The Shame of Legio III – a Princeps on trial

[TinCow]

This trial was begun to discover where the fault lies in the loss of the Republican Eagle of Legio III Sicilia Aemilia. The defeat of the Legion by our oldest enemies, the Gauls, was a severe blow to the Republic. With the loss of the Eagle, the physical embodiment of the magnificence of Rome, to a barbaric horde, the Republic's honor has been horribly stained. An investigation into this matter must be held for the good of all citizens and those responsible for this crime must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

In the Senate, I volunteered to defend my father-in-law as I believed such a service was in the best interests of the Republic. It now seems that there is adequate defense, but that the Republic lacks an accuser. As is usual and proper, a man's friends and family rally to his cause, even at the expense of the Republic. If we abandon the prosecution of Publius Laevinus, we may as well restore the Etruscan Kings to power. The Republic is important above all citizens, be they patrician or plebian!

As such, I hereby accuse Publius Laevinus, commander of Legio III Sicilia Aemilia, of criminal negligence during the defense of the Massilia ford against the Gauls under Drustan of Decetia. He has failed in his duties as a commander of a Legion of Rome. He has disgraced himself, his Legion and the entire Republic with his conduct. He has weakened the entire Alpine frontier and made all of Italy vulnerable to barbarian invasion. Publius Laevinus is guilty of crimes which are the equivalent of treason. As a private Roman citizen before this court, I will provide evidence to substantiate my allegations and I demand that punishment be swift and harsh when his guilt is inevitably determined.

[Braden]

Senators,

The Accusations are clear and concise. I have now heard statements from three persons whom were present at the time of the battle but I will not have them take the stand until we have heard from the those people who's actions, or inactions, lead to this disaster.

*Decius, turns to an aide to his right and they exchange a short sentence. The aide, a shifty & furtive looking character, hurriedly leaves*

There are many ways to garner the truth in this matter and I intend to use ALL of them to find out what occured.

Now, I ask, save Senator Publius Laevinus and Manius themselves, whom will speak on their behalves? For I will call them to answer the accusations put forth.

[Death the destroyer of worlds]

I shall speak in defense of both Publius Laevinius and my son Manius, if it pleases the court.

[Lucjan]

I will speak in defence of my father, Manius Aemilius.

[Dooz]

{Galerius Vatinius}

Senators, I have been appointed defense counsil for Publius Leavinius and willingly accept. However, I will have nothing to do with Manius Aemilius and reserve the right to testify against him if necessary. I now yield the floor to the prosecutor.

[econ21]

SENATE SPEAKER: This trial has now been properly constituted: Augustus Verginius has been appointed prosecutor; Galerius Vatinius has been appointed as defence lawyer for Publius Laevinius; and Servius Aemilius will be defence lawyer for Manius Aemilius.

I believe the praetor, Decius Curtius, has indicated that he would like to first hear testimony from Manius Aemilius, so I would ask the various parties to wait for that testimony. The prosecution and the defence may then cross examine the witness.

[Lucjan]

Servius sits, a look of slight concern across his face as it seems his father has been a bit late..but perhaps his concerns are ill founded. The sound of a very vocal argument resounds through the halls outside the court before the doors creek open, the legionnairres opening them for none other than Manius Aemilius.

"Do not lecture mmeee on how the senate feels! I am part of the senate! Hoot!" Manius screams at the startled legionnairres, who quickly close the door. "And clean up that mess!"

This scene may not have been such a sudden worry to Servius if it had been anybody but his father...but lo and behold, Manius now sat, backwards, atop a donkey, waving a butter knife angrily at the door, which, in his frustration, finds itself flying towards the closed court doors before he dismounts. "Away steed." Manius says, but the donkey just huffs and stands there. His son finds it hard to say anything, simply sitting there, face buried in the palm of one hand, pointing towards the dock for the accused.

Their is a wry grin on the accused one's face..as if he had struck some great victory and was being wrongfully accused. "I suppose you all want me to start then?" Manius says...and his version of oration begins.

"It was midday, me and my men were taking a swim in the river, when the Gauls could be seen coming about in the distance, at first I ignored them, but the rest of the men seemed a bit edgy, so I *hoot!*ed them to bear arms immediately. Unforetunatly, the Gauls noticed us, undoubtadly drawn to my Bathing Legion. Yes..we were a glorious sight, like geese in a pond..yes. Too bad the presence of roman women could not have been felt as well, their armaments perhaps may have turned the Gauls away. But we had armor by the time they arrived at the ford..I don't remember where I found mine, but it fit kind of funny and I don't think I found it in my tent. Blasted legionnairres should keep their hands off other people's armor! But my spear was in the owl where I left it. *hoot!*

By the time everybody was ready half of those blasted Gauls were already taking a swim in our river, armor on and all, I couldn't believe they could put forth such nerve, swimming in our river before they even fought for it! So I ordered a full out charge! The half of the gallic army that was swimming in the river came out to meet us in battle. The infantry held them at bay and my glorious cavalry and I took the charge home! Planted a spear point straight in one of their arse's I did! *hooot!* But before we could run the last of the buggers down the rest of them were back in the river! I ordered the second charge into the manbeasts and I spotted their bug eyed general! So my men and I took charge, assailing his bodyguard left and right with our pointy sticks. We were winning the day until these ungodly beasts rose from the ground behind us, covered in weeds and mud, and dripping wet, their stench scared the horses and as they charged into our rear our mighty steeds took flight. Stayed and fought them I would! I would if I could! *HOOT!* If I could then I would were it not for those who should but could not could! *HOOOT!* It was all his fault! That dammmned beast. *Manius points to the donkey in the center of the court, stands up and makes foul gestures and farty noises at the beast then produces a block of wood from his garb and clocks the beast in the head with it, prompting a rauckus display from the animal before it goes off and sits in the corner.* Running from the stinky twig men! Dare call yourself a might steed...and to think, I almost appointed you my second in command! *Still waving angry fingers at the donkey...he stops for a few seconds, breathes, and sits back down and crosses his arms in a huff, like an angry child.

Then that wry grin returns, that sinister 'I saved the day were it not for you' smile.* The gauls dealt with the swampmen in turn...and then came once again for us. We fought the beasts again but something whacked me in the head and I fell off my horse, next thing I know, when I opened my eyes everybody was gone..that damned PIGMAN *hoot!*, THAT FOOL *hoot!!*, THAT WORTHLESS EXCUSE FOR ROMAN *ho-hoot!*, Publius Laevinius, NEVER *hoot!* showed his face on the battlefield at all! He left my Bathing Legion to die at the hands of that horde! I may as well have killed him in his sleep and assumed control of his Lazy Legion myself! The combined might of a Lazy-Bathing Legion could have been victorious under my command...*HOot!* But no..noo. Nay shall I be given such honor. No..give it to the pigman instead. Leave Manius out by himself in the water. Now..why don't you give me back my legion, whereever you took it, because I know you all took it..when I woke up it was gone, I want it back! And I want a medal too! And where the HELL did you all take my triarii?!?! They had the legionnairry owl! I WANT MY FANCY OWL BACK! *With that Manius slams his fist on the table, crosses his arms, and refuses to say another word without being questioned, other than the occasional hoot.