The bulk of Jonathan's soldiers were peasants who fought as spearmen, providing both light and heavy infantry. The shepherds of the hill country fought unarmored, with small shields, javelins and curved knives. They were excellent scouts and skirmishers. Best of all, the country abounded in slingers and archers, arms in which the Romans were weak.
The wellborn young men provided Jonathan's cavalry. They were excellent horsemen and their mounts were surprisingly fine. This was an added bonus, for the Romans were at best indifferent cavalrymen, despite the splendid horses of Noricum. The hilly, wooded terrain of Noricum did not favor cavalry warfare, and the Romans had never emphasized its arts.
"We can put together a finely balanced expedition force with these men as our allies," Norbanus said to his subordinates.
"At least until we've taken Manasseh's kingdom and given it to his brother," Cato said.
"Of course," said Norbanus. "Then, it will be time to renegotiate." He swept his commanders with his blue-eyed gaze and he approved of their appearance. Gone were the rags and grime of their desert crossing. Jonathan had been generous with his new allies and had given each officer rich clothing in accordance with the man's rank. Nor had the legionaries been neglected. They wore fine new tunics, and their helmets sported colorful crests and plumes.
The king had given Norbanus an extravagant purple cloak heavily embroidered with pure gold, and he now rode a horse so blindingly white that it might have been albino except for its fine black eyes. In concert with his already splendid uniform, patterned after Alexander's, he looked like a war god's statue come to life. Most men would have looked ridiculous in such a rig, but Norbanus had the swagger and presence to carry it off. His officers refrained from comment lest they appear envious.
"Lentulus Niger," Norbanus said.
"Yes, General?"
"I want as many of our men as possible to train on horseback at every opportunity. Let's not waste time trying to train them to fight from horseback, but I want them able to ride whenever necessary. That will give us a flying force in future operations. From all indications, most of the land in our immediate line of march favors mounted troops."
"Very good, sir," said Niger. "The Gallic boys are already good riders. They can help train their German and Italian friends who think horses are for pulling chariots in the Circus."
"When we've beaten Manasseh, I'll demand all his horses as part of our reward." Norbanus touched his horse's flank with a small golden spur and the animal leapt down the slope before him. His soldiers waved their heavy javelins and cheered as he rode along the front line, shouting praise or disapproval as he passed each unit.
Niger spat on the ground and snapped his fingers. The soldier detailed as his orderly ran up to his stirrup and handed him a wineskin. He took a drink and handed the skin across to Cato. "Do you think he'll demand one of the royal ladies as part of his reward, too?"
Cato grinned and raised the skin, directing a stream of rough local wine into his mouth. He passed it to the officer on his left and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. "Reward? Jonathan will demand he take them, just to get the bitches off his hands!" This raised a laugh from the knot of officers.
Their commander had proven to be a great favorite with the women of the royal household. The king's wives and daughters were kept secluded in a women's wing of the palace, but his numerous sisters and aunts had the run of the place, and court manners proved to be quite different from those of the populace. The royal family wore their religion lightly, and observed its many taboos and strictures only as suited them.
Holy men from the hinterlands, known locally as prophets, sometimes came to Jerusalem and inveighed against the loose morals of the palace. Jonathan usually found it politic to ignore them. The priests of the temple were far more accommodating.
The most aggressive of the royal women was Tamar, Jonathan's aunt. She was a great beauty and only a year or two older than the king himself. A woman of great force and passion, she might have shocked the Romans had they not already encountered Zarabel, princess and priestess of Carthage. The king's half-sisters, Glaphyra and Roxana, were twins. Their mother was Babylonian, and they were rumored to be addicted to unnatural practices. All three paid extravagant attention to the dashing Roman commander, and these were only the most notable of the palace women.
"I wonder if Manasseh's court has all the royal sons," Niger said.
"If so, I hope his luck in battle isn't as good," Cato commented.
When Norbanus had finished inspecting his troops, he rode back into Jerusalem through the Joppa gate and through the narrow, winding streets to the upper city. Above the smoky, tumbledown structures of the lower city, the wealthy had their dwellings. Finest among these was Jonathan's palace, a rambling mansion far more modest than the royal dwellings of Carthage and Alexandria.