Pro-Consulate of Sicilia et Africa

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sicilia et Africa

Summary

Capital: Carthage
Improvement tier: 1 in Sicily and Africa Proconsularis, 0 elsewhere
Roads: No
Income: 32,400

Senatorial Forces

Location - Carthage (Africa Pro-Consularis I)
Legio IX Rapax - 6,000
Legio X Ferrata - 6,000
Legio XI Primigenia - 6,000
Legio XII Fretensis - 6,000
1000 cavalry

The lands now known as the Proconsulate of Africa were once the homeland of Rome's greatest foe, Carthage. Founded by Phoenician settlers, Carthage was the center of an empire that stretched from Spain to Sicily. It was on the latter that the Punic Wars began. Rome, as usual, won and after two more wars Carthage was completely conquered. Most of the Proconsulate itself is very fertile, but to the south, east, and west lies vast deserts, controlled by the Numidians. Their current king, Jugurtha, is known to be both shrewd and anti-Roman. Africa is Rome's breadbasket, producing most of the Republic's food. Carthage and Utica remain major cities, and Sicily is very similar to southern Italy in most respects.

Click here to see a summary of the Pro-Consulate's Food Production/Consumption and Tax Revenue information!

Provincial Favor

Favor Tracker

Gaius Marius Aquila: 1 minor event
Sextus Tuccius Alexander: 1 minor event

[Celsius]

By order of F. Tacitus Sicinius, Pro-Consul of Sicilia et Africa, the Governor's estate is hereby converted to a military where Legionnaires wounded in battle are housed and cared for.

[Dance the older]

A letter arrives from Iberia

Dear Proconsul Tacitus,

I have asked the Senate to transfer my 1,000 archer auxiliaries in Africa to command of the Proconsulate permanently. They are experienced from the First Mauretanian War, and are veterans from the Battle of Cirta. They would do well fighting with the Proconsulate, and are experienced in Numidian geography. I have waved the initial 5,000 denarii purchasing fee, and ask simply that the Proconsulate cover the 1,000 denarii per year for Auxiliaries. I have no use for them in Iberia, and since they are currently still stationed in Carthage, they are yours to command, Proconsul, should you choose to do so.

Signed,
Q. Furius Agricola,
Proconsul of Iberia

[Dance the older]

5 Modii of excess grain arrives from Iberia, to assuage the hunger of the African proconsulate, making up for the consumption demands... Balance is met for the year!

[Pontifex Maximus]

A crooked Quaestor, Manius Domitius Ahenobarbus, a patrician, has been skimming tax revenue he has been collecting. The provincials have been complaining about his actions. They say that if they must pay taxes, they must be sent where it belongs, not into the pockets of corrupt officials.

[Okmin]

Aquila invites him to the only-slightly-burnt proconsular residence for lunch.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Manius makes his way up the steps and into the Proconsular palace. Just another day in Carthage...he had absolutely no inclination what the meeting could be about. Perhaps just a friendly dinner with the Proconsul, perhaps a promotion.

I am here to see the governor

[Okmin]

A servant shows him to a room with couches and food and wine ready to be served. Aquila was standing nearby waiting.

"Welcome Domitius. Have a seat and some wine; food if you are hungry."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Manius smiled widely

You are most kind, Proconsul. I see you have been importing from Sicily, some of my favorites

Manius selected a bottle and poured himself a generous goblet

Now then, is there something you wished to discuss?

[Okmin]

"So you do not know why I asked you here? Well," Aquila had wine poured for himself as well, "have you heard of Lex Faustae?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Manius sipped on the wine

Yes, indeed. Passed by the upstart Severus Faustus in the assembly of the people. What of it?

[Okmin]

"You and I may not like it, but it is the law, and as such I have no intention of violating it. Severus will be put in his place, but for now I am required to dump all our tax revenue into building projects throughout Africa... Something I cannot do if I do not have all the money I should."

Aquila drank and put his cup aside.

"Look, I know you've been taking some coin for yourself. Honestly I wouldn't care, everyone in Rome and beyond has done the same at some point, but the people are getting restless about it. Before you ask, no, I don't plan on trying you or anything like that. I could, of course, but we both know that would only lower the rabble's opinion of patricians... which we can both agree is not in our interests."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Smiling, Manius lowered his cup

I see...so you would have me stop for this year in order that the law might be satisfactorily discharged. That is a reasonable request.

[Okmin]

Aquila nodded.

"That I would. The construction going on around them will be enough assurance that they are in fact paying for something that benefits them. If they grow uneasy again next year, I will simply build some more."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Seems a reasonable plan to me. Although, I have to wonder, don't these people know they're conquered?

[Okmin]

"If all these wars here have proved anything, it's that the people are either too stupid or too stubborn to realize they've lost."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Manius laughed heartily

Indeed, let us hope that for now, at least, they are pacified and exercising common sense. Meanwhile, the populists in Rome must be shrewdly opposed.

[Okmin]

Manius laughed heartily

Indeed, let us hope that for now, at least, they are pacified and exercising common sense. Meanwhile, the populists in Rome must be shrewdly opposed.

Aquila grinned. "Oh, I plan on opposing them. That is, once I'm done serving out this two year exile Faustus has seen fit to impose on me. 'Tuccius can't do it, he's unreliable' says Agricola of all people... Bah. Half the senate are power-hungry and the others inept. Some both."

[Dance the older]

Proconsul Aquila,

It appears this year fortune has forsaken our crops. We are projected to have a grain modii deficit. My advisors informed me that now, relatively peaceful Africa will have a fortunate crop season, as Iberia did a year of last. To make up for the deficit I humbly request out of the borders we share, and the support we show one another, that Iberia might recieve four grain modii from your honourable excellency, as Iberia provided a year of last in Africa's time of need, to break even for the needs of our eleven million Iberians.

It would be greatly appreciated, Dear Proconsul.

Signed,
Quintus Furius Agricola
Proconsul of Iberia

[Dance the older]

Letter arrives to Carthago, from Carthago Nova

Proconsul Aquila,

Thank you for the grain shipments. The people are fed for another year. You are most benevolent, and forever a friend you will find in Iberia!

Thank you, Proconsul.

Signed,
Quintus Furius Agricola
Proconsul of Iberia