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Post by Royal Joker on May 31, 2022 12:38:30 GMT -5
The streets of Colonia were busy as citizens and foreigners mingled in their day-to-day activities of work and trade, while hard-faced soldiers went about on their usual patrols. The banks of the Rhine was stocked with boats and barges transporting goods up and down the mighty river. Gossip was abuzz as it always were in the provinces, concerning the latest developments of the Empire's succession crisis - the city was housing an emperor!
The "Emperor" himself sat in contemplative silence in his tent at the garrison, surrounded by his personal bodyguard. Aulus Vitellius had barely touched his meal, his normally impressive appetite sated by troubling news. It had all begun so well, too, his claim to emperorship celebrated with a magnificent feast (at least by frontier standards). Not all were happy with Roman rule, and the Batavi of northern Germania were in revolt once again. Of all the people to rise up, it just had to be the warlike and fearless Batavi. Vitellius massaged his temples to quell the rising headache.
"I'm beginning to feel that these German barbarians don't want to share in the fruits of Roman civilization," he spoke out loud, "how many years have Roman blood been spilt to guard the frontier against them?"
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Post by Gandalf on May 31, 2022 13:08:44 GMT -5
By the side of Vitellius was Marcus Verus of Italica; short and well-built as a soldiers often were, the Spaniard was a curt and rugged man of action. He had served the last few years as a legate on the Rhine, and had seen his fair share of combat.
”They revolt because they are offended, Caesar.” Replied Verus, monotonously. The Batavi were nominal Roman allies and had fought alongside the legions on more than a few occasions. Their prowess was to be respected. Which is why Verus could not fathom why a faction amongst the legions had petitioned Vitellius for the arrest of Civilis, which had sparked the whole damned business in the first place. ”Nonetheless, they shall be brought to heel. Their numbers are too few to seriously threaten the Limes.” He concluded confidently, turning his weathered eyes back towards their new Augustus.
”A more pressing is Marcus Otho, a younger and more energetic man than the decrepit Galba. We must strike while the iron is hot, Caesar, and cross the Alps before the snows make our passage difficult.”
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Post by sforza on May 31, 2022 14:55:16 GMT -5
"If only Germanicus has his way all these years ago."
Replied Caecina to himself. The Germanic tribes had proved for too long to be troublesome. He guessed that it was only a matter of time before the Germans would raise their ugly heads again.
"I would advise a more careful approach, leave the Batavi behind intact and we may face them in our rear, and who knows whatever other tribe they could invite into Gaul."
For sure marching on Rome had its merits but it also risked a mess in Gaul. The young man who looked like your typical aristocratic Roman from the eternal city much preffered to consolidate Gaul before moving on.
"However i would be receptive for a smaller force to subdue Hispania for now"
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Post by Royal Joker on May 31, 2022 15:59:35 GMT -5
Vitellius rubbed his chin as he listened to his commanders. Experienced men, proven in the ways of war against the Germans. Their opinions held much weight along the Rhine, and inspired loyalty and devotion among the common soldiers.
"To be sure, my dear Verus," he turned to the stocky man, "the liberation of Rome must come before all other matters. But to leave the Rhine unguarded would be unbecoming of a true emperor. We'll have to leave behind a force that can keep the barbarians in check. What is the current status of Civilis?"
Vitellius turned to Caecina.
"Is Hispania that vital? Galba and Otho both relied on their support, but cutting off the head would surely be more effective than splitting our forces?"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 1, 2022 13:37:47 GMT -5
”I do not believe he has yet crossed the Rhine.”
Replied Verus, evenly, with a sideways glance at Caecina. For once, Vitellius’ plans made military sense.
”Hispania is a fool’s errand. Caesar is wise to suggest that we focus on Otho in Italy. The rest of the Republic will surely follow suit.”
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Post by pontifex on Jun 2, 2022 15:16:59 GMT -5
Valens enters the tent, his helmet in hand. He offers Vitellius a salute. "Hail, Caesar. The men of the First Germanica stand with you." He nodded to Caecina, his colleague through many struggles.
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Post by sforza on Jun 2, 2022 15:53:49 GMT -5
Vitellius rubbed his chin as he listened to his commanders. Experienced men, proven in the ways of war against the Germans. Their opinions held much weight along the Rhine, and inspired loyalty and devotion among the common soldiers. "To be sure, my dear Verus," he turned to the stocky man, "the liberation of Rome must come before all other matters. But to leave the Rhine unguarded would be unbecoming of a true emperor. We'll have to leave behind a force that can keep the barbarians in check. What is the current status of Civilis?" Vitellius turned to Caecina. "Is Hispania that vital? Galba and Otho both relied on their support, but cutting off the head would surely be more effective than splitting our forces?"
Caecina offered a glance to Verus. Caecina then rubbed his chin, looking to Vitellius. The contrast between the two men were quite significant. Whereas Vitellius was an overweight man Caecina was in the prime of his years and looked like much of the greek sculptures. "If we capture Hispania that will cut off Otho's last base of support outside Italy, i am sure that the Eastern pretender in the meanwhile will occupy Egypt meaning that Italia will starve and Otho's few supporters likely will crumble.
Caecine then greeted his friend Fabius Valens with a firm handshake. "A smaller force should be enough while this revolt is dealt with. After that we can safely enter Italy with a weakened Otho before us."
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Post by pontifex on Jun 2, 2022 18:47:59 GMT -5
"Fuck the Hispanics." Valens retorted. "They must know their place having been cut off by the best legions Rome has to offer. They can be mopped up if they maintain their rebellion. Besides, with our legions removed from the Rhine their possessions remain vulnerable to raids. We must focus on destroying Otho, and with his downfall so will the Hispanic rebels fuck off. If they decide not to, I would be pleased to conduct investigations as to which Iberian magistrates should be encouraged to commit suicide. Our main focus must be to destroy the rebellious legions under Otho."
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 6, 2022 10:15:39 GMT -5
"Hail, noble Valens. Please, join us. We have much to discuss."
The pudgy would-be emperor motioned towards a seat among the other commanders for the commander to occupy. Vitellius grabbed his goblet of watered-down local wine and took a generous swill to quench his dry throat.
"It seems that you've been outvoted, Caecina."
Vitellius smirked and winked at the legate.
"Rome is the empire, and the empire is Rome. Hispania, Germania, the East... it means nothing compared to the wealth and splendor of the city of the seven hills. Our enemies will fall once the Senate recognizes me as the true successor to Emperor Nero. How long until we can march?"
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Post by sforza on Jun 6, 2022 10:26:33 GMT -5
"I only warn my dear friends of a too hasty approach, especially with a threat looming from the rear."
It seemed Caecina had to give in for this one, the others be damned if this strategy would backfire.
"Whatever Caesar wishes shall be done, give it a few days and we can depart."
The legate looked to a map of the empire. A thought sprang up immediately
"May i suggest, Caesar that we send someone to negotiate with the Danubian legions and send someone to Africa? If we can stop grain supplies ending up in the bellies of Otho's soldiers then that will be only beneficial for us."
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 6, 2022 15:06:40 GMT -5
"Very well, I leave that in your capable hands, Caecina. Do what you must to weaken Otho's position."
Vitellius took another sip of wine while scanning the map of the empire before them. It was a bit intimidating to imagine himself as the ruler of such a vast realm. At the same time... the money and power, the luxuries befitting such a position was too enticing. No more the lackey of other men, Aulus Vitellius would be the one to dictate the fates of others. How sweet a fruit that would be.
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Post by sforza on Jun 6, 2022 15:32:37 GMT -5
"I thank the noble Augustus for his approval. I shall begin my journey to Africa then"
Caecina would nod his head and make a bow before he took his leave. After he left Vitellius' tent he would make his preparations to travel to distant lands.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 9, 2022 12:14:11 GMT -5
Vitellius nodded before glancing down at the map again. He then gestured towards his generals.
"We can't forget to guard the frontier, especially with the Batavi stirring up trouble. How many legions can we spare? One, two? The floor is open for suggestions, and for a willing volunteer to lead these brave men to guard the Rhine."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 11, 2022 4:36:02 GMT -5
"The Rhine can be defended by a few legions at most. The Batavi are strong, but are few in numbers. A defensive posture would contain them."
Intoned Verus, who had considered that leaving some glory-hunting legate would only create more problems; so long as the Rhine was manned, there was little the Germans could do except muster the occasional raid.
"Perhaps an envoy could be sent to assuage their grievances. I would rather not leave an enemy in our rear, especially one that has proven in the past to be a potent ally to the Republic."
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 12, 2022 11:27:12 GMT -5
"Then two legions shall suffice, the rest I will lead to triumph in Rome."
He mulled over Verus' suggestions while savoring his cup of wine.
"Very well, a personal envoy of the rightful emperor should be good enough to deal with the barbarians."
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