Legion Archer

"I've heard Cretan archers are good bowmen but weak skirmishers," a Tribune offered. "It has something to do with the teeny, tiny shields they wear like jewelry on their left forearms." "They wear jewelry into combat," Tribune Scipio moaned. "What have I done?" Set in the desperate years of the Second Punic War, the series follows the exploits of Cretan archer Jace Kasia and Roman Legion Tribune Cornelius Scipio. One is a castaway searching for a home while the other seeks to step out of the shadow of a famous father. On their journey from exile, the orphan and the descendant will need to come together to save a trapped Legion from total annihilation. Welcome to 232 B.C. From J. Clifton Slater, author of the nineteen-book series Clay Warrior Stories, comes a new historical adventure. Complete with all the action, personal conflict, actual locations, brutal battles, and historical notes you've come to expect. A Legion Archer series takes you inside the war that almost broke the Roman Republic.

Three battles into the second war between Carthage and Rome, the Republic was reeling. Hannibal Barca moved through the countryside burning, looting, and attracting recruits and supplies from disgruntled city residents and tribesmen. Cornelius Scipio remained with the forward Legions, taking any position available. It spoke well of his loyalty, but his actions hid a deeper secret. Cornelius feared the Scipio men would be accused of being cowards. With his father and uncle in Iberia, and seemingly avoiding the Punic General, it was up to him to fight for his family's reputation. Jace Kasia had no family but had a goal to be recognized as a Cretan archer. On the banks of Lake Trasimene, he earned the position of File Leader. Except he lacked the years of seasoning gained by the older archer commanders. The experience would come if he lived through the campaigns while fighting for Rome. And fight for Rome he must. Both young men owed their advancements to defiant personalities. While some might argue they were too young, General Hannibal and his mercenaries didn't care. They would kill every Republic soldier and commander with no pity for the rebellious. Welcome to 217 B. C.

Challenges, oaths, and prophecies Cornelius Scipio and Jace Kasia were passionate about their missions, but on a collision course. Unfortunately, one would have to lose for the other to accomplish his goal. As a staff officer, Tribune Cornelius Scipio had experienced more combat and defeat than men twice his age. Now, as a youth of twenty-years-old, this veteran thirsted for a command of his own. Somehow, Cretan archer Jace Kasia had become the defender of the Hirpini people. In that capacity, he fought both Roman Legionnaires and Carthaginian mercenaries. But when he tangled with the Hirpini Chief of Chiefs, his number of enemies tripled, and his sanctuary shrank to zero. Challenges, oaths, and prophecies create a dangerous and convergent path. To survive against the threats will require Cornelius and Jace to combine their unique heritages. Welcome to 215 B.C.

In war, there are no easy choices. The Second Punic War made gamblers of the Mediterranean world. Declare for Carthage or declare for Rome? The odds are 50/50 for life or death. Apollonides of Syracuse observed, "No city has ever had a brighter prospect of permanent security or a stronger chance of being utterly ruined than we have at the present moment." Pick a side Syracuse; Capua; Iberian people of the Ebro River; Tribes of the Po River Valley. But remember, you'll flourish under one or suffer annihilation from the other. In war, there are no easy choices. Centurion Jace Kasia and Aedile Cornelius Scipio are dealing with Senators who are limited by tradition. But if Jace and Cornelius are to fulfill their Legion legacy, prove a prophecy, and get back to winning the war, they must manipulate the Senate of Rome to make the right decision. Because in politics as in war, there are no easy choices. Welcome to 213 B.C.

In the seven years since he crossed the Alps and began his war against the Roman Republic, Hannibal Barca stood unbeaten in battle. However, maintaining a large army was a costly proposition and the government of Carthage proved stingy with its coins. To intercept the supplies destined for Hannibal, the Senate of Rome stationed Legions in Iberia. But, when the Legions were destroyed by Hannibal's brother and their Generals killed, the Senate could not find a willing replacement. Enter one Tribune who hungered for the position. Underaged and untested as a Battle Commander, he petitioned the Senate for the assignment to Iberia. Desperate, but hesitant to invest too much money in a young General who would be dead in weeks, they gave him the title, a new Legion, but no funding. BR> Having the authority of Rome did not guarantee Cornelius Scipio success. To accomplish his goals, the youthful commander needed to draft men and equipment from allies. And then, with the help of Centurion Jace Kasia, mold his untested Legions into a fighting force. In short, Cornelius needed to learn to talk logistics before Hannibal's brother, Hasdrubal Barca, pushed the Romans into the sea. Welcome to 211 B.C.

When a military commander makes a bold move, it can fail, making the situation worse. Or, the tactic can succeed, but create lackluster results. Yet rarely, the outcome is so dramatic, it changes the complexion of an entire campaign. Cornelius Scipio marched his outnumbered Legions south, and in a lightning assault, captured New Carthage. The ramifications rocked the confidence of the three Punic Generals in Iberia. They vowed to drive the Legions into the sea and kill Scipio just as they had his father and his uncle. Plus, the loss of a large commercial center hampered Hannibal's activities in the Republic. And throughout the government of Carthage, the young General's victory cast doubt on the future. In one daring and potentially disastrous undertaking, Cornelius shuffled alliances, created treaties, and drew warriors to his Legions. The success made Cornelius Scipio one the richest men in Iberia. And, placed him among the most powerful military commanders in the western Mediterranean region. His supporters in the Senate applauded his success and acknowledged the miraculous accomplishments. His detractors, one the other hand, considered Cornelius Scipio a danger to the Republic and a threat to the good order of Rome. Some even whispered the most vile insult one could lodge against a loyal citizen.

It's been said, "You may not think you're at war. But a surprise attack by an enemy means they are at war with you, so you'd best prepare." Metaphorically, the same can be said of an apprentice of war. There was no doubt, Hannibal Barca was a master of war. Since he came down from the Alps and swept away the Roman Legions sent to stop him, he proved it to Rome and to the rest of the ancient world. Yet, from the first engagement on Republic soil, Hannibal attracted an apprentice. Unknown to the great Carthaginian General, a teen in the first battle of the 2nd Punic War began to learn from the master. He went through all the stages: That of an ill-equipped young man with a thirst for vengeance; later, a brash officer willing to test himself against the odds; and finally, to a leader who understood his own weaknesses. Cornelius Scipio began to apply the lessons of Hannibal Barca and sharpen his skills in preparation to fulfill his fate. For now, he would focus his talents on Hannibal's brother and the other Carthaginian generals in Iberia. But an unexpected foe would insert itself into his plans. And he would learn not all victories are decided from dawn to death. Some come at you in the afternoon from unexpected directions.

The General's Tribune Once the Carthaginian forces were removed from Iberia, the reinforcements and supplies for Hannibal Barca dwindled to a trickle. Even so, Hannibal held onto the southwest quadrant of the Italian peninsula and remained a danger to the Republic. Although made rich from his conquests, the architect of the victory in Iberia retreated to Rome. Too proud to serve under another General, but too young to be a Senator or a Consul/General, Cornelius Scipio acted the part of a civilian. But under the toga, he burned with the desire to face Hannibal in battle. While trading political favors, he grew, thanks to his wife, in popularity with the elites and the citizens of Rome. To what end, few knew, and even less would understand his impossible plan. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Mediterranean, Cretan Archer Kasia worked on a contract in a comfortable urban setting. But war was coming to Egypt. When the rebellion materialized, God/King Ptolemy IV would raise a Pharaoh's army. And when the Pharaoh marched south, Jace Kasia would go with him. Welcome to 205 B. C.

Orphan Jace Kasia might have found a home in the green hills and golden valleys of the Insubri. But several things prevented him from relishing his new life. He didn't know his name, he couldn't recollect his training, and he lived like a dog on a farm outside a border town. Although the Carthaginian General had departed for Africa, the defensive profile of the Legions needed to contain Hannibal continued to linger like a bad odor. Like other nations forced into agreements, the tribes sought to break treaties and unharness from the tack and yoke of Rome. And while hot-blooded young warriors agreed with the old men, the adults of the tribe stopped any aggressive actions. Little did they realize, chaos was coming to the land of the Insubri. Yet, arising from an unlikely place, a war leader with the knowledge to defeat the Legions would emerge. However, before he could assume the role of a War Chief, the Latian Dog had to get out of the freezing cold storage shed. Then all Archer Jace Kasia needed to do to claim his new home, and the Salvation of Exile, was to shake off the confusion in his mind and remember. Welcome to 200 B.C.

The line of war elephants scattered the lightly armored Velites. In retreat, the skirmishers filtered through the Legion ranks. Not that it made a difference, but the First Maniple wore heavier armor and grasped bigger shields. But like the Velites, the Legionaries were no match for the enormous beasts. Tusks capped with bronze tips swung, defining the width of destruction expected by each Century. Archers on the backs of the animals launched arrows into the Legion ranks. Legionaries fell from the arrows, were pulled back and off their combat lines. Those were the lucky ones. Behind the elephants, a horde of Hannibal Barca's best infantrymen kept pace. Modest in its simplicity, the plan was devised for one outcome. Ram through with the elephants, followed by the light infantry, who would maintain avenues through the Legion lines. Next up, the heavies infiltrated the broken lines, adding their spears and shields. Discipline would breakdown, Legionaries would panic, and victory would go to the killers of the African Corps. With the Roman Legions across the field from the Carthaginian army, General Cornelius Scipio, and General Hannibal Barca would finally match wits. God-like in their commands with conquests by the hundreds, they were far above any contemporaries. Except perhaps for the General across the contested landscape.