The Will of the Senate - Senate Deliberations

[flyd]

Motion 1 authorizes the capture of the Carthaginian islands, while Motion 3 explicitly allows it. Both of these motions are somewhat redundant with Motion 5 (273), which does not explicitly forbid the capture of the Carthaginian islands. The motions have some redundancy, and even some contradiction.

For that reason, I move that Motions 1, 3, and 5 be stricken.

[Ignoramus]

I object. Motion 5 overides Motions 1 and 3. Motion 3b states: The Consul must devote the remainder of his term to strengthening our economic and military infrastructure. This motion does not limit the taking of Corsica and Sardinia. Taking Corsica has not strengthened our economic or military infrastructure. Instead, it has caused the Carthaginians to react violently, and we have already lost the town again.

[flyd]

Motion 5 does not override Motions 1 and 3. Motion 1 instructs and authorizes the Consul to capture the Carthaginian islands (among other things), while Motion 5 forbids conquest outside Gaul. The two motions are, therefore, contradictory. One does not override the other, all motions have equal weight.

If anything, Motion 1 should be given precedence, as it was proposed first, and also because it explicity addresses the issue of Carthaginian islands, while Motion 5 does not. If anything, you, Sextus Antio, are at fault for proposing a contradictory motion, and now even moreso by trying to get it enforced over another motion also passed.

[Ignoramus]

No, Motion 1 ought not be given preference. My messengers took a long time to travel from Parthia to Rome. The Senators voted for Motion 5 and so it stands. When proposed the motions, I had 4 influence, while Lucius Aemilius had 3. I was, and still am, Rome's finest diplomat, I ought to be heeded more than those who know nothing of diplomacy.

[flyd]

Senator, what you fail to realize is that the motions are not yours, or Aemilius', or anyone else's other than of the Senate as an entity itself. Once you propose a motion, it is outside of your influence, it becomes a Senate directive, or fails, and becomes nothing. A motion can be passed or not passed, there is no middle ground. All passed motions are just that, passed motions, and are as such, all equal.

In this case, there are two that are contradictory, and it is up the Senate to determine what the Senate really wanted to instruct the Consul to do. I proposed two things thus far:

1. That all motions involved be stricken, because they are contradictory.
2. That Motion 1 be given precedence as it was the first to be proposed, and as it is the only motion that explicitly addresses the issue at hand.

I believe these are both fair. The Consul was given unclear and contradictory direction, he cannot be blamed.

And lastly, I don't appreciate you trying to push a personal agenda through this house.

[Ignoramus]

Speaking OOC: You can't make Motion 1 stand just because it was proposed first. When Motion 1 was proposed, I was asleep!

I am not pushing a personal agena through, but Lucius Aemilius has disobeyed the Senate.

[Avicenna]

Senators, in view of the recent success of Legio III Sicilia Aemilia, I propose a renaming to Legio III Equestris Victrix, the victorious knights, in view of their deadly cavalry wing.

I also believe that Quintus, Roman among Romans, should withdraw from Sardinia and Corsica, in case of the utter destruction of his legion and himself with it at the hands of the baby eaters.

[Avicenna]

My friends, noble senators! It has come to my attention that our consul has attempted to expand to Sardinia and Corsica, while this is explicitly against the senate's demands. There are those who argue that the senate had ratified motion #1, which allows the annexing of this territory. However, do we really tolerate the breaking of even one motion? Why, if this is tolerable, we might as well not have motions at all, seeing how easily they can be broken! This is an outrage, and I demand that all Roman arms be pulled out of the islands immediately, for garrison duty in Italia.

[econ21]

[SENATE SPEAKER]: On the matter of the contradictory motions, I can merely remind the good senators of what I said nine years ago:

SENATE SPEAKER: The scribes also note that the voting procedures mean that it is logically possible for the Senate to approve two mutually exclusive motions. The paradox of voting, I believe the Greeks call it. Be wary of this, good Senators, for if the First Consul is given two incompatible directives, he will be more than justified in ignoring both!

[econ21]

[A letter from QUINTUS]:

Senators,

Forgive me for not appearing in person, but I am currently in the field in Corsica.

Before coming to business, I must congratulate Legate Laevinius for his heroic defence of the ford outside Massilia. He was vastly outnumbered - he had a mere legion, without an alae. And his foes included many fine fighters - gestatae and Chosen warriors. But Legate Laevinius won a crushing victory with only minimal loss. Princeps Senatus elect, I salute you!

All that said, I must turn to the more sombre reason for my writing. I take full responsibility for the loss of Aleria. I urged the First Consul to let me resume my march on Caralis. I did not forsee that the Carthaginians would so smartly move one of their armies by sea to strike at Aleria as soon as I vacated it. The enemy have outsmarted us and I, not our outstanding First Consul, am to blame.

As to the matter of my returning with my army to Italia, we will of course do so. After retaking Aleria and conquering Caralis.

Ave

Quintus

[SwordsMaster]

Senators! Please! *waits for silence* I have been silent for a long time, preferring the excitment of the hunt in Capuan lowlands, or teaching my son the art of rhetorics to the senatorial floor. But I believe matters have reached a stage where my contribution to the Republic can be appreciated once again.

Are we small children, senators? Do we decide one thing one day, and an opposite thing the day after? This is not the way of the senate. So I propose 2 motions:

I propose:

MOTION No senator may propose another motion unless he has read, understood and made sure the motion proposed is not contradicting any legislation already in place.


MOTION: If the senator believes it is necessary to overrule a motion that is valid and approved, he must propose a motion to invalidate it first, of the type "I propose motion <number, date> be invalidated" and then specify the motion that would be set up in its place.


This is all I want to say, Senators. I hope you see the wisdom in my words.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Senators,

My interpretation of the motions is the same as that of this wise legate Tiberius Coruncanius (FLYdude). It follow the directives of motion 1 and 3 because it explicity addresses the issue of Carthaginian islands. I will not take more territory from the Gauls in accordance with motion 5. If I recall the discussion around motion 5 was centered on how far into Gaul we would expand.

Our garrisons are now up to strength, as was indeed the one at Aleria. But it is obvious the Cartheginians with their ability for naval invasion can strike anywhere and anyplace and no garrison can stand against 1800 men. Now the Cartheginians have retaken one of their own towns I've ordered captured. We will retake it soon. If I did not take the fight to them it might wel have been Capua, or even Roma itself which we would be forced to recapture.

Therefore I will continue this course of action. Aleria will be recaptured and afterwards consul Quintus will again attempt to capture Caralis. Let us keep fighting the Carthegninians on their own soil instead of their own.

All our towns have decent garrisons. The Sicilian ones and the greek colonies and our northen border towns bigger ones. There is a legion stationed in Sicily, one in Souther Italy, the Legio II Sabina Quintia is stationed at our border with Illyria and Thrace, the Legio I Italia Victrix is stationed at our northern border with Gaul, the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia is stationed at our western border with Gaul. Our consular army is in Corsica.

OOC : Concerning speed, I am forced to wait on other players, who play as fast as they can. Some are living in the states, and with the time zone difference this is not helping us.

EDIT : I second the motions made by Swordsmaster.

[TinCow]

Senators, I understand both sides of this dispute. It is important that the will of the Senate be strictly upheld. To do anything less is to encourage tyrants. Yet, it is also important to make the best decisions for the welfare of Rome. In this case we are confronted with a legislative dilemma. Two clearly contradictory motions and a Consul who chose to obey one of them and not the other. Let us weigh the implications of this event on both areas of Republican interest and decide from there.

It is important to keep in mind that Senator Lucius Aemilius did not simply disregard the will of the Senate. He was confronted with two legislative motions and chose to follow one and disregard the other. While he exceeded the authority of Motion 5, he remained within the authority provided under Motion 1. This seems to me to be, at most, an error in reasoning on his part. He did not exceed his power, he merely exercised his power as he chose within an area not clearly defined by the Senate. Need I remind the Senate that nearly 78% of this body voted in favor of Motion 1, while only 61% voted in favor of Motion 5? The will of the Senate was certainly in favor of Motion 1. Regardless, Motion 5 has still be violated. However, Senators, please consider whether this violation appears to have been done specifically to exceed authority and abuse the Republic. I personally do not believe this to be so. It appears to me that Senator Aemilius believed he had the authority to engage in the island landings and thought he was fulfilling the will of the Republic. Is this the act of a tyrant? Is the an act that threatens the foundations of Rome? Conscript fathers, I do not believe so.

In determining whether a penalty should be exacted, we must weigh the impact to the Republic as a whole. It is our duty to ensure that Rome's best interests are always put first. Senator Aemilius has nearly completed his 5 year Consulship and has brought the Republic great successes. What would we gain by impeaching him or otherwise sanctioning him? We would be forced to appoint an interim Consul to complete the nearly exhausted Consulship and then have another election in a year. We would spend weeks, perhaps months, debating more political maneauvers at a time when the Republic is threatened by many strong enemies. Is it not our duty to improve the status of Rome? It seems to me that such lengthy political matters would distract us from governance and would weaken the people as a whole.

Senators, I do not say that we should ignore violations of legislation. What I say is that this particular incident is, at most, a minor problem that does not have its roots in tyranny or disloyalty of any kind. I believe that any attempts to sanction Consul Aemilius will serve to weaken the Republic rather than to secure it. Let us do one thing and one thing only; let us reprimand the Senate for our failure to make the will of the people clear. Conscript fathers, look into your hearts and then tell me this is not primarily a failing on our part. Let Consul Aemilius finish his term unmolested and let this body take greater care in its future legislation.

[Mount Suribachi]

Conscript Fathers, may I remind those of you who wish to prosecute Consul Aemilius that you are forbidden to do so until he has finished his Consulship and laid down his Imperium.

Then, and only then, can you bring forward a motion to prosecute him. If you manage to get 2 senators to second such a motion (which I doubt), then you may put it before the house for a vote.

A motion Conscript Fathers which I shall most certainly vote AGAINST!

[shifty157]

Mistakes such as these are the result of the senators who proposed them. Let this dispute be a lesson in the future that motions (especially when other motions concern the same topic) should be very specific and spell out exactly what the proposer intends. Do not rely on what is implied or assumed but make your motion concrete. No one can dispute words that are written but words that are unwritten can be disputed forever.

Personally I believe that Consul Lucius has remained well within the bounds the senate has placed for him.

[econ21]

[SENATE SPEAKER]: Order! Order! Senators, the reign of First Consul Lucius Aemilius draws to a close.

I trust that he will shortly update his First Consul report, but I can already relay that Quintus has retaken Aleria. The Consular I Army killed 1463 Carthaginians, including their faction heir and three other prominent generals. We suffered 132 casualties, but our surgeons restored about half of them to be fighting fit.

There remain a few matters that the First Consul's subordinates must attend to but they need not delay us. Quintus is about to storm Caralis, but it is lightly held. Legate Laevinus may be attacked again at the ford outside Massilia, but we can trust he will hold.

So, gentlemen, I propose to open this end-of-term session of Senate for the purpose of proposing motions and electing a new First Consul.

Motions may be tabled and candidates for First Consul declared until Wednesday 6pm UK time. At that point, voting will begin and close Thursday 6pm UK time.

In view of the confusion over past Senate motions, I am following Senator Swordmaster's advice and setting a restriction on new motions:

RESTRICTION: Where a motion contradicts existing legislation or a motion (let us call it motion number # from Senate session dated X) that has been tabled with two seconders, the new motion must begin "This motion invalidates motion number # from Senate session dated X"

If a motion does not have such a clause and is found to contradict an earlier motion that has passed, then the earlier motion will take precedence.

So, without further ado, let me invite Senators to propose motions and to submit manifestoes for the post of First Consul.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Let us begin by fixing an administrative detail.
As this is the fifth session of the senate, let us propose all motions in the form :

If propose new motion 5.1 which invalidates motion 2.3 bla bla.

So this new motion 1 invalidates motion 3 of the second session.

Otherwise, my lords, confusion will reign and the scribes might take their own lives in desperation.

[SENATE SPEAKER]: An excellent point - it is done!

[econ21]

[QUINTUS]: Senators, if I may begin this debate by saying two things.

Firstly, I wish to propose:

Motion #5.1: This House congratulates First Consul Lucius Aemilius on his successful conquest of Cisalpine Gaul, Massilia and the island settlements of Melte, Aleria and Caralis. It particularly appreciates the relatively low level of casualties suffered by our forces. It notes the generous role of the First Consul in providing opportunities for other members of the Lower House to give battle on Rome's behalf.

I believe this motion is self-evident, although members of the Upper House may not fully appreciate how collegiate and public-spirited the First Consul has been in assigning active field commands to generals other than himself.

Do I have two seconders for this motion?


Secondly, I wish to layout what I see as the strategic options for the next First Consul. We have four alternatives:

1) Consolidate - do not expand further
2) Invade Africa
3) Invade Gaul
4) Invade Greece

These alternatives - except the first - are not mutually exclusive. We could, and probably will have to, fight on two or more fronts. The alternatives are also not fully spelt out - do we invade to raid or to conquer, for example? But in broad terms, those are the key options we must consider.

You probably all know me well enough to recognise that I have no time for the first option. I will leave it to others to argue that case.

Instead, I wish to argue for the second option - an invasion of Africa. We have already crushed two full Consular sized Carthaginian armies. A third has evaded us and returned to Africa. These victories have given us an opportunity to strike at a weakened foe. If we hold now, we will give Carthage a chance to rebuild and all our efforts in Aleria and Caralis will have been wasted. Further, Carthage has shown itself to be a dangerous and very mobile foe. Who would have thought she would land three full Consular sized armies in Caralis? Certainly not I. What is she had landed them outside Roma? Who would have expected she could have wrong-footed us and seized Aleria from behind my back by a naval invasion? Senators, I regret we still do not have a navy. Our fleet can transport armies but cannot match the warships of Carthage or Greece. It is no more a navy than a host of fishing vessels is a navy. Carthage will be free to project force anywhere in Italy or the surrounding armies. It will be much more prudent to strike at her homelands and so deny her that force rather than to await its landing on our soil.

By contrast, I argue that Gaul is a much less formiddable foe. Thanks to Legate Laevinius's shrewd observation, we have identified Massilia as a most defensible chokepoint on their expansion. And indeed, thanks to the Legate's inspired leadership, we have seen how well true Romans can do against Gaulish attacks there. I submit that we can safely hold at Massilia. Or even drive into Gaul as we yet strike Africa.

The last possibility - to attack Greece - is, I believe, simply too risky and too unnecessary to consider seriously. It will require naval operations that may be perilous given the strength of the Greek navy. Even on land, Greece is a strong power but since she was expelled from Syracuse, she has taken no action against us. Greece at the moment is sleeping; let us not disturb her yet. Furthermore, campaigning in Greece will take us into the heartlands of the powerful Macedonians and risk dragging us into a fourth simultaneous war.

And so I propose:

Motion #5.2: This house instructs the First Consul to invade Africa with the aim of conquering the city of Carthage and her other settlements on the continent.

Do I have two seconders for this motion?

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

I'll second 5.2 if you will describe it as a punitative expedition, not an expedition of conquest. All settlements may be looted and exterminated, but not occupied.

EDIT : You forgot Massilia in motion 5.1. That's part of Gaul Narbonensis.

[SwordsMaster]

I'll second it if you will describe it as a punitative expedition, not an expedition of conquest. All settlements may be looted and exterminated, but not occupied.

Even such a thing is maybe too extreme for the moment.
I request an update of the maps in the Library. There is no way of knowing how our borders and meighbours have changed in the last few years, senators, except for those of us in the field. Which is, at least, discriminating, and at most insulting to the intelligence of those who have to make decisions without having enough information.

I propose the following, Conscript fathers:

Motion 5.3: Build a fleet. This means we need to support one. All possible improvements should be built in Italy to support a greater number of ships and soldiers.

Motion 5.4: Consolidate. We need roads. Walls. Armouries. Cities that cannot build walls, should be within 1 turns marching distance of a strongly garrisoned fort.


For our defence to be flexible, a legion must leave Rome and be in Rhegium by the end of the turn, or be in Medoilanum in the same amount of time. We need to pacify our neighbours, make ceasefires and trade rights with those who we will not fight in the immediate future.

[econ21]

[QUINTUS]: First Consul Aemilius, I believe it would be better if you proposed an alternative motion to 5.2, as that was clearly intended to be a mandate for conquest.

I would also note that extermination of settlements is an act so extreme that this house was constituted with a strict prohibition on its commission. Only reluctantly, did I consent to Carthage being exempted from that prohibition and indeed I have ammended motion 5.2 so that so severe a measure is not mandated. Carthage is a great city and a great prize - few other cities will ever rival its size or potential. To take and then abandon such a prize seems perverse.

Senator Swordsmaster, on motion 5.4, I believe much of Dalmatia is occupied by Macedon. As such I would class your proposal along with that of taking the war to Greece as a step too far at the current moment.

Also on motion 5.3, I would note that all settlements anywhere in the known world that are capable of having walls already have them in some form. The lack of defensible walls is a fact of geography, not a decision of ours.

[Avicenna]

Senator Quintus, what about Iberia? It is also a Carthaginian holding, and will be far more lightly held.

[econ21]

[QUINTUS]: I had not explicitly considered Carthaginian holdings in Iberia as a possible target. But they seem unattractive for three reasons:

(1) Distance: I believe we could transport an army by sea from Sicily to Africa with no risk of interception of our troops. I believe we could make a quick crossing from Lilybaeum to Carthage in one season. However, I am not sure that the same could be true of Carthaginian holdings in Iberia. I suspect we would have to put our army to sea several seasons and thus risk interception. And note that more than one landing is likely to be necessary, if our armies are to be continually resupplied.

(2) Threat: just as Carthage may be more heavily defended, so too it may generate more of a threat to us. For example, our spies have detected two Consular sized armies in Carthage, one recently returned from Sardinia. An advantage of striking at Africa is that we will rout these armies, ending the potential threat they pose to Sicily and beyond. If we head into Iberia, it is possible those armies in Africa will again set sail for the islands or our mainland settlements.

(3) Opportunity: I believe Iberia and Carthage are at war. It might be best to let them fight it out in Iberia, while we take Africa. If we enter Iberia, we may find ourselves frustrated by Spanish forces or even blunder into war with them. By contrast, in Africa, we would only have the Carthaginians to contend with. (The Numidians may intervene, I suppose, but the harsh geography means that Egypt's large armies are unable to cross the desert coast road to Africa).

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Honourable senators,

My reign is almost at an end. The date is spring 270 BC.
The legate Publius Laevinus (Shifty157) and the Legio III Sicilia Aemilia are attacking a target of oppertunity and will then retreat to the river crossing near Massilia. I expect the Gauls to perhaps mount a retaliation attack, but that has no chance of succeeding.
The consul Quintus (econ21) has completed the conquest of the Cartheginian islands.

My goals for expansion have been (narrowly) completed. Massive investments have been made in trade, growth, integration and especially into infrastructure. The whole of Italy and Sicily have been covered with roads. We have a small transportation fleet, enough to transport one praetorian legion at once. Our army strength is near optimal, five praetorian legions (three official) and one consular army. Our towns and cities are well garrisoned.
Our enemies have suffered huge losses in men and land. Our only enemy with more troops in the field than us at the moment are the Greek cities. Our borders are as secure as we can make them. Our revenue has increased substantially, but the costs of our armed forces has increased even more, so yet more investments into trade and infrastructure remain of paramount importance.
On all fronts we have made great advances. This would never have been possible without the able assistance and zeal of such notable men as the soon-to-be legate Augustus Verginius (TinCow), the tribune Publius Pansa (Glaucus), the legate Tiberius Coruncanius (FLYdude) and the aformentioned legate Publius Laevinus (Shifty157) and consul Quintus (econ21). But just as I, these outstanding men have only come this far because they were carried by our most valued treasure, the Roman people itself. I dedicate my succes as acting first consul to them.

I will hold on to my lictors for a little longer, to settle the last affairs of state to my satisfaction while this noble house discusses the merits of the men who will take up the burden of my office.
And lords, it is a heavy burden ! As this is, thank the gods, a republic, you will never please all these men you see here. Indeed, sometimes there will not be a solution to problem that will satisy anyone. I wish wisdom on the man whose shoulders are strong enough to dare to carry this great responsiblity. I also call on you to step forward and make yourself known by publishing a manifesto.

I will leave you now, to settle the last details of my reign, but later on I will make my views known on the future course of the Republic of Rome, and I will give specific details on our situation


The world as we know it - Spring 270 BC

The last (almost finished) section of my final report to the senate

[TinCow]

[Senate Librarian]

Senators, while only a single season yet remains in Consul Aemilius' term, we all know that many things can change in such a time. It seems imprudent and a potential waste of time to prepare a full report on the state of the Republic until such time as the Consul has finally completed the last of his duties. I assure you that when this occurs, the Library records will be fully updated with all information necessary for this body to make its decisions.

[Glaucus]

Motion #5.2: This house instructs the First Consul to invade Africa with the aim of conquering the city of Carthage and her other settlements on the continent.

I approve of this motion, and fully support the bit invloving permentantly garrisoning Carthago after it is conquered. Carthago is a large city, and the flower of the Carthaginian nation. To take it and leave once it is crushed would be asking for Carthage to rebuild itself and fight another day. We should drive the Carthaginians out of Afrika forever, so they may never again pose a threat to us like they do now. I propose a modified clause, so that Motion 5.2 reads: Motion 5.2:

Motion #5.2: This house instructs the First Consul to invade Africa with the aim of conquering the city of Carthago, Utica, Hippo Regius, Thapsus and Hadrumentum.

From there we may choose to lay off the Afrikans, or take other settlements in Afrika.

[econ21]

[QUINTUS]: I am grateful for your support, Senator Pansa and will amend motion 5.2 accordingly. I now need one other seconder and two seconders for motion 5.1.

Senate librarian, the First Consul may correct me, but I believe this season (Spring 270 BC) is his last. You are wise to wait to see what time will bring before amending the library. However, other Senators should be assured that they may debate now. We merely await news from Legate Laevinus and any word of our rivals' moves, then it will be next First Consul who leads us in Summer 270 BC.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Consul Quintus is correct.

Please, let worthy candidates step forward !

The burden of this office has wearied me beyond belief.
Will no man take pity and take this burden from me ?
If not for me ? Then do it for the people. Rome needs a strong leader. I need some time to recuperate from all the demands on my person.

[TinCow]

Senators, here we stand, five years on and yet much the same. Thanks to the great efforts of the Roman people, this body and most significantly Consul Aemilius, Roman borders are safer now than they have ever been. The Italian peninsula has been united under Republican rule and for the first time in history we have little to fear from foreign attacks on beloved Rome herself. In the north, the mighty Alps screen our provinces, providing a barrier to all who would seek to attack us. In the south and the west, Sicily, Malta, Corsica and Sardinia have been brough under our control, screening us from Punic naval threats. Yet, this security has cost us dearly.

It was only five years ago that many of you spoke out with me to protest the abominable state of our economy. At that time, our infrastructure was minimal, our Italian allies unprepared for war and our income was barely sufficient to fund domestic expansion. Our estimates then put seasonal treasury income at a mere 10,000 dinarii. Conscript fathers, I note now that our current income is now barely 5,000 dinarii per season. Despite 10 years of constant warfare, of the Italian allies we have gained, a mere two, Arretium and Paestum, are capable of providing us with auxilia. Of our eight newly acquired provinces, not a single one has even begun development of a road network. The noble Senator Publius Laevinus stands guard, preventing the Gallic hordes from gaining access to our territories, but in our current state it takes six seasons, a year and a half, for reinforcements to reach him from Rome.

Yet, for all of this the foremost cries are for more conquests, more armies, more expenditures and less development. These men may give lip-service to the need for greater internal investments, but they are ignorant to the fact that 5,000 dinarii is not sufficient to allow both military campaigning and the level of domestic development that is needed to ensure the future of the Republic. These men want personal glory and care not whether it comes at the expense of starving Roman children and broken bath houses.

We need massive amounts of domestic development of infrastructure and trade to allow for the future prosperity of the Republic. Yet the exertions of the past 5 years have dwindled treasury income to the point where we can no longer even raise sufficient sums to fund the necessary projects. Simply put Senators, we are nearing bankruptcy.

So, how are we to escape from this dire situation? Clearly we must cease expansion and divert all efforts towards internal matters. Yet, as I mentioned before, we do not have the means to pull ourselves up on our own. We need extra injections of income from foreign sources. Despite the best efforts of our diplomats, the Greek and Carthaginian ports remain closed to us. No nation will aid us, even if we wanted such aid. We must take the necessary funds for ourselves. Occupation and annexation of provinces only returns profitable rewards after long-term investment. We do not have the means to commit to such long-term investment. As such, occupation and annexation of further provinces is foolish beyond measure. Yet, spoils of war cost us nothing.

Senators, if you elect me Consul, I will ensure that the Republic is domestically organized so as to maximize all means of income. I shall invest that income back into the Republic to strengthen us and ensure our future. In addition, I will personally lead an expedition with a single Consular size army to ravage the Gallic territories. I shall kill the beasts, burn their cities, take their wealth and leave the wasteland behind. I shall journey from one end of Gaul to the other, killing all that I see and sending the profits back to Rome to aid in our development. Not a single city that I take shall I endeavor to hold. Not a single unnecessary dinarii will I spend on occupying worthless territory.

Now, I hear some of you ask why I would aim this dagger at the poor Gallic provinces when Greece and Carthage are also our enemies and far richer. First, I must remind you that despite the current conflicts, the Greek and Punic people are civilized and can be reasoned with. It would be proper to enslave their people when we defeat them, but true spoils of war only come when the population itself is obliterated. The Gauls are not people; they are beasts. Killing a Gaul is no different from killing a wolf. They are pests, and not worthy of the respect due to civilized people. For the Greeks, their territory is fractured and dispersed between the possessions of their Macedonian allies. An attack on Greece would likely provoke war with the might of Macedon, a move that would surely risk the security we have so dearly won. For the Carthaginians, their territory can only be reached by sea, they possess many mighty fleets, and we have yet to build even a single ship of a class greater than Ligth Aphracts. Any attack would be at risk of interception at sea, a contest we cannot hope to win. Even upon a successful landing, the Punic armies are strong. Their defeats in Corsica and Sardinia may have injured them, but their military might as nearly as strong as our and we would be facing them at the seat of their power.

Gaul, on the otherhand, has been defeated. Their armies have been destroyed; their territories are defenseless. Whatever forces they may manage to throw in our way, they will be composed of poorly trained and equipped men. A single Consular force could ravage their entire nation. Of their allies, only Illyria and Thrace are currently at peace with us. The Illyrians are nearly extinct under the constant attacks from the Macedonian empire and they would never have the power to turn on us, even if they wished to do so. The Thracians control vast territories, but their armies are weak, and they are fully engaged in the north against the Germans and in the east against the Macedonians. They could not challenge us even if they wished to.

Rome must strengthen herself from within. Rome lacks the funds which to make the necessary investments. There is no risk in ravaging Gaul. There is no dishonor in ravaging Gaul. Vote for me. Vote for Augustus Verginus. I shall pave our provinces with Gallic bones and water our fields with Gallic blood.

Motion 5.5: For the duration of the 270 - 265 Consulship only, the Consul may massacre any Gallic settlement he wishes and knock down all barbaric religious structures, provided that the settlement is abandoned after the deed is done.

[TinCow]

[QUINTUS]: I am grateful for your support, Senator Pansa and will amend motion 5.2 accordingly. I now need one other seconder and two seconders for motion 5.1.

As my manifesto makes clear, I vigorously oppose any attempts to sieze African territories. However, I will gladly endorse motion 5.1.