The Palatine Domus of Spurius Horatius Lurco

[Crozimodo]

Domus Lurco

Welcome to the home of the well estabilished Lurco family. Passed down throughout the generations of this patrician family the current owner is Senator Spurius Horatius Lurco.

Eager to get ahead in life Horatius completed the minimum limit of time in the army before returning to Rome to study politics employing some of the finest Greek orators to help him with his rhetoric. He further studied into philosophy and religion and considers himself a learned man. He has never been much of a fighter but he takes slights to his pride as well as he does comments about his weight, often working himself up so much that he is red faced and sweating profusely.

Spurius Horatius Lurco:

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Horatius is of average height but beats most competition when it comes down to girth, where there once was muscle from his army days when he served as a military tribune, now there is only fat. He has light grey hair with a light sagging face and fingers like sausages.

All men, be it patrician or plebeian are welcome in his house to enjoy the luxuries of his life, the delicious wine, the fine food, the private baths and personal land where he occasionally hunts.

[Taedius]

Birds sing pleasantly in the trees of the estate as Lucius Taedius Bubulcus steps through the open gates and approaches the closed doors of Domus Lurco. The gateman sees a man strolling in the fine weather, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture slightly bent, but his face turned upward, smiling warmly.

He retains the smile as he adresses the doorman.

"I am Taedius Bubulcus, here to speak with the senator on political matters. Is the senator available? I am aware that he must be quite busy at the moment, I shan't keep him long."

He is led in to the atrium to wait. Left alone, his smile dissipates and his posture changes. He stands straight, his face serious and focused.

[Crozimodo]

Eventually a slave arrives asking you to follow him to the Senator's office, all around you are other slaves bustling to and fro carrying documents, amphorae, packs, it is clear that Lurco is preparing for his diplomatic mission. You are taken into a large room and invited to take a seat across from Lurco, a goblet of wine is already placed before you and the desk is clear of documents. Lurco dismisses the slave with a flick of his hand before turning his attention to you,

Salve Senator, to what do I owe the pleasure today? I must apologise for the state of my domus, everything must be prepared for my departure I may well be gone a long time.

[Taedius]

"Ah, senator! Thank you for taking your time to see me."

The inviting smile is back.

"In your haste, I hope you will exuse me jumping the pleasantries, so to speak. My family is well, I must assume yours is the same, as you have taken upon yourself this journey.

Now, my concern, as you will have noticed, is all this talk of peace with Pyrrhus. My voting nay in the senate does not mean I would rather see you not go. Of course you must: You must go to Sparta, and Athenae, and you must go to Pella. Pella is important."

He nods to himself, with a look of mild concern now.

"Now, Pyrrhus. I trust the senate is aware that making peace with him will only forestall the inevitable? He sees himself as a new Alexander Magnus. And in place of the Persians, he has set us. And the Poeni."

Nodding as he mentions the great seafarers.

"To put it short, offering him peace, I fear, will only remove one worry from a man who surely will be back on our shores."

He turns to Lurco, a quizzical look in his eyes.

"What are your thoughts, senator?"

[Crozimodo]

Lurco gently sipped from his goblet clearly deep in thought,

Pyrrhus, I do not believe, will stop until he sees Roma razed to the ground. However, by making the first steps towards peace we we shall be the better off no matter his response. The first, with the assumption that peace is agreed is that we, being of great military might, will be able to assimilate the various Italian tribes under our standard. We will become a much more potent threat to Epeiros. The tribes that surround us are fractured and we are in a far better position that Phyrrus who is surrounding by two warring factions, making gains for him will be far more difficult than for us. The second, if Phyrrus chooses to deny our offers of peace, is that we are not seen as the aggressor. We will have offered peace and have been spurned, the world will watch on and nod in approval as we crush the Epirote menace and add its holdings to our own.

As far as I can see it Epeiros and the South of Italy are the only pressing matters for us militarily at the moment. The Senate I believe is content to allow the Boi to the North to serve as a buffer from any incursions that the Celts may attempt. We can concentrate our efforts and it is that which helps make us strong.

Lurco locked eyes with Bubulcus with a glimmer in his own, Does that answer satisfy you Senator?

[Taedius]

Taedius returns the look, his face now without expression.

"Mhm... The logic is, of course, solid. My worry is that it forgets the reaction of Macedonia. Their understanding of our thoughts might be lacking. All the more reason to speak with them."

He looks away in thought for a moment, then back at Lurco.

"Well, I shall stop questioning the assessment of such an experienced politician as yourself, not to mention the Senate majority. I can only hope for one of these two: That Pyrrhus declines, which I doubt, or that he dies in Macedonia."

Taking a good sip of the offered wine, he smiles and nods approvingly.

"I will leave you to your preparations, senator. May Fortuna be with you."

[Pharoah]

Sextius walks to wards the villa and lurcro's slave greets him and guides sextius inside the villa

Ave Lucro Lets talk about Matter's within the senate and the possibility of me gaining an ally for the next election.

[Crozimodo]

Lurco looks up from his reading material, his office is sparse in comparison to what one would expect for a Patrician. All things of importance were prepared to leave for Greece,

Salve Senator, to what do I owe your... rather direct appearance if I might be so bold to say? You seek my opinions of the goings on in the Senate then ask your questions and I will do my best to put forth my mind on the matter. Although, I will say I am not quick to commit myself to an alliance, a friendship may yet stand between us.

[War lord]

Aulus walks confidently through the garden of Spurius Horatius Lurco. A little extravagent perhaps, but it was clear from what had happened in the Senate that Lurco was no fool. He arrives and notices the Doorman.


Greetings, I am here to see the Senator. Is he present?

[Crozimodo]

The doorman nods, If you will wait just a few moments Dominus, the Senator insists on greeting all visitors personally. The man hurried off, to Licinius' left sat a silver tray with a few goblets of wine reserved for guests. The wine was regularly refreshed and thus had not spoiled, the goblets were of exquisite coloured glass. Egyptian possibly the workmanship is so superb.

Not more than a few minutes later Lurco appeared the doorman walking before him, his eyes lit up at the sight of the Senator; Salve Senator Licinius, his large voice boomed and echoed around the halls, no doubt you are not hear for a social call, you are of such an austere nature it would certainly shock but most certainly not displease me. Pray correct me if I am wrong? I would assume it would have to do with the war the Senate seems to be hastening towards, it is incredibly difficult for two men to simply discuss within that hall, they do go on. Please follow me, I don't suppose that I might interest you in a bathe in the private baths I have here? The works of office are taxing and to talk under such relieving circumstances I find to be second to none. Take a goblet as well Senator, relax yourself some, I feel there is much to be discussed.

Lurco awaited a response, an eager smile on his face.

[War lord]

No such luck my friend. I'm here on business which cannot wait for pleasure, Consul Flavius Julius Corvenus who I have judged a danger to the Republic. He has manged to evade justice for his crimes by forcing his way into the consulate for a second time, no doubt through bribery and threats and has proceeded to cause even more damage to Rome. But with the close of this term his time will run out, and I have him, but I need help.

From what I have seen, you are an intelligent and forward thinking senator, most importantly you are aware of the balance of power and show the proper respect to the senate, unlike that fool who openly defies us and acts as a king. It is you who deserves high office, you who would safe guard the Republic and shun personal gain. You are in a position that I envy greatly, they listen to you, they will heed my warning only if it comes from your lips.

Have I said too much?

[Crozimodo]

No such luck my friend. I'm here on business which cannot wait for pleasure, Consul Flavius Julius Corvenus who I have judged a danger to the Republic. He has manged to evade justice for his crimes by forcing his way into the consulate for a second time, no doubt through bribery and threats and has proceeded to cause even more damage to Rome. But with the close of this term his time will run out, and I have him, but I need help.

From what I have seen, you are an intelligent and forward thinking senator, most importantly you are aware of the balance of power and show the proper respect to the senate, unlike that fool who openly defies us and acts as a king. It is you who deserves high office, you who would safe guard the Republic and shun personal gain. You are in a position that I envy greatly, they listen to you, they will heed my warning only if it comes from your lips.

Have I said too much?

Too much? Perhaps. Lurco winked, But not a word without truth behind it or so I like to believe. The man has no regard for the Senate, it will be his undoing but it may even drag us down with it. For now we can only hope that he is slain whilst he runs his rash war. If not, he will return to Rome, we shall make sure he does not make office and he will be torn limb from limb on the Senate floor. Not one man of his name will ever hold prestige again, that will be assured. An immediate impeachment will undo him.

You are right friend Licinius, your word in the Senate is tenuous at best but I highly doubt any attack on my Co-Consul will lack substantial backing, rest assured that I will aid you in obtaining this. He has wronged many and insulted more perhaps. Any position he runs for next term must be blocked, I would see that preferably by you Gods willing. A suitable block can be placed upon all offices in that regard, with a suitable Praetor we will see him dragged through the mud by hooks before the end of next year Senator no doubt.

*Spurius takes a short walk from his residence and comes to the door of Lurco. He knocks.*
I am here to speak to Consul Lurco on senate matters.
*Perhaps he would find a man here who he could work with against his former 'friend'. Lurco was the one of the only two men who openly questioned him in the senate, the other being Aulus the pleb.*

As Lurco finished talking a rapping at the door reached his ears, he gestured to a slave, Bring the visitor straight here. He did not desire to insult his current guest by leaving his presence, smiling cordially he sipped wine whilst awaiting the identity of the new guest.

Geminius! Lurco roared, ambling to his feet as quickly as a man his size was able seeing the Senator brought into the room, Come let me embrace you! He wrapped his arms around the man as he would an old friend. Quickly showing him to a seat he repeated the words passed between him and Licinius certain the man felt the same. How amusing, his eyes gleamed as various thoughts played across his mind, within my house I have the stern Plebeian hating Patrician and the equally immovable vox populi. Smiling at the thought he waited to see how the two would interact.

[Nota']

*Spurius takes a short walk from his residence and comes to the door of Lurco. He knocks.*
I am here to speak to Consul Lurco on senate matters.
*Perhaps he would find a man here who he could work with against his former 'friend'. Lurco was the one of the only two men who openly questioned him in the senate, the other being Aulus the pleb.*

[Nota']

*Spurius recieved the hug slightly confused, he had barely interacted with this man in his life, now he is being treated like an immediate friend. Well the man certainly knew how to make someone feel welcome. As the mass that was Lurco returned to his seat Spurius spotted Aulus and had a near heart attack. When he had recovered he threw a questioning look at Lurco, holding it until he was sure that Lurco had got the message.*

Consul... its very nice to see you too. What a coincidence that you are already here with Aulus *the vetoer he said to himself with disgust*, what a ... surpise.
*Spurius' speech came out jumpy, this was not what he had been expecting. He knew that Lurco was not one of the Patricians who wished the eviction of the Plebs from the senate, but a pleb lover? It was clear that consul Corvenus was not popular at all if hatred of him brought together Scaeva himself and a man who thinks nothing but of plebian rights. He shuddered at the thought. Maybe this was a sign from the fates, that both sides of the senate must unite against the consul, on the other hand perhaps it portained their imminent failure. Spurius was not one to hedge bets on such beliefs, so he took the seat furthest away from Aulus.*

It appears to me you are in need of a sympathetic Praetor my friends. *Again Spurius almost choked on the word friends.* It is vital that Corvenus does not get one of his men in there or he will be aquitted before you can say 'traitor to the republic'. I am your man.
*Spurius leant back, waiting for Aulus' response in particular. How would he handle the idea of Scaeva as Praetor? The fears Aulus would be thinking of if Scaeva was wielding the law, only half of them were founded of course.*

[War lord]

I do not think that would be the best resolution, though you must understand I have no doubt in your abilities and do not resent you for the hatred I know you harbour for me and my kind. Instead my opposition is on more practical grounds, you are politically linked with Corvenus and people would talk, this could potentially undermine our rock solid case against him. Understand Gentlemen, I am determined that there will be no trickery involved in this prosecution.

[Nota']

Then you must block every one of Corvenus' men from reaching the position. How are you to do that without a candidate?

[War lord]

Very well I coincide, but I still stand by the need to conduct this trial honestly, no dirty tactics. What of the Tribune? We have no way of controlling the Plebeian Council and I know of no one who we could trust not to interfere.

Aulus clearly detests having to work with Scaeva.

[Crozimodo]

The Tribune seems a non-factor, not corrupt, but ineffectual, unwilling to become involved in the workings of the Senate. If we should encounter any resistance from him it would be unjust, the rivers of blood that have flown from our legions in Corvenus' war will sway him to our favour. He cannot otherwise claim to represent the interests of the people. He will not be a problem that is near assurance. As for Praetor it is an interesting decision, what are your political ambitions next year Licinius? Might I suggest it wise to run outside of the position of Tribune this year, it is one that Corvenus cannot contest you would be better served blocking him from other office. It would also allow we Patricians to give you our votes, a sound stratagem. I have considered running for Praetor next term, I do not feel it would be boasting to say that there are few in the Senate with a grudge against me save my Co-Consul, some long held hatred for my family, trivial matters really. His family have always been one to splash coin around rather than actually work for their votes. Lurco smiled, he clapped his hands and slaves came in bearing cold meat and fruit to help soothe the trio's appetite.

I understand that the two of you share little common cause, but this matter is something that should be uniting the entire Senate. It runs deeper than Patrician and Plebeian feuds, this mans actions undermine and endanger the Senate itself and more worryingly the Republic. Scaeva I was thinking it interesting that we might make you Consul for the year, someone reliable will be needed in the future to right Corvenus' wrongs. What say you to that?

[Nota']

Consul you say? That would be a pretty big leap from Quaestor. For while I have attended the senate for decades only recently have I begun ascending the political ladder. Do you think I have dignitas enough to succeed? My status and my money can only count for so much.

[War lord]

I'm sure that, considering the alternatives, an exception could be made for one of your abilities. As for myself I have ran for Quaestor for the last two terms without success, and it is becoming rather tiresome. Alas I lack the Dignitas to skip any steps on the ladder, so this will be my third attempt.

As for the issue of Tribune, I believe I know of a candidate. Though I question whether he can be trusted, he should satisfy all of the criteria we need.