Spring Has Come, with Hidden Intentions

17AD, around May, the middle of spring. Ravenna port-land and naval military base

Following their battle at the Weser river, Germanicus's forces journeyed back to Vetera castrum.

But making a poignant detour first to Teutoburg forest to pay tribute to the fallen Roman soldiers.

And to finally retrieve the three aquilae of the three fallen legions.

Later, once they arrived at the castrum, they received a message from the imperial messenger.

A decree from Emperor Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, telling them to return to their base at Ravenna port.

Germanicus then led his troops from Vetera to Ravenna city after thorough preparations. But still, the travel was a grueling and intricate one.

The general had to navigate through Germania's treacherous terrain.

Avoiding hostile Germanic tribes and skirmishes along the way.

The journey involved multiple stages and different modes of transportation.

A combination of riverboats and land travel, with careful detours to evade danger zones.

With three Roman legions under his command, each comprising approximately five thousand to six thousand soldiers, Germanicus faced significant logistical challenges.

His forces included foot soldiers, archers, cavalrymen, auxiliaries, siege engineers, and marines.

Additionally, around three thousand six hundred non-combatant servants, merchants, and civilians supported the legions, mostly comprising soldiers' family and friends.

Totaling sixteen to nineteen thousand men.

The sheer scale of his force made it hard to imagine how to handle such a large number of people moving from place to place.

And yet, Germanicus managed.

His exceptional tactical acumen and inspiring presence managed to weld this vast force into a cohesive, disciplined, and highly effective fighting machine.

Considering the distance, rugged topography, unpredictable weather, and the complex logistical requirements of moving a large military force.

They have to carefully plan the route to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of his troops.

The legions would have to stop regularly to rest, resupply, and attend to military matters, further extending the duration of the march.

After months of arduous travel, they finally arrived in Ravenna city, having endured a whole harsh winter and half a season of a soggy spring that seemed to linger indefinitely.

Their trek was weary and very long.

Now, as spring had set in, their arrival marked the end of a long and challenging campaign.

The spring has come; they can smell it in the air.

*Trudge* *Trudge* Trudge

The ground, soggy from the recently thawed snow, squashed beneath their feet.

In the distance, birds chirped, their melodies intertwining with the gentle rustling of leaves.

As the hora octava approached, the afternoon sun cast a warm, yet tempered glow, its rays gentle enough to be welcomed without discomfort.

A long line of soldiers can be seen entering the city of Ravenna, with Germanicus in the lead, his weary troops trailing behind him.

The few people that live there stop and stare while they are making their way to the port, their last destination.

It had been five years since he left Rome, after meticulous planning and preparation for the campaign (12AD).

Since being summoned to the palatium on Palatine hill, he hadn't returned home once.

Instead, he now found himself traveling to Ravenna city and its port, bypassing his domus on Palatine hill.

Tiberius, his adoptive uncle, who had seen him off five years prior, now stood as the second emperor of Rome.

After Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius Augustus died of natural death, three years after Germanicus' departure (14AD). Or so they say.

Waiting outside the entrance of Ravenna port, the emperor, with his praetorian guards lined up behind him, awaited his arrival.

A calculating smile spread across his face.

The overall commander and ex-general.

The driving force behind the Germanic campaign.

One of his father's adoptive brothers.

Seeking revenge for their devastating defeat of Varus' legions in the Teutoburg forest for Rome's expansion eight years ago (9AD).

As Germanicus dismounted his horse, Emperor Tiberius extended a hand.

His voice is now dripping with formal courtesy. "Well met, nephew. Your victories over Germanic tribes are a testament to your military skills and bravery!"

Then he laughed, a joyous laugh, "Ha ha ha ha! Well met indeed! Now let's go in and enjoy the banquet I prepared for you and your men!"

He then put his arms around Germanicus's shoulder, "You must be tired!"

He looked around and said to his guards, "Tell them to get ready! The heroes of our country are here!", the emperor's joy is evident.

Germanicus, who still had Tiberius's right arm around his shoulder, tried to be formal and bowed his head, albeit awkwardly, and said.

"Thank you, your grace. It is an honor to serve Rome.", he isn't used to the changed status of Tiberius yet.

"Ha ha ha ha, don't be too stiff, nephew. After all, we are a family!" Tiberius dismissed his awkward courtesy.

"Now let's go in!" And with that, together, the two set off inside the port, leaving his troops and guards to trail behind them.

As they entered, his nose got assaulted by a strong scent of the salty tang of seawater. The harbor is filled with various ships, from small fishing vessels to larger merchant and military ships.

The water's edge is filled with military storage, shipyards, armories, and fabrica's workshops.

Where blacksmiths, shield makers, and armorers can be seen hammering away.

The sounds rang out from the port through the air, at the glowing hot metals, trying to finish their work in time for the celebration's banquet.

Now, as they seated themselves in the grand hall inside the port, Tiberius took his seat at the head of the table and gestured for Germanicus to sit to his right.

The room was filled with other remaining generals, some gentes, senators, and some high-ranking soldiers, all eager to curry favor with the emperor and hear tales of Germanicus's battle raids.

"Let the banquet begin!" Tiberius declared, his eyes surveying the room.

Looking around the table, Germanicus' eyes scanned the faces of the people in front of him.

Seated across from him, Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, the governor of Syria and a fellow general, caught his eye. Piso raised his cup in a toast.

"Germanicus, welcome back. I trust your journey was uneventful? I heard Agrippina often visited you in Vetera... What a devoted wife you have", Piso smirked, tension suddenly arose.

The people in the room all knew that Piso was notorious for his sharp tongue and ability to stir up controversy.

Germanicus's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening at the mention of his wife's name on Piso's lips. 'My beautiful wife's name is not for you to throw around so casually', he thought.

He wanted to punch Piso's face. 'It sounded so foul in his dirty mouth!'

Piso's smile faltered as he saw the expressions in his eyes, and Germanicus seized the opportunity to counter instead.

"And how is your wife, General Piso? I've heard she's been frequenting a certain salon, seeking comfort in the arms of another man to alleviate her loneliness." Germanicus casually sips on his cup, "But oh, you did not leave Rome."

The room erupted into laughter, with some nobles chuckling louder than others. Piso's face reddened, his eyes flashing with anger. As he stands up at the banquet table.

Sejanus, the praetorian guard, stepped forward, hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to intervene.

As a praetorian guard who swore to protect the emperor, if he deemed it would lead to a fight, he'd have to break it off. And protect his Emperor.

However, Tiberius's raised hand stayed him, a warning glance conveying the message: 'You dare not draw your gladius in the presence of Germanicus.'

Tiberius's expression turned jovial once more.

"Enough, enough. Let us toast to Germanicus's triumph in Germania!" He raised his cup, and the room fell silent.

"To Rome! May our former emperor's soul be blessed by Jupiter!"

They soaked their bread in the wine.

"Salud!"

The assembly echoed the toast, their voices ringing out in unison.

A few moments later, after the toast, Tiberius felt like he needed to confirm something but held himself; he felt a bit antsy as he saw how the other members of the senate seemed so close to his nephew.

As the evening wore on, Tiberius, unable to contain himself and wanting confirmation, drunkenly leaned closer to Germanicus, his voice barely audible above the din drowned by the people's talk and laughter.

"Tell me, nephew, what are your thoughts on the empire's future?", Tiberius asked, his eyes searching for any hint of ambition.

Germanicus's response was diplomatic. "Rome has a bright future with you as its leader."

Tiberius nodded, not smiling; His expression remained unreadable. Eyes are narrowing slightly. He pressed on, his voice taking on a slightly sharper tone. "Do you harbor ambitions to one day sit upon the throne?"

Germanicus's eyes remained neutral, but he did not expect the emperor to ask him like this directly.

Although it's been whispered, to Germanicus it felt like Tiberius yelled it in his ears.

Wariness crept into his voice. "May I be honest with you... uncle?" he whispered back to the emperor. His answer seems to be drowned out by the people's raucous laughter.

Tiberius's eyes gleamed sharply. All his attention is on Germanicus' answer. He heard it loud and clear.

But Germanicus is unaware of the Emperor's change, revealing his true nature.

Memories of his return to Vetera castrum flooded Germanicus's mind.

When his now-four-year-old son, Caligula, caught a fever after bawling his eyes out on the severed arm.

A firm 'NO' came into his head in an instant.

He has no desire to sit on the throne. He's grown weary of his five years on the battlefield.

'And to add politics in it?'

He only wants to rest and spend time with his family now that he is back.

Then he remembered their detour to Teutoburg forest, where he had prayed for his fallen countrymen and comrades.

'Though I cannot let their sacrifices be in vain,' he thought.

Yet, if duty called him to fight once more for his beloved Rome.

And even if the emperor stood in opposition…

Germanicus steeled himself for the ultimate decision—to take up arms, seize the throne, and restore honor to his nation.

And so, Germanicus held onto the hope that this fragile peace would last long.

And that Tiberius, despite his calculating nature, would prove to be a just and benevolent emperor.

He lifted his silver cup, sipped the wine, and paused for a moment before responding, "No, my emperor, I am but a humble servant of Rome. My only ambition is to serve the empire and uphold its honor."

His tone was respectful and serious.

Tiberius silently exhaled, releasing the breath he'd been holding. Reached for his own golden cup. He took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving his nephew.

He was acutely aware of Germanicus's popularity and the whispers that often compared them. Hinting that his adoptive nephew would have been a better emperor.

Tiberius smiled as he gazed at him; it was a masterful facade. Downplaying the weight of his earlier question.

"Ha ha ha ha.." He raised his cup. "Excellent answer, nephew! Excellent!"

As the night wore on, the conversation turned to Germinacus's campaign. Making the emperor's eyes slant a bit when people praise his nephew.

The banquet drew to a close. Tiberius announced that they would travel back to the palatium in the morn.

Right after that, he once again leaned in to Germinacus and said, "We'll speak more tomorrow, nephew. For now, let us enjoy the night."

Germinacus nodded, but his mind was already racing with the implications of Tiberius's words earlier. 'What does the emperor really want?. '

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INDEX:

Ravenna city - a city in italy,

aquila/aquilae - eagle, a symbol of Legions

Palatine Hill - a hill in Rome, where the Emperor's palatium and other noble's domus/states is located

hora octava - 2 to 3 pm

Emperor Augustus - First Emperor of Rome

praetorian guards - elite imperial guards

Varus - a roman general

Teutoburg forest - located in germany

Ravenna port - former roman military base

fabrica - blacksmith workshop

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NOTE:

In Emperor Augustus time, there are 60 legions (each legions 5000-6000 soldiers).

But then later reduced it to 28 legions.

So in Tiberius time there are only 28 legions.

And Germanicus commanded 3 legions in his Germanic campaign.

And 3 legions got killed in Teutoburg forest by Germanic tribe, resulting for Tiberius and Germanicus to seek revenge, forgetting their original purpose of territory expansions.

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TIMELINE:

9AD - defeat of General Varus with his 3 legions in Teutoburg forest

12AD - August, Caligula is born

- Germanicus left for his Germanic campaign

14AD - Emperor Augustus died

- Agrippina visited Germanicus camp

- conceived Julia, younger sister of Caligula

15AD - Agrippina gave birth to Julia on November

16AD - Agrippina left with Caligula, took him to Vetera camp. They left summer, and arrived on autum.

- around Nov and Dec, weser battle happened

17AD- around January came back to Vetera camp

-left Vetera camp

-arrived at May (spring)

*** I hope everything is clear *** did i forgot anything? ****