The Curia (96 BCE)

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome

The Curia of 96 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates

Consul

Lucius Claudius Libanus et Maximinus Atilius Regulus

Censor

Gnaeus Claudius Tranquillus

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

Vacant

Quaestor

Quintus Valerius Vospicus (second seat vacant)

Tribune

Titus Claudius Marcellus (second seat vacant)

Praetor

Gaius Commodus Craccus et Maximus Caesoninus

Events

Nothing happens

Plebian Roll

Social Reforms, national. The Plebeians demand that the Senate dole out land grants to plebeians on various tracts of ager publicus (public landtraditionally dominated by large farm operations).(3 points)

Plebeian Approval Rating: 1

Pressing Matters

• There has been no news at all from Spain in over a year
• The war with the Pirates has ended.
• Consul Regulus is marching north with his legions, ready to either square off against the Gallic forces once again or move into defensive positions.
• Several magistracies must be filled

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius entered the Senate and occupied one of the Curule chairs at the center of the room. His colleague's chair stood empty.

[Rhapture]

Quintus Valerius enters the Senate and sits in the front row. He is interested in what the Consul will bring up this morning.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus enters the curia, now Censor. He felt like a weight had been lifted of course, this was going to be an interesting year...

[Pontifex Maximus]

Now that we have resolved the issue of the election of the Pro-Consulate we can begin this new term in earnest. First of all, I believe we should inquire as to the situation in Spain. We have not been updated by our Pro-Consul in over a year. I find his lack of communication a bad sign.

[Rhapture]

It is rather disturbing. Do you suggest we send new leadership to hispania? Or is these another course of action you are thinking of?

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius shifted in his chair

I do think we should inquire as to the situation. The Pro-Consuls allotment of imperium has expired, and I will not press for it to be renewed this year unless we discover what has been going on. As for a change of leadership, unless the Pro-Consul has done anything in poor form, I see no reason to call for his blood yet. I will send an official warning to the Pro-Consul to update the Senate on the current situation in Spain. If he refuses to reply we can only consider him willfully ignoring the Senate and we may proceed from there.

[Rhapture]

Quintus nods
That is the most prudent choice I believe. In other foreign matter however we should be more forceful and show the gauls that they should never try to invade us again. Let us send word to Maximinus that he should attack them and wipe them out for their arrogance.

[The Stig]

News arrives from Iberia.

Dear Senate and People of Rome,

I have made peace with the barbarians. They have annexed the territories of Baetica I and IV in exchange for a tribute of 2,000 a year for the next eight years. They have also agreed to consider engaging us in commerce. Their armies are to disband, and all but one of our legions must leave Iberia by the end of the years, or it will be seen as a violation of the treaty.

Sextus Tuccius Alexander, Proconsul of Iberia

[Pontifex Maximus]

Well, the way forward seems obvious to me. We must withdraw forces from Spain immediately. Perhaps they could be sent north in order to aid Maximinus. That would greatly increase our chances of success in the north, to be joined by that many men. What says the Senate?

[Vaðarholmr]

We must send them north, yes.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus, who had been in the Senate keeping an eye on things for his nephew, stood up at Consul Libanus's proposal.

A sound idea, Consul. But which legion should remain in Hispania? In my views, Legio IV Aduitrix should remain in those lands. They are the most veteran of standing forces and would provide an excellent deterant against the barbarians. Once the Gauls are dealt with, we can transfer Legio III Hispania back into Iberia while keeping Legio IV Aduitrix on the borders of Iberia as a pre-caution.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The legion stationed in Spain must remain at the disposal of the governor. Therefore the third legion must remain. It would not do to have conflicting loyalties in the army, as I am sure Regulus would agree.

Incidentally, have any of our number bothered to ascertain the details of the latest agrarian laws passed in the assembly of the plebs?

[Rhapture]

It is rather interesting. The three person committee could have significant power, especially if they find any mismanagement among the nobility. As it is not described in detail, I am sure the Senate can come up with an addendum to the law so that we name the committee.

[Shadow141]

"I have read it and I am concerned about that law. If I understood it well then I do not like it at all."

[Rhapture]

Quintus stands again to address the movement of legions.
As the law states that some of the land we have conquered should go to the legions, and there does not seem to be a reason to have 7 legions in gaul for the subjugation of one tribe. Would could disband two legions, send one north with most of the auxiliaries. 2000 Cavalry should stay in spain with the III legion.

[Dark Storm]

"Disband two legions?" Gnaeus asked incredulous, "and then next year we find ourselves under attack one more from barbarians and are overwhelmed by their numbers? We can not allow it!"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius stood in support of Gnaeus

Gnaeus speaks wisely, to disband two legions now when only a year ago we found ourselves in dire circumstances would be foolish. Since peace in the westernmost reaches of the empire seems secure we should look to quickly isolate other threats, namely the Allobroges. I have thus far not heard a compelling argument against this course of action

[Rhapture]

And five legions is not enough to eliminate this threat? Now I know Gnaeus doesn't like to engage the enemy unless he has a 5 to 1 advantage in numbers, but i think 7 legions in Gaul is excessive. If we do not disband the legions, then I say we create a proconsulship in Narbonesis and send the legions there, that would them in safe distance of Hispania in case the Lusitanii break the treaty and let us honor our part be only keeping one legion in hispanis, and close enough to Regulus to offer support if events turn improbably against us.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The again, I could make the argument that there is no point that any legions so close to the conflict should simply watch it happen without having anything else to do. Such a show of strength would also send a clear message to any that would try to invade us again- that our response is unequivocal and overwhelming. I think the Gauls could benefit from such a show of force.