S.P.Q.R. - Flight of the Eagle: Romani AAR

[mini]

272BC Spring.

A pleasant breeze touched the scarse scalp of hairs on his head. In front of him stood Publius Cornelius, consul of the year, giving a speech about how illegal Gnaues Cornelius Blasio was running things in Arretium. With an inward sigh he took in the faces of the backbenchers. Cornelius was winning them over.
It took him but a small effort to keep his peace for the moment, Manius Curius was no fool. Cognomened Dentatus because he was said to be born with teeth, Manius Curius maybe was a New Man but the First Man in Rome indeed. It was he who finished the Samnite Wars, and he who gave the famous Phyrrus of Epirus a run for his money. Although he was military adept enough to not call it a victory, he knew he had made it nearly impossible for Phyrrus to maintain his campaign on Italian soil. Consul 3 times, and now censor.
It seemed like ages ago.
‘Time is running out on me’ he thought while putting up a mild expression of interest on his face, just enough to let others believe he was truly listening to the ongoing Publius Cornelius.

He was more than happy to step aside as first man in Rome, putting up the title for whoever was able to grasp it. Not an official office by any means, being First Man in Rome meant that the man stood as a power of his own. His auctoritas and dignitas were so immense he stood above his peers, able to sway the senate his way purely on his own. Romes history hasn’t known many who could truly call themselves the First Man, but Manius Curius was one of them.
In the meanwhile the senior consul was about to end his oration. Better to his move before the consul would ask to see a division.

“If I may have the floor?” Manius Curius said, rising. After a short nod from the consul, obviously not pleased, his old bones descended to the floor of the Curia Hostilia, home and heart of the Senate.
“I thank the senior consul for his magnificent speech on how a magistrate should run his city, I think for the more inexperienced senators among us a learning speech. However, on the subject of Gnaeus Cornelius our senior consul comes with little evidence. To my best of knowledge –and I have campaigned with the man enough to be a reliable source- Blasio is a thrustworthy man. Therefor it comes difficult to me to hear all these allegations and believe them. As far as my sources in Arretium tell me, Blasio is fulfilling his term quite legally, nothing reprehensible. Not that it matters. I remind all of you that no imperium can be removed of a man while his term is still going. Therefor I ask an immediate cease of this discussion.” He looked around, noted many approving faces.

Before he could continue however, a messenger stormed in, outmanoeuvring the lictors guarding the entrance of the Curia, whose gates where opened cause the senate was meeting in an open session.
“Consul, I bring magnificent news!” thundered the messenger while striding towards the center of the Curia and up to Dentatus. What joy to bring this historic news and actually come close to one of Romes greatest!
“Phyrrus has sailed the Adriatic, back to Epirus, in order to wage war on Macedon!”

A huge murmer arose among the senators. Wonderful news indeed. The messenger said Tarentum was left to mercenaries for defence.
Publius Cornelius, awfully aware his case of accusing Blasio was about to go nowhere, took the opportunity to come out with his dignitas unharmed and spoke.

“I move that Manius Curius takes what’s left of the consular legions, Legio I, to march to Tarentum and remove the Epirote presence in Italy forever. None can say Manius Curius hasn’t fought a brilliant war against Phyrrus, but he has yet to gain a true victory against the Epirotean forces. Therefor I say let’s grant him this chance to get that victory!”

‘Oh, well played’ thought Manius Curius while the house erupted in frantic cheers and stamping of feet. ‘You saved your face from humiliation today, and in one swift move you removed your biggest adversary in your quest to bring down poor old Blasio.’


Dentatus had no choice but to accept. When asking the house for the Legio IV under Blasio’s command up north in Arretium, the house declined his request. The northern border should stay guarded. Dentatus would have to conquer Tarentum with a mere legion, 3300 men strong.