allowed Hadrian to focus his attention (and his pocketbook) on strengthening the territories that were already part of the Roman Empire.
The wall itself is gigantic: east of the River Irthing, it’s three meters wide and five to six meters high; the central part of the wall is two point four meters wide and three meters high. There are also a ton of forts located every mile or so along the wall, to defend the openings in the wall. The legionary camps are situated at various other points along the wall; we’re camped in one of them. There’s also a vallum (ditch) that precedes the wall and gives us extra protection; it is about eight meters wide and two and a half meters deep.
Diary, I can tell you right now: watch your step around the vallum. It's so hatd to get out of that thing! I was stuck in there for an hour before Brutus came to save me get me out of the vallum.
Segedunum is near the east end of the wall, close to the River Tyne. It’s 120 meters from east to west and 138 meters north to south, with an earth embankment and a ditch surrounding it on all sides. There are four gates, one on each wall, and a town that surrounds the fort. As the legionaries stationed here, we are the town’s major means of protection. Speaking of the townsfolk, I eavesdropped on overheard a fellow soldier telling a bunch of local girls that he wanted to "show you the length of my wall". The girls all started giggling and blushing, but I didn't see what was so funny. I didn't even know he had a wall named after him, so I asked Brutus about it afterward, but he just turned funny colours again and didn't answer.
On the north bank of the River Tyne is a fort and town specifically for the auxiliary army, called Pons Aelius. It’s about 6.2 kilometers squared, and the population is supposed to be around 2000 people - those barbarians must reproduce like rabbits. The fort is there to guard the Aelian Bridge, named after Emperor Hadrian’s family name. The Emperor Hadrian must have been pretty cool to name a fort after himself.
South of Pons Aelius is Condercum, a fort 120 meters east to west and 170 meters north to south. The fort is a base for the cavalry, but was built by the soldiers from the twentieth legion. There are towns on the north and south sides of the vallum. Personally, I'd hate to be in the cavalry: not only do you run the risk of falling off the horse, but furthermore, after you've fallen off, the horse steps on you and tramples you into the ground. Fun times.
The last fort on the western side of the wall is Mais, and it’s situated on a sea cliff that’s about fifteen meters high, and thus has an excellent view of the land surrounding it. (Although, I’m not sure how much I care about the view; I’d be more concerned about falling to my death! Even my scutum couldn’t protect me from that.) It is the second largest Roman fort, and was originally made of clay and turf, but was rebuilt in stone when Hadrian's Wall was being built. Wow! Those soldiers must have been busy: a new fort and ridiculous wall? The fort measures 128 meters by 216 meters and joins Hadrian's Wall at the north-east corner. It has three gates: the south, west, and east. The northern gate was omitted because the northern wall faced the cliff. And I don’t know about you, but certain death via cliff plus less certain but still possible death via battle vs. getting the fort? Let them have the fort. And imagine if they had built a northern gate and someone unwittingly stepped through it - that would be hilarious.
Finally, Brutus told me about Petriana, the largest Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall, measuring 213 meters east to west and 177 meters north to south. Its original name was Uxelodunum - high place - because it is situated on a natural platform (no, really?), placing it above the River Eden. From this location, the fort looks over the bridge at the River Eden, which is an important route to and from Scotland. Brutus said that there was once a regiment of soldiers, about 1000 men, stationed at the wall. The regiment was called the Ala Petriana, an auxiliary unit given Roman citizenship for valour on the battle field. They must've been some damn brave - or stupid - provincials. The fort was given the name of this regiment, explaining the change in name. I told Brutus it'd be really cool to have a fort named after me, but he just glared at me. He clearly doesn't understand what it's like to be young and full of passion.
- Location:Hadrian's Wall
- Mood: pleased
- Music:Everybody ought to have a maid (I'm not even sure what that means!)
I finally get paid! I get 300 denarii per annum, gods bless Emperor Domitian, who raised it from 225 denarii. Unfortunately that's a gross sum; the army deducts money for food, clothing and equipment - which sucks.
The army also puts away some of my money in the army savings bank which I guess is a good idea. If they gave me all my money I'd probably spend it all. Anyway, I've been warned by the older soldiers I'm probably going to end up with 1/4 or 1/5 of my original pay, but that's alright. I can finally get Brutus that wine I've been meaning to buy him.
Also, Brutus has promoted me to orderly! It's so exciting! No more digging ditches for me!
- Mood: ecstatic
