Blog

Sept 8

I have just signed up for the XV Apollinaris Legion yesterday. It seems like they were short on men, as they even accepted a person who was shorter than the required height. They ran me through a couple of test, such as weight lifting, and then swore me in. I am to join my legion in Vidobona, so I will be leaving Rome shortly with my comrades.

Nov 21

It’s been over 3 months since I signed up, and training has been gruelling. The first few weeks we were forced to march 20 miles a day. After a while, our training master made us march 40 miles a day and we had to repeat this for the first month and a half. Soon after, we were starting to train with wooden gladius and shield against the wooden post. Our arms would feel like it would drop off at the end of the day. Whoever made the wooden gladius decided to make it 10 kg heavier than the real thing, which is a huge pain in the behind. Tomorrow we will be starting to train with the pilum. I heard from the other legionnaires that it’s a worthless piece of equipment that we’ll be lugging around for the next 10 years; wonderful.

January 12

I’m going to keep this journal short, but I just got my new armor and weapons! They look really deadly and sharp. Getting my armor to fit me was a real pain though. It took the blacksmith a couple of tries, but soon enough it worked. I had to spend a bit extra on my gladius though. I wanted a high carbon sword, and they were short on those. Cost me a few extra coins, but I got it. I’m going to try them on tonight when we go sparring.

Oct 3

We are having our first battle with the Parthians tomorrow. We have set up camp, and everyone’s shaking with excitement. We’ve been sharpening our sword and polishing our armor like a pack of crazed dogs. Everyone think this is going to be an easy battle, as we have the better weapon, and better training. I have some doubts about this though. The last time one of our legions fought them, they were decimated and completely destroyed. I really don’t want to die at all. I want to see my family again. I pray to the gods that we will be victorious in this battle, so I can live and see my family again.

Oct 4

            Well, it’s over. We won. We barely held, but we won in the end. I watched as my friends and comrades for the past year fall and die right in front of me. I would mourn them right now, but I’m so exhausted that I can’t. This is only the first of many skirmishes, and I’m sure soon or later it will be my turn as well. The shroud of death looms over us, and the feeling is hard to shake off. The legion will be marching further into Parthia in a day or so, but the centurions gave us a day off to rest. I will be writing letters to inform the parents. May the gods bless us all.