The Magnaura

[deguerra]

Ioannis nods approvingly and finally stands to speak himself

I agree entirely with Alexios and Tiverios. That said, I hereby declare war on Methodios Tagaris. I do so entirely unconvinced that war is in any way, shape or form the best course of action and with the strongest appeal to both parties to solve this conflict in a diplomatic fashion. We are Romans, after all, not barbarians or heathens.

I declare war because I believe in the laws of this Empire, and the laws of this Empire, as Apioannas has correctly stated, were broken by Methodios Tagaris. Basileos Ioannis does not have a clean track record with regards to laws, but that is not a matter that needs consideration now. Nor are matters of love and emotion, as Savvas correctly pointed out, even though I too suspect that they are the underlying currents of this conflict.

But I will not judge matters on suspicion and I will not apply law on personal feelings. I will apply law to facts, and the fact is that Methodios' actions were illegal under the laws that we, the Senate of the Roman Empire created. Without these laws there is no Roman Empire and if we start letting emotions and personal grudges get the better of our judgment then we are crafting our own downfall. As far as my application of law is concerned, Methodios is guilty and my declaration of war is the correct response.

Beyond that, however, the law requires naught of me, and I remain increasingly hesitant to follow my declaration with deeds, encourage others to actively wage war or even support those who will seek to do so.

Rather, and this is my initial point, I would like to instruct Nevoulas as the man in charge of Asteri building and recruitment to notify the Megas Logothetes Pavlos, and may I congratulate him on his victory and voice my support in these difficult times, that neither Athens nor Thessaloniki will be available for recruitment of soldiers for the duration of this war and that their taxes should be set to low until further notice. Furthermore, I encourage the other members of House Asteri, our close allies in House Tagmata and indeed all other land-owning Senators to do the same.

With regards to an Emergency session, I have to say I do not think that anybody has the power to call one, nor do I really deem one necessary at this point in time.

Upon hearing Ioannis' latest words, Ioannis (:P)frowns

Basilos, with all due respect, let's not have this get out of hand. And I would like to be included on the list of those rebuked.