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Rome.
    Manius was one of the so called lucky ones, but he did not feel lucky; he felt utterly betrayed and bitter.  In time, he got over his bitterness, but he had a permanent limp in his right leg as a constant reminder that soldiers will fight well.  It is their leaders who fail them and not vice versa.  Initially, he felt happy that he had survived, then guilty, then angry at those who caused the calamity.  He was also angry at himself for failing to see the trap laid by Hannibal.
    He was trying to put Cannae behind him, but he was curious to meet the other survivors and see how they were coping.  He imagined that each had a story and was probably eager to tell someone.  He hoped to interview Consul Varro to get his perspective on Cannae .  The other Consul, Paullus, died in the battle.
    He would have his work cut out for him, but now he needed time to heal and to allow his family to care for him.  Someday, he thought, he would return to Agnone to see how the villagers were getting along and if they had used the money wisely.
    January and February of 215 seemed to Manius to be unusually cold.  Perhaps it was his inactivity.  He tried to walk daily and exercise his leg, but it pained him constantly.  Apparently, the infection had damaged the nerves in his leg.  Fortunately, it was tolerable and getting a little better every day.  He enjoyed his time with Lucia and the children.  Decima was now 10, Flavia 6, and Titus 4.  Manius was genuinely delighted whenever Levi and his son Joseph would visit.
    With time on his hands, Manius thought about his deceased mother and father, his childhood, his brother, growing up on the Tiber, and his 27 years in the Army.  He relived with perfect recall his battles 10 years earlier at Faesulae , Telamon , and Clastidium along with his former Commanders Consuls Papus and Marcellus.  There were many things he would change, but, overall, he was pleased with his military prowess and life.

Chapter II: A Soldier’s Life 242-225 BC
     
    Manius’ Early Years 259 BC
    A s the son of a poor Tiber fisherman, Manius earned his military rank through his performance on and off the battlefield.  He was not a patrician from a well established Roman family; he was not wealthy; he was not a Consul or commander of a legion.  He was merely a man who lived simply and did his duty.  Only late in his life did he realize that he actually did have a knack for detailed thinking, organization, tactics, and strategy.  In his heart, however, he knew that command of a legion or service as a senator was beyond his station in life and maybe even his capability.  He was quite content to serve faithfully in positions in which he felt qualified and competent.
    Manius was born in 259 BC, which made him nine years junior to his friend Levi and 33 years senior to Levi’s son Joseph.  At 50, he felt as though he was at his prime even though he knew every 18 year old recruit at Campus Martius could run faster, farther, and carry heavier loads for longer periods.  But he had what they did not: experience, determination, and the ability to make sound thoughtful decisions.
    His power was now in his brains, not his muscles and he reveled in that knowledge.  He no longer expended precious energy on nonsense, dares, or whims.  Long gone were the days of chasing women, drinking long into the night, and running just for the joy of it.  He missed his youth like he missed his time in basic Legionaire training many years ago: glad he did it, but had no desire to do it again.
    As a youth, he helped his father and older brother, Gaius, catch fish in the Tiber.  Fishing was their livelihood. He felt grown up as he and his brother pulled in a net or threw out a line.  It particularly pleased him that his father often showed appreciation for his help.
    One day, just after his 10 th birthday, he saw something he had often seen before, but this time he really watched.  Crossing the bridge was a column of Legionaries.