The Curia

[Mooks]

"Excuse me? But if you had any sense of things you wouldn't put words in my mouth fool! I didnt say Legio III would march for Patavium. Just to march north. That could mean Massalia, Mediolanium, or anywhere else for that matter. Mind your tongue!"

Yes Basileus.

*Scipio sits down. The rest of the senate realizing they have a new king*

[Tiberius Claudius Marcellus]

Tiberius Claudius Marcellus carefully observes Tribunus Scipio from the corner of his eye and their glances meet. Much is said in that brief connection. Surely this new tension with the Dictator could not bear well for Legio III Campania. He considers saying something to calm everyone involved but thinks better of it. Tiberius would let this game play out a while longer.

[Potocello]

Servivs Longvs stands to address the senators. He pauses, and prepares himself for what he is about to say.

"Noble dictator, please excuse my Tribvnvs he is a good man and means well. But perhaps a march north would not be best for the Legio III Campania. The Legio III Campania is not pleased with the idea of going north and we feel that the means do not justify the ends and continued conquest north would not be in Roma's favor. We have lost too much in the northern campaign, we do not want more Roman blood spilled at the hands of those naked barbarians. And for what? The lands in the north are hard, tough, cold, and the natives will do anything to keep us out.

This is why I propose, with the support of the Legio III Campania, that instead of sending us north, send us east to besiege and take Sparte. There, we will crush the weak and divided Greeks and establish shipping routes from the provinces that favor Roma. In Greece we shall find fertile soil as well as profitable shipping routes which expand all throughout the Mediterranean. By taking Greece we would tap into the wealth and culture of the east.

Consider the benefits of this, senators, provinces in Greece would be very profitable for Roma. Send me with the Legio III Campania to Greece."

Servivs sits down waiting for the debate to commence.

[Mooks]

*Scipio sees Mercellus, and concluded that he needs to be less hostile. No need to get everyone against him. He listens intently to Servus, and decides to support it, for nothing bad can come of it and only good can be reaped*

*Scipio stands up*


I second this proposal. Though not out of cowardice. The Gauls are mighty foes, and worthy enemies on the battlefield. I will personally congratulate any of the senators here if they go to fight with such a foe, and will vote yes on a triumph if they are victorious.

The greeks in the east are divided, and weakend. Not only that, but they are openly hostile to our merchants. Our ships are booted out of their harbors only because trade between them and the rest of the easterners are deemed more important.

I reccomend changes to my commander's proposal. We setup friendler goverments in their cities. People willing to trade and communicate with Rome, people who will be our eyes and ears in places away from Rome. Let them govern themselves, but with Rome's friendly shield protecting them, and them giving us tribute.

(OOC client kings).

*Deciumus Cornelius Scipio takes his seat. The senate is silent, whether about to agree or shout down the proposal; Scipio does not know*

[Potocello]

*Scipio stands up*


I second this proposal. Though not out of cowardice. The Gauls are mighty foes, and worthy enemies on the battlefield. I will personally congratulate any of the senators here if they go to fight with such a foe, and will vote yes on a triumph if they are victorious.

The greeks in the east are divided, and weakend. Not only that, but they are openly hostile to our merchants. Our ships are booted out of their harbors only because trade between them and the rest of the easterners are deemed more important.

I reccomend changes to my commander's proposal. We setup friendler goverments in their cities. People willing to trade and communicate with Rome, people who will be our eyes and ears in places away from Rome. Let them govern themselves, but with Rome's friendly shield protecting them, and them giving us tribute.

(OOC client kings).

*Deciumus Cornelius Scipio takes his seat. The senate is silent, whether about to agree or shout down the proposal; Scipio does not know*

"Your changes are appropriate, Scipio, let them be added to the proposal.

Let it be known that i too do not want to go to Greece out of cowardice. I have fought in the north under Asina and i know the challenges each Roman faces when fighting in the north and i respect any that does. I just think that lives are being wasted with continuous conquest in the north while Greece remains open. I beseech you senators, send the Legio III to Greece.

[navarro951]

Blasio remains seated, with a puzzled, but interested look on his face...

"Your plan is sound, and I carry no grudge against your Tribune let us pass that. But I think invading Greece is a near impossibility. We have just sent diplomats on a two year voyage all the way to Asia minor. We haven't the money for a navy to get our troops their. And besides the Hellons were all kind to us, Makedonia, the Koinon Hellenon, the Selecuids, and the small kingdom of Pontos all granted us trade rights and their map information of the world. It seems all that would be a waste if we just march our legions through new found friends.

Only Phyrros, who is my standing rival in this world, would I consider to attack. My mentor and father figure, our great Dictator Dentatvs, pushed the idea of peace with the Epirotes and focus on economic prosperity here in Roma. But, while I don't disagree with filling our coffers, I only spoke for Dentatvs but do not feel the same. I will listen to the debate on this topic, an emergency council may be needed, but I stand firm and will only cast my vote towards re-inviting the bloodshed of vile Epirote soldiers."

Remaining seated, Blasio opens the floor for discussion and nods toward Legatus Longvs.

[Mooks]

*Senator Scipio rises, obviosly knowing what the dictator was going to say. Perhaps he already knows what most people are going to say and has planned responses for them?*

Invading Greece is not a near impossibility. We shall 'borrow' what transports we need from our merchant class. Of course we will compensate them for it, but they should be happy about it! We are expanding their profits 10 fold, for the markets of Greece are more numerous then Italia.

The easterners gave us trade rights like they would infants candy. Us romans are not a seafaring culture, and they know that. There is barely any room in their harbors for the ships we do have! They get their olive oil and wine from other places.

Please senators, realize this opportunity! The Greeks and Macedonians are now as we speak engaged in a fierce war. The Hellens army will be experianced, but depleted. Legio 3 has complete confidence in itself for quick and decisive victorys. If you send the legio III to Greece, our coffers will refill, the slave markets will refill, our ships will travel farther then they have ever gone before. How long have we gone without a scraping the bottom of the barrel that is the treasury? How long have we went without greeks to tutor and educate our young sons of Rome? Too long I say.

*Scipio sets down abruptly.*

(OOC me and marcellus posted at the same time. Hate when that happens)

[Tiberius Claudius Marcellus]

Tiberius could not believe his ears, it was all happening so fast. Tiny beads of sweat broke out at his hairline and he downed a cup of water while he gathered his bearings. Now the Legatus had shown his hand along with Tribunus Scipio. Two senators, though commanders of a Legion, would not be enough to convince the Dicator and the other members of the Curia that Greece should be the new jewel that Roma set its eyes toward. This would require rhetoric and solidarity of an unparalleled level. They were confident that there were two more senatores who would side with them on this issue; but there would certainly be opposition, mainly from those in command of Legio I and II. Tiberius could only hope that the plans laid out during the discussion he had had at dinner with Scipio were in place.

He stood up, cleared his throat and began,

"Senatores, it is with great respect and humility that I address this legislative body as not only a seasoned senator, but also as a Tribunus and Second in Command of the Legio III Campania. As you well know, though a member of the Gens Claudia my family hails from Tarentum for the past three generations. While Latin, we have great ties to the Hellenes in culture, language, and many other ways of life. Allow me the honor of addressing the advantages of sending the Legio III Campania into Hellas in stead of journeying to the north.

"First and foremost, the Res Publica has two separate Legions already campaigning in that territory. While there is yet work to be done, the peoples of that land have not proven to be united enough to be a threat to us in recent times. Other than garrison duty or defense against an unprecedented well-coordinated invasion from a combined force of both Gallic tribes and possibly even their northern Germanic neighbors, there is nothing that would require a third Legio to be sent to the north. It is highly dubious that the uncultivated lands could even support several extra thousands of fighting men for any sustained period of time without depriving the citizens and the local inhabitants of the towns that we seek to bring into our fold. Surely that would not make them feel amicably towards us, their new masters?

"Additionally, allow me to speak of the pro-Romani attitudes of many of the Hellenes on the Occidental coast of Hellas. Having been raised in a Hellenic town until my family - well-connected merchants, mind you - aided the spy sent into Tarentum by the Senate several years ago, I am very well versed and still up-to-date in on these matters. Romani culture, goods, religion, and law are all exported to the Greek isles with each ship that reaches their ports, and I attest that those are in an ever-increasing demand. While our forces would undoubtedly be forced to fight some battles, there are many amongst the countryside who would aide us in our fight. Verily, once the local population centers are captured, it would take little coersion to supplant the Hellenic government with one that was decidedly pro-Roman.

"With these friendly governments joining our ranks, the more stubborn of the cities would be weakened considerably while our own coffers and legions were strengthened. The fertile lands of Hellas also provide us the benefit of being rather close together in the mountainous terrain. Once a city was captured, it would be less than a season's march to lay seige to the walls of the next. This geography would speed our total control of the region, which, once properly subjugated, would enrich the Res Publica tenfold. We would then have enough denarii and able-bodied men to take on Carthago full-on, as well as advance into Gaul, and have forces ready to defend against any incursions from Aegyptus who have their eyes set upon the Greek jewel as well."

Tiberius takes a moment to down another cup of water and continues,

"Senatores, the lands to the north of Italia are exceedingly vast, frozen wastelands inhabited by viscious savages and unpenetratable forests. Even if all three armies were sent north they would become separated and subject to ambush from any amount of roaming savages. Our men would most assuredly suffer unnecessary casualties from exposure during the long, harsh, and unforgiving winters as our supply lines would undoubtedly be constantly harassed and intercepted by the enemy. Is that the fate you would send the sons of the Res Publica to? I should hope not. There will be a time when the whole of Europa will fall under the rule of the Senate; but men of Roma, this is not yet that time.

"I thank you for your attention and implore you once more, let Legio I and II finish pacifying the lands south of the Alps and consolidate their holdings. They have bled much and are in much need of a well-deserved rest. Let them begin to raise families in these new territories and Romanize them. Legio III Campania is more than capable and ready and willing to head to Greece, with the permission of the Senate, of course, and bring greater glory, wealth, slaves, and fighting men into our armament!"