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Horatius - The "Official" Story
Thousands of years ago, Rome was a small but prosperous city. The Romans were brave people who were skilled in the art of warfare.
One day the King of Tuscany sent his troops to attack Rome. When the Tuscans marched towards Rome, the Romans were taken by surprise, as they were not prepared for a battle.
The Tuscans had to cross the bridge across the river Tiber to reach Rome. The chief of the Roman army called his men and said, "The enemy troops are approaching the bridge. We must not let them cross at any cost. We must break down the bridge to prevent their entry to Rome."
So the Romans began to demolish the wooden bridge. But before they could pull it down completely, the enemy had reached the bridge.
Just then a young Roman soldier called Horatius came forward. He said to his comrades, "You go ahead with your job of cutting down the bridge, at this end. I will go to the other end of the bridge, and stop the enemy there. I shall not let a single Tuscan soldier cross over." He raised his sword in defiance of the Tuscans and ran to the other end of the bridge. Two young Roman followed him.
So, while the others were busy hacking down the bridge, Horatius and his two companions stood at the end of the bridge nearest to the enemy soldiers.
Horatius shouted to the Tuscan commander: "We shall not let you cross the bridge. We will fight you to our last breath."
The Tuscan commander was amused to see the three Romans challenging his mighty Tuscan army. He laughed at them and said:
"Young Romans don't be foolish. You three cannot stop us. Go back and live to see another day."
But the brave Romans refused to move an inch. Horatius replied: "We are Romans not Tuscans, we shall fight you to the bitter end, come what may."
At this, the Tuscans were very angry and rushed at Horatius and his companions. But Horatius and his friends fought bravely and killed scores of Tuscans. And while they held the bridge and blocked the advance of the Tuscan soldiers, the other Romans were busy cutting down the bridge.
Soon the bridge was nearly cut in two and about to fall. The Romans shouted to Horatius to run back. But Horatius did not leave his post. He was injured but he kept on fighting. To Him, his country's security was far more important than his own life.
Suddenly the bridge crashed into the river with a great noise. Horatius quickly turned back and jumped into the river, his two companions also followed him. The river was in flood but they swam safely across the river to the Rome.
Horatius' patriotic mission was successful. The Tuscans could not enter Rome, now that there was no bridge there. Horatius had saved Rome and its people by an act of extraordinary courage and bravery. He became the national hero of Rome. Years later, the Romans built a big statue of this brave warrior to perpetuate his memory.
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A Medal For Horatius - The "True" Story
Purists will tell you that the only true versions of the Horatius story are those recounted by the Roman historian Livy or his Greek counterpart, Polybius. Some may believe the events happened as told by Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay in his epic poem "Horatius."
Those of us who have dealt first hand with the dual curse of political correctness and government bureaucracy know better. For us, "A Medal for Horatius - The True Story" as created by Colonel W. C. Hall, and published in the January 1953 edition of the British Army Journal is definitely a more probable version of the aftermath.
Judge for yourself.
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Rome,
II Calends, April CCCLX
SUBJECT: Recommendation for Senate Medal of Honor
TO: Department of War, Republic of Rome
I. Recommend Caius Horatius, Captain of Foot, CMCMXIV, for the Senate Medal of Honor.
II. Captain Horatius has served XVI years, all honorable.
III. On the II day of March, during the attack on the city by Lars Porsena of Clausium and his Tuscan Army of CMX men, Captain Horatius, with Sergeant Sporius Laritus and Corporal Julius Herminius, held the entire Tuscan army at the far end of the bridge, until the structure could be destroyed, thereby saving the city.
IV. Captain Horatius did valiantly fight and kill one Major Picus of Clausium in individual combat.
V. The exemplary courage and the outstanding leadership of Captain Horatius are in the highest tradition of the Roman Army.
JULIUS ANTINOUS,
Commander, II Foot Legion
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Ist Ind, AG
IV Calends, April CCCLX
TO: G-III
For comment.
G.C.
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IInd Ind, G-III
IX Calends, May CCC
TO: G-II
I. For comment and forwarding.
II. Change end of paragraph III from "saving the city" to "lessened the effectiveness of the enemy attack." The Roman Army was well dispersed tactically; the reserve has not been committed. The phrase as written might be construed to cast aspersions on our fine army.
III. Change paragraph V from "outstanding leadership" to read "commendable initiative." Captain Horatius's command was II men, only I/IV of a squad.
J.D.
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IIId Ind, G-II
II Ides, June CCCLX
TO: G-I
I. Omit strength of Tuscan forces in paragraph III. This information is classified.
II. A report evaluated as B-II states that the officer was a Captain Picus of Tifernum. Recommend change to "an officer of the enemy forces."
J.H.
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IVth Ind, G-I
IX Ides, January CCCLXI
TO: JAG
I. Full name is Caius Claudius Horatius.
II. Change service from XVI to XV years. One year in Romulus Chapter BPOE, has been given credit for military service in error.
E.J.
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Vth Ind, JAG
II, February CCCLXI
TO: AG
I. The Porsena raid was not during wartime; the temple of Janus was closed.
II. The action against the Porsena raid, ipso facto, was a police action.
III. The Senate Medal of Honor cannot be awarded in peacetime (AB/CVIII-XXV, paragraph XII, C).
IV. Suggest consideration for Soldier's Medal.
P.B.
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VIth Ind, AF
IV Calends, April CCCLXI
TO: G-I
Concur in paragraph IV, Vth Ind.
L.J.
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VIIth Ind, G-I
I May CCCLXI
TO: AG
Soldier's medal is given for saving lives; suggest star of bronze as appropriate.
E.J.
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VIIIth Ind, JAG
II Calends, June CCCLXI
TO: JAG
For opinion.
G.C.
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IXth Ind, JAG
II Calends, September CCCLXI
I. XVIII months have elapsed since event described in basic letter. Star of bronze cannot be awarded after XV months have elapsed.
II. Officer is eligible for Papyrus Scroll with Metal Pendant.
P.B.
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X Ind, AG
I Calends, October CCCLXI
TO: G-I
For draft of citation for Papyrus Scroll with Metal Pendant.
P.B.
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XI Ind, G-I
III Calends, October CCCLXI
TO: G-II
I. Do not concur.
II. Our currently fine relations with Tuscany would suffer and current delicate negotiations might be jeopardized if publicity were given to Captain Horatius' actions at this time.
T.J.
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XII Ind, G-II
VI November CCCLXI
TO: G-I
A report rated D-IV, partially verified, states that Lars Porsena is very sensitive about the Horatius affair.
E.T.
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XIIIth Ind, G-I
X November CCCLXI
TO: AG
I. In view of information contained in preceding XI and XII of the endorsements, you will prepare immediate orders of Captain C. C. Horatius to one of our overseas stations (remote).
II. His attention will be directed to paragraph XII, POM, which prohibits interviews or conversations with newsmen prior to arrival at final destination.
L.T.
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Rome
II Calends, I April CCCLXII
SUBJECT: Survey, Report of, Department of War
TO: Captain Caius Caius Horatius, III Legion, V Phalanx, APO XIX, C/O Postmaster, Rome.
I. Your statements concerning the loss of your shield and sword in the Tiber River of III March CCCLX have been carefully considered.
II. It is admitted that you were briefly in action against certain unfriendly elements on that day. However, Sergeant Lartius and Corporal Herminius were in the same action and did not lose any government property.
III. The Finance Officer has been directed to reduce your next pay by II-I/IV talents (I-III/IV talents cost on each sword, officers; III/IV talent cost of one each shield, M-II).
IV. You are enjoined and admonished to pay strict attention to conservation of government funds and property. The budget must be balanced next year.
H. MARCUS AURELIUS
Lieutenant of Horse
Survey Officer
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