Consulate of Poplicola and Scaeva - 539AUC

[Nota']

*Spurius pondered for a while*
I am surprised you haven't put forward the building of Minerva's shrines Pallas. It is of my opinion that instead of building shrines everywhere, we should specialise more. For example why build many shrines to Vulcan, when we could build a temple for him. I would think Messana would be a good place for this, due to its proximity to the god's home. And maybe we should build a temple of mars in Rome, as we are his children, not the Capuans. My proposal, would surely cost less, and leave building forces in many of the cities free to improve the infrastructure, and I think my proposal would appease the Gods more, why would a god want many insignificant shrines when he could have an impressive temple in his name, with dedicated priests to him and him alone. As for your second proposal I agree whole heatedly, it is time Rome's conquests start to pay off!

[War lord]

Opposed,

Did the Gods also command you to put your name on these bills Pallas?Or do you have motives other then mere piety?

[chaplain118]

The proposer of the law has every right given to him by Jupiter Optimus Maximus to include his own name within these laws, so that future generations may look back upon this day and know who it was that had consecrated these temples. You said nothing when Poplicola attached his name to the martial laws, and you said nothing when Scaurus attached his name to his own laws.

Caelius

Murmurs rose up at the mentions of the man's former name. Pallas leaned forward with malice in his eyes.

I wish to consecrate temples to the Great Jupiter to show Roman dominance within these cities. I wish to consecrate shrines of Mars within the allies so that they would embrace our heritage as their own without receiving the same rights. I wish to consecrate shrines of Vulcan so that skilled crafts men will come from around the world to worship Him in Italy and give our troops better weapons and armor. Everything that I have detailed I have done so to better Rome, to better the Republic.

And you accuse me of ulterior motives beyond piety?

Take a look at yourself, Caelius, you threw away your rightful patrician blood for the sole purpose of joining one of the Plebs, to become a member of the lowly mob, to stand in the Senate as a rich Plebeian whose very status is questionable. There is only one other member of the august body that has once done that, only one other member whose filthy name tarnish our good Roman fortunes.

Do you know what that is?

Pallas turned and strode to the center of the temple, his eyes sweeping the floor and addressing each Senator

You all know whom I speak of! You all saw his evils! You all knew of the chaos he wrought upon our City, of the pains he has caused, of the SACRILEGE he has caused. A man, born of Equestrian stock yet posturing as a Pleb. And now, Caelius would stand here, an exact replica of that man. Born of Patrician blood yet masquerading as a Plebeian amongst us.

He dares question ME, who silenced the mob and sent them home. He dares question ME who shouted down the demagogue as long as I could. He dares question ME when HE has followed the same path as that demagogue who threatened all of Rome. You all know who that man was, to repeat his name would be to pollute the very air of this temple.

Yet, that is exactly the path that Caelius sought to imitate, isn't it?

[drecie14]

Titus chuckled the moment he heard Aulus' words.

"I see Caldius didn't change." He said to himself.

He cleared his throat, then stood up.

"Senators please. Enough of these childish bickering. There are other means to discuss this and it is not through undermining each other. Although Pallas' reasoning for such an ambitious project is sound, It would be as Consul Spurius said, costly."

He paused for a moment, then continued.

"I too agree with the second proposal."

[AspisPhalanx90]

*Back in the Senate chambers, Septimus was infuriated by the lack of respect for the Gods. He stood*

Senators, can you really put a price on the God's favor? Temples do more than honoring the Gods Senatores....it will keep the people content. It will increase trade, making our cities more prosperous and respectable places. Those of you who reject this proposal without even giving it merit for simply political reasons...*Septimus looked over towards Licinius*...will you accept responsibility when the Italian cities once more rebel against Roman rule? The people worship the Gods, and you would deny them their right, their duty, their honor.

Caldius...If you were to be a pleb...going as far as adoption.. then you should understand the vast importance the Gods have on the people.

There are some of you in these halls, who are quick to accuse any man with ambitions for the Republic for trying to sieze control himself. Let me assure you..the Praetor, the Consuls, they want what is best for this Republic. Yet those of you consistantly accusing any act that they feel would better it..you simply denounce them as grabs for power! If you are against a proposal, the simply vote nay. But these inferences to treason...they are treasonous in itself!

I suggest, Senatores, that some of us fix our etiquette here in these halls. Or do you forget this is Sacred ground we stand on?

[Nota']

*Spurius put his face in his hands at another accusation of a senator being a second gracchus, the accusation that constantly followed any outspoken Senator*
Pallas, building simple shrines will not bring craftsmen to our cities, why travel to worship Vulcan when he can be worshipped much more locally. Only a temple would attract them, for a shrine is no great marvel, or incentive to move to roman lands. After all, the Greeks have many shrines Haphaestus, what would make our shrines so attractive. A shrine means little to man or god, whereas a temple...
*Spurius trailed off, aware that he was repeating himself*

[War lord]

If anyone has any issue with the legitimacy of my adoption,they can speak to the Censor.

Pallas, it is YOU who claims to speak directly to the Gods,it is YOU who styles himself saviour of Rome and it is YOU who spends his time whoring to the Plebs.When Poplicola declared martial law and had is name on the bill,he was claiming responsibility for what was sure to be a controversial action,it was not to make himself look better.

[Junius]

Pallas, you shall make no such further outbursts in these halls. You are warned. Caldius I must warn you as well not to part take in this must unsenatorial conduct.

The Senate is a place for debate and council, not one for empty speech making. We are not the easily swayed masses that you can bend to your will with delicate words.

Do not the gods look after those who make fortune for themselves? Why should the gods take pity on a people groveling at their avatars? Surely the only fit and proper way to praise them is by acting in the Roman way which has won us so much favour from the gods already? Praise the gods, yes, as we must and should, but praise them by extolling the very virtues which has been shown to please them. We must build temples, of course, but we should not arrest the development the other instruments of state in order to do so. We must expand the legions, and spread the glory of Rome and of her protectors to Hispania and the Carthaginians. To strike down their empty idols and put in their place the right and proper Capitoline Triad.

Pallas has shown ample skill in being able to control the crowd. We, however, are the crowd, and should not listen and hang on to his every word. I would support a more balanced list of developments, and I would completely oppose this unbalanced building of temples. Fortune is there for those who make it themselves. We are Romans, praise the gods by being Romans. They have smiled on our ancestors for doing so, and they shall smile on us for doing the same.

[chaplain118]

These unbalanced proposals as you call them will bring ORDER to our world so devoid of morality and guidance. We are not groveling before the gods when we place our shrines in cities. We honor them, and our honor will transform into knowledge, into assimilation, and assimilation will transform into tranquility. The gods are something we can fight for, something for us to root our belief in. Had the Italian states been acclimatized to our religion, they would have very little reason to rebel, knowing that the gods are watching and arbitrating upon both our fates. But because they had their own gods, because they had their own religion, because they have their own world to fall back upon, they rebelled.

As for the argument that my bills are too one-sided. Pray tell, Senators, how is that so? It takes less than six months to put up a new shrine and instruct a new college of priests among them. Less than six months! It will take at most a year and a half to complete the measures for religion. But shipwrights and tax laws take years to develop and run effectively. The people will only see it as further exploitation. I lay before you these options of constructing instruments of peace and cooperation or constructing instruments that will foment destruction and rebellion. Which would you choose?

And Caelius, I never proclaimed myself savior of Rome, the people did. I never pandered to the people, only spoke to them honestly. But the gods speak through me as they speak through each of you. It just so happens that some of you refuse to hear their voices.

[AspisPhalanx90]

I agree with Pallas...a Shrine is cheap and easy to construct, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Maintaining order is critical, especially in the heartlands. I fear if we do not keep the people happy, we shall have expanded our borders so far that it would take much time for the legions to return to rome, and by that time, who knows what state the Republic shall be in after half of Italy is tired of Roman rule.

Furthermore, i see no negative aspects of constructing shrines. Would a senator who is apposed to such a motion please enlighten the rest of us as to how this is such a terrible step to take?

[dragoon47]

Lucius entered the Curia in full senatorial garb after the battle and took his seat, completely neglecting a report on the battle though not on purpose.

[War lord]

The issue is not with the Shrines,it is Pallas's motives for proposing their construction.

[chaplain118]

So, you find my proposal sound, but merely that the proposer is inappropriate. In that case, would Senator Septimus feel it necessary to propose the law before this august body so that Caelius may put his mind at ease?

[Ozy]

Senatur Caldius, the sole fact that you accuse senator Pallas of having selfish motives for his proposal speaks bad of you! Are you jealous that you did not propose it sooner than him? Is allowing your political enemy to gain some popularity in the process of procuring some good to our nation such an unbearable thought? You are here to serve Rome, not to fight your fellow Senators for power and influence! Shame on you! SHAME on you!

[AspisPhalanx90]

Indeed....If we are to all be considered acting selfishly, then how are we to get anything done? Simply because Pallas wishes to have shrines built, you will not agree with his motives? In what way would having his name attached to a proposal that calls for the construction of shrines add to his political agenda? He is not asking to raise his own personal legion, or to seek imperium Senator, there is no harm in what has been proposed.

I therefore ask that the Praetor's proposal be put to vote. If this is an issue senators, then I will put forth the motion myself, not to take the "glory" from the Praetor, but to keep this filibustering from continuing any longer. Senators, failing to support a proposal because of who is proposing it is a blatant disregard for the duties in which you were elected. Perhaps when we are not at WAR! Senators, can we spare such bickering.

Regardless of who proposes it, this motion shall be put to vote. It supports the good of the Republic. If anyone is opposed to it, then simply vote against it, or give sound and logical reasons for this Senate to debate, not mere political squabbles.

[dragoon47]

Lucius remembered to bring in a battle report suddenly and asked the scribe to come over to where he was sitting, content to wait a little longer.

[Nota']

May I suggest we add a fourth clause to Lex Rutula de Tributo Sociorum.

IIII. Only the vital building projects should be carried out to maintain public order and income in the settlements that rebelled during the campaign of Hannibal; Capua, Crotona etc for 20 years.

I see no reason to invest Rome's precious income in two cities that cost it so much! What say you senators?

I shall put Pallas' other motion to the vote now.

[War lord]

Very well,fools,you can have your Snake-king,but when he turns and strikes don't ask me to suck out the poison.

Aulus storms towards the exit,suddenly he stops and looks over his shoulder.

And it's Licinius.

He leaves.

[Nota']

*Spurius chuckled*
Since when did putting forward motion constitute becoming a king? Pallas, what are your opinions on the fourth claus I put forward?

[chaplain118]

It makes little sense to deprive those cities of our gods. After all, a stronger bond rooted in religion will more than deter future rebellion.