Rome Must Perish

It was precisely considering these factors that Gaius Claudius Gracchus instructed the recruitment officers to try their best to enlist soldiers with combat experience.

Gracchus had a good plan, but the problem was that years ago Marius' subordinate Quintus Sedulius had stirred up rebellion in Iberia, repeatedly achieving victories. Later, he joined forces with the remnant army of the Civilian Faction's former governor Rebid, significantly increasing their military strength. In order to suppress the rebellion, Rome even violated centuries-old political tradition by allowing Pompey, who was only 30 years old, neither a legal officer nor a governor, to lead troops in the expedition. Furthermore, Pompey was granted reinforcements twice. As a result, the pool of experienced and excellent soldiers in Rome had long been depleted.

Gracchus had no choice but to lower his standards and recruit some veterans. These veterans had been part of Sula's army, following him on the march into Rome years ago. After Sula became dictator, he kept his promises, vigorously building colonial towns in Italy (such as Florence), distributing land to his soldiers, and settling them well. However, these soldiers, having spent years fighting wars, had no idea how to farm once their short swords were replaced by hoes. Year after year, many faced bankruptcy from failing to operate their farms, falling into poverty and having to flock back to Rome to make a living. Now, it had been ten years since they marched on Rome; the remaining veterans who were not recruited by Pompey were all over forty years old.

Gracchus did not look down upon them; instead, he appointed these veterans as centurions and captains to help manage the newly recruited soldiers.

In just a few days, the recruitment was completed, and then the army was assembled within a few more days. Without training, Gracchus led the army directly into action.

Rome was approximately 400 miles away from Mount Vesuvius. Even with the Ladina and Ania Avenue routes, a land journey would take four to five days. Traveling by sea would undoubtedly save time, but Gracchus opted for land in order to train the new recruits through marching and camping during the journey.

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"My name is Pro, I come from Egypt, and I lived on the banks of the Nile River. I used to own my land—all very fertile soil! At the end of the flood season, I would build mud dikes to trap the remaining water in the fields and then begin planting. During harvest, the fields were filled with heavy bundles of wheat...

But then, war broke out in Egypt. The village chief, who had long coveted my family's land, accused me of colluding with the rebel army. Without investigating the truth, the City Lord imprisoned my entire family and later sold us to Roman slave traders. We were confined in a crowded, furnace-hot shiphold on our way to Italy... My wife... my children... they fell sick and died..."