In 57 BC, I Caius Sulpicius Caecus, of Florentia received military rank of optio centurae. This would prepare me for optio ad spem ordinis,the rank for which I could obtain centurionate status within the Roman army. Usually, my day will start upon sunrise where I begin these journal entries for my loved ones to read should I meet my ultimate demise in battle. Normally I am stationed outdoors, but that can change depending on a specific location in need of defense. “In the north Italy is protected by the Apennine Mountains, which break off from the Alps and form a natural barrier” (McKay, Hill and Buckler 121). This natural barrier was often left weakly guarded due to the rough terrain and extremely cold temperatures in the mountains. As a younger soldier I was constantly being moved around in order to maintain strength and backup. Now that I am a middle ranked officer I have some control and input on military strategy and some political decisions. There are many factors that have actually played a humongous role throughout my development as a soldier. Go ahead, take five, grab a loaf of bread, and I will tell you all about it.
“The training regimen of the Roman soldier was necessitated in large degree by the use of sophisticated, open formations by the infantry” (GABRIEL). As a soldier the pay rate is very low, yet, the pride I get by serving the Roman Empire brings me great joy. “Soldiers typically could rely on gifts or donativa (donations) from their commanders-for acts of courage and bravery, for distinction on the battlefield, or perhaps as a general reward for a successful campaign” (Santouosso 14). Essentially any soldier’s pay rate was not steady. Unfortunately, pay was based on merit, and the occasional whims of a centurate general. Despite the fact looting was frowned upon by some generals it took place as others looked the other away in a “hear no evil see no evil fashion”. “According to Polybius, the Romans pillaged in a most orderly fashion, with half of the army selected evenly from every cohort, keeping guard against potential intruders and the remaining personnel methodically pillaging the enemy city”(Santouosso 15). These pillaging trips after victories are the bread and butter to us soldiers. We could get punished if we talked back, disagreed, or acted out of line in front of any superior officer. Punishments would often be deducted from the pillaging rewards. I learned early on that it was best to keep to myself, and stay alert for my fellow countrymen. “Altruism was the key behavior-the citizens duty in Cicero’s view qui, non quid efficere posset in re publica, cogitavit, sed quid facere ipse deberet” (Santouosso 23). This translates to: “Ask not what you country can do for you –ask what you can do for your country” (Santouosso 23).
My military equipment or weaponry has shifted from spears to shields and swords as I have ascended rank. The basic weapons we are trained to fight with include a shield, sword, and spear. “All Roman citizens fighting in the heavy line were armed in the same manner- a large shield (scutum), a deadly sword (gladius), and one or two javelins (pila), one heavier than the other”(Santouosso 16). Our fighting units consist of cavalry, light infantry, and legionnaires. We as soldiers need to adapt to our surroundings and not repeat the very same mistakes. Battlefields are warzones and the Roman people are counting on us. “Romans always demonstrated the uncanny ability to learn from defeat and to imitate the methods of adversaries if found to be more efficient than their own” (Santouosso 21). As I previously mentioned, I have moved around quite a bit as a soldier, and being in different units that vary in size easily allowed us to simply replicate our enemies fighting styles. “The most intelligent were trained in the special skills needed by the army. As a professional army, the legions ran their own specialized training programs in everything from military engineering, medical support, to artillery gun repair” (GABRIEL). With a legion containing a relatively closed grouped number of a whole unit, one group could teach a new method to another legion. “In other words, “legion” is equal to 5,000 regardless of actual size” (Santouosso 22).
As new territories were conquered our culture was spread wider with new leaders appointed as council members. “The source of real power-Senate, army, or Emperor, changes in the course of Roman history; but that power is always diffused through the old family channels, or some vestige of them”(Wills 33). Our current leader Gaius Julius Caesar is an intriguingly brilliant mind both militarily and brainy. “Sir Ronald Syme notes that Caesar not only knew how to fight well, but how to marry well, the morning ritual of a clients attendance on the person of his leader or leaders- all these are interconnected parts of a political system with deep lasting roots among the Romans” (Wills 33). Caesar made several business type marriages that benefitted his political career to an extraordinary extent. “His relentless warfare in the area secured Gaul for Rome, immense treasure to him and his soldiers, and legions that could “storm the heavens”(Santouosso 47).
In The Gallic War And Other Writings by Julius Caesar, Moses Hadas quotes Julius Caesar:
“The most rugged of all are the Belgae, because they are the farthest removed from the refinement and civilization of the Province and are less frequently visited by traders introducing wares which serve to slacken virility, and because they are nearest the Germans who live across the Rhine with whom they are constantly at war. This same factor makes the Helvetii better fighters than the other Gauls; they are in virtually daily battle with the Germans either keeping them out of their own frontiers or carrying war into theirs.”(Hadas)
Julius Caesar’s demeanor and behavior made us as soldiers feel unified. Antonio Santosuosso explains that Julius Caesar was a man of the people that always as considered every angle of a problem. “Caesar’s initial move into Gaul was motivated by the migrations of the Helvetii, a Celctic population living near Lake Constance and Lake Geneva, whose move might open the door to hostile pressure from Germanic tribes” (Santouosso 58-9).
I am now currently stationed in Gergovia located across from the Apennine Mountains. I am lucky to have survived this long in service to my country because the battles have been bloody. With these tribes constantly at war they had time to perfect their military skill. Being an opio centurae allowed me to guide counter attacks during the battle of Gergovia many of which ended unsuccessfully. “During the siege of Gergovia at least forty-six of Caesar’s centurions died in a single assault” (Santouosso 97). Although my biggest battles were fought in Gergovia and Dyrrachium, I had heard other legions were having success through pure intimidation. “As Fuller argues, Caesar did not rely on numerical superiority but on surprising the enemy with his celerity and audacity: “By surprising his opponent he caught him off guard, and got him so thoroughly rattled that he either refused his challenge to fight and in consequence lost prestige, or, should he respond was morally half-beaten before the engagement took place” (Santouosso 71).
Ultimately, I became a soldier to serve Rome, and to make a career decision that will give me security throughout adulthood. I was very aware of the risks, but when standing in battle with Julius Caesar I feel nearly invincible. My wife and two children traveled with me for many years and hopefully Gergovia will be home for quite some time. The brilliance Julius Caesar to not react without having all the facts first is a true staple to his character. His excellent clock-work like timing of attacks to keep enemies on their toes was a lucid example of his brilliance.
Works Cited
GABRIEL, RICHARD A. The Military Training . n.d. 29 November 2013. <https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a255111.pdf>.
Hadas, Moses. The Gallic War and Other Writings by Julius Caesar. Toronto: Random House Inc., 1957.
McKay, John P., et al. “A History Of Western Society.” Boston/NewYork: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011. 19.
Santouosso, Antonio. Storming The Heavens. Boulder,CO: Westview Press, 2001.
Wills, Garry. Roman Culture . NY: Ambassador Books , 1966.
