Bloody Dominions

Nick Macklin

Description

58-56 BCE. As Caesar's campaign unfolds, tests of courage and belief will confront the three protagonists, shaping them as individuals and challenging their views of the world and each other:Atticus - an impetuous but naturally gifted soldier, whose grandfather served with distinction in the legions;Allerix - a Chieftain of the Aduatuci, who finds himself fighting both for and against Caesar; andEpona - a fierce warrior and Allerixs' adopted sister.Experiencing the brutalities of conflict and the repercussions of both victory and defeat, Atticus, Allerix and Epona will cross paths repeatedly, their destinies bound together across time, the vast and hostile territories of Gaul and the barriers of fate that have defined them as enemies. In a twist of fate, Atticus and Allerix discover that they share a bond, a secret that nobody could ever foresee

Sujets

• Historical fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 04 juin 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781800469044
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Copyright © 2021 Nick Macklin

The moral right of the author has been asserted.


Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.


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ISBN 978 1800469 044

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.


Matador is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd

In memory of those whose lives feature in this novel:
in recognition of the writers, academics and museum curators who inspired my desire to put pen to paper;
and, in thanks to all those who supported me to do so.


Contents
Character List
Roman Army Structure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Epilogue
Acknowledgements


Character List
Atticus Volteius Capito – Legionary in the newly established XIIth Legion. Serves in the Second century of the First cohort.
Decimus Aemillius Crassus – Legionary and signifier (standard bearer) for the Second century, First cohort, XIIth Legion.
Fortuna* – Goddess of fortune and the personification of luck in Roman religion.
Gaius Julius Caesar* – Roman general and statesman. Commander of the Roman army during the Gallic Wars 58–51 BC.
Gaius Trebonius* – Legate. Legion commander under Caesar during the Gallic Wars.
Gaius Volteius Capito – Atticus’ father. Resident of Verona. Respected estate owner.
Garmanos – Auxiliary scout from the Remi tribe, allies of Rome.
Julius Valerius Naso – Legionary in the XIIth Legion. Serves in the Second century of the First cohort. Atticus’ best friend. Enlisted with Atticus and member of his tent party.
Jupiter* – Roman god of sky and thunder. King of the gods in ancient Roman mythology. Typically represented carrying a thunderbolt and/or eagle.
Lucius Minucius Aquila – Legate and commander of the XIIth Legion, under Caesar.
Marcus Volteius Capito – Atticus’ grandfather. Father of Gaius, named after Gaius Marius,* with whom Marcus served in Africa and again during the battles with the Cimbri and Teutones in 102/101 BC. First spear of legate, Claudius Marcellus.*
Maximus Antonius Syrus – Legionary in the XIIth Legion. Serves in the Second century of the First cohort. Friend of Atticus and member of his tent party.
Publius Sextius Baculus* – Veteran centurion. First spear of the XIIth Legion. Senior centurion of the legion and advisor to the legate.
Lucius Cornelius Plautius – Veteran centurion. Commands the Second century, First cohort, XIIth Legion. Good friend of Publius Sextius Baculus.
Titus Cassius Victor – Legionary in the XIIth Legion. Serves in the Second century of the First cohort. Friend of Atticus and tent party member. Has previous military experience.
Tullius Fabius Rescius – Veteran legionary and optio, Second century, First cohort, XIIth Legion. Plautius’ second-in-command.
Publius Licinius Crassus * – Young legion/cavalry commander, under Caesar.
*
Albiorix – Son of Cimbri King Boiorix.* Adopted by Brogimarax when his father is killed at Vercellae, 101 BC. Succeeds Brogimarax as King of the Aduatuci, descendants and survivors of the Cimbri defeated by Gaius Marius in 101 BC.
Allerix – Son of Albiorix. Warrior and chieftain of the Aduatuci.
Allia – Youngest daughter of Ariovistus,* King of the Suebi.
Ambilo – Warrior of the Aduatuci and member of the Royal Guard.
Ariovistus* – King of the Suebi and other allied Germanic peoples, who entered Gaul to assist the Arverni and Sequani to defeat their rivals, the Aedui, before electing to occupy the conquered lands themselves.
Boduogenus – Nervian prince and warrior. Son of Boduognatus.
Boduognatus* – King of the Nervii, one of the most powerful Belgic tribes of northern Gaul at the time of the Gallic Wars. Belligerent and insular tribe, who shunned foreign trade and forbade themselves the use of alcohol and other luxuries, which they believed undermined a warrior’s spirit. Eschewed cavalry and known to trek long distances to take part in battle.
Brogimarax – Warrior and chieftain who led the remnants of the Cimbri army back to northern Gaul, where they and their descendants settled as the Aduatuci.
Cabrus – Warrior of the Aduatuci, member of Royal Guard and friend of Allerix.
Cernos – King of the Ambiani, a sea-faring tribe of northern Gaul, famed for their trading and capacity to mint coins.
Correus* – King of the Bellovaci, a tribe from northern Gaul, one of the most powerful and warlike nations at the time of the Gallic Wars.
Cottabus – Warrior of the Aduatuci and member of the Royal Guard.
Egus* – Son of Abducillus,* King of the Allobroge, a powerful tribe of south-western Gaul, allied to Rome at the time of the Gallic Wars. Warrior who rode with Caesar throughout his campaign in Gaul.
Epomedius – Sworn hand of King Albiorix. Fearsome warrior and head of the Royal Guard.
Epona – Warrior and princess of the Aduatuci. Orphaned daughter of Queen Olluna’s sister, adopted and raised by Albiorix and Olluna.
Galba* – King of the Suessiones, powerful tribe of north-eastern Gaul. Elected commander of the Belgic tribal alliance that stood against Caesar at the start of the Gallic Wars.
Iccius* – King of the Remi, one of the most prominent of the Belgic tribes, prospered on the back of agricultural production and trade. Allied with Caesar throughout the Gallic Wars.
Magnus – Slave trader, from the Turones, a tribe of western Gaul. Allied to Rome at the commencement of the Gallic Wars.
Olluna – Queen of the Aduatuci, wife of Albiorix.
Roucillus* – Son of Abducillus,* King of the Allobroge. Warrior who, like his brother, rode with Caesar throughout his campaign in Gaul.
Senila – Healer. Epomedius’ wife.
Taranis* – In Celtic mythology, Taranis is the god of thunder, typically represented holding a thunderbolt and “sacred” wheel.
Tascus – Smith and warrior of the Aduatuci.
Valis – Experienced warrior, member of the Royal Guard. Allerix’s most trusted lieutenant.

*denotes real character or contemporary deity


Roman Army Structure
Gaul, 58 BC

Caesar marched into Gaul with four legions and had two more (the XIth and XIIth) recruited shortly after his arrival. Each legion was commanded by a legate, who was supported by a number of staff officers or tribunes and a senior soldier, the camp prefect, who was responsible for the organisation of the legion, its buildings (or camp), equipment and legionary training. A legion was made up of ten cohorts, each comprising six centuries of eighty men. Each of the centuries was commanded by a centurion, supported by a second in command called an optio (literal translation, chosen man). The legion’s most senior centurion, referred to as the primus pilus, or first spear commanded the First century of the First cohort.




1
September, 58 BC
Vosges Valley

Atticus was relieved to see the Germans retreating back across the plain as he made his way towards the wall. With their chance of taking the camp gone and losses mounting, it seemed that the enemy leaders had seen enough. The battle was over. He dragged his bloodied hand across his brow and stepped into the sun, still bathing the wall with light as it began to dip slowly below the horizon. Feeling cold and faint, he shivered and paused to allow the gentle warmth to wash over him. With a weary sigh, he rejoined his comrades, giving Allerix a smile as he slid into line beside him. The Gaul nodded and clapped Atticus on the back.
“It is good to see you, my friend. I don’t think my men will ever grow accustomed to fighting on foot but they will have a tale to tell tonight.”
“I should like to hear those,” said Atticus, although he was beginning to feel a little unsteady on his feet. He put down the borrowed German shield and took hold of the palisade for support.
Allerix gave him a gentle nudge.
“I see you have adopted a less Roman look. We may make a Gaul of you yet.”
“He will be staying in the legion!” said Plautius as the centurion joined them on the wall.
Vaguely aware of the two men talking, Atticus was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on what was being said. His head was swimming and his breathing suddenly felt very laboured. He grasped the palisade a little tighter as his legs began to weaken beneath him. Plautius flashed him a look of concern and took hold of his shoulder.
“You okay, lad? I’m trying to thank you for what you did today but you seem miles away.”
Atticus looked plaintively at Plautius and down to the hand he had drawn across his wound. The blood felt warm as it trickled between his cold fingers. His legs buckled. He felt someone reach out to catch him and he could hear the concerned voices of Julius and Titus, but they seemed so very far away. His vision began to fade. Was this it? Was this how it ended? It couldn’t be. He needed to see his father again, to discover the truth a