Consulate of Poplicola and Corvenus - 482AVC

[Merula]

But then who is to try him? The Praetor is not in Roma at the present if i remember correctly, personal matters i heard. The trial may have to wait...

[Merula]

Some time after the arrival of the Junior Consul's message, armoured footsteps and the sound of horses echoed from outside the Curia. The noise gradually gained more attention as more Senators turned from their arguments to see a robed figure make his way confidently through the entrance. He was clearly not Roman, and his oiled beard and tanned olive skin gave him away as a Hellen. He was flanked by two roman guards, who escorted the visitor into the hall. The man stopped towards the middle of the floor, looked around him and gracefully bowed to the white robed men that surrounded him, most of all to the Consul Valerius, who had such an air of authority about him the man thought he was the leader. He then spoke in fluent but heavily accented latin, the greek accent giving his origins away once more.

"Noble leaders of Rome! I am Timoleon, Royal Envoy to the honourable King Heiro II of Syracuse, scourge of the Poenii, protector of our city, and rightful ruler over all of Sicily. I come bearing a message from my King to your council of kings..."

The man did not seem to know the intricacies of the Roman goverment to any great detail. Unbeknownst to him, Timoleon had just insulted all in the Curia by calling them 'kings'. But he continued oblivious to this,

"My King watches the growing power of Rome on these shores, and also that of Carthage on our own, but he feels more inclined towards your city, as to him, Roman honour is far superior to Poenii gold."

"He has honoured our unofficial alliance put in place those decades ago regarding the trade around the strait of Messana, and because of this has sent me here to request aid. He regrets to inform Rome that in recent years the town of Messana itself was taken by a rogue group of mercenaries from Campania, who call themselves the 'Mamertines'. He tells you noble leaders this as these Mamertines have been disrupting trade in the straights, they have taken to piracy, terrorising the land surrounds and capturing many Greek, and Roman merchant ships headed for Hellas itself."

"Citizens of Rome are being murdered, raped and sold into slavery every week by these rebels, and ship captains are so scared now they opt to travel the whole distance around the island, facing storms rather than the pirates.
It is here I come to my King's request to you, Heiro asks that in the infinate wisdom of Rome, will they honour their agreement with our city and send an army to destroy the menace, and that then maybe an official alliance be formed between our two peoples?"

"That is not all however, Hiero wishes to inform Rome that although you honour your agreement with Carthage by sending no fleets towards sicily, the Poenii have not. They have been routinely patrolling the waters with their fleet, and have marched their armies right to the coast, near the straight, in clear defiance of the agreement. My king does not wish to force Rome into a conflict they do not wish to fight, but he fears for the survival of his Kingdom due to Carthage's growing military might on the island."

He finally stops talking, taking in the reaction of the Romans, who are muttering amoungst themselves.

"That is all I have been tasked to tell you, I will wait untill you grant me a reply, then I will take my leave..."

He turns to the Consul Valerius, expecting the 'main king in the room of kings' to answer first, then takes a seat at the side of the hall.

[Maiar93]

While the Greek was speaking, Flavius arrived in the Curia. He was in an extremely good mood, he had just defeated a whole Boii army on his own. He took a seat and began listening to the Greek.

I feel that Rome is not yet ready to engage in a war. We have already fought two,Me participating in one, and now we need to grow economically before we can strike again. Roma is already exhausted for supplying of two wars. This is, if you don't request our aid right now. Because i fear that is something we cannot do.

[Winter]

Lepidus enters the Curia late, having been caught up with assisting with a judicial case. Noticing the two armed soldiers within the Curia, however, he explodes.

"What is the meaning of this!? Consul, why are there armed soldiers within our midst? Who dares to disturb this sacred temple with unholy steel? Who dares to bring men of arms within the sacred bounds of the Pomerium!"

Turning to the men

"GET OUT! Get out now, before I have you prosecuted for treason! OUT!"

The Triarii messengers scatter out the doors.

"Who has done this unholy, impious, and illegal deed?"

[Taedius]

Were there no Lictores outside the doors?

Taedius stands and turns to look. Foreigners. They should at the very least make themselves aquainted with local custom and ritual before barging in on a sacrosanct congregation.

"Conscript fathers, the man, however brazen, spoke the truth. Many of my clients, as you will know, are traders in foreign lands, and they do complain about extencive piracy in the Sicilian strait. Now, if what he says about Poeni manuvers on the island is true as well, then do we have any option but to respond?

The taking of Messana will shift the balance of power in our part of the world. If the Poeni should think us weak in this regard, we must show them otherwise.

However. This will lead to a cancellation of all trade agreements, and a severe reduction of the taxable trade revenue, all income from toll and other charges placed on the mercantile community. It is therefore of the utmost importance that military ventures in Sicilia MUST be concluded swiftly. Perhaps, as a measure to secure our coasts, we should discuss the fates of Corsica and Sardinia as well.

All this, if the Senate is inclined to intervene on Sicilia. Of course."

Taedius Bubulcus sits again, slightly nervous about the reception of his longest speech in the Senate so far.

[War lord]

Caldius shoots Bubulcus a look for speaking so openly in front of the Diplomats

It would be improper and unwise to debate this in front of Foreigners,I say we send these Greeks away and discuss the matter of Carthage's territorial ambitions,and the pirates,after we have dealt with more immediate matters.

[Merula]

Marcus addresses the greek,

If you would be so kind sir as to wait out side untill matters are concluded? Thankyou.

After he has left, Although the situation in Messana is a pressing one, I think we must disucuss our first problem before anything else, looks at Corvenus sadly..

[dragoon47]

Corvenus, we would be honored, if you would join us. You have broken a great many mandates while you were out on campaign and I would be happy to list them for you. Failure to assault the enemy encampment, levying Roman soldiers without this senate's permission, illegally recruiting Roman soldiers and quite possibly, conspiracy to commit treason. Lucius smiled, how do you plan to explain these charges? Just one slip up and you're done Corvenus.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Constantinus stands to address the Senate, both hands raised to quiet down the hall

Senators, I would like to respectfully ask, after the Consul's explanation, to no longer have the debate on these grave and serious charges here in the sacred Curia for now. All formal charges shall be brought to me, where we shall discuss them there. For now, we have affairs of state to discuss.

Constantinus looked fiercely towards the Consul

However, Consul, you ARE in a very, very grave situation... i suggest you tread carefully with your next words..

[Maiar93]

Flavius looked very confused. He looked first at Lucius, quickly turning his gaze to each senator. Felt like the air would have been punched out from his lungs, and he took a few very deep breaths. He turned finally to Lucius, and answered in an angry tone.

What? I don't know anything about this. If anything, this is a plan to detrack me and put me out of action. He changed his tone to a bit more calm one,But this is very strange, i received more men than i expected and i had to form a new unit out of them. I thought that i had received additional reinforcements from this noble body. I thanked you twice for the reinforcements you had sent, because they indeed were useful. Without our cavalry the battle would've been lost, so bravely they crushed the Boii left, charging them to their backs and flanks. And let me remind, that I myself killed the enemy general. From those conditions, from victory i come here, and i expect to be praised for my efforts, but what do i get? I get accusations for treason! When he finished he looked completely enraged. 'So this is what i get.. noble body indeed!'

[War lord]

A snakelike smirk spread across Aulus's face,then a look of mock wide-eyed innocence.

Why Consul Poplicola,you forgot about the mercenaries!

But before formal charges are brought,I believe "Consul" Corvenus has to be removed by vote,unless of course you want to wait a year?

[Maiar93]

OOC: I didn't actually get any mercs but lets anyway keep it

And why are you so eager of removing me from my office? I have done nothing to deserve it. I have captured Bononia as i was tasked to, and returned to Rome as ordered. We did not say how should i capture it, or how long should it take; but i had minimized the casualties.

He said, still quite confused(and from the confusion, angry) to the accusations he had received.

[Winter]

Lepidus stands,

Hold, Senators, on your desire to remove the Consul - the ban on prosecuting magistrates exists for a reason. Any case against the Consul will not be compromised by time, so let him serve his term before any attempts at prosecution are made. Until then, we all may congratulate him on his victory, at the least, and thank him for dealing with the threat to the north.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Lepidus is right, Senators. our sacred law states that no magistrate may be prosecuted during their term. There shall be no trials until after the current term at the very least, if it is wished. Let it also be known that if any party decides to take justice into their own hands rather than through the proceedings handed down by the Gods, they too shall be found and punished accordingly. The Law, Senators, is of utmost importance, and I shall not see it fall victim to personal feelings and beliefs. We shall stand by the Law!

Senators, some of you also seem to be criticizing the casualty numbers reported. While even one soldier lost is a cause for mourning, we cannot downplay the ferocity of these people. The casualties of taking Bononia were, in my personal opinion, acceptable and necessary. So with that, congratulations on your victory, Consul. Now, let us return to the matters at hand

Constantinus sat down and looked around the Curia. How many of these men will try to harm Corvenus "for the good of the Republic"? How many? I do indeed hope none..

[Merula]

Very good Praetor, this i hope is the last we will hear of that particular matter until next term!

Now, what is the consensus on these pirates? Quaestor, you have friends in the merchant buissness i hear, undoubtedly they have been affected by these 'Mamertines'?

[Maiar93]

Flavius stood, first looking at the Praetor.

I fully agree with you. Here is a wise man speaking for his republic, you should listen to him!

Then, turning to the rest of the Curia,

If we are to engage in war we need a fleet. A big fleet, loads of ships. And to afford that, we need a better economy. Marcus, i believe it is not necessary to know how much have anybody's friends been affected by these pirates, the fact is they have. That is why Rome will take actions, beginning with improving our economy. That is what i hope..

A slight change of tone was heard, and Flavius began to speak with heavier and deeper words, so that every word was to be clearly heard although he spoke with a normal voice.

I believe it is time to search for new lands, for new allies and for better trade. I have heard in the East about the mighty egyptians, to say the least, and their mighty food supplies. Surely trade with them would greatly benefit us, not to say all the other prospering and rich nations which dwell near their land.

OOC: Someone had to say this, originally Rome had trade agreement with Egypt

[Merula]

Marcus groans inwardly, 'was this man raised by farmhands!'

My dear Consul, what I said to the Quaestor is of great importance in fact. We have not yet come to a conclusion as to whether this greek is speaking the truth! We must discern the true nature of his message and as Sophus has contacts in the areas affected, I believe it is of upmost importance that we ask him, we cannot take the word of a foriegner so quickly as you seem to do Corvenus!

Also, you talk of trade with the sons of Ptolemy? Please enlighten the rest of us Consul, as to how you are going to get these "mighty food suplies" to Roma if there are still these pirate Martines raiding our ships! Surely this subject should be held for debate at a later time, we must discuss Messana before talking of peoples in Egypt of all places!

Marcus sits again, hoping the junior consul realises how much trust he has lost in the senate at this time, and hoping that the man keeps his mouth shut till the heat dies down...

[Maiar93]

He looked at Marcus,

If you did not understand at first, i wasn't saying we should do it now. But in the future, which you surely agree with.

[Kubrick]

Marcus had kept himself quiet for the entire discussion, not quite certain what to do. As long as they kept fighting he wouldn't join the fight, neutral Sophus he would be!

The question of Merula had awakened him though, the subject had changed. As for the problems.. He looked to the right of him, in between the small heap of papers there was a letter from a friend. The merchant business was indeed rough. He stood and cleared his throat.

'A very close friend of mine has indeed been complaining about the current state the merchants have to do business in. But that said, merchants are a bit like farmers. When it's sunny, it's too hot and when it's raining, it's too wet. But, I trust this man. He sends word of increasing piracy. Both Mamertines and Illyrians are well represented on the seas these days.' He paused for a moment, heavily in doubt with himself. 'I find it a terrible problem, just walk in the harbour and you will hear complaints of piracy, lost ships and what not. But to start a war? We are walking from one war to another.' He thought about Kleitos, his favourite slave and closest friend. He had been caught by piracy.. 'But perhaps this problem is big enough. Perhaps not. We should at least further investigate it and not just judge it here in the halls of the Curia on loose rumours we all heard.'

[Rex Basiliscus]

"I agree with Sophus. To start another war so soon after the war with Pyrrhus, will not be good for our economy, nor our people. They have already suffered alot during these past years ... we have also lost plenty of soldiers in both the southern and northern campaigns. Need I remind you that Pyrrhus was but one man, and that we fought the Boii for one settlement only? Carthage is a superpower, with vast lands and riches to recruit a hundred thousand soldiers. Not to mention they rely on strong Celtic and Iberian mercenaries. How many lives you think we'll need to defeat them? How much money you think we'll spend before there will be nothing left to spend?

And because of what are we considering this? Because of this Greek's message? Because of farmers whose lands are being raided by pirates? I think that is not enough to enter war with Carthage. We should at least investigate, as Sophus suggested, before we act further.
Bear in mind though that the Syracusans have always been enemies with Carthage... It hadn't been long ago that they fought each other for many years during the rule of the tyrant Dyonisius I. They each want to control the island of Sicily. For that reason, none can be trusted."