The Rostra

[Pontifex Maximus]

The ancient Rostra is a central location in the forum where enterprising men may try to sway the masses by shrewd oratory. Those who deliver rousing speeches may win a certain amount of prestige and notoriety from the parties addressed.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Patrician (hint, hint) Severus Caecilius Metellus ascends the rostra and addresses the people.

Citizens of Rome, it is inappropriate to clamor for privilege when our brothers in Asia are being slaughtered by the King and tyrant Mithridates. Those of you...unsatisfied with your stations in life should remember that this is how Rome has always operated. The Senate is obligated to uphold the sacred laws, the ways of the ancestors, not only because it pleases the gods, but because it is how Rome has always prospered. Look to your farms, your families, your peace at home, and count yourself among the privileged! Few other peoples have amassed the treasures the People of Rome have, the People simply forget how fortunate they are. These gifts of Concordia and Harmonia were got due to the faithful and dutiful adherence to the Mos Maiorum.

Deviation from our traditional means of not only prosecuting war, but of elections, and of traditional separation of the orders would jeopardize all Rome has achieved and taint all future endeavors. We must have the blessings of the gods now more than ever, as eastern potentates threaten our Asian and Greek holdings. Members of lower class, those not of Senatorial ranking, stand to lose the most. I have no properties in Asia, nor do I send my modest fleet that far abroad in keeping to laws regulating a Senatorial's finances. It is with selfless sympathy that I demand an answer of force be sent to Mithridates

Metellus paused to gauge the reaction to his words but quickly launched into further oratory before he could be interrupted.

To demand reform and radical change now distracts us from more pressing matters that carry the force of life and death. How can any true Roman worry more about where he gets to sit in the theater more than the outrage of foreign invasion of Roman lands? Rome was not built by the selfish, self interest will only cause the dissolution of the Republic.

I know that the Republic's resources are limited, I know all too well. We do not have the ability to face a foreign invasion and assuage your feelings by bribery, no doubt some of your unscrupulous, base members clamor for nothing less. This is not the time for complaining, we have a war to win. Direct your rage towards Rome's enemies, not your government. Your government is not against you, we work for the Res Publica, nothing else. I will be the first to bring charges against any Senator that does not honor the sacred laws governing behavior, but by the same merit I will not tolerate plebeians acting above their designed station.

Among some faces in the crowd I see my friends, my clients. Have I not always been a gracious and generous patron? Has no the conduct of most Nobiles been benevolent? If you have problems, address them with your patrons, do not involve the government. The entire Senate cannot be convened to resolve every trivial problem of the city. At the very height of all need approach a single magistrate able to solve your problems.

Metellus descended

+.5 Patrician Points

[NotYetRegistered]

Septimus was the next to step up the Rostra, to adress the people.

''Citizens of Rome!

We are in grave times indeed, with great threats lurking on our borders. In these times, I quote the senator Metellus, we must act like one! In these times, we must indeed focus our efforts on one cause and defeat our enemies! Eastern despots stand on our borders, but we have never bowed to these tyrants! Let our enemies know that the Romans will crush them. Plebeians and Patricians have always stood together against the enemy. Let them know that the Romans will defeat them and bring them back in chains. The Roman society is built in a way that it will never accept an overlord over them. Roman society is free, proud, strong.''

''... But alas, our society is sick, as it only favours the few and the rich. I, your tribune, feel your pain! What power does the Plebeian have these days? It's sad, the only things that the Plebeians have real power over are the elections of the Quaestor and the Tribune! Indeed, social reform is needed! How much longer can we put this off? Many Senators are probably afraid of change and view that everything is well and good within our society, because they are favoured by the system. But how many people are chosen by the Patricians? The Praetor, the Pro-Consul, the Censor and even the highest authority in the Senate, the Consul. The most important offices are chosen by the Consillium Centuriata, the rich and the wealthy, so of course they think all is well, but how likely is it that they would care for the Plebeians? Is it not more likely that a Patrician would look out for a Patrician and not a Plebeian?. I ask you,''

He paused and pointed at the crowd.

''Is this fair!? Is it? No! The Roman society should be in the balance, with every class being given an equal amount of powers! Let us all work together to make our society fair. I say, give the Concillium Plebismore power! For example, the Consul is the highest elected official in our society, yet he is chosen by the Senate and the Consillium Centuriata. I ask you, shouldn't the ordinary people have a say in who shall lead Rome's armies and who shall reform Rome. One might say that the Tribune has these powers, but who shall pick a Tribune over a Consul for leadership? Nobody. The Consul has the most of the power, and because of this, the man who will become Consul should be picked by both the Patricians and the Plebeians. Let power be equally shared. Let us remember the story of the great Menenius Aggripa; the stomach cannot exist without the limbs and otherwise. If we allow the bond between the two classes to break, if we allow even the tiniest cracks to appear in our co-operation, Rome will lose it's strength.

I call upon the Senators, compromise with the people. Even in these grave times, we should not lose sight of our domestic problems. All the Plebeians ask is more political power. War should not restrict us from reforming, making ourselves better.

Senators, heed the cries of the people. Let Rome grow.''

+.5 Populist Points

[M D]

Cilo stands to address the Rostra, reading from his latest Ode, lamenting the faithlessness currently, in Rome

"Your fathers' guilt you still must pay,
Till, Roman, you restore each shrine,
Each temple, 'mouldering in decay,
And smoke-grimed statue, scarce divine.
Revering Heaven, you rule below;
Be that your base, your coping still;
'Tis Heaven neglected bids o'erflow
The measure of Italian ill.
Now Pacorus and Monaeses twice
Have given our unblest arms the foil;
Their necklaces, of mean device;
Smiling they deck with Roman spoil.
Our city, torn by faction's throes,
Dacian and Ethiop well-nigh razed,
These with their dreadful navy, those
For archer-prowess rather praised.
An evil age erewhile debased
The marriage-bed, the race, the home;
Thence rose the flood whose waters waste
The nation and the name of Rome,
Not such their birth, who stain'd for us
The sea with Punic carnage red,
Smote Pyrrhus, smote Antiochus,
And Hannibal, the Roman's dread.
Theirs was a hardy soldier-brood,
Inured all day the land to till
With Sabine spade, then shoulder wood
Hewn at a stern old mother's will,
When sunset lengthen'd from each height
The shadows, and unyoked the steer,
Restoring in its westward flight
The hour to toilworn travail dear.
What has not cankering Time made worse?
Viler than grandsires, sires beget
Ourselves, yet baser, soon to curse
The world with offspring baser yet."

+.5 Patrician Points

[Sonke]

Burcanius came next to speak with the People

''Citizens of Rome!

We are letting Rome grow. Every day fruit and clothes arrive from our provinces here to Rome. All of this has been done for the Plebeians. As Septimus said indeed Patricians vote Consuls, but in whose name they rule. They rule in the name of Rome. We Rule for the People and thanks to the People. The Quaestor, who you the People choose he has the most Strongest Power of all. Quaestors rule the movement of the Coin.''

Burcanius raised one golden coin and then tossed it to a nearby man

''This, my Friends is under your command. Tell me does the Consul have control of our Funds? I think not. Consul is not higher ranking in the Senate, because he controls the Army. All the Magistrates have been created for a reason. Some control Funds, other control the Military and some have been made For the People. They can't work without each other. The Armies go where the Funds go. The Senate has been Righteous. We are not the Barbarians in the North, who come to Riot. We are the Civilized People. We have enough men of the People. What would happen to a man with no fortune who is elected Consul? He would take all the Money he could and then he would flee and abandon the People. The Current System has been created for a Reason. So that men who only chase the Coin wouldn't get in the Senate. I ask that the People would realize what Control over the Senate they actually have. Act as Romans.''

Burcanius stopped for a second

''Trust the Senate and the Senate always trusts You, the People. The Senate has always worked for the People and the Senate will work for the People. We should honor the Traditions what our Fathers honored. Long live Roma.''

Burcanius leaves the Rostra.

+.5 Patrician Points

[Pontifex Maximus]

Contra Commutatus

Citizens of Rome,

The voice of the people is a daunting clamor, indeed. So loud that it may even drown out the higher social orders. What do the citizens stand to gain by exerting their force of number over The Fathers? Hasn't the Patrician class always served, led, and represented the people justly? It is not to say that the lower orders have not done their part, but simply to say that no class deserves to be dually represented by having one vote count for double in either election process. The Fathers do not demand a weighted vote by merit of their prestige, why should the plebeians demand more power? By merit of numbers? This is nothing more than a populist tyranny, and thoroughly un-Roman.

Every Roman has a predetermined role, a function ordained by the gods (Romulus among them). Mutilation of our ancient social structures dishonors this vision laid down by our founders and all those who came before. It is a violation of the Way of the Ancestors. The plebeian class was given their own council with which to elect their own magistrates and even propose laws. This council, the Concilium Plebis, operates independently from the Curia, and from the senatorial class. Is it not unjust to take that away? In similar manner, is it appropriate that the people should demand that the Fathers disband their own council, or drown out the Fathers' voices with the din of the mob?

This 'reform' is surely, then, a step away from progress, but not only is it regressive, but insulting to Roman sensibility. Do not let the greedy and power hungry exercise this tyranny in the name of progress, reform, or equity. Disenfranchising any class, regardless of privilege, will never be considered just. I invoke Concordia to guide us in these events, may she grant us peace at home while we make war abroad. Let it be the duty of every Roman to maintain order and sense, but above all dignity in these moments of gripping emotion.

+1 Patrician Point

[NotYetRegistered]

Septimus once more ascended to the Rostra. He took a deep breath and faced the crowd.

''People, citizens of Rome! I come, bearing news. Me and my fellow Tribune have listened to your demands and we understand your grievances! We went before the Curia and proposed that the vote for the Consul would be split between the two classes! We debated for many hours and we encountered fierce resistance! However, in the end, it was futile. Despite our many compromises, the majority of the Senate still said no! It was finally put to a vote and the majority voted against it! I think this proves that the Senate are afraid of change, are afraid of concessions! Why? They fear populistic tyranny, they think they are the only ones that can guide Rome through these times! Flawed arguments, I say.

However, we shall not give up. We shall continue to battle for your rights, we shall continue to battle for equality! You are the backbone of the Republic. You fight battles for Rome, you are what makes Rome great! Who would bake our bread if there were no bakers, who would forge our swords if there were no smiths? Because of this sole reason, me and my fellow Tribune shall continue fighting for your rights! I shall not stop until you, the people, are satisfied. It is my duty, as a Tribune, and it is my duty as a citizen! I merely serve the People.

However, I fear that perhaps the Senate will oppose our laws once more. That they will oppose change, even if smaller then the last time, once more, that they are unwilling to get along with the times. We shall talk, we shall sway and we shall debate, but if nonetheless all our proposals are shot down, then perhaps you will take matters in your own hands. If they are unwilling to change at all, then it is indeed up to you. For now, however, we must stand united in the face of the Pontic enemy.

[Sonke]

Publilus ascended to the Rostra after Septimus.

''Citizen's of Rome! I am asking that you support the Senate, which has served this Republic for the last 400 Years. Septimus is right, you are the Backbone of the Republic. But does every man who is Popular, is a good Ruler? Sometimes Leaders must make difficult decisions, but that is to ensure that the Republic will last in the Future. Not Popular decisions, but difficult decisions will show if the Ruler cares for his People or not. Every Decision we make in the Curia is for your Common Good. We wouldn't be Fighting in Asia or Trading in Hispania without you, the People.

Publilus took a moment to breathe

''In the Senate, we are doing the Best we can. Fixing the Roads, waging Wars, building Ports and we've have discussed many times about the People's well-being. The Patricians have done a Good Job in maintaining and strengthening our Republic. The Roman Republic is the mightiest Country in the World. The barbarians wage wars with us, because they want to be like us. Advanced and Civilized. We should all be proud of our Country. Whether you're a Patrician or a Plebeian. Both sides have done a Good Job in our Republic. The Current System has taken us far. Look around you, this City is envied by all other cities. The Cities in Sicily and Hispania are trying to get a piece of this Might we have here in Rome. Gods have chosen you for a Reason. I am here asking that you, the People would realize what we the Patricians have done and what we may do for you in the Future. Think of that.''

Publilus leaves the Rostra