Chapter 34 A Mass Desertion

By threatening the Goths with a pyrrhic victory, Marcellus had successfully deterred them from advancing into the Empire. However, the stay of their hand was only temporary, whether or not the barbarians would return was up to the Senate to decide. On the frontiers of the civilized world, the young Roman general stood on the ramparts of his fortress with his army gathered below.

Marcellus and his soldiers were entirely unaware that Stilicho had managed to convince the senate to pay the ransom that Alaric had requested. Because of this fact, morale was low as the troops beneath the General’s command believed they were now doomed to a horrific fate. There was even talk of desertion among the ranks of the limitanei. Upon noticing this, Marcellus had gathered the part-time soldiers of his army into the stronghold that existed in the center of the town, and rallied his forces with a passionate speech.

“I won’t lie to you. Things are looking grim for all of us. Some of you are wondering how I managed to convince Alaric and his barbarian hordes to withdraw. It was simple. I made him a promise that should he attack Castra Regina, we would fight to the last man, and make his army bleed to such an extent that they could no longer march on Rome!

Obviously, this was a bluff. After all, look at yourselves. You’re trembling at the very thought of defending this position! I look around myself and see that many of you have an instinct to flee for their lives now that they have a chance to escape. If that is your choice, then go on, flee! I have no room in my army for cowards! However, before you go, let me inform you about what will happen should this stronghold fall.

Our army is depleted, our Empire is divided, and the only thing standing between the heartland of our realm, and the Gothic hordes on the other side of this border is all of you. Flavius Stilicho, our supreme commander, has his hands tied. He will not come to the defense of the frontier, for if he does, our enemies in Gaul will press their claim to the throne.

Should you abandon your post, and flee for your lives, there is nowhere in the Empire that you can run to for safety. Ravenna will fall, and the ancient capital of our glorious empire will drown in a river of blood. If you can still call yourself a man after having abandoned your people to death and servitude, then by all means run away!

However, if you stay here in Castra Regina, and fight against the barbarians who threaten our borders. I solemnly vow that I will train you all so that you will be capable of slaying ten goths! It is no secret that I have inherited my family’s fortune, and I intend to put it to good use. For the sake of the soldiers beneath my command, and all of Rome. I will use my wealth to buy you the equipment that you all need to defend the border against any and all threats!”

The soldiers of Marcellus’ army had various reactions to this speech. Some felt ashamed that they had considered escaping while there was still time to do so. The general was putting his life and wealth on the line to ensure that Castra Regina did not fall.

Even though Marcellus could flee to the Eastern Roman Empire, and secure a lofty position there, he had not done so. Instead, he had dedicated himself to Rome and its people. Such courage in the face of overwhelming odds was truly humbling in the eyes of many of the soldiers beneath his command.

Despite Marcellus’ rallying cry, there were still men in his army who saw this as an unwinnable battle. Even if the general were to waste every coin that he had to buy them the greatest equipment and spent every hour of his days ensuring that they were the most well trained fighting force, ultimately, they would still lose their lives in the end. The Goths were simply too many. The best these men could do was run away from the frontier and pray to God that they and their families would be safe in Ravenna.

In the end, a small segment of Marcellus’ forces walked out of the fortress with their heads hanging low. Three hundred men were shamed by their comrades as they selfishly fled for their lives. Marcellus currently only had 3,000 men under his command, and when so many people abandoned their duties, he felt sadness in his heart. Then again, not everybody could be as dedicated to Rome as Marcellus was.

However, those who remained had hardened their resolve to fight and die for the glory of the empire. When Marcellus understood that these men were now his true brothers in arms, he decided to inform them of his plans for the near future. There was a sense of pride on his face as he gazed upon the men before him.

“Very well, for those of you that remain, I won’t lie to you. In the coming days, you will be facing adversity the likes you have never endured. However, if you trust in my judgement, and follow my commands, I promise I will transform you into an army even the legions of the principate would admire! Today you are no longer mere limitanei, but the Legions of Titus Claudius Marcellus!”

The soldiers who remained in Marcellus’ army understood that the path to victory would not be easy. However, for the sake of their families, and their civilization, they would put their lives on the line, and endure whatever hardship Marcellus threw at them.

After saying his speech, Marcellus stepped down from the ramparts where he made his speech and made his way back to the villa. He had no time to waste and intended to send a message to an old friend in Rome to help him procure the necessary supplies to outfit his armies with the equipment they needed to put up a fight against the Gothic hordes.

—

Enough time had passed for Marcellus’s message to reach the Roman Capital. Currently, a young girl no older than fourteen was sighing heavily as she lied on her bed while gazing out her window. She was utterly depressed. The fate of Marcellus was cruel, and to have him driven away so quickly after his return from his previous campaign had made Placidia sulk for months on end. She could not help but express her discontent as she gazed out towards the direction of Raetia where the man she admired now defended.

“Marcellus, you dummy, why haven’t you sent me a letter yet? I hope everything is alright out there on the frontier…”

After Placidia had said these words to herself, a knock resounded on her door, and a young slave intruded upon the girl’s introspection. The slave noticed that her master was not happy with her presence, however she had no choice but to interrupt the girl. The slave bowed her head and handed her master a letter with the utmost respect on her face.

“Domina, there is a letter from you.”

Upon hearing this, Placidia’s brown eyes lightened up with a sense of joy. It would appear that idiot had finally remembered her existence. She quickly snatched hold of the letter from the slave’s hand before kicking her out of the room. After she was all alone, Placidia opened the letter with an eager expression and read its contents.

The letter started out pleasantly enough. It addressed everything that Marcellus had gone through since he was shipped off to the frontier. However, when Placidia read about the Gothic Horde led by Alaric that paid Marcellus a visit, she reacted in dismay. Luckily, Marcellus’ reputation was enough to force the army away, or else he would already be a dead man. However, after informing Placidia of what had transpired at the border, Marcellus ended the message with a personal request.

Marcellus wanted the girl to use her personal connections to contact the local manufactorum and have them craft enough arms and armor to supply an army of nearly 3,000 men. It also asked for several hundred horses as well as their barding so that Marcellus could raise a unit of Cataphracts. The idea that the man could raise a unit of cataphracts in such a short amount of time was nonsense, but nevertheless Placidia chose to believe in Marcellus and thus placed down the letter with a heavy sigh.

“Marcellus, if my brother were to find out about this, he would think that you were fostering a rebellion. I know that you have the best intentions in your heart, but this is not an easy task… Still, for you, I will try my best.”

After saying that, the girl pulled out a piece of parchment and began to write down a letter to the local Manufactorum so that she could attempt to fulfill the tall order that Marcellus had given her. Placidia knew this would have a substantial effect on Marcellus’ personal finances, but if this is what it took to secure his future, then Placidia would not complain.