The Curia (95 BCE)

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome

The Curia of 95 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

Vacant

Pro-Consul of Sicilia et Africa

Manius Furia Cordus

Aedile

Vacant

Quaestor

Vacant

Tribune

Titus Claudius Marcellus et Caius Domitius Nerva

Praetor

Gaius Commodus Graccus et Sextus Tuccius Alexander

Events

Minor storm in the Aegean. No cargo reaches their port of destination if importing any goods from Asia Minor or Palestine. No merchant income from these transactions. (Ports in Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt are closed)

Plebian Roll

Housing Reforms, regional. The plebeians are calling out for measures to ensure the city's safety from the threat of fire. Having recently seen how destructive small fires cuold be to individual blocks of the city with the recent violence of the collegiae. (2 points)

Plebeian Approval Rating: 1

Pressing Matters

• The war in Gaul continues, Consul Regulus has retained imperium, and has won yet another victory
• The terms of the treaty with the Spanish tribes have been fulfilled
• Several magistracies must be filled

[Lord Damien]

Tribune Caius walks into the Curia and sits down with his fellow Senators. A smile on his face as he awaits the Consul to open the Session up

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus walks into the Curia and sits down...his beard recently trimmed for the start of the new term.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius enters briskly and positions himself in the curule, the second chair to his right stood empty for the second term in a row as his colleague was out battling the Gauls.

I bring this first session of the Curia of the year to order. I would like to introduce our first matter of discussion for this year, namely the deplorable state of Rome's ports. It is my concern that the population of the city is outstripping our ability to import materials necessary to our daily functioning, foodstuffs chief among them. I firmly believe that we must look to upgrade our ports near Rome to counter this growing problem before it becomes a crisis.

[Rhapture]

I bring this first session of the Curia of the year to order. I would like to introduce our first matter of discussion for this year, namely the deplorable state of Rome's ports. It is my concern that the population of the city is outstripping our ability to import materials necessary to our daily functioning, foodstuffs chief among them. I firmly believe that we must look to upgrade our ports near Rome to counter this growing problem before it becomes a crisis.

Bringing the conversation back, Quintus stands.

Consul Libanus, I would agree that our ports need improvement, but I would suggest we work on the ports other than Ostia first. It is already the largest port on Our Sea. I suggest Sicily and Spain have priority, as they are probably the most important exporters to Rome itself. If those ports only allow a limited amount of ships to leave per year, then it does not matter how large Ostia is. Also, perhaps we could find a governor for Spain to oversee the building project.

[Lord Damien]

Tribune Caius listened to the Consul.

" I Agree with you Consul. I feel that upgrading the Ports will be in the best Interest of the Republic. How Much do you think the upgrade to the Ports will cost the Republic ?. And Perhaps We should also think about sending a Envoy to Egypt And asking them to trade with us some grain. "

[Rhapture]

Quintus takes his customary seat.

ooc: costs for ports are in the rules. And no ship can go to egypt this year.. read above

[General Brewster]

Maximus takes his seat after he is stunned to see he won the elections.

[Rhapture]

Quintus wonders which election Maximus thinks he won, he is starting to question if some senators are literate.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus stands up.

Good senators, today is a grand day for Rome and her history. Today marks the birth of our great founder, Romulus, the legendary first king of Rome. We must offer a great sacrifice in his name to the Jupiter for fortune to smile upon Rome and for many strong and peaceful years to come for the Republuc. Prosperity, Peace and Prowess to the Republic and her future to come, my friends.

Many senators murmured in agreement. They should not stray from such great events in their history and honor them for generations to come.

[Rhapture]

I heartily agree Decimus, and I will gladly take part in any sacrifice the Pontifex Maximus leads us in today. It is proper to remember Rome's great history.

[Dark Storm]

The Censor enters the room,

"I hereby name Maximinius Atilius Regulus Princeps Senatus for this term." Gnaeus nodded to those present before taking his seat...

[General Brewster]

"Fellow Senators, I want to for fill the position of Pro-Consul of Iberia anyone who opposes this ? "

[Pontifex Maximus]

No, Quintus.

Lucius rose

You misunderstand me completely. Unless the port in Rome is enlarged it will make no difference how large foreign ports are. The harbor simply cannot accommodate all the ships and the port must be widened if we are to improve shipping.

[Rhapture]

I did not misunderstand you, Libanus, I am saying the foreign ports are already too small to accommodate the ships we already have. What good is it too allow more ships in our ports when they have no where to go.

[Lord Damien]

Tribune Caius listens to the senators and stands to speak.

" I Agree with the consul. We must enlarge our ports in order to get more trade. But yes we need to expand other ports also and perhaps make a treaty with Egypt and her ports although closed for this year we can still hope to make a treaty with them. And Senator I do not oppose you being Pro Consul of Spain. In fact I will support you in your bid for it. "

[Rhapture]

Feeling frustrated, Quintus replies.

And do you propose to swim to Egypt Tribune? or maybe walk across the deserts of Northern Africa?
As for Proconsul of Spain, as Maximus has not been Consul, that does not seem right, however I would support him being Propaetor of Spain.

[General Brewster]

ooc : finally someone who has replied.

"Well the seat is vacant and everyone needs to learn. I propose I become Pro-Consul but make decisions in insulation with the consuls."

[Lord Damien]

Tribune Caius listens to the senator and laughs to himself.

" No Senator I was thinking of sending you to Egypt and asking them to open their ports and think about a alliance with the Republic. Why I could go to Egypt also but i think it would be better if you go. After all you have more experience then me and as I can not leave Rome because of my Position. I can not go myself as I would have liked. But You seem to be the best person to go. So why not.. I will Draft a motion that will send you to Egypt and you are to ask them to open up their ports for trade for next year. And maybe to extend them also. " He said as some senators rose to support him

" Just because a port is not open to the Republic now. Does not mean it can not be open for next year. For now It seems we can last with the trade we are getting in. But Next year who knows. And Egypt is known for its Grain. So why not see if we can get their port opened ?. Is that not reasonable ?"

[Rhapture]

How can I get to Egypt if no ship can take me? I think you need a little more water in your wine in the morning Tribune. It has clearly affected your rational thinking.

Quintus turns to Maximus.

I do not believe Rome needs proconsuler imperiem in Spain, since we have a peace treaty in affect there, unless you were planning on attacking the tribes there? Propraetor will give you experience in a distant province, so that you will be better prepared to hold the consulship.