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Agrimensores
Marcus Minucius Audens
Immunes Gromaciti / Architechturas
Legio III "Cyrenaica"
Many of the ancient civilizations from
as early as the Babylonian appointed officials who measured land and
set in place boundary marks. The boundary marks in many
countries were so important as to be protected by religious taboos.
The Roman being a very methodical and practical people proceeded in
their land surveys with a trained group of professionals called
"agrimensores" (measurers of land). In their
surveys they primarily used an instrument called a "groma."
This was essentially a cross mounted on an offset bracket which in
turn was mounted on the end of a staff. This is what we think
was the primary measuring instrument, based on the findings of the
metal parts of this instrument in the surveyors shop, found during the
1914 excavation of Pompeii.
Essentially the "groma" is limited in that it is good only
for measuring straight lines and right angles. Therefore, most
Roman work in this area was done in rectangles and squares, the square
being the most utilized. In regard to the measurement of state lands
the appointed "agrimensore" would begin his survey at a
chosen point, and plot a "limes" (dividing line) in each of
the four directions that were planned or directed by higher authority.
The squares / rectangles which resulted from these surveys were known
as "centuriae" (centuries -- because theoretically
they contained 100 plots of the early size of a smallholding).
Very often these area sides measured out at 2,400 Roman feet
(770- 776 yds, 705-710 m) and each one containing in area the quantity
of land known as 200 "iugera." This land measurement
was equal to approximately 124-126 acres or 50 -54 hectares).
This division of lands into centuries was known as centuriation, and
was particularly utilized in the Roman colonies, and associated with
the allotment of land in new Roman settlements. As the Roman
Republic and later the Empire increased it's sphere of influence, more
new lands were acquired, and more new colonies were founded.
Thus, land surveyors were needed to set the boundaries of these lands
and they were in great demand.
The training of " agrimensores" began to be standardized
under the Empire, and was quite extensive in both expanse of the
learning program and the detail of the material. This program included
cosmology, astronomy, the geometry of areas, orientation, sighting and
leveling, a knowledge of current land law, the status of different
types of land, techniques of centuriation, boundary definition,
allocation of land, mapping, and recording. Training for both
architectural and military surveyors was separately organized, By the
late Empire the whole system became more bureaucratic and the
"agrimensores" rose in status. They became judges or
arbitrators in cases where land law as involved.
Part I -- (to be continued)
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Reference:-- O.A.W. Dilke, "The Roman Land Surveyors -- An
Introduction to the Agrimensores," Adolf M. Hakkert Pub.,
Amsterdam, 1992, (ISBN 90-256-1000-5)
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The
Legions March
The winter snows form shining
streams in Spring's bright light;
The roads lay straight and true;
The primrose blooms by the roadside right;
Unburdened by mud and snow.
The Legions March!!
Unfurled the banners wave;
Brightly the Signifer's burden shines;
The horns proclaim the mighty tread;
Of sandaled feet upon the way.
The Legions March!!
Armor sounds as music military upon the air;
"Gladius" and "Pilum" show well their vicious
teeth;
The lightning bolts shine gold anew;
While "Aquila" soars silver over all.
The Legions March!!
Thousands of feet raise the dust, on the road to glory;
Thousands of throats chant the marching rhythm, under the Centurion's
time;
Thousands of arms swing in cadence strong;
As the endless legion moves along.
The Legions March!!
Ever onward o'er plain and mountain;
Never hesitating, never faltering;
Secure in strength and faith in Gods divine;
the legion moves ever toward it's goal.
The Legions March!!
To the East and West they seek their way;
Along Roman Roads and other tracks;
They hasten forward toward victory and gold;
Or whatever the gods and fate will bring.
The Legions March!!
Long lines of soldiers stern, look to the front;
Both those of wide experience and those of none;
Seeking after the Empire's need, or the Emperors wild desire.;
To those in armor 'tis all one.
The Legions March!!
It matters not the reason for their hastening;
Each man of Legion knowing his duty;
Each man of Legion sharing his strength;
To the goal ahead, the reason meaningless.
The Legions March!!!
Strike the Cymbal, Beat the Drum:
Sound the horn and Clash the shields;
Let those whom you oppose;
Know of your eminent approach.
The Legions March!!
Let the enemy flee and hide;
Let them fear their fate now near;
Of the mighty legion's now so close;
Let them feel their terrible fear
The Legions March!!
Proud the "Legate' rides ahead;
Surrounded by his officer corps;
Proud he exults in power and strength;
The legion behind pressing more.
The Legions March!!
Who will stand against this might?
Who will oppose this machine?
Who will provide a target for the Pila bright?
Who will face the fierce and steadfast mass, and live to fight again?
The Legions March!!
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The "Storm" has inspired me. I fear the Muse does not
look upon me with any great favor, but the urge lay upon me
notwithstanding.
Respectfully;
Marcus Audens
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The
Bridge
Marcus Minucius-Tiberius Audens
In the twilight of a waning day the bridge lay dark and silent in the
deep shadow of the cliffs above. Dark stains on the floor of the
bridge and the twisted bodies of the fallen nearby gave silent
testimony to the battle which had raged here during the long and
punishing day just past. Below the bridge, the river roared over
the smoothed boulders deep in the gorge unmindful of the carnage which
lay about the pathway across this cut through the mountains.
This advanced cohort had been sent to hold this bridge against the
barbarians who barred the way. Now the first battle was over and
the forces of the Emperor held sway here, But for how long no-one
knew, and how many more battles would be needed to hold this road into
the interior was anyone's guess.
The bridge itself stood as an inanimate thing to be fought over by the
greed and ego of man which caused the agony and spilling of blood here
in this wilderness and very distant part of the Empire. Through
the trees could be seen the flickering lights of many campfires in the
Roman Camp which provided the only illumination by which the surgeons
were at their grisly work sewing wounds, extracting implements of war
from the bodies of legionaries, and in the worst of the cases removing
the limbs which ere too badly crushed or torn to heal. There was
an eerie silence about the camp as the surgeons generously used the
juice of the poppy to ease the pain of their patients, and while the
rest of the legion lie in an exhausted stupor beneath the trees where
they had dragged their weary bodies after the long battle.
Severus lay under a great tree together with four others of his
century. His cloak was drawn over him up to his chin against the
cool night air, and he was aching all over from his extreme exertions
of the day. As he dozed he lived again the battle and realized
through his exhaustion that he was also very confused. Confused
about the hated Centurion who seemed to be in every place where
Severus had made a mistake, and always ready to deliver a stinging
blow with his vine staff by way of correction. But today had
been different. The "great" man had fought beside him
as a shield-mate and had encouraged him in the rough way of the
Centurion. It might even be said that the
"encouragement" had saved his life if he were to be
perfectly honest about his efforts at the bridge. He had been
revolted when the bloody coils of bowel spilled from the belly of his
antagonist and covered his hand and arm with a warm and foul glove of
blood and pus. But there was no time to be revolted as the
Centurion shouted his directions and Severus found himself
automatically following those directions in the automatic thrust and
slash motions that he had practiced a thousand times over at the
practice butts under the eagle eye of the Tessarius who saw every
error and mistake and corrected them with a cuff or a kick. It
seemed that his burly enemy had literally driven himself onto the
sword point, and it would be long indeed before Severus forgot the
shrill scream of the burly man as his life drained away with the dark
rush of blood from his lacerated torso.
A light breeze stirred the hair on his wet brow and as he looked
upward into the mighty branches and volumes of leaves of this great
tree, he mumbled a brief thank-you to the spirit of this forest giant
for the protection it afforded and promised with his last conscience
thought a measure of wine when the relief wagons arrived on the
morrow.
Severus awoke to the shrieking of an ungreased wagon wheel as one of
the legion's supply wagons rolled into the camp. As he rolled
over to look , his eye caught a burial party digging a large common
grave for the dead of the legion while another group stripped the
enemy bodies of their valuables, weapons and armor before dragging
them into pile at the edge of the canyon. The enemy prisoners
were securely tied and seated under a heavy guard outside of the camp
perimeter giving credit to the fierceness of their fight on the
previous day. The Tribune's tent was going up and the two
Centurion's tents were spread on the ground, and he could see the line
of wagons across the bridge bringing food, wine and camp gear.
It would appear that the Tribune intended to make camp here for at
least the day, probably to protect the hard-won bridge. He was
surprised that he had not been awoken earlier for these work details.
He was usually the first to be chosen for such work. Severus
felt better this morning. His arm was still sore, but he would
exercise it vigorously and work out the knots.later. he moved
over to the small pool fed by a spring up on the hill above the camp.
He splashed water on his face and washed the filth from his hands and
arm with a shiver. The water was cold, but is shiver was from
the memory of the yesterday's battle, and he then addressed the
brownish stains on his tunic. He began to look about for his
comrades and see about some breakfast when the piercing sound of the
Centurions whistle rent the air and the legionaries began to move
quickly toward the gathering centuries. Severus ran with the
rest to hear the latest news.
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On
Concealing One's Plans
Marcus Minucius-Tiberius
Audens
Marcus Portius Cato believed that, when the opportunity offered, the
Spanish cities which he had subdued would revolt, relying upon the
protection of their walls. He therefore wrote to each of the
cities ordering them to destroy their fortifications., and threatening
war unless they obeyed forthwith. He ordered these letters to be
delivered to all the cities on the same day. Each city supposed
that it alone had received the commands; had they known that the same
orders had been sent to all, they could have joined forces and refused
obedience.
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Himilco, the Carthaginian General, desiring to land in Sicily by
surprise, made no public announcement as to the destination of his
voyage, but gave the Captains sealed letters in which were
instructions on what port to make, with further direction that no-one
should read these unless separated from the (command) ship by a
violent storm
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When Gaius Laelius went as envoy to Syphax, he took with him as spies,
certain tribunes and centurions whom he represented to be slaves and
attendants. One of these, Lucius Statorius, who had been rather
frequently in the same camp, and whom certain of the enemy seemed to
recognize Laelius (was) caned as a slave in order to conceal the man's
rank.
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Tarquin the Proud, having decided that the leading citizens of Gabii
should be put to death, and not wishing to confide his purpose to
anyone, gave no response to the messenger sent to him by his son, but
merely cut off the tallest poppy heads with his cane as he waked about
in the garden. The messenger returning without (an) answer
reported to the young Tarquin what he had seen his father doing.
The son thereupon understood that the same thing was to be done to the
prominent citizens of Gabii
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Gaius Caesar, distrusting the loyalty of the Egyptians, and wishing to
give the impression of indifference, indulged in riotous banqueting
while devoting himself to the inspection of the city and its defenses,
pretending to be captured by the charm of the place, and to be
succumbing to the customs and life of the Egyptians. Having made
ready his reserve while he thus dissembled, he seized Egypt.
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When Vindius was waging war against the Parthian King Pacorus, knowing
that a certain Pharnaeus from the province of Cyrrhestica. one of
those pretending to be allies, was revealing to the Parthians all the
preparations of his own army, he turned the treachery of the barbarian
to his own advantage; for he pretended to be afraid that those things
would happen which he was particularly desirous should happen, and
pretended to desire those things to happen which he really dreaded.
So, fearful that the Parthians would cross the Euphrates before he
could be reinforced by the legions which were stationed beyond the
Taurus Mountains in Cappadocia, he earnestly endeavored to make this
traitor, according to his usual putridity, advise the Parthians to
lead their army across through Zeugma, where the route was shortest,
and where the Euphrates flows in a deep channel; for he declared that,
if the Parthians came by that road, he could avail himself of the
protection of the hills for eluding their archers; but that he feared
disaster if they should advance by the lower road through the open
plains. Influenced by this information, the barbarians led their
army by a circuitous route over the lower road, and spent above forty
days in preparing materials and in constructing a bridge across the
river at a point where the banks were quite widely separated, and
where building the bridge required more work. Ventidius utilized
this interval for reuniting his forces, and having assembled these,
three days before the Parthians arrived, he opened battle, conquered
Pacorus and killed him.
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Mithridates when he was blockaded by Pompey and planned to retreat the
next day, wishing to conceal his purpose, made foraging expeditions
over a wide territory, and even to the valleys adjacent to the enemy.
For the purpose of further averting suspicion, he also arranged
conferences for a subsequent date with several of his foes; and
ordered numerous fires to be lighted throughout the camp. Then
in the second watch led his forces directly past the camp of the
enemy.
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When the Emperor Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus wished to crush
the Germans, who were in arms, realizing that they would make greater
preparations for war if they saw the arrival of so eminent a commander
as himself, he concealed the reason for his departure from Rome under
the pretext of taking a census of the Gallic Provinces. Under
cover of this he plunged into sudden warfare, crushed the ferocity of
the savage tribes, and thus acted for the good of the provinces.
Reference;
Charles E. Bennet (trans.) "Frontinius -- Stratagems," Loeb
Classical Library, Harvard University Press, Cambridge and London,
1995, Pages 9-13.
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