Ivo Ragazzini

SECRETS OF THE RUBICON

Rome's Ruby Red Line

Original title: I Segreti del Rubicone

Translated by: Rosemary Dawn Allison

© "Secrets of the Rubicon"

© 2018 Ivo Ragazzini

First paperback edition November 2018 -- Montag Edizioni

Second paperback edition September 2020

First digital edition August 2019

Second digital edition September 2020

The Author reserves all rights, including reproduction and even partial translation into any other language. The reproduction and use of this work, even partial and by any means, be it graphic, electronic or mechanical, is not permitted without the Author's written authorization. The same does not authorize the modification, or translation into any other language, of one or more parts of this work. Any unauthorized use constitutes a violation of copyright.

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ragazzini.ivo@gmail.com

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Contents

Contents

Preface

Where the Rubicon lay was also the road to Rome

What was the real Rubicon?

The conversation between Caesar and Hortensius continues

Brief historical introduction

Caesar's arrival in Cesena (Curve Caes Arena)

The Urgon witch

The disposition of Caesar and Pompey's troops

Mark Anthony, Hortensius and Caesar's plan

Caesar's political plan for Rome

Caesar climbs the Colle Garampo to observe Pompey's troops

Curva Caes Arena -- Caesar's circular arena

The Gallic legions arrive and begin to resettle the land in Romagna

La Caveja the symbol of Romagna

A Flamen comes to threaten Caesar telling him not to dare cross the Rubicon

The curse of the Rubicon

The conversation between Caesar and the Flamen

The Flamen curses the Rubicon border

Superstition makes Caesar free a few horses on the Rubicon to make them cross the forbidden border

The Urgon witch

What was happening beyond the Rubicon among Pompey's ranks?

The mysterious caves of Santarcangelo di Romagna

The Cult of Mithras

The elections for the Chief Consul of the Year in Rome

Caesar's secret plan

Arriving in Rome, Caesar's men set about seeking alliances to influence his election

The festivities for the Head of the Year -- The New Year

New Year on the Rubicon

Caesar secretly arranges the plan to attack the Rubicon

Caesar pulls back to Ravenna far from the Rubicon

The day before the attack on the Rubicon

The Rubicon Malanotte

Rubicon nightmares

Caesar crosses the Rubicon and takes Rimini by surprise

The Urgon Malanotte and the Caligaes cemetery

The Caligaes cemetery

Pompey's troops on the Rubicon surrender to Caesar

Caesar receives a message from the Flamen Jovis

Was there a small area of neutral land between the borders of Romagna and Rome?

Caesar's descent to Rome and the dire forewarnings of the population

Caesar's march through the Marche

The cults in the temples of the Marche

Caesar's conquest of Italy

Caesar's end

Biography of the author

By the same author: "The Ghost of Girolamo Riario"

By the same author: "Under the Green Branches - The Last Ghibellines"

Preface

Once upon a time, on the way to Rome, there was a land that was traversed and defended by the Romans as a sacred, impassable border.

That land was formerly called Flaminia, it was then renamed Romagna for reasons that you will soon discover for yourself.

Today that sacred and impenetrable border, protected by the Gods of Rome, is no longer, but it existed then and many events occurred around there.

At that time the Romans knew very well what that border was and why they had built it, but from the Middle Ages until today, no one knew where it really was and many have tried to find it.

But there was no unified search and three or four conflicting theories have arisen regarding its location.

But where did that border go? And mostly, what really happened there?

Today, and for centuries, many have continued to ask themselves this question. Occasionally various societies and academies have gathered together in argumentative meetings to decide, now in favor of one place, now in favor of another.

But to questions such as:

For who and why was that border built the first time?

Why and how was it built?

Why did the Romans call it Puniceus Rubicon?

Why were there red sands that no longer exist today?

Was there a place called 'Malanotte' (Dreadful night) on the banks of that border?

Did Caesar and many Roman legionaries have nightmares or a Malanotte before crossing that border?

It seems that no one has tried to answer these and many other questions.

And that is shame, because it would have led to discovering a few answers and much more about what the Rubicon was, and what it was for, which would have led to discovering why and who had built that border, plus many other novelties that you will discover for yourself while reading.

Briefly, we have been discussing and researching the location of the Rubicon for centuries, but before finding the location of this border, many failed to discover what it was for and who and why built it the first time before Caesar was even born.

And if anyone had investigated these things thoroughly, I am convinced they would inevitably have discovered this and more.

I only add that this book, is not a rehashing of other works, and will lead you to discover many other mysteries and stories about the history of Rome, the Rubicon and ancient Romagna for the first time that you may never have suspected.

Straddling somewhere between an essay and historical account, the way is opened through twenty centuries of history and paths that have never been travelled before. This book is based on historical research, forgotten local legends, etymological research and observations that have never been made before. For the first time, light is shed on the darkness of those disputed events on the ruby-red border named the Rubicon. A unique story has been created that refers to nothing that has been written previously on the subject.

In particular, this book will answer the following questions for the first time:

What really was the Rubicon?

Why was it given that name?

Who for and why was the border created long before Caesar?

What was Romagna at the time?

What were the symbols and insignia used by Caesar's Gallic legions?

What insults did the Roman legionaries and warriors of that time shout?

What was the New Year's feast at the time of Caesar?

Why did Caesar cross the Rubicon immediately after the New Year's elections?

And, to tell the truth, many other things that you may never have guessed at, in a crescendo of facts and revelations that will reveal many facts and places that have been forgotten by history during that turbulent period of transition from republic to the Roman Empire.

So, enjoy reading and rediscovering the history of the Rubicon as well as many other facts.

Where the Rubicon lay was also the road to Rome

Romagna towards the end of 50 BCE (before common era). Julius Caesar and his military escort turned away from Ravenna to travel to Cesena

"Ubi est Rubico finis, etiam est Roman Via" (Where there is the Rubicon border there is also the road to Rome), Caesar told the young escort commander Quintus Hortensius who was sitting next to him on a military chariot, when they travelled from Ravenna they crossed the road leading to Cesena, which was guarded by the Tenth1 legion. It was one of the places Caesar, already in debt for a sum of over one hundred million sesterces, was building in Romagna near the border called the Rubicon.

"Did you know that Hortensius?" added Caesar.

"I've never been there but once a centurion told me something like that," replied Commander Hortensius in Latin mixed with Gallic.

"Did he at least tell you who built it and why it was called Puniceus Rubicon2 ?" asked Caesar.

"No."

"Then that centurion didn't explain very much to you," smiled Caesar.

"Would you teach me, General Caesar?"

"Very well, Commander Hortensius."

"Many years ago, when there was no Romanavia3 , a tribune called Flaminius built a road that led from Rome to Rimini in this land that was named Flaminia in his honor."

"However, a few years later a Punic general named Hannibal crossed the Alps and surprised Rome from northern Italy."

"So the Tribune Flaminius was appointed Consul and the Senate quickly ordered him to defend the road to Rome, which he had just finished building, and to construct a defensive line to block access and prevent Hannibal descending towards Rome."

"And so, the consul Flaminius, built that series of lines of defenses on a few rivers and trenches between the current Caes Arena and Ariminium and called it Puniceus Rubico4 . These defenses were hurriedly constructed because he had to halt the Punic Hannibal's descent towards the Via Flaminia, the only road that led from the north directly to Rome," explained Caesar.

"Thank you Caesar. Why do they call it Rubico finis today?" asked Hortensius.

"Because it is a ruby-red line that is still impassable to enemies and protected by the Gods of Rome. These defenses were cordoned off by palisades made of maritime pines that were taken from the enormous pine forests you see around here. It was then painted rubico,5 the sacred color of Rome, and made inviolable by the Gods with a sacred ritual performed by a few Flaminian6 priests who placed the terrifying spirits of our Patres to guard the border and punish whoever dared to cross it armed."

"So, it was forbidden to cross the Rubicon armed for this reason?" asked Hortensius a little alarmed.

"Certainly, but I should add they also placed legionaries to guard it, because sometimes the gods alone are not enough. And seeing that now the Punic threat has disappeared, most people only call it the Rubicon and leave it standing to prevent any barbarians and enemies from the north descending towards Rome." Smiling Caesar added, "Including Roman and Gallic legionaries, of course."

"Therefore Rubicon means ruby-red, noble Caesar?"

"Of course, it is the sacred color of Rome, the ruby color that you still see on all our dispatches and red-bordered notes that we use and receive from Rome,"7 replied Caesar.

"Thank you Caesar, I didn't know. Could you also explain why the Roman legionaries are afraid to cross it, while those of Gallic origin are not?"

"Because whoever is Roman and crosses it becomes a traitor and, it is said, the Gods of Rome will strike them down with a bolt of lightening, while whoever is not Roman will be defeated by the soldiers of Rome helped by the Gods. Or at least so some Flaminia priests say, who every now and then perform a ritual to curse anyone who tries to cross it bearing arms," Caesar answered with a smile.

"With all these curses surrounding it, wouldn't you be afraid to cross it also, noble Caesar?"

After thinking a while Caesar replied: "A little, yes, but not much."

"So it is only because of the Flaminian priests' sacred protection that our Gallic legionaries would be willing to attack it, while the Roman legionaries would not," asked Hortensius, thoughtfully.

"Of course, the problem is not only military, but religious also," replied Caesar smiling.

"Is the Rubicon still defended by that red palisade?" asked Hortensius.

"Yes. Those ruby-red painted poles are occasionally restored and rededicated by a Flamen Dialis8 and must eternally protect and ensure people know where the Rome border is located, beyond which it is forbidden to march armed. Once Hannibal was defeated, that border was simply called Rubicon and now it has remained the border for entering and leaving the Roman territory," explained Caesar.

"I read a report that says: two legions under Pompey have left the Rubicon and lined up almost below Cesena," said Hortensius, increasingly curious to learn new things.

"Yes, but they haven't really left the Rubicon; they have arranged themselves on the three defensive lines that have always been the Rubicon since the time of Flaminius, when he tried to stop Hannibal between Rimini and Cesena."

A little surprised Hortensius asked, "The Rubicon has three defensive lines between Rimini and Cesena?"

"Of course, Commander Hortensius. The Rubicon was built on three defensive lines, spaced far enough apart from each other so that it was possible to maneuver between them without difficulty and thwart enemy attacks, as our Roman strategy for war should have taught you long ago," Caesar smiled slightly, who saw Hortensius as his young student.

"And which of the three lines would the Rubicon be?"

"They are all three defensive lines of the Rubicon, but only the final red line, the one just before Ariminium, built on the Pluso9 river is the one that is protected by a fence and made impassable to anyone coming armed against Rome," explained Caesar.

Hortensius was thoughtful for a moment and then added:

"What if we crossed it armed?"

"We will immediately be declared traitors and enemies of Rome."

"I understand. Why is that area called Romandia?" asked Hortensius, as tirelessly curious as he was.

"It is called Romandia, because it means crossing and the Roman district, in peacetime it is used to disband the legions before entering Rome or to rearrange and reorganize them to go north."

"Moreover, if you have read the latest military report, they are afraid we'll cross that line and they've hurriedly sent two Pompeian legions to the front line near Cesena to reinforce that area to prevent us from crossing," explained Caesar.

"Yes, I've read that report as well. It says the Pompeian legions have left the Rubicon and lined up on some well-defended rivers and trenches and are quite close to Cesena," replied Hortensius.

"Exactly, but I want you to look at the situation better," said Caesar as he pulled out a map of the place drawn on parchment that he opened in front of Hortensius.

"Pompey's legionaries camped, more or less here, near Caes Arena, as did the Consul Flaminius against Hannibal. And their first line was located on this river, which can be flooded by diverting the waters thanks to the locks and channels located upstream a few miles towards the mountains above Caes Arena," said Caesar while showing him the place on the map.

"And where is the Rubicon's second line?" asked Hortensius.

"It's here! A few miles back on another stream, at a place called Ad Confluentes, which can always be flooded by diverting the waters upstream," Caesar showed Hortensius where it was on the map.

"And where is the final line?"

"It is this red line you see drawn here, a few miles further south near Ariminium,10 where it is defended by a red wooden fence that stands as much as four meters tall for the reasons I've just told you. And this is the impassable border that, with or without the favor of the Gods, I intend to cross," concluded Caesar threateningly.

What was the real Rubicon?

You should have understood this already from the conversation between Caesar and Hortensius, but let's try to summarize what has happened over time.

For centuries historians have debated and puzzled about what the real Rubicon was because of the fact that according to historical sources, legends and geological reconstructions, it now seems to have been a river that passed near Cesena, now other rivers between Savignano and Santarcangelo di Romagna,11 which was true in a way, but a few details were lacking that created a little confusion.

The confusion was related to the fact that long before, at the time of the Consul Flaminius, the Romans had created a defense made up of three defensive lines arranged one behind the other, as instructed by the military technique of the time, to stop no one less than Hannibal12 who had crossed the Alps with his troops and some elephants and would descend towards Rome by way of the Via Flaminia. Its construction had been completed a few years before, and the people in the area had named it Roman-Dia and also Roman-Via, which meant, if you prefer, Roman Crossing or Way to Roma.

The names Romània, Romandiola and the current Romagna were derived from these terms.

The final defensive line of the Rubicon had been drawn almost entirely on the river that is known today as the Uso.

The other two lines of the Rubicon were: one on the Pressatellum river today called Pisciatello and the other on the river now called Fiumicino. And probably both, if not all three, were linked by canals and hydraulic locks to the mountain springs of the Urgon, another river whose name historians believe meant Rubicon in the Romagna dialect, but which in Etruscan meant something else, as you will read more about later.13

Several miles of that boundary on the Uso river were cordoned off by a row of tall wooden poles and boards held together by iron and metal brackets and, until 1750, remnants of those palisades still existed on the banks of the Uso river, so much so that the farmers there used to take them to make agricultural tools.

If you now think that such a work was too large or impossible for the Romans, you should know that Crassus, a contemporary triumvirate of Caesar, created a similar work around 70 BCE, which divided Calabria in two, from the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian coast, with a four meter high palisade, to isolate the revolt of Spartacus and his rebel gladiators who had taken refuge in Aspromonte.

Moreover, the Rubicon had stones and red cultured sand on the Uso river that no longer exist today, but had been in existence until the end of the 1700s, as the academic historians of the time reported and argued about for a long time, theorizing that the Romans had colored them red to make it clear that this was the Rubicon.

However, those were not really stones and sand that the Romans had purposely colored red, but the ruby-red pigment that had fallen to the ground once the color on the wooden palisade had been swept away little by little by rain and floods, as time passed and the wood of the palisade had rotted.

Furthermore, opening barriers and water channels upstream from the sources of the Urgon would have swelled the Rubicon; the steep banks14 were raised artificially to sink those attacking and attempting to cross it on foot or on horseback into the mire, not to mention Hannibal's elephants.

The land, where the Rubicon was located, was called Roman-dia, diameter, district or Roman area, since the land was used by the legions to cross or camp entire units of legionaries, before entering the Roman territory or to recompose new legions, including veterans and those waiting nearby to be enlisted before marching to the north and the Gauls.

Therefore, when someone says that Romagna has always been a happy and hospitable land full of festivals and entertainment, they are telling the truth, because it was true even then, as was all the land along the border, where the legionaries from various places set down their arms, collected their reward and devoted themselves to various festivities and leisure time, while waiting for new engagements and assignments.

And perhaps it is not even a coincidence that many German citizens and those from northern Europe have continued to come to Romagna for their holidays for centuries and consider it their second home, but there is more to be learned about this.

The conversation between Caesar and Hortensius continues

As they continued to travel across Romagna, Caesar told Hortensius: "You should know that what Pompey is doing with us now, Gaius Flaminius had also been deployed to the Puniceus Rubicon in defense formation when he was waiting for Hannibal's descent."

"And how did it end between Flaminius and Hannibal?" asked Hortensius.

"It ended badly. The tribune Flaminius was good as a builder and politician, but he was a little less so as a soldier. He first built the Via Flaminia and then, using the same military engineers, he made a splendid defensive line against Hannibal. But he made a careless strategic error and none of it ended well," said Caesar

"What mistake did he make?"

"When some of Hannibal's units arrived in advance in front of the Rubicon, they saw the well-organized and defended lines that blocked their way to the road to Rome. So they decided to avoid getting into an inconvenient fight and to pass through the Apennines, departing Cesena and going towards Sassinia and Balneum, then continuing to Arretium in the Tiber valley,15 while the bulk of Hannibal's army went through the mountains above Modena and re-joined the units in advance."

"And then?"

"Flaminius felt cheated and made the strategic miscalculation of leaving the Rubicon with his troops, and he began to chase Hannibal through the Apennines. It was an immense tactical error because Hannibal, having crossed the Alps, had a tactical superiority on those mountainous trails, while Flaminius's legions were trained and accustomed to garrison a place and to march and maneuver in compact formation on flat, wide planes," Caesar explained.

"And how did it end?" asked Hortensius.

"It ended extremely badly. Flaminius began to pursue Hannibal who drew him into a long and narrow gorge, where there were mountains on one side and Lake Trasimeno on the other, which prevented him from being able to manoeuver.

While Hannibal was pretending to escape, he made his cavalry climb into the mountains to wait for the Roman troops and so, when Flaminius arrived, he was surprised by Hannibal's cavalry, who first tumbled large boulders onto the Roman formation, broke it apart and then fell upon them on horseback, exploiting the strength and speed they could gain down the mountain slopes to subdue and overwhelm them."

"At the same time a part of Hannibal's army, which had pretended to escape, turned and went to meet the Roman army to finish them off in hand-to-hand combat. Thousands of Romans died including Flaminius," explained Caesar.

"How is it possible that Flaminius made such a tactical error?" asked Hortensius.

"I've no idea. It was probably the senate in Rome that became scared and ordered Flaminius to leave the Rubicon to join the legions under another consul, who was waiting for Hannibal outside Rome, and then attack Hannibal together in the open plain."

"However Flaminius, during the march, reached Hannibal's army a lot earlier and began to pursue him closely, which is a very dangerous thing to do while moving in narrow spaces and roads because of the counter-moves and maneuvers the opposing army is able to perform."

"What countermoves?"

"Come on, Commander Hortensius. Counter moves such as halting to take them by surprise, turning and quickly preparing for battle and waiting for the enemy army, which continues to advance rapidly, falling into your hands as the vanguards are propelled by the units in the rear that march on too quickly and push through ever knowing what's happening up ahead," smiled Caesar who had seen and played such tactical maneuvers during military campaigns in Gaul.

"Ingenious. But how would you have done it, Caesar?"

"The senate should have ordered Flaminius only to follow Hannibal a little further away, without making contact and at the same time have the other consul, who was waiting for Hannibal outside Rome, create a small defensive line, so as to take him in the open plain with an army in front and one behind," explained Caesar.

"Nice strategy," said Hortensius.

"It is the simple Roman military school of today. When an army marches against someone and is attacking and is stopped somehow, it is already tactically defeated. And that's what Hannibal was able to do to Flaminius."

"And when an army that is defending something is somehow dispersed it is already tactically defeated. And it is another mistake that Flaminius and the Senate made against Hannibal, when they ordered Flaminius to leave the Rubicon and he began to pursue Hannibal through the mountains," said Caesar smiling to himself.

"But I, if required, will not make a similar mistake against Pompey," concluded Caesar.

"So what are we going to do against Pompey's two legions lined up on those lines waiting for us?" asked Hortensius.

"Nothing for now. I will officially hand over the land I have promised to the Gallic legions and legionaries in Romandia, and will send Curio and Mark Anthony to Rome to ask the Senate if I can be appointed Chief Consul of the Year," replied Caesar.

"And what will we do if they don't make you Chief Consul of the Year?"

"We'll march on Rome and explain it to them," said Caesar.

"Shall we also make a detour, as Hannibal did into the Alps,16 instead of crossing the Rubicon?" inquired Hortensius curious.

"No, you can no longer easily branch off towards the Alps."

"Why?"

"After the conflict against Hannibal and the death of Flaminius, Rome learned its lesson and built a road and a new defensive line on the Apennines called Flaminia minor17 in honor of his son, which allows, if needed, to quickly demobilize troops near the Rubicon and move them to garrison the defensive line through the Apennines. But that's not what worries me," Caesar replied, smiling certain about what he was doing.

"Do you mean that we will attack and break through the Rubicon directly?" Hortensius asked, a little worried about this possibility.

"If you want you can, but the Rubicon may also be compromised," replied Caesar smiling.

"How?" asked Hortensius.

"Don't let this worry you for now, Hortensius. You know very well that many legionaries do not want, and do not intend, to attack the Rubicon because they could attract the revenge and the anger of the Gods who defend it, but I know that border well and I also know a few commanders and legionaries who guard it."

"And so?"

"When the time comes, and only if they don't make me Chief Consul of the Year as I expect, we will see what we will do," Caesar stopped talking.

Brief historical introduction

In ancient times, northern Italy and the Po Valley were divided into Gallia18 Transpadana and 19 Cispadana to distinguish them from French Transalpine Gaul, Gaul beyond the Alps, which is northern France today.

The French Transalpine Gaul was called Gaul Chiomata, because they wore hair and lark wings over their helmets, while the Italian Gaul Cispadana, practically the entire Po Valley, was called Gaul Togata because they dressed in a similar way to the Romans and, in fact, they had a confederation with Rome, with whom they shared many customs and traditions.

When Caesar returned to Italy from French Transalpine Gaul he brought with him more legions than he had left with and amassed them in Romagna near the border of the Rubicon, which then divided the Italian Gaul Togata with the republic of Rome.

This was because, as he proceeded in his conquests, he had enlisted and formed several legions, called Gallic legions.

These Gallic legions were formed not only by fighters but also by many colonists, women and children followers, to whom Caesar had promised honors and land on Italian soil if they were victorious. Now that he had won, he had brought them to Italy with him and they were amassed near the Rubicon.

In view of the threat, the Rubicon was hastily reinforced by Pompey's troops to try to block Caesar in some way, after having amassed his legions near the Rubicon had in front of him a practically open pathway to Rome.

About thirty years earlier, that province and those lands had been ruined and depopulated by a violent civil war between Cesena, Forlì and Faenza, which had been won by the optimates under Sulla over the populares under Caius Marius, who was Julius Caesar's uncle. Then, Caesar, returning from the French Gauls, was resettling and reconquering this land with populations and legions that were following him from Gaul and Provence.20

Many legionaries and settlers were offered this land beside this border as a reward, which they accepted, laid down their arms and colonized that place, which was called Roman-dia or Roman-via, which meant Roman crossing or road to Rome.

And, still today, there is a road that crosses it, which is called Via Romea, that is, Road to Rome and, that land, Romagna.

But Caesar suggested that his best Gallic legionaries continued fighting and, as a reward, he proposed to give them Rome itself in exchange, if they followed and supported him in his march to conquer Rome.

However, Roman legionaries and officers were also among Caesar's soldiers. Much discord and many doubts soon arose among them regarding the legitimacy and appropriateness of such an act.

Several Roman legionaries considered such a proposal sacrilegious and that they should remain loyal to Rome forever, while those in favor of the populares21 and of Caesar's uncle, Gaius Marius, who had been defeated years before by Sulla, wanted nothing more than to redeem themselves and take revenge on Rome and its optimates.22

Thus they convinced many Gallic legionaries to consider it an immense opportunity to redeem themselves and become not only Roman citizens but also public officials, if they crossed the Rubicon and conquered Rome.

Moreover, then as now, Latin dialects spoken in the north were different to those spoken in central and southern Italy.

So, if anyone thinks the disagreements between northern Italy and Rome are the result of something that happened recently, they should look a little further into the past, because there were already various issues at the time of Caesar. Such as: whether it would be convenient for the Gauls in the Po valley to be considered citizens of Rome or not. Even then there were arguments between populations and tribes who wanted to continue to be autonomous, federated or federalist if you prefer, while others wished to become citizens of Rome instead, with all the advantages and disadvantages this would involve.

The borders between the north and Rome existed already and were first traced out in the minds of people and their traditions and only then drawn on the ground.

And Caesar was the first to grant Roman citizenship to the populations of the Italian Gauls. This was shortly after they had crossed the Rubicon and won the civil war against Pompey.

Thus, Caesar amassed and deployed his troops before the Rubicon near Cesena and began to distribute much land as prizes and spoils of war, especially to his Gallic legions that had followed him on his return to Italy.

The Gallic legions were mostly composed of Provençals from southern France and Aquitaine, from places then named Arles, Narbo Martius, Forum Julii, Forum Novempopuli, Forum Gallorum, Libertinorum and, in part, they recreated similar places in Romagna.

Crossing Liguria and the Apennine pass between Parma and La Spezia23 they came to Emilia, joined up with a few Gallic legions of the Po Valley, who were already stationed in Emilia, and began to descend towards the Roman-via, until they massed threateningly in front of the Roman troops under Pompey near the border on the Rubicon.

Thus the Gallic legions of Caesar began to resettle and reorganize that land which, one hundred and sixty years earlier, had been called Flaminia in honor of a consul named Flaminius whose name, among others, meant descendant of the Flamini, the high priests of ancient Rome. Flaminius had hastily built and fortified a defensive line, named Puniceus Rubicon, to prevent the Punic Hannibal from descending towards Rome, as we have read in a previous chapter.

After the violent defeat, which ended with the personal sacrifice of the consul Flaminius himself,24 that land was called Roman-dia and Roman-via at the time because25 they lead to Rome.

But Caesar requested and promised his most loyal legionaries much more than the land of Romagna, namely Rome and the whole of Italy, if they decided to follow him and conquer the land that could be glimpsed and seen in the Marche immediately after Rimini.

So, he gathered together the most aggressive troops who wanted to continue fighting near the Rubicon and prepared to lead them to Rome.

What was most tempting to many, but feared by others, which caused a few to defect from Caesar's ranks, was they perceived this act to be a betrayal of their mission.

One in particular was the brave general Titus Labienus,26 who deserted Caesar and sided with Pompey Magnus, Caesar's political and military rival, who was deployed beyond the Rubicon. He took with him about 3,700 men on horseback and legionaries.

But there were also a few Gallic peoples who did not want to follow Caesar and were content to settle forever in the land of Romagna that he had promised them, even if, Caesar asked them to defend his rear guard from Pompey's troops who could descend from Spain towards Italy.

Thus a few Gallic legions began to resettle the current Romagna, depopulated by the previous civil revolt of Marius and Sulla.

But let's return to Caesar's journey towards Cesena.

Caesar's arrival in Cesena (Curve Caes Arena)

Caesar and the commander Hortensius, after having crossed the Via Decimana, came to Curva Caes Arena,27 where many men who had always been loyal to the populares28 under his Uncle Gaius Marius were awaiting him.

Tens of years earlier in Romagna, the populares, headed by Caesar's uncle, Gaius Marius, were grievously defeated militarily by the optimates under Sulla between Forlì and Faenza that had swept the countryside clean of the population.

Caesar was rebuilding and reorganizing many things.

There in that land he had promised and given away much land and many public offices to his veterans and he was embellishing and Romanizing much of Romagna with taxes on land and products.

Government buildings, theatres, gladiator barracks, buildings and streets, grew to guarantee political loyalty, military stability and logistics in the area.

Cesena was once named Curva Caes Arena, which meant Caesar's circular arena and that name is still present on an ancient Roman map.29

The Curva Caes Arena was a small copy of the Circolo Massimo (Great Circle) for horse races that Caesar had almost finished building but which, because of his death a few years later, was completed by his nephew the emperor Augustus.

After his arrival in Cesena, Caesar gathered his best officers, Labienius, Quintus Hortensius, Curio, Mark Anthony, Cassius and Asinius Pollio, to take stock of Pompey's military position beyond the Rubicon.

"Greetings to you, Caesar. To celebrate your arrival we have organized equestrian demonstrations in your arena, which has almost been completed," said Curio.30

"Thank you, you know I enjoy horse races, but first tell me about Pompey's strategic position," replied Caesar.

"Pompey suspects you want to attack Rome, he left the Rubicon border and advanced with two legions until he took possession of the Prissatellum 31 right in front of the Caes solum32 and the land you gave to the Gauls. At this time they are in opposition to our troops a few miles from us," replied Mark Anthony.

"Yes, I heard about from the relays. Pompey had done more or less, what Flaminius did when he was waiting for Hannibal's descent," answered Caesar smiling.

"Exactly, my Caesar; he only has two legions and he has placed them in a defensive formation on the Rubicon," said Mark Anthony.

"And what else is he doing to defend himself?" added Caesar.

"Pompey is threatening curses and loss of Roman citizenship, through some high priests, against any of us who dare to cross the Rubicon, but he is doing this only to buy time and install a third legion to reinforce the rear and better cover the defensive line," replied Mark Anthony.

"Mortatibus sui!"33 shouted Caesar.

"Is he intending to use the fear of the Gods and the loyalty of our legionaries to Rome as a weapon to deter us?"

"So it seems Caesar. And he announced that he would be sending the Flamini and Vaticani34 here to Caes Arena to meet you. We'll see if they've the courage to cross the Rubicon and come and talk to you," replied Mark Anthony.

"Without a doubt they'll come. As representatives of the Gods of Rome they have access to any place occupied by Roman legions and legionaries," replied Labienus, Caesar's best Roman general.

"And even if they do come, what do you think they'll do?" asked Caesar.

"Usually, they do two things. Negotiate peace on behalf of the senate to dissuade anyone from attacking Rome, or make curses to the gods and our warrior ancestors against us," explained Labienus.

"Me and my ancestors have already cursed them and declared war on them long before they did," replied Caesar, no longer able to keep calm.

"Have you requested the Druid35 priests of our Gallic legions to make curses and perform mysterious sacrifices to try to protect us?" asked Labienus.

"I have done everything necessary to overcome and defeat them, General Labienus, which may include having legionaries as good as you are and many other things," replied Caesar.

"It is evil and forbidden to use priests to torment Roman citizens or friends with divine intervention. Only the enemies of Rome can be killed legitimately by the priests and gods of Hades, without incurring the revenge of the Roman gods," replied Labienus who, like many Roman legionaries, was respectful of the precepts of the religion of Rome.

"This time you are wrong General Labienus. I was also Pontefix Massimum36 and I know very well what our priests are secretly doing not far from here, inside Mons Jovis37 just beyond the Rubicon. I can tell you that even there they order the killing of enemies of the state, first with divine rituals, then if this is not enough, with much more," replied Caesar.

"And why then, instead of setting ourselves against the curses of our priests and Ancestors, don't we seek to make a peace agreement with them?" said General Labienus who had no desire to go to war against Rome.

"Because they have become enemies of the state, because of the crimes committed against the citizens and our popular representatives and they will have neither the Gods nor our Ancestors on their side. But I don't intend to defeat them with magical rituals," concluded Caesar.

"Instead it seems that that is what they intend to do, Caesar," replied Curio.

Explain this better."

"From what I have heard, they intend to draw another red line on the second line of defense and make it sacred and impassable," added Curio.

"They want to draw another red line? The one on the Rubicon is no longer enough for them..." Caesar burst out laughing, then added, "... and where would they like to draw this other red line?"

"Right behind the front line of the Prissatellum."

"I understand. So in case that fails, it will be enough for them to retreat behind that line, and they think no armed Roman soldier would dare cross it. But this also means they don't have many legionaries lined up on the Rubicon and they are trying to stop us using fear of the Gods."

Then he added, "Order the annihilation of our legionnaires fears immediately, using counter sacrifices performed by the Druids and Celtic priests of our Gallic legions," ordered Caesar.

"This may work with the Gallic legionaries, since they have more belief in their Druids than in the Gods of Rome, but our Roman legionaries believe in the Flamini and we, as you know, have no Flamini priests following us," replied Curio.

"I know, the Flamini Priests are in the service of the Senate and cannot put themselves in the service of a legion without authorization from Rome. However, I intend to ensure that our legionaries are no longer afraid of subgestitis et superstitis38 inculcated by the enemies," replied Caesar.

Curio said to Caesar, "But there could also be another problem besides that of the Flamini."

"Explain!"

"They also intend to influence our Gallic legions on the front line of the prissatellum."

"In what way?"

"There is a very powerful Gorgon Witch39 recognized by the common people who lives near the sources of the Urgon40 on the mountains above us, who Pompey's men intend to use against the beliefs and fears of our Gallic legionaries," replied Curio, for a moment freezing the attention of all present.

"Mortatibus sibi!41 Explain this last thing to me right away," exclaimed Caesar.

The Urgon witch

There is the source of a river on the Romagna Apennines, which is still called Urgon today.

Many believe that the Rubicon originates there, since in the Romagna dialect that word could mean Rubicon, but to tell the truth this is not certain since, in the Romagna dialect, it should be Rubgon or at least Urbgon as well, if you use the Romagna pronunciation as it is fairly closed.

Instead, no one has ever noticed that the word Urgon in ancient Etruscan meant Gorgon, which is a kind of horrible and terrifying witch similar to the legendary Medusa and that where the Urgon rose, there was a place that today is still called Strigara.42

Also, a little way after these springs, there is another place that many still consider mysterious, named Gorgoscuro.43

But let's return to Curio as he begins to explain the witch of Urgon to everyone.

"This witch lives and casts spells in the mountains near the headwaters of the river."

"She is also said to have access to the underworld, to be able to see the past, present and future, and to resurrect the bodies of the dead, forcing souls to re-enter to create spells and magical hexes."

"And so? Even if it were true, she is not a Goddess, but only an intermedium44 between people, the underworld and the Gods. What could she possibly do against us?" replied the commander Mark Anthony.

"Even the Flamini priests are not divinities but only intermediaries between people and the Gods of Rome," answered Curio.

"That's not true, this is blasphemy. The Flamini and our other Roman priests speak with the mouths of the Gods of Rome and are their vicars on earth," replied General Labienus.

"For this reason, it is said that even the Witches speak with the mouth of the underworld and the afterlife," Curio replied.

"Yes, but they are inferior to the Flamini. Flaminis super stitiius striges, sed sub stantias Deis,"45 replied Labienus who fervently observed the Roman religion of the time.

"That's not the point. They are trying to influence us so we won't fight. We've seen many similar things used against us during the Gaul campaigns and the Roman legionaries have little fear of barbarian deities, but the Gallic might be held back and frightened by these things. Tell us, Curio, what else do you know about this Gorgon witch," interrupted Caesar to stop the discussion.

"Just before the springs, there is an embankment where an artificial lake has formed, used to regulate the flow of the waters from the Prissatellum River, which separates us from Pompey's legions."

"Informants have also told me they intend to use the Gorgon to curse that water and release it into the river as soon as they see we are preparing to attack them."

"Of course they'll spread the story that anyone who crosses that water will soon die so as to try to stop us from crossing the river."

"Then they will fill the banks of the prissatellum with Gorgon heads and masks tied to poles set into the ground as a limit and border to bring bad luck to those who cross. In this way our legionaries will be affected and filled with fear of crossing that river,"46 Curio ended his explanation.

"I'm a little superstitious myself, but if that's the only problem, let's leave all the countermeasures and protections to a couple of Druids in our Gallic legions. Some of them are very good," replied a Gaul commander who was also present.

"What could a Druid do to protect our troops?" asked Caesar quickly.

"Druids don't talk too much about what they can do, but they can free us from spells and curses, woods and places in the forests, leaving you fairies and goblins to guard in their place, they can heal all evil and witches' curses with herbs, cause springs and rivers to become miraculous and magical, they can cast abominations and curses on their enemies that are so powerful that they can paralyze anyone."

"But they refuse to curse the gods of the enemies directly, only to defeat them in battle. Druids curse places and people but not Gods," replied the commander of the Gauls with conviction, by way of explanation.

"How can you be so certain about all this?" asked Hortensius.

"A Druid accompanied me at night under an oak tree in a northern forest and showed me and others many things, also what I've just told you."

"And couldn't it have been a trick or an illusion of the mind?"

"I don't think so, but even if it were, Gallic soldiers believe the Druids. And that makes the difference," replied the commander of the Gauls.

"Well, then the Druids could be used to secure the banks and woods on the border against the witch and to protect the Gauls from curses on whoever crosses the border," explained the commander Hortensius.

"I agree with you Hortensius," Caesar intervened.

"Pompey, does not have enough strength, and is trying to stop us by instilling fear. In the morning try and find out what they intend to do on the river and arrange for the Druids to be ready to protect those places and our men," Caesar ordered.

"Caesar it shall be done," replied Hortensius.

"Now, enough about Gods and witches. Let's move on to the military strength in the field. Show me our lines and those of Pompey again," said Caesar, to try to resist, without letting him see, the slight fear he felt about crossing the Rubicon.

The disposition of Caesar and Pompey's troops

Mark Anthony put his hand on a map that summarized the military situation of the two sides and, after having spread it out in front of everyone, began to explain.

"To summaries, Pompey's first line is here in front of us outside on the river Prissatellum. And immediately behind that there is a new line where the Flamini, as we have seen, intend to draw a new red line47 in addition to the one that already exists on the Rubicon. We are lined up in front of them here, between Donegallia and Caes solum48 that bound your territories. You understand, Caesar?"

"Certainly, continue."

The second line is currently poorly guarded and is a few miles further on towards Arminium,49 where the road splits in two near ad confluentes, before entering the right gate of the Rubicon."

"Why is the road split in two?" asked Labienus.

"Because the Rubicon palisade has two access gates: One entrance and one exit, General Labienus," replied Caesar, who knew what the Rubicon was like, as opposed to Mark Anthony.

Then he added: "Continue your explanation Mark Anthony."

" And finally the third and last line of the Rubicon itself, still a little to the south towards Ariminium, constructed directly on the river Pluso"50 said Mark Anthony showing Caesar the location that was close to Rimini on the map, where the Rubicon palisade was drawn in red.

"Of course," replied Caesar. Then clarified, "In my opinion, the first and second lines can be attacked with few problems but, for the sacred border of the Rubicon, I have a plan in mind to bypass it without violating the will of the Gods."

"How?" asked Mark Anthony.

"This is certainly not the time to tell you but when the time is right you will all be informed."

"However what, for now, have we arranged and deployed in terms of troops and legions against Pompey's lines?" asked Caesar.

"We have the Roman legions X and XIII encamped in the hinterland and here we have posted and deployed the Gallic legions II and III along the Caes solum and Donegallia51 with the promise that this land will become theirs forever, if they know how to defeat Pompey."

"Very well, I promised them that land as a reward and compensation if they followed me here. Are they already settling there now?" asked Caesar.

"Yes Caesar, they have gladly taken possession of it and lined up in front of Pompey's troops. They will defend that land well," replied Mark Anthony.

"Maybe it's not enough that they defend it; tell them I intend to ask them if they are also willing to attack and march on Rome. And in exchange I will promise them land and responsibilities on Italian soil and not only here in Romandia," replied Caesar.

"They know that already and many are ready to follow you, as long as you leave the land to their veterans and the land given to the Gauls to their relatives who are following," answered Asinius Pollio with a smile.

"How do they know? Wasn't my plan supposed to be secret?" answered Caesar.

"Everyone has known this for months. The Gallic legions that came here some time ago go around telling everyone that sooner or later they must attack and take other land in Italy and that is why Pompey's men know about it," said Asinius Pollio.

"Is the area teeming with Pompey's spies?" Caesar asked loudly.

"Yes and you should be more cautious about revealing promises and plans to your troops, Caesar," Asinius Pollio added jeering a little, since he was Caesar's very good friend and could afford to.

"To hell with secrets. How much time would we have if we decided to take Rimini by surprise and go to the Marches, General Hortensius?" asked Caesar.

"All winter Caesar. They are Roman soldiers like us and are not used to fighting in the winter, but they could start strengthening the defenses and the territory. So in my opinion, if we want to attack the Rubicon, I would act right now," replied Hortensius.

"Calm down. Who is commanding Pompey's legions, now, beyond the Rubicon?" asked Caesar.

"Commander Titanus."

I know him. As his name suggests, he is a giant, a Catonian52 who is very loyal to the republic but unwilling to go to war," smiled Caesar.

"I know him too, he is a good soldier who prefers negotiation and doesn't take much pleasure in sending his men to be massacred for nothing. I add, if I could meet him to talk about a truce or an agreement," asked General Labienus.

"Veto53 . I have no intention of giving Pompey the advantage of negotiating or believing that we are afraid to attack him," Caesar answered firmly.

"Instead, I have a plan to dismantle the defenses and take Rimini by surprise. I ask permission to discuss it now," said Mark Anthony.

"Licit"54 replied Caesar.

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