Roman Legion

Ignatius inspected his cohort
The unknown one and his men
He needed the best to fight for him
He needed the best to fight for them

Iduma stood tall, with a beard of fiery red
Didn’t like Ignatius, he wanted his job instead
Now was the time, he could prove his worth
He was born to be a leader; he knew it from birth

Ianus the two-faced one, wasn’t sure whose side to take
He watched Ignatius and Iduma, he waited for his break
The cohorts were ordered to drink, and sup from the pool
Then Ignatius would pick his men, he was nobody’s fool

To take Britannia from Caesar, that was Ignatius’ game
And then he wouldn’t be unknown, everyone will know his name
The ones that sipped from the pool, while keeping watch around
They were the cohorts Ignatius used, his cohorts he had found

Caesar when he slept, would be in his tent set by the river
Ignatius sent his men, to bring back the Caesar’s liver
Iduma heard the plan, his temper rose and boiled
He would not let Caesar die; it was Ignatius that would be broiled

Ianus watched them both, a side he needed to pick
He wanted to be on the winning one, he knew he must act quick
The cohorts crept into the camp; to take Caesar was their plan
Then Ignatius knew he would be leader, he would be their man

Ianus decided to foil the plan, and so he set a small trap
He told Caesar what was afoot, and then his thigh did slap
He hid in Caesars’ tent and waited for the cohorts
But it seemed to him that Idouma… must have read his thoughts

His two-faced trickery failed, at the conception of his plan
Iduma didn’t trust him, he was a two-faced man
Ianus of the two faces would pick sides when things were good
But he hadn’t counted on Idouma; it was something that he should

Ignatius failed to take Caesar, and will forever remain unknown
Londinium became a diocese, of the Roman throne
With Ianus dead and Ignatius too, that left only Iduma with his men
For Caesar to promote him, not of one cohort, but ten.

Ignatius .   Loose translations in Latin …..Unknowning
Iduma…       ……………………………. red
Ianus…         …………………………… two faces.
Caesar……………………………………King
Cohorts…….. The Legion was split into 10 Cohorts. The Cohorts were divided into 
Centuries. The First Cohort contained five centuries of 160 'crack troops.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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A   Avatar
July 18, 2014 at 3:56 PM
Mandy, Thanks for the reply on my comment...Linda
Sietesantos Avatar
July 6, 2014 at 1:04 PM
Hi Mandy, congratulations on your fine win! I enjoyed reading this well-penned write on the Roman Legion! Wow, what an amazing, detailed story, very imaginative, and cleverly told! Thank you for sharing this poetic gem!
Eastman Avatar
July 3, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Loved the story factor of this poem. Congratilations on such a well written win!
May Avatar
July 3, 2014 at 9:15 AM
Great write Mandy...Congrats on your win
Bordner Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 9:32 PM
Splendid drama, exquisite psychology, beautifully researched, and marvelously penned Mandy. I love this poem, and it honors not only Romsn history, but the psychology of internal squad ambition. Great names too! Julius Caesar earned his Legend, and was a great writer as well. J.A.B.
Callus Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 7:23 AM
Hi Mandy! My compliments on a very informative and well written entry. Long but flowing, helped by the rhyme. Congrats on a merited top placing. // paul
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 8:12 AM
Thanks Paul xx
Smith Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 6:00 AM
Wow! Mandy! So many lessons in this amazing write! Congrats on a great win.. Hugs.. Arlene
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 8:12 AM
Thanks Arlene had to do a little research lol xx
A   Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Congrats, Mandy... Linda
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 8:11 AM
Thanks Linda xx
Zerbst Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 10:24 PM
The most complicated plot of all the entries. Quite sinister. Poem was an instant winner for me; very engaging.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 8:11 AM
Thanks Isaiah enjoyed the challenge xx
Horsman Avatar
June 28, 2014 at 7:55 AM
always more than the basic poem from you Mandy, also heaps of info, and very interesting it is too///like this,,good luck...
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 8:10 AM
Thanks harry xx
Mehta Avatar
June 28, 2014 at 1:17 AM
Very nice and informative poem on Roman Legion, good luck in the contest, Mandy
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 8:10 AM
Thanks Dr Ram, xx
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