Curia Hostilia, Consulate of Sulpicianus and Metellus, 82 BCE

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome
The Consulate of Gaius Furius Sulpicianus and Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius

The Curia of 82 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates in Rome

Consul

Gaius Furius Sulpicianus and Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius

Censor

None

Praetor

Gnaeus Magius Caecilianus

Aedile

Gnaeus Magius Caecilianus

Quaestor

Gaius Julius Iulus and Octavius Julius Iulus

Tribune of the Plebs

TBD

Magistrates in the Provinces

Pro-Consul of Asia

NPC

Pro-Praetor of Sicilia

NPC

Pro-Consul of Corsica et Sardinia

NPC

Hispania Citerior

NPC

Pro-Consul of Hispania Ulterior

NPC

Pro-Consul of Macedonia

NPC

Pro-Consul of Gallia Cisalpina

Appius Claudius Pulcher

Pro-Consul of Gallia Narbonensis

NPC

Events

1. Sulla's Legions demand to be settled in rich farmlands in central and southern Italy, as their enlistments are expired.

2. Carbo's properties remain intact.

3. Carbo and Sertorius remain in Spain with at least 3 legions.

4. As the undisputed champions in Italy, now is the perfect time for the Optimate faction to propose reforms and legislation.

[The Mad Skylord]

With the senators fleeing London in droves, the Senate is convened in Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. Gaius Julius Iulus stands and addresses what is left of the Senate.

"Senators! Carbo annte portas! We are faced with a choice, open the gates and face proscription and death, or close the gates and await the Consul Pius return from the south"

The young Quaester glared around the senators. "I hereby propose we close the gates of the city and levy a defence from the citizens! We may not have legionnaires, but we should be able to hold out long enough for our reinforcements to arrive!"

[Celsius]

Canus Calvisius Cotta had decided to remain in the city. He held no office, only that of Senator. But he was still able to be a voice.

"All of Rome's legions away from the city, split between multiple factions. We have no one else for a defense. We have children, woman, old men who have no capabilities to fight."

Cotta continued "I don't think levying the most vulnerable part of our populace is a good idea. Carbo will be here, and Pius soon behind him. We only need to hold out until he arrives, but we can not do so by throwing our citizens onto the front lines against legionnaires. I think we should build resolve with the populace against carbo. Lower food prices where we are able, except the lower classes of taxes and import duties. Carbo can not take this city if this city doesn't want him."

He paused
"We build resolve for the Senate and the government here in Rome. Show the people that we have not abandoned them and that we are securing their best interests. That's far more than what Carbo can offer them."

[The Mad Skylord]

The Iulus brother snort somewhat derisively. "While I agree that we should build resolve against Carbo, it is nonsense to believe we have no men to draft. Rome may be somewhat depleted, but there are still men a plenty in the city and we have the means to arm them at hand! Close the gates and let us organise a defense in order to hold out until Pius brings his men north."

The other Quaester, also an Iulus, shouts: "Hear hear!"

[Celsius]

"We don't have men to draft. Dozens of legion recruitments have already sapped a majority of what capable men we have, and taking more would break into our economic stability when we can't afford to do so. War is not about battles. It's about public order and food. We shouldn't be feeding the idea that Rome is on the pinnacle of collapsing under Carbo. Carbo needs time in order to break through to this city, and time is something that he doesn't have. Couple that with his mediocre command ability and we are destined to come from this unscathed."

He paused, gathering a few thoughts before continuing. "We just need to show that we have a defense. Station every lector that this body commands above the main section of the walls that Carbo will see. We don't need to have the men, we just need to project the idea that we have them. If the lectors still do not seem like enough, a small percentage of men can be conscripted temporarily."

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus sighed at the attitude of this old fart. "By Jupiter, Senator, are you a dotard? There are eleven miles of walls around this city. There are still thousands of men to draft for the defense of Rome!"

Iulus turned his eyes to the rest of the Senate. He knew well that with so many of the Senators having fled, he and his brother controlled a strong vote with their father's clients. "Have you forgotten the violence of Carbo and Cinna when they came to power? Have you not realise that each and everyone of us will face proscription if they enter these walls? There are but a few dozen lictors in this city. They won't cover a fraction of these walls. Public order and food will not stop Carbo entering these walls and putting half of the Senate to the sword for undermining his authority. There are men enough in Rome. There are arms. There is armour. Let us levy defenders for this city and arm them, else we will all be dead with confiscated estates long before Pius gets here."

[Celsius]

"Eleven miles of walls that Carbo won't even get to see. He's marching from the North. He'll only see the Northern portions of the wall. He has not the might, the time, or the prowess to siege even half of this city. You act like he has all three of them. You either have never stepped foot into a military camp or have been on a battlefield..."

He sighed. Causing a panic would be disastrous for Rome.
"If you are this afraid of Pairius Carbo, a pawn that served as the pen of Cinna, then leave the city like the others. You are causing a panic when there is none. I understand that you fear for your lives because you may have bet against the wrong at the wrong time, but your personal fear should not dictate the policies and strategies of this city or it's people. These people are not your personal army. They are citizens. Roman citizens. Your tactics of trying to frighten them into a defensive frenzy is going to have repercussions that's going to cause chaos in this city. What if they're more sympathetic to Carbo? They despised Sulla, and now his successor marches here. What if they deem fit to side with him, hmm? Then we have violence in the streets and lawlessness. I actually think it would be best if you were to flee. You're only in a safe position if you keep this city calm and under order."

He continued, not even pausing for a breath
"Your fears are your own, not Romes. Your allegiances and plotting are you own, not Romes. You would do well to remember that."

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus rose as if to strike the fool. "Hold your tongue, dog! You sit here a fool, incapable of seeing what is before you! You sit here, blinded by your own senility!"

Octavius leaped to his feet then, to support his brother. "Your own time in a military camp must have been fairly limited, Senator, if you do not realise Carbo can march around the city walls! He needs little prowess of his own, he has legates and tribune to advise him, he has tens of thousands of men! Carbo and Cinna butchered scores of Senators, and it is the height of stupidity to give Carbo the chance to do it again!"

[Celsius]

Cotta retorted "But children who have barely broken away for their mothers breast."

He waved his hand "If my fellow Senators would see cowards and wailing women command this body, then I shall say no more." He sat. He had said what he could and presented his alternatively plan. Rome would be in shock if it were to be mustered like a common state.

[The Mad Skylord]

"Worry not, Senator, cowards will not lead such a body, for no such invitation will be extended to you, there are men enough without handing command over to a dotard such as yourself!"

[Pericles of Athens]

Gnaeus sat, listening to the men bicker, before voicing his own opinion from a seated position. I agree with Cotta. The Praetor announced. We do not need to have power in the city, I doubt we've the means to assemble it in time as well, rather we need only convince Carbo that the city is capable of defending itself. He nodded, sending his duel chins jiggling. Bar the gates! He squawked. Send the lectors to man the walls, if that isn't enough we should temporarily draft a number of men within the city to arm as soldiers, this will be enough to hold Carbo at bay until Pius and his legions arrive. Within the walls we treat every Roman as if they were a king, cheap bread till they've had their fill, distractions.. enough to bid our time for the Consuls to return. From there the gods above will judge us.

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus ignores the elephant as he stands, By Jupiter, he is heavy enough to have marched over the Alps with Hannibal, if he had tusks.

"I hereby propose that two and a half thousand men be drafted and armed with gladius, scutum and galea. I propose that we follow through with the plans to bribe the people of Rome with luxuries, I propose that we bar the gates and I propose that we begin drilling these men for a basic defense immediately."

Octavius stood quickly, having been invested little in the argument. "I second this motion!"

[Celsius]

Cotta remained seated. He nodded at Praetor Gnaeus' words and spoke when the motion was presented "I must voice opposition, and instead present my own plan to guard Rome."

Roma Subitis 82 B.C.

• All taxes on the lower class citizenry are halted for the remainder of the year.

• 50% of grain stores are to be opened and sold at below market price.

• Port taxes are rescinded for half a year.

• All lectors serving members of the Senate, Magistrates, Government Officers, and Tribunals are placed under service to the City Guard to be presented in the Northern City entrances.

• Northern bridges outside the Servian Wall are to be made impassable.

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus shouted high!

"if we can agree or not is irrelevant! The one thing we must do is close the gates! Swiftly, let us divide the house!"

[The Mad Skylord]

Gaius and Octavius Julius Iulus vote to bar the gates.

----

They also vote yes to drafting a crude defense and army them swiftly.

[chesser2538]

Gaius Antonius rises to address the assembly, we have neither the time nor the manpower to form a legion, but if the senate would contribute funds we may have enough to form a militia from among the people, while it would not hold off a frontal assault, it is doubtful Carbo will attempt it. No, Rome is the heart of the republic, and the loyalty of the masses its body. I suggest a contribution 2000 a person. That should be enough to supply arms and at least a helm to at least 10,000 men. We might also raise a cohert of archers.

In the event of an assault we would likely only have to hold off the initial probing attack, so defensive tactics should be used. Trebuchet and scorpions for the engineers as well as hot oil and tar for the defenders.

Secondly I support the suggestions regarding tax and food. That should keep the masses on our side. An additional measure would be to give a series of public speeches, from among the better orators here.

[Celsius]

Cotta spoke quietly to himself "Foolish boys..." Time was up. They had wasted it. Their fate was sealed. He rose and walked down a few steps, leaving the Senate.

[Celsius]

Cotta returned to the Curia. It was desolate. He last saw Caecilianus. He was a good man. A strong personality that would have been needed in the days to come. How Cotta managed to hide out from Carbo's forces he would not know, he alas, here he stood. He spoke, no one was around to hear, but none the less. In a normal voice. "Cowards..." He was thinking of Sulpicianus. Lucullus. Pulcher. Messalla. Others who fled. We fled Rome in its hour of need only for it to be used like a whore. No doubt Pius would come here expecting celebration. He would not have it. He may be out fighting Carbo, but Cotta had yet to meet the man, and he would not throw his lot in with another Cinna, Sulla, or Marius.

[Oznerol]

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius had ultimately been victorious over his foes in the battlefield. Twice had he defeated the enemies of the Republic; or his own enemies, the distinction mattered very little at this point. The consul of the year was now free to exert his rule upon the city of Remus and Romulus for the remainder of it, and now he stood as the strongest man in all the Senate. After a short march (the battle had been fought in the lands of the Latins, craddle of Rome), he returned, reaching the city at noon and camping his eight legions beyond the pomerium, not willing to break any sacred law. He reentered the city, escorted by twelve lictors, as it was fitting for a magistrate of his importance, and the Senate was summoned in few days, after most senators could return to their residences and settle again: peace and tranquility restored. The chosen day, Pius took a seat among the ranks of his fellow senators, wearing the purple-lined toga that was his right to wear.

[Xion]

Sextus Nautius Mergus arrives at the Senate, pausing to take in the view of Rome from it's steps before heading inside and taking a seat among the assembling senators.