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[Many apologies for the post-dating.]

=== Palmyra, Novembris 136 AD ===

One month into the siege of Palmyra and the legions did what the legions did best. The city had been circumvallated by fortified camps and these camps were in turn connected by earthworks and trenches. There being little wood in the desert, what little they had was used for the construction of watch towers between the legionary camps along the lines.

Palmyra had a special significance for both the Romans serving in the Valenii Juliani mercenary legions and the Seleukid army. The Romans and the Seleukids not only wished to retake Palmyra from the Persians, but to rescue the prisoners captured in the previous campaigns that were said to be held in the city’s prison. Amongst those prisoners were said to be some men from Legio I Corsica Fidelis who been captured in a recent attack on the legions camp by the Persian army.

Carus Florianus Julianus sported a thick beard as he usually did on long campaigns; there was never enough time to shave these days. As the Persians had made no attempt to break out of the city and the Romans still had not attacked, casualties were almost non-existent just the few accidents which occur with constructing large siege equipment and several cases of desertion and sickness which were not uncommon. Also there had been a good stream of volunteers from across the defunct Eastern Roman Empire, Hispania and other parts of the Roman Empire. The offer of better wages then the Imperial egions, pardons for criminals who signed for twenty years and a fresh start in the Valenii Juliani Legions was attractive to many. Overall both the small division of 8,000 Seleukids and the almost 30,000 Romans mercenaries and their 3000 Bedouin allies were in good condition.

“Well gentlemen, this siege is going into its second month and unless we do something soon it might become a very long siege.” Florianus stated to the Legates of the Valenii Julianii legions, the Seleukids and his Bedouin and cohort commanders who were gathered at his command tent.

“Well Magister Militum Julianus; the boys in Legio Somatia Fidelis have pushed our entrenchments to within sixty years of the Temple of Bel.” Reported the old Baetican; Legate Roscius Bassus. He’d been to the east before as commander of the old Consular Legio IV Fidelis. It was nothing knew to him, commanding legions and conducting sieges.

Florianus looked at the map drawn on papyrus. “I want the Onager and Carroballistae to be brought closer to the walls yet outside of archery range. We need to start pounding this city to the ground. I do not care what it looks like after we take it only that we do.”

“Permission to use incendiary pitch as well then. We can set the city on fire.” Asked Legate Aristocles Pamphilos. “I have no qualms about burning them all alive in there.”

“Make it happen then Legate Pamphilos, the army has two hundred and thirty six pieces of artillery counting the Onager and Carroballistae, you have more than enough tools. If you need more crew to man the pieces, take them form the legions, we will run four shifts a day. Let everyman in the army have his turn firing large stones at the city walls.”

“Good idea General, it will keep the legionaries fresh and occupied helping the Libritors crew the artillery.” Legate Aristocles Pamphilos replied, looking forward to setting the city on fire.

“We can note that we have cut them off from their river. They won’t run out of water anytime soon since they have plenty of wells. But it has truly left them isolated.” Legate Roscius Bassus added.

“Let us continue the siege then. Push the entrenchments as close to the city as possible and do as much damage with our artillery before we launch our final assault. No need wasting mens lives out here in the desert until we area ready.”

=== Persian Headquarters, Temple of Allat, Palmyra; Januarius 137 AD ===

Disgraced former Proconsular Legate of Rome Augustus Tiberius Varro paced back and forth within his room, fuming with anger and nearly foaming at the mouth. He had fled death as a rebel over a year before and had since been stuck in Palmyra, unable to secure reinforcements from further east- and unable to anything for his ally Daratius Antonius Terpus when the Eastern Roman Empire collapsed. This day he was arguing with General Shahram, commander of the Persian Palmyra forces left to ensure Rome didn’t act on their newly emboldened ambitions and head East. It was the fact that there was an army on their doorsteps that had Tiberius fuming. He thought Rome would leave the Persians be after the terrible defeat outside Antioch...

“What do you mean it isn’t Rome?!” Tiberius snapped, glaring unwittingly at his gracious collaborator.

“It isn’t Rome, Tiberius. It is a Soterist defense... a group of soldiers led by Julianus.” Shahram said calmly. He said equally as calmly, “Watch your tone with me, coward. My patience only goes so far, and you’ve been stretching it thin.”

“Pah!” Tiberius waved the Persian off dismissively and turned to pace away. Shahram narrowed his eyes and moved his head slowly from side to side, as if calculating a precise time of death. Tiberius spoke as he paced. “Which Julianus? Do you know? What do you do know? I could have had this dealt with by now if your pussy soldiers didn’t flinch in the face of danger!”

“Enough!” bellowed General Shahram. His eyes lit up with fire and he charged Tiberius, who turned just in time to see the imposing Persian barreling down upon him. His own eyes widened with fear and he managed to rush backward- into a wall. Shahram was on him within a second, and wrapped his hands around Tiberius’s throat. “Your disrespect and insolence stop here! I should cast you out and leave you to accept what you’ve earned! Treat as a lesser man one more time, and I swear I will cut off your toes and set you bare footed outside the city gates!”

Tiberius’s face was white as linen, and his skin clammy, but he did not tremble. It was clear that he was understanding the very real threat the General’s temper posed, but he clung to the small truth that he was a useful tool in the grand Persian design. Or so he thought to himself many times over. As he stared into the wide, glowing, anger-filled eyes of Shahram, he slowly reached up and tapped on the hands clenching his neck. Gasping his words, he said, “I like my toes; Please let me go.”

“Apologize!” Shahram squeezed harder, causing Tiberius’s eyes to bulge out slightly and gasp again.

“I apologize!” Tiberius wheezed, trying to wedge the fingers of both his hands in between his neck and Shahrams hands. “I respect you, I apologize.”

Without another word, Shahram released Tiberius and backed away slowly while Tiberius coughed his way into larger breaths. It took a minute for the Roman to regain his composure. He wasn’t used to such assault, but was used to handing it out. When in control of legions he was also in control of information and law, so turning tail and seeking refuge with the Persians left him helpless. He did have a small guard of loyal men, but nothing to bargain or intimidate with. All he had was information within his head, and the hope of allies within the Roman empire he could call on again soon. Being knocked down a few pegs by General Shahram didn’t make him any happier, but it did jog his mind.

“I think I can flee and organize another force to retake Seluekid lands for the Shahashahan,” Tiberius stated quickly, purposefully watching his tone and cutting his words short before he found himself bound to the wall again his the Persian’s hot breath enveloping his face. “I need to know what you know first, before I ask for men. Who is this Julianus outside the city?”

Shahram smiled, pleased to see the difference in his Roman friend. “I’ve been told his command name is Carus Florianus Julianus... of Hispania. He isn’t here for Rome, I am told. Why is this relevant?”

Tiberius lit up. The name was all too familiar, and it was one he hadn’t heard in a very long time. His mind raced as he recalled the failed collaboration between Florianus and his slave Pollo to overthrow Calidus Raeus Vitellius and take Rome for the East. He remembered how Daratius Antonius Terpus and himself recieved no help from Florianus during their attempt at Empire. He remembered despising the name Florianus Julianus for failing to eliminate Raeus, and blamed him for launching Rome against the East. With a wry smile, Tiberius looked into Shahrams eyes. “He is a rebel of Rome. It shouldn’t be too easy to rally a new army to combat him.”

The next morning, from his headquarters in the Temple of Allat, General Shahram was holding a feast to mark the breakout attempt planned for the next morning by Augustus Tiberius Varro and three thousand volunteers. The plan was to pour out of the eastern gate, overrun the Romans there during the morning and escape East into Persia, running with the main army. Of course it was more out of necessity than daring; food would be running low soon and there were far too many mouths to feed in the city.

Of course General Shahram, ever the corruptor of men, was happy to delude Tiberius Varro into thinking he’d support him if things failed. He had no intention in sending more men to die if Tiberius did not succeed. But nonetheless he had to give his poor Roman exile the belief he would. “Well may be congratulations and applaud Proconsular Legate Tiberius Varro in his breakout tomorrow, as we are sure he will succeed.”

The Persians stood up and clapped and held their chalices of wine up high in recognition of the young Proconsular Legate.
“Thank you my friends.” Tiberius Varro said standing up. “Tomorrow I will break through and join our brothers in Assyria and in a few weeks I shall return to relieve you all.” He said with a smile then turned to the daughter of Shahram; Afari. “And I shall take the beautiful Afari as my bride.”

“Of course you will my dear friend!” Shahram said, he almost wanted the Roman to die now, how could he dare say he’d marry his beloved daughter, definitely did not want her deflowered by Roman filth. “Of course you will succeed.”

=== Eastern Gate, Next Morning ===

Augustus Tiberius Varro was at the head of a body of Persian cataphracts, followed by a tight formation of spearman and flanked by cavalry. They were heading right for the entrenchments of Legio VIII Gothica Hispanica under the command of Legate Ahtareths Julianus. Unbeknownst to Tiberius, these were the Friegoth Soterist volunteers who’d joined Florianus; some of the most fanatical and loyal of his soldiers. None in the East, or elsewhere in the empire for that matter, had encountered such soldiers before.

The legionaries rushed forward to man the entrenchments as the Persians drew near. The Persians had to jump a large ditch, then up a sand bank, which was defended by legionaries. Then, if they crossed that, they had another ditch. Hindering them were numerous potholes and stakes. Although not a continuous line of stakes, the few that were there made a nasty surprise to any cavalryman and his horse that ran into them, startling the horses around them.

Augustus Tiberius Varro attempted to jump the ditch and was thrown off his horse, falling in front of the sand bank. Never one to admit defeat, he urged other cataphracts over the ditch as well as his infantry. It was a fierce skirmish but few Persians could get into contact with the legionaries, who belted them with javelins and stones. Meanwhile a large body of cavalrymen rushed to the section of the entrenchments which were under attack. They were led by Carus Florianus Julianus who was eager to prevent a breakout. He could not afford to let any Persians out of the city to potentially threaten his army’s siege lines.

A body of men led by Tooraj, the lover of General Shahram’s daughter, managed to get over the ditch then into the entrenchments. Tooraj was far more a fighter then his adversary Tiberius Varro: He was huge and powerful fellow, whom the Persians followed eagerly. He had no interest in helping Varro get through the lines however, instead he and his party continued forward leaving the others behind them to die. Tiberius had been a thorn to many of the Persians in Palmyra since fleeing Roman captivity.

Florianus waved his sword as he urged the Equites Floriana forward against the few Persians who’d gotten over the entrenchments. They hit them with great ferocity and hacked away at their Persians opponents who stood no chance in the open against cavalry and unformed. Tooraj was killed by a javelin though by a light cavalryman.

“No prisoners!” Florianus ordered as he wheeled his horse about. “I want the Persians to see what happens if they attempt to leave the city!” He added, watching his cavalrymen then proceed to stab the Persians who waved their hands in the air frantically attempting to surrender.

With seeing the butchering proceeding beyond the entrenchments the Persians broke and attempted to flee back into the city. But now the gates were closed and General Shahram had no intention of opening the gates to a fleeing rabble with Romans on their heels. Instead he stood on the walls and watched as the legionaries of Legion VIII Gothica Hispanica butchered his men before his very eyes.

“Proconsular Legate Tiberius Varro?” Tribune Redabadws Julianus asked as he approached the former Eastern Roman commander who stood abandoned by his Persians in the open ground.

“How do you know who I am?” Tiberius asked, his sword bloodied, his uniform in ruins. “Has Florianus sent you to take my surrender?”

Redabadws nodded. “I’m afraid Florianus has sent me. I’m afraid he also cannot accept your surrender. Goodbye.”
Redabadws watched as several legionaries jumped Tiberius. As he used his arms to shield himself, his yells and screams of mercy could be heard all around as they hacked him to death in front of the walls of Palmyra. Shahram watched in quiet contentment as he saw the blood fly off the weapons with each swing for a new hit. A chapter in world history had been closed. The young Tribune Redabadws looked over and waved at his Uncle, Florianus, who simply saluted the Tribune with a smile before riding away with his cavalrymen in tow.

=== Palmyra; Februarius ===

A month following the destruction of Augustus Tiberius Varro’s escape column. The Persians had sat in Palmyra and withered a continued bombardment by the Romans. There were often lows in the bombardment as the Romans would run out of stone and have to wait for more to be collected brought forward.

General Shahram, on an inspection of his city found his soldiers and civilians living in shacks amongst the ruins of the city. Many buildings and palaces had burned to the ground, a city that had been a major caravan stop, with merchant stores, taverns and inns was now a burnt out shack town. Roman artillery had done its job. What wasn’t destroyed by direct fire was often set on fire by proximity. Stopping by a inn he had once visited regularly, he looked at the ruins and commented, “These Romans... they fight a war of annihilation.” He commented to one of his favourite captains. “When we are relieved. I will do the same to Antioch. I will kill everyone in the city.”

=== Meanwhile, Seleukid-Roman Headquarters, Outside Palmyra ===

“This is it then.” Florianus said having approved the final plan of attack on the city. There had been great complications in agreeing to the three pronged assault on the city. Although experts in dealing with the Persians; the Bedouins and the Seleukids had refused to work together on the plan to attack the Damascus gate. Instead the Seleukids would attack on their own. The Bedouins would simply ride around the city and threaten the western and northern gate. “Our good hero; General Nikomachos will lead the attack on the Damascus gate with his Syrian levies and Seleukid hoplites. The attack will be supported by much of his cavalrymen who will be dismounted so they can climb ladders onto the walls.”

General Nikomachos nodded. “Of course we all know this is a feint. I will draw as many of the Persians in but I do not expect to break the gate and get into the city, after all the Persians have thousands of soldiers still, even if they are all thirsty and half starved by now.”

“The Temple of Bel is our best opportunity of taking the city. Much of it has been burnt out from the various fires that have occurred due to our bombardment, as well there are several large breeches in the wall that the Persians haven’t repaired properly. Legio III Somatia Fidelis will be the first to attack the Temple of Bel located on the southern eastern section of the city. They will wait till the Seleukid attack is fully underway and the Persians have begun shifting reserves. Then they will run the small distance between their positions and attempt to scale the temple walls. Should they fail, which I expect they might, Legio I Corsica Fidelis and Legio II Ursus Hispaniorum will cross the open ground from their positions under Persian fire and attack the Temple of Bel from the eastern and western walls.” Florianus informed all his senior officers and allied officers.

“Once the Temple of Bel is ours, Cohors I Sagittariorvm will move onto the rooftop and walls of the large building and begin firing away at reinforcing Persian soldiers below and on the walls.” Tribune Redabadws Julianus added, having worked on Florianus staff for the attack.

“Many of you have special orders, Centurions Heraclius and Livius, whatever happens carry your orders through.” Florianus said waiting till they both nodded in acknowledgment.

=== Attack on the Damascus Gate ===

The Persians continued to pour their reserves towards the Damascus Gate as the Seleukids threw their levies at it. It was truly a waste of men. But what were Syrian levies to the Seleukids? And more importantly it was drawing Persian troops away from the intended attack on the Temple of Bel; Florianus’ soldiers.

Carus Florianus Julianus watched the attack on the Damascus gate with great admiration for the dying Syrian levies and the Seleukid hoplites which had now been thrown forward to make the attack look convincing. He’d ordered them to not get to close to the walls in large numbers as he simply wanted to draw Persian reserves- not get Seleukids killed- but the Seleukid General Zosimos Nikomachos almost seemed intent on taking the gate.

=== Attack on the Temple of Bel ===

The attack on the Temple of Bel had proceeded according to plan as the legionaries of Legio III Somatia Fidelis poured forward with scaling ladders and climbed the walls. The Persians manning the walls gave a good account of themselves, but as Legio I Corsica Fidelis and Legio II Ursus Hispaniorum joined the attack on either side of the temple’s fortified walls, the thirsty and hungry Persians were overrun. Florianus and his senior officers now turned their attention away from the attack on the Damascus gate and headed towards the Roman soldiers who were now pouring into the city via the Temple of Bel. An hour passed as the legionaries now over the walls began pushing Persian soldiers out of the temple and into the city.

The auxiliaries of Cohors I Sagittariorvm made their way up to the roof of the temple and began pouring down arrows into the Perisans below and on the walls across the city.The Hispano-Roman officers had a great deal of difficulty bringing their soldiers under control once in the city.

As the soldiers surged into Palmyra; Florianus paused beside one of his dying soldiers before the walls of the Temple of Bel. The legionary from Legio VIII Gothica Hispanica had been hit in the stomach by a Persian arrow. It was as if he was alone with the dying man, everything seemed to fade away around him. He knelt down besides the man and watched him struggle.

“I should have spent more time at the temple, General.” The legionary said looking across at Florianus with his beige coloured eyes.

Florianus continued to look at the man and then back up at the walls, he had a place to be, he couldn’t linger. “You died well soldier. Think of home and of your family now. I will see you on the other side soon.” He said before heading into the breach behind his other soldiers. Florianus then looked at the commander of his Praetorians. “Let’s go back to the Damascus gate. We have work to do.”

As the rape and pillage of the city continued, a hand picked force led by Centurion Evaristus Heraclius and Centurion Sophronius Livius of Legio I Corsica Fidelis fought its way towards the Temple of Baal-Shamin. Unlike their comrades they had no interest in stealing gold and killing priests and clergy. They had been hand picked up Legate Pamphilos to rescue the Hispano-Roman prisoners being held at the temple. Breaking into the temple they found their half starved comrades chained to the walls. This of course enraged the legionaries who quickly massacred everyone within the Temple of Baal-Shamin and set the temple on fire after freeing their captured comrades.

=== Attack on the Damascus Gate, Late Evening ===

It was late in the evening when the Seleukids broke down the Damascus Gate after many attempts. Finally a combination of Persian weariness and the Roman capture of the Temple of Bel led to many of the Persians defending their gate leaving their posts and attempting to flee and hide in the city.

The Seleukids, after having lost many men in the attacks had no tolerance for Persians who surrendered and quickly began butchering anyone in sight. The age old rivalry between the Persians and Seleukids meant that there would be no mercy from them today, even to women and children and even if the city once had been a Seleukid city.

=== Persian Headquarters, Temple of Allat ===

As the Seleukids entered through the Damascus gate over the bodies of their dead comrades, Florianus at the head of his Equites Floriana and followed by the Cohors Praetoria I Floriana followed the Seleukids into the city and then north towards the Temple of Allat where Persian deserters had revealed the enemies headquarters to be.

The route to the Temple of Allat in the growing dark was a dangerous one as they encountered roaming bands of Persians, Seleukids and even some Romans. Several times in the narrow streets of Palmyra they were ambushed and several men died needlessly when allies ran into allies in the dark and mistook each other for Persians.

Florianus and his Equites Floriana dismounted and entered the temple followed by Praetorians who fanned out and began securing the location as well as looting anything that wasn’t nailed to the ground.

“We have found this little one hiding nearby, Sir.” A Praetorian reported dragging; Afrari the daughter of General Shahram. She was quite beautiful, as to be expected from a daughter of such nobility.

Florianus smiled at the woman. “I take it you are family of General Shahram.”

“I am his daughter.” She said standing upright as the Praetorians released their hold on her. “You must be the Florianus they are all talking about. I am pleased to meet you.” She said walking towards him. Her demeanor was not fearful, but curious and brave. It was a pleasant shock to those in her presence.

“Take her away and find me her father.” Florianus said dismissively. His mind was occupied with Soterist thoughts and his ongoing battle, so there was no interest in pleasantries with a Persian woman. At least for the time being.

=== Next day, Damascus Gate ===

“Centurion Evaristus Heraclius and Centurion Sophronius Livius!” Florianus said with a wide smile as he greeted the two Centurions who’d led the rescue party to free the several dozen prisoners taken by the Persians. “Once again you have both impressed me. Keep this up and I’ll have to raise two new legions so I can promote you two to Legates.” He added before turning back to General Nikomachos of the Seleukid Army of the East.

“How many men did you lose Zosimos?” Florianus asked placing a hand on his friends shoulder. The Seleukid General looked to be near tears, but held a firm upper lip in front of the Roman.

“Several thousand I won’t know until tomorrow. But even so, I only had eight thousand when we left Iustianopolis. I cannot take casualties like this again Florianus.” He stated. “I will not go further east. This is where I draw the line.”

Florianus nodded. “I understand. But let’s not tell the Persians that, or my men.” He said. “There is one more thing... General Shahram has been captured by my men. “

“I will see him back to Antioch,” General Nikomachos said. “If he lives he’ll come back at the head of a army twice as large and twice as vengeful. Basileus Iulios could use his first noble prisoner of war. The young king has yet to manage such exciting or delicate operation.”

Looking at the old Seleukid soldier, Florianus gave him another nod. “I will see that my men ready him, and rendezvous with yours at the river. I hope he will never be heard from again. Let us hope though if we are defeated one day our enemy is a little more merciful then we were...”

General Nikomachos laughed, finding a sadistic irony in Florianus’s wish. “Florianus, the day you are defeated and captured is the day you die. No one is going to let you live.”

Thus the great trading city of Palmyraa had fallen to the Hispano-Roman mercenaries known as the Valenii Juliani Legions and their Seleukid employers. The excesses committed in the city over the next week were extreme; all the Persian soldiers in the city were put to the sword or thrown over the walls, of the eleven thousand civilians most were enslaved. The six priests of Palyrma were killed outright and many of the one hundred and fifty clergy were also butchered by angry Soterist and Iustian soldiers. Now the road was open to Assyria... would Persia continue to fight or would peace now come?

Written By: Carus Florianus Julianus with input from Ferus Juventas
Edited By: Ferus Juventas
137 AD