Assignment 4

In 50 BC, Julius Caesar and his legion are about to fight their final battle of the Gallic wars. Faustius Aemilius Galeo (whose third name ironically means “helmet”) is a young, novice soldier who hails from the equestrian class. However, he has not experienced the taste of battle, nor has he wielded a weapon. To him, his lorica squamata (scale armor), scutum (shield), and galea (helmet) were just decorations. They were meant to protect him, but that meant nothing if he never tasted battle.

 Galeo knew that holding a position in Caesar’s legion that eventually he would have to unsheathe his blade, or draw his spear to end another’s life. That moment eventually came when a collection of Gallic tribes ambushed General Caesar’s legion, and killed off several members of the army. Faced with near death, Galeo had to choose between being killed or becoming a murderer himself. As an enemy soldier readied his weapon, Galeo quickly drew his gladius and impaled the soldier. Galeo stood transfixed at the sight of his blade which ran through his attacker’s abdomen. As he retracted his arm with his sword, the enemy soldier fell on the ground. Galeo then realized that he had reached the point of no return. He had killed a man, and, as a soldier, he would have to repetitively kill more for the “good of his country”. Little did he know, the upcoming battles would challenge his mental resolve.  To seek guidance, he turned to the aged general, Lucius Scribonius Ducitius.

                Ducitius always looked at Galeo, and saw a younger version of himself. Naïve, eager, and inexperienced. However, he was quite envious of his high status, and how his family owned land and was in consistently good relations with the senatorial class. While Ducitius is a general, he had not one ounce of patrician blood in him. Rather, he was a former plebian who improved his social standing along with his military rank. Galeo admired Ducitius because of his experience in Caesar’s legion for the eight-year long campaign against the Gallic tribes. He had everything Galeo ever wanted: experience, fame, and military status. These views Galeo and Ducitius had of each other led to a mentor-pupil relationship between the general and the novice.

                As the Civil War approaches, Galeo and Ducitius must face the trials and tribulations brought to them by war against their fellow countrymen.