The Proconsulate of Graecia et Asia

[Pontifex Maximus]

Graecia et Asia

The Greek Peninsula was once home to many free, warring city states. Now as a consolidated Roman Province the Greeks have once again been liberated from the duties constant warfare places upon populations. The Greeks have begun to prosper, relinquishing their ideas of independence in the face of overwhelming Roman force. In spite of this, more rebellious elements of Greek heritage maintain island strongholds to the south and a firm foothold on Asia Minor.

This ancient center of culture and tradition has had a bizarre relationship with her Roman conquerors. While the Greeks are not apt at self government, their achievements in medicine and science are world renowned. Under a firm Roman government the Greeks are presented with their best chances at renewed success. This affluent section of the east is the buffer of the east. The Greek cities must not be swayed by the promises of eastern despots, clamoring to play upon the fickle and arrogant nature of the Greeks to overthrow the mantle of Roman rule.

The Proconsulate palace in Athens denotes the special role this city has and continues to play in the governance of the entire peninsula.

[RVFVS]

Caesar arrived in Athens in the middle of the day. He had arranged before him for his legion to meet him outside so they could leave at once. He decided, however, he had best make his way through the city, briefly, to see where he would be staying for the next year at a minimum.

He first greeted the city elder, a man named Alexandros Dropos.

"Most honourable Pro-Consul how may I assist you?"

Caesar sat back in his Pro-Consular chair. He had it placed in the middle of a large hall, this was so he could see to morning clients without trouble. He handed Dropos a list.

"These are my orders. You will follow them to the letter, unless some unforeseen circumstance forces you to do otherwise. Make them sound as if they are coming from you, the people, no doubt, would respect one of their own more then a foreigner."

He sipped a cup of Southern wine sparingly.

"Dissent is to be dealt with harshly but with clemency and problems are to be heard and, if possible, fixed. No man, under any circumstances, is to be turned away."

He put down the cup then rose.

"Now, I will be in Asia for a time, as you know, if I return and hear of ANY corruption then I will personally ensure you are nothing more then the elder of a small farming community in Illyria. Is this understood?"

The Elder nodded. At that Caesar smiled.

"Trasco, help me put on my armour. We make for Lycia in the hour."

[Pontifex Maximus]

A legionary tribune approaches the proconsular palace seeking to speak with Caesar

[RVFVS]

He is shown in.

"Tribune, how may I assist you?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

The tribune salutes neatly and then stands at ease.

Governor, the men of I Adiutrix stand ready to do their duty to the Republic. However, the men have not yet received their yearly wages. As of right now there is only light grumbling, but if this matter goes ignored it may cause some of the men to refuse to march.

[RVFVS]

"How much is owed?"

Caesar did not hesitate.

[Pontifex Maximus]

General, 500 denarii would cover the full amount owed for this year.

[RVFVS]

Caesar considered. He glanced over at Trasco.

"Trasco put aside 1,000 denarii from my wages as Pro-Consul."

He sat back.

"Tell the men that there is 500 for them now and a further 500 should they fight bravely and honourably in the campaign. That is 1,000. Add to that whatever booty we recieve, I promise to split generously with the men."

[Pontifex Maximus]

The tribune stood very still. Money now was more useful than money promised later. Might be time yet to waste some of it on the Athenian wenches before they boarded the ships after all...

Very well, General. I shall inform the men.

After executing a salute the man exited the tent

[RVFVS]

The tribune stood very still. Money now was more useful than money promised later. Might be time yet to waste some of it on the Athenian wenches before they boarded the ships after all...

Very well, General. I shall inform the men.

After executing a salute the man exited the tent

Caesar sat back and gave a glance at Trasco.

"Ensure they have a good night."

Trasco frowned.

"Dominus?"

He stood and went to lay down on his bed, his eyes closed he spoke.

"Tomorrow we sail for war. Every man deserves one night of leisure before death."

[Refresh Mut]

To Caesar

I wish you luck against the Cilians and hope you can destroy them. They are a threat to Rome and being that they are better off dead. I will remember what we discussed in private and try and go through with it. Good luck!

Silanus

[RVFVS]

To Caesar

I wish you luck against the Cilians and hope you can destroy them. They are a threat to Rome and being that they are better off dead. I will remember what we discussed in private and try and go through with it. Good luck!

Silanus

Caesar read the letter and then smiled. He burnt it afterward.

[Okmin]

Gaius Marius Aquila arrives to assume the Pro-Consul-ship.

[Aetius]

Corva's trireme is secured tightly to the docks at Pergamon. Corva had chosen this city to be the capital of his Pro-consulate, to the delight of its inhabitants.

The city was a true wonder, hilly sections were decorated by white marble buildings, streets were arranged in a maze, but everyone seemed to know the way. On the highest hill overseeing the city was the mighty Altar of Zeus; here the treasury of the province was stored.

The city was indeed international; Greeks, Thracians, Gauls, Phyrgians, Bithynians, Lycians, Syrians, Egyptians, and Romans interacted using Greek as the lingua franca. To Corva, it seemed as if Pergamon was a free city, undisturbed by Roman occupation. It remained incredibly wealthy.


Corva ascended the numerous stairs to the old Attalid Acropolis, where the Hellenistic Kings once ruled until they most generously donated their entire realm to the Senate and People of Rome. Here, roman legates awaited his arrival, wearing Greek tunics (to Corva's dismay, it seemed they had gone native). They presented the situation of the province.

"Proconsul, these provinces are greatly wealthy; collecting 14800 denarii in tax revenue last year.

The populace is also quite amicable, Macedon and Greece have resolved their inter-feuding disputes and have applied themselves to economic purposes, In Asia, it is a similiar situation. Some still resent the loss of standing in the world, but most realize that Pax Romana has provided great benefits to them.

The real problems lie beyond our borders, specifically Mithradites of Pontus. As you can see by this map, we maintain a client system to keep a balance of power in the east so that no single power can challenge roman hegemony. Mithradites is tipping this balance of power and is slowly but surely incoporaitng Bithynia and Galatia into his sphere of influence. He has numerous supporters, not the least of which Armenia and the masses who feel Romans are the cause of their problems.

Besides Mithradites though, the East remains locked in a deadlock, and the Thracian tribes seem to be quiet for now although we recieved an order from the Senate to enter diplomatic relations with them."

[Pontifex Maximus]

A letter arrives indicating that a bill has passed the Senate calling for the creation of a legion from Greece. Funds arrive and the Proconsul is asked to preside over the VIII Macedonica's creation

[Okmin]

Gaius Marius Aquila has arrived by Senate mandate to speak with the Pro-Consul.

[Aetius]

A letter arrives indicating that a bill has passed the Senate calling for the creation of a legion from Greece. Funds arrive and the Proconsul is asked to preside over the VIII Macedonica's creation

My legates will see it done, the legion will be ready within the year.

Gaius Marius Aquila has arrived by Senate mandate to speak with the Pro-Consul.

music

Senator Aquila arrives to a large party hosted by the Proconsul and elites of Asia. The nobility of these lands differed from the Romans mainly in the open degree of their extravagance. Courtesans and musicians danced together, and there was open coitus upon the floor. Opium and Hash smoke filled the chamber of the Proconsulate. Drink and food flowed freely, and there was no regard for humility, eastern decadence could corrupt even the greatest of men. Corva was to be found watching this with mild amusement, the Asians embraced Hedonism, and who was he to deny their traditions as long as they paid tax to Roma. Nevertheless, after a year Corva was no longer the stoic roman and had become more....liberal

Somewhat inebriated, Corva straigtens himself embraces Aqulia; other legates acknnowledge him in a gracious manner, for he was once also Proconsul.

"Welcome, Senator Aquila. You are an unexpected surprise. I have just returned from Thrace, concluding my mission there with a degree of success. This celebration is partly in my honor, although the Greeks need little excuse for a good party. What brings you here?"

[Okmin]

Aquila watched the party and smiled in something similar to amusement.

"Congratulations Pro-Consul. As much as I would love to stay and enjoy the party, we should speak in private. I bring word from the Senate."

[Aetius]

Aquila watched the party and smiled in something similar to amusement.

"Congratulations Pro-Consul. As much as I would love to stay and enjoy the party, we should speak in private. I bring word from the Senate."

"As you wish, Senator."

Corva thanked his notable guests, and left with Aquilia to his main office.

A large oak desk was the centerpiece of the room, but looked out onto a balcony that had a view of the Aegean Sea. The moonlight illuminated the office, but also candles, and parchments as well as scrolls were stacked everywhere. On the floor was a beautiful mosaic of the Battle of Magnesia, the victory that made it possible to stand here today.

Corva unfurled the map of the Eastern lands;

"The west may have its ferocious barbarians, but the East has greedy tyrants with large mercenary armies.

I will describe to you our current situation, and then let you decide on a course of action;

• Anatolia is not as united as it may seem, the two power blocs are Rome and Pontus, however they rely heavily on the loyalty of client states. Rome has Lycia, Pisidia, and Cilicia under its control, while Mithridates has Galatia and Cappadocia. Bithynia is offcialy neutral, but they are not friendly towards Mithradites. We could travel to Bithynia and sway their King Nicomedes IV to the Roman Cause, but I am sure Pontic sycophants try to poision his mind with their lies.
  
  
• We could also meet Mithridates directly, and try to force some concession out of him such as releasing Galatia to our sphere of influence. Although I doubt that would be likely, but it could spark a war...
  
  
• Tigranes the Great rules Armenia even further east, and his armies are vast and powerful. He is an ally of Mithridates but seems to me it is only out of convenience. It could be wise to convince him to break his alliance so that we don't have to fight him as well.
  
  
• Another minor problem is Crete, which is essentially a pirate haven. Cilicia may have been conquered but most just fled to this island and continue their savage ways. They also seem to be in leauge with Mithradites, but perhaps if we can offer them enough coin they would switch sides.
  
  
• We could also travel to Egypt, see what the Ptolemies could do to aid us, although I am not sure how much they could realistically offer.
  
  What shall we do Senator?"

[Okmin]

OOC: Want to move this to the Battlefields forum?

"We should begin by sending agents to the kingdoms loyal to Rome. We need to know if they can be trusted. After ensuring those loyalties, we proceed to:

1. "Persuade" Bithynia, by some means, to oppose Pontus.
2. Infiltrate Pontus. We must send our best men, or all our work will be for nothing. They will report to us on the state of Mithridates' kingdom and the strength of his armies.
3. Secretly negotiate with the Armenian king to not join Pontus in war against Rome. Offer him gold, land, power, anything. We cannot afford to fight a war against two large nations.

"Beyond that, what of the Parthians? They could be useful allies. Also, if we a have the resources, we should "pacify" Crete, or preferably get some other kingdom to do it for us. The Egyptians are inconsequential in this.

Now tell me, Pro-Consul. Who are your best spies?"