Back to Spain to off his wife and kid?
I mean someone from Germania had to have ridden there to do it (or to assemble the Praetorians) considering they didn’t have phones back then yet Maximus was hauling ass but they still arrived before he did?
Cursus publicus, the Ancient Roman Pony Express
shareThey left before he did?
shareI guess that’s possible considering they rode Maximus until dawn which would give them a few hours head start, but still you’d think Maximus would have passed them at some point considering how fast he was going
shareThe journey by horse probably took about 7 or 8 days, and I think the Romans had more than a few hours head start. If both parties left at, say, midnight, and the rode until 6am, let's say, then that's a solid 12 hours Maximus has to make up, which means he has a 9 day ride and he Romans have an 8 day ride. Perhaps he could have caught up, but keep in mind that Maximus was slowed by his injury, and in something of a delirious state while trying to get home. At times he seemed to be drifting aimlessly, before coming back to full awareness.
shareThe Praetorians had already left when they came to get Maximus. Then they may spent all night taking him in the opposite direction. He may not have known right away which direction to go. Also his injuries may have been a factor at that point. He may have needed extra rest, and not been able to maintain the breakneck pace he started at. Also as others have mentioned there were times when he was barely able to stay conscious while riding. His horse could have wondered off in the wrong direction.
share