My Creative Story OnScipio

The Elephant Rider and Trumpeter at the Battle of Zama

It was the day of the battle. I, Dimitrius, was in position on top of my elephant and in front of the Carthaginian line. The order would come soon, so I prepared myself for the charge. The Roman army looked huge, and very organized. Like us the cavalry was on the flanks. The Roman legions waiting for the battle to start were lined up in 3 lines, the classic Roman formation. Soon all the elephants including would be in motion heading directly for the Romans. My elephant was tired from all the walking it had done in the last few days. I felt confident it would be able to charge across the fields to where the Roman legions were waiting. Sweat dripped down my face, and I was scared at what would come. It was a perfect day for a battle. Despite the heat, which living in it for so long I was used to, the weather was beautiful. The sun was shining brightly overhead and the sky was a crystal blue without a cloud in sight. The elephant impatient, fidgeted, and shook me out of my daydream. I gripped the reins tight, and waited. "Charge!" I heard someone yell from the back of the army. This was it Hannibal had given the order. My elephant eager to move jumped into motion when I gave it a little kick.

Well this is going to be it I thought to myself; the battle will start any minute now. I held my trumpet tightly. I was scared and hoping I wouldn't have to use my trumpet. Just as expected the Carthaginians gave the order for the elephants to charge. The sight was terrifying. 80 elephants charging at full speed shaking the ground heading straight for us. I, Claudius, waited for the order to come. "Trumpeters out in front!" the soldiers yelled tried to yell above all the noise. Now this was it, I hope I don't fail. We moved out into the open and again waited. The elephants were very close now. I was terrified. "Now!" I heard someone yell. I put my trumpet to my mouth and blew as hard as I could. We were almost there, the elephants tearing up the ground and charging towards the legions. What were the Romans doing? Then suddenly I saw all the trumpeters get in the front of the army and raise their trumpets at once. Then suddenly I knew, but there was not enough time to stop the charge. "Tatata!" the sound was immense. My elephant reared up. I held on to the reins as hard as I could, but my grip wasn't tight enough. I felt myself falling, and came down hard on my stomach, all the air being knocked out of me. My arm hurt so much, but that wasn't the least of my worries. I quickly rolled out of the way as another elephant came charging back towards our army narrowly missing me. I heard the moans of the riders who had been thrown off their elephant like me. Another elephant confused tripped and fell next to me. I heard the scream of the man and the crunching of the bones, as the elephant crushed him. My arm was severely broken; I could feel the bone jutting out. Then I watched as most of the elephants turned around and came crashing into our cavalry. I wonder what Scipio would order the Romans to do next.

The plan had worked, as Scipio had expected and predicted the elephant charge was completely destroyed. Most of the elephants had turned around and charged back into the Carthaginian Calvary. Feeling satisfied I started to move to the back of the army through the legions to watch the rest of the fight, but I had spent too much time watching what I had done. Scipio, seeing that Hannibal's army was temporary stunned, ordered the legions to charge. I was still moving through the legions when Scipio gave the order. The legions issued a wild roar, and started the race to the enemy. Being caught with them I was forced to charge. I dropped my trumpet picking up the sword of a dead elephant rider hoping I would live to see another day. The pain was excruciating I thought looking up at the sky trying to find comfort from the pain there. A huge yell came up from the Roman army, and the ground began to shake. This time it wasn't because of elephants though as I looked over seeing the Roman legions accompanied by the cavalry charging towards our army and me. The cavalry was getting closer, and I made out one of the trumpeters picking up a sword from the crushed rider. What was he doing with the legions? I thought lifting myself on the ground. I tried to sprint despite the pain in my arm and leg and since I was on the side of the army I didn't have to long to go. The legions were getting closer and closer, but I spotted a rock cropping ahead. I dived behind it landing on my left side, so my broken arm wouldn't hit the ground. This would provide cover for a while. It was a small hill of rocks with a little alcove for me in the middle of the stones. From here I watched the charge praying for our soldiers, and my friends that I had made during the war. The charge was immense, and not being accustomed to run I couldn't keep up with the legions. I was tiring already, but I ignored the cramps and continued to run. We were heading straight for their soldiers. The cavalry arrived to the enemy first attacking their right flank where Hannibal had positioned his cavalry. I watched as the Carthaginian cavalry was quickly driven back. Then turned back quickly to look at what was happening. The order was given and the first line of Hannibal's army started towards us. This was going to be a bloody battle.

The legions had passed me, and soon I saw our army heading for them. The two armies met close to my position, and all I could see were bodies, and the clanging of the swords and the occasional screams of pain. The legions being better trained looked like they were doing better. From the back I could again see the trumpeter. He looked scared, but it was to late for him to back away now. Then looking towards our cavalry I saw that it had retreated and the Roman cavalry was heading back to attack our soldiers fighting with the legions. Our soldiers will be slaughtered. When we reached the Carthaginians I was behind. Boldness took over my fear, and I started to run toward the front of the line. I was experienced with a sword from my training when I was a child, but I had never killed someone. I saw a hole as legion fell back with a scream blood gushing out of his head. I popped through to find myself at the front of the army facing the enemy. I instinctively thrust out my sword finding the flesh of my adversary. He fell stunned by my sudden move. The sword had left a big gash on his throat. Trying to forget what I just had done I attacked the next available soldier this one was prepared though and parried my blow. Suddenly I let out a scream as a soldier to my right stabbed me in the arm. The enemy taking advantage of me being stunned stabbed at my chest, but I managed to block it. Trying to ignore the pain I stabbed at the him. He finally fell down as I wounded his chest. But suddenly I felt the butt of a sword hit me in the side of the head, and I stumbled back falling down. Another sword narrowly missed me as I fell. Then as my luck ran out a spear drove into my leg crippling me. At that moment I saw our cavalry crashing into the enemy rear. This stunned the soldiers that they forgot about our legions. Seizing the chance I crawled away a legion helping me as I got farther away from the front line. The Carthaginians soon overcame their surprise and started to attack again.

From the rocks I couldn't see much the armies had thinned out considerably and it seemed like the legions were doing better. Just then the cavalry hit our army. It was a horrible sight they tore through the soldiers. The legions also attacking crushed them like flies. It was too late to fight back. No matter what happened Hannibal's strategy would fail, since his army was half gone. "Scipio had won, Scipio had won." I thought as the last of our army was being slaughtered. As I watched what was left of our army retreated as best as they could. By now Hannibal would have run away to mourn his defeat. I got up and started walking because now it was over. There was nobody on our side left to fight. Where shall I go now? The attack was working, and the soldiers were dropping like flies. "Scipio has done it, he defeated Hannibal," were my last thoughts before fainting from the pain. When I awoke I was being tended to my wounds, and they told me that Hannibal and his army, what was left of it, had retreated. The greatest fight of my life is over.

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