Curia Hostilia: Consulate of Barba/Poplicola

[chaplain118]

You dare lecture to me about bickering and endangering Rome when you are willing to stall the proposal of one of the greatest reforms in military our Republic has ever seen? A reform that our Republic can ill afford to ignore? You dare to lecture me about endangering Rome when you argue that too much debate is in the house? Debate is what drives our Republic, it is what makes our system of government unique from the rest of this sordid world. Debate will root out faults in any proposal until a presentable one, both favorable to people and Republic alike, appears. I have seen far too many foolish articles and proposals pushed through these halls. Proposals that would endanger Rome, limit her powers, and place our people, both within the city and without, in grave danger.

Do not tell me that too much debate in the house will hinder this bill. Let the debates continue to improve it!

Pallas snarled the final words that sounded like the hiss of snakes, and for a brief second, the madness of his twin entered his eyes.

[dragoon47]

It's not as much the debating, it's the fact that it's taken a year and absolutely nothing has gotten done. We need to get something done. Is there anything that all of us agree upon throughout these months of debate?

[Winter]

I see no impending need to double our legionary strength; eight legions, 40,000 men is an army fit to conquer empires, not defend a humble republic. I will support no more than an increase of two legions unless there is a clear and present need, with a contingency for the raising of two more in times of declared war. Further, I would include an article committing the Republic to peace in Greece unless we are attacked, to ensure that these two legions are not used in any foul manner.

[chaplain118]

Surely you must realize that our Republic's territorial expansions have proved that our current numbers are not adequate enough to properly defend her? We are in no position to truly negotiate with an enemy, in no position to defend our territories. The Macedonians outnumber us, our northern borders are undefended, and we are beleaguered on all sides to the east. Eight full strength legions is the absolute minimum to ensure our Republic's safety. We can commit to peace in Greece, but will the Greeks adhere to these accords if they see that our strength is nonexistent? You must operate outside of the realm of idealism and deal with the cold facts of reality. Peace cannot be maintained without fear of the horrors of war. The Greeks will honor no peace so long as our armed forces are weak and unable to repel a sustained attack from them. Peace is won not by the pen but by the sword.

[Winter]

Do not assume me an idealist, senator. One might accidentally assume you to be jingoistic.

I do not think that you see reason, is the issue. To commit to this recruitment plan would mean years of consistent training. The manpower required is daunting. The finances required are daunting. Frankly, I don't see how this military can justify its existence without conquest to support it.

Further, I've yet to see any spy reports to justify fear of an impending attack either from the north or from the Hellenics. Am I to vote for a measure to double our military on your word alone?

[Pontifex Maximus]

So let conquest support it! Drusus interjected Greece is as ripe as ever. Let's sail over and have some fun.

[Junius]

I support the motion put before this House. It raises an adequate amount of troops for the defence of our realm, as well as allowing counter attack if needs be. I would ask that Pallas add another clause to it though.

The Consuls shall have, as part of their imperium in times of war, the ability to raise two additional legions, as well as fleets when necessary, from any source and without consultation with the Senate.

This would allot a quick response, and the ability of the Consuls to go on the offence straight away, without having to submit to the sometimes unnecessary bureaucracy of the Senate. The phrase that this may be from any source is important in expanding the imperium, and making it better able to deal with any threat which the state faces.

[chaplain118]

Unfortunately, Arcadius, as you currently phrase the conditions, I cannot in good conscience adopt it into my proposal. We will have raised eight legions as a standing force, the additional two should be approved by Senatorial measures. I do approve of fleets, but another two legions without consulting with the Senate is something that I cannot swallow.

[Junius]

Then give the Consuls the ability to raise those legions without Senate consultation, but only when they have been granted the imperium to wage full and total war.

[Winter]

Perhaps we may set aside funds for the raising of two legions by the Senate in times of great necessity.

Until we see the reports that have compelled this great frantic need for thousands more soldiers, however, this discussion is moot; there will be no support from an honest Roman for such a bill on the word of one man.

[chaplain118]

Wait on reports? Surely you jest. Our Republic's previous expansion in the Pyrrhic wars has proven that our current system of four legions are already too thin to cover Italy alone, but now that we've expanded into Greece, doubling our territory in the process, you call it a moot point to NOT expand our military capability? Have you even read the proposal I have placed before the Senate? These legions will be drawn from our allied cities with only two legions consisting purely of Roman citizens. We would be putting FEWER Romans into military service than our current system in which ALL of our legions must come from Rome.

[Junius]

Ovidius, do you not pay attention during debates? Are you just so set in your way that you do heed anything any of us say? It seems like that, as you have already forgotten the report that the Consul Barba delivered to us a while ago. If your memory is that short, I shall read it out for you, I'm sure all the others here remember something as key as our military strength.



As you see we are severely lacking since the Phyrric War. We cannot bring even a single legion to the field without leaving a city nearly completely defenceless. Even the Consular army is under manned to an extremely high degree. If you still oppose such a measure to increase our fighting force in the face of this evidence, I'll question if you really are acting in the interests of the people you are supposed to protect.

[Winter]

Do not insult me, especially ignorantly.

Did I once speak against the repletion of our legions? I did not. Did I not even just suggest a compromise that would increase our full strength to six legions with two to be quickly raised in emergency?

My objection is to the almighty fear that senator Pallas and others have, a seemingly baseless one, about the specter of some phantom invasion force massing on our borders. We are to at once fear Gaul, and Macedon, and the Greek Cities. Why? Have you men access to some reports of invasion we have all not yet seen? If so, give them here! Let the senate know why we must bolster our forces so, why you are so right in your fear and we are so wrong in our assumed complacency. Why must 20,000 men be called forth to fill the gap unless there is the impending threat of war.

[chaplain118]

My brother warned the City of the threat of the Calabrians, brought evidence before this chamber and was ignored. They refused to heed his advice and when the Calabrians annihilated our legions, they acted in surprise that such a betrayal had occurred. The Macedonians have already entered our City to make demands of us, demanding that we be inferior to them. This openly superior attitude of theirs is proof enough that they not only hold us in no respect but that they see us as potential targets of conquest. We leave our eastern holdings unprotected and they see an opportunity to strike us.

As for the north, it is not the Gauls that are at our door steps but the various free cities, independent kingdoms who answer to no one. Rogues that will do what they fancy at any time they wish. They have seen how Cannae has risen up and destroyed our legions, what makes you think they won't be contemplating the same thought?

[Junius]

Then if we should not fear, shall we trust them? Shall we lay down our arms, and fall, swooning, into the arms of some Macedonian king or Gallic chieftain? Shall we imagine that the whole world is as idealistic as you are Ovidius? I do not want war for it's own sake, only that by making war, we can live in peace. Yes, those are the words of a Greek, and we should heed, as they surely do. I only wish I could live in such blissful ignorance as you do, Ovidius, for that would be a far far simpler world, one without fear.

But, alas, I am not so blind to the realities of this world. There are dangers lurking in the hearts of foreign men. We speak, rightly, of the greatness of our republic, the riches, both material and immaterial, that she poses. I am sure you'd agree that many would be envious of them. I am sure there are men, kings and emperors, willing to go to war for them. I hope that we can survive as a peaceful nation, but recognise that that may not be the case. Sometimes it is necessary to wage war abroad to defend what is good at home. When it is time for such an act, I hope we shall not be caught lacking.

[Winter]

Your words are as empty as your sentiments.

Until there is proof of the strength of this Macedonian king or of the Gallic "hordes" to the north, we will have no choice but to be lead blindly by one man sentimentality over his infamous brother's alleged prognostications and another's irrational fear.

[chaplain118]

And we would much rather be blinded by a man's idealism and be led astray from our destined path in history? Are we to then stay our hands, instead letting complacency take hold were vigilance once stood? Ovidius, you take far too much account of the established order that you have envisioned in your head without consideration that the nature of humans revolves around change, and so you refuse to change for the better. Times have changed, and we must adapt to better combat those changes. The precedence of history has been there to warn us, and we would do well to heed from it.

[Winter]

Precedence is no guide alone. I recognize the inability to mold hard facts has often been a trouble for men of your family, but one should hope that your natural inclinations to deviousness do not show themselves any more than they have already. You will, however, undoubtedly continue on this moronic quest to paint me as an idealist, so I will instead address my appeal to the Senate as a whole.

Gesturing

Are we to be lead down a path of military expansion without a proper report of why we should do this? What facts have we seen, aside from the numbers of our admittedly diminished legions? Have we seen spy reports from the Macedonians or the Gauls? Have we any reason to feel our impending doom is upon us, as this man would have you believe? I should think not!

Do not be lead blindly by this man, Senators. If there is reason to fear let us be shown it; there likely is not, however, or this man would have exploited it ad nauseam, as his line is wont to do.

[Junius]

Arcadius grew obviously irate at the continued stupidity of Ovidius. He got and angrily stormed to the Senate floor. Addressing the Tribune directly he said, in a raised, but controlled voice.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

Letting his words hang in the war, he left the Senate in silence, his leather shoes quietly moving over polished marble. Not a sound was heard til he had gone.

[Winter]

Ovidus pauses for a moment, rather surprised, then continues.

"You see, outbursts like that are why I suggested we install a Censor. Although perhaps I misjudge him. Perhaps he has recalled where he left those reports that we have not been privy to but which have caused him such concern."