However, flatland towns like Suysula, Abella, Nola, and others were mostly built by the Samnites, a mountain-dwelling race with relatively backward city-building techniques. Back then, they held strategic advantages in Campania, so they naturally didn’t require strong city defenses. After falling under Roman rule, there were hardly any improvements, and as time passed, some towns even tore down their walls and turned into rural areas. Given the rebel army’s current strength, they can certainly give it a try. Besides, the supply camp now has siege technology in reserve—this could serve as a chance for practice and training.
"I agree, too," Spartacus said. "I imagine Hamilcar wouldn’t oppose this either."
Cross finally revealed the first hint of a smile since entering the city.
"I have another suggestion," Maximus saw the atmosphere was easing and seized the moment to speak. "Our ranks have now grown to 20,000 strong, yet the individual units are still being addressed as the First Battalion, Second Battalion, and such. I fear this naming convention has become unsuitable. Why not rename them as ’legions’? Moreover, we’ve defeated the Roman Army repeatedly and built up quite a reputation, yet we still lack a military banner—it makes us seem like an unruly mob. We need our own banner to inspire morale and show the people of Italy that we exist!
Speaking of banners, there’s another overlooked detail: our forces still don’t have a name to represent our cause. A proper name can let the Italian people know why we’re rebelling—and through this name, we can rally more people to join us and resist Rome!..."
As Maximus finished his impassioned explanation, the eyes of everyone in the room lit up.
Since initiating the revolt from the Gladiator School half a year ago, they had been preoccupied with strengthening their forces and dealing with Rome’s counterattacks. Either they hadn’t had time to think about such things, or their ideas had remained vague. Maximus, armed with his extensive knowledge of historical uprisings, stated it more definitively than anyone else could.
"Maximus is absolutely right! Our numbers have long since exceeded the scale of a single battalion, yet we’re still using battalion designations. I feel embarrassed when I assign someone to command a thousand soldiers because I don’t even know what title to give them—after all, I myself am just a Great Captain," Cross admitted, breaking his usual silence to show his rare agreement with the proposal.
"I think ’legion’ is great! ’Legion’ is great!" Enomai said with a wide grin, nodding repeatedly.
Rome’s dominance over the Mediterranean was largely due to its unique military system, making the term ’legion’ widely recognized. Since the rebel army was already adopting Roman military structures, elevating battalions to legions seemed entirely natural, and none of the leaders present voiced any objections.
But Spartacus spoke in a serious tone: "Maximus’s suggestion reminded me of something. Our individual units are expanding at a rapid pace. I assess that in another month, the size of each unit will far surpass that of a single legion. If we switch from battalions to legions now, what will we call our forces later when legions outgrow their names?"
Spartacus’s remarks left everyone present momentarily stunned.
"Here’s what I suggest," Spartacus said slowly. "From now on, you all may expand your forces on your own, following Roman military organization to form multiple legions and appoint Legion Commanders..."
Maximus rubbed his chin, trying to conceal his startled expression: Could Spartacus really be handing over such significant powers so effortlessly? Was he joking?
Maximus thought this way because he came from a modern background and deeply understood the importance of centralized military command.
Spartacus, on the other hand, hailed from the loosely organized Thrace and didn’t share the same awareness of this concept. His initial goal in leading the rebellion was simply to achieve freedom. Previously, the decision to distribute new recruits evenly across leaders rather than allowing personal recruitment was made collectively—mainly to ensure fairness, reduce conflict, and keep the relatively small rebel army united against Rome.
Now, however, the ranks had grown large, and individual leaders had begun harboring personal ambitions. The Military Commander Conference’s control over these leaders had weakened. This was especially true after conversations between Torrelugo and Cross brought secret recruitment efforts to light. Spartacus had no choice but to adapt, hoping to prevent future conflicts and avoid a potential collapse of the rebel army.
"I support Spartacus’s proposal; it will help us expand our forces and strengthen our position!" Cross quickly voiced his approval.
Enomai and Attutmus expressed their agreement one after another as well, no longer needing to operate in secrecy after the proposal’s adoption.
Only Antonix voiced some concern, asking cautiously: "Spartacus, are you proposing we develop separately and no longer act as a unified force?"
"Of course not," Spartacus explained patiently. "Our Military Commander Conference remains the highest governing body of our entire force. Major operations—such as fighting against the Roman Army or moving camps to Pompeii—will still require collective discussion and consent before implementation.
Recruiting new soldiers or raiding villages, for example, are simpler matters that each unit can decide independently. When it comes to military actions like attacking Campania towns, if you believe your unit has the strength to handle it independently, you can lead your forces to launch the attack on your own. If you feel your strength is inadequate, you can also call for a conference and unite others to assist."
So, I can independently expand my Fourth Battalion while still being under the protection of Spartacus and Cross... Attutmus said nothing but felt inwardly satisfied with the response.
"Does the supply camp also have the right to independently recruit and expand its forces?" Maximus asked loudly, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
Spartacus replied gently, "My proposal applies to all leaders participating in the Military Commander Conference, which naturally includes you."
Maximus’s heart leapt; his risky conquest of Pompeii had finally earned Spartacus’s recognition of his military capabilities, paving the way for the supply camp’s rapid development!
"Hold on," Cross immediately interjected, questioning, "Maximus originally oversaw the supply camp and was responsible for providing logistical support to all units. If he’s going to expand his own Guard, shouldn’t we appoint someone else to manage the supply camp so he can focus on combat?"
Maximus froze for a moment, then smirked slightly. "Chief Cross, your suggestion is admirable. I’m willing to resign my position as leader of the supply camp and focus solely on leading the Guard."
Cross’s concern stemmed from earlier revelations by Torrelugo, who used food consumption patterns to expose Cross’s secret recruitment of excess troops. Since then, Cross realized that if logistical resources remained under Maximus’s control—a leader he wasn’t entirely aligned with—it could spell trouble for his forces in the future...
Cross had been prepared to argue fiercely with Maximus, but he hadn’t expected the latter to agree so readily. Overjoyed, he was about to speak when Spartacus intervened, saying, "No. Maximus, you will continue to lead the supply camp!"
Maximus’s smile turned faint and measured as he politely declined, "I already have combat duties to attend to, and as Chief Cross pointed out, handling logistics on top of that might be too much for me—"
"I trust you’re fully capable of managing both combat and logistics!" Spartacus interrupted firmly. "Since you took charge of the supply camp, the brothers have never lacked for food, never needed to worry about injuries going untreated, and we’ve never had shortages in supplies. Furthermore, the men in the supply camp respect and trust you. If someone else were to take over, they wouldn’t do half as well as you. Don’t you all agree?"