Legio Xvii: Battle of Zama
“Hoping to surprise the defenders, Maedoc didn’t blow a trumpet or yell “Charge.” He simply started moving the men towards the wall.
Despite the dark, Calvus had been pushing his men hard since 8:00 P.M. with only a few 5 minute breaks. Men fell out for a number of reasons, but the main body of troops pressed on.
Rasce’s scouts rode a few miles ahead of the Legions as an Advance Guard, and other cavalrymen brought up the rear. Fearing his Legions could be ambushed by Mago’s men, Calvus had t...old Rasce that they were in enemy country and to proceed as they normally would through hostile territory.
When the mounted scouts got within 300 yards of the fort, they could make out movement by the west wall. They sought the tree line and continued to slowly advance. At 200 yards, they heard a Roman trumpet blast out two calls: “Emergency” and “West Wall.” Then the shouting started. Within minutes, the onagri began firing pots of burning oil which soared gracefully through the night sky and erupted in a flash upon impact. The entire west wall was fully illuminated and it was clearly under attack. Ladders were going up, and men were beginning to climb. The scouts spun their horses around and raced back to tell Calvus.MoreLess
Despite the dark, Calvus had been pushing his men hard since 8:00 P.M. with only a few 5 minute breaks. Men fell out for a number of reasons, but the main body of troops pressed on.
Rasce’s scouts rode a few miles ahead of the Legions as an Advance Guard, and other cavalrymen brought up the rear. Fearing his Legions could be ambushed by Mago’s men, Calvus had t...old Rasce that they were in enemy country and to proceed as they normally would through hostile territory.
When the mounted scouts got within 300 yards of the fort, they could make out movement by the west wall. They sought the tree line and continued to slowly advance. At 200 yards, they heard a Roman trumpet blast out two calls: “Emergency” and “West Wall.” Then the shouting started. Within minutes, the onagri began firing pots of burning oil which soared gracefully through the night sky and erupted in a flash upon impact. The entire west wall was fully illuminated and it was clearly under attack. Ladders were going up, and men were beginning to climb. The scouts spun their horses around and raced back to tell Calvus.MoreLess
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