With Crassus' permission, Marcus immediately began fostering a new heavy-armed cavalry.
Since the Senate did not approve it, private expenses must cover the finances. Naturally, it was not possible to proceed on a large scale.
Still, with the current wealth of the Crassus family, this was not a problem.
In particular, there was no pressure on spending thanks to the stirrups and horseshoes receiving huge orders.
Crassus, dubious that the rebellion would grow on a large scale, decided to believe his son's words when Varinius' defeat came.
The cause of Varinius' defeat was as Marcus expected.
He looked down on the slave rebels, divided 4,000 troops into two, and put his deputy in command.
However, Crixus, who did not miss that time, raided the troops of Cossinus, his deputy, and defeated them individually.
Cossinus couldn't even escape and was decapitated by Crixus. Varinius, who was belatedly chasing Crixus, pretended to flee but was caught up in a surprise rebel operation and lost miserably.
In particular, the fact that Fasces, a symbol of the authority of Roman high officials, was taken along with the military Aquila was very fatal.
Fasces was an axe made by tying several branches together, and Crixus made his subordinates carry it around as if they were looking at this piece.
With this victory, Crixus's power, which gained momentum, grew at speed beyond Rome's control.
The sound of horses' hooves heading to Rome for the report continued day and night.
"A large number of southern shepherd slaves escaped and joined the rebels."
"The slaves of Neapolis have escaped in groups."
"It is understood that the size of the rebels has already exceeded 40,000."
"Slave riots in Metapontum. The rebels are said to be heading there to respond."
Reports of the growing power of slave rebels arrived daily in the Senate and the Plebeian Council.
Intelligence reports have now shown that their size is likely to range from 60,000 to nearly 70,000.
It is now far beyond the scale that can be ignored as slaves.
Here, an event occurred that went against the original history that Marcus knew.
Unlike the historical slave army, which traveled north to escape from Rome, the current slave army traveled all over Rome and carried out thorough destruction.
They could not attack large cities with strong defenses, but medium-sized cities with weak walls could not withstand the slave army's offensive.
They pillaged the city thoroughly, killing male Roman citizens and raping women.
Since there is no one to control slaves like Spartacus, the aggression is almost extreme.
Crixus did not even think of stopping them but was only preoccupied with preparing to fight the Roman army that would come later.
As the damage snowballed, the Senate eventually forced the military to convene before the year passed.
Even this was different from real history.
Lucius Gellius Publicola and Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus, whose terms of office will begin the following year, were in command.
This time, they deployed a true Roman legion, not a recruit sent to save face.
The consuls led two legions each, totaling more than 25,000 units, and sent out.
"It is unprecedented to deploy a total of four legions to only one mob, not an enemy. Even if you win, you'll have to endure losing face."
Some senators still viewed the current situation as softhearted, but most senators supported the introduction of the regular corps.
Of course, senators who took the situation seriously also put in as many as four legions, so they were sure this would end the situation.
But things didn't work out that easily.
No matter how warm the Mediterranean climate is, winter has not been a good season for the war.
In addition, the end of the year was the rainy season of the year. The moral of the military marching on the fields in the mud in the chilly cold cannot be high.
The two consuls did not even move together, wanting to take credit for ending the war.
Gellius, who was in a hurry to finish the game, was ambushed by Crixus and lost.
Even the troops of the following consul, Lentulus, were defeated like lies.
Of course, the slave army was not without damage.
Crixus suffered considerable damage even though it fought in more favorable conditions than actual history.
It was also evidence that he had less strategy than Spartacus.
However, the advantage that leaders were not divided like history eventually led to victory.
Another shocking news flew along with the thunderclap of the defeat of the army led by the consul.
One of the freed Roman soldiers from Lentulus' legion stood on the platform of the Comitium where the Plebeian Council was held.
The soldier shed tears of blood and condemned the atrocities committed by Crixus's army against the Roman army.
"They gave swords to our captive Roman citizens and made them fight each other. Those who refused to fight were brutally tortured to death. And he laughed and mocked us as we fought, saying he would free only those who fought and survived! I stood here, having survived humiliatingly even by killing the same comrades. Why? Because I couldn't die until I was told what they were doing now!"
"How dare those scumbags!"
"What a bunch of douchebags!"
The shouts of angry citizens filled the Roman Forum.
The soldier pounded his chest with his fist and let go of his throat, screaming.
"Their leader released me and told me to convey his words clearly to Rome. He declared that he was the vessel of wrath against Rome, and that this wrath would soon engulf Rome even more. How long must we see their spirited appearance!"
"What are the senate doing!"
"It's like this because the consuls are thinking of making a contribution only for themselves! It's a disgrace to Rome!"
Naturally, the Senate could not ignore the demands of the angry populace.
No, instead, they were angrier than the commoners.
Only the Romans have the right to host gladiatorial fights.
Crixus did this ostentatiously to ridicule Rome's vested interests on purpose.
However, if you hastily raise an army simply because you are angry, it will only be a trial of a previous defeat.
In addition, in a situation where they defeated even the consul's army, no one hastily volunteered to step up.
The enemy is tens of thousands of troops. In addition, the morale was high due to a series of victories.
It was never an easy opponent to see.
A situation in which no one is coming forward. Cicero, a newcomer who has recently gained fame as a lawyer, has cautiously asked for comment.
"If we forcefully raise an army in the winter, we will only lose again. Fortunately, Sertorius' rebellion in Hispania is now almost suppressed. Pompeius will return next year at the latest, so why don't we give him the command?"
"No matter how much it is, Hispania has not yet been suppressed, so we can't just wait for Pompeius...."
"Are you saying there is no talented person in Rome other than Pompeius?"
Senators no longer wanted to give Pompeius a chance to build military service, so they voted against it unconditionally.
Even so, no one came forward to take command.
As Marcus advised, Crassus was convinced that it was the right time to step up. He jumped up from his seat and opened his mouth in an unusually polite voice.
"Respectful Members, give me the Imperium*. I will command the army to overthrow the rebels and regain Rome's honor."
It was true that Crassus, the praetor, was qualified to lead the legion. However, he had no military service beyond a brief stint under Sulla. There needed to be more trust that they could completely trust.
Caecilius Metellus, who recently served as an aedile, raised his hand and asked cautiously.
"How do you intend to face the enemy, praetor?"
"It's obvious why we've lost so far. The commanders were careless because they looked down on the enemy, and they were already confident of victory and coveted the military and failed to exert their full strength. So please, Members. Allow me to form eight legions, including myself and the defeated consul's army, to receive the Imperium*. I will thoroughly exterminate the enemy without any carelessness or conceit."
The firm and confident declaration made the Senate agitated. It was undoubtedly persuasive, but there was one problem with just listening to it.
Lentulus, the loser, cautiously refuted.
"Eight legions? That's too much. I'm not ashamed to say this, but if I put in eight legions, of course I'll be able to annihilate them. But shouldn't we also consider financial issues?"
Publicola took his word and added one vote to the opposition.
"Due to the current financial situation, it is too much pressure to form eight legions. If it's six legions, I can't believe it's eight legions...… Where do you mean such financial resources come from?"
"It comes from me."
Crassus's brief rebuttal made the Senate consul as silent as death.
"Please organize only six legions into state coffers. I'll cover the two legions with my own money."
The senators' eyes widened.
Lentulus and Publicola sat down quietly with their hands down as if nothing had happened.
In an instant, the proposal to grant Crassus, Imperium* and appoint him as the commander-in-chief of the punitive forces was passed.
There was no vote against it.
* * *
TN:
* = Imperium was a form of authority held by a citizen to control a military or governmental entity given by the Senate in the Roman Republic.