Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ Iᐯ: TᕼE KIᑎG Oᖴ TᕼE GEᖇᗰᗩᑎᔕ

July, 58 B.C

Bibracte, Aedui Gaul

We had expected to return home, however, rumors had reached Caesar of a dangerous new foe entering the region. Ariovistus, the king of a Germanic tribal empire known as the 'Suebi' had invaded and were now terrorizing Gaul. They had initially served as mercenaries to the Sequani against the Aedui back in 63, and when they requested help from Rome, the Republic and the Senate refused, or at least if Caesar's word was correct. While resting in Bibracte, a council of Gallic tribes and diplomats arrived, first flushing the general's ego by celebrating his great victory over the Helvetii, before imploring him to vanquish Ariovistus, who was further pressing on the Sequani. The Gauls bestowed Caesar many gifts, some of which he gave to me.

See, while I had seduced Caesar for my own survival, this had its own benefits to me. Caesar had deflowered a virgin, who was unmarried. If word of this spread, he'd be ruined - at least in the eyes of the Senate. These gifts were to keep me loyal. Yet, Gaius Julius Caesar had simple cravings, and he was wrapped around my finger. It was a circle of ambition and power. If Caesar cast me away, I could tell the world about our affair, and bring him down with. Yet, I was also concerned, for I had been feeling rather ill as of late, but I had yet reason to fear.

Regarding the Gauls, Caesar was only too happy to oblige by their request, but he had to play this smart. Unlike the Helvetii, he couldn't just march in swords swinging and javelins flinging, he had to be diplomatic. See, to keep Ariovistus pacified and contained, the Senate had declared him 'A Friend of the People of Rome', which was a bogus title, and Ariovistus used it to bully the Sequani and Aedui into complying with his invasion and hostage-taking. So Caesar needed a proper justification to go to war.

I must admit, for a filthy German, Ariovistus had a sharp mind.

So Caesar sent a letter to Ariovistus, requesting to meet with the German king to discuss the issue... Ariovistus declined, which was already playing into Caesar's hand or proving the German to be unwilling to negotiate. So Caesar sent a diplomat to the German, insisting he releases his Gallic hostages and stops hostilities with Rome's allies. If he did so, Rome would still consider him a friend. It was a sweet deal for Ariovistus, but he doubled down and declined. His reply was simple.

"If the Romans can plunder and conquer as they please, so can I,"

However, Ariovistus didn't seem to realize the fundamental difference between Romans and Germans. We had roofs over our houses, our floors weren't made of mud, and we didn't drink milk out of vanquished enemies' scalped skulls. In other words, savages had no right to conquer.

Then Ariovistus began raiding more Gallic lands, and now Caesar had his justification for war with the Suebi. So we set out, with six legions for the east. Both Caesar and his German adversary knew the importance of the city of Vesontio, which was the largest city in the Sequani territory. However, we reached Vesontio first, having marched day and night to get there. Caesar would rest his legions for some time. However, rumors were now flooding into the camp over the size and ferocity of the Germanic army.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caesar's Camp

"General Caesar, these numbers are too vast for our men to handle! We have 30,000 men, the Germans have 50,000!" One of his officers pleaded.

"We crushed the Helvetii when they had quadrupled our numbers, why is this so different?" Caesar replied, "May I remind you, Hannibal crushed armies twice his size regularly in battle,"

The officer snorted, "You are no Hannibal Barca!"

"The Helvetii were Gauls! These are Germans! They are a different beast of men!" Another officer begged.