Consulate of Celer and Decimus

[chaplain118]

MAGISTRATES IN ANNO DCLV A.V.C.

CENSOR
C. VALERIVS CATVLLVS

CONSVLES
TI. MARCIVS CELER
QVINTILLIVS OCTAVIVS DECIMVS

PRAETOR
TITVS CASSIVS GERGES

QVAESTOR
L. VALERIVS POPLICOLA

TRIBVNIS PLEBIS
L. MARCELLINVS PRIMVS

PROCONSVLES
NISVS PALINVRVS RHADAMANTHVS
CN. CORNELIVS SEVERVS

[dragoon47]

Before I get working on my report, scribe! Here was my proposal for the legions last year. Just replace Annalis with Celer and discuss.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I second the motion to send consul Annalis if he is indeed prepared for it.

On the issue of sending more legions however...I disagree with a portion of it. I am of the opinion that Legions XI, XIV, and XVI can more than handle the threat to our North. I do not disagree that reinforcements may be sent however, just that they be sent in a different manner.

Legio XX Valeria Victrix, which is currently stationed in Dyrrhachium should be temporarily put under consul Annalis' command. They will relieve Salonae then push for Singidunum. The legions mentioned before will relieve Patavium, then skip over Aquileia and hit Segestica, their capital.

Once Illyria's two major cities, if you can call them that, are out of the picture it becomes a mop-up operation in which we can dictate terms to the Illyrians.

As for the Greek front I suggest the taking of Nicomedia, to secure our flank there and stop Greek shipping to Pontus through the strait. That can be done by Legio VII at any time, given that the settlement in question has no defenses.

As for Africa, I believe the governor is handling the situation well, although he may want to get Legio X involved as well in the assault on Lepcis Magna.

Those are my thoughts on the matter, make what you will of them.

[Ozy]

Claudius rose,

"Why should we take chances in these multiple wars?!" he said, with anger, "All we need is a bad campaign and soon we will have our territory filled with dirty barbarian scum, burning our villages and taking our gold! NAY! Send as many troops as possible, ensure victory through superior numbers! We have more than enough peasants and gold to pay for their conscription should we need more troops in Italy!"

[Crozimodo]

Another tragedy hits us conscript fathers, Pro-Consul Severus has been badly injured by an unknown assailant, further the messages from the residing Legate who has taken command have been defaced and items of worth stolen from within. A replacement must be assigned to the position instantly or we risk dissent and possible riots in the East, the last thing we need given our current position.

Also I wish it to be seen on the scrolls the statement I make here: Last night slaves entered my home and attempted to steal anything they could get their hands on. Thankfully, my honoured Lictors were on hand and after being alerted by screams from awoken females they dispatched the majority of the slaves, few escaped them. Before their deaths a name was given to me, Senator Augustine had ordered them to do such. Gerges looked into Augustine's eyes, Whether it is your annoyance at having lost the election or because I shamed you in the trial you have seen fit to do me a great injustice, one I shall not soon forget. I will not make the same mistake you have made Senator. This last word Gerges said twisting his mouth into a sneer as if to associate Augustine with such a noble word caused him disgust and it did.

The house will note that should they choose to support and associate themselves with this man in my eyes you will have declared that his actions towards me, in your opinion, were just. Senators do not smear your names by involving yourself with men such as this, he is a disgrace to all Romans for his actions.It shocks me to know that this man once was the figurehead for law and justice in Rome.

As for the war effort I agree with Claudius, give no quarter and use the full might of the legions to smash our opponents into the dirt where they belong! We should not take chances, a swift and decisive victory would discourage the scum from lifting a hand towards Rome for decades if not centuries!

Gerges sat down still staring intently towards Augustine a man whom he had thought worthy of trust.

[ulti]

Quintillius, sitting now in the more prominent position of Consul, waits for the hushed talking between senators to calm down.

"Firstly, I would like to address the point of war, and then we shall discuss any allegations between Gerges and Augustine. I would second the motion that more money and troops be spent on the war, it is of utmost important that we crush any opposition, as I fear that in the future we may not have enough money to replenish our legions if they are destroyed."

He pauses, thinking about the new situation. He does not reply for a while, leaving the floor open.

[chaplain118]

A dispatch arrives from the Pronconsul of Africa

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Senators,

The march towards the enemy city of Cirta is taking more time than I had imagined. The terrain has been most hindering to our attempts at crossing the sands towards the enemy. But rest assured, I shall have the city under my control by summer. This is not so much a progress report as a request to the Senate for additional war powers in the province of Africa. Surely you have recognized from the previous reports I've sent about the massive force of Carthaginians in the south

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I am not asking for much, but rather, I'm asking for an extension of my right to wage war on the province. Senators, grant me the imperium to not only march to Cirta as per my following of protocol but also the right to assault upon both Lepcis Minor and Lepcis Magna to end the threat of Carthage forever from our lands! Senators, I can have this accomplished by the year's end, and no longer will we worry about the possibility of the Carthaginians striking against us ever again. I have already professed my intentions to exterminate Carthage along with her people, culture, and history from the face of this earth. I do not intend to turn back on my intents.

Proconsul Rhadamanthus

ooc: rvfvs, add fuel to your fire

[ulti]

OOC: Proconsuls already have imperium, are you just asking for permission to attack those provinces/cities?

[chaplain118]

ooc: proconsuls have the ability to follow an invading army to the city it originated from, but not to attack other cities of that nation. he must get permission from the senate

[ulti]

OOC: In that case...

IC: "I would recommend that the ProConsul be given the imperium to attack Cirta, and after a report from there we decide any further action. We should concentrate on a logical and systematic attack, reviewing things as they happen. This way we can overcome and possible difficulties and problems as they arise."

[Crozimodo]

Gerges stood as the dispatch was finished, Noble Rhadamanthus seeks to complete our ancestor's great work and eradicate the Carthaginian stain from this world, praise to him for his mighty endeavours. Senators we must recognise that the Carthaginians will never truly accept our place in Africa and indeed across the West. We must destroy them once and for all that they may never become a thorn in our side again!

I hereby propose the following motion:

I. Pro-Consul Rhadamanthus is given Imperium to eradicate the vestiges of Carthage at the quickest speed possible.

If we delay and request that Rhadamanthus stop after each victory to check that he is still in our favour then we forestall our inevitable victory over these child murderers and slow down the campaign. Allow him to advance as his own jurisdiction dictates to the three cities that he has stated and he will surely bring glory to Rome.

As to my issues with Augustine, I simply wish for the house to know of his acts as is their right, if I did not warn them about him I would be close enough to the perpetrator of any damage he may in turn do to them.

[RVFVS]

Gaius Julius Caesar, a former Consul and current representitive of Celer stood.

"Senators surely for a war of this magnitude a Consul should take command? I have word from Consul Celer should destroy the Illyrians within the week. When he is done why not send a CONSUL to destroy this menace."

OOC: Should be done with the battle by today or early tommorow. Football is playing havoc with my schedule.

[Crozimodo]

Nay! If a Pro-Consul is sent to protect a province he has a duty to it, why send Consul Celer who would need to travel many miles to the coast and then take voyage to Africa. Whilst there he must organise his forces and then take the the field, how many months will this take? Let Rhadamanthus, already hot on the tail of the Carthaginians deal with this. The man has shown zeal but not overconfidence, surely there is no better man to deal with them?

Let us be swift in appointing the Imperium to the Pro-Consul, if we delay by bickering over this simple matter then the Carthaginians may have amassed a more substantial force, the same can be said if we were to take the time to allow Celer to finish his campaign, rest his men, move to Africa and take up the fight there.

[Stildawn]

Senator Augustine smiled...

But noble Senator Gerges... I have committed no crime! None at all... Or are you a hypocrite? What may or may not have happened within your walls has nothing to do with me so please keep you silly notions to yourself...

[Crozimodo]

Your satisfaction at the misfortune of others shows your character Augustine. I do not accuse you of a crime, you take me for a fool, your slaves were lawfully killed on my property and your funds are certainly not imperishable. Send more and they will meet the same end, the same can be said in the house of every Senator in this hall.

By simply showing such despicable character you will make your allies scarce, you doom yourself Augustine.

[Stildawn]

Again you make unfounded accusations... I dont care who's slaves you allegedly killed last night... Its no skin off my back...

You say I take satisfaction in others misfortune? Since you openly accused me without even asking me leaves me on the defensive does it not? Yet you ask me to show compasion to one that accuses me? No... I am not a fool...

[Crozimodo]

When a slave gives out the name of his master at sword point I do not doubt the truth of fear. Your previous experiences no doubt would have given you the idea and yo know full well that you cannot be prosecuted. You are the most likely candidate for what has occurred.

Now enough! This is no place for our own personal grievances, divert your attention to the war and contribute if you feel your voice is worth being heard.

[Stildawn]

Did you in the recent trial put down a testomony from a slave? Odd that you now totally rely on them... Or wait wait... Perhaps it was a grand conspiracy from Senator Publicola... We all know how you both like the notion of conspiracies...

You brought this outrangous accusations up here in the noble Curia... Not I Senator Gerges... Before you see the speck in my eye Senator... Take a look at the log in your own...

[dragoon47]

Senators calm down, we have a war on our hands, take your personal vendettas elsewhere for the moment.

On another note, I second the motion. Waiting for the consul is just another delay in the plan. If we have local superiority now then we must attack them now. To delay now would be a crime.

[chaplain118]

If that is the case, then let consul Decimus move the motion to a vote. Though for the sake of time, I do not think it necessary for a matter as urgent as this to be decided on something as fickle as a vote. Consider, Senators, of how precarious the situation in Africa is. Two enemy main armies are in the vicinity of our lands as seen by the Proconsul's report. This means that while we wait to deliberate, the Carthaginians may very well have launched an attack on our African holdings. Granting Proconsul Rhadamanthus the imperium to conduct war upon the cities of Lepcis Minor and Lepcis Magna would mean a quick end to the war.

Then there is the question of Numidia as well. They are also a current ally to us, but what of their intentions? Do they intend on marching against us as well? Carthage and Numidia are like water and fish, the two exist for each other. True, we have employed the Numidians against Carthage before in history, but that does not mean Numidia may not be watching our lands with a greedy eye. Consider it like so, Senators. Once we remove Carthage from the picture, it is only us and Numidia vying for power on North Africa. They are a war-like nation, just like us. But while we have the laws and morals of a Republic, they are still guided by a primitive tribal system. Now, understand that I do not speak to incite war with an ally of Rome, but rather to keep our guards up against this possible threat. We must look ahead, Senators, of the current situation our provinces face.

Finally, there is the issue of Proconsul Severus gone missing. A suffectus must be elected to replace him in the East. I want to open the floor for nominations to any senator willing or capable of governing the province of Asia. Do not falter on this one, Senators. The political situation in Asia is volatile. The Seleucids have entered our lands, Rebels are rising up across the borders, and we have already been betrayed by one ally, how do we know we can trust the other?

[RVFVS]

Caesar pausedfor a moment. No man stood and Caesar eventually stood.

"Why not put the region under the jurisdiction of the Consul?"

The Senate turned to look at Caesar as though he was crazy.

"It is not that difficult to understand the logic of this move. Consul Celer controls legions currently and should crush the Illyrians any time now. After this why not allow him to move East and take control of Asia until Severus is found. We have few enough Senators as it is with the Marian purges."