A Botched Assassination Attempt

Marcellus gazed upon the city walls of Ravenna and smiled. Months had passed since he had first set out on his campaign to reunite the Western Roman Empire, and finally, he could return home as a triumphant hero. He was entirely unware of the plots against his life and thus rode atop his steed proudly through the city.

Alongside Marcellus were the six thousand soldiers of his first legion. Though he had embarked on the campaign with nine legions of soldiers, he had returned with one. Why was this? It was because he had sent the other eight legions to the various regions of the Western Roman Empire to act as the main force in their defense. Two legions were sent to the four diocese that contained the regions of Britannia, Gaul, and Hispania.