Comitia Tributa

[Rhapture]

This is where the Plebeians can get together and discuss proposals that they wish the Senate to pass. These are are called Rogatio. While the plebeians are not members of the Senate, and cannot enter the Curia to debate the may still present a Rogatio to the Consul to put forward for a vote. The Comitia meets right outside of the Senate House, although the Tribunes may call for special meetings on the Campus Martius if the Well of the Comitia is not large enough

[Dance the older]

Publius enters, dusts off an empty bench seat, and sits alone, awaiting the others. He assumes he is early...

[Nikephoros Kapatsos]

Gaius joins the list of attendees for the regular sessions of discussion in the Comitia Tributa. He sat down, noticing the emptiness of the room. Though he noted Publius was here for now he would had to wait.

[Dance the older]

Publius nods to Gaius, and checks the door to see if he was being accompanied, but realized he wasn't. Now the two men sat opposite eachother in what appeared to be an awkward silence.. Publius notices some dirt in his nails... Probably from his visit to his new mines.. He picks the dirt out with the other nails, and tries to occupy his mind while he waits further..

[The Stig]

Sextus enters and waits a moment, taking in the silence before clearing his throat and speaking to the small group assembled there.

"Gentleman, if you lack issues to discuss, allow me to draw your attention to the Senate's recent increase in taxation. While it may be needed for the conduct of the recent war, I see no reason why this burden should not decrease at its conclusion. After all, since we are the ones who fight and die in Rome's armies, do we not deserve a break from our other hardships? If the Assembly wishes, I could even draw up a proposal outlining our demands."

[Nikephoros Kapatsos]

"Gentleman, if you lack issues to discuss, allow me to draw your attention to the Senate's recent increase in taxation. While it may be needed for the conduct of the recent war, I see no reason why this burden should not decrease at its conclusion. After all, since we are the ones who fight and die in Rome's armies, do we not deserve a break from our other hardships? If the Assembly wishes, I could even draw up a proposal outlining our demands."

Gaius sighs and stands. "Of course Sextus, the people want the taxes to be deducted. I agree we must suffer the most in war, but a tax raise like this...Is like letting a wound to continue bleeding. So let us discuss the assembly's demands, if not you may go right away and make our proposal."

[Okmin]

Tribune Marcus Licinius arrives.

"The assembly demands lower taxes. Is there anything else, before we petition the Senate? A share of the spoils of war -- though I doubt there will be much?"

[The Stig]

"50% of the loot, perhaps? The Senate's pockets are so deep, I doubt they'd miss an amount of that size."

[The Stig]

"Does this please the assembly?"

Plebian demands

l. 50% of all items sezied by Roman forces in the current conflict with the Volsci shall be awarded to the rank and file levied soldiers, regardless of age or class.
ll. The remaining 50% shall be dealt with in the customary fashion and shall be subject to no outstanding conditions imposed by this bill.
lll. The Plebians accept whatever increase in taxation is deemed required for the war against the Volsci.
lV. However, at the conclusion of the war, in exchage for their cooperation and goodwill, the taxes upon the lower classes shall be reduced by at least 20%.
V. If the Republic should find itself at war with another state before the cessation of hostilities with the Volsci, nullify article lV. Article lV shall go into effect only when Rome is at peace and the income is no longer needed.

[Nikephoros Kapatsos]

"Certainly, Sextus you may go ahead with this petition. The assembly is much pleased with this, and will certainly not forget you if this request is not looked down upon."

[Okmin]

"I also approve of the petition and will deliver it to the consuls."

[Pontifex Maximus]

A message arrives from the Curia, signed by the Consul

"If the plebeian tribunes obstruct the proceedings of the Senate, no Rogatio shall be considered for law within the Senate this year."

[Okmin]

Licinius groans and stands to address the Comitia.

" 'If the plebeian tribunes obstruct the proceedings of the Senate, no Rogatio shall be considered for law within the Senate this year,' says the consul. It seems he has, in his great wisdom, decided that the Senate will entirely ignore the demands and needs of the people this year. We cannot just sit around and accept this! I say if the Senate have already made up their minds to ignore us, let them go all year being obstructed! What say the rest of you?"

[The Stig]

"I concur. If the Senate is determined to be unreasonable, we must be unreasonable in turn. Our proposal was, I thought, a fair compromise allowing for the conduct of the war. However, with this rejection, I believe we are forced to take more assertive measures to ensure that the needs of the vast majority of Romans are met. Until the Senate agrees to our demands, or at least to negotiate, we must disrupt their activities."

[Dance the older]

"We need to enhance our financial stance. Let's face it. None of us are wealthy as of right now. We are permitted to unlimited financial gain, whereas the Patricians are restricted. They need us. They need private industry Plebeians to supply them. We control the mining in Rome and Ostia as of right now. We have them by their cocks. We need to focus on enhancing our finances... And in doing so we need to convince them that they NEED our wares. They buy from us, we get rich, we get a more powerful stance... And ofcourse... We can better stand for the people, when we are... More financially stable..."

Valens gives a slippery sneaky smile, in his own mind, however he does not know if any of them caught on to it, as he's never met them and they might actually think that's his normal smile....

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus entered the Comitia and took a bearing of the proceedings...

[Okmin]

"We need to enhance our financial stance. Let's face it. None of us are wealthy as of right now. We are permitted to unlimited financial gain, whereas the Patricians are restricted. They need us. They need private industry Plebeians to supply them. We control the mining in Rome and Ostia as of right now. We have them by their cocks. We need to focus on enhancing our finances... And in doing so we need to convince them that they NEED our wares. They buy from us, we get rich, we get a more powerful stance... And ofcourse... We can better stand for the people, when we are... More financially stable..."

Valens gives a slippery sneaky smile, in his own mind, however he does not know if any of them caught on to it, as he's never met them and they might actually think that's his normal smile....

Licinius sighed.

"The Comitia is a place for political discussion, not business plans. We will not speak of holding the patricians' cocks; I doubt the censor would be pleased, if we had one."

The tribune pauses.

"Actually, since we don't have a censor this year, might as well talk about their cocks while we have the chance. Speaking of which, I was at the house of senator, ah... Val--"

He clears his throat.

"Anyway. My point is they need us much more than pottery and jewelery and economic services. When the patricians call the levy, it is us, the plebeians, who fill the armies' ranks. They need us for their survival; they owe us their lives, in fact. We need only impress that well enough."

[Dark Storm]

"Grain."

Gnaeus spoke up,

"You control the grain, you control the people, you control the people, you control the levy, you control the lecy, you control the Senate."

He shifted in his seat slightly,

"You increase the grain, and the Levy multiplies, the Senate is secure, the people are happy. Cut the grain, and you cut the levy, you cripple the Senate. It's a matter of supply. He who provides the grain, controls Rome. The Senate can make all the laws it wants, if it has no support then no one will listen."

He grimaced,

"You can't starve Rome though, that would be pointless, petty and it is not something I could stand for. Though you can control the prices, cut your prices and the people flourish, rise them and they stagnate, Rome grinds to a halt."

Gnaeus sat back,

"Of course this is conjecture, in doing so you go against the Republic and the Senate, I'm sure none of you would wish for that?"

He gazed at the men arrayed in the room, wondering whether his idea had caught their minds in the way he intended it to...

[Okmin]

Licinius raises an eyebrow.

"Starving our own people? It seems an odd way to strike at the patricians. Still... it would be unexpected, at least."

[The Stig]

"Please, gentlemen. Let us keep the discussion of blockade and revolution to a minimum. The Patricians have their own farms, and in any case they have not officially denied our demands yet. Once the war is over, we shall see if they see reason and decrease our burden. If not, then we are compelled to take whatever action we must to best represent the needs and desires of the People of Rome. However, until that point, I should ask that our talk be limited to strictly legal topics, thank you."