Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ ᐯIII: ᐯEᑎTᑌᖇIᑎG IᑎTO TᕼE ᗪᗩᖇK ᖴOᖇEᔕTᔕ

March 20, 55 B.C

Rhine Frontier, Menapii Gaul

With Caesar leading the tenth legion, and myself leading the fourteenth as its new commander, we marched east to deal with the roaming Germanic horde that was the Usipetes. Caesar gathered around 5,000 horsemen from the Gauls before moving north to subdue the Germans.

Arriving at their camp, the Germans attempted to stall for time and negotiate, though Caesar would not fall for this blatant trap. He would attempt a cavalry skirmish, sending his Gallic horsemen out, despite my advice against it. The Germans sallied out of their camp and we lost a large portion of our cavalry. However, two brothers of the influential Piso family were struck down, and Caesar swore he would not let this transgression go unpunished.

As Caesar prepared for battle, the Germans sent high ranking nobility and diplomats, continuing to ask for peace. Caesar and I, now making most decisions together, agreed that since the Germans had attacked without provocation, that we could not accept peace, so we declined their offer and took them as prisoners.

Caesar drew the legions into three lines, and we advanced upon their camp, where we caught the Germans completely by surprise. Commanding the last cavalry, as the infantry burned and looted the Usipetes camp, we pursued them to the Rhine, where we slaughtered many, and the rest of the Germans drowned attempting to cross. However, while this was a brilliant military victory against a marauding German horde, a political victory it was not. Caesar called me to his tent.

"Lucretia, this is a disaster," He stated, opening our conversation.

Peachy as always?

"What has the Senate done now?"

"They claim I've breached Rome's peace with the Germans by 'antagonizing' them with my cavalry, taking diplomats as prisoners-so forth,"

"That's ridiculous," I sneered, "The Germans invaded Gaul, and given recent events, is considered invading Rome,"

Caesar chuckled, "I'm used to the Senate despising me, though I must keep my popularity with the plebians, as they will distract the Senate,"

"How exactly do you suggest we do that? It isn't like there are any Gallic tribes to subdue and conquer anymore,"

Caesar pondered, leaning over his map, "There has to be a way..."

I thought for a minute... then it struck me. The idea I conceived was utterly absurd and completely insane - but it would accomplish Caesar's political goal.

"What if we pursue the Germans across the Rhine?"

"Are you suggesting conquest of German tribes?"

"Not all of them... perhaps just the Sugambri and Ubii, push Rome's frontier to the Rhine, creating a natural border,"

"I don't think that is the best course of action - wait... wait... wait!"

He has an idea, I can tell when he gets like this.

"We shall cross the Rhine, not in conquest, but in exploration! Lucretia, we shall be the first Roman generals to accomplish such a feat!"

I smiled, "Then we shall mark our place in history!"

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April 1, 55 B.C

Rhine River, Ubii Germania Exterior

Caesar and I stood before the marvel of construction that was the bridge across the Rhine. Originally the Ubii Germans had offered their ships to cross the Rhine, but Caesar decided a simple ship crossing was not grand and prestigious enough for the Roman people. He decided to build a bridge across the river. Not just any river, but a massive river that would show the Germanic barbarians they were never safe from the legions, and they couldn't hide behind their river any longer.