That was something of an overstatement, Cato mused. Macro looked at him and Cato nodded reassuringly for the benefit of the other officers before the commander of the First Cohort continued.

‘We will not be going into action as a cohort. Nor indeed as centuries. It’ll be every man for himself until we gain a foothold on the far bank. Once we are ashore, it’s vital that your men form up on the standards as quickly as they can. Make sure your section leaders know that. They’re to look out for their men and try and keep them together. The sooner we can form up each century, and then the cohort, the better our chances of surviving until the follow-up wave can cross the river.’ Macro paused and then pointed across to the narrow island, little more than a strip of silt surrounded by reeds, that stood two hundred paces from the far bank. ‘I’ve chosen to cross over there, close to the island.’

The men of one of the other cohorts were already on the island, together with ten of the legion’s bolt throwers.

‘We’ll land the follow-up wave there before the first three centuries cross the final stretch of river. That way we shall have more boots on the ground as quickly as possible. The bolt throwers will be able to cover our flanks once they have finished harassing the enemy before the first wave goes in.’

It was as good a plan as any, Cato reflected. Macro had done all he could to give his men the best chance. Even so, the first wave across would have a bitter struggle ahead of them. Once they jumped over the side of the boats carrying them to the far bank, there would be nowhere for them to retreat to. They must fight their way ashore, or die in the shallows. Those were the only options and the men knew it. The dice would be cast the moment they stepped aboard and began to cross the Nile.

Macro looked round at his officers and took a deep breath. ‘I’m not going to pretend to you that this is going to be anything other than a tough fight. Our losses are likely to be heavy, but this is what we train for, and what we get paid for.’

Some of the men smiled at the last remark and Macro pressed on to make the most of the light-hearted moment. ‘Just tell your men to go in hard and cut the bastards to pieces. They’re not to stop for anything until they reach the top of the riverbank. Only then are they to look for their standards. Is that clear? Now then, any questions?’