3.
October 165 CE: Entry 702
I am at the end of civilisation. Nothing but the dismal
knolls of this barbaric land enclose the recently commissioned
settlement of Luguvalium; the timber is plentiful here, yet the
ground is as untamed as its inhabitants. Our cohort is already
displeased with the place. Though I know they are courageous, their
morale has decreased due to the rumours passed back from the Wall.
Rumours of the painted ones pulling our soldiers from their posts,
and butchering them like savages.
Regrettably, dealing with them is part of my task. I
have been assigned to the Luguvalium cohort of this Legion, which is
based at Eboracum. We have one vexillatio posted here, comprised of
roughly a century and fifty auxilia. I am told that we have held a
fort here for 31 years; however, the former fort had become weak and
required rebuilding. No difficult task for us of course; part of a
legionary's training is building a palisade, among other things.
Legatus Regulus Gurges came to visit today. The last
time I had seen the man was back in Eboracum, in the same
circumstances; still surrounded by his Praetorian Guard, dressed in
his tired centurion armour and glorious plumed helmet, undercut with
the scarlet tunic. The man was a Praetorian himself as was required
by a legatus; he had even served as one of the Emperor Hadrian's
bodyguards. He had reminded me of my mission, but dealing with these
militaristic tribes is impossible. It appears that all legionaries
are to be killed on sight, which would mean a disguise. What an
affront to my honour. Even if I were to disguise myself like a common
spy, I have it on good word that the guerilla groups are watching our
camp built atop this hill. The natives can disappear and reappear
like spectres. This place is nothing like our pure-blood state; the
sun never appears to us here, rendering our tunics insufficient for
these climes.
I had to inform the Legatus of the loss of one of our
vexillarii, Aelius Structus along with some of our recruit
legionaries as they were ambushed by a party of tribals. The tribals
were repelled and many came back alive. Though our losses were few,
the Legatus was furious. Apparently the centurion bore the brunt of
the Legatus' almost divine wrath, of which I had not encountered but
heard much about.
It appears at first glance that nothing can be done
about these primitive Britons. But the Roman army always finds a way;
the liberti can testify to that.
Taken
from the diary of Ignatius Corvus, frumentarius with the legion Legio
VI Victrix
Vocabulary:
CE – synonymous with AD (Anno Domini)
Luguvalium – name of a Roman fort; now known as
Carlisle. The fort was built atop Stanwix Hill, but present-day
Carlisle Castle was built on the site of the Norman castle
established by William Rufus in 1092.
'The Wall' – the famous Hadrian's Wall, built along
the Anglo-Scottish border.
'Painted ones' – the local tribes would often coat
themselves in a pigment named woad to intimidate enemies in battle.
Cohort – a group of men separate from the rest of the
Legion.
Eboracum – present-day York.
Vexillatio – refers to part of a Legion broken off
from the main force as a vanguard or garrison.
Century – a 100 legionaries.
Auxilia – simple warriors; fought in much less compact
formations than the centuries.
Legionary – a member of a legion. Elite infantry.
Legatus – often anglicised to Legate. Equivalent of a
modern-day general, and the highest rank of command obtainable in a
Legion. Legatuses must have obtained Praetorian rank in order to
become one.
Centurion – the commanding officer of a century.
Notable for their plumed helmets.
Praetorian Guard – highly prestiged infantry commonly
used as bodyguards, frumentarii, torturers and other roles.
Vexillarius – (pl vexillarii) standard bearer.
Liberti – freed slaves. Often enslaved as a result of
the conquest of their tribe.
Frumentarius – The Early Imperial secret service. Many
were also of Praetorian rank. Sometimes acted as an ambassador to
conquered (or soon to be conquered) tribes.
Legio VI Victrix – The Victorious Sixth Legion. Posted
in present-day York at this time.
>-S->
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