Curia Hostilia: Consulate of Barba/Poplicola

[Raglan]

Herius Aebutius had heard the comments as the envoys entered the Curia

σαν να ίσος? My φίλοι εμείs είμαστε. My πρόταση is έναs sensible έναs , εγώ γνωρίζω πολύ καλά ότι Macedonia's υπέρτατος πάνω Ελλάδα is most αποτελεσματικόs πρόκληση με το πόλη κατάσταση. εσύ είσαι όχι the μόνο έναs εδώ γεννημένος μέσα εκείνοι τοπίο
(as if equal? My friends we are. My proposal is a sensible one, i know very well that Macedonia's supremity over Greece is most effectively challenged by the city states. You are not the only ones here born in those lands)

[chaplain118]

The doors opened to the curia and many heads turned to look at the coming man. When they saw his face, many gasped in fright. For a brief second, they thought that their nightmares had came true: Pallas Rutulus Aventinus strode into the Curia, his falcon grey eyes burning with rage at those around him. But when the man spoke, his voice did not have the same snakelike quality as Pallas', instead, they bore a stronger feeling behind them. Those who had known Pallas shifted uneasily in their seats as they watched the man speak, their minds racing at what HE could possibly do to this City.

I see this is the body that has stood at the head of the City that has taken my brother's life. I also see them standing before these Greeks, ready to submit themselves as slaves to foreigners. How pitiable.

I am Atreus Rutulus Dardanus, and I have come to take my brother's place in this holy chamber, and from what I've been able to gather, these Greeks are not to be trusted. We will need Macedon as a mediator in Greece? Suppose the independent states summon an army and strikes at Roman holdings and cut us off, are we then to petition Macedon for aid and support while our holdings and our emigrant citizens wait in shackles and fear from the sieging army? And what is to prevent Macedon itself from attacking our holdings? Will we still need to submit ourselves before their king and ask for peace even as their soldiers descend upon our cities? Do no deals with these men, they are still Greeks, and I fear Greeks even when they bear gifts. Not if they offered us a thousand warriors and their wives would I ever accept such a deal. And those of you in here who call yourself Romans will do likewise.

Messenger, go tell this to your king:

Μην πιστεύετε ότι μπορείτε να φοβερίζει Ρώμη σε υποβολή ή δουλεία. Ψευδής λόγια σας προστασίας, αλλά είναι καλυμμένο προσπάθεια να μας βάζετε βασίλειό σας πελάτη. Έχουμε συνθλίβονται Ηπείρου στη γη. Η ιστορία είναι με το μέρος μας, αν δεν θα λάβουν υπόψη το μάθημά της, θα σας θάψουμε. (Do not think you can bully Rome into submission or slavery. Your false words of protection is but a veiled attempt at making us your client kingdom. We have crushed Epirus to the earth. History is on our side, if you will not heed its lesson, we will bury you.)

And please, any underhand discussions you have, speak in Latin. Don't be so afraid of our response. After all, to kill a messenger would be the worst act one can conceivably perform. So why the secrecy?

Atreus shot a murderous gaze at the messengers and for a brief second, the snakelike image of Pallas flitted across his face.

[dragoon47]

Lucius shot a glance over towards Atreus after his speech. Lucius knew Greek very well, he needed to when he visited his sisters, so not only did he understand what Atreus said, he also understood the malice, the context and finesse he put into his words. Nonetheless, he was right. Lucius turned to the messengers.

When your king gets the army on our new, permanent, borders to back off he can send more professional diplomats as well.

Lucius turned back to Atreus.

Senator, you may take your seat.

[chaplain118]

Thank you consul. Now the matter at hand, has the quaestor presented the chamber with a financial detailing of what is to come? And what, if anything, has this house done? Also, why was my brother's head placed on a pike for all of Rome to disgrace when I have heard rumors that he was to be given a proper burial?

[dragoon47]

My fellow consul probably has the answer you are looking for senator Atreus.

[Winter]

Ovidius speaks

Since when, may I ask, has it been the custom for foreign agents to enter the sacred Curia and address the Senate at large? Was there something so pressing as to occupy both Consuls from meeting with the Greeks?

[dragoon47]

No...not really. To tell you the truth senator Ovidius, this entire meeting was almost a waste of all of Rome's time considering the real reason why they were here.

[chaplain118]

If negotiations has been concluded, then allow me to escort these fine gentlemen out on to the streets where they can tell their masters that Rome will bow to no one. Customs dictate that I cannot attack you, but what our people will do to you is beyond our control.

With that, Atreus seized both messengers by their collars and roughly pushed them beyond the doors of the Curia.

[Ozy]

Also, why was my brother's head placed on a pike for all of Rome to disgrace when I have heard rumors that he was to be given a proper burial?

That would be my fault." said Barba, who did not bother to stand from his chair. "A mad dog was put down, and its head cut off and hung, just like he deserved. Any complaints can be adressed to all those who lost a loved one because of his twisted ways."

If negotiations has been concluded, then allow me to escort these fine gentlemen out on to the streets where they can tell their masters that Rome will bow to no one. Customs dictate that I cannot attack you, but what our people will do to you is beyond our control.

With that, Atreus seized both messengers by their collars and roughly pushed them beyond the doors of the Curia.

"Very well, then. We shall leave. I see now that to come here was a mistake..." said the leader of the diplomats, confused as to how he had provoqued such a reaction from the Romans.

[Raglan]

Herius Aebutius sighed, it looked like this Rutulus was just as problematic as the last. All of a sudden he doubted that Rome would be getting any sort of alliance with anyone. After word of this mistreatment got out. Something about the Rutulus seems to desire unessicary death

[chaplain118]

A smile flicked on the face of Atreus as he looked at Herrenius.
So this is the defiler of my brother's body. So be it. You have provided an adequate enough explanation. I feel it is pointless to continue pursuing the matter.

Now, what we have at hand is the issue concerning the Macedonians. For them to come to us with such a demand draws certain suspicion. Why would they suddenly come to us and offer such a one sided solution to a nonexistent problem? We must tread carefully here against Macedon. They have been itching for war since Alexander's death and the rise of a new dominant power in the Western world may appear to them a chance for them to relive their glory days as the masters of the world without needing to contend with the Diadochi to the East.

[Ozy]

"Well, I doubt this was a nonexistant issue. As I and others predicted, expanding to their immediate sorroundings has made them feel threatened, a fact that their armies at our border clearly prove. I think it was only natural for them to come here and try to get us to sign a limit to our expansion to the East, they definitely don't want a war with us. However, I must say that even if their offers were not as reasonable as they probably believed, we should consider negotiating with them. After all, do we plan to expand further into the lands of the Hellenes? If anything, I think signing a treaty with those people would ensure that we will not have to worry about needing great protection from the rest of the Hellenes."

[dragoon47]

I believe a treaty with the rising Greeks to the South would be trust better placed. They would also have more to trade with us, and their military seems credible as they are currently retaking Olympias from the barbarians there last I heard, so the games there should be up and running again soon.

As for Macedon, a standard non-aggression pact with them would be good enough for me, nothing complicated.

[Winter]

Perhaps showing favor to either side is unwise. Surely we do not wish to put ourselves out as opponents to either side, lest we lose our influence or ability to manipulate one against the other?

[chaplain118]

I'm willing to go and extend trading rights with these people, but forming pacts with them beyond those simple measures is something I cannot stomach. After all, our previous alliance with the Calabrians proved disastrous enough as my brother had predicted. You failed to heed his words then and saw how your blind trust in foreigners resulted in calamity. I wonder if you will ignore the words of another Rutulus warning you of the same with these new potential enemies of Rome.

[Raglan]

Senators, speaking of the cities to the south as rising is false. They are not a unity, and they have no interest except in their locality.

I personally favour neither as preferential. Since an alliance with Macedonia could well lead to conflict with the successor states, and alliances with the city states is of less worth than you think. They are not strong, or ambitious enough to be of any beniefit anywhere execept in their own lands, and the conflict between them and Macedonia is well known.

However, i believe that good terms with macedonia offers much, they control lands rich in resources that we lack, Larissa is well known for their horses. And the northern areas are heavily forested, in trees that don't grow here in Rome. A wood that is suprisingly strong without being unduly heavy.

But on the other hand, good terms with Athenes or even Sparta would be of beniefit, Rome does not make natural sailors, and the Athenians are counted as the best in the world, while Spartans would make perfect allies, they always honour their treaties, but have no interest at all in lands outside their own.

[Ozy]

I think we should remain neutral to all their affairs then, or at the very least we should not start developing any preferences with any of the factions in the region until more time has passed. An alliance is certainly unconcievable right now. We should open trade rights with all of them for now, send our people, let them know who we are.

I propose this:

I. Trade rights shall be extended to all the factions in the Balkans.
II. Rome shall not make alligiances nor offer any sort of support or preference to any faction in the Balkans.
III. After enough time has passed, and once the relationship between Rome and a given faction has matured, we may consider increasing the bond between Rome and said nation.

[Crozimodo]

This seems acceptable, we tie ourselves down to no one, make financial benefit and we make no promises that could harm relationships with other factions.

The motion is supported, put it to vote.

[Ozy]

Very well, then, I shall move it to vote.

I would also like to remind the House about the Quaestor's report. He has not showed up here for weeks, and we requested his report a long time ago! We need to get a better understanding of the situation in Epirus and what is happening there. I propose that a Consul is sent there to oversee the situation personally, and make sure the current problems there are taken care of. Seeing how my co-Consul seems very well informed on the matter, I would recommend that he is the one sent there.

[dragoon47]

Judging by our debates here I wouldn't say that I am the most informed about the situation, it has become more and more clear why you've been re-elected Barba, senator Aebutius would probably have made a better consul than I.