Consulate of Poplicola and Scaeva - 539AUC

[dragoon47]

There has been no battle as of yet to be lost senator. A few have already objected your tax cuts and now so am I. We need to taxes for the war effort and most of it is coming from our rebellious allies and to propose their taxes be reduced so soon after they rebel against us is almost the talk of a treasonous rebel looking for reparation.

I also assume the Praetor's "violent" response was a typical response to a proposal that was mad, unsound, ambiguous, unfounded and against our military doctrine while being an act that would ignite a war against the Greek city-states which if you haven't noticed surround Rome wherever she goes.

Therefore, the abandonment of Spain and Greece while we are about to obtain victory in the latter was never a possibility in the first place senator, unless you were conspiring against Rome as she finally inches toward the hour of victory.

[War lord]

In-fact I have a suggestion.

Lex obviam ignavus quod proditor.

Any suggestion that Rome should abandon her provinces,except in extraordinary circumstances,is a mark of a coward and a traitor,and he who suggests such a measure should be tried as such.

OOC:Excuse my awful Latin.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Senators! I am glad to see we are no longer squabbling over trivial matters. The Gods would be pleased. Until then, we must begin preperations here while our Consuls continue their campaigns. Things must be in place quickly. As soon as Genoa falls, those legions must be ready to be transported with the rest of the armies to the Balearics. This assault in order to work as seamlessly as possible, must go smoothly. The generals must be swift and decisive. If we stall in Carthaginian territory for too long, we may no longer be able to hold anything for more than a few months. Consuls...may the blessings of Jupiter shine upon you. Bona Fortuna!


For the rest of my fellow senators, I shall be hosting a gathering at my villa in devotion to Mars. Wine will be provided, and all are welcome to attend, Invitations shall be dispatched to all of your villas shortly with details. Let us start this glorious undertaking with as much good omens as possible, ROMA VICTRIX!

Septimus gave a salute to the Senators, and strode out of the senate halls....clearly he was tired of debating endlessly, and glad that things have finally been allowed to run their course..for now

[Tazgrent]

Exalted Senators,
The plebiscite is underway. I must know what the Senate wishes me to... influence the results to be. I can either have the province be fully annexed, or brought in as a client state. I leave it to the esteemed minds of the Curia.

Regards,
Gaius Cassius Caudex

[dragoon47]

Client states.

Unlike the states here in Italy they have not rebelled and have been peaceful settlements. A little autonomy might do them some good and give us extra supply bases for the campaign, at least for our ships.

[Tazgrent]

Glorious Senate,
Although I have taken your advice to heart, I regret I am unable to carry them out. The plebiscite will have to be postponed due to lack of funds. Much of the money promised to ensure a successful outcome has had to be spent on new iterations of the elections. The interior Sardinians, as I mentioned before, are...uncooperative. Great expense has been taken to re-count the ballots, due to an act of misguided rebellion. The aforementioned interior Sardinians have taken to writing in "Biggus Dickus" as candidate for their local magistrate; this has caused considerable consternation among the counters and will delay the plebiscite by a significant time, at the very least until around 12,000 denarii can be spent without trouble.

Frustrated Regards,
Gaius Cassius Caudex

[dragoon47]

Esteemed senators, our preparations are complete. Our allied legions are awaiting orders near the River Arno and the Roman legions will be prepared by the time our losses sustained on the campaign are replaced. Do I have the leave of the senate to march the legions forward? Does my co-consul wish to act as an observer and second-in-command during the siege?

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

I would be happy to lead the second legion consul.
*He then waits for the other senators to voice their opinions. Spurius was keen to gain some of the glory that was deprived of him when he lost his chance to finish the rebellion himself*

[Junius]

Is it really prudent to send our two Consuls on campaign? Even worse to send them to the same battle. If any calamity were to befall them, it would be disastrous for Rome. Let one stay in the city and organise the Senate, as is his job.

[drecie14]

A man hurriedly entered the Curia.
"I come bearing a letter from my Master Titus Antonius Brutus"

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Esteemed Consuls and Fellow Senators,

I wish to apologize for my recent absence and the fact that I didn't send any letters to the Senate.
I'am neither a traitor nor a deserter. It seems someone deemed me useless and sought to discard me.
Surveying Emporiae's countryside, I was ambushed by a party of armed men. I must also add that these are no ordinary bandits but Roman soldiers. Soldiers paid to do someone's dirty work I presume. With my guards dead and no other option left for me to take, I surrendered to them. They bound me and brought me deep into Hispania, to be sold as a slave. However, I was fortunate enough that their party ran into Carthaginians. Luckily, the barbarians didn't know I was Roman so they set me free.

-Titus Antonius Brutus

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

*After reading the letter, Spurius raised his eye brows.*
"What an extraordinary story, I dare say Senator Titus must be both the unluckiest and the luckiest man of all of us. Tell me messenger, when will our esteemed senator return to these us? Make sure to inform him we are currently meeting in the Temple of Jupiter while the Curia is rebuilt, as it was near destroyed by a nasty Plebian rebellion lead by the now infamous Gracchus."

[Ozy]

Senators, I would also like to propose sending emisaries to the Greek states at the east. In this rough times, with wars and rumors of wars sprouting from all our borders, it would be wise to explore the oportunity for further alliances with the few neighbors that can be brought to our side. If not alliances, then trading agreements and other forms of bonding pacts would be essential.

[drecie14]

Before the messenger could reply to Spurius' question,
Titus Antonius Brutus walked right inside. His sudden appearance surprising the Senators.
He looked man-handled. His clothes ripped, A gash on his right cheek clearly seen. His eyes bagged. He was sullen.

"Senators, forgive my indecent appearance, for I have just arrived in Rome. Furthermore I deemed it far more necessary to approach the Senate first rather than tend to my personal interests. I have heard rumors of a former rebellion when I arrived. Is it true? And the Curia in a state of disrepair?"

He looked around and saw some unfamiliar faces.

"New members." Titus thought.

He stood there and awaited them to speak.

[Pinkamena Diane Pie]

It is indeed true that there was an attempted rebellion. Gracchus saw fit to abuse his newly won position of Tribune and incite the plebians of Rome to violence. He used his veto bring the workings of Rome to a halt while his followers hurled torches at the Curia. Meanwhile, more despicable characters made use of the chaos, and looted and raped everything in sight, not even the vestal virgins were safe. This violence has forced us to omit the post of tribune from the election. As for Gracchus, he is dead, having being stabbed in the senate halls.

Now senator, go home, make yourself look respectable, see to your family. Then return to the senate in a fit state to help run the republic of Rome.

*Spurius went back to looking over some papers that had recently been presented to him by a Senator for approval. He occasionally glanced at the Praetor, sure he would want to investigate Titus' case further, for it was an incredible story, although Spurius himself did not think the newly returned Senator treasonous.*

[drecie14]

Grateful though he may be for Spurius' concern, He won't leave until the Senate hears his request.

"Thank you Senator, but I before I take my leave, I must ask that the Senate allow me to return to Emporiae. It is my duty to govern the province until the Senate says otherwise. Emporiae is also fragile and, forgive me for saying this, poorly defended. I request that sufficient funds be allocated to the increase of garrisoned troops."

[Crozimodo]

Agreed Furius, why send two Consuls? Has it not always been our way to keep one in Rome in case of tragedy? There is no need for Spurius to follow Valerius into battle, I am sure he needs no lessons in the art of war!

As for Antonius' governorship, the time it would take him to return to his province is an issue, it is far better for him to stay here in Rome where no doubt he can be put to more use. Hispania should remain in the capable hands of Scaurus. I propose a motion similar to the one put into place whilst I was governing Hispania:

1. The replacement of Titus Antonius Brutus as the commander of Hispania for the remainder of his term by Lucius Aemilius Scaurus,

Understand Antonius this motion bears no ill will towards you yet I view it as a practical solution.

[drecie14]

Titus bowed his head towards the Senators, and nodded solemnly.

"If such is the Senate's will, I shall obey. If you'll excuse me Senators, I shall change into a proper attire befitting a Senator of Rome."

He turned and left.

[dragoon47]

Then Rome is in good hands, if you will excuse me senators, I will be leaving for Genoa. The preparation for the siege is finished but I do not have the patience for such things. I will assault the town within the week and we will see the status of Genoa as an ally renewed by the blood we will spill to retake it.

Lucius left the Curia, seemingly attempting to rabble-rouse as he took the longest, most indirect route out of the city possible.

[chaplain118]

It seems that military affairs at home have been resolved, or at least the consuls have seemingly shown us that. What of the aedifications that must continue in lieu of our campaigns? Certainly there are dozens of building projects available in Italy itself that must be addressed for the simple sake of keeping our allies busy to dispel any thought of rebellion. Simultaneously, it would mean greater revenue for the entire Republic, would it not?

As I seem to recall, there was a motion two years ago when the Italian states first rose up against us that called for citizenship to be granted to all Italian states that remained loyal to us. I would not recommend that. Any time that citizenship is afforded to a new group of people, there stands to be countless current citizens who would become furious at the thought of sharing the privilege of citizenship with these socii. Simultaneously, the demagoguery of Gracchus in conjunction with the uprising amongst the socii is a clear sign from the gods that they wish to be honored. Therefore, I instead will place the motion before the Senate of an ambitious construction bill for all of Italy:

Lex Rutula de Aedificando Templo Italiae

I. A shrine to Jupiter Optimus Maximus is to be constructed in every Italian city
II. Upon completion of the Shrine to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, a shrine to Ceres is to be constructed to secure the goddess' favor in future harvests
III. Upon completion of the Shrine to Ceres, shrines dedicated to Vulcan shall be constructed to create smith guilds within each city to further enhance our weapons' qualities
IV. Upon completion of the shrines of Vulcan, Shrines of Mars shall be constructed to appease the god of war.

To further extract the taxes from the Socii, I propose the following motion

Lex Rutula de Tributo Sociorum

I. Communal tribute is to be placed upon Tarentum, Crotona, Rhegion, Cannae, Capua, Ariminum, and Arretium
II. Within the next five years, shipwrights shall be constructed in Tarentum, Crotona, Cannae, Capua, and Arretium
III. Citizenship will be denied to Capua and Crotona for at least twenty years.

Conscript Fathers, the motion has been proposed before you. May you decide what is right for Rome and Italy and may you decide to either obey the words of gods or discard them. But do so with caution, for the gods' patience is not everlasting.

[drecie14]

Titus returned, well-dressed. He sat down and listened.