The evening meal, which Constantine had been invited to share with his father, turned out to be a staff conference of the leading commanders in the coming expedition against Britain. Crocus was there, as staff commander of all mounted alae attached to the several legions making up the expedition. So was Eumenius, who, Constantine had realized by now, was much more than just a secretary to his father, serving actually as trusted aide and adviser in matters of government and policy. Constantine listened carefully to the plans for the campaign and studied the maps with others.
He spoke but little, however, preferring to learn as much as he could first. As the dinner was drawing to an end, Constantius turned to him.
“You’ve spoken but little tonight, Flavius,” he said. “I don’t remember that as being one of your virtues.”
Constantine smiled. “Dacius taught me to keep my mouth closed, unless I had something to say, sir.”
“Do you approve the plans of the campaign?”
“To a point. As I see it, your main project is to repair and rebuild the wall constructed by Emperor Hadrian across northern Britain. But why not the wall of Antoninus Pius north of it?” “Hadrian’s Wall has always been the stronger, but lately it has fallen into disrepair,” Constantius explained. “We plan to repair it first and then use it as the base for a move north to the second wall.”
“Do you really expect these walls to hold back the Piets, when they’ve never been able to do it?” Constantine asked.
“They’ve never been heavily garrisoned before.”
Constantine pointed out
“They could still be bypassed easily by a coastal fleet,” Constantine pointed out. “Those who were snug and warm in the shelter of the walls wouldn’t even know the enemy was at their rear, until the swords of the Piets were at their throats.”
A flush of annoyance had risen in Constantius’ cheeks when Constantine began to question the value of the wall. Before he could say anything, however, Eumenius spoke.
“There is a precedent for Tribune Constantine’s objection to the wall, Augustus,” the scholar said. “You no doubt remember how Asclepiodotus got lost in the fog and drifted into the mouth of the river Thamesis, when we first invaded Britain a few years ago. He was able to capture Londinium and outflank Allectus, who then surrendered, allowing you to come ashore at the foot of the cliffs without any opposition at all.”
“This flanking maneuver seems to be a favorite of yours, Flavius.” Constantius had regained his good humor. ‘What do you have in mind? To reestablish the Antonine Wall as our northernmost defense fine?”
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