The Magnaura

[OverKnight]

As Senators argue, a scribe leaves the chamber with a scroll in hand. A few minutes later, the doors of the Magnaura open, and the Basileus walks in among a phalanx of guards. Making his way to the foot of the Throne, he dismisses them and begins to speak.

Senators, it heartens me to see this antique body so alive again with debate. For too long have these halls been silent, with the title of Senator only being an honorific. I had hoped that by resurrecting this assembly, giving the Senate an actual voice in the running of the state, the passions of the noble families would be redirected to serving the Empire, to expanding it, rather than machinations surrounding the throne itself. Such self destructive manuevering has led to four Emperors and even more pretenders to the Throne in 10 years, and during that time we have lost much.

The Basileus's expression grows more resolute.

That time of chaos is at an end. The Basilea will no longer be a bauble to be passed about and the world will learn once again to fear and respect the Roman Empire. What has been lost will be recovered.

Yet we must tread carefully in the infancy of this Restoration. Potential enemies and rebels surround us. The roads of the Empire lie in ruins, markets in our cities are empty and barracks have fallen into disrepair. The military has not yet recovered from Manzikert and the subsequent civil wars. Our once unmatched trading network has collapsed, superceded by barbarians.

But there is hope. We are still unconquered. Many have tried to storm the Walls of Theodosius and failed. We are at war with no nation. We have breathing room to rebuild and bring rebellious settlements back into the fold.

The passion of this body is inspiring, yet it is also dangerous. If our reach exceeds our grasp, we will merely repeat the hubris and disaster of the past. The restoration of the Empire must begin in Greece, Anatolia and the Danubian frontier. Once the traditional heartland of the Empire has been reclaimed, then we can turn our eyes to far off horizons.

With regret, I must say that involvment in Italy or the Levant would be premature at this time. While Bari or Antioch could be taken, defending them would be another question entirely. The need for an extensive navy, the increase in our borders at the periphery of the Empire with no land connection and the increase in potentially hostile neighbors make these enterprises unfeasible considering the current state of our treasury and military resources.

Make no mistake, all the lands that once were ours will be again. Yet this will not be our task alone but for our sons and their sons as well.

My thanks to you Senators.

Aleksios sits on the Throne and awaits a response.