The Will of the Senate - First Consul reports

[econ21]

[NB: POSTED BY LUCJAN]:

(OOC -Spring 254 BC)
Spring, there are no seperation of days in this wretched country...

Never before have I been to such a horrid place. My initial opinions of the land, as we looked out across the golden coast near Lepcis Magna, has become, over the past few seasons, quickly overshadowed by the worthlessness of the land away from the shore and utter treachery of the weather itself. Never before have I felt so compelled to curse the gods for creating land, but this place, this desert, this is not the work of the gods, this is the work of something else. Something evil had a hand in this. Day after day, the legion is whipped, like base traitors, on their backsides, on their faces, from all fronts by an enemy not even Rome can defeat. We seem punished by the gods! But no, these are not Roman gods that would create such a place. A place where the sand itself leaps up in terrible, stinging, razor sharp waves to eat at men's flesh and suckle the meat from his bones. The Berbers and Numidians have taught us much in countering this foe. But I curse them still. I curse them for worshipping such a god that would attack them with the sand they walk on. OH! And then leave him with no water, or food! The senate did not do the proper work necessary when they decided to take this land. The gods whip you here, then they starve you, then they leave you, lieing in the sand, staring upon the hot sun, bereft of water, only to make you have to draw it from a plant they have barbed with pointy needles to keep you from it! I condemn these gods, may Mars lead ours to war against them and turn this land into a happy place, a wondrous place, something like Rome, or..dare I say it even Greece! Carthage must be destroyed, if not only to see that these terrible gods can never be worshipped again. I fear what could happen to Rome if their worship were to spread there. But even that is not an easy task I fear. The intention was always to draw the Carthy armies away from their man concentration of cities, but these wretched gods seem to have given them a fleet of foot, they move faster than we had anticipated, even with the despicable terrain. Our situation looks bleak, but I will, I swear it, make it out of this terrible place alive, oh, I will, and Carthage will pay a HEAVY price for trying to surround me here, attempting to make me die here. They will pay the dearest price...

Luckily, their generals have not felt the same swiftness of foot that their lesser men have..and after unloading a few Libyan spearmen from our fleet offshore, I think we have a strong chance at striking them with a few grave losses from the rear. The spearmen are few in number, but a strike at Thapsus will find the death of one of their generals, who, hopefully will call for relief from the other stationed a short march from the settlement, who we will also catch off guard and relieve of his life. As for myself...I must consult my advisors very, very seriously. I have the option of returning north, where we will undoubtedly be caught by at least one of their armies, or march further into the sands of the vile place these men call their home.

Though, through my torture, I head our other senators have gained relief. This distraction of Carthage has allowed our armies and navy to begin a reorganisation, and reinforcements to be sent eastwards under Manius Coruncanius, rather than to this horrid place. I am actually, very pleased with our progress there.

Two seasons ago, in one fell swoop, we managed to eradicate or displace all of the Seleucid armies within Europe, taking, as well, the lives of three of their highly skilled generals. The only man of any significant skill they have remaining in the west of their empire is that beast, that Molon. I am sure he is responsible for this standoff he has created. Attempting, perhaps to stave off our attacks in hopes of receiving reinforcements from the east. It will not work. I have consulted Numerius and Tiberius, their will be an eastern push. Numerius is to attack the army stationed outside Abydos and, if possible, directly afterwards take the settlement itself. There has been a strong suggestion for Pergamon to be the first city taken, but I do not agree. I could not allow the possibility of an army slipping past us during the first season of the siege and managing to reconquer Maronia, I am unsure of our ability to double back and quickly deal with the threat should it spread further towards Phillipi or Tylis. Tiberius is to deal with the first Seleucid army in his usual display of valor, and then, pending his own personal feelings on the issue, continue on into the next, or return to defend the strait near Byzantion.

My freeman, UPS Maximus, has informed me of a desire to hear the plans for the east lain out for all to see. I am also beginning to question his handling of some arguments there appear to have occurred amongst the usual deliberations in the senate, and upon my return will be dealt with accordingly for these rude, unnecessary gestures towards our respected senators. He can be a fair bit disagreeable sometimes, but he was the only servant I could truly spare the services of for a while during this expedition. Aside from that, I don't know if I could have tolerated both the weather here, AND his whining.

Anyway, our plans for the east, following our immediate success against the Seleucid threat, have been greatly redrawn. They appear, as so.

Senators Numerious Aureolus and Tiberius Coruncanius are to deal directly with the Seleucid threat as it stands now, and following their extermination, begin a subsequent series of conquests aimed at establishing an easily defensible perimeter in western Asia Minor, without pressing too far into the peninsula that it would become impossible to reinforce or maintain. Senator Manius Coruncanius, when he arrives in two seasons time, is to begin the conquest of the last Ptolemite holdings in the Aegean, beginning with Halicarnassus, and spreading outwards from there. Rhodes will be among the territories taken. The western half of Asia Minor, with my plans to begin pressing the Greeks and Macedonians into our auxilia within the next 2 years, will be well able to hold itself together under the able rule of these three men, and a series of 5 fortifications will be built at chokepoints throughout the region to maintain that the Seleucids will not be able to pass into our territory without first having to go through one of our smaller, static frontier forces, which could be easily reinforced by more powerful mobile forces nearby. Pessinus and Sardis will, subsequently, be the sites of consular and legionary mobile armies, able to reach and reinforce all five forts within a single seasons march.

It seems fitting, that in disclosing my plans for the east, which I had though UPS Maximus would have had the wit to do already, it would only be wise to further lay out my plans for the whole of the Republic.

In that respect, I present the north.

The north will be guarded by a series of forts, also, choosing specific chokepoints within a single seasons march from Viberi, where our mobile legionary garrison will be maintained, hopefully under the command of senator Quintus Libo, but I would not be adverse to switching him out upon his request, as it appears the loneliness of the far north is beginning to pluck at his nerves.

In the west, where the construction of fortifications has been specifically mandated by the senate...

There will be a construction of three additional forts, to be garrisoned in the manner of the other two, by small static forces, with the exception of the fort to the far north, which is unreachable by Mediolanum or Viberi within a single season. That will hold a legionary force. The other two forts are easily accessable by Gergovia, our fort at Comata is already in a strong defensive position, and the fort at the Massilia ford is necessary to prevent Iberian migratory "accidents" like we saw recently. The auxilia fort near Mediolanum will still be maintained for emergency purposes.

I have no immediate plans for any strong fortification construction in the Greek and Macedonian region, maintenance of a powerful navy out of Athens or Sparta, with lookouts stationed on Crete and various parts offshore in the Mediterranean. Speaking of Crete, which is currently feeling the uneasiness of a very lost and confused Ptolemite army on its shores, that situation will be dealt with in due time, as, currently, the Ptolemites have not actually been aggressive towards the settlement, so I'm placing it in the same catagory as Melite and Sardinia. It will be dealt with eventually, but it's not terribly critical.

However, our Thracian border is another story.

Our Thracian border will be adorned with five additional fortifications. The three western fortifications will be watched by the central fort which will hold a legionary garrison, and smaller outpost garrisons in the other two. The same goes for the east. I have been considering pushing for an occupation of Anchialus, which resides on our side of the river and cannot be attacked by Thrace without first going through one of our proposed forts or building a fleet, which, to a barbarian culture like them, is almost a laughable concept.

And, clearly, there are no designs on the defence of Carthage as we have not yet begun to conquer it. This, however, will begin on schedule when we load the first legion onto our restructured Western Fleet in two seasons time. We are hoping that Carthago will fall, and the second legion will arive, two seasons following that.

And to those who would criticise that all this talk of conquest is doing nothing more than leaving the Republic to squalor, letting our infrastructure go. Such talk would be nonsense, and ill-founded. We have already spent more than 30,000 denarii on the construction of peace-bringing facilities throughout the Greek and Macedonian area, some examples are the following.




I would like to take a break from all this talk of war and governance, to give a personal congratulations to a few of our fine senators. My own uncle, Marcellus Aemilius, has been blessed with a son, Julianos Aemilius. I am pleased to hear that such a fine man as he has born another son into the Aemilii name.

And to Tiberius Coruncanius, who has found that he has acquired a new grandson, Appius Barbatus, through the marriage of his granddaughter Marcia. I must say I am almost jealous, to see such a very promising young man come into the Coruncanii name.

Congratulations to you both, it is well deserved.


And finally, I am very proud, and very pleased to announce, that our own Augustus Verginius, has served the Republic to such a great extent with honour, dignity, and skill, that I felt he was being slighted in not receiving the proper commendation for his efforts. Senator Augustus Verginius, I grant you the rank of Praetor.

The report journal entry becomes scribbled and illegible.

End entry for today - Carthaginian forces on the move, spotted northwest, decision must be made quickly.
In nomine Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.
Servius Aemilius

[Lucjan]

Summer, Dies Martis

Finally we have managed to take hold of what time it is out of the year, and an ironic day it is. Martis seems everywhere these days, but perhaps that is because Roma's enemies are too. But Martis has blessed our sword time and again, and today, on his day, on Dies Marties, he has given us a blessing none could have foreseen. As we held on to Thapsus for the spring, we expected up to three attempts by the Carthy armies, who were well within reach of the town, to try and take it back. Instead, the death of three of their highest ranking generals in our initial capture of the town seems to have not only demoralised them, but thrown their armies into utter disarray. Their captains are argueing amongst themselves, squabbling back and forth unable to make any significant decision. Throughout the entire season, none of their five armies moved an inch. This provided us with the most unexpected, but most significant occurance in this theatre to date. Cartago was left almost completely undefended.



There was no choice, Cartago had to be besieged, and next season, it will fall to the might of Roma. Thapsus, however, must be abandoned in the process. A minor setback, but one I will willingly trade for the capture of Cartago itself. After seeing that every temple to their dark and crooked gods is torn apart brick by brick and burned, we abandon the settlement to the desert and begin our new expedition. The walls of their 'great city' are besieged as I write this letter.



As we neared the walls to their settlement we came across a messenger from Appius in Rome, he had sent word of the most recent developments at home. They were all quite pleasing.

The world has recognised us as the greatest nation of all. And the senate fears we may become a nation of 'mud hovels'. What nonsense!



On a more personal note, Titus Vatinius's daughter has wed Publius Fuscus, he seems a rather able man, if not a bit older. My congratulations go out to the Vatinii on their day of celebration.



I would also like to extend my personal congratulations to Flavius Pacuvius, whose family has been graced by a son, Luca Pacuvius. Actually, come to think of it, this is the second child he has decided to name Luca Pacuvius. Ever the humorous man I guess. May your two Luca's bring you much pride when they come of age enough to serve Rome.



What pleases me most is the completion of the necessary recruits to field my uncle Marcellus with a consular sized army. However, some of his new recruits are ill to learn their proper marching procedures, and cannot catch up in due course. Either way, he is set to disembark and will be halfway to Afrika by the end of next season. Already, we are a season ahead of schedule on the departure date. Flavius Pacuvius will follow as quickly as possible afterwards, most likely, he will be in Sicily with a full consular army when Marcellus lands, and will require only a seasons time to cross the sea.




A Seleucid Diplomat, attempting to contact Ptolemeic dignitaries in Sardis, was assassinated this season, quite wisely I might add, by Marcus the Killer. The possibility of the Seleucids and Ptolemies actually working together in the west might slow our progress...slightly. I am pleased that this possibility has been removed.



The further completion of a number of projects throughout the Republic in our attempt to win over the favor of the people has been disclosed to me as well. I am quite happy with the results, and with this, we now have the ability to draw a slight bit more taxation from our people without discontenting them too much. Of course, this will only continue until our conquests in Afrika and the east are far than great enough to offset the minor acquisitions we will make with higher taxes. I will assume that 3 settlements should be enough to do this. Some of my grandfather's farming projects have been completed as well.

[Lucjan]

Summer, Dies Martis

Finally we have managed to take hold of what time it is out of the year, and an ironic day it is. Martis seems everywhere these days, but perhaps that is because Roma's enemies are too. But Martis has blessed our sword time and again, and today, on his day, on Dies Marties, he has given us a blessing none could have foreseen. As we held on to Thapsus for the spring, we expected up to three attempts by the Carthy armies, who were well within reach of the town, to try and take it back. Instead, the death of three of their highest ranking generals in our initial capture of the town seems to have not only demoralised them, but thrown their armies into utter disarray. Their captains are argueing amongst themselves, squabbling back and forth unable to make any significant decision. Throughout the entire season, none of their five armies moved an inch. This provided us with the most unexpected, but most significant occurance in this theatre to date. Cartago was left almost completely undefended.



There was no choice, Cartago had to be besieged, and next season, it will fall to the might of Roma. Thapsus, however, must be abandoned in the process. A minor setback, but one I will willingly trade for the capture of Cartago itself. After seeing that every temple to their dark and crooked gods is torn apart brick by brick and burned, we abandon the settlement to the desert and begin our new expedition. The walls of their 'great city' are besieged as I write this letter.



As we neared the walls to their settlement we came across a messenger from Appius in Rome, he had sent word of the most recent developments at home. They were all quite pleasing.

The world has recognised us as the greatest nation of all. And the senate fears we may become a nation of 'mud hovels'. What nonsense!



On a more personal note, Titus Vatinius's daughter has wed Publius Fuscus, he seems a rather able man, if not a bit older. My congratulations go out to the Vatinii on their day of celebration.



I would also like to extend my personal congratulations to Flavius Pacuvius, whose family has been graced by a son, Luca Pacuvius. Actually, come to think of it, this is the second child he has decided to name Luca Pacuvius. Ever the humorous man I guess. May your two Luca's bring you much pride when they come of age enough to serve Rome.



What pleases me most is the completion of the necessary recruits to field my uncle Marcellus with a consular sized army. However, some of his new recruits are ill to learn their proper marching procedures, and cannot catch up in due course. Either way, he is set to disembark and will be halfway to Afrika by the end of next season. Already, we are a season ahead of schedule on the departure date. Flavius Pacuvius will follow as quickly as possible afterwards, most likely, he will be in Sicily with a full consular army when Marcellus lands, and will require only a seasons time to cross the sea.




A Seleucid Diplomat, attempting to contact Ptolemeic dignitaries in Sardis, was assassinated this season, quite wisely I might add, by Marcus the Killer. The possibility of the Seleucids and Ptolemies actually working together in the west might slow our progress...slightly. I am pleased that this possibility has been removed.



The further completion of a number of projects throughout the Republic in our attempt to win over the favor of the people has been disclosed to me as well. I am quite happy with the results, and with this, we now have the ability to draw a slight bit more taxation from our people without discontenting them too much. Of course, this will only continue until our conquests in Afrika and the east are far than great enough to offset the minor acquisitions we will make with higher taxes. I will assume that 3 settlements should be enough to do this. Some of my grandfather's farming projects have been completed as well.






The completion of our religious projects has been brought, almost, to a full close, but some loose ends still need to be tied. However, the vast amount of money now available to us for other projects has brought about the beginning of construction plans for..

An occupation camp in Viberi.
Secondary level Auxilia in Delmatia, who have pledged to form Illyrian warbands for the defence of Rome following its completion. This will significantly aid in the new garrison plans, and the border watch along the Danube.
Secondary level Auxilia in Athens, who have pledged their aid as Peltastai, again, a vastly helpful addition to the garrison restructuring. As well as a minor, but still respectable, addition to our alae.
A Primary level Auxilia in Maronia, who will begin supplying us with alae Peltastai following the subsequent construction of the secondary level, scheduled for completion one season before the end of my consulship.
A primary level Auxilia in Tylis, with a secondary level scheduled to end one season before my consulship ends, and a stables scheduled to end three seasons following my consulship. This will provide us with a source of cavalry close to the front. While the gaelic light cavalry they offer us may not be the best of choices, they are close to the east, and they are far better than nothing, or having to continuasly hire even more expensive mercenaries.

Next season will see more of such plans, and the construction of the necessary governor's and pro-consular palaces to keep the peace in places such as Athens, Corinth and Thessaloniki are near the front of my priorities.


May the senate see the wisdom in all these decisions, as it seems many of them have strayed from my support, and will not see the reasoning behind my methods until we have seen the fruition of my plans.

In nomini Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.
Servius

[Lucjan]

In light of recent circumstances I feel it is necessary to release another consular report a bit early for the senate's review. It has been a long time since I've been able to write from the comfort of a firm table and a steady candlelight, but our conquest of 'mighty' Carthage's capital city went almost unopposed. Thapsus was bribed away from us this season, but it matters not, the abandonment of that settlement was intentional. Without doing so splitting the army to take Cartago would have been too risky.


As for the situation here...Servian Authority has been firmly established.

And on top of that, uncle Marcellus is due to arrive soon.


His fleet is only a season's sail away.

The fall of Cartago and the subsequent enslavement of these people has left many a building open for Roman boarding, and put many more servants in Roman houses. To be precise, twelve thousand from Cartago alone have been spread out across Ariminum, Ancona, Bononia and Corfinium, combined with last seasons raids adding to the population of Roma, Paestum and Arretium, it is save to say that the population of our core provinces has been greatly increased. This should end our low population scare for many, many years to come, if not solving it indefinately. As the increase has been so great that Paestum, Ancona, Ariminum, Arretium, Corfinium, and Bononia have all reached a new level of development, and are ready to receive upgraded administrative buildings. These will come in due time, but the immediate concern will now be with money making constructs. We have looked deeply into the possibility of greatly expanding our trade through the construction of ports, safe harbors and mines throughout the Republic.

Furthermore, we've completed the following list of structures this season.





Our cheap but effective construction plans continue, but last season saw the beginning of a number of more serious, more extensive and more profitable plans put into motion. Both plans will continue throughout the rest of my rule.

They will be needed most in the east, where our progress is coming along more quickly and more efficiently than I had hoped. Abydos, Pergamon, Nicomedia and Mytalene have already fallen to our might. Manius Coruncanius is set to land at Halicarnassus within days, and Numerious Aureolus has begun the siege of Smyrna. He will switch places with Manius at Halicarnassus next season, and the full consular army will take the walled town of Smyrna. Any more enslavement will overburden the Republic in the west, so the consular garrison will initially be required to hold the settlement. Tiberius Coruncanius is on his way back to Roma to have his consular legion restored, and Appius Barbetus is set to disembark for the east with reinforcements for Numerious as soon as Tiberius's fleet arrives.


The situation, all in all, goes well.

I would like to extend some personal congratulations once again this season! It seems that Roma is in no dire straits when it comes to extending our great families, and that is a most wonderful thing indeed.


Congratulations go to Julianus Avilius and Publius Fuscus on the birth of their daughters.

As for the situation in the west with Iberia, I believe it has already been mentioned in the deliberations, but it can't hurt to report it again.


We'll have to remain very wary of their movement in recent days, lest we find our only neutral border also set ablaze with the fires of war.

The complications never seem to end, but as always, I pray to the gods for our good fortune.

With one last bit of good news before I end the report, I'd like to announce the completion of almost all of our defences along the Danube. We lack only one more fort further north of Oduba, and it should be completed relatively soon. As of right now, Thrace has finally been blocked from incursion in the east, and we should see a significant stabilisation of the situation there.


Hopefully, our Thracian border will settle, or at the very least, its defence will come much, much more easily in the coming years.

In nomini Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.
Servius

[Lucjan]

(OOC - Spring, 253 BC)

It has been two seasons since my last consular report and the midterm of my consulship is drawing near. To think, it's been almost two years since my election, in fact, next season it will be. Two seasons after that and my midterm report will be due. The rumbling in the senate of my actions may pose some issues in regards to midterm motions, but hopefully they will, by then, have seen the wisdom in my acts and the conviction in my heart to do what is right for Rome. Sometimes, unforetunatly, what is right for Rome is not always what the senate wants. But things must be done for a greatter cause than the whims and fancies of angry, patrician senators and their own personal interests. I have spent my entire consulship ruling from campaign in the horrid wastes of Afrika, and this has greatly enlightened me to the true needs of Rome. I will not bow my knee to the irrational fears and false logics of men who do not know what it is to exist in a place where the gods try to kill you every day, and the only manner of survival is outright defiance. These men have spent too much time amongst the creature comforts of their own excessive wealth to realise how the common Roman lives.

Last season set the stage for our current operations both in the west and in the east.

We were able to discern most of the composition of all five Carthaginian armies bearing down on Cartago from the south.






But some quick manoevering and daring tactics secured a defeat of the first army before it could reach the city. History will write our victory their into it's pages for all time.



There were some complications involving the Iberians that have since been solved, and our conquests in the east yielded a fair amount of territory.
As the current situation stands the north is still in relative safety. We have made a concession this season and backed down from the Iberians, hoping they'll move on.


The west has been cleared of the Iberian threat. Unwilling as we are to go to war, they moved on and headed north, presumably towards Germania, but we will be keeping a close eye on them.


Our movement and reinforcement from our heartlands has become much more swift with the reorganisation of the navy. Our Western fleet, bound for Rome now, will disembark from there next season along with Flavius Pacuvius and his legion. They are destined for Afrika. Appius Barbetus will also be leaving aboard the Central fleet to reinforce Numerious Aureolus in the east. While Tiberius Coruncanius will be arriving aboard the beginnings of our Eastern fleet next season to begin the reinforcement of his own legion.


Our eastern campaign is an exemplary show of success. We have two armies scheduled to be returning there from reinforcement soon, and Manius Coruncanius's consular legion has been performing incredibly well.
We have everything from Side in the south to Heracleia in the north blockaded, and the last bit of Seleucid resistance, a praetorian sized army, which has taken several seasons just to muster the nerve to show its face west of Adana will be taken care of next season.



In the west, in the last two seasons five Carthaginian armies moved north from the Thapsus region in an attempt to recapture their capital and defeat our attempts at conquest in their heartlands. As things stand now, there are only two armies left. I have personally dealt with three of their consular sized armies, their praetorian sized army is being held up in the west near Utica by our fort, and their consular sized army besieging Marcellus will be reported on soon enough, I have given Marcellus the order to sally from the fort and defeat the beseigers. We shall see how that situation plays out before I pass judgement on our next moves.


The last two seasons have seen an enormous amount of finished construction and planning being done for the benefit of the Republic. In all, we have completed the following.






As far as planning goes, we've given the order to construct the following.
Primary Auxilial buildings in Ratiaria, Phillipi, Salone, Kydonia and Jenuensis.
The beginning of Integration in Luvavum.
A series of ports in Bononia, Patavium and Aquileia.
A safe harbor in Corfinium.
The beginning of Occupation in Nicomedia.
And, as promised, we have dealt with the problems of squalor in Corinth and Thessaloniki by commissioning the construction of a Pro-Consul's Palace in both cities. Athens will hopefully soon follow suit.
As well as our regular commissioning of temples and religious buildings throughout the Republic.

Recruitment has been average as well, with the following soldiers being raised for the Republic's defence.




But perhaps the most important events of the season have come in strong these last two season.


I must congratulate Cornelius Saturninus, Appius Barbetus, Vibius Domna and Numerious Aureolus on the birth of their sons.
My brother, Marcellus Aemilius, not to be confused with my uncle of the same name, has also come of age and is stationed with my father at Nicomedia. They are alike in mind, so I feel it is best to keep them in the same spot, where it would be easier to watch the both of them together rather than keeping an eye on their individual actions.
As well as, once again, the Coruncanii family on their adoption of a man of the hour.

This man dealt with a rebel group outside of Segestica with such promising skill that the Coruncanii have opted to adopt him.
And finally, congratulations to brother Marcellus on his wedding. May their union bring fine Roman children into this world for the good of the Republic.

That, for the moment, is about all that needs to be said. All else hinges on future developments. My next report will be filed as my midterm deliberations report.

In nomini Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.
Servius

[Lucjan]

The coast around northern Carthage was a beautiful sight, but it would be nothing compared to the wealth of the land that I would soon see upon my return. The senate is unaware of what has occurred here in Africa between us, but all will be told in due time. It is now the beginning of autumn. This will be the last season of rule before the midterm motions, and there is much that must be remedied before then. I only hope that it can be so, and that the impure actions of my clerk have not swayed too many from my support. I wish I had known, I wish had Marcellus come earlier, that he may have told me of the situation back in Rome. I wish I had not trusted that vile creature as the medium between myself and the senate.

Indeed, there is much that must be remedied upon my return.

[Lucjan]

I have long missed this air, this land, the sight of the olive trees along the shore, the bright blue skies and the clouds, soft and fluffy as sheeps' wool. These memories come back to me and greet me as a friend from days gone past. Days that, were I to return to them, would greet me with open arms and remind me of our joys, of the time we shared. Days that would pat me on the shoulder, sigh, and weep in the regret that I have grown beyond them and our time could not be spent together forever. But, in natural course, man is but time given form, and time must crawl on, it is unstoppable, it is irreversible, and its treatment, whether kind or harsh, binds itself in a place forever to be remembered, until the day that all that has been remembered is forgot.

My only wish is that the time here has remembered me in my absence as an honorable man, and that the reports I have heard from my uncle are not in their entirety true. The port bell rings, the dockmen approach. It is time to prepare my report.

August, 500AUC
Since the last consular report there has been an enormous leap in infrastructure construction throughout the Republic, with planned constructs of significant lengths, that is taking longer than two seasons, being established in the following order.

Third Phase Auxilia in Appollonia and Pella.
First Phase Auxilia in Cartago, Hadrumentum, Mytilene
Large Temple to Jupiter in Thermon
Large Temple to Saturnus in Thessaly
Safe Harbor in Smyrna


Various temples of smaller size have been planned throughout our newer sections of the Republic.

Projects completed by the beginning of this season are as follows.






The structures completed in Apollonia and Pella have now allowed us to recruit Peltasts and Podromoi, respectively. The peltasts will be of great use in providing a cheap, loyal, but local and therefore trusted garrison for our Greek cities. The podromoi will do well to supply us with a good source of skirmisher cavalry in the east.

Our military recruitment continues throughout the heartlands and now abroad as well, thanks to our work in expanding our training facilities throughout the Republic.




There has been a significant increase in the number of generals available to us on the front lines as well. Senator Quintus Libo has done the Republic a great service these last two seasons, and agreed to take a full three young men under his wing.

Adopted as a man of the hour from the Thracian border guard.


Adopted, again, as a man of the hour, this time from our Numidian mercenaries who led the Carthaginian forces to Flavius Pacuvius near Cartago.


And then this promising young man showed significant skills under the senator's own command, and now serves alongside him in the north near Luvavum.


Congratulations should also go out as well to senators Appius Barbetus and Cornelius Saturninus on the birth of two fine daughters into Rome's great families.

As far as the course of political affairs goes, things could not be looking better.

In Afrika, Carthage has been soundly defeated, their once enormous and mighty armies have been crushed beneath Roman might, Cartago, Hadrumentum and Thapsus are now ours. Flavius Pacuvius is set to march on Utica and Hippo Regius to secure the territory promised by the end of my rule, I have considered marching as far as Kirtha, to establish that our farthest western reach in Afrika is a walled city, and therefore easier to defend. Marcellus and Oppius Aemilius, following a much needed reinforcement of their legion, will finish in the east by taking Capsus, retaking Lepcis Magna. Following the completion of these tasks, orders will be allocated for two of these generals to return to the islands of Sardinia and Melite and dislodge the Carthaginian invasion forces stranded there. The third will remain in western Afrika to act as our defender against the possibility of any last ditch attempts by Carthage to retake lost territory.


In Transalpine Gaul, our forts at Comata and Gergovia, though they have not yet reached the full breathe of the proposed defense plan as far as actual forts go, they have been reinforced with a significant number of Italian sword and spearmen, and the forces under Quintus Naevius have been reinforced with a unit of fresh triarii. The Iberians have left their once troublesome presence in this land and moved on. The peace here is enjoyed, and Massillia will soon be set to become the most strategic city in Rome's western provinces. A Provincial Barracks will begin its construction here before my rule ends.


Along the Eastern Danube, Thrace has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, and the only significant force they seem to have left is approaching slowly from the north, Quintus Libo and Nero Naso, supported by Servius Nero, will defeat this force in two seasons time, should it refuse to see the logic in turning back and going home to Vicus Marcomanii.



Along the Northern Danube, massive Iberian troop movements have prompted a withdrawel from Viberi, the town was simply not important enough, and the senators Quintus Libo and Nero Naso too valuable for me to risk a disasterous turn of events here. While I feel shame for condemning the Germans to this fate, I must point out that on multiple occassions these "allies" have fielded large concentrations of troops against us, fighting for Thracian gold, and have inflicted a serious number of deaths on good Roman men. The senators have been withdrawn to a fort along the Danube outside of Luvavum, they will be moved eastwards with the bulk of their forces after the midterm motions to a place between that fort and our closest other fort near Oduba, where they will be able to reach either of these forts in a seasons march should they be beset upon.


In Asia Minor, our campaign has progressed astoundingly, while the farthest reaches of our campaigning this season has taken us from Pessinus through Ancyra to Adana, there will soon be a consolidation and fortification of our new eastern lands upon the arrival of Appius Barbetus with reinforcements for Numerious' Aureolus and his legion. Our final acts in this region will see the consolidation and solidification of our land by sealing off and defeating all pockets of Seleucid or Ptolemeic resistance. The maintenance of two consular sized legions and one praetorian will be established to hold our eastern frontier.


This concludes my Midterm Consular Report.

In nomine Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.
Servius Aemilius





http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/253-Autumn-End.zip (The save that will be continued from after the midterm motions have ended.)

[Lucjan]

Spring, 499 AUD (252BC)

My stay here in Rome has brought me some much needed rest from the tortures of the desert. The next few years will require much effort to bring everything together, tieing up all our loose ends. But, at least, things will be easier now. I hear the Balearic isles to the west are a beautiful place. A peaceful place. I feel it will be a good place to find rest and raise my family. Eutropia is a wonderful woman, I was surprised to have found one such as her in so short a stay back in Rome, but we are happy, and I feel contented now, calmer than in days past. She and I hope to have two sons, and a girl. But the fates will give us whatever graces they please, and I will accept them with open arms. I only wish the Republic could have such peace. But there is so much turmoil in the world, all we can hope for is stability, or the very least, the path to it. Let that be my parting gift to Rome when the time comes, let me set it on the path to stability.

The last two seasons have seen the pass of many significant events. The least of which are our construction and recruitment reports, both highly significant and of great extent.








Our trade output will be vastly improved within the next couple years, this season alone we have finished the construction of three safe harbors at Aleria, Massillia and Agrigento. Patavium, Bononia and Acquileia have already begun work on another three, having finished their ports this season. And much more will begin and be completed in the future.
Extension of Roman order to our new lands has also drastically increased, with five first phase roman auxilia being completed this season and more to come in the near future.
There are some issues with keeping the peace in the east and Afrika, but that can be expected with recent conquests, as we're still struggling with some of the larger Greek settlements. But I will do what I can, there is only so much money and so much time.

On the other hand, our conquests are nearing their finality, and the reinforcement of our depleted legions has started, as well as the extension of our new peacekeeping programs throughout more sections of the Republic. Athens, Maronia, Delmatia, Agrigento and Syracuse are working on structures to train local alae for the much cheaper garrisoning of our cities. It's simply counterproductive to send our Italian sword and spearmen to the far fringes of the republic, at the cost of nearly 400 denarii a season, when local peltastai or warbands can accomplish the same task for 120-220 denarii a season. These same alae will soon take over the task of garrisoning our cities from the enormously expensive mercenary troops we have throughout the eastern republic, costing us vast amounts of denarii a season, as much as 300-500 denarii per unit.







As far as my promises of stability go, Roman arms have never seen such success in keeping our borders stable.

In the north, Quintus Libo and Nero Naso have dealt with the Iberian issues by withdrawing from Viberi to Luvavum, a hotly debated move, but one that has clearly worked to the benefit of Roman stability in the north. Iberia can no longer intrude on our territory and cause chaos beyond the Danube.



As far as Thrace goes, the border forts we have constructed at the river fords have done their job as was expected. Thrace has not been able to mount any significant assault against them since their construction, and we have gained a promising general in Servius Nero out of their minor forays. Now, the Danube lies quiet.



Augustus Verginius, unforetunatly lost this season to his age and hard work, died seeing to the finishing works of our defences in the west. He passed away in our Narbonensian fort, south of Gergovia.



However, his work has been to the benefit of Rome, and the Iberian border is now relatively calm.



In Afrika, Carthage may as well no longer exist. Carthago, Hadrumentum, Thapsus, Utica and Hippo Regius are under our control, and Flavius Pacuvius will have taken Kirtha by the beginning of next season, it sits under siege now. Oppius Aemilius awaits the construction of a ship to take him to the central fleet, which has been bolstered by the construction of a small fleet at Carthago which will meet with it next season, up to a Praetorian sized fleet. Oppius, upon joining the fleet, will take half of the consular army docked in Roma's port and advance down the coast west of Kirtha, taking every town along the way, until Tingi is under Roman rule. Marcellus will be reinforced as soon as the oppertunity presents itself, and will oversee the stabilisation of Afrika and the conquest of the rest of Carthage's minor towns. Our plans for stabilisation include the stationing of Libyan spearman in Carthago, and when Agrigento and Syracuse finish work on second phase Roman Auxilia, peltastai to garrison the rest of the towns.



In the east, the situation is slightly strained, issues with the rebellious populace of Ancyra have caused us to station an enormous mercenary garrison there to keep the peace, but they are gradually coming into the Roman fold. We have moved our Italian swordsmen from the city back to Manius Coruncanius's legion, and the rest of his alae, once keeping the peace in Sardis, have been able to move eastwards to meet up with him next season as well. Appius Barbetus has arrived and will be joining with Numerious Aureolus next season to conquer Arsinoe, then continue onwards to deal with the large Ptolemite army we have been forced to block in with three seperate forts around the mountain passes surrounding Side. The Ptolemites continually surprise us, but they will quickly find that they are not the only ones capable of surprise.



On another note, it seems not all Roman men are men of honor. One of our diplomats has gone over to the Seleucid empire in exchange for money. Marcus the Assassin is on his way to deal with both the briber and this filthy traitor.


Uhm...

Tertius the Crippled has come of age. I have sent him to Sparta, where the academy their could teach him the ways of proper governance, and the city could benefit from his rule...

Many children have been born into good Roman families these seasons!
Congratulations to Lentullus Paullus and Publius Fuscus, for their daughters Verina and Servilia, and to Uncle Marcellus, whose son he has named in honor of the late Augustus.

That seems all for now.

In nomini Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.

Servius Aemilius

[Lucjan]

August, 499AUD

I have been kept quite busy by the affairs of state recently but have once again set sail for lands across the sea. I cannot write much now, there is a storm approaching, but I will be sure to report the most pressing facts. The senate can determine their importance for themselves.









As well as this, Carthage has managed to bribe away some of our Italian alae outside of Thapsus. Marcellus has been given the order to deal with this problem. http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/...-marcellus.zip

In nomini Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.
Servius

[Lucjan]

((Spring, 251 BC))

My consulship nears its end, and time is becoming hard to come by, but I feel confident that much can still be accomplished before my rule is over, and that I will leave this Republic in a stronger position than it has ever enjoyed.
To date, under my rule the Republic has repelled the Seleucids and made vast advances against both them and the Ptolemeics in the east. The majority of Asia Minor is ours, and what has not fallen cannot contend with the might of our legions there. Stability is quickly coming to that region, and I hope to have Prusa and Heracleia before the next elections, but only time can tell. We have reorganised the navy and are uncontested on the seas. Our heavy garrisons are being phased out in favor of lighter troops capable of performing the same job at a much lesser cost. The dire monetary situation of the Republic has been significantly alleviated, we know accrue 32,000 denarii a season, and will be making even more before my consulship ends. There are still a number of naval trading projects yet to be finished, a few more conquests in Afrika, and the garrisoning reorganisation. All of these will aid our coffers significantly. Our borders are secure in the east, in the west, at the Danube, and in Afrika. There is no place for enemies of Rome to strike without having to step within arms reach of our legions. Palma fell to us this season as well, and when my consulship ends, I will retire there until such a time that I am needed in Iberia.

The plan I shall leave the Republic off with for dealing with Iberia will have the following troops ready for deployment.
1 - Consular legion at Gergovia.
5 - Praetorian legions in Comata, Luvavum, Tingi, and Palma (2).
3 - Praetorian Fleets at Tingi and Palma (2).

The Roman hammer that would descend upon Iberia simultaneously through the advance of these forces would be enough to break Iberia before they even knew what had hit them, and the war would be over before it began.

Time will tell the fate of the Republic, but I have faith that we are entering our golden age, and for as long as I survive, I will not let that go.


Our construction the last two seasons was extensive, finishing some serious projects throughout the Republic.










And our recruitment focused on reinforcements for Marcellus Aemilius's legion, the creation of another small fleet in the east to maintain control while the main fleet heads back to Tarentum for transportation duties, and the regarrisoning efforts.







Yet another Coruncanii has come into the world. Congratulations to that family, and to Galerius Vatinius as well on his well deserved marriage.


A battle report will be posted tomorrow in the library detailing the events at Palma, but nevertheless, the island is ours.

I hereby submit this report for senatorial review.

In nomini Roma, et pro totus doxa deum.

Servius Aemilius

[Lucjan]

Once again I write my consular reports from far afield. My time is Rome was well appreciated, at least in an environmental sense. But I see now that the blind will of old men whose sight has gone astray from the true purpose of the senate must once again be properly fixed. Their gaze turned away from proper enemies to those who already cannot contend with us, whose lands would spread us unnecessarily thin in the wrong direction, whose wealth would inspire the senate's greed to break our own backs on an expedition doomed to failure before its own beginnings. I have fixed this. As I have fixed every mistake in judgement and error of thought that the senate has made during my consulship, it frightens me to wonder what will happen of the Republic when my consulship ends. I will be safe, this I know. My legion and I will return to the safety of my estate on Palma. But outside that island I fear the foolishness the men of this senate will bring to the Republic. But I can no longer control this. I have done for Rome all that I can do. I have brought the Greek colonies under control. I have given Rome Asia Minor, I have given Rome Carthage, I have given Rome a defensible eastern frontier...and I will leave Rome giving her one more gift. I will leave Rome giving her the foothold in Iberia she so strongly needs and desires. Let these barbarians break themselves on Roman arms. Hopefully by the end of the war, the senators in Rome will have broken themselves on old age, and the senate will be filled with younger minds less dilluded with age and old rivalries. Men born from war, men of logic, men of intellect, men of honor.

Word has reached me that Cornelius Saturninus's ship was attacked by pirates and sunk off the coast of Sicily, but even with the unforetunate loss of this general we must press on, the campaign ensues. The senate almost unanimously pushed for eastward expansion recently....I would laugh to see such a poor decision wrought upon this Republic, so it must be shown with the most undeniable facts that I will not let this occur. With Iberia, THERE SHALL BE WAR! All the men on the lines have been given there orders, but while we are weakest near Gergova, I fear not for whatever may occur there, for I will arrive there shortly. Emporiai will fall this season to my men, and the subsequent push north will wrest Gaul from Iberia without fail.

Rome is a nation that was born in war. But half the art of winning a war is knowing what battles to fight and when. We must strike at Iberia now, while the iron is hot. If the senate contests this, then let them take their contest to the gods.

Because the gods have looked upon me at the dusk of battle and smiled, and said aloud. "This is our son." And they have bid me slake Rome's thirst on the world, that Rome herself may be the daughter of the gods, and I, the man who gave her the beginnings of her golden age.



This image is a blatant ripoff from the "300" movie trailor.