CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 57: THE CARELESS CASSINIUS

The Volturno River, originating from the Abruqi Mountain in the Samnium Region, was once called the mother river by the indigenous Dileni people in the northern Campania area. Its clear waters irrigated a fertile plain, producing Italy’s finest wheat grains. The Dileni built twelve towns along its banks, with Capua as its capital. As centuries passed, the Dileni became history, yet the Volturno River continued its quiet flow.

Cassinius led the main force of the Roman Army, enduring the scorching sun, starting from Suissa, exiting the mountains, stepping onto the Campagna Plain, and after marching for five to six hours, they arrived at the banks of the Volturno River in the afternoon.

At this time, it was the hottest part of the day. The exhausted and thirsty soldiers gazed at the clear, gushing river water but couldn’t take another step.

Not only were the soldiers like this, but Cassinius, a veteran himself, was also somewhat exhausted, knowing that he had been urging the soldiers to hurry along for days, draining their strength and energy. He thought: since Capua is not far ahead, why not rest here to restore morale?

However, the river section where the stone bridge was located was deep and had high banks, so Cassinius had to lead the troops along the riverbank westward, winding through several bends, stopping at a spot where the river was wide, the water flowed slowly, and there was a large riverbank.

When Cassinius announced the dismissal, the soldiers rushed to the river’s edge to scoop water, and some soldiers took off their armor and plunged directly into the river...

Having also drunk water and washed his face, Cassinius found a shady spot to lie down. The firm ground greatly relieved the soreness and discomfort in his legs and waist, and he contentedly closed his eyes...

The majority of the Roman Army’s cavalry served as the rear guard under the command of Legion Commander Valerius, while the remaining cavalry squad was entirely assigned to the vanguard for reconnaissance and scouting. The main force in the middle had no cavalry, but Cassinius wasn’t too concerned. Not to mention they were still far from Vesuvius; Capua was not far ahead. And even if those slaves made a move, Furrius would send cavalry to notify him.

However, he did not know that while he led the main force to rest by the riverbank, the vanguard had already suffered a disastrous defeat. The fleeing soldiers had taken refuge in Capua, and escaping with their lives was considered fortunate; they hardly thought of notifying the main force. Only a handful of cavalry remembered their mission, yet, as they raced back along the main road and passed the Volturno River, Cassinius had already led his troops down to the riverbank. The winding river, with green trees lining its shores, had concealed them, and the panicked Roman cavalry failed to notice, continuing northward, thus missing them and being quietly discovered by the inquisitive rebel cavalry.

Cassinius was lying on the soft grass, half-asleep, when suddenly he felt vibrations from the ground, like thousands of drum hammers beating on it—strangely chaotic, yet growing ever clearer...

With rich battlefield experience, Cassinius immediately realized that these vibrations could not have been caused by the vanguard force of just over 2,000 men, and they were heading directly towards his location!

Cassinius sprang to his feet and shouted, "Assemble the army!"

At that moment, he realized that during his nap, the soldiers had utterly relaxed, everyone removing their clothes to bathe, and some, finding it crowded, even walked downstream to find better bathing spots.

The soldiers who heard his shout just stared at him in bewilderment, without taking any action.

Cassinius quickly ran over, picked up the copper horn left on the riverbank by a bugler, and blew it forcefully.

"Woo! Woo!... Woo! Woo!..." The assembly call rang out, and the two months of rigorous training took effect. Though reluctant, the nearby soldiers instinctively came ashore, hastily drying off, then donning their tunics, armor, and grabbing their packs before gathering towards Cassinius...

The simplest-dressed Banner Carrier first raised the Eagle Banner; the buglers, yet to fully armor themselves, took up the copper horns, allowing Cassinius to speak once more. He urgently shouted, "Put on your armor quickly, take up your weapons, and prepare for battle formation!"

A soldier dissatisfiedly asked, "Cassinius, are you having us train here?!"

"Fool!" Cassinius cursed, "The enemy is attacking!"

"Why would there be enemies here?" The soldiers responded indifferently, assuming Cassinius was joking.

"Look over there!" the flagman stood on tiptoe, suddenly pointing southeastwards. In the distance, figures appeared on the main road, their armor glaring excessively under the sun.

"That’s our unit." The soldiers laughed, thinking Cassinius was seeing things.

"Fools, that’s the enemy!" Cassinius didn’t bother to explain further, instructing the messenger, "Quick! Hurry and summon the others for assembly, or face Military Law!"

The messenger, scared by the threat, dared not delay and immediately ran downstream.

"My goodness, how can there be so many people?" a soldier exclaimed.

It was no longer just a group of soldiers on the main road, but a long, continuous line. This line left the road, trampling through wheat fields towards them, with more people joining from the rear, until distant vision was filled with dense crowds...

The soldiers could no longer laugh; even in their foolishness, they realized the vanguard force didn’t have so many soldiers.

Seeing this, Cassinius oddly calmed down, loudly commanding, "Don’t panic, follow me!"

Cassinius’s words did nothing to ease the new soldiers’ tension. They hurriedly donned their armor while tightly following Cassinius downstream.

Under Okmar’s guidance, as Spartacus neared the Volturno River, he spotted the Roman Army a few hundred meters from the main road, on the south side of the riverbank, hidden by wild grass and wheat fields. Upon seeing the scattered, disorganized enemies starting to regroup, he grew anxious and shouted, "Brothers, charge with me, don’t give the enemy time to form up!"

So saying, he led by example, jumping into the wheat field, and the soldiers of the First Battalion followed suit. They sprinted through the field, ignoring the dense wheat leaves scratching them, and even when heavy wheat ears were crushed into the soil, there was no time to consider such things now.

Charging through the wheat field, Spartacus took a shortcut and came within range, seeing a Roman Army forming on the riverbank. Though they had raised their square shields, many had sagging breastplates and crooked helmets.

The segmented construction of the Roman Legion Soldier’s armor was somewhat complex, and wearing it properly required some patience and time. Therefore, concerned about encountering enemies while marching, Roman soldiers generally marched in their armor. But this time, having taken off their armor to bathe in the river, with the pressing threat of the enemy approaching, properly wearing the armor was not an easy feat.

Spartacus also saw on the enemy’s right, downstream on the riverside, soldiers running, trying to join the formations.

Spartacus immediately shouted, "Circle around them, eliminate those scattered ones first!"

The soldiers of the First Battalion, under his lead, made a turn and dashed towards the right side of the Roman formation.

Seeing this, Cassinius was anxious but didn’t dare act rashly because more enemies were continuously charging from the wheat field, and if he divided his forces to rescue them, he might suffer losses like throwing buns to a dog. The painstakingly arranged defensive formation would be disrupted, leaving everyone with no chance of survival.

Watching the fully armed, murderous enemies, Cassinius realized that Furrius was likely already defeated miserably: Damn the Senate! Damn Valerius! These weren’t some weak, ignorant slaves, but practically an enemy nation’s army with soaring morale! Damn Valerius! Ten years of peace made you complacent, your erroneous decision to split the forces led these young men into a death trap!

Valerius reproached himself in his heart, but outwardly he loudly encouraged, "Soldiers, quickly put on your armor, prepare for defense! The enemies are numerous, and we are surrounded. We must fight bravely to have a chance at survival. Legion Commander Valerius is not far behind, he will surely find a way to come to our aid!"