The Curia (84 BCE)

[Okmin]

The Curia, Rome

The Curia of 84 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates

Consul

Maximus Caesoninus^† et Gaius Marius Aquila

Censor

Sextus Tuccius Alexander

Pro-Consul of Graecia et Asia

Quintus Valerius Vospiscus

Pro-Consul of Iberia

Titus Octavius Balbus

Pro-Consul of Sicilia et Africa

Quintus Furius Agricola

Pro-Consul of Gallia

Maximinus Atilius Regulus

Aedile

Decimus Nonus Octavius

Quaestor

Quintus Furius Agricola

Tribune

Felix Tacitus Sicinius et Gaius Claudius Nero

Praetor

Spurius Octavius Cilo

Events

The Greeks in Sicily have become frustrated and have forced the Roman garrison out of Syracuse. With the main Greek town in revolt, it may cause a whole-scale revolt on the island. Rebel forces number 25,000.

The Mauretani have invaded Romes African provinces with an army numbering 30,000 men.

Plebian Roll

Social Reforms (3 points)

Plebeian Approval Rating: -1

Pressing Matters

• Several magistracies must be filled
• The war in Pontus continues
• The Dacian situation must be resolved
• The revolt in Gallia is being put down
• The Sicilians are revolting
• Numidia has been invaded
• The plebs in Rome are growing restless

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus manages to get his way into the Senate, his age didn't help at all...but the people made it worse. The clamors of the people echoing through the Curia. Clearly the effects of Spurius' selfish actions had come to fruition.

[Okmin]

Titus found a seat next to Decimus in attempt to get away from all the noise. He whispered to the older man.

"I heard rumors of a revolt in Sicily. Is it true?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

Decimus sighs and nods to Titus.

Appears so. I heard word of it from one of my servants who was gathering grain from the port markets. Plenty of merchants have washed up this way due to the closing of major ports in Sicilia.

The Senator kept his voice low as well.

[Celsius]

One of the new Tribunes, Felix Tacitus Sicinius, stands and speaks. He knows discussion will quickly bounce to another matter, so one should be hurried and settled.

"Senators, the people of Rome are becoming uneasy since the last Tribunes threats and closures. They want reassurance that the Senate is not abusing their power over them, but also want to make sure that there representatives in the Senate aren't pawns. So I simply ask for a few basic reforms I have outlined here...."

Populus Abeo

1. The sections of the city in which a majority of the population are plebs shall be cleaned twice a month as the expense of the Senate.
2. Plebs who own directly produce raw materials such as grain, olives, iron, stone, and other amenities shall receive small tax exemptions.
3. Referring to the Plebeian population as "rabble" or any other term that deems the entire population as "lowest of the low", shall be punishable by a fine decided by the Praetor or Senate.
4. 50,000 Denarii will be removed from the Treasury to build a new Forum in the Western section of the city where the Plebeian people working on the waterfront may have a place to voice their concerns without fear of travel.
   

"These four simple solutions and my official business for this year will be concluded."

He sat and awaited responses

[Dredd]

"Well, number four wouldn't of needed to be presented if your predecessor didn't veto the proposition about the building of improvements in Iberia.."

[Celsius]

"I'm aware, but since it was vetoed, and this is the new year, this is one that I will think will settle matters for a while."

[Caesar's Heir]

Gaius walks slowly into the Curia, proud of his new position.

I realize that you think calling plebs "rabble" and such is demeaning, but how can that be the issue at hand? We recently conquered Spain, and are conquering more lands still. When it comes time to consolidate, won't the plebeians fear that their jobs will be stolen by foreigners? We can guarantee their jobs by giving tax incentives to anyone willing to hire Roman citizens over those without citizenship. Perhaps this can replace the second point you proposed.
Upon scrutiny, the first point seems difficult to implement. We would need a census to determine where Plebeians live as the majority, though we could just assume. The third point is utterly ridiculous, as no one cares. Unless the Tribune or Consuls are screaming that the "Rabble needs to go back into their hovels and let the pure blooded Patricians do the important political things" I highly doubt the Plebeians care what some loudmouthed idiot has to say.
I would support a public works project, as outlined in point IV, but what good does a forum do if the people do not get any representation? The forum would be filled with dockworkers, but no Senators. Perhaps instead the Senate could spend some of its massive purse on renovating the Rostra, seeing as how it hasn't been used for years...

Therefore, I propose a counter-measure

Lex Tacita et Claudia

I. Areas of Roma, determined by the Censor to have a large amount of Plebeians will receive LXXXIII denarii per month, doled out annually in the form of M denarii.
II. Anybody employing Roman citizens instead of foreigners or slaves is entitled to receive X percent of the total salaries as compensation.
III. XX denarii will be taken from the treasury in order to repair and renovate the Rostra, giving all Roman Citizens a place to voice their concerns.

OOC: XX is 20,000. Everything else is in Roman numerals.

[Celsius]

"Foreigners? Any foreigner who is not a slave is a Freedman, and are on a direct track to Roman citizenship, therefore becoming a Pleb in the coming years. To say that they are stealing jobs is a large obstruction, as they themselves are essentially Plebeians in waiting. Also, people do care what people in power say? If the Consul went into the street and called the Plebs "rabble", would they not be upset that arguable the most powerful person in the Senate had just disrespected thousands of people in a single word? Also for my Forum point, people do get a say. I myself was a Plebeian Senator before being Tribune, so they have representation, but having a Forum for them in the busiest Roman places would make the process of finding out concerns a lot easier."
He took a breathe

"I'm also afraid I don't understand the first point of your plan. We will just give money to the Plebs just because they are Plebs? Because that seems more insulting that it does enhancing. Also, people will never hire wage workers as opposed to slaves. With slaves, you are making nearly 100% profit, your point would just give them a percentage of what they could have earned."

[Rhapture]

Domitus arrives in the Senate to near chaos it seems. Revolts in Italy. More was in Africa, the last thing Rome needs. And now Plebeians squabbling at each other. Quintus needs to hurry up and get back to Rome, because this place is rudderless, he thought.

"Senators what are you proposing here? Laws that do nothing? Most of Rome is already populated by plebeians, and if streets are not being cleaned I suggest you run for the office of Aedile to clean up the place as that is the magistrate in charge of the basic necessities of the city. And Fines for talking? Disgusting and nearly impossible to impose. We have a censor who is in charge of bad and immoral behavior who can fine people already. A New Forum? The forum is already free and open to all citizens of Rome, and why should anyone be fearful of travel? There are no weapons allowed within the boundaries of Rome!! Additionally the Plebeian Assembly already meets in its own Comita where patricians are not allowed to speak unless invited to be the Tribune.

Domitus paused to catch his breath.

"Now if you would like to give out a larger bread dole to the poorer families of Rome, I am not against it. However, maybe you have heard the Sicily is nearly shut down and our African provinces are under attack. So our two biggest suppliers of grain will not be producing normally this year. Where is this extra free grain going to come from?! Are you donating your personal harvests Senator? Once again however, the grain is usually handled by the Aedile, which seems to be vacant again this year, perhaps if you were really thinking of helping the people of Rome you should have ran for that office!"

"And lastly now someone wants to try to control who citizens use to work for them? We hire Greeks to teach our children because they are the best at what they do. We bring in shipbuilders from Phoencia and Jews from Canaan each for their specialty. We use slaves and others to harvest on our farms because no Roman citizen should be forced to work those jobs! Why do we do this? Because it is good logical Roman thinking. Use the best most efficient man for the job!

[Celsius]

"Then by your logic we should leave Sicily alone as it is already overrun. We try to improve things Senator, just as you wish to improve the situation in Sicily, we wish to improve things in Rome."

He stood

"I just need a second on my motion, and the floor will be clear...."

[Rhapture]

"Second what motion? Everything in your proposal already has a way of being handled. Why would we add laws that would be repetitive? So some scribe can chisel them on some stone tablet? If the streets are not clean , then go to the Aedile, if people are calling the plebeians names then take your case to the Censor. If other plebs want to voice their concern, they can go to the Plebeian Assembly without fear. And taxes? I do not pay any taxes on my farms already, what breaks do I need."

[Celsius]

"We don't have Aedile, the Censor has not been active in years, and the Plebeian Assembly has basically no voice. On the note of taxes, Im aware you don't pay them, because you are not of the Plebeian populace, and therefore it wouldn't affect you...."
The Tribune shook his head in the blatant oversight of the Senator

"But Senator Domitus, I will say one thing. This business will be concluded before any other piece of legislation hits this floor."

[Rhapture]

"Actually I am a Plebeian, Sicinius. And do not shake your head at me." Domitus replied with distain.
"Sextus Tullas Alexander was just elected as Censor, the Consuls have the authority to use the power of the office of Aedile if the magistrate is unoccupied. And unless I am mistaken, the Tribunes speak for the Plebeian Assembly. It is your duty to call it to action and your duty to hear what the people say. If you are saying that is not possible, you may certainly step down now. If you want to debate these trivialities all year long, be my guest, but it will be your head if the people do not get their grain because Sicily is shut down and the Tribune would not let the Senate take action. There is nothing worse than an unpopular tribune, because if the plebeians turn against you, then you will truly be alone."

[Celsius]

ooc; I just went on you main's social class

"Good for him, may he bring some security to this assembly. Also, the Plebeian Assembly is in a very weak state, the Plebs want status and legislature in the Senate, passed with Senate support because as you may or may not know, the pass year they have been used and wrecked by personal gain by my predecessor. When they complain about the lack of grain, I shall point the finger as the Pro-Consul who lacked in his efforts on the security of Sicily. If the Plebeians turn, they will not turn against me, or Tribune Nero. They already know that the Senate spits on them, they know that they aren't looked after and aren't treated like the Roman citizens that they are. If they do turn Senator Domitus, it will be on the Senate itself."

"Also, I have respected you in this assembly. I have called you "Sir" and "Senator", yet you call me by family name like I am a simple slave, here at your whim. Do not do it again."

[Rhapture]

"Senator, as you are still fairly new to the Senate, you need not remind me how things have been for the plebeians. There have been times where Quintus Valerius or I have been their only voice in the government, others too afraid to even make a speech. The Tribune of the Plebs nearly forgotten, the Aedile is still not used.. there has been only one other since Valerius last held the office. So I for one would encourage the plebs to take a more active part in the republic. I am sorry if I insulted you, but I believe there is another Felix in the Senate and did not wish to confuse you both."

"Now if you wish to help the people this year then a proposal to keep grain prices the same as last year, while the treasury eats the cost this year until the situation in Sicily is settled, will be very helpful in the short term. If your want other changes then I encourage you to meet with me later to discuss those matters out of the senate."

ooc: I believe family names were used commonly in reference to a person. I doubt Gauis Marius was insulted when people called him Marius.

[Celsius]

"I see Senator, I see. If you concerns were made more clear earlier, we could have avoided these harsh discussions, but that is the way of the Senate...."

Populus Abeo

1. Grain Prices will not rise above 5% within the city of Rome for the next year, regardless of grain production or export/import measures.
   
2. Farmers will receive a 50% exemption on all land taxes if they are growing grain on said land.
3. 50,000 Denarii will be removed from the Treasury to build a large Temple in the heart of the Plebeian District, which is to be used to worship and enshrine the God Liber, God of the Plebs.

"Is this something we can agree on Senator, or is more discussion in order?

[General Brewster]

Consul Maximis walks in with haste.

Senators quiet yourself all this plebeian ranting goes over the important fact if an revolt in Sicily !
We must react senators, I have 5 private legion in Sardinia with a private navy of 10 ships, let me take care of this revolt !

What say you?!

[Sunsets]

Adrianus responds the Consuls request.

- It would be the Proconsuls business to deal with this with the legions in Africa. Considering that he would not need all of them to deal with the Mauritanians and could spare some for the revolt. But it's safer to let the Consul deal with this thus making the victory against Mauritania more certain. It is wise to let the Consul deal with this.

[Celsius]

"So the glory of Rome is no longer Rome's, but the pockets a wealthy Consul....."
Sicinius was angered that he was unable to get his proposal out of the way, but he calmed himself

"If you wish to defeat Rome's enemies, then by all means you will have the blessing of this Tribune."