Concilium Plebis Cilii [Level 3]

[M D]

S·CILO·G·F·COS·PRIMVM·FECIT

Built to commemorate the first Consulship of Spurius Octavius Cilo, but in remembrance of those who gave him power, the people, he decided to construct a true Assembly for the people to Congregate in. Costing 50,000 Denarii, the Assembly was to be a collonaded and shaded with canopies, but also with a Marble platform for the Tribunes and throughout the Assembly were statues of the history of Rome. But right in the Centre were statues of all the Tribunes elected post-planning.

Spoiler for Statues: 

S·CILO·G·F·COS·TRIB·CENS·QVAES


S·FAVSTVS·L·F·TRIB



T·SERVIVS·TRIB

CP Rules

The Concilium Plebis, the political organization led by the tribunes, is a growing power during the late Republic. Their decrees carry the power of law and their representatives can stop government by the use of a single word. The Plebeians carry the most sway among the junior magistracies.

Special Rules for the Concilium Plebis

Tribunes may propose legislation directly to the Concilium Plebis. If passed, this legislation becomes binding law. A random roll with a modifier taking into account the tribune's popularity with the people will determine whether or not the legislation passes. (1/2 plebeian points + 2) Whether or not the law passes depends upon the random roll of the people's vote.

ONLY tribunes may convene the Concilium Plebis. Anyone may deliver a speech or propose laws to the body once assembled, but the tribune may veto this at any time.

[Rhapture]

Censor Quintus Valerius stop by the construction site and ordesr the removal of any personal statue in the Concilium.

"This Concilium Plebis is for the people and not a monument to one person. No one person is above another here. This is where the will of the people resides and it stands by itself without need of any reminder of who once was a tribune or who once helped the people. While Cilo may add amenities to the Concilium, that is certainly within his right. And it will be noted, but not by trying to deify oneself before the citizens of Rome."

[M D]

Cilo's son Spurius, a Quaestor laughed at such an accusation and had the construction continue,

"Do you see the empty plinths, Censor? Statues of each Tribune shall be placed here, no one is deified, simply their name, their father and their offices held, just as others have done, and as our ancestors did. Unless the Assembly of the People rule otherwise, this is as it will be."

[tyboman]

Titus approaches the Quaestor and Censor, listening to the conversation as he walked up

What seems to be the Issue here? I heard that Cilo was erecting a new Concilium Plebis, and that it would also serve to commemorate tribunes of the people. But this is the first time I have seen the construction for myself.

[M D]

Quaestor Cilo turns,

"Indeed, good senator, it is a place to honour the people, and to remember all those who represent them. It is a mere coincidence my father was a Tribune and built the Concilium."

[tyboman]

Titus nods and turns to the Censor

What is the problem with this Censor? I do not think it is written anywhere that one could not do something for the people?

The name Concilium Plebis Cilii is just that, a name. In the Forum Faustus, we do not pay any form of tax as recompense to Tribune Faustus, and so he gains absolutely nothing by building it, yet he built it regardless. The name serves no other function than to keep a record of the one who built it, and this would in no way deify them.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus, who had arrived sometime earlier to inspect the building, decided to give his opinion on the matter

It should be duly noted that this structure is not the Concilium Plebis, for that name refers to the popular assembly which is a political group, not a building. The entire title is a misnomer. Instead we should think in terms of buildings and structures, of this as the dais of the tribunes, the seat of the People's Assembly.

[tyboman]

Titus turned to Severus

Ah yes.. Then this is the Locus Concilium Plebis Cilii? Regardless I think he has every right to build this the way he is, and I will stand with him against any opposition.

[Pontifex Maximus]

A council of the people can be summoned in any place, simply giving it a proper venue will not necessarily mean it will be used.

[M D]

Cilo the Elder having finished the Senate for the day came down to the Construction and approached the group and heard the conversation,

"But I do very much hope Severus, that you shall use this place, as I have made you such a lovely dais."

Cilo laughs and speaks again,

"And the canopies shall protect the people from the sun during long voting days, and afterwards shall likely patronise your market just next door."

[Pontifex Maximus]

The tribune Severus Claudius Faustus convenes the tribes for what is likely to be the most controversial assembly he has ever held. It was time to take more active role in influencing the Republic. This matter was of great importance to the continuation of a viable state treasury, and the opportunity to bypass the Senate in such a matter was a victory to be savored. Severus mused on the nature of his powers, would he really want to leave the tribunician powers he had enjoyed for long years behind in favor of higher office? Perhaps, as a necessary step, but first things first.

People of Rome, I have served as Aedile for several years now. I have had access to reports on the status of the public treasury, receipts on monies spent, and had detailed accounts of tax revenue from the provinces passed under my nose. I am sorry to say that the city's quaestors have been quite negligent in these past few years. In fact I, as Aedile, have assumed most of the responsibilities associated with the office of Quaestor, not out of lust for power, but out of necessity for the continuance of the state. It has become obvious to me that at the rate of current yearly expenses, yearly income will soon plateau, and then decline sharply.

The treasury, at this moment, is tenuously stable. We can take actions now to avoid future disaster. It will mean that for the time being, the provinces are not taxed. We must allow the governors to use the resources of the provinces to reinvest in the provinces. Once this takes place, we may then resume normal taxation of the provinces at a higher rate. In the long term this policy will allow for greater income of the Republic as a whole. We must grant governors the ability to provide for the economic expansion of the provinces. I therefore propose the following:

Lex Faustae Provinciae Interrit

• Provincial governors are compelled to use the gross sum of the tax revenue of their province and reinvest it in advances in the territories in the year 78 BCE. (all territories must be upgraded to at least tier 1, roads must be built if possible. All leftover funds should also be used to upgrade territories.)
• Governors may use their discretion when reinvesting the funds, but all money must be used for economic purposes
• Governors who fail to comply with the law will be prosecuted for gross mismanagement of their province.

[tyboman]

Titus approaches the assembly

So what you are proposing is to leave all tax funds in each province for economic upgrading, causing our income to go to 0 denarii for 78BCE? I can see how this would benefit in the long run, but what immediate repercussions would we see from this?

[Pontifex Maximus]

We would see no immediate repercussions except the remission of all taxation outside Italy for a period of one year. The treasury can bear this burden for the next year only.

[tyboman]

Titus nods

I am all for it then, the provinces need economic structuring. I second this proposal.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Very well, does anyone else wish to speak on the matter?

[Rhapture]

Marcus Domitus stands up.
"I would ask why this is not being discussed in the Senate? The persons in charge of the treasury should be responsible for where the income is coming from and where it is going to. What happens if a province does not take in enough taxes to comply with these issues? Shall the governor be responsible for not upgrading then? "

[M D]

Cilo who had been observing spoke,

"The People are the ultimate law makers, Marcus, if they want to discuss something, then they may do so."

[Pontifex Maximus]

When the mechanism of the senate and urban magistracies fail, as it has this year in the quaestors, it is the right of the people to pass laws. The governor is given the money normally taxed from each region, to stretch it as far as it can go.

[Rhapture]

"We have other measures to hand out money if the quaestors fail. And I asked why it was not discussed in the Senate. I did not question the passing of laws in the Assembly."

[Pontifex Maximus]

I am not compelled to inform the senate of anything, or to consult the senate before proposing laws in this forum.

Severus turned to once again face the assembly

Let us now vote on the matter.