The Curia (97 BCE)

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome

The Curia of 97 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates

Consul

Gnaeus Claudius Tranquillus et Maximinus Atilius Regulus

Censor

Lucius Claudius Libanus

Pro-Consul of Graecia et Asia

Publilus Sempremonius Lucullus

Pro-Consul of Iberia

Sextus Tuccius Alexander

Pro-Consul of Sicilia et Africa

Manius Furia Cordus

Aedile

Quintus Valerius

Quaestor

Gaius Primus (Aux)

Tribune

Vicenius Cornelius Picenus

Praetor

Gaius Commodus Craccus et Maximus Caesoninus

Events

Revolt in Gaul. The Gallic tribes are in full revolt, enraged that the Suebi have attempted to move across their territory. The Seubi have been massacred and a Gallic army is gathering to invade Italy.

Plebian Roll

Military, Local. The Plebeians demand that the Senate secure their safety. Fearing a second Gallic sack of Rome, groups of citizens walk around the forum, tearing their hair and wailing in frustration as the Gallic horde moves ever closer.(1 point)

Plebeian Approval Rating: -3 (All legions levied by the senate cost 10% more.)

Pressing Matters

• The war in Spain continues, news of a large battle being fought reaches Rome, though the outcome has not been officially reported.
• The Pirates have been crushed, and the systematic consolidation of their island bases is currently underway. The Pro-Consul of Asia has conquered these territories for the Republic.
• The Gallic tribes are moving to attack Italy in 72 hours the first Gallic Army will attempt to invade northern Italy.
• Several magistracies must be filled

[Lucius Malfoy]

Consul Maximinius Atilius Regulus enters the Curia, furious at the reports about a Gallic army moving towards Italy. He passes by the guards and comes into the main area of the Curia. He looks at the Senators gathered.

Senators of Rome! I come before you with an urgent proposal! The filthy Gauls have marched into our lands in the North and dared to even turn their blades upon us! I propose to the Senate that legions be sent, under the command of a Consul, to repel these invaders! The situation in Gaul is a great priority. We must secure our northern borders!

Handfuls of Senators voiced their approval to Consul Regulus. He raises his hands to silence them before continuing.

These hordes dare to enrage us...so we will meet their advance with Roman steel! And they will drown in their own blood for these crimes against the Republic!

His eyes then look around the various Senators before taking his seat, stroking his chin.

What legions are available to head north and meet the Gallic hordes? Is there any money that can be used to raise new legions?

[Hobbes]

OOC: It's Vicinius, not Vicenius.

[Rhapture]

The Aedile Quintus Valerius stands up
Consular Maximinus, It is not only they they dare to think to invade Roman lands! but they destroyed a people who we had just conducted business with and had promised safe lands to live in! We can not have it know that Rome goes back on its word. These barbarians must be dealt with!
And I do not want Rome to go up north with minimal support, who know how many of these uncivilized hordes are up there, if we need more legions we should raise them!

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Censor entered the Senate. "I've spent too much time out of Rome" Lucius mused to himself. Its time to reintroduce some nobility...some sanity to the Senate.

Conscript Fathers, my first action this term is to determine the speaking order. Intuitively, Consul Regulus must have known that it is he who I name this year as Princeps Senatus. May he continue to extol Roman virtue in the year to come.

Lucius then produced parchment

Remember the old adage, Senators: Ipsa scientia potestas est. To this end I have acquired a bit of information regarding the invasion we now face in the north. The Suebi were true to their word, they marched west in an attempt to aid us in battle. But they never reached us. As it turns out, the Allobroges have not turned a blind eye to us in their internal strife. Having concluded the internal dispute in the north, they turned east only to find a German tribe knocking on their door. it did not matter to them that this tribe had an outstanding treaty with the Republic. They did what we could not; they defended themselves. The Suebi are destroyed, and now the Allobroges, always the opportunists, have seen our northern border for what it truly is, an undermanned, long stretch of indefensible coastline. They now seek to conquer it...though I doubt this will be their only goal. They will try to rally support, to gather more...possibly invade Italy...

Lucius trailed off, letting the full effect of these words sink in

[Lucius Malfoy]

The Censor entered the Senate. "I've spent too much time out of Rome" Lucius mused to himself. Its time to reintroduce some nobility...some sanity to the Senate.

Conscript Fathers, my first action this term is to determine the speaking order. Intuitively, Consul Regulus must have known that it is he who I name this year as Princeps Senatus. May he continue to extol Roman virtue in the year to come.

Lucius then produced parchment

Remember the old adage, Senators: Ipsa scientia potestas est. To this end I have acquired a bit of information regarding the invasion we now face in the north. The Suebi were true to their word, they marched west in an attempt to aid us in battle. But they never reached us. As it turns out, the Allobroges have not turned a blind eye to us in their internal strife. Having concluded the internal dispute in the north, they turned east only to find a German tribe knocking on their door. it did not matter to them that this tribe had an outstanding treaty with the Republic. They did what we could not; they defended themselves. The Suebi are destroyed, and now the Allobroges, always the opportunists, have seen our northern border for what it truly is, an undermanned, long stretch of indefensible coastline. They now seek to conquer it...though I doubt this will be their only goal. They will try to rally support, to gather more...possibly invade Italy...

Lucius trailed off, letting the full effect of these words sink in

I must thank you, Censor Libanus for granting me such a title. I shall do my best to use the title to its fullest ability.

[Hobbes]

"This is unacceptable. They have broken sacred oaths and must be dealt with. I wonder though: how will we be able to do it, since we are already fighting in Iberia. Maybe there is an alternative to war..."

Vicinius is very worried.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Tribune...they are gathering an army. I do not think there is no alternative. The only alternative they will accept...is to stand down and let them ravage our lands, which I will never accept! Nor will anyone else in this Curia accept! They are poised on our northern borders and the people are afraid of Rome being sacked. We will have to strike first and hard. To ensure that the Gauls learn their lesson very well.

[Rhapture]

As the war in Hispania does not seem to be concluded, It appears we will have to raise new legions.. reports mention over 10,000 barbarians... although i am not sure how reliable the number is. What do you propose Consular?

[Lucius Malfoy]

As the war in Hispania does not seem to be concluded, It appears we will have to raise new legions.. reports mention over 10,000 barbarians... although i am not sure how reliable the number is. What do you propose Consular?

I say that if the treasury has the money to spare, we should raise an additional two legions. Only IX Rapax defends the northern borders against the growing Gallic threat. Three legions should be enough to put the fear of Rome into their minds! I may also raise cavalry and archers from my own funds for better mobility.

Maximinius reads the note, glad to hear that his Patrician ally, Lucullus was doing well in Greece.

With the victories in the East over the pirates, we should extend the Pro-Consuls's Imperium. New lands such as Cyprus and Crete would be good for Roman trade and aid in securing the ocean lanes more against the piracy that plagues those waters. However...that might overextend our two legions in Asia. Speak, Senate! What is your opinion on this matter?

[Pontifex Maximus]

We can't continue until we know the result of the Battle in Spain, since this new northern thing cropped up. I'll delay the Curia a maximum of 24 hours to get up to speed, unless the battle is posted sooner.

[Sonke]

A letter arrives from Greece

Senators,
I am asking for an extension of the Imperium you gave me as I have been successful in my Campaign so far. I have taken back all of our territories and I am planning now to go and capture Cyprus and Crete.
Publius Sempremonius Lucullus
Pro-Consul of Graecia et Asia

[Rhapture]

I second the notion of extending his imperium in Cilicia.
Have pirates now taken Crete? I was unaware of this event. (ooc: 1 map shows crete roman, other 2 are blank, but i find no mention of pirates there in a thread). However it appears Cyprus is the main base of these pirates so it should be dealt with. Aegyptus has historically claimed that island, so we should be aware of any actions they wish to take there.

As for Gaul, yes I agree three legions are the minimum needed to put down these barbarians!

[Lucius Malfoy]

Crete is outside the boundaries of the Republic, Aedile Valerius. I am not aware if they with the pirates though, but if the Pro-Consul has good reason, then the Senate should allow him to take Crete and Cyprus.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius smiled wryly and stood, acknowledging the Consul's words and preparing to speak more on the matter

As you are all by now no doubt aware, I have just concluded a year in Spain on campaign. It has been the most successful campaign thus far, causing far more damage to the Spanish than to Roman forces. I have also recaptured regions in the west lost in the course of the war. Our main deficiency was in cavalry. Without them I was unable to give chase to the fleeing Spanish, and instead had to coerce my troops not to follow since there was too much threat of continued missile attack. As such I believe the Republic should raise 10,000 cavalry and a force of three legions. The cavalry should be dispersed equally among the provinces, ensuring that each province has a minimum of 2,000 cavalry to work with.

Then, of course, the matter of the legions. Two legions should be sent north immediately but the additional legion should be sent to Africa, to guard against an invasion where we least expect it. Jugurtha seemed less than friendly when last we met across the bargaining table. Let us ensure his greed will not extend to Roman Africa.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Maximinius stood up at the words of the Censor.

10,000 cavalry you say? You make a good point...we have a majority in heavy infantry and mobile legions, but we lack cavalry units to aid the provinces, especially against outside forces that utilize cavalry to the fullest. With your recent experiences in the Hispania campaign, I suspect you saw the great advantage cavalry holds in a drawn out conflict. And with an equal distribution of 2,000 cavalry to each province, it would prove to make our military more effective in patrolling the borders.

You speak good words, Censor. An additional legion in Africa would be prudent. Two legions in the north to attack the Gauls with IX Rapax. I believe that should be enough total to keep our borders secure. However, do we have enough in the treasury to fund three full legions and 10,000 cavalry? Is the Quaestor available to us?

Maximinius strokes his beard slightly, pondering on what the legions should be named...the ones that will be levied soon.

[Rhapture]

What provinces are we splitting these cavalry among? Gaul? Hispania? our African province?
And cavalry proved advantageous in hispania because there is room to maneuver and withdraw. In Gaul it is very mountainous and we are defending. The legions need to be supported my cavalry of course, but Rome has never depended on it.

[Lucius Malfoy]

What provinces are we splitting these cavalry among? Gaul? Hispania? our African province?
And cavalry proved advantageous in hispania because there is room to maneuver and withdraw. In Gaul it is very mountainous and we are defending. The legions need to be supported my cavalry of course, but Rome has never depended on it.

It depends on the field of battle where the Gauls shall be met, Aedile. If it is an open field, we will be at a disadvantage if they utilize cavalry and we do not.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius growled

Quintus, remind me, when did you last have a magnificent victory stolen from you at the last moment because you had no cavalry to pursue a fleeing foe?

My friend and quaestor Gaius Primus informs me that the raising of three legions and a force of 10,000 cavalry would cost 200,000 denarii. But at what price do we put our freedom and security? We were willing to indulge ourselves these past years in public works projects that I will not argue have beautified our city, but what good are these if we are unable to defend them? We must augment and diversify our forces if we want victory.

[Lucius Malfoy]

If the treasury needs money, Quaestor Gaius...I shall donate 10,000 denarii from my personal funds to help support the raising of the Republic's three new legions and cavalry units. Security is our highest priority this term, in my views. The Gallic threat has made our people frustrated and worried of Rome being sacked...and I will not allow that happen! Rome has been beautified, but we will not let the Gauls lay their filthy hands upon that.