The Curia

[/Bean\]

Cotta, having listened with growing impatience to the recent senator remarks, stands again.

Senators, I fully agree with Caivs Aemilivs Mamercvs; how can we think of moving south with one legion when we have yet to finish in the north? I absolutely loathe to see our glorious republic prepare to purposefully and effectively stab our friends in the back! Is that what we have become so quickly? You talk of Sicily as if it were Roman by birthright. Under durress of war this pact may have been done, but how dare we not only break it once the war is finished, but we attack our once time allies. Shame on you, Senators of the Republic.

I fear that Avlvs Aemilivs Mamercvs may still have much to learn should he think that we can tackle the greatest naval power this world has to offer without a single ship and hope to win. Superior on land our armies may be. However, the Carthaginians employ vast swathes of mercenaries, horsemen and giant beasts. They are one of the greatest powers in the Mediterrainian. An attack on them now would be fruitless, unjustified, and shortsited.

Once more, I also fear my recent edict to extract an alliance with the grand city of Massilia may have been misinterprited, and has sparked off this terrible discussion on war in Italy. Rome is not safe, Senators. I feel almost ashamed that you believe we are impossible to attack. Have you all forgotten our troubles so far? How close we have come to extinction? I do not deny the power of our armies or the potential of our republic. But daily we face old threats from many who want to see us live no longer. We have many enemies, gentlemen. Let us not create more than we need.

To justify my recent proposal, I say that, with the imminent capture of Patavium, the north of Italia will be stronger. With the protection of the western passes through the Alps protected by an allied city state, we are almost completed safe by land. Only with the eventual capture of the Insurgbres (sp.) in Mediolanium will we be safe.

I beseech you, Senators. Strike where we can, fight on our terms where we are strong. North, not south.