Curia Hostilia, Consulate of Iulus and Mergus, 79 BCE

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome
The Consulate of Sextus Nautius Mergus and Gnaeus Julius Iulus

The Curia of 79 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates in Rome

Consul

Sextus Nautius Mergus and Gnaeus Julius Iulus

Censor

Gaius Furius Sulpicianus Callidus

Praetor

Sextus Julius Iulus and Mettius Pinarius Rusca

Aedile

Appius Claudius Pulcher

Quaestor

Manius Valerius Messalla

Tribune of the Plebs

Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Lepidus

Magistrates in the Provinces

Pro-Consul of Asia

Marcus Valerius Messalla

Pro-Praetor of Sicilia

Cotta

Pro-Consul of Africa

Metellus Pius

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

NPC

Pro-Consul of Gallia Narbonensis

Appius Claudius Pulcher

Events

1. Gnaeus Papirius Carbo has been brought back to Rome to stand trial.

2. Some senators desire to build a fleet.

3. The people have become desirous of new lands being given to them by the state. They prefer lands closest to the city of Rome.

[Xion]

Mergus arrives with his escort of lictors, and takes his seat in one of the two sella curulis.

[The Mad Skylord]

Once again, Gnaeus Julius Iulus entered the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, for first meeting of the Senate.

"Patres et Conscripti, several matters have risen to attention. Firstly there is the matter of Carbo. I call upon the Praetors to bring him to trial immediately."

Iulus looked around the assembled senators.

"Additionally, I propose that the Senate put aside 5000 hectares for the people of Rome. These lands should be within twenty miles of the city."

[Trot]

Mettius the newly elected Praetor arrives and takes his seat.

[Xion]

Mergus says nothing in regards to the land, he had heard rumors of the people calling for it, but decides to wait for the tribunes to speak up before acting on it.

"I also believe we still have the matter of the fleet to be resolved. A fleet of fifty triremes, discounting any private additions, is what I believe was the proposal. Unless that has changed, patres."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Callidus, the new Censor, made his way to the Senate amidst his growing number of clients within the city. He made his way into the Curia and as soon as a sufficient number of them were gathered, he began to speak. "I would like to begin with a matter of administrative importance. Three legions remain in Italy with scarcely a job to do. THe men of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Legions have currently no assignment, and they should not remain camped about Rome. It is an indignity to have them so close to the city. What I propose is this, after the Purification of Arms, which will be held by the priests of Mars as the Armilustrium, the legions must be sent to the provinces:"

Lex Sulpicia

I. The 1st Legion shall be transferred to Asia and put under the Command of Marcus Messalla.

II. The 2nd Legion shall be sent to Africa, and put under command of the governor, to defend the African provinces.

III. The 3rd Legion shall be sent to Gallia Narbonensis, and put under the command of the governor there.

With that, Gaius sat. It was a bizarre proposal, one that would seem to strengthen nearly every province of worth, with many prominent men within it. The only one who might oppose it was Iulus, but Iulus still owed him.

[chesser2538]

Antonius rises to bring up his own legislation.
My fellow Senators when last we spoke we discussed the necessity of a fleet, it's manning and composition. This matter should be resolved swiftly so that we may secure our trade routes and prevent Mithridates from bringing forces against us. In response to this crisis I have already commissioned the construction and manning of a small armada of ships.

Hexaremes
Juno w/400 Marines

Quinqueremes
Argus Panoptes w/100 Marines
Caca w/100 Marines
Cacus w/100 Marines
Arges w/100 Marines
Brontes w/100 Marines
Polyphemus w/100 Marines
Steropes w/100 Marines
Geryon w/100 Marines
Alcyoneus w/100 Marines
Athos w/100 Marines
Enceladus w/100 Marines
Gyges w/100 Marines
Cottu w/100 Marines
Menoetius w/100 Marines
Talos w/100 Marines
Atlas w/100 Marines
Hyperion w/100 Marines
Iapetus w/100 Marines
Oceanus w/100 Marines
Tethys w/100 Marines
I ask that the senate set aside funds to raise additional forces and ships so that we may achieve naval supremacy. I would also ask that the senate move to appoint me as admiral of this Fleet, who better to lead these forces than a former consul of Rome.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Manius Valerius Messalla, wearing his carona on the first day of the opening of the Senate, rises to speak for the first time in the Senate. "Patres, I have administered to the treasury, and it would appear we have 10,000 Denarii with which to pursue projects for the year."

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus almost turned cold, but he managed to contain his anger.

"These legions are our only defence against Pontus, should Messala fail or a second Ponti army be mustered. It is foolish to send them to a collection of provinces under no threat, and to reinforce an already large army."

[Xion]

Manius Valerius Messalla, wearing his carona on the first day of the opening of the Senate, rises to speak for the first time in the Senate. "Patres, I have administered to the treasury, and it would appear we have 10,000 Denarii with which to pursue projects for the year."

"Thank you, Messalla." Mergus pauses and turns to Antonius. "Do you have a suggestion of how many additional ships would be needed, senator?" "The original proposal would be half of our remaining treasury.." Mergus thinks to himself as he waits for a response.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sulpicianus' eyes glittered, wondering if now would be the time that Iulus challenged his policies. He smiled magnanimously, as an adder might gesture before the strike. "Speak plainly, Consul, what is your advice?" He maintained his submissive tone, wondering if it would fool anyone.

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus knew he was treading on ill footing. He cursed his short sightedness at trusting such a snake. He worked hard to keep his voice from becoming too hard.

"My advice, Censor, is that Narbonesis already has two legions defending it, Africa is surrounded by our Numidian and Egyptian allies, and Messala's army is already bloated and difficult to supply."

Even as Iulus looked at Sulpicianus, he was considering having him butchered in the streets and thrown into the Tiber. Coldly, his mind ran ahead.

" Currently they are stationed in Northern Italy, well away from Rome, tired after campaign. Let them march a further twenty miles north, and sit on the border of Cisalpine Gaul, far from this city, but close enough to defend her."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Oh but that is quite the waste." Gaius said more forcefully. "The treasury has already been taxed heavily this year, as those attempting to raise a fleet can attest. Tell me Consul, have you had the chance to read the Lex Messalla Segunda of the previous year?" He paused for only a moment before continuing "In in you will find a provision that requires active commanders within their theatres to pay for the legions under their command." He hoped he would not have to explain things any further, even though Iulus must at this point be certain of his own duplicitousness. But this is what Gaius prided himself on best, the double act, the maintenance of the status quo and the balance of power. If the man was clever enough to keep up, he might throw him a bone.

He did not need Iulus to push this law through, but he preferred to operate by concord.

[chesser2538]

I suppose 30 Triremes will suffice, If needed I will raise the additional forces from my own pocket. And while we are on the subject, are there any members of the senate that would accompany me on this expedition, or perhaps any of your sons? This fleet will play a decisive role in the control of the seas and trade routes, If anything were to befall me we need an able commander of appropriate rank and station who could take command.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Manius stood to address the ex-consul. "You would find the fleet put to good use in the east, I think. In support of my father. There is no doubt that Mithridates will seek to disrupt more than jsut trade, he will use his fleets to transport his armies across the theatre of war. You might yet be able to strike a major victory at sea against him. I urge you to take an aggressive stance. When I was in Spain, in command of three legions pursuing Sertorius, I advanced through tough mountain terrain even though it was perilous. We reaped the rewards of our actions in a victory, albeit costly."

[The Mad Skylord]

"Oh but that is quite the waste." Gaius said more forcefully. "The treasury has already been taxed heavily this year, as those attempting to raise a fleet can attest. Tell me Consul, have you had the chance to read the Lex Messalla Segunda of the previous year?" He paused for only a moment before continuing "In in you will find a provision that requires active commanders within their theatres to pay for the legions under their command." He hoped he would not have to explain things any further, even though Iulus must at this point be certain of his own duplicitousness. But this is what Gaius prided himself on best, the double act, the maintenance of the status quo and the balance of power. If the man was clever enough to keep up, he might throw him a bone.

He did not need Iulus to push this law through, but he preferred to operate by concord.

Iulus would have smiled, if he wasn't so irritated. Sulpicianus had the power to force this, but Iulus had power of his own. The Consuls were the masters of the Legions, so long as Mergus didn't apply his veto. An idea bloomed.

"No more of our provinces are active theatres. In fact, Italy is more at threat than any of the others.

Therefore, I consider Italy an active theatre. In it, the two Consuls are the commanders."

Iulus s paused to watch Sulpicianus, curious as to how he would receive this.

" Therefore, I suggest the two senators elected to the Consulate, Mergus and I, each pay half of the legionaries wages into the treasury, from where it will be doled out by the Quaester."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gaius relaxed, Iulus was outclassed but didn't know it yet. "Which enemies in Italy will the Consuls lead our legions against in Italy?" he asked with a shrug.

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus cocked his head.

"Which ones will they defend us against in Africa? Our horde of Numidian allies? Will they starve out our men in Asia? No, no, no, Sulpicianus, your suggestion is bizarre and clearly the result of a man who has never lead an army.

You are insistent, I notice, of robbing Rome of her only defences should Mithridates prevail. However, out of respect for the length and fame of your career, I shall concede.

You do not wish the legions to be billeted on the treasury, but instead on the purses of Proconsuls.

Let them, instead, be billeted in Cisalpine Gaul, Narbonesis and in Macedonia. "

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Various tribes harass the African province, not least of all the Nomadic camel riders. Africa is our longest and widest frontier, it must not be forsaken." He said matter of factly. Iulus was further gone than he had imagined. He could not even temporarily give his enemies a poison chalice, as he saw it. His right hand balled into a fist. "I would kindly ask that my proposal be sent to a vote." he said with a serpentine smile.

[The Mad Skylord]

Iulus looked at Sulpicianus, knowing what he was up to but loath to comply.

"I am not convinced, Sulpicianus, of the necessity of this arrangement."

He repressed the sigh.

"You are proven a good man of Rome, and a man I would consider a friend. I will throw my reservations to the wind on this matter and to back your proposal. I call a vote."