Balbatus rises.
Where, may I ask, exactly is the Legio I Apulia? Should they not be protecting our allies in Massilia? And yet they do not seem to be anywhere near?
Printable View
Balbatus rises.
Where, may I ask, exactly is the Legio I Apulia? Should they not be protecting our allies in Massilia? And yet they do not seem to be anywhere near?
"It still stands in Segestica. It has all been a mess: no reinforcements have been able to come there, so if Manivs Clavdivs had left earlier, he would've either had to leave without full strength, or left Segestica not only undefended against attacks, but ready to revolt. I believe that's the cause for his delay."
"Consul Atilius Regulus, thank you for your clear-sightedness into the matter of Legio II Apulia. I am, however, confused as to exactly what you meant by what you said about Consul Manius Claudius?"
"What, exactly, is it that confuses you? It was, as far as I know, Manivs Clavdivs who first proposed that we should take Ambrakia."
"I was unsure of to whom you were speaking when you said that 'Manius Claudius might offer you his help'. I understand what you meant now."
Manius Claudius rises after a while. He appears to be preparing to leave.
"Since Legio II has recently been running low on supplies; I think it should currently return to Illyria to resupply itself before the men start deserting.
However I still stand with the proposal that we should strike Ambrakia, and quick. It is not a matter of personal glory, but a matter on destroying our enemies. If possible, and if Dux Servius Sempronius is willing, Legio III should immediately move and take Ambrakia; for the reasons I mentioned earlier.
And about Legio I, it is because of reinforcements being delayed which is why I have been unable to move the legion until this season. However I shall be heading for Massilia with the men who are to join the army very soon."
Lvcvllvs spoke:
As far as I know, the Legio II already is on friendly territory, friend Manius Claudius.
good
(OOC: probably the shortest IC post ever)
Senator Qvintvs Aemilivs walked from his modest house near the palatine towards the Forum. Though early in the morning it was, the great city of Rome was already buzzing with activity.
As shopkeepers used the nights to get their goods delivered, stocks were updated and shops prepared to receive customers in the early morning.
The Forum Romanum itself however, contained as yet not many forum frequenters. Most people would be presenting themselves to whomever they were client to, so they could either follow him as he went about his public bussiness or being dismissed for today.
A man always had some or more clients in his wake, to show his importance to the world.
Yet not so for Qvintvs Aemilivs. His recent adoption by Caivs Avrelivs had certainly rocketed his career, though from any form of clientele could be no question for a member of the Aemilian gens.
His own clientele was small but forming.
He only had come in from Illyria the evening before, on leave for 2 days to visit the wedding from his younger brother.
Of course he would be taking the advantage of being Rome to finally use his term of Tribvnvs Plebis. He would have to make himself known to the plebs, so they would remember him with the next election for office further down the line of his career.
To this extend he was up early, walking to a small shop near the Forum. There housed the Scribe's House of Marcus Scribianus, one of Rome's better scribe's houses. No better place than to get ones notes enscrolled.
Though the arena for the tribune of the plebs was the Comitia, where The People traditionally had their voice and no patrician was allowed to speak, he thought it best to first announce his laws to the Senate. Although he did not need their consent to push laws though the Comitia, he thought it best to atleast notify his peers.
By the time he arrived on the forum, he could already see men entering the Curia Hostilia. Few were talking on the steps, not in a hurry to enter. Qvintvs Aemilivs strolled up, answering greetings left and right, ensuring enquiring senators that the front in Illyria was stable, yet never halting. Qvintvs Aemilivs was a reserved man, not anti-social yet not an outgoing man.
He took a seat on the Tribvnvs Plebis' bench down in front of the floor, as magistrates in office always were seated in the front, patiently awaiting the start of the Senate session, arms folded across his toga.
It wasn't before long that the senate got underway with it's daily bussiness, Qvintvs Aemilivs listening interessed yet only speaking when spoken to on the matter on the Illyrian front.
"Dear princeps senatus, both consuls and fellow conscript fathers. Since my arrival yesterday, I have not done anything else but answer questions about the front. Though it my pleasure to answer these questions, I see that sometimes the information discussed in this venerable house is more often than not, based on secondhand information.
Therefore I'd like to announce that I will present a law to the people, which will oblige any general to frequently update the current status and position of their legions, possibly with a report on any intelligence they may have concerning the lands nearby. Should we concentrate this information in one place, the senate could deal more accurately on emergancy situations in a swifter way."
He gazed around, seeing many faces approvingly discussing with their neighbours this propisition for a War Intelligence of some sort. Yet a few faces were also not looking so happy.
"Now I do have the floor, I also wish to announce I have a few other laws I would like to present to the People. First of all, I would like to talk about the name of our laws. In the time of our ancestors, laws were given the name of the men who made them, therefore showing to the world their attribution to the Roman world, and their dedication to it.
I believe this to be a part of the Mos Maiorum, and would like to see this implemented again.
Third of all, fellow senators, we have to do something about our policy concerning our armies.
Right now, we have capable men serving in the field, doing their terms as instructed by the Senate and People. Yet what do we do when they change offices? Or when other people take their place? One legion is not the other. Resentment and strife can come of this when some senator of the future thinks his honour is being slighted because his Legion is being disadvantaged compared to the others.
Therefore it is my opinion to regulate the compositions of a legion, creating a solid framing yet leaving options to adjust the composition to area and need.
Also these regulations will eventually ease the drain on our Treasury, as we will be able to estimate the costs for a new legion better, along with the upkeep the current legions will generate.
As to this last regulation, I have ensured a great number of scrolls with every details concerning this Lex Aemilia Reformata Legiona Minius, so that most senators will have a copy. Please do not hesitate to share your copy with our numerous backbenchers. I think these reforms are for the better, and I hope these will be implemented as such.
He gestured his three slaves to start passing out the scrolls from their buckets in which he had picked them up this morning.
As my free time on the Illyrian front is short, I have not yet had the time to complete severaf drafts of laws to come, but you may rest assured these will be presented to the house in their due time."
He took his seat again, while his slaves handed out scrolls. Though he knew some furor would come of this, he had not relented to propose these laws he saw as necessary
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Tiberius Claudius Marcellus perked up when he saw who was on the floor, ending the conversation he was having with several other senatores while the Tribunus Pleibius had been speaking. He thought it mildly amusing that the newly elected senator did not know the proper rules and traditions of the legislative body, let alone the standing laws of the Res Publica which he was either casting aside or shamefully ignorant. Tiberius looked over the scroll handed to him and briefly conversed with the men around him, each pointing out something of interest or chuckling at one passage or another. After getting the general consensus of the men, he stood up and spoke,
"Tribunus Quintus Aemilius, your ideas are noble and refreshing, though perhaps somewhat naieve in certain areas. It is good to have senators who are interested in the law and the betterment of the Res Publica and her beuracracy. However, the proper time to propose these laws of yours is, in fact past. According to the standing laws of the Res Publica, a law maker may only propose laws to be voted on during the Congressional Session. While it is excellent for you to be prepared and to introduce your ideas to your peers that they may have time to look them over. It will be a very long time before the men of the Curia sit again, together, to debate the future of our glorious people. I pray you have not performed a disservice to your own proposals by coming forth too strongly and too far in advance.
"Additionally, your sweeping reforms, I believe, lie beyond the scope of a man in your station. You, as Tribunus Pleibeus are entitled to propose one single Charter Amendment per congressional session, that is to say permanent, long lasting laws which fundamentally change the way our Res Publica functions. Yet you have proposed what appears to be three. You will require the support of several individuals of the rank Dux or higher to pass these all in one session. The benefit of your junior station is that you may propose many short-lasting edicts, that is to say laws which are in effect only until the next congressional session. If you can obtain the necessary backing to have others propose your laws for you, then so be it - we shall vote on their merit when that time arrives. I, however, suggest that you start getting your feet wet by utilizing your true power: Edicts, rather than trying to drink up the whole sea yourself."
Quiet laughter broke out amongst the seasoned legislators at the closing comment. Everyone began to speak amongst themselves, discussing the various merits of the proposed laws and what needed to be changed or ommited. Tiberius Claudius Marcellus and about twenty five other men rose from their seats and filed out the exit, merrily figuring out what they would all eat for the midday meal. As they walked past Quintus Aemilius, each man dropped his copy of the scroll into the buckets held by the slaves; each one landing heavily, sending an empty, hollow sound throughout the cavernous hall.
Qvintvs Aemilvs walked casually past Tiberivs Claudivs Marcellvs.
"I'm a tribune of the plebs, my good friend. It might be true I am too junior in the senate. But the People in their Comitia are not your domain but mine, and as such I can promulgate any law I wish to push through the People. Such is my right as Tribune of the plebs. I need no permission from the senate. I am inviolate, and if you obstruct me in my duty, I will have you thrown off the Tarpeian Rock" he said casually, giving Tiberivs Claudivs Marcellvs a feral grin.
"Vale"
Sextus stands
Perhaps threatening everyone who opposes you is not the best way to discuss this Qvintvs, I think I speak for everyone when I say that if you try to muscle your way into whatever you want. you, well, may find yourself muscled into a dark alley with some unsavory characters. And by that I mean simply you are not a tyrant, you do not decide the rules that Res Publica by just stating it, the senate decides, we ALL decide. Do not make this into a unpleasent, and violent discussion Sextvs smiles dryly
Quintus Aemilius arched an eyebrow questioningly.
"Are you threatening a Tribune of the Plebs, Sextus? You do realize that I am inviolate and sacrosant? Be about your bussiness before I have the People throw YOU of the Tarpeian Rock."
Qvintvs Aemilivs went home, muttering about arrogant incompetants, more worried with their own prerogatives then the good of the Republic. They would keep, all of them, in due time they would.
Sextus rolled his eyes at Quintus muttering and looked at the other senators
would-be tyrrants do not deserve to talk about what is for the good of the republic.
Blabatus sighed loudly and rudely, and turned to a fellow senator, whispering loudly, meaning everyone to hear.
There goes another one. Honestly, its like they have nothing better to do than search for people to call would-be tyrants. Do we employ these people? Is it a profession?
If yes it must be a well paid profession. laughs
Perhaps we should seek out said teachers. I'm always on the lookout for a bit of extra cash.
"Caivs Avrelivs, are you really that big a fool? Qvintvs Aemilivs here thinks he's above the law and the letter, and you don't see anything wrong in that? Avlvs Aemilivs, are you so unquestioningly blind in your loyalty to Caivs Avrelivs that you follow anything he says, no matter how intelligence-bereft it is?
If it were for people like you, we'd still have our kings of old. Sextvs Cornelivs is quite right in this matter."
Balbatus looks around, then realises he is being addressed.
I think, Consul, you are having bad dreams. Caivs Avrelivs is in Illyria Hellenike if I am not mistaken, as is Avlvs Aemilivs. You do think that my bushy beard covers the face of the Quaestor do you? And I feel you have had too many sleepless nights, for it must be hard for you to hear the blatent sarcasm in my voice.
(OOC: This is Balbatus talking, not Cotta. And I know its very hard to decifer sarcasm on forums, so please excuse that. Anyways i'm late, gotta dash)
"Right, I apologize for my mistake, but then you can just change those names in my speech and you still have the truth of it. May I enquire the name of he who spoke in agreement with you? He spoke quickly and I did not see him, but he sounded just like Avlvs Aemilivs, and thinking you were Caivs Avrelivs gave me the knee-jerk assumption when he agreed with you like that."
Quintus Aemilius, I for one appreciate your forthcomingness (Is that a word?) about new laws. If you think you can change something and make it for the better, then keep on proposing. And dont heed whoever says your too lowly of a station, you are a tribune of the plebs after all.
I need some clarification, as it is early in the morning and im still a bit asleep. Are you proposing to change the laws to latin names and then make a formal legion composition? I thought we had a adequate system of law naming, and already a legion composition!
If you do however change the legion composition, I say we call it the "Aemilius reforms" :2thumbsup:
"My thanks, Decimvs Cornelivs. It is true I am a Tribvnvs plebis, but that doesn't count to these august senators. They see the People as a threat to their prerogatives, so they try to block me anyway they can.
As for a clarification, laws should bear the names of the ones whom conceived them, so their name lives on in history.
As for the legion composition, we have now no clear and solid composition, which leads to the current situation that every legion is as different from the other as day and night. This should end."
Mmm, names on laws? Thats a tricky one, no other precedent has been set beyond legion reforms. Ill have to withhold judgement on that.Quote:
Originally Posted by mini
With the legion composition, I can see your view on it and appreciate it. Although I can see how attaching legions at the front with more auxiliaries then legions at home is practical.
"I do not say that legions should not contain any auxiliaries. Yet a Roman Legion is to be composed out of a standard amount of each unit. This will result in one legion having 2 halves:
one half with pure roman units, and always the same composition
one half with allied units, which composition may very along certain lines depending on where the legion is operating.
On the laws receiving names: currently we have our laws numbered: edict 5.5;3.1 etcetera.
I would like to see the brilliant minds who conceived these laws, being rewarded for their efforts by naming those laws to them. That way, senators of the future will remember his name with respect.
For example Decimvs Cornelivs, if you would propose a law declaring that sessions in the senate should be held naked, the name of your law would be something like Lex Corneliae Nudus Senatus Mux"
(OOC: Mooks in Latin being Mux, I think it looks nice and latin :D)
1. Avlvs is in Epeiros, I'm Lvcvllvs as you could read before.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Celtic Viking
2. No, I just found his comment funny and laughed to bring a better mood into the curia. Now don't try to accusing me not to take the curia for serious. I do.
If you want a statement from me, as I said before: I think we should not be too bureaucratic, but in the end the rules have to be followed at any cost! If we urgently have to vote upon these new laws, then we should make an emergency session.
Though he's a cousin of my master I don't endorse Qvintvs threat to throw several Members of the Curia from whatever rock. But the "tyrant"-matter of some of you just is - as it always was - ridiculous and stupid.
Concerning the laws themselves: if the laws finally would be put to a vote, I would vote yes.
Have you further questions, my intelligence-bereft friend?
(OOC: the tarpeian rock was a cliff of whic roman citizens were thrown off as a death sentence on various occasions. Most notably, when obstructing a Tribune of the Plebs in his bussiness, he could orders the Plebs to throw you off there. Also when you used violance on a tribune of the plebs, you could count on being thrown off this cliff. I just wanted to add some historical flavour by using references to this fact.
Wiki for the ignorant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarpeian_rock . Not entirely complete info, but gives you an idea ;-) )
(OOC: Thanks, I know the tarpeian rock very well :yes: when I said "whatever rock" i meant, that you can't throw them from any rock at all, be it this certain one or another rock or cliff of your choice :beam: )
"Lvcvllvs, I have already apologized for my mistake, and explained it: whenever I hear a mindless fool talk, I automatically think Avlvs Aemilivs, but from now on I shall not be so hasty: it could be you too. I find it interesting how the one clown works for the other."
I trust you to recognise every mindless fool from the first minute, since you're one yourself. At least one improvement. Now there's a new title called "clown" besides the "king", "usurper", "tyrant". Let's see if we can teach you one more word until next week.
Very characteristic, that you again did only respond to the part you could say something stupid, and not to the rest I had to say about laws, throwing people from rocks and stuff
"I forget why I even bother talking to you; it's like fighting over a desert: you can do it, but it's just not worth the effort. I leave you to your tomfoolery."