Will of the Senate - Senate Deliberations II

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

In the next senate meeting I will propose extending one of our temples as a tribute to his memory. He was not a very religious man, unlike me, but I hardly doubt that such a great man will not be welcomed by the Gods.
I will now go into mourning as befitting a man who has lost his former commander and friend...

*Lucius leaves the senate with his head bowed...*

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

...Lucius Aemilius walks back in for a last word...

Before I forget, let me congratulate the acting consul Tiberius Coruncanius on a diplomatic masterstroke concerning the land purchase of the Macedonians. For such a meager sum we have extended our dominion peacefully and decreased the power of the Macedonians at the same time. My congratulations ! We'll gotta rush, my grandchild's new tutor has somethign he wants to explain to me about bathtubs and towels

..and then he really does leave...

[GeneralHankerchief]

Be at peace, good Quintus.

This man singlehandedly saved Rome in the dark time of Pyrrhus' invasion. This man brought Southern Italia, Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia under our benevolent rule. This man did the impossible and held a poorly-walled city with ridiculously inferior numbers against a massive Greek army.

Quintus, you mentioned before that terrible battle that it would be your time soon. Sadly it came too quickly. May you bask in the gods' glory forever.

[Silver Rusher]

Quintus is dead? He was old... but I cannot imagine the loss of such a great leader anyway. If it wasn't for this man we would be ruled by Greeks. We would be confined to small lands in central Italia. Many of us are inspired by Quintus's great deeds, but I think few of us really know how good a true Roman he really was.

All that is possible must be done to honour this great man.

[x-dANGEr]

"It is a sad day when the mighty falls, but after every other sunset, comes a sunshine. So long, Quintus, so long, saviour of Roma."

[Avicenna]

My deepest condolences to Quintus' daughters Poppaea, Alypia, Claudia and Marcella. Rome is saddened to lose such a fine leader, and full honours to him must be given.

In a more positive note, congratulations to my father, Publius Laevinius, on becoming Princeps Senatus of Rome! May your days be as successful as Quintus', and may you lead Rome to further glory and prosperity!

[Mount Suribachi]

And now comes word that Macedon has back-stabbed us and launched a surprise attack!

Words fail me to describe the sheer treachery and deceit of these foul Greeks! I give thanks to the Gods that I am in this theatre and will soon have command of my own legion. For I swear by Jupiter Optimus Maximus, I shall not rest until all of Greece has been pacified - at the point of my own sharpened Gladius.

There shall be no peace deals, no temporary cessation of hostilities. There can be no peace in Greece except a pax Romana.

Once more Conscript Fathers, I thank Jupiter that He has chosen me to be in Greece at this time, that I may inflict His vengeance upon the Hellenic peoples.

[Braden]

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Quintus. If the resurrection and glory of the Republic we now know and love could be attributed to one man…it would surely be him.

I will make funds available from my estate for those of his family who wish to construct an image of him in Rome. He is well loved in the City by the Plebeians and a public collection would also bring much coin for such a project.

(OOC: at this point I was going to suggest that the Roman aqueduct be renamed after him but then realised that I didn’t know if we’d constructed one yet)

The Macedonians have acted true to form, what I’m surprised about is that ANYONE in the Senate would be shocked by their actions. Several years ago I warned of their treachery, that a Kingdom that stood by and did nothing whilst their closest allies were ravaged had nothing but such underhand and devious minds.

I warned of this day, now it is upon us. I say there should be NO withdrawals, NO retreats. We must march to relieve our fort post haste and eject those Macedonian armies invading from the North…I will not hear of a withdrawal from the North, our men will fight and defeat those scum! For by our actions and theirs, we are not only the better fighters but also the better peoples.

[TinCow]

Our friendship with the Macedonians has been shown time and time again. We refrained from supporting the Illyrians in the war against them. We ignored their aggressive movements into the territories taken from the Greeks. We paid them a fair price for an untenable settlement that they could not hold. Yet now they have turned on us with massive force.

Senators, we must put aside any divisions that may exist within this body. We face a long a difficult war against the Macedonians. Before it is over, many a good Roman will lie dead, possibly including some who sit before you. We have but the equivalent of three legions in our Greek provinces, and the Macedonians have sent four armies of nearly Consular size against us, in the first wave alone. We shall prevail, but it will be costly. We must commit ourselves to endure a terrible price and we must immediately begin to make plans to conduct a very long war. If we delude ourselves into anything less, we may be caught unprepared and the Republic will suffer greatly.

I have full faith in Consul Coruncanius to react in the best possible way to the immediate crisis. I note that there are not yet any Roman colonists in any of the Greek provinces and thus abandoning them temporarily is perfectly acceptable if it must be done.

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: It is with trepidation that I take my seat in this august body. I wish only to say that our prayers are with the First Consul in this time of crisis. And to add that, although I am only a young man, I stand eager to serve on the field of battle if called upon to do so.

[Ignoramus]

Learned Senators, I humbly request to be given command of a force to seize the town of Chalkida from our enemies, Macedon.

[Braden]

From a tactical stand point I would suggest that whilst our other legions hold the invading Macedonian armies the Legion led by Verginius in the North strike into the Macedonian heartlands.

It appears that Verginius faces the least resistance from the maps given us from the latest reports and if he strikes deep and fast into Macedonia he will be able to turn the major offensive of the enemy into a defensive battle.

Understand though that I call for Verginius not to conquer and hold but to destroy and pillage! The Macedonians have shown us that they are the basest of creatures, even perhaps worse than the Gauls, and deserve no honoured treatment from us.

I call for Verginius to press forward and utterly decimate the Macedon war machine at its heart.

I trust that I have read the reports and maps correctly and have not based my ideas on falsehood.

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: I would like to congratulate our generals (the former Consuls Aemilius and Verginius, as well as Legate Publius Pansa) for their recent excellent performances on the field of battle. I also express my admiration for First Consul Coruncanius in marshalling our armies to reach such favourable decisions. Rome salutes you all! Macedon must surely regret assisting the nefarious Greeks.

[flyd]

A messenger enters the Senate bearing a letter from Tiberius Coruncanius. It reads:

Senators,

I understand you have hearing reports of epic battles, from Attica in the south to Histria in the north, and may be wondering what exactly is going on. I have been very busy in the field and unable to write a detailed report, but I have decided to take some time off to write you a letter. I found a nice vacation spot called Pella. Not sure if you have heard of it, but it has a nice palace and everything. Some guy calling himself the "King of Macedon" seemed to have a bit of a problem with me and my troops using it, but he mysteriously died from a stabbing wound. Also trampling wounds. There are reports that Tribune Numerius Aureolus and his Praetoria unit were in the area at the time of the incident.

But if I could write seriously for a moment, the war against Macedon has been going very well. My advance on Pella with the Consular Army was the main offensive action. On the other hand, the Macedonian offensve from the north has completely stalled due to defensive efforts of Legate Augustus Verginius and II Legion, who has destroyed one army and denied the use of the Valley of Greeks to the rest. On his right, Legate Amulius Coruncanius and the newly created VI Legion, which is not up to full strength, have denied the use of Verginius' pass, and on his left, Marcus Laevinus remained in Scodra, denying the coastal approach.

Still, the total Macedonian forces along the line from Pella to Scorda are estimated at some 5000 strong. There is good news too, however. Already mentioned was the capture of Pella, the Macedonian capital, and the killing of the King of Macedon. The first wave of reinforcements has arrived in Eprius and more are on the way. There is no longer a significant Greek or Macedonian military presence south of the Pella-Scodra line, only garrisons; Legate Publius Pansa has captured Corinth and could well capture everything down there should he not be needed in the north. Out of theater, Legate Lucius Aemilius has destroyed the last Macedonian presence in the north, in Histria, thereby taking himself out of the war for the time being.

That's all I have at the moment. You will, in time, receive a detailed report.

Tiberius Coruncanius.

[Braden]

Acting Consul Tiberius,

Such news gladdens me and re-enforces my faith in the strength of our fighting men and those who lead them.

It is important that we allow Legate Publius Pansa to continue to march through the Macedonian heartlands and thus it falls upon our commanders in the North to hold and destroy the invading Macedon forces…..a task I am certain they can perform.

The cost will be high but I believe Legate Pansa can win this war whilst others ensure his victory by causing the Macedons to look elsewhere.

[Mount Suribachi]

Excellent work Father, though I am like a caged tiger here. I yearn to spill Greek blood in the name of Jupiter Optimus Maximus!

[Dutch_guy]

Senators !

It has been a while since my last visit, and I never thought so much could have happened while I was away !

I must say Quintus' death came as quite a shock to me, a great Roman he was, who possibly meant more to the republic than any other Roman before him - not even taking into account the founding fathers of this great empire and city.

It seems that the our once humble empire has grown out to be quite formidable, no surprise there, although the speed did pleasantly surprise me.

Of course I did miss numerous motions, but I'll trust that my family members did a good job on promoting my views as well, thanks for that.

Now I must also congratulate the acting consul Tiberius Coruncanius for his great work in subduing the macedonians, also congratulations to all the other consuls whom I might have missed in my absence !

Reporting from Scodra

Senator Marcus Laevinius

[x-dANGEr]

A messenger enters the Senate bearing a letter from Publius Pansa. It reads:

"Senators,

My first couple of battles leading this army have been quite successful. Successful to the point that my men think of battles as training now.. Successful to the point that one of the armies I faced hadn't dared to even step 1 foot into the direction of my men.. Successful to the point that the night guards get a nap every couple of minutes.. And so, I urge you Senators, to let me venture through the Macedonian lands, for by the pass of each day, my men lose experience. And by the pass of each battle, my men lose experience, as every time it looks easier..

Regards.

Publius Pansa."

[TinCow]

The Relief of Scodra

[flyd]

Marcus Laevinus was an exceptionally brave man. There was, at one point, an opportunity to abandon Scodra. The garrison was weak, the wall was pathetic, and the Macedonians numerous. Yet the city was not abandoned, but had it been, it would have allowed the Macedonians to march along the coast, around Verginius' left flank straight into Epirus, and probably capture Apollonia. Where would we be then? Surrounded by the enemy and cut off from Italy. I think that tells you enough.

[Braden]

The actions of Marcus Laevinus were truly heroic; though his garrison was small it still took the field and surely without those fighting men and Marcus’s own actions the day would have been lost.

I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as a Heroic Death, rather there are glorious Heroics before a death. Marcus’s actions show this to all Roman citizens.

I trust that it is our turn to strike back again.

[GeneralHankerchief]

It is at a sad time that I, Marcellus Aemilius, join this august body. I am but a boy, but my studies are teaching me well. Senator Laevinius (my condolences to his family) died doing his duty for Rome. As previously mentioned, he was a brave man who did not flee when the oppurtunity was given to him.

It has also come to my attention that we are currently without a Future Princeps Senatus. While the Senate is not officially in session yet, I would like to lobby for my father, Legate Lucius Aemilius for that position. He has served us well since before I was born and, despite our differences, I know he is the right man for the job.

[Mount Suribachi]

The death of Marcus Laevinius is but another nail in the coffin of Macedon. Rome shall have its vengeance, and every wound they inflict upon her shall only increase the suffering of those who are the perpetrators!

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

Honoured fathers,

I'd like to thank my son Marcellus Aemilius for his kind words and bid him welcome to this house. With the excellent tutors he has, I have great hopes for him.

I would also like to express my sympathy and grief to family of Marcus Laevinus, who was such a promising young man. Surely the gods will welcome him, who died a true Roman Hero's death, in the Elysian Fields. I will offer prayers in his honour to Jupiter and Mars this evening. I hope my sons will emulate his shining example of Roman Heroism. I give an open offer of any assistance I can offer to his wife Aurelia and his lovely daughter Fannia.

[flyd]

The Illyrians have attacked Aquileia. Lucius Aemilius and Legion I are in the area and will respond.

[Braden]

I was passing a public orator last evening and caught his speech of praise for our recently departed Senator….one sentence stuck in my mind as very apt.

"And how can man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods?"

I could not hope to put my feelings into words any more appropriately than this.

[Mount Suribachi]

Oh this is treachery of the first order!!!! After all we have do to help Illyria, this is how they repay us???!!!???

I know the senate is not in session for us to propose motions, but I urge you father to put the towns and cities of Illyria to the sword!! Kill their men and sell their women and children into slavery! Let the world know the price to be paid by those that treat us with dishonour!

[SwordsMaster]

*Gaius Rutillius enters the room in a hurry. He is wearing a light leather cuirass and a dusty cloak, and looks tired and angry. Very angry.*


Senators! I departed the city I was entrusted with as soon as the news reached my ears. I left last night to be here with the first lights of the morning.

I urge you to act, Senators! I believe we can support another legion. No more than this will be needed of us to put righteous fear in the hearts of those backstabbing peoples.

I fully support their extermination, for such treacherous species have no place among men. I only ask of you this, senators, let me be one of the men that will raze to the ground the first city we take from them.

[TinCow]

This Senate may be surprised that allies of the Gauls would commit such an atrocity, but I am not. There are no good barbarians, there are simply barbarians who are dangerous now and barbarians who will be dangerous in the future. We should destroy them all.

[Dutch_guy]

This attack is one I didn't expect, but then again they are - as senator Verginiussaid - mere barbarians.

I agree with all who encourage the destruction of these traitorous barbarians, Rome must let the world know how we treat those who betray our empire, greatest of all.

We must act as soon as possible and destroy them utterly, the faster we do this, the faster we can put those troops up against the Macedonians again...