The Curia, Consulate of Lepidus and Albinus (89 BCE)

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Curia, Rome
The Consulate of Marcus Aemelius Lepidus and ​Aulus Postumius Albinus "the Elder"

The Curia of 89 BCE is now in session.

Magistrates in Rome

Consul

Marcus Aemelius Lepidus and ​Aulus Postumius Albinus "the Elder"

Censor

NPC

Praetor

Lucius Villius Tappulus and Gaius Marius Aquila

Aedile

Gnaeus Marius Aquila

Quaestor

Sextus Cornelius Sulla and Sextus Erucia Mergus

Tribune of the Plebs

NPC

Magistrates in the Provinces

Pro-Consul of Asia

NPC

Pro-Praetor of Sicilia

NPC

Pro-Consul of Corsica et Sardinia

NPC

Hispania Citerior

NPC

Pro-Consul of Hispania Ulterior

Publius Cornelius Sulla

Pro-Consul of Macedonia

Gaius Julius Iulus

Pro-Consul of Africa

Quintus Annius Milo

Pro-Consul of Gallia Narbonensis

Lucius Atilius Regulus

Events

1. The matter of Sulla's triumph was never put to a vote in the last session.

2. No administrative system for paying the legions was ever conceived of, so the legions must be paid in an emergency fashion out of the aerarium yet again.

3. Conspirator Gerus' trial has not yet taken place.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Gaius Furius Sulpicianus entered the Curia and awaited the Consuls to open the session and allow any ex-consuls present to speak first. He had much to say, and much on his mind. He fidgeted all through the opening rituals and pleasantries before he finally rose to speak. "Fellow Senators, we have been the victims of extremely poor leadership in the last year. The Consuls Regulus and Milo did almost nothing to ensure the future of the Republic apart from finally, in the 11th hour, seeking peace with the Italians; a matter all but accomplished by Sulla in destroying their military strength. How close were they to thinking us timid and raising new legions?" He scoffed and did not even try to hide his disgusted look. "And does Regulus think us so foolish as to believe that his 'tax collecting' solved anything but the immediate problems of the last year in paying the legions that remain in Italy? The 1st and 5th legions will require payment again this year, and if precedent is anything to adhere to, Regulus would have us beg for donations among Rome's elite in order to come up for the money!" A few scattered laughs echoed off the walls. "This is to say nothing, at all, of the state of the aerarium. I call upon the quaestors of this year to do a much better job in maintaining the state accounts, what little there is, for the good of us all."

"I have had quite enough of half measures by our magistrates. If the elected officials of this year perform as weakly as those of last year, I shall not hesitate to put a measure forward calling for their removal from office in disgrace! If a suffectus magistrate will perform the work more dutifully, then let it be so!"

-----
Sextus Cornelius Sulla arrived in the Senate house. His father would be furious at his election, he knew. It made him smile.

[General Brewster]

Consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus made his way onto the forum in his toga picta, surrounded by his clients and lictors. Feeling like he could face Hercules himself so overjoyed he was with being elected Consul, the highest office in the Republic. Moving onto the senate steps he said goodbye to his clients and joyfully took all the steps he had taken many times before but never as the consul. It is his time. He takes a seat on one of the cural chairs signifying the power his office had.

*After waiting for everybody to take their seats Marcus proceeds "I hereby open this years discussion. I will lend the word to Gaius Furius Sulpicianus, as he seems eager to speak and no ex-Consul seems to be willing to talk so far."

[Pinkerton]

Quintus Annius Milo, Pro-consul of Africa, wished to speak to the Senate before departing to the lands under his care. He asked this years' Consuls for permission, he wished not to disrespect Sulpicianus right to speak first.

[General Brewster]

Realizing Milo was a little late and thus Marcus missed him. He grants him permission to speak next. Making a light dip with the head to signify his apologies for missing him.

[Pinkerton]

"I shall not comment on Sulpicianus' attack on Regulus and my person. If the people of Rome share his way of thinking, then let them open a legal cause against us." Milo said, as calmly as he could.

"I wish us to deal with a matter of relative importance before I leave this noble city." The former Consul cleared his throat and then spoke "I have great plans for the province of Africa Pro-consularis, the potential of the land is almost limitless, the fertility of the ground is known throught the Republic, such ground can be used to feed and provide for Rome itself, no longer would we only depend on Sicily and Sardinia for grain."

"Firstly we require the stablishment of a worthy administrative capital. Utica is a fine city, but we all know where the real heart of Africa lies: Carthage. I wish to settle a Roman colony on the ruins of the city. It's strategic location in the Mediterranean is invaluable and irreplaceable. Thus I propose the following law:"

LEX COLONIA CARTHAGINIS

I-A roman colony shall be stablished in the ruins of Carthage
II- The colonia's patron shall be Quintus Annius Milo
III- Any who shall settle in the city shall be granted Latin rights

[General Brewster]

"I shall not comment on Sulpicianus' attack on Regulus and my person. If the people of Rome share his way of thinking, then let them open a legal cause against us." Milo said, as calmly as he could.

"I wish us to deal with a matter of relative importance before I leave this noble city." The former Consul cleared his throat and then spoke "I have great plans for the province of Africa Pro-consularis, the potential of the land is almost limitless, the fertility of the ground is known throught the Republic, such ground can be used to feed and provide for Rome itself, no longer would we only depend on Sicily and Sardinia for grain."

"Firstly we require the stablishment of a worthy administrative capital. Utica is a fine city, but we all know where the real heart of Africa lies: Carthage. I wish to settle a Roman colony on the ruins of the city. It's strategic location in the Mediterranean is invaluable and irreplaceable. Thus I propose the following law:"

LEX COLONIA CARTHAGINIS

I-A roman colony shall be stablished in the ruins of Carthage
II- The colonia's patron shall be Quintus Annius Milo
III- Any who shall settle in the city shall be granted Latin rights

Looking at his co-consul before standing. Marcus says "With the seconding of Lex Colonia Carthaginis, I procees to put this up for a vote(Clicky)." Marcus said before sitting again.

[Dirty Chai]

Bump

Next matter..

Then there was the matter that filled the whole senate: the legions would yet again need to be paid. Albinus glanced over at Lepidus, signifying it was time to suggest what they wished.

"Fellow senators, I propose that the first issue we deal with for Roma proper, and for the whole republic, is a lasting solution for the payment of the legions. The treasury must first secure a permanent or consistent source of income, and then the Quaestors must be outfitted with the means with which to make the payments of the legion each year from that income automatic - as in, not requiring our collective input every year, but with one Consul present to authorize the payments in the aerarium at time of the ceremonial withdrawal."

Albinus stood up, pausing before continuing.

"To this end, I first propose a new tax. Currently, we apply a small state tax of as little as one percent upon the lands and assets of our citizens. This will not suffice now, in this time of great change and vast provinces. To supplement and outpace this minuscule income, I propose we enforce a tax on salt. The income of which the aerarium will receive will go straight to the paying of our legions every year and to the upkeep of their equipment and endurance of their quality training. This salt tax should be set, I suggest, at a rate of 20% of all salt value and price, on top of any other preexisting taxes."

A final pause.

"To incentivize and ensure the collection of this tax, I propose that the tax collectors in charge, who will report to the Quaestors, be allowed to keep 15% of their total yearly collection."

[Oznerol]

"Delenda est Carthago"

Said Scipio, calmly.

"I vote NO"

His kinsman had razed the city, he cannot and will not support that enterprise of Milo.

-----------------

The younger Milo raised for his seat, enthusiastically.

"Africa is a rich land and at its heart lays Carthage, it must be rebuild in Roma's image and populated by our people. I second senator Milo's proposal"

[Xion]

Sextus Erucia Mergus arrives and takes his seat as one of the elected Quaestors.
----
"Considering the last attempt of building a colonia at Carthago failed only a few years ago, the Colonia Junonia, I do not think attempting to build another colonia at this time would be a wise decision."

[Okmin]

Gaius Marius Aquila enters, pleased with his election (though uncontested) as praetor.

"Perhaps we should ask the priests if the gods would favor a new colony at Carthage."

[Dirty Chai]

The second consul entered after the first, his lictors in tow. The apex sat his head, but as he took his curule chair the flamen dialis removed the phallic hat and revealed his scalpe under the roof of the curia. He offered a nod in greeting to his peer, Lepidus, before they began, and then listened to all who wished to speak.

First was Milo, his friend, who wished to setup another colony in Carthage once he took the proconsulate there.
"What will you do to make sure this colony succeeds, rather than fails, proconsul Milo?" Albinus asked after hearing the concerns of other senators.

Then there was the matter that filled the whole senate: the legions would yet again need to be paid. Albinus glanced over at Lepidus, signifying it was time to suggest what they wished.

"Fellow senators, I propose that the first issue we deal with for Roma proper, and for the whole republic, is a lasting solution for the payment of the legions. The treasury must first secure a permanent or consistent source of income, and then the Quaestors must be outfitted with the means with which to make the payments of the legion each year from that income automatic - as in, not requiring our collective input every year, but with one Consul present to authorize the payments in the aerarium at time of the ceremonial withdrawal."

Albinus stood up, pausing before continuing.

"To this end, I first propose a new tax. Currently, we apply a small state tax of as little as one percent upon the lands and assets of our citizens. This will not suffice now, in this time of great change and vast provinces. To supplement and outpace this minuscule income, I propose we enforce a tax on salt. The income of which the aerarium will receive will go straight to the paying of our legions every year and to the upkeep of their equipment and endurance of their quality training. This salt tax should be set, I suggest, at a rate of 20% of all salt value and price, on top of any other preexisting taxes."

A final pause.

"To incentivize and ensure the collection of this tax, I propose that the tax collectors in charge, who will report to the Quaestors, be allowed to keep 15% of their total yearly collection."

[Pinkerton]

"Delenda est Carthago"

Said Scipio, calmly.

"I vote NO"

His kinsman had razed the city, he cannot and will not support that enterprise of Milo.

"The Carthaginians are dead, Scipio, but there's no reason why their city cannot be brought back as part of Rome."

Sextus Erucia Mergus arrives and takes his seat as one of the elected Quaestors.
----
"Considering the last attempt of building a colonia at Carthago failed only a few years ago, the Colonia Junonia, I do not think attempting to build another colonia at this time would be a wise decision."

"Failed because of the Senate's animosity towards anything undertaken by Gaius Gracchus. You out of all people should understand the benefits of a Colony in Carthago, Mergus, I heard you made business in Africa last year."

The second consul entered after the first, his lictors in tow. The apex sat his head, but as he took his curule chair the flamen dialis removed the phallic hat and revealed his scalpe under the roof of the curia. He offered a nod in greeting to his peer, Lepidus, before they began, and then listened to all who wished to speak.

First was Milo, his friend, who wished to setup another colony in Carthage once he took the proconsulate there.
"What will you do to make sure this colony succeeds, rather than fails, proconsul Milo?" Albinus asked after hearing the concerns of other senators.

"I plan to heavily invest in the colony, Consul. I have 15,000 denarii that will be used as an initial investment: I will hire the best scribes and arquitects around, I'll make sure the land is measured and fairly divided between the colonists and I'll prepare a hefty sacrifice to the gods in order to have their good will."

[Xion]

"Failed because of the Senate's animosity towards anything undertaken by Gaius Gracchus. You out of all people should understand the benefits of a Colony in Carthago, Mergus, I heard you made business in Africa last year."

"Where did my fleet go last year then? Utica, and I mistook it for Carthago, or Junonia's port, now occupied by locals?" Mergus thinks to himself. "Yes, at the port of Utica. Which from I saw has a growing population of Romans amongst it, and a well-established port. A new colony in the ruins of Carthago could revive the mercantile rivalry between Carthago and Utica."
---
"He was the only candidate for the position, so we are forced to trust him with the proconsulate." Mergus thinks in response to the consul-priest's words.

[Pinkerton]

"Where did my fleet go last year then? Utica, and I mistook it for Carthago, or Junonia's port, now occupied by locals?" Mergus thinks to himself. "Yes, at the port of Utica. Which from I saw has a growing population of Romans amongst it, and a well-established port. A new colony in the ruins of Carthago could revive the mercantile rivalry between Carthago and Utica."
---
"He was the only candidate for the position, so we are forced to trust him with the proconsulate." Mergus thinks in response to the consul-priest's words.

"Utica will remain the Capital of the province, but I can only see it grow up to a point. Carthage's potential is much larger."

Milo was willing to discuss all the aspects of his plan, though it annoyed him that Senators would flat out reject a proposal that benefitted Rome.

"I will continue to argue in favour of this law, but those who are certain of their position, please vote."

[Dirty Chai]

"Good," the consul-priest said, looking around the senate. Milo was his friend, but he had to convince the rest of the curia as well.
"I believe that ex-consul Milo may be trusted in this endeavor. I trust that we can expect him to deliver on his promise, otherwise we would have not trusted him with the proconsulate of Africa."

The flamen dialis and consul smiled and nodded to Milo.
"I support the proposal to sanction the colony."

[Jokern]

Praetor Lucius Villius Tappulus enters the Curia in his toga praetexta, followed by six lictors before taking a seat in his curule chair. He liked the purple stripe on the toga, it had always been a favorite color of his. The purple toga picta with gold trim that he had worn at the Ludi Romani last year had been a moment of utter joy for him, the pride of showing off to the people of Rome. Lucius sat and listened to the arguments back and forth in silence before saying anything.

"My fellow senators, I would say that establishing a colony where Carthage once stood would be only beneficial to Rome and its people. As much as I hate to admit it, there is a reason our hated enemies the Carthaginians built their city there. Why not use what our enemies once used to our advantage? However, naming the colony Carthage would be most distasteful, I suggest that the name of the colony be something else. Perhaps name it after the family of the man who destroyed the city, Scipio Aemilianus? Colonia Cornelia Carthago, it has a ring to it, don't you think?"

"As for the salt tax, I am highly skeptical to such a measure. It is such a basic and essential resource for all families of Rome, too high and the most destitute would suffer. I do see the need for a way to pay the legions, however? How much would 15%, and if possible could we decrease it?"

[Dirty Chai]

"Salt is indeed important, so much so that we call the wages we give to our soldiers salarium, named so because our ancestors deemed it honorable to make sure our warriors could pay for everyday salt."

Albinus looked around the senate.

"Salt is worth its weight in gold, often. Our conquest of the Mediterranean will only drive the price down as it becomes more available to our population, and so I do not feel remorseful for hiking a tax on it."

The flame dialis, from his curule chair, looked directly at the praetor Tappulus.
"If you wish to propose a different source of income, by all means. But I would not recommend a general land or wealth tax. The people will be the most indignant they've ever been in the past century. I believe if we do not pass and enforce a taxation system such as that I outlined above, we must disband the legions immediately, as they are otherwise unsustainable."

Albinus the Elder finally sat back down.
"If the SPQR wish to be protected by standing legions, then a permanent tax must be raised."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sulpicianus at once again stood. "What is this ridiculous state of affairs? Africa stands without a governor and this man who is supposed to be governing it, who has never even seen it, somehow knows what it needs? This is preposterous. Leave for your province at once Milo, or I shall raise a motion to appoint another who has more interest in being the governor of Africa."

He continued "I shall not vote no on such a measure because of some ancient prejudice against Carthage. That state has long since been ruined and no longer poses any sort of threat real or imagined. I will vote against the measure because it is an obvious ploy for Milo to ingratiate himself with the poorest elements of society. Offer them land and riches in Africa in return for their loyalty. We don't even know if we are sending the citizens off to die on the African continent. The Pro-Consul has conducted no surveys of the land, plotting the limits of the cities and what's worse, has not consulted the gods regarding the auspices of such an endeavor. Until, at a minimum, those things have been done, my vote shall remain no."
-----------------------------------

Sextus Sulla spoke up "I see no reason why not to allow citizens the opportunity to settle lands in Africa. If the land is unfit for the creation of a new town, what is stopping them from returning to Rome?"

[General Brewster]

"Esteemed Senators, if I may have the floor." Consul Lepidus said while walking to the floor. Eyeballing the senators that were present.

Marcus continues with a strong voice. Marcus being very tall for the average Roman man couldn't be missed and demanded to be listen too with his height.
"I propose we debate Lex Aemilius Tribulum and Lex Aemilius Aerirus. These bill handles the formation of a new taxation system in the Republic. During my time as Queastor and the years following it our Queastors have been notoriously lazy. I'm Happy that even though the year is still young, Sextus Cornelius Sulla seems to be willing to do better then those before him. I propose the following." Marcus said while taking out a scroll to read. Taking a deep breath Marcus proceeds to read aloud the scroll.

Lex Aemilius Tribulum

I. Each province will pay a fixed, 5.000 denarii annually.
A. The Pro-Consul of each province is responsible for collecting the tax.
B. The Proconsul must file a report of all yearly finances upon his return from his province.
C. Both elected Queastors will share 50% in the responsibility to transport the collected Tax from the provinces to the Aerarium in Rome.
II. The Aerarium will be the only legal state treasury in the city of Rome.
A. Each province shall erect an Aerarium from where transport is arranged by the Queastors under their supervision.

"This new taxation law means the Republic will always have money at hand. This means our military capability is increased. The state will always have funds to let the republic prosper. Imagine what Rome could be with a filled Aerarium!" Marcus pauzes and takes an other scroll to read aloud.

Lex Aemilius Aerirus

I. The senate will yearly be informed by the serving Queastors how much is in the Aerarium and what the past years expenses were.
A. At all times the elected Queastors will be held accountable for the financial state of the Republic.
B. In the case the amount gathered does not reach the determined sum, both queastors will be held liable.
C. The Aerarium will hold all collected taxes.
D. The elected Queastors will be accountable for the financial ledger of the Treasury
E. They must disperse pay to the legions in Italy each year from the Aerarium.
F. They are responsible to dispersing funds that the Senate designates in laws.

"This second bill is rather self explanatory. The Quaestors shall be liable and will not be imune from prosecution if the Republics administration is not in order." Marcus concludes.



OOC: This isnt a provincial tax, it's a citizen paid tax, collected by the provincial magistrates under the supervision of the queastors.