LEGIO X FRETENSIS   September 2000 Newsletter -- Page 3
- Text by Douglas A. Unsworth, J. D. Photos by Robert Garbisch

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES: PLEASANTON

September, 827 AUC (74 AD)
The fall of Masada in the Spring of 826 AUC finally brought to an end the Jewish rebellion in Judaea. Once again, Legio X had asserted the power of Rome over this troubled land and has brought peace to our Eastern Empire. With the bulk of Legio X stationed in Jerusalem and the situation as stable as is reasonably possible in such a turbulent land, it was decided to dispatch our Cohors IV to Britannia to assist in the training of the four new Cohortes I-IV Lingonum, recently raised in Upper Germania and deployed to the northern frontier of that distant island

Thus, in the name of our glorious Emperor Vespasian and under the command of the noble Centurio Marcus Antomus Lucius (Robert Garbisch), the Cohors IV began a year long march across the Empire, sailed across the Channel and finally deployed to an outpost fort in the land of the Picts and Celts at a place called Newstead. Temporarily assigned to serve at the pleasure of Military Governor Cerialis, our orders were to establish and fortify a temporary training camp in the new homeland of Gaesatae, Celtic warriors who had migrated to the Scottish wastes following the defeat of Vercingetorix after his revolt against the exalted Gaius Julius Caesar in 701 AUC (52 BC). Thus, we were to finish the training of the Cohortes I-IV Lingomun while, at the same time, establishing the power of the Senatus Populusque Romanus in this northern frontier. Recent raids by the woad?painted natives promised that the Cohors IV might even see some action, all for the glory of Rome!

Though the weather the preceding week had been cool and wet, as is typical for the British Isles, Apollo smiled upon us with a weekend of glorious sunshine and mild temperatures to brighten our adventure. The advance party, lead by Centuno Marcus (who was accompanied by his lovely Lady Lydia) included Legionaries Titus Lucretius Aeldred (Douglas A. Unsworth, J.D.) and Calventius Victor (Edward McDonald) together with Auxiliaries Octavius Lucius (Jim Garbisch as a Syrian archer) and Severius Lucretius Aeldred (David Unsworth as slinger). They arrived at the camp site early Friday afternoon. In addition, some new troops from the Cohortes I-IV Lingonum, which we bad been sent to train, donned lorica segentata and joined our efforts. Some promptly set to work setting up command and troop tents while others quickly erected a defensive palisade to protect the camp from any surprise attack by the barbarians.

Within three hours the camp was ready. Guards of the Cohortes I-IV Lingonum. were posted to secure the site and the members of Cohors IV not otherwise on duty repaired to the home of Legionary Titus, who hosted a Roman Banquet at which was served native stuffed game birds in a honey sauce, smoked meats from Gaul and a variety of Mediterranean delicacies, sweet desserts from the Eastern Empire (Baklava and date candies), all replete with Italy's best Vestini wines from vineyards located near Pompeii and Herculaneum on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius. Additional members of Cohors IV joined us at the feast, including Legionary Ellison Dunlap and his lovely wife, Nancy, and the bane in the life of Centurio Marcus, Darrath Lugh (Mary Minshall) who, despite her Celtic origins and past emnity toward Rome, behaved in a most civilized and charming manner during the evenings festivities.

Following the banquet, our troops finished final preparadons for the duties to come (polishing armor, sharpening and repairing weapons, etc.) and then to bed. Rumor had it that our rugged and stoic Centurio Marcus would have a Nubian slave fan him to sleep that night. However, this writer can testify from personal knowledge that our noble centurion stayed up very late supervising his soldiers' equipment maintenance and that he did not retire for the evening until all the household staff had long before gone to sleep. Our noble Centurio Marcus always shares the privations endured by his men and does not seek any exemption based merely upon his exalted rank. Such sacrifice and leadership is a noble example for our troops.

Early next morning, the unit marched back to Camp to commence training of the Cohortes I-IV Lingonum. (i.e., the visiting public). In addition to the traditional camp duties of guarding the perimeter, weapon maintenance, logistics and food service, much time was given over to battle drills and weapons training.

Centurio Marcus is advancing into the attack, supported by legionaries Calventus, Titus, and Julius.

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