Ave Pompeius,

as your ex-legatus I well know difficulties you faced any days in that cursen land. As military I well know war risks.

I well understand you, as any good commander, are feeling to be responsible for the lacks of Legio XX scouts who missed to patrol some miles more. But I understand also you was on Iordanes bank leading IX and my good old Avia Pervia.

The fact your manouvre showed the unknown presence of further 20,000 Seleucids, is the evidence you was facing more than 30,000 enemies with 4 legiones. And even 10,000 Romans died, they massacrated more than 12,000 of them and you destroyed their silly vallum.

Do not fear those 20,000 easterns, since you still have 20,000 men to byte them!
Pompeius, remember... Roma never resigns even in the hopeless!
Stand as your Vigentesimani (the soldiers of Legio XX) did, as the true roman you are!

As you restore from the wounds your suffered, along your friends, I will talk to Senatus and Populosque Romanus to reject your dismissions.

Caius Fabius Mutinensis