Will of the Senate - Senate Deliberations II

[Lucjan]

I owe nothing to the Greeks, but in turn I most certainly do not owe them their total annihilation. I am looking out for the republic in the best way I know how..trying to keep us from becoming too zealous and placing us too early in the hands of enemies it may be very difficult to defeat at this time. In my sixteen years of life I have known not one single year of peace...if the exhaustion of constant warfare has not weighed heavy us by now...then it is surely right around the corner. I do too want to fight, but I want to do so, so that the fighting can end, that our enemies could be laid down and those who do not already contest us could be made as friends, at least for a little while. I would be content with but one year of peace, one year where Romans did not have to fight and die against outsiders hundreds of miles from home, if not only so that when I have children, and they have children, I can tell them what it is like to know peace. And that the knowledge of peace at all can be passed on, the desire for peace after the war can be known, that generations of Romans after myself will know what it is like to experience peace, something that I do not know.

[Dooz]

{Galerius Vatinius}

Servius, I sympathize with you but offer you this advice: do not hold your breath. This is Rome Senator, not Paxland.

[Lucjan]

Then perhaps it is time for a Pax Romana...I will know peace in my lifetime..

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Spring to Summer 259 BC

Senators,

First the good news, legate Publius Pansa and the Legio IV Gallica have conquered Crete, but the the Greek Confederation probably still has at least one city at the Bosporus, Byzantion.

My friends, I have had to make a difficult strategic decision. The forces of the Kingdom of Macedon were increasing at a much higher rate than we could reinforce our own troops. They felt confident enough to send an army to reinforce the town of Philipii, to the east of Pella, which would threathen our eastern flank and make it extremely dangerous to march north on Bylazora once more.

On a sidenote, notice the two Macedonian assassins wandering around (outlined in red). The third Macedonian assassin has just been assassinated by Placus the Killer.

This would create a very dangerous situation in the short term. We would have to win this war quickly or lose it in the long term. I decided to risk all on a do or die mission and marched the hastily formed Consular Army I, under the command of my co-consul Amulius Coruncanius, on Bylazora behind their backs immediately, thereby forcing the Macedonians to commit to battle or have their remaining lands divided in two. They willingly complied and thereby hangs a tale. Amulius Coruncanius and the Consular Army I are outnumbered more than two to one.


If Amulius Coruncanius succeeds in defeating the Macedonian armies, it will mean our eventual victory over them. If we lose, we might lose all of Greece once again. I would ask all of you to do as I do, and offer extravagant sacrifices to Mars and Jupiter, that they may favour Amulius Coruncanius in the coming conflict.

[Lucjan]

I will offer my prayers to Mars, that he lead senator Coruncanius to a sound and just victory over Macedon. This battle will be the deciding blow, may the gods swing their hammer in favor of Rome!

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: I wish the pro-Consul every success. This is perhaps the largest and potentially most decisive battle in the history of the Republic.

[Dooz]

{Galerius Vatinius}

Ahh, how interesting, how interesting indeed! Perhaps the young, rash senator knew what he was talking about eh? If Consul Coruncanius had chosen to fight the battle he was supposed to, we wouldn't be in this desperate situation! I do believe the odds are worse now than they were the last time they met. Tisk tisk Consul.

Senators, do not waste your time with prayer to the gods! Instead, bear wise words and advice for Consul Coruncanius who will *hopefully* be the doing the fighting! I must say however, my high expectations are somewhat hurt his last showing... all things considered, I hope he comes out of it alive. This is a solemn moment for Rome.

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: I believe you are wrong, Senator Vatinius - the odds are more favourable this time. Moreover, relative numbers abstract from two key considerations.

First, the pro-Consul now has a full Consular army at his disposal. No Roman general could ask for more and, dare I say it, no Roman general should lose at the head of such a formiddable force.

Second, I believe that the lead Macedonian army this time are led by a mere captain whereas before it was by a worthy successor to Alexander himself. This means that this time, the Macedonians will be far less deadly in their attacks and more ready to rout.

I would make a wager with you on the outcome of this battle, were it not disrespectful to the pro-Consul and indeed to the lives of the brave Romans now engaged in a bitter struggle.

[flyd]

Galerius Vatinius, I find you to be most unknowledgable on military matters. If you will bother to look at the facts, you will find that Consul Coruncanius now commands an army of 1214 men, while previously he has commanded one of merely 650. You will also find that in both cases the enemy armies are of similar size. On even closer analysis, you will find that a significant portion of the current enemy army is away from the main body, and that the main body is led by an incompetent captain. Should you be not completely ignorant, you will know that doubling the size of a Roman army more than doubles its chance of success.

All these factors contribute to a significantly better odds than at the previous engagement. I would consider this engagement to be of low difficulty, in fact. Ok, class dismissed.

[Dooz]

{Galerius Vatinius}

Indeed I may be ignorant of technical military matters, being only 17 and still a student, but I am no fool. The last battle, the Consul was outnumbered by 1,000 Macedonians. Now he faces over 2,000 more Macedonians than his own forces. Does this not translate into any worse conditions? Or perhaps, militarily speaking, numbers hold no significance. The Roman army's size may be indeed doubled, but apparently you've failed to notice that the Macedonian army has more than doubled as well, or does that not make them more than twice as powerful? The same general who lead their previous army we ran from will be in this battle as well, it matters not if he arrives a short time after the battle has begun. There will even be a second general this time around, making it worse than just one like last time. Let us be reasonable Senators, no need to attack me because of your personal feelings towards me. The numbers are right there in front of you. Denying them only makes you look foolish.

[Lucjan]

No, Senator Vatinius, argueing the knowledgeable and well experienced opinions of older senators makes you look foolish. This battle is far more favorable to us than the previous one, but gods forbid, ill fortune has taken its toll on us before.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

It is my opinion the battle may be difficult. He starts surrounded already and will have difficulty using his major advantage, which is his mobility. The risk of being outmanouvered and outflanked will be high. His light troops might suffer many casualties if the enemy brings many missile units. The terrain, as is often the case, may be more decisive than the skills of the respective generals. In short, nothing is certain in war, and no plan survives first contact with the enemy.

OCC :
In case you are curious, the savegame :
http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/259-sprsum-1.zip

[flyd]

Senator Vatinius, either you need more schooling in arithmetic, or you have misread the reported numbers. Consul Coruncanius now faces a total enemy force of 2058, in detachments of 1157, 142, and 759. He commands 1214 men. The difference is 844, not 2000 as you say. He is outnumbered by about 2 to 3, which is not that bad, especially since he outnumbers each piece of the enemy army.

[Dooz]

OOC: Woops, didn't see the numbers clearly, the image was a bit small and distorted. Well screw you guys anyway! lol

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

The interim report to the senate has been updated to present day. Three important things have happened that have not yet been mentioned in the senate :
1. We have two new spies and an assassin.
2. We have a new senator, Herennius Genucius, who married Tranquilina, the daughter of co-consul Amulius Coruncanius. He is currently serving with his father-in-law in the Consular Army I.
3. Finally, Augustus Verginius and the Legio II Sabina Quintia have captured Dalmatia.

On another note, it is my policy to let auxilia troops guard the towns where they can (now or in the future) be raised. Towns that cannot raise auxilia units should be guarded by italian auxilia where available. A minimum of two garrison units is required, four if it is a border settlement. Half of the troops of a border settlement should be italian auxilia. Does anyone have a problem with these policies ? In case you are wondering, we can easily afford it.

[econ21]

[i][NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: First Consul, I doubt anyone would quibble with your standards for garrisons. However, since we are discussing the composition of armies, I wonder - now our financial position is now stronger than when you last took office, would it be possible to gradually train cavalry to equip our field armies? The Senate library indicates that a Consular Army should include one equites and one other cavalry (e.g. Italian or Gallic), while a Praetorian army should have one of either kind.

ooc: since in this mod, the equites carry the eagles, it might add to the drama if each legion had a unit of equites.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

I was planning on beginning the training of a equites unit for the Consular army I this turn. They are incredibly expensive to train and maintain however. The rest of the regular legions will have to make do with regualr cavalry for now, as we have a huge income, but we need to make incredibly expensive investments as well. Aquaduct, baths, goverment buildings, harbours...

[Lucjan]

Consular sized armies should most certainly bear Equites...where affordable I would be content to include local cavalry, be it gallic, greek or macedonian.

[Dooz]

{Galerius Vatinius}

I've just received news from the front. Senators... it is as I feared... Amulius Coruncanius is dead, as is Herrenius Genucius, his tribune who had just married his daughter. The 6th was slaughtered. The Macedonians have a free pass through our cities in the area. Only Saturninus stands in their way in Pella, but the garrison currently in place may not be enough for the encroaching hordes. Let us hope reinforcements arrive soon.

This is a dark day in Roman history. I can make many points right now about this whole matter, in regards to previous arguments between myself and you Senators, but I will restrain myself... for the time being. Just know this; Galerius Vatiniius is no fool, and I have shown that aptly. I shall get the respect I deserve in this Senate. Now I will leave you to your deliberations senators... you all know best right?

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: It is with shock and dismay that I read of the brave death of our pro-consul Amulius Coruncanius in battle with the Macedonians. The rout of our only Consular army is a terrible event, which makes the defeat of Legio III at the Massilia Ford seem small by comparison. However, in this case, I am convinced that no blame should be attached to the late pro-consul for doing his duty and laying down his life in defence of the Republic.

I am currently with Legio V campaigning in east of Illyria, near northern Macedon. I wonder what role my command can best play in avenging our defeat? Two possibilities strike me. First, I could head back and return to Pella, to join with Legate Publius Pansa. Alternatively, we could use a pincer strategy - I could continue to march east, heading for the Macedonian settlement of Ratiara while Legate Pansa returns from Crete to take up position in Pella. After taking Ratiara, I could drive south to Bylazora while Legate Pansa takes a reconstituted Consular army and drives north towards it. I suspect that the First Consul's first thought might be the safer first option, but I would ask him not to disregard the bolder alternative. Pella is walled and should be able to hold out for a while until Legate Pansa returns. I believe I can strike Ratiara soon - sooner than I could return to Pella. If the First Consul believes that the Consular army can be reconstituted under Legate Pansa without Legio V, I urge him to unleash me on the Macedonian hinterland. I will cut a swathe through it and begin to avenge this day of ignomy. Remember - the Macedonians also bled in their defeat of the pro-Consul, let me strike before they become stronger still.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Senators,

I bring word of the crushing defeat of our Consular Army I. It especially saddens me to have to inform Tiberius Coruncanius of the death of his son Amulius Coruncanius and his new grandson-in-law Herrenius Genucius. All of Rome is in mourning for the 1000 dead. The standards of the Consular Army I and the Legio VI have been recovered from the field and put in storage in the temple of Mars. The full report of the battle has been made public as the Second battle of Bylazora.

My lords, this is a dramatic reversal of fortune. The natural aggresiveness of my co-consul has gotten the better from him and he got tied down in fighting far beyond the frontline and was killed by a javalin. Our troops were demoralized by the death of their beloved general and lost all taste for combat. Our eastern front is laid wide open to the Macedonians.

[Lucjan]

Gloating over a prediction of Roman defeat is not the path to honor in Rome senator Vatinius. This is a time of severe crisis, it does not need the unrest of an ununified voice!

I have received a scripture from abroad, a copy of the speech Senator Coruncanius delivered for the battle. I would like to read it for the senate..

*Servius begins reading the script out loud.*

"Right then lads, this is it, no going back this time. Too many bloody armchair generals in Rome questioned my decision to withdraw last time. Said I didn't have the guts! Said the 6th didn't have what it took to beat the Macedonians!

GAH! What does some snotty nosed little teenager in the scriptorium know about fighting, eh? I've killed more Gauls than he's had hot dinners!

But still, this is your time, the time when the 6th writes its own story. Its days like today, victories like today, where a legion achieves immortality. Win the battle, and your children, and their children, in decades to come, will say with pride in their voice and a twinkle in their eye, 'yes, Paionia, my ancestors fought there!"

The plan is simple. We are vastly outnumbered, but the enemy is split in three. We must take advantage of this and defeat his armies one by one. The first engagement will be decisive. We must rout their first army before the other 2 arrive. Do this and the day is ours!"

*Servius stops reading and rises from his seat.*

This is a dark day for Rome indeed...but one that should be honored, we have lost over a thousand Roman souls and two of our own senators. If I may make but one suggestion today, let it be this.

We cannot shame the honor or the memory of the Romans that died at the 2nd battle of Bylazora. Let the standards of the Consular Army I and the Legio VI fly above the ramparts of the Colosseum in honor of their memory, for one seasons time, then have them justly returned to a place of respect in the temple of Mars. But I could never bring myself to watch these banners fly above a legion again. To ignore the sacrifice these men put forth by simply restoring the legion and moving on would be a disgrace to their memory, and a disgrace to the legion's name. Let the Legio VI, Consular Army I, have its immortality for the losses it has beared. They have more than justly so earned it. We must never forget their memory, but we must never disgrace their name by flying their banners over another legion. Let a monument be constructed in Rome in honor of the Legio VI, let this day be a day of national rebirth, a day to harden Roman hearts and remind all of Rome that even in the face of great adversity, the light of Rome will not waver, it will not be extinguished, Rome will not surrender. Let all under the banner of the Republic forever remember the Legio VI.

[Dooz]

{Galerius Vatinius}

Oh yes, yes. Let us honor a losing legion. That is the way to Roman honor indeed! What is wrong with the people of this Senate? One moment, you prosecute a man, a fine man with a fine history, for losing a battle. The next, you want to bestow high honors to a legion for losing a battle... Perhaps had Publius Laevinus died at the battle at the ford, then you would have deified him eh? This is ridiculous! Instead of retiring the standards and the surviving men of the massacred legion, rebuild it! Give them the opportunity, nay make them regain their honor! Come to your senses already senators. This is a dire time for the Republic. It is no time for foolish actions and childish games. Come to your senses!

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: On the subject of the banners, I am not sure what the fates will decide about the Legio VI banner. Should some future legate unfurl it, it would seem curlish to cast it aside. The Consular I Army banner may reappear if one of our Legates climbs the ranks to become Praetor and then Consul (I would be interested to hear if any of our more experienced Legates have accomplished the first step already). Again, it would seem foolish to spurn the banner should it be raised once more - particularly, as the Republic can never have more than two Consular army banners and may be too small to merit a second.

On another matter, I am heartened to hear that Cornelius Saturninus (aka Mount Suribachi) has been prompted by the crisis in Macedon to step down into the Lower House. The general is in the eye of the storm at Pella. He is well placed to rally the shattered remnants of Consular I army and to hold the city walls should the Macedons try to exploit their recent success.

I propose that the First Consul immediately adopt Cornelius Saturninus as his pro-Consul. Macedonia is currently the key front for our Republic and it is important that Amulius Coruncanius is replaced without fuss or delay. The choice of pro-Consul is, anyway, that of the First Consul alone: we elected him alone on the understanding that he would have discretion to delegate responsibilities to a pro-Consul.

[Mount Suribachi]

I am honoured Senator that you would wish to bestow such an honour on me, but I do not ask for it. If the consul, in his wisdom decides on such a course of action, then I must of course accept, though I know not how the house would take it. Perhaps they may like to ratify such a course of action at the interim senate meeting (assuming I live that long).

What I do ask is that I be allowed to sally forth from Pella with all of the garrison, raising mercenaries along the way, and take on the army of Macedon to the north east. Pella can be garrisoned by the reinforcements heading towards here as I write. Having achieved success through the concentration of force, the Macedonians have now seen fit to split up their army. With my garrison I have the opportunity to take on an army of just 700 odd macedonians - and mainly skirmishers at that. The survivors of the 6th need a victory.

But I do not think Legio VI should be revived. The men think it is cursed. What legionary would want to fight for a legion that has lost 2 straight battles? How many Legions have lost 2 battles full stop? Let alone 2 on the bounce.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Senators,

I take some time off from discussions with my quite hysterical battle staff to speak with you. First off, let me welcome Cornelius Saturninus to active service. His presence in this theater will be of great value in the coming year. I invite him to take the place of the late Amulius Coruncanius as my co-consul.

As to the banners of the Legio VI and the Consular Army I, I wish to say that no Roman army carrying either of those banners has ever walked away from a field of battle without leaving more dead enemies as dead friends behind.
Surely, they have been decisively beaten this time, but did they forsake their banners on the field to be carried around in an enemy victory procession, or stored in a heathen Gaul temple, as is (sotto voice *cursed Publius*) now happening in Gergovia ? No, they did not.
Did they perish against an unworthy enemy ? No, they fought bravely against the combined military might of our most powerfull adversery. This army did not die without glory and the Macedonians are not gloating or parading around cheering with over 900 dead of their nations finest men. Word has reached me that the banner is being looked after religiously by the survivors. The tales of the daring and bloody swath their commander, the late Amulius Coruncanius, cut through the massed ranks of the Macedonians grow with the hour.
I say we should restore the legion VI banner at the first oppertunity and honour it with the name Amulius' wrath. This will surely inspire the men to fight with zeal.

OOC : Someone help me out with the latin ?

As to the situation at hand, I take full responsibility for this disaster. Still, if we still had the blessings of the Gods, it would now be the Macedonians who would now be in dire straits. Such is war.
It greatly pleases me to hear to vigour of our commanders. All want to be the one to destroy the Macedonians. I am in a difficult position and will have to confer with our battle staff on how to cope with this strategic defeat. We do not have enough men for all the tasks facing us now. All I can tell you at this moment is that the Legio IV Gallica, the Legio V Alaudae, and the Field Army I will all probably be involved in the fight against the Kingdom of Macedon.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

In the command tent loud arguments can be heard and we get the impression of centurios almost coming to blows, then a loud voice is heard over the noise...

Lucius Aemilius :
All right, all right, settle down !
After hearing your council I've decided this is what we'll do :
Legate Publius Pansa will embark on the Eastern Fleet with the Legio IV Gallica and set sail for the Macedonian town of Philippi.
Tribune Numerius Aureolus will lead the Legio V Alaudae eastward towards the Macedonian town of Ratiaria, abandoning the Danube river crossing.
We will use this season to reinforce the Field Army I and recreate a proper army out of this mess for poor legate Tiberius Coruncanius. The horror of losing both a son and grandson-in-law in one battle, it doesn't bear thinking about. I hope he does not take offence at my order to wait one season before attacking...

But Sir, moving the Legio V will leave Illyria wide open to Thrace ! And...

I know, Centurion ! Legions don't grow on trees you know ! It'll be years before we can even put a single legion in reserve, let alone have enough to defend our borders ! My spies inform me that the Thracian main army has marched on Aquileia and perhaps if we doublemarch we might still get there in time to stop them. It seems they are ignoring Dalmatia for the moment and we'll just have to hope they'll keep on doing that. Damned pisshole anyway. There's not a hill path in the whole bloody province. Bunch of savages.
Here's the thing. In autumn the Macedonians will be attacked from the south by Tiberius, the west by Numerius and the east by Publius simultaneously. Let's see how they like them figs ! Heathen bastards !

The Roman Courier System is as efficent as always. Next night, encamped a mile away from a massive Thracian army, Lucius Aemilius recieves a letter from Tiberius Coruncanius.

You COWARD ! There's an army right outside these walls. An army of those murderous Macedonians, with the blood of my son still wet on their swords and you tell me to WAIT !?! You despicable arena dog ! We know you have a reputation for compulsive perfection and caution, but you cannot honestly expect me to wait untill reinforcements reach me and let those bastards pass by unmolested ? Think again ! I demand an army and I demand to attack !

Lucius Aemilius cringes at the each insult from his friend and then sighs.

He's right of course, but if he loses this battle the catastrophy will be complete. Yet how can I refuse a father's cry for revenge ? If one of those Gauls killed Marcellus, how would I react ? Has he lost his wits altogether already or is he hanging on to sanity by his thirst for revenge ? If he wins, it would be great for morale, but what if he fails ?

After mulling it over a few minutes, he pens new orders giving Tiberius Coruncanius permission to act as he sees fit with the understrength Field Army I. The Roman Courier System rushes the length of Greece and arrives in Pella...to find out that Tiberius Coruncanius has already left with most of the troops in the city. In the distance the clash of metal can be heard.

Ah well, the couries thinks, I'll give it to him when he gets back...if he gets back, that is.

[TinCow]

We are cursed! CURSED!

Senators, do you not see the signs? In the winter of 261, a sacred Eagle of Rome, was been taken from us by the blasphemous actions of the Princeps Senatus of Rome himself! Immediately afterwards, all of Thrace, a nation with which we have had no previous quarrel, immediately assaulted our provinces. We repelled them only to see the Macedonians suddenly push forward with massive forces, even when they have no resources from which to draw such an army! Legio VI wisely refused battle with this symbol of divine wrath, only to have unexplained confusion cause the loss of many auxilia. We put this behind us, yet then the very army that gained success against the Thracians was inundated in an unnatural flood, killing nearly 100 of Rome's finest soliders. We passed this off without a thought like the others. Four warnings of the most dire nature, all of an unnatural origin. Then, to make us understand, the Gods saw fit to strike down the strongest army of Rome and our own pro-Consul, a man who himself was incredibly devout!

We are cursed and if we do not appease the Gods the results may well be unbearable. Shall we wait until Romulus himself descends from the heavens to smash the Capitoline Hill to dust? We must act! We must regain the favor of the Gods immediately before any other disasters are brought down upon us in our disgrace!

I demand an emergency session of the Senate to consider this matter and to determine the proper actions that must be taken! We must ask Pontifex Maximus Numerius Aureolus to consult the scrolls to determine if it is truly the loss of the sacred Eagle which has brought Romulus' own wrath down upon us. If the answer is yes, we must divert all actions to immediately returning the Eagle to its proper place and removing the blasphemy inflicted on the city of Romulus. We must refrain from all offensive actions except those which are themselves taken in defense of our provinces until this is accomplished. If we continue to push forward with the displeasure of the Gods upon us, we will wish we were under the yoke of Brennus, whose actions will seem reasonable and just in comparison!

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

I agree with everything Augustus Verginius has said. It is clear a divine curse rests upon us. Yet I hope we can postpone the senate debate to the regular sessions in five seasons. We should be able to regain the eagle within a year, if Jupiter provides. Stopping the Macedonian offensive now would be extremely hazardous, given the speed with which they can rebuild their armies. I assure the senate no other offensive actions are planned.

[flyd]

A Senate session would only delay things further. We have already decided what is to be done. Less complaining, more marching, Verginius. Get to Gaul and get the eagle back already! What's taking so long, anyway? Is it your unit that is lazy or is it just you? How do you even have time for writing this, you should be marching, nay, running toward Gaul.