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Chapter Two
Warning this story contains things that can, and should, be frowned upon by today's moral standards. Unfortunately the Romans didn't had them so if you are easily offended please turn your back and go read something in which everyone acts by the moral code of our days.
You have been warned.
The Battle had been brutal and many laid dead or wounded on the field of Dura. I had lost half of my Praefectus, that as true Roman men, had fought on the front lines, and the centurions had, almost been decimated. Of the officers and soldiers, that had performed feats of bravery, I promoted them to the above rank and, personally rewarded them with silver and in some cases, I even gave them the Corona Civica or/and Aurea.
Let it not be known, that I don't reward those that serve me faithfully.
After three days, in which the legions prepared themselves for the march to Ctesiphon, I left my camp in Dura.
While my men marched to the capital of the Persian despots, I feared that my numbers wouldn't be enough to crush the arrogant orientals. I had been forced to leave half a legion in Dura, to protect the wounded, and now from the forty thousand men, that I had brought from Antioch only half, a mere twenty thousand, marched under the Eagles. But still I trusted on the almighty Unconquered Son, to bless us with another victory in the East.
After a weak of marching in the Persian lands, we reach Ctesiphon.
As much as I loathe the orient scum, I must give them credit when they deserve it, for their capital can almost compare with the grand cities, that we have in the Imperium and the great walls of Ctesiphon gave much trouble to my armies.
Because I couldn't allow myself to be dragged into a lengthy siege, as the Persians would no doubt prepare another army to fight me, after just two days my legions stormed the walls of Ctesiphon. Now, I must remark the brave dead of centurion Titus Verenus, that was the first man to reach the top of the walls and that lead the assault against the gatehouse, thus opening the gates to my remaining men. For his bravery and dedication, I promoted him to the command of the XV legion, whose prefect had died during the attack, he also received a silver donation, was added into the ranks of the Equites, but most importantly, for him, he was awarded the Corona Muralis.
With the city, now, under my control, I gave my men two days to plunder it, as they wished it, keeping only two cohorts of Praetorians guarding the Persian treasury, that by right belonged to me. So that those that read this, can know of my generosity, I even gave the woman of the Persian Tyrant to my men.
While my men got drunk in cheap wine and cunt, me and some of my familia, made sacrifices to Sol Invictus thanking him for rewarding us with victory on this campaign.
After the two days I gave the men had passed, I sent the Praetorians, and those that were sober enough to obey orders, into the city to drag the reached legionaries out of it. Those that dared to disobey my orders were crucified, and placed on display at the gates of the city.
Having too few men to hold onto my gains, I ordered the burning of Ctesiphon and left Persia, leaving only a garrison in Dura, for I intended to rebuild the once proud fortress, so that it could act as a spear, into the hearth of my enemies.
With the Persians in disarray, and with civil war looming in their kingdom, I ordered the western legions to return to Antioch, from where they would return to the limes, while I went with the remaining eastern soldiers, and Praetorians, into Armenia to place my puppet on their throne.
Glossary:
Corona Civica - Reward to those that had achieved feats of great courage.
Corona Aurea - Reward to those that killed enemies in single combat and for holding the battle line.
Corona Muralis - Reward to the soldier that was the first to reach the top of the enemy walls.
Familia - Roman concept that englobed not only ones family but also his retinues and close friends and allies.
You have been warned.
-----
The road was open, but my legions weren't ready.
The Battle had been brutal and many laid dead or wounded on the field of Dura. I had lost half of my Praefectus, that as true Roman men, had fought on the front lines, and the centurions had, almost been decimated. Of the officers and soldiers, that had performed feats of bravery, I promoted them to the above rank and, personally rewarded them with silver and in some cases, I even gave them the Corona Civica or/and Aurea.
Let it not be known, that I don't reward those that serve me faithfully.
After three days, in which the legions prepared themselves for the march to Ctesiphon, I left my camp in Dura.
While my men marched to the capital of the Persian despots, I feared that my numbers wouldn't be enough to crush the arrogant orientals. I had been forced to leave half a legion in Dura, to protect the wounded, and now from the forty thousand men, that I had brought from Antioch only half, a mere twenty thousand, marched under the Eagles. But still I trusted on the almighty Unconquered Son, to bless us with another victory in the East.
After a weak of marching in the Persian lands, we reach Ctesiphon.
As much as I loathe the orient scum, I must give them credit when they deserve it, for their capital can almost compare with the grand cities, that we have in the Imperium and the great walls of Ctesiphon gave much trouble to my armies.
Because I couldn't allow myself to be dragged into a lengthy siege, as the Persians would no doubt prepare another army to fight me, after just two days my legions stormed the walls of Ctesiphon. Now, I must remark the brave dead of centurion Titus Verenus, that was the first man to reach the top of the walls and that lead the assault against the gatehouse, thus opening the gates to my remaining men. For his bravery and dedication, I promoted him to the command of the XV legion, whose prefect had died during the attack, he also received a silver donation, was added into the ranks of the Equites, but most importantly, for him, he was awarded the Corona Muralis.
With the city, now, under my control, I gave my men two days to plunder it, as they wished it, keeping only two cohorts of Praetorians guarding the Persian treasury, that by right belonged to me. So that those that read this, can know of my generosity, I even gave the woman of the Persian Tyrant to my men.
While my men got drunk in cheap wine and cunt, me and some of my familia, made sacrifices to Sol Invictus thanking him for rewarding us with victory on this campaign.
After the two days I gave the men had passed, I sent the Praetorians, and those that were sober enough to obey orders, into the city to drag the reached legionaries out of it. Those that dared to disobey my orders were crucified, and placed on display at the gates of the city.
Having too few men to hold onto my gains, I ordered the burning of Ctesiphon and left Persia, leaving only a garrison in Dura, for I intended to rebuild the once proud fortress, so that it could act as a spear, into the hearth of my enemies.
With the Persians in disarray, and with civil war looming in their kingdom, I ordered the western legions to return to Antioch, from where they would return to the limes, while I went with the remaining eastern soldiers, and Praetorians, into Armenia to place my puppet on their throne.
Glossary:
Corona Civica - Reward to those that had achieved feats of great courage.
Corona Aurea - Reward to those that killed enemies in single combat and for holding the battle line.
Corona Muralis - Reward to the soldier that was the first to reach the top of the enemy walls.
Familia - Roman concept that englobed not only ones family but also his retinues and close friends and allies.
-----
You might notice that Aurelius doesn't says the number of casualties during the storm of Ctesiphon and that is on purpose has he doesn't wishes to admit the large casualties he suffered and instead prefers to focus on the bravery of a common centurion, to try to make the reader forget about that.
- Karolus Rex
- Word Count: 790