Hannibal: Enemy of Rome

Publius was incensed, upon his arrival in Pisae nearly a week later, to be greeted by a messenger from the Senate. The consul’s only thought was to travel north, to Cisalpine Gaul, and there take control of the legions presently commanded by a praetor, Lucius Manlius Vulso. Yet the note Publius was handed suggested in no uncertain terms that it would be judicious to report to the Senate before taking further action against Hannibal. This was necessary because, as Publius spat at Flaccus, he had ‘“exceeded his consular remit, by deciding not to proceed to Iberia with his army”.’

Flaccus innocently studied his fingernails.

‘Someone must have sent word before we left Massilia,’ Publius raged, staring pointedly at Flaccus. ‘Yet nowhere do I see any mention of the word provocatio. In other words, I could ignore this disrespectful note. I probably should. With every day that goes by, Hannibal and his army march closer to our northern borders. Sempronius has no chance of travelling from Sicily quicker than I can reach the north. Journeying to Rome will delay me by two weeks, or more. If Hannibal turns up during that time, the result could be catastrophic.’

‘That would scarcely be my fault,’ Flaccus replied smoothly.

Publius’ nostrils flared white with fury. ‘Is that so?’

Flaccus had the sense not to answer.

Reading the missive again, Publius composed himself. ‘I will return to Rome as asked, but any responsibility for what happens because of the delay will fall on the heads of the Minucii, and on you particularly. Should Hannibal already be in the area when I eventually reach Cisalpine Gaul, I will make sure to position you in the front line every time we encounter the Carthaginians.’ Flaccus looked up in alarm, and Publius snarled, ‘There you can win all the glory you desire. Posthumously, I expect.’ Ignoring Flaccus’ shock, Publius turned to Fabricius. ‘We shall take but a single turma to Rome. I want two spare horses for every rider. Your other men can buy new mounts, and then head north to join Vulso with the cohort of infantry. See to it. We ride out in an hour.’

Flaccus followed Fabricius as he supervised the unloading of the mounts and equipment. The quayside at Pisae was a hive of activity. Freshly disembarked soldiers retrieved their equipment from piles on the dock and formed up in lines under their officers’ eagle eyes. Fabricius’ cavalrymen watched as specially constructed wooden frames lifted their horses out of the ships’ bellies and on to dry land once more. Grooms stepped in, reassuring their unsettled charges, before leading them off to one side where they could be readied for the impending journey. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, Fabricius rounded on Flaccus. ‘What in the name of Hades is going on?’

Flaccus made a show of innocence. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Any fool knows that the best thing is not for Publius to go to Rome, but to Cisalpine Gaul, and with all haste. Yet you have conspired to make sure that he does the former.’

Flaccus looked shocked. ‘Who’s to say that I had anything to do with the news reaching Rome? Anyhow, I cannot answer for the actions of more senior members of my clan. They are men greater than you or I, men whose only interest is that of Rome. They also know Publius for an arrogant individual whose main aim is to gain glory for himself; his recent actions prove this. He must be brought to book by his fellows and reminded of his position before it’s too late.

‘It’s not as if we are without forces in the north,’ Flaccus went on persuasively. ‘Lucius Manlius Vulso is already in the area with a full-sized consular army. Vulso is an experienced commander, and I have no doubt that he is skilled enough to face, and beat, the rabble Hannibal will lead out of the mountains. Would you not agree?’

Fabricius felt his position waver. Publius’ confident decision to send his army on to Iberia while he himself returned to Italy had certainly been out of the ordinary. Initially, Fabricius had thought Publius was showing genuine foresight, but Flaccus’ words sowed doubt in his mind. It was hard to credit that a faction in Rome would endanger the Republic just to score points over a political rival. The Minucii must have their reasons for demanding to see Publius, he reasoned. In theory, the legions in Cisalpine Gaul were fully capable of defending their northern border. Fabricius glanced at Flaccus, and saw nothing but genuine concern. ‘I suppose so,’ he muttered.

‘Good. Let us travel to the capital without worrying about Hannibal, and see what our betters in the Senate would say to Publius,’ said Flaccus earnestly. ‘The gugga can be dealt with immediately afterwards, if Vulso has not already wiped him from the face of the earth. Are we agreed?’ He stuck out his right arm in the soldier’s fashion.