Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ ᙭ᐯII: GᗩTEᔕ Oᖴ ᑕᗩᖇTᕼᗩGE

July 6, 49 B.C

Lilybaeum, Sicilia Province, Respublica Romana

After Curio and Valerius had taken Sicily and Sardinia without a fight, I joined them in Sicily, bolstering our numbers to seven legions, and 3,500 cavalry. While most were raw, except for my personal legions, the 14th and 9th, Pompey's experienced men were in Greece and Hispania, not North Africa. So, we thought the defenders would be easy pickings. From our intelligence, Quintus Varus, the former propraetor of the province was woefully underprepared to defend Africa, having only one legion. My officers and I agreed that we would most likely be able to march into Africa and force Varus's men to surrender immediately without blood being shed. It was a small shred of hope, one not likely to pan out.

However, as I arrived in Sicily, I learned Varus had requested the assistance of King Juba of Numidia, a diehard Pompeian and Anti-Caesarian. Notice I said Pompeian not Optimate. Juba was not interested in Roman politics, but owed his kingship to one of Pompey's campaigns.

Our fleets had been built up in Lilybaeum, ready to sail for Africa, and Curio and Valerius were meeting with me before we were to sail. I realized my subordinates assigned to work with me were exactly what Marcus had warned me: hotheads. Curio in particular held great disdain for both Juba and Varus, and wanted to only bring half our force to Africa.

"You can't be serious, Curio," I chuckled, "No, that is not the plan, we are bringing five legions to Africa. We will leave one in Sicily, and one in Sardinia, but the rest are going to Africa, no arguments,"

Marcus smiled at seeing me shut down Curio without batting an eye, taking control over my unruly partner. Curio looked angry, and horrified that I was standing against him, but Caesar had put me in charge of the campaign, not him.

Is the fleet prepared?"

"Yes,"

"Then we sail at once, I want the fleet boarded by dawn, and then we sail to Africa,"

"Where will we be landing General Antonius?"

"At the former site of Carthage, southeast of Utica, where Varus is waiting,"

"From there we will do what?"

"We will march here," I pointed onto the map, "The Castra Cornelia, an old Roman fort, this will a good defensible position to further figure out and evaluate the terrain, and lure Varus into battle,"

"How do we know that Varus won't attempt to resist the landing?"

I chuckled, "The Optimates are not as savvy or cunning as the Britons. But just to be sure, I've sent out messengers that were intended to be captured, convincing him we will be landing at Hippo Dyarrathus, just to his west,"

"Smart," Valerius remarked, "Well then I will assemble my men onto the transporters, we will be ready at dawn general,"

"Excellent,"

Both Curio and Valerius were dismissed after that.

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

July 11, 49 B.C

Carthage, Africa Province

As the ships of the Roman fleet cut through the waves, the soldiers aboard felt a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Even with my many years of experience I felt a knot of tension form in my stomach.

As the ships reached the coastline, the soldiers prepared themselves for battle. They could see the ruins of Carthage rising in the distance, a stark reminder of the city's former glory and the power it once wielded. But now, it lay in ruins, a testament to Rome's triumph over its greatest rival.