Maximus presented an open and welcoming demeanor as if inviting others to poach his people, because he firmly believed that the majority of those settled in the Supply Camp, having gotten used to the stable and orderly environment he provided, were unlikely to join forces where might is prioritized and military discipline is lax.
After Maximus finished speaking, everyone appeared contemplative, each quietly calculating their own plans.
"Alright, since it’s decided that each division will establish their own Supply Camp, let’s talk about the issue of army flag design that Maximus just mentioned," said Spartacus, steering the meeting back on track. He appeared relaxed, unconcerned about organizing a Supply Camp for his division, due to the assistance of Hamilcar who was adept at handling military affairs, coupled with his close ties to Maximus, ensuring he had the support needed from this young leader.
"We indeed need an army flag. Not only does it aid in battle, but it can also boost morale and show others that we are a formal army," said Cross, glancing at the other leaders before continuing, "I suggest that we depict an image of a gladiator fighting with a sword on the flag to illustrate the origins of our force."
Both Enomai and Antonix, also gladiators, approved of this idea, but Attutmus disagreed: "Now, the majority of our soldiers are not gladiators, and such a flag might be hard for them to identify with, failing to boost morale. I believe depicting an image of a poor person would be more appealing to the soldiers."
"An image of a poor person? That will just make the Romans mock us and boost their confidence in defeating us," Enomai shouted, "I think drawing a fierce boar or a powerful black bear would be better; that’s how we Germanic tribes used to like our banners."
"Boars and black bears? Romans already look down on us, and with that, they might laugh even more, seeing us as barbarians. Plus, the other poor Italians might think twice before joining us if they see such a flag," Attutmus retorted, surprising others with his sharp tongue in a rare debate with fellow leaders.
"You—" The less eloquent Enomai was tongue-tied, only able to glare at his counterpart.
"Maximus, it was your proposal; what are your thoughts?" Spartacus asked.
"Here is my suggestion—" Maximus, quite prepared, stood up, took a piece of papyrus from the long wooden table, and handed it to Spartacus.
Spartacus was immediately captivated by the drawing on the papyrus: a man in simple clothes wielding a farm tool fending off a snarling wolf. Though merely rendered in blue ink, the lines skillfully captured the man’s rugged determination and the wolf’s ferocity in vivid detail.
"This is superb! I had no idea you had such a talent for drawing, Maximus!" Spartacus couldn’t help but exalt.
The former art school graduate and amateur advertiser, Maximus felt this was a trivial matter and didn’t feel proud.
However, as the design passed hands among the leaders, they couldn’t help but praise it. Not only was it well drawn, but its meaning was also clear to them all: the man in the image was evidently a poor farmer, and the wolf symbolized Rome, as the Romans claimed descent from a she-wolf.
"The poor resisting the oppressive Rome—anyone can grasp this imagery, and it will surely garner the support of Italy’s downtrodden!" Even Attutmus, who was picky earlier, was the first to agree this time.
"Plus, the simple design should make it fairly easy to replicate," added Antonix.
Such a swift consensus was rare, prompting Spartacus to ask, "Maximus, since you’ve designed such an excellent flag, you must also have a name for our army?"
Maximus didn’t hold back, responding directly, "How about ’Free Italy’? This name is a rally cry for all slaves and impoverished people in Italy, and also demonstrates our stance to the Italian City States that once were independent but now have to bow to Rome."
Spartacus pondered the name, then said, "I think the name is excellent and spirited, perfectly complementing the flag’s imagery. It will show all of Italy our intentions, and I believe more and more people will , giving us greater confidence to defeat the Roman Army!"
Again, Maximus’s proposal faced no objections, and thus the rebel army established its name, flag design, and new organizational structure.
After the meeting concluded, the leaders had a quick meal before hastily leading their troops back to the Vesuvius camp.
Maximus quickly gathered the heads of the Supply Camp who remained in Pompeii for another meeting.
In the meeting, Maximus first announced the appointment of Flanitnus as the military officer, clarifying that the officer’s duty was to manage all affairs within the Supply Camp army.
He then announced the reformation of the old advisory group into a staff, whose role would be training and strategizing and commanding battles within the Supply Camp, appointing Quintus as the Staff Officer.
Next, he announced the formation of the Personal Guard, appointing Oluus as its captain.
He also announced the establishment of the role of Military Judge, clarifying that the judge’s duty was to oversee the entire Supply Camp (as Maximus believed wartime called for even logistical departments to be regulated), to enforce decrees and punish those violating the law, and appointed Sidonius as the Military Judge.
The sudden rise of several Lukaiya people to high positions in the Supply Camp immediately drew the attention of other leaders in the ranks, but due to Maximus’s absolute position within the camp, none openly questioned it.
Maximus offered no further explanation, simply briefing everyone on the recent Military Commander Conference, explaining that in the future, his troops would no longer be referred to as the ’Supply Camp’ externally, but collectively as the ’Maximus Army’ (this applied to other leaders’ forces as well), with the Supply Camp included.
Everyone present immediately realized that their affiliated Supply Camp was finally shedding its role as mere logistical support, developing into an independent and legitimate army.
Amidst the joyous atmosphere, Maximus proceeded to promote Fesaros, Torrelugo, and Camillus to Great Captains, finally freeing them from the strange title of ’Chief Centurion.’
In this cheerful environment, the clerk Vallerus reported to Maximus: Today, 780 slaves voluntarily joined the army in Pompeii. These slaves mainly hailed from the affluent district, so a substantial portion consisted of the elderly and women. However, there were also many slaves with literacy and arithmetic skills. As the harbor district, which housed numerous strong slaves and laborers, was only taken over by troops this morning, stability was achieved by afternoon, so Vallerus had yet to dispatch recruiters to encourage harbor inhabitants to join.
Maximus understood this but demanded that Vallerus complete the recruitment and propaganda in the harbor district by sundown the following day, as other troops would soon arrive.
Flanitnus also reported to Maximus, stating that he had selected nearly 400 slaves from the 780 who joined, forming 4 Centurion cohorts.