Texts -"Le Vallon du Fou

4- "Cuneus versus Vis viva - (continued)

Part Three: "Cuneus "

- Faustus...I have something special to give you..
I know this isn't the best time, and that you'd prefer to wait for confirmation of the "Cuneus" by staying with your Hastati.
I'll only be a few minutes.
Can we go to your tent and call your two Optiones?
I'd like them to be present.
It's traditional for what I have to give you.

Faustus beckons to his two seconds, who have remained at a short distance from the meeting to respect the confidentiality of exchanges between those who will decide the strategy of the battle, with the prior agreement of the Legate, or Tribune.
They understood that this was important news for Faustus, the most experienced officer in the first cohort of five centuries, each comprising one hundred and sixty legionaries (5 x 160 = 800 troops)
This Legio IX detachment includes three other, slightly smaller cohorts, each comprising six centuries of eighty legionnaires (3 x [6 x 80] = 1,440 troops).
Two were positioned on the wings and one in reserve.
In addition to sixty scout cavalrymen, a hundred onagers and archers, plus a hundred auxiliary soldiers, complete the force.
These 2,500 men make up the offensive detachment of the Legio IX Hispana, its spearhead.

The other half of Legio IX was assigned to protect Londinium (London).
The generals pointed out that this division of forces risked facilitating violent incursions by the Celts, who knew the terrain, forests and water sources perfectly well, and poisoned them.
The headquarters of Legio IX is two full days' march away, where the Legate (6)the Tribun (7) and the Prefect (8) of the camp.

All enter the tent together. The few legionnaires assigned to service duties immediately step aside.
The orderly puffs out his chest, inhales deeply as he clutches his helmet, pressed against the ornate, ceremonial armor.
He gave it to himself in Rome when his brother was appointed general of the legendary Legio III "Gallica", raised by Julius Caesar himself.
Negligently, he smoothes the embroidered lapels of his "tenebris purpura" cape (alsotranslated as "Deep Purple", with bell-bottomjeans and guitars) and adjusts his Baleus (belt).
He checks that his Gladius is securely fastened in its scabbard.
Taking advantage of the opportune presence of a mirror on the high chest of drawers where the Centurion's outfits and his two Optio are stored, he checks the elegance of his haughty bearing by imperceptibly raising his chin.

Narcissus in war.
Whatever the situation, glorious or desperate, one must maintain one's rank and yield it to no one.
He unties the leather lace of the pouch sewn to his belt.
And delicately extracts a rolled papyrus, reserved for important acts (9).

He delicately hands the precious document to Faustus, a slight smile on the corner of his mouth.
The Centurion has no idea of its contents, but he suspects that it's essential information, requiring this confidentiality and the probative security of two witnesses of honor.
At the last moment, when Faustus has already seized the papyrus, the order holds it back limply.

-Faustus, in the name of the Legate of Legio IX Hispana, with the unanimous support of the Tribunate, the Prefect and the generals gathered together, I am deeply honored to be the bearer of this missive.

The centurion raised his eyes and stared at him...it was imperative that this pretender should have the last word, even after the signature of the Legion's high officials.
His jaws, nervously set until then, loosen..

He was pensive.
What is the meaning of this mawkish smile at such a serious moment, when the soldiers are waiting for his presence; without him, they won't fight.
What is the content of this message that so excites the sadistic egocentricity of the messenger when he delivers decisive news, carefully observing the good or evil it distributes?

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(6) appointed for two or three years. He commands the legion, overseeing the smooth running of units, enforcing discipline, practicing drill, and ensuring financial and judicial powers.
(7) second in command: Second in command of the legion, he assists the legate in his judicial functions and in the management of the exercise. He can also replace the legate.
(8) often a former "primipile" centurion, the third most important person in the legion. He oversees the maintenance of the ramparts, supervises baggage during the march and commands the artillery.
(9) cursive handwriting: Cursive handwriting was used in everyday life to write letters, commercial and administrative documents and laws to be sent to the empire's provinces, as well as by schoolchildren and students to take notes and complete exercises required by their teachers. The media were varied: papyrus, wax tablets, wood or clay. Writing was done with a stylus, pointed pen or paintbrush.

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