Villa Geminii

[Nota']

Name: Spurius Geminius Scaeva
Age: 41
Class: Patriacian

A tall, quiet man, many have mistaken his quietness for weakness. His fair hair betrays a barbarian heritage, although his family have hereditary claims back many centuries, rumour has it that his grandmother had a taste for slave boys. His family historically stuck to priesthoods rather than politics (Spurius claims that he had an ancestor that took auspices for the long gone kings of Rome, however this 'claim to fame' does not always bring him admiration.) Spurius served in the army for a period of time, however this was during peace time and that has left him keen to gain military glory as a general, for he has none from his time as an officer. He is an inexperienced newcomer who plans to make a name for himself.

Postitions held:
- Consul (539 AUC)
- Consul (541 AUC)
- Censor (542 AUC)

Political Views:
- Plebians are the life blood of Rome, without them the Senate and Patriacians are powerless, so Spurius supports economic growth. However he does not want to see them gain undue power, they must know their place.
- Spurius is unwilling to initiate an argument/debate or argue a point unsupported in the Senate. He feels he requires to make allies before he can afford to make enemies.

Update:
Spurius is no longer the new boy, he has gained experience and confidence. After the Gracchus revolt, he has become more wary of the plebs, pushing him towards the optimates, however he still will stand up for them if he believes if they are been down trodden by the senate. Afte having being denied the chance to finish the rebellion himself, he has become even more keen to gain military glory, and to prove himself to the army. He has developed loyalty towards the allied legion that took Genoa, and no doubt he would feel the same about any army that has seved him well over a period of time. Unlike his natural character, during his term as consul Spurius was rather outspoken, attempting to keep the senate on topic, and always providing a voice of reason.

In the Senate Sprurius has developed but one enemy, Senator Poplicola. A man who will attack anyone who is opposed to him, using words rather than steel. Poplicola seems to oppose Spurius out of principle, rather than based on the issues at hand.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Gaius Julius Septimus approaches the villas front door, and asks the nearest slave as to the location of his master.

"Tell your master that Julius Septimus has arrived, and wishes to speak with him"

[Nota']

The slave leads you into a hall. He goes to a nearby door, knocks three times then enters to announce you. Spurius enters the hall through and begins to talk.
"Ah Gaius, I see you got my message. I wish to discuss with you the recent re-introduction of the Tribune of the Plebs and the growing power of the plebians in the senate. Do not get me wrong, I do not wish to crush the plebs under a Patrician boot, I just worry they are growing too powerful, I fear if left to continue they may no longer distinquish between those of noble birth and the local peasent.
The cold bites tonight so I suggest we stay inside, but perhaps we can talk in a more comfortable setting. How about my study?" Gaius motions towards a door on your left.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Julius enters the study, and begins to speak

Senatore, i agree with your growing concerns. The plebs are dictating Roman policy, and we cannot allow this. The plebs may be necessary for the republic, but it is the Patricians that have the ability to run it. What is it you propose we do?

[Nota']

Spurius pauses for a moment then speaks. "That is precisly the problem, what can we do? At least the plebians have lost their consul Lucius Tiberius Imperious,
OOC: His term has ended right? Its just CK23 still has Consul in his sig.

...so they are less untouchable. However the tribune of the plebs position is not to be underestimated. After all he can veto any motion and is inviolate. Another problem is that the plebians are a growing minority in the senate, so any 'legal' action will require the support of all the Patricians. I am afraid dear senator I am at a lost as to what to do. Even if we could remove the tribune the plebians would be in uproar!. Do you have any suggestions? I simply wish to maintain the republic as it should be, with the plebians powering Rome forwards with the Patricians guiding them."

[AspisPhalanx90]

Alas, there is not much we can do. Our hope lies in Consul Scaurus. He is the one to retain the power of the Patricians. As long as we decisivly vote to prevent a Plebian-run Consulate, i believe that is all we can hope to do. Without the support of the Entire senate or the people, we are powerless to stop the Plebians. Let them bask in their current state. It will not last long.

with that the senator motions to his slave-companion, who quickly handed him a flask of wine....surely the senator's drinking has been enhanced by his current wounds...

[Nota']

"I do not share your hope in Consul Scarus. He is campaigning in Hispania, and his consulship shall end very soon if he is not granted extenstion. Consul Titus Basiliscus Aquila is also campaigning. We can not allow these men to be our only hope as they are in no position to check the growing power of the plebs. Perhaps we should vote to block their extensions and attempt to elect better consuls, may I suggest you to run?
Its just that I other candidates do not know or care about the plebians growing power. I for one would vote for you, and if you made your intensions clear to Senator Tiberius Naevius he would support you. I'm sure there would be others who would support you. Something must be done before the plebs do some permanent damage. And we can't exactly go to the Rostra and rally the people behind our cause." *Spurius gives a short chuckle, not because his joke was funny, but to try and disperse the tense atmosphere that had filled the room*
"What do you say Senator?"

[AspisPhalanx90]

You propose i run for Consul? That would be quite an undertaking, and a feat, as i can no longer lead the legions on the field. However, if it were so possible, i would indeed check the power of the plebs, especially that plebian dog the Tribune. He enjoys their love too much. Senator do not shirk from your opinions, you are entitled to them. You do not share the same hope in Consul Scaurus as i do, but you may very well be right to not share the hope. Can i interest you in some wine? you seem quite tense

[Nota']

*Spurius takes a cup of wine and takes a small sip* Ah thankyou Senator. But it is good to not take these things lightly. May I ask why you cannot lead legions on the feild? And I think you stand a good chance of winning if you rally support behind you, and I am willing to help you with that.

[AspisPhalanx90]

alas, i have lost my eye on my way to the legions before.

(OOC: I cant get the saves to work, they are Unix files instead of rometotalwardocument, and since im playing on a mac the save doesnt want to work. Perhaps if someone was willing i could act as general, but communicate through some means, if possible...idk :/ )

[Nota']

All the better to focus your power on internal matters. After all, what can you do if you are away campaigning? The plebs could still make their moves if you were away. I see your injury as no excuse not to run for office. I'm sure the Praetor (?) could act for you on the field while you remained in Rome.

*A knock comes at the door.* "Enter"
*A man comes in, too well dressed to be a slave*
"What is it freind?"
"Senator..." The man pauses and reconsiders. "Senators, the consulship of Scaurus and Aquila is at an end. Time is left to head to go and stand for the availible positions."
"Thankyou my good man, you may leave now." *The senator smiles and the man leaves closing the door behind him*
" One of my clients... Sir, I beg you to head over and stand for consul now. If the gods favour you I'm sure I can trust you to support our cause. I am considering standing for a govenor's post if no one better steps forward. Perhaps it is time to end my passive state in politics."
*Spurius stands*

[dragoon47]

Lucius knocked at the door, flanked by lictors.

[Nota']

*Senator Geminus opens the door himself, bemused. All his slaves are still asleep in their quarters.*
"Praetor? What are you doing here at this hour, what an inhuman time of the morning to wake a man. What is the problem?" *Spurius eyes the two lictors beside Lucius* "May I enquire as to why you bring these escorts? Am I in some sort of trouble?"

[dragoon47]

Lucius took pleasure in his prey's stunned and confused nature.

I have come here to inquire about a few things if I may come in.

The last words did not sound like a question.

[Nota']

"Of course Senator"
*Spurius motions to the study door and then ambles towards it, still shaking off the after effects of sleep. He then sits down on a comfy chair and rubs his brow.*
"Please take a seat Praetor. Now may I ask you what questions you have for me?"

[dragoon47]

Lucius takes his seat and pulls out a mind-boggling amount of scrolls and displays them on the table. You cannot even fathom what is on any page from the writing.

Lucius then takes a more leisure pose and bores his eyes into Geminius for a full minute of silence.

How long have you been in the senate Geminius?

[Nota']

"This is my third term Praetor"

[dragoon47]

I see...

Lucius let another awkward silence fill the room.

Your hair is also quite fair. Care to explain that to me Geminius? I'm also interested in your family's connections with the local slave trade, and where they get their slaves.

Lucius then picked up one of the scrolls and tapped the table with his fingers like a metronome.

[Nota']

*Spurius pondered for a moment, officially it was just a fluke, bad luck. However if one enquired there was a rumour about his grand mother having affairs with slave boys*
"We buy slaves when we need them. Recently there has been an influx in capuan slaves, which has driven their price down, so I have aquired two house slaves born of Capuan fathers. You would have to ask my father where he got his slaves from, although I do remember a couple of Scilian slaves. If you are enquiring as to the rumours of my Grandmother, I was not present while she was alive, and so can not tell you the slaves she owned.
As for my hair, who can fathom why the gods give men qualities as they do, I just have the rare misfortune to have been given fair hair by them."

[dragoon47]

Hmm...

Yet another silence, this one lasting a whole 2 minutes as Lucius' fingers plodded at the table.

...why would I concern myself with slaves your Grandmother owned? She's no longer with us.

Lucius picked up another scroll.

What are these rumours you speak of? Why would I care what slaves she owned?