Domus Gerges

[Crozimodo]

Domus of Titus Cassius Gerges






Those carrying the name of Cassius have long despised change. Ever since they were removed from the Patrician ranks for attempting land reform they have strived to achieve the position they once held. Titus hates the lower classes with whom he shares their status, to him it was their desires that led to the downfall of his family, but now here he is in the Senate and hoping things will improve for his family. He has worked hard to secure land, money and power and will not let it slip away. He sees the benefit of the republic yet feels that the lower classes must listen to their betters and their better is himself.

All are welcome to his Domus to share a drink and discuss the goings on in the Senate, to plot against those who make him an enemy, to grasp for more power and to prevent those "unworthy" gaining it at all costs.

[apple]

Naevius slave knocked on the wooden door to the by Naevius small Domus.
O how he despited the fact that he needed to visit such a place, the house of a plebian.
Non the less would he need friends in the senate and from what his ear had gathered was this senator a man even though low by birth someone who shared his politics.
Could it be that he was a pleb worthy his position in the senate?
Well that was after all why he had come, to find an answer to that and maybe even find a good ally.

[Crozimodo]

The Senator was not at home, the slave explained to Naevius after fetching the Senator a cup of wine to hekp his thirst. He could be contacted in Hispania or the slave would send to Gerges to ask the Senator to find Naevius at his Domus following his return if that was pleasing to him.

[AspisPhalanx90]

From the hand of Gaius Julius Septimus, Consul of Rome:

Dear Cassius,
I have some matters i wish to discuss with you regarding the Tribune position. Perhaps we can meet somewhere to discuss the matter. I believe it will interest you greatly...

--Gaius Julius Septimus

[AspisPhalanx90]

There was a knock at the door. An unfamiliar young man was waiting, asking to see the Tribune. He was fairly short, roughly 5'7, and clearly back from the wars in Spain.

Please tell your master that Flavius Constantinus is here to see him, son of Gaius Julius Septimus. I am here to discuss urgent matters that my father has mentioned to the Tribune.

[Crozimodo]

Son? Gerges exclaimed as he moved hastily to the door to greet him in person, I had no inkling that the Consul had a son, a testament to my ignorance no doubt.

Come in young man and make yourself comfortable. I trust you are here in your father's stead to discuss his proposition regarding the Tribunate?

[AspisPhalanx90]

OOC: I edited the character, hes now Septimus's adopted brother, not son (so he can be senator now )

Yes Tribune, that is EXACTLY why i am here. My families name has been slighted as you may know now...my brother made an illegal war on Carthage...if such a thing is even possible

Constantinus was clearly angered by the thought...illegal war he thought..bah..how can there be an illegal war on a sworn enemy of rome?!....he composed himself and continued

Well...as it were, ive already been Censured by that Poplicola for my outburst in the Senate denouncing him. But my brother had different plans, especially in dealing with Poplicola's recent control of the Senate. The Tribunate. When i served with my brother, he spoke of the matter quite often, yet never could propose such a thing. He let politics get the better of him. However, whether it was the wine or him coming to his senses, the passion i remembered in the man returned. He slaughtered the Carthaginian prince, he secured lower Spain...and was branded a Tyrant and traitor. But before he made these acts, he wanted a very important aspect of the Republic to be returned. He wanted the Tribunate to be restored to its former powers. He spoke highly of you Cassius...someone who wielded the powers responsibly, unlike Gracchus. So now in his stead, as him even, i ask you to return to the Senate in full vigor. Excercise your right as Tribune of the People and veto these harsh motions made by some power hungry patrician senators. While i am a patrician myself, i know the people are Rome. If we patricians maintained complete dominance, then what would Rome become? Simply an Oligarchy or even eventually a Royal-like monarchy. And that im sure is not something we need.

So Cassius, what is your mind thinking on this situation? please speak your mind, and be honest. I cannot judge someone my brother held in high regard!

[Crozimodo]

I admire how you have stepped in to your brothers position, the manner of his death was, unfortunate, he could have been spared the Tarpeia had he sought the council of sound minds here in Rome. His actions were... questionable, but he was a good Roman, the people and Senate will miss him even if they do not at first realise it, despite the damage to his eye he was a commander of considerable talent.

Gerges sat back and placed his fingertips together evaluating the young man who sat before him, he certainly had passion yet that was often seen as a sign of weakness amongst the calmer Senators.

Your position upon the Tribunate is interesting as was your brothers, yet as far as I can remember there has been no significant attempt to remove the powers of Tribune that has passed the voting stage. The last attempt failed as I recall, I believe that it was proposed by Pallas but my memory may fail me here. Rest assured however, that I will impose my powers upon the Senate as often as is needed to both protect the people and to assist in the smooth running of the Senate. Take for instance my recent veto, I used it because the protection of the people of Tingi was intermingled with the removal of a Consul, a ludicrous idea. Those who felt it within their moral conscience to protect a towns inhabitants would at the same time remove Scaeva from his appointed position. The Senators have a right to vote accordingly and thus the motion needs to be split, hence my veto.

As for your blatant dislike of Poplicola I have known him for many years, he is a good man, this recent squabbling with the Consul is unlike him, but the years have been hard and weighed upon him though so perhaps his disposition can be explained. Be careful what you say around him and he will leave you alone I suspect, I shall step in if I see him mistreat you do not worry. He does not have as much power as you suggest Julius.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Constantinus quickly admired the man....a reasonable fellow, as his brother had described.

I am indebted to you for your support of both myself and my family. We Julii have always been passionate, perhaps to our undoing. My brother was a soldier first however, he would not have put his life in the hands of the court. He would live by the sword, and die by the sword. To him, he went gladly to his death, perhaps just not too keen on the circumstances.

Consul Scaeva has done nothing to warrant his removal from power. By merely being friends and supporting Septimus, he has struck a chord in the senate, but it is not of consequence. I would like to make sure no motion is passed removing him from office. As it were, the term is nearly over...it would be pointless.

I do not intend on selling myself to you Tribune, and let me assure you my next words are doing none of the sort. However, Unlike many of the old patricians in the Senate, i am not a Plebian basher like Pallas or the rest. The plebs are integral to Roman life..they ARE Rome....i will see to it that you will have as much support as i can muster. Unfortunatley, it would seem there arent many in the senate who look favorably on your position

Constantinus smiled in a warm and friendly manner. It was clear in his words and his tone that he was a man of passion yes, but would do what he thought was right....politics have no bearing on his positions.....at least as of yet...the powers of the Senate can be very corrupting...

[Crozimodo]

Indeed the position has a stigma attached to it to be sure, in my view this can be removed not by pushing for an increase in the powers of the Tribunate but by showing how the position can be used for good, this we can both agree on I am sure. You understand of course the damage your reputation might suffer if you lend me your support in many matters, there are many over whom the shadow of Gracchus still hangs heavily and to assuage that the Tribune must be seen as it once was, a symbol of protection and hope.

I am glad you came to see me Julius, it is a shame that myself and your father were not more familiar it seems I have been deprived of a good friend and a staunch ally by the Gods, but instead they have brought me you, of that I am thankful.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Cassius, i have no fear of hurting my reputation for supporting something that i believe is very important to this Republic. The stigma persists i believe because of more reasons than just the Gracchus incident. The Tribunal veto is a threat that hangs over every patrician senators head. But it is necessary! if there was no Tribunal veto, who would stop Patricians from completely realoccating land and making policies that favor them? We lose our equality, we lose the Republic. It becomes a monarchy of the privileged.

My philosophy on the Plebian-Patrician relationship is perhaps controversial, but nevertheless i will stand by it. The Plebs are Rome. They fuel Rome, they empower it. They are the raw marble blocks. The Patricians are the artisans. They take the raw blocks, and turn their qualities into works of art, shaping them to become something completely integral to the republic.

[Crozimodo]

You have courage there is no doubt about that, tell me, do you have plans for the up coming elections? Will you attempt to take your brothers place in Hispania or will you perhaps stay here? I believe that Pallas Rutulus Aventinus will soon return to Rome, he and your brother were close it would do you well to become acquainted with him he holds considerable sway in Rome.

A word of warning however, Pallas plays with fire it cannot be too long before he burns himself, further he faces significant opposition from Scaurus, you will have seen him in the Senate, his age, considerable drive and wisdom are completely against Pallas and all of his machinations. By associating yourself with him you may well come under fire from him, he too holds just as much if not more ears than Pallas in the Senate. Perhaps they will vie for you I do not know, if this happens choose your friends carefully.

Gerges gestures to a slave to fetch more wine for the two of them, he swiftly returns topping up each goblet carefully.