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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.

Mark Anthony, Hortensius and Caesar's plan

The plan was to engage in a mock battle to distract the enemy.

"You and Hortensius will cross the Rubicon with a few selected troops to the east on horseback, near the pine forest by the sea and take Rimini by surprise while I, with the Gauls and the bulk of the legions, will attack Pompey's positions here on the Prisatellum to keep them occupied. This will put them in disarray," Mark Anthony told Caesar.

"Even assuming they attempt to retreat to come to the aid of Rimini, we will pursue them and press from behind to force them to stop and defend themselves long before they reach Rimini," added Mark Anthony.

"It's not a bad plan but you have to prepare it and change it a little. However, once they have crossed the Rubicon and taken Rimini, seeing that there are no troops to help, Pompey's soldiers will think they've been defeated or abandoned and will have to agree on pacts with us. Are there any objections to this war plan?" asked Caesar.

"Yes, Caesar. Not all of our Gauls want to go beyond the Rubicon," answered a Gallic commander.

"Myself and several others just want them to grant us land and Roman citizenship and that peace be made among us all, we only want to put ourselves at the service of Rome as its future citizens and friends," explained the Gallic commander.

"You already have the land I promised, which you will retain if there is a victory. Sooner or later the Rome Senate will recognize your citizenship, but if you want to follow me I promise that we will take all of Rome and we will first grant it to you. And this campaign will be worth far more to you than a simple granting of citizenship and provincial land awarded to veterans as a reward."

"Any other objections?" asked Caesar.

"Also I don't agree with betraying our country, Caesar," Labienus intervened.

"There are many things a soldier must do without being in agreement, General Labienus," replied Caesar.

"That is true Caesar, however we are also Romans and we must not betray Rome. The wrath and vengeance of our warrior fathers and brothers will fall upon us in the form of a lifetime of guilt and remorse," said General Labienus.

"You say this," Caesar interrupted immediately, then added: "The anger and revenge of our ancestors shame us and they will refuse to intervene against us, when such great injustices have occurred in Rome and in my familiars. It is I, and other populares, who have had to undergo revenge and unjust deaths and now our ancestors are asking us to right the wrongs suffered by my Uncle Marius, of Cinna, Catilina and myself, when I had to flee Rome and was saved from Sulla, only because of his daughter's pitiful intervention, as she softened her father towards me," Caesar told Labienus, while he was again seeing the scene within him of a very young Caesar who, brought before Sulla's men, trembled and suffered from seizures caused by epilepsy,⁵⁵ was saved by Sulla's daughter herself, who stopped her father from executing Caesar immediately, without wasting time.

"Forget the past Caesar. You know very well that it has cost too much grief and it is time to stop the civil wars," replied General Labienus.

"And instead I have forgotten NOTHING," Caesar forcefully raised his voice. "You were also the tribune of the plebeians and you know very well why we want to take Rome," Caesar replied in a tone to justify his barely concealed internal rage.

"I understand your pain, but it's time to forget civil wars and lay down your arms against Rome, Caesar. By doing so we will improve our citizenship, land and all we desire from the republic which, in order to avoid fighting, will recognize us with honors and responsibilities for us and our Gallic legionaries and we will make this land completely Roman peacefully," said Labienus attempting to convince Caesar.

"I am not that confident about the virtue of certain republicans, nor of the peace that I have never experienced, neither I nor my ancestors and that I have sworn to avenge," Caesar thundered back.

"Leave, if you don't want to follow me, General Labienus but, know that if you do, I will consider you a traitor and a deserter if I catch you," said Caesar.

"And know that I will take Rome, with or without you and, if necessary, I will take revenge on certain republicans and their families who should have been in Hades for some time dealing with their enemies," Caesar continued to rant, while his limbs trembled and it seemed as though he was about to be assailed by convulsions.

"Calm yourself Caesar. Why are you so angry with people who are now dead and gone?" replied Labienus.

"And why didn't you take it out on their living ancestors when they killed mine?"⁵⁶ retorted Caesar, trying to hold back the anger and convulsions that were about to assail him.

"It's a thing of the past Caesar, we all need to make peace. Before going to war you should always find a peaceful solution for the good of all," said Labienus.

"This will depend on how Pompey and the Senate respond to my requests. I intend to send Mark Anthony and Curio to Rome for the elections and celebrations for the New Year, to request they elect me as consul in place of Pompey. Much will depend on how they respond."

"Explain this better to me. Do you want to become Chief Consul of the Year, Caesar?" asked a few of the generals present, interrupting the discussion with Labienus.

Caesar calmed for a moment. He sighed deeply, then spoke again and explained to all that he intended to run for the position of Chief Consul of the Year.

He explained that the office belonged to him by right and that, in this case, he would recognize Roman citizenship and tax privileges on land for all his legionnaires and their accompanying relatives.

If this did not happen, the Gauls and his Roman legionaries would independently elect Caesar as their Chief Consul of the Year⁵⁷ in Romagna, from 15 to 21 March, in place of the one elected in Rome on 31 December. A practice that began autonomously in Romagna with the election of Gaius Flaminius about a century and a half earlier, which was celebrated as an alternative year to that of Rome, during the days of the spring equinox.⁵⁸

After listening to him Mark Anthony said: "From what is happening on the other side of the Rubicon and from the defenses they are building, my guess is that they don't want to make you Chief Consul of the Year in Rome Caesar."

"It has not been said yet, but I also have a political plan for Rome. And if Pompey and the senate accept a few conditions that you and Curio will take to them, perhaps this conflict can be avoided."

"What is your political plan, Caesar?" asked those present.

Caesar's political plan for Rome

Summarizing the situation. Caesar had already promised and donated land and public offices to his legionaries, and with the taxes on land and its products, he was enhancing and Romanizing much of Romagna.

Government buildings, theatres, amphitheaters, societies, forums and streets grew to guarantee political, military and logistical fidelity and stability in the area.

Many places, thanks to the work of veterans and the Romanized Gauls, continued after the construction of Via Emilia to transform themselves from villages into forums and cives romani, but Caesar's coffers were empty.

Then Caesar promised all those who marched on Rome public office and Roman citizenship throughout Italy and not only on the borders of Romagna.

So, in addition to the military plan, Caesar prepared an alternative political plan to ensure carrying it out.

The political strategy foresaw sending Curio and Mark Anthony to Rome during the holidays for the election of the Chief Consuls of the Year, to claim that office for Caesar and Roman citizenship for his Gallic legions stationed beyond the Rubicon in Gaul Togata.

But how did the elections and celebrations for the Chief Consul of the Year take place in Rome?

The celebrations for the election of the Chief Consul of the Year lasted a week, from December 31st to January 6th. During that period two Consuls were elected to that office for a year.

Traditionally, during the following six days of celebration, gifts, civil and military offices, could be negotiated and granted to various politicians and clientes⁵⁹ by the Senato Consultum and the Capo Consultum (Senate at the head of the council).⁶⁰

In the event of the Senate's refusal of Caesar's candidacy, Curio, Mark Anthony and others from the populares' party would request gifts and concessions of good wishes,⁶¹ which were usually made over the following days.

These concessions were:

Political and military autonomy for Gaul, which included the possibility of electing Caesar as the Proconsul of the Gauls independent of Rome.

Fiscal freedom for the Gallic peoples, which included the possibility of minting an autonomous local currency, not having to pay taxes for land in Rome, nor war taxes to be paid in exchange for political and military loyalty and aid to Rome.

These were his requests and Caesar expected Pompey and the Senate to accept at least one of them.

Caesar climbs the Colle Garampo to observe Pompey's troops

When the evening fell after their meeting, Caesar decided to climb the hill above Cesena, Colle Garampo, with an aide-de-camp and a few commanders to see for himself Pompey's lines deployed near the first line of the Rubicon.

Today there is an abbey on its summit, but at that time there was a pagan temple.

From that height and, in the darkness of the evening, Pompey's entire line of defense could be seen clearly from the plain to the sea.

Caesar saw hundreds of bonfires that had been lit by Pompey's soldiers encamped along the first line and some had camped in the rear on the second line of the Rubicon.

Caesar checked on his opposing troops.

Not even a mile in front of them, the bivouacs of the camp belonging to Pompey's troops could be seen, who watched his legionaries lining up near the Prissatellum.

The end of the year was near, it was cold and Pompey's soldiers were warming themselves and celebrating around the bonfires.

Caesar also heard the choirs of insults accompanied by shouts praising Pompey that the legionaries of Rome were shouting at him and his Gallic legions.

Caesar on top of Colle Garampo decided to take stock of the situation with some officers.

"From the fires that I see in the fields, it appears that troops have been deployed as far as the sea. How consistent are Pompey's military garrisons on the coastal passages?" asked Caesar.

"Some garrisons are situated on the coastal passes that lead from Ravenna to Ariminium. But the bulk of the troops are below us in front of our lines. They keep us in view, close to our legionaries, and the bonfires you see in the second line are legionaries who are ready to move and act as reinforcement if there's an attack," answered a military commander.

"Reduce any visible presence of our troops on secondary roads near the sea, including those in the pine forests leading to Ariminium. Don't cross Pompey's lines without good reason and make certain those areas look as though they are quiet, without our military activity."

"Good, Caesar."

"At the same time swell and strengthen our presence below on the Prissatellum, as if we were preparing to attack, and break through below on the Via Emilia," ordered Caesar.

"If required, we can also recall other Gallic legions with civilians and oxen following near Mutina and Regium,⁶² to reinforce all Romandia. They are there awaiting orders and have been promised more land here," replied another of Caesar's commanders.

"Good. Call up the waiting Gallic legions and let them occupy our rear areas as far as Ravenna and the Cervia saltpans. Also begin to centuriare⁶³ and hand over the lands I have promised to their colonists following and allow the people who want to follow them join us and settle here. We must resettle and stabilize the lands of Romandia, depopulated by the wars of Sulla against my Uncle Marius⁶⁴ with men of our legions and their people who are following," ordered Caesar.

Having arranged this, Caesar decided to take part in a short horse race that his soldiers had held in his honor in Curva Caes Arena (Cesena).

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