The Curia

**mini** · 03-09-2009, 09:30

"Thriumphus? What spoils of war are there to show that would justify a Triumphus?" asked Publius Norbanus from the tribunician bench?

**/Bean\** · 03-09-2009, 09:46

Spoils of war, Senator? This man is responsible for the conquering of Illyria and the death of Roma's most hated enemy, and all you want is money? Shame on you! Quaestor Caivs Avrelivs is well known for always distributing the spoils of victory fairly amongst his men and officers, before he himself then donates his share to the people. If you want money, go and kill the Epirites yourself!

**SwissBarbar** · 03-09-2009, 09:58

It's unbelievable. One could conquer Hades and still the senatores in this Curia would not rejoice. "Where's the proof?" What a stupid question is this? You say a Quaestor of Roma is a liar? Thousands of soldiers are witnesses and YOU want Pyrrhos head as a present, as if it was a pece of jewelry!

What more, than defeating one of the most fearsome enemies, who brought much despair upon our people and caused the death of thousands of men, WHAT MORE has one to do to earn your respect and appreciation?

**mini** · 03-09-2009, 10:11

Publius Norbanus rose indignantly
"First of all, I am an elected Tribune of the Plebs. And as you said, I also am a Senator. And I will not tolerate any mongrel addressing me in such way, no matter whom sent you nor whatever message you carry." He said in a haughty way.

"Second of all, you misunderstand my question. I do not ask for money. As many faces here present could tell you, of money I have plenty. Hear my words well, and learn from them.
A triumphus is not made to blow a generals trumpet. A triumphus is not granted to glorify the victor. A triumphus is granted for one reason only: the general gets to show his spoils during the parade to the People of Rome.
Why, you ask? For this reason: by showing spoils we show the lowly what a profitable bussiness war can be when you're Roman. We show them why we go to war. Why we spill the lives of their sons. Then they can see it was not in vain, that Rome became the richer for it. It shows how mighty the enemy nation was, how rich they were and Roma bested them anyway.
The same thing with enemy generals and conquered kings. We show them in our parade to grant the People a vision of what a mighty enemy we have conquered.

Therefore, I ask you again: what spoils are there to show? What have we conquered except some fishermen villages?
Triumphus' are not to be given lightely. Think about that fellow senators before contemplating this request."

With one loud sniff for the messenger, Norbanus sat down again

*OOC: I rp'ed that there are still several tribunes elected that are in rome unlike my character. That way I can roleplay anything to do with tribunes of the plebs while my char is not in Roma IC. This might be a good precedent for future tribunus plebis :) that way there are always tribunes of the plebs in the senate, while the actual ingame avatars are not in rome :)*

**/Bean\** · 03-09-2009, 10:24

So the people know that war is profitable? A few fisherman's villages? Not to be given lightly? This is ludricous!

My general has always sent his share of his profits to the people of Roma. They profit daily from his excertions, yet they rarely see the man, to thank him, praise or whatever. He is stuck on the otherside of the sea because you Senators will not allow him to return in any state but one of apology. Apology for what? Doing what none of you could do yourself no less.

Let none of you forget this is the man who directed the subjigation of the Illyrian kingdoms. No matter how difficult you believe this task to have been, it has been done. It has shown Caivs Avrelivs' capabilities and understanding. They were no mere fishermen's villages, Tribune. For that I can vouch for, having been in the thick of it myself. I doubt you would understand.

And as for lightly, I think I have already answered that outrageous statement. Nearly ten years of his life Caivs Avrelivs has given to this task. He has sent his share of the spoils to the people of Roma every time. He has subjigated, with help of course, the kingdoms of Illyria, has defeated numerous forces of the Epirites sent to retake those lands, and has killed the most feared enemy Roma had. If that is classed as light, then shame on you, for being too jealous that you will not reward victorious generals.

**mini** · 03-09-2009, 11:01

"This is the last time I will waiste my time on you. You are a messenger, you have delivered your message so now you can be gone and deliver the senate's answer to your master.
If he wants a triump, he should issue his formal request to the senate, which will contemplate this with the attention it deserves and put it to the vote. And now be gone you lowborn scum before I have the lictors remove you for obstructing me in my duty."

**/Bean\** · 03-09-2009, 11:07

I am no mere messenger, Tribune. I am the Prefect of the Legio II Latium, the most experienced soldier in the whole damn army behind the Prefect of the First. I am no lowborn either, my family having resided on the Palantine for several generations. So it may do you good to keep your foul mouth shut in future.

The messenger stalks out before any answer can be contemplated.

**mini** · 03-09-2009, 11:09

Norbanus is heard to sniff something about ranker soldiers and their pretensions, and some supressed sniggles by the rest of the tribunes of the plebs on the tribunician bench down in front.

**SwissBarbar** · 03-09-2009, 11:13

Messenger! Lvcvllvs shouted. If you deliver this message, please tell your master that it is NOT a message from the senate but a message from Publius Norbanus. I don't know how he even can think that he represents the meaning of the whole curia. Oh, and greetings to Qvintvs Aemilivs, I am curious how he, as one of the Tribunes of the Plebs, thinks about this matter concerning his adoptive father, of whose family he's part of now.