Conscript Fathers, Roma has called for you!

[madmatg]

i think the irradication of the greeks may be a bit rash. They have indeed attempted to hold us down but let us not forget the trade that can be gained in the short run by gaining trade rights with the Makedonians and Greeks. I think if we exterminate the greeks these people may become rather aggitated and refuse the trade rights. Whereas they will eventually be expected to bow the knee to us, for now we need $$ to fund our legions advances. Also it may be in our interests to get friendly with the epirotes after taking back italia as i have some sources that tell me the Makedonians may be on the move, and funding their war against the makedonians may be the simplest way to keep these people in check until we make or way east. I also want to second Wolfman's proposal to get trade rights with the gauls. thank you for granting me the honor of speaking to you the esteemed council.

[CaesarAugustus]

i think the irradication of the greeks may be a bit rash. They have indeed attempted to hold us down but let us not forget the trade that can be gained in the short run by gaining trade rights with the Makedonians and Greeks. I think if we exterminate the greeks these people may become rather aggitated and refuse the trade rights. Whereas they will eventually be expected to bow the knee to us, for now we need $$ to fund our legions advances. Also it may be in our interests to get friendly with the epirotes after taking back italia as i have some sources that tell me the Makedonians may be on the move, and funding their war against the makedonians may be the simplest way to keep these people in check until we make or way east. thank you for granting me the honor of speaking to you the esteemed council

I must disagree, Senator madmatg. The thought of foreigners living so close to Roma is deeply disturbing. They will spread their strange and inferior customs, ideas, and vices to our honest and harworking citizens. They must be removed from the land that is rightfully ours if our culture is to flourish in Italia. If the city is exterminated, we can attract good Roman citizens to repopulate the province by promising low taxes. We can also settle troops and their families there when we choose to disband the legion, and soon we will see the economy begin to flourish.

As for trade, if the Greeks wish to refuse us then that is their problem. We have plenty of other options, such as the gauls across the Alps (and I must stress across the Alps, we do not want to encourage or help these Cisalpine Gauls in any way, since they are squatting on land which should be rightfully ours)and the people of Carthago. The Senate treasury can do without the Greek's gold if we seek trade with others and spend wisely.

We must also bide our time and see how the Epirotes fare in their war against Makedonia before openly backing them. I do not like the idea of supporting our enemy overseas, incase one day he decides once again to turn West and try to take back his Italian holdings. However, the idea of a powerful and expanding Macedonia is evn more didturbing, so I second your motion to make peace with Pyrrhus after he has been expelled from Italia.

[madmatg]

fellow Senators hear me,

Caeser i agree that we should wait to support the epirotes or KH but i was speaking to the point of our extermination of their populace in Southern Italia. With the extermination of their populace t may become impossible for them to even think about accepting our gold if, and i think when, they will need it to fight the makedonians.

I do continue my support for showing mercy to the greeks in southern Italia, as (1) extending the olive branch to these people WILL make the greeks more receptive to our diplomatic efforts, and getting money early will allow us to begin investing that money in better trading facilities and the faster we get these trade facilities functioning the more money we will make in the long run. (2)We will need these southern cities functioning at high population quickly (in case the carthiginians decide to start expanding in sicily), and true romans will go where they are needed for the good of Roma, so we have no need to worry about roman citizens not moving south because of some greeks. (3)These greeks although hard-headed do have their logic, and when they see the way we govern and realize that our destiny is to rule the world i believe they will not stay unhappy with us as their new rulers for too long. And will more quickly become productive Roman citizens than we would be able to produce(physically) new romans.

i would also like to make a proposal for the train and send some strategic units(diplomats or spies or assassins) to the greek peninsula to keep an eye on things as well as to the gallic lands to the north for the same reason. I do not think i need to explain this to anyone as money spent on knowledge now can save us 3-fold or even 4-fold the money and populace we will have to spend later if we allow a government to become too much of a power.(this post was posted at the same time TWC was typing so it is not a response to his post)

[madmatg]

TWC's point on the money we could gain from exterminating the populace is a tempting proposal but i believe by exterminating the greeks there we will be unable to gain trade rights with any greek peoples west of turkey, i believe by simply enslaving the people who defy us we can acheive the goal of civil stability with minimal garrison, whereas the money gained from looting will be less, the money gained from the trade of the city with bigger populace and the money from the greeks who will most likely trade with us will lead to bigger economic boosts in the long run

[Poulp']

I disagree with senator TWFanatic on one point; we should not gather our forces in Arpi. We would be trapped within its walls if Pyrrhus decides to siege it.
However, there are a lot of rolling hills south of Arpi where we could wait for his army. It would serve a double purpose; if Pyrrhus is enticed to attack us, we could fight on the higher ground and rain death upon his phalanxes before the clash. If he decides to siege Arpi, our legion would still have the choice to relieve the city, or directly aim for his base in the south.
That way, all options are open to us.
I agree with the appointement of Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio as consul though.

Now, over the fate of the tarentine population, I believe its fate rests on the state of our war chest. If it is empty, then we should fill it back at their expense.
Still, there is in the city a large number of skilled craftmen; though they are greek, it would be a shame to waste their skill. We could put it to good use in our own cities by putting them into slavery.
I am strongly against a simple occupation, Roma suffered much from them in the past and showing mercy to them would send the wrong kind of message.
We have to show the greeks that we mean business; Southern Italy should be turned to roman ways as fast as possible.

[Long lost Caesar]

Im glad to see that the Senate House has so many eager politicians in its walls, and I hope that you will all continue to serve Roma as you do now.
It seems to me that (so far) the general vote is to march to and conquer southern italia. im not saying this is the final verdict, but im letting all know this is so likely to be our plan.
Another point I would like to put forward: what should be done with construction, taxation etc? Should the Senators decide what happens with it, or would it simply be easier for me to decide? I will keep reports coming in once the campaign begins, but i thought it would be best to consult you, the Senators of our City, and see what you decide. I am, and will forever remain, your loyal general.

[NightStar]

Senatores! Senatores!

What is all this talk of war? Let us rather build beautiful forums, and baths...yes luxurious bathouses. I say let us sue for peace on every front, make trade agreements, fill our coffers, build an arena and have some games.

I am sure that we can coexist with the Epeirots, who knows if we gather enough mnai we might even buy Tarentum from them. Surely talents of gold would help them in their war against the Makedonians. A lots of gold will do them more good than some backwater town.

Rhegium on the other hand has affiliation with no one, no great power that holds a protective hand over them, maybe we should extend them ours?

I propose we send our legions to Rhegium, who should lead them I do not care, so long it isn't me. If the good people of Rhegium do not open the gates and welcome us with flowers and joyful smiles I suggest we sell them into slavery. I might need some new slaves.

Yes and let's not forget to tax the plebs to the bone, or else they will squander their mnai on meeningless things. And after all we'll need it.

We should starting building better markets, harbours, roads and let the trade florish.

[alatar]

Scipio as Legate of the Roman legion?
Very well, but the tribunes of the plebs say they wish Cotta to be his Milatary Tribune, and master of Horse.

Why should we exterminate the greeks? A foolish idea, we should sell them all into slavery, and then strip all the greek buildings, much more prohitable then killing them all.

And also, the raising of a second full legion should be made.

(People keep calling the leader of a legion a Consul, Legate or Imperator makes more sence)