Curia Hostilia, Consulate of Cotta and Iulus, 81 BCE

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome
The Consulate of Gnaeus Julius Iulus and Canus Calvisius Cotta

The Curia of 81 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates in Rome

Consul

Gnaeus Julius Iulus and Canus Calvisius Cotta

Censor

Metellus Pius

Praetor

Marcus Valerius Messalla et Marcus Antonius Creticus

Aedile

Sextus Julius Iulus

Quaestor

Scipio Nasica et Mettius Pinarius Rusca

Tribune of the Plebs

Marcus Junius Brutus et Marcus Aemelius Lepidus

Magistrates in the Provinces

Pro-Consul of Asia

NPC

Pro-Praetor of Sicilia

Gaius Furius Sulpicianus

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. A commander must be appointed and sent to Spain.

2. All standing legions must be paid, or they will desert or defect by the end of the year.

3. The Pontifex Maximus has died.

[The Mad Skylord]

As Consul, Iulus opens the session.

Ooc: Something fancy will go here when I arrive home.

[Celsius]

Cotta arrived. He was about to sit in the same seat as Marius, Sulla, Cinna, Carbo. All of those men were now dead or soon to be. As he sat, he felt the weight hit him like a charging bull. He was well connected militarily, something that seemed to be needed these days. But for now, he had to help heal a wounded Republic which still had many enemies.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Messalla arrived in his purple lined toga. He was satisfied that he had finally be recognized by the people and his colleagues as worthy and elected to the office. IN some ways it erased the shame of his previous loss. His home was being rebuilt with the help of some veterans, clients, and their slaves. They would be in the forum now, perhaps buying some food and supplies. They arrived with Messalla after the morning salutatio and an escort into the forum. It was a small group, but now it would likely grow. Although still limping heavily, Messalla seemed less gloomy than he usually was.

[Oznerol]

The censor took a prominent seat. There was none as revered of respected as the censor, he who guided Rome through the path of righteousness and morality. Pius now held an ample authority and had become a truly influential individual, perhaps he soon would be hailed as Princeps Senatus, the first among peers, but firstly, he had to achieve the ponficate, and time would do the rest.

[chesser2538]

Praetor Marcus Antonius the Senate chamber, with a dignified walk wearing the regalia of office. His dark hair had been cut just this morning, and the beard he had acquired from the campaigns was trimmed into a stylized shape. Taking his seat the began to prepare for the opening session.

[The Mad Skylord]

The Senate had assembled, as was tradition, within the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus for the first meeting of the year. A host of sacrifices, including bulls from Iulus' own personal herds, had been made and the auspices consulted.

Now, the senators sat on their benches within the utterly august building. Clad finely in the Toga Praetexta, Iulus now sat, enthroned, in his curule chair. His eyes swept the gathered senators, and he could not help but smile, for he was Consul, and Cotta had failed to assert himself already. Small even by Roman standards, the Consul Iulus took to the floor of the chamber, though not before gazing up at a statue of Jupiter - father of the founder of Iulus' house - and making a swift and private prayer to the King of the Gods.

Piety now done, he cast an easy gaze across the Senators again, he would start with pleasantries.

"Patres et conscripti, let me first congratulate you on offices achieved, and offer commiserations for elections lost."

His eyes stopped momentarily on Pius, which brought him to his first point.

"As you may well know, the Pontifex Maximus - foremost of the Pontiffs - has died. His tenure was long and prosperous, and we Romans will miss no doubt miss him in the days to come.

Quintus Caecillius Metellus Pius, a man of great filial and divine loyalty, has declared his candidacy in a masterful speech in the Rostra. I believe he will make an excellent replacement, and I wish him luck in seeking appointment."

A shallow display perhaps, but endorsing a man in public was often a quick way to earn a favour.

"Now to graver matters. Quintus Sertorius and Gnaeus Papirius Carbo continue in their efforts to carve out their own domain in Hispania. It is of the utmost importance that these treacherous tyrants be rooted out of a once stable and loyal Roman province, and dragged back to Rome to face penance for their numerous crimes.

I propose that an expeditionary force of four legions be dispatched to Hispania to quell this revolt."

A loaded pause, it could be guessed where this proposal was going.

"This leads into a number of issues, firstly payment of the legions. I hereby propose that all five of our standing legions immediately be given full pay, an amount that should come into a sum of near twenty five thousand denarii."

Another pause, simply to allow the senators to process such a vast sum.

"I also propose a raising of the harbour taxes, and the installment of a salt tax, in order to take the strain off of our treasury."

Finally, the chance Iulus had been waited for.

"I do hereby declare my intention to lead the campaign against Sertorius, as is my right as Consul - should the Senate be agreeable to such an appointment."

Iulus returned to his curule chair.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Messalla attempted with difficulty to stop from rolling his eyes. Between Antonius' ridiculous Greek beard and Iulus' blind power grabs, it was all he could do to keep himself from drinking wine until it ran from his ears. At least Sulpicianus was not here to promote his populist agenda and that was a small mercy from the gods. At least Pius and Lucullus were still in Rome, they were men worthy of respect. At length Messalla stood. "I likewise voice my desire and intention to lead the campaign against Sertorius and Carbo." Perhaps some were surprised at this. "I served under Metellus in the Italian campaign and under Sulla in Greece and Asia. During the Italian campaign, I was legatus of the 7th legion and I led the cavalry." It was almost a claim to having been Magister Equituum, a position of high rank, but not during the normal Republican government. "I led my legion and wing in important parts of the engagement, and in its own integral way, my actions led to victory. Without my leadership, many more would have died and perhaps battles might have been lost. I am a humble man, barely a politician if truth is told. I belong in the field, for it is there that I am most useful to my country. I am not motivated by personal gain, as some might be." With that he sat. He wasn't sure why he spoke in the first place. He didn't particularly even want the Command, he just wanted to be out of Rome again. He found that being back felt almost alien.

[Celsius]

Cotta listened to his fellow Consuls words. He was in agreement and nodded along with most. Pontifex issue, the taxes, the repayment. Hos problem lied with Iulus wanting to lead. He didn't want to be the first voice of opposition. After hearing Messalla speak, he himself spoke in the direction of Iulus "Don't you think it would be best for both of us to be in Rome? We are not Marius or Sulla or Cinna. They all wanted to go off to war instead of govern. The reforms Marius himself passed have made many of the Legions not loyal to Rome, but to their commanders. We have much to do in Rome, surely candidates like Messalla and others who have recently come from battle would be better capable of leading expeditions? I think it would be good for the city and the stability of the Republic to finally see both of their Consuls within the city, working and trying to undo many of the selfish and anti-republic laws and reforms passed within the last few decades..."

[The Mad Skylord]

"I do not." Iulus informed Cotta politely. "A part of our consular duty is to lead. I will not sit idle while the one of the greatest threats the Republic could face gathers power in Hispania." "My son's murderer is there." he wanted to scream. "It is my right to hunt Carbo and Sertorius and to break them." But he did not scream that, he forced himself to be calm and detached. "I served with Sulla myself, from the Social War to Greece, to Asia and then to be Legate of the 6th under Pius. I have recently come from battle. We are not discussing idle rebels or regional revolts. These men are traitors. How long will it take before they decide to bring their war back to Rome?

It is a task for a Consul of Rome." "And I have a score to settle."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Praetors hold Imperium as well, and a judicial mandate. Sending a praetor to fetch back Carbo and Sertorius serves dual functions." Messalla began "Firstly, it shows these renegades that we do not regard them as much of a thread, not enough of a threat to send a Consul. Secondly, it demonstrates that we consider the action to be nothing more than a judicial action. It diminishes their position by indicating that we do not consider them much of a threat any longer, that the government has moved on to larger issues. Consuls of Rome make war upon enemies worthy of their time, as Titus Rusca did when Carbo had eight legions in Italy. This is a smaller affair."

[Trot]

Mettius sat quietly just listening to the men debating the floor. As a newly elected Questor he knew his input would be mostly dismissed, and as such he sat silently. He personally thought Mesella was the better choice to march against the traitors in Hispania, but he had obligations to Iulus. Although now he was in the senate he was not sure the relationship would maintain. That harbor tax might hurt his families merchant trade after all. Sighing he shakes his head considering his options carefully as other men debated on the floor.

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus looked at Messala dubiously, was the man truly that stupid?

"These men have been declared enemies of the state, Sertorius has had since the beginning of this civil war to entrench himself in Hispania, to ally himself with our enemies among the Lusitani and the Celtiberians. A campaign in Spain is not the task for a Praetor, it is as task for a Consul. It is not a judicial matter, it is an extension of the war that Pius fought in Italy."

As Consul, he had a certain degree of leverage here, so long as Cotta didn't stand in his way.

[Oznerol]

The censor whispered something into the ear of a young man sitting by his side, none other but his adopted son, Metellus Scipio. The discussed something for a moment, after which Pius coughs and speaks:

"Patres, these matters are of great severity. I believe a consul should be dispatched to deal with Sertorius, someone with enough imperium and authority to solve this nuissance once for all. A man like Iulus could bring a speedy end to Sertorius' errands and I do believe he's driven by something greater than mere political gain"

He speaks clearly, composedly.

"However, I also believe Messalla would be more than an adequate commander and his praetorial imperium is enough to command legions in the field. He is a proven man and his skills leading men cannot be doubted or contested, he was a legatus under my own command and he performed bravely"

He looks around, checking the contenders' reactions. Lastly, he said:

"I do thank Iulus for his support, I have indeed proposed myself as next Pontifex Maximus, patres, and I hope to count with your support in this endeavour again, our city cannot be left without such a high office for long"

The censor sits again, making sure his purple toga is well arranged. Since he had been named censor he took every single chance to wear that magnificent vestment. Scipio is sitting by his father's side, clearly quite content with himself.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Messalla blinked, perhaps lacking the cunning to cut through Pius' words. He decided to simply propose what they must all be thinking. "Perhaps we should put it to a vote?"

[Celsius]

The censor whispered something into the ear of a young man sitting by his side, none other but his adopted son, Metellus Scipio. The discussed something for a moment, after which Pius coughs and speaks:

"Patres, these matters are of great severity. I believe a consul should be dispatched to deal with Sertorius, someone with enough imperium and authority to solve this nuissance once for all. A man like Iulus could bring a speedy end to Sertorius' errands and I do believe he's driven by something greater than mere political gain"

Cotta spoke "I would agree with our esteemed Censor on this issue. My fellow Consul Iulus is driven by patriotism, but also revenge and vendetta, and those concern me. Lives have been thrown away these past few years because men and commanders let their personal vendettas get in the way of a clear sighted strategium."

He paused "But I will not stand in the way if this Curia decides to give command to my fellow Consul."

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus tried not to laugh. Pius had cunningly toed the line between both sides, supporting both sides while supporting neither. Iulus frowned, he had hoped not to have to rely on a vote. But he was not a dictator, and it would be dangerous to simply lay down the law.

"Very well, let us vote."

Hispania

- 4 legions shall be dispatched to Spain.

- 5 legions will be retained by the state and paid in full.

- The Consul, Iulus, will command.

OOC: If this doesn't go through, then we can vote on appointing Messala.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Messalla tried not to laugh. "Perhaps, Consul, we could split the bill between its obviously necessary components in funding and the command." He suggested. "A simple solution, a division of the house to the right for my right to command, and a division of the left for yours." he suggested.

[The Mad Skylord]

Lucullus was among the first to vote, he stood and quickly moved across to the side of the house that rejected the bill.

(NO) (1+2) = 3 Votes

--------------------------

Iulus fixed a particularly deathly gaze upon his sons, who knew their obligation to their father and in this matter. There would be vengeance and justice wreaked upon Carbo and Sertorius for Octavius, and it would be one of the Julii Iulus that wreaked said retribution. He turned his eyes to Rusca, reminding him of his duties.

Gnaeus Julius Iulus - Yes (1+2) = 3 Votes

Sextus Julius Iulus - YES

Gaius Julius Iulus - YES (1+1) = 2 Votes

[Pericles of Athens]

Numerias spoke up. I think it agreeable to us all that forces be dispatched to crush the traitors in Hispania. Heshifted in his seat. So the question at hand is not if we should raise legions, but who should lead. Iulus had set himself up wisely, making a bill that none would vote against and put him in charge.