Domus Julii

[Maiar93]

Domus Julii, the just-brought new apartment from Rome, the newcoming of the Julii to the town of Rome.



This Domus, just brought by Cassius, has deep cellars and nice, fresh gardens where you can enjoy the sunny weather but still not sweat your toga.

This is the business apartment of Manius Julius Scaevola, where he lives during the senatorial terms. He moves to his countryside Villa when the term is over, and returns to Rome when elections are about to happen.

Manius is a man who has learned discipline and humbleness from the army, but he still has a great aura of respect and honor around him, which made some of the lesser folks shiver under his gaze. He rarely gazed at people in such a way, but he knew how to scare people.

His family has just recently, two generations past, merged with the noble Julii, and so he is relative to many a noble man. He has many friends amongst the plebeians, and is quite popular amongst them too.

He is cunning and clever, but he is not a backstabber-type man. He will hold onto his words and promises always, and he will never fail his friends. He is the worst enemy you could make. He does anything to destroy the men he considers his enemies, and his temper has indeed got Manius into trouble many times. He has learned to control it during the army, so only rarely his temper shows itself through the humble and honourable outside. His rage can turn him into a monster, and he has noticed that during a battle this temper is very useful indeed. The soldiers seem to shiver under his gaze and they seem to fear his appearance.

Manius is tall, 1,89 centimeters tall to be exact, and he is still very strong and swift due to his work at the vineyards. He isn't very muscular, and that is just one more thing that makes him easily being underestimated.



His father is still alive, and he occasionally visits Manius's villa on the countryside. His father lives in the nearby village, and has refused to live with Manius for some reason. There is a reason, because Manius's mother died in the Villa of phthisis. Manius's father also has phthisis, but Manius shows no signs of having it at the moment.

[Maiar93]

Soon, a limping noise and slow, stable footsteps were heard outside Domus Julii. The servants saw the badly-wounded Manius and a servant carrying him, and they quickly called Gaius, a professional, 51-year old medic and some went to take linen and to cook some light soup. They were all professionals, and they knew how to tend a wounded man.

"Gaius, so delighted to see you, now please i would want a fixing to this..."

Gaius eyed the wound and touches the aroundings of it, and his expression turned serious.

Sir, the wound is bad... seems like it did not pierce your lungs, you are a lucky man, Manius... but it is still going to leave a scar and you may limp for the rest of your life.. it all depends on your luck, Manius now, and pray the Gods your luck will last throughout this..

Aah... well, i just hope i won't limp for the rest of my life then...

Gaius escorted Manius to a large, fresh room with a large, smooth bed in the centre of it. It had small shelfs on the sides of the rooms, filled with medical supplies. The servants brought linen, but Gaius put them away. I'm sorry, sir, but i must operate the wound at once.. i might still be able to save you from limping.


Manius's expression was quite horrified. He didn't fear the battle, but this battle wasn't anything like the past battles he'd had. This time he had to watch when a medic teared his flesh.

He endured, and a tight bandage was put around the just-operated wound, and Manius was put to sleep. Only time could now tell the fate of Manius.



Next morning he woke up quite dizzy, but not very painfully. He felt almost no pain at all, but he still couldn't carry his weight, so he just rested on the bed, thinking of the past memories. And then Gaius arrived, and gave medicine to Manius, switched the bandage and gave some light soup to him. Manius managed to smile. "Thank you, Gaius." "The best i could do, Manius my old friend."

[Tazgrent]

A spindly, uncomfortable looking slave arrives at the door, bearing a scroll. He hands it to you, and leaves. You open the wax seal to reveal the letter inside.

I thank you for your invitation, my honorable Scaevola. It has been far too long since I have received the hospitality of a proper Roman. You but simply set the day, and I shall arrive.
-Vibius Aemelius Strabo

[Tazgrent]

That evening, Senator Strabo arrives with a small entourage of slaves, including a dark skinned one who appears to be his doctor. They present themselves at the door. The leading slave announces, "'Presenting the honorable Senator Strabo, for dinner this evening. May we enter?

[Maiar93]

Manius himself opens the door, and invites them in.

Please, please come in, to the atrium, there's some snack waiting for you..

You can see olives, fish and salt placed on the table alongside with some port, fine wines and vegetables.

[Tazgrent]

Vibius proceeds stiffly to the table, where he looks over the food. Every time he picks a piece of food up, his doctor whispers something into his ear and Vibius nods. Finally, he returns to the couches where he reclines and begins to lightly eat. The doctor remains at this side.

"So, Senator Scaevola, what do you make of this business with the Punics? I've been gone a while, but I haven't yet lost my sense. I can't imagine a more foolish action than rushing blindly into a war that the Punics have almost certainly prepared for.

[Maiar93]

Manius raises his eyebrows ,

The Punics? Well, obviously they are dishonourable wretches. I don't dare to say much at this point, but we should strike back immediately and crush the punics, in return for their treachery.

He takes an olive and a sip of wine, smiling to Strabo.

And how is your family? How are you? I heard you were taken captive by the Greeks. I wonder why did they even keep you captive, nobody ever mentioned that.. I, on the other hand, had heard from this through a friend of yours.. plebeian Vibius Sextus, he told me that you, his friend, was taken captive.. would you enlighten me, what made them to take you captive?

[Tazgrent]

Strabo sighs, then begins.

You remember a few years ago when the Pyrrhic wars were just about to begin? And the Senate sent one last diplomatic mission to try and change his mind? I was in that delegation. Pyrrhus of course was naturally displeased, and it certainly didn't help that I made certain allegations when the mission began to falter. Being a dishonorable dog, he of course had me arrested. I was taken over to Epirus and I remained there until just recently. As for my family... I learned recently that my brother was among the dead during the Punic attack. He was my last living relations. So I suppose I am the only Aemelii left in Rome.

[Maiar93]

That is sad to hear. I heard that Pyrrhus has been killed in a skirmish in Greece, killed by a rock. One enemy less.

He smiled.

What do you think about the Punics?

[Tazgrent]

The Punics? The Punics are an enemy of Rome, as we have seen time and time again. They should be destroyed with all prudence. There is no more room for diplomacy, not with such a cruel and untrustworthy people. Once Syracuse has been secured, we should figure out a way to destroy them without charging into what clearly is a trap.

[Maiar93]

Strong opinions, and i find myself agreeing with them. Perhaps a trade embargo against them, possibly via the Greeks. Perhaps we should also move the fight to Hispania, where they have less prominent power and where we could have a lot of success. What do you think of that?

[Tazgrent]

Strabo chuckles lightly to himself, then coughs slightly.

I've never claimed to be a tactician. My wound saw an end to any serious military advancement. However, even I question the wisdom of our legions bounding so happily into such an obvious trap. Why else would the Punics have attacked us here but to draw us in? Malice? Pah! The Punics are no northern tribe. They are far too calculating to commit such an atrocity without reason. I suspect that if we charge blindly west across Sicily the Punics will have some suitable surprise prepared for us. That's why I believe my plan has merit. We should go south, towards Syracuse, secure it as a base, then sail around Sicily, landing directly at Lilybaeum, and perhaps taking some of their island outposts at the same time.

[Maiar93]

Well, if the second legion is to be levied it can take care of Lilybaeum while the other legion is securing Syracuse.


After that, a possible change of war theater to Hispania is in my mind. If i would, say, propose a bill to do so, would you support me?

[Tazgrent]

Strabo considers for a moment.

Hispania? I hadn't considered that... but I can see what you're getting at. The riches of Hispania could pay for a dozen campaigns. Of course, we'd have to secure all the islands en route as the logistics of the region are notoriously difficult, but... yes, I'd support such a bill gladly.

[Maiar93]

Well, as Consul Atrius has said he could himself capture the island of Sardinia and Lilybaeum by himself, while Messina is captured by Consul Poplicola. This would allow us to send either of the legions re-stocked and re-equipped to Hispania.

Manius winks a wolfish smile.

And those riches could indeed pay a dozen campaigns. It would be a great blow for Carthage.

[Tazgrent]

Very well, Senator. You have an ally in this. What needs to be done?

[Maiar93]

Not anything major, just yet. Perhaps slowly beginning to speak about other places where we could hurt Carthage, after we have captured Sicily and the other islands. It's still just a bill, this is democracy, and i appreciate your support, senator Vibius. Of course, this bill would gain name for us both.

He smiled again.

[Tazgrent]

Oh, I have little taste for personal glory, Senator. But this bill could win the war for the Republic. And that's all that matters, oh yes.

[Maiar93]

I neither have a taste for personal glory, but it is always nice to have. Your words count more, and if you are wise enough, the Republic will only grow greater by the person in question. This bill, yes, i told it to you because i trust it to win the war for the Republic.

And it is indeed all what matters, Strabo.

He smiled, and pointed at the various snacks, like cheese pasties and olives.

Please, take some snack and some wine! They are all fine and good!

[Tazgrent]

Strabo motions for his slave to refill his wine glass.

I would love to, Senator, but unfortunately my weakened constitution means I cannot eat as freely as I wish. This wine however, is quite delectable. I shall support your motion in the Senate, and not just because I think it's a good idea. I genuinely like your view on things, Senator. I can see us cooperating on a great deal more in the future.

[NOTE: I assume this is happening before the current Curia discussion.]