The Curia (92 BCE)

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome

The Curia of 92 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates

Consul

Quintus Valerius et Gaius Marius Aquila

Censor

Maximus Caesoninus

Pro-Consul of Graecia et Asia

Publilus Sempremonius Lucullus

Pro-Consul of Iberia

Lucius Claudius Libanus

Pro-Consul of Sicilia et Africa

Gaius Fabius Aquila

Pro-Consul of Gallia

Maximinius Regulus

Aedile

Maximinius Aulio Varus

Quaestor

Publius Sempronius Cilo et Octavius Felix

Tribune

Gnaeus Tranquilus et Numerius Aquillius Balbinus

Praetor

Gaius Commodus Graccus et Sextus Tuccius Alexander

Events

Massive storm on the Mediterranean. All Mediterranean trade is shut down.

Plebian Roll

Land Reforms (3 points). The people of the provinces have petitioned for greater investment. Although non-citizens, their concerns might be worth looking. There are a lot of them, after all...

Plebeian Approval Rating: 1

Pressing Matters

• The war in Spain continues. The Proconsul has conquered half the territories of the Cantabri but no deciding engagements have been fought
• Several magistracies must be filled
• Civil unrest is imminent in the provinces if their demands are not met

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gaius Primus entered the Senate, eagerly awaiting the consuls to arrive to begin the session.

[ForteS]

Scipio arrives and takes his sit.

[M D]

The Quaestor took his seat on the front bench, looking through a scroll that had been given to him on the topic of land investment

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus Regulus arrives to serve as Maximinius's voice and representative. He takes his seat.

[General Brewster]

The censor takes his seat.

ooc : whats that with my name ?

[The Stig]

Sextus arrives and takes his seat.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus arrives and returns once again to the Consular seat, "Senators, the Curia is hereby opened for this years talks," he announces "and may I thank you all for remaining with us after the...lull...we experienced last term."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gaius seized the initiative immediately and stood to report on the military situation in Spain.

Senators, The Pro-Consul Lucius Libanus has annexed territories in northern Spain previously owned by the Cantabri. He suspects that their chieftain has fled to the Lusitanii, seeking aid, but has recently turned about to finally fight a decisive battle. They have waged a war of attrition, but they have little to show for it. The outcome of the coming battle will determine the course of the war with the Cantabrii. If victorious they will have been successfully subdued and brought under Roman dominion.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus stood up.

Wonderful news from Pro-Consul Libanus. The Iberians will tremble at the might of our arms and Hispania will become Roman!

Then Decimus changes the subject.

However, I have a new proposal...a Temple to Neptune. With the recent and massive storm that has blocked all trade in the Mediterranean, many citizens wonder if Neptune is upset with us. We must build a grand temple to him and appease the God of the Sea and Water...so that another storm of scale never happens again.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Indeed, this latest storm is most worrying. The storm clouds cover the whole of the sea, whipping the waters into a frenzy. It would appear the entirety of the sea is rebelling, disallowing our ships from leaving port or traveling safely. Even the old men are reporting that they have never seen a storm of this magnitude before. This has been one of the most turbulent seasons in remembered history and perhaps can even be compared to the storms that destroyed the fleet in Sicily during our first war with Carthage.

[Okmin]

Consul Aquila takes his seat.

"I agree. Can the quaestor give an estimate as to how much this temple would cost? Also, there is the issue of the provinces demanding, well, something. I suggest expanding the highway system."

[Pontifex Maximus]

The people of the provinces seem to have gotten a taste for luxury...

Gaius stood to address the Senate

The past few years has seen an unprecedented level of investment in the provinces. This sort of Romanization is good, but it would appear we have created a situation similar to our relationship with the people of Rome abroad. Except that the consequences of not addressing the concerns of the provincials have greater consequences. The Consul makes a fair and practical proposal. Roads seem a good compromise here.

[M D]

Quaestor Cilo finally stood, having listened to what had been said,

"I thank the Consuls, and the ever honourable Pontifex Maximus for their points on how we must progress. Having had a little time to look over the costs of any plans this month I have come up with the solution that the Consul just mentioned. Highways. While they provide goods and services to the provinces, they also assist our military, hugely. The cost of a new highway, perhaps leading out of the North of Italy would cost anywhere from 6,000 denarii to 24,000."

He turned to Decimus,

"A temple to his ever vengeful Highness Neptune is a glorious idea, but not one without expense. It would be insulting to create a small temple to one of the Lords of the elements, and so we have the option of a moderately sized one costing around 20,000 which I still think would be ill advised. On the more subservient level of adoration, which is where i am sure the Pontifex Maximus believes we should aim for, it could cost anything from 50 to 75,000."

[Pontifex Maximus]

It would appear, then, that we are about to embark upon a second wave of economic investment in provincial infrastructure as well as religious centers here in Rome.

Gaius projected his voice to wake some sleeping Senators who had not yet spoken on the issue

I believe the treasury is in such a state that this may be freely granted, but I will also add a word of caution. It would be wise to begin reallocating funds, perhaps an annual percentage, to be set aside for war expenses.

[General Brewster]

How about the academy plans ?

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gaius was confused by this latest interjection.

Academy? What are we, Greek women?

[Clagius]

Octavius enters the hall, taking a seat.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus notices the new Senator and stands up.

Seems we have a new Senator among our ranks. Salve, fellow Roman.

[Clagius]

Octavius greets Decimus back and speaks;

"I was wondering; is there any possible positions available?"