The Curia

[/Bean\]

Cotta enters the chambers

Forgive me for not attending at an earlier date, Senators. Business of overseeing the Legio II Lativm has kept me occupied.

May I welcome the young Decimvs Cornelivs Scipio to the Senate. I hope you are now familiar with the rules we live by and will abide to them.

However, I must answer the new Senator's last speech with a question. Were you there, Scipio? Did you face the hordes of the Epirites; the Molossian King that invaded our land; the Illyrians, Greeks, Tarentines, Italians, and humangous beasts he called forth with a simple wave of his hand? My father was, Senator. He fought the Molossian at Heraclea, and met his end on the fields of Asculum. He was a brave man and a good soldier. He would never have agreed to sign a peace treaty with an enemy that had invaded, pillaged and killed many good men, women and children under the protection of Roma, to then retreat and abandon those he had come to aid. I plea the Senate to not sign a peace treaty with these scum from Greece; Roma will repay old debts in the future. For now let them huddle behind the protection of the sea and their navy.

As to the Senator's other proposal, I do agree. Maybe we should send out merchants and diplomats to secure trade routes with far off kingdoms. Only good and riches can come out of it. Better relations, sharing of resources and contact with ancient civilisations await, gentlemen. I am open to debate, but would like to remind you that this is for the good of the Republic, and the rich men of Roma as much as the mob.

Cotta takes his seat, awaiting a reply from the Senate

[SwissBarbar]

"Roma did never cloister itself, why should it now? I agree, we should establish trade routes to foreign Kingdoms beyond Neptunus' sea. I could not come up with an counter-argument, not by any stretch of the imagination." With that Avlvs seats himself.

[Mooks]

Cotta enters the chambers

Forgive me for not attending at an earlier date, Senators. Business of overseeing the Legio II Lativm has kept me occupied.

May I welcome the young Decimvs Cornelivs Scipio to the Senate. I hope you are now familiar with the rules we live by and will abide to them.

However, I must answer the new Senator's last speech with a question. Were you there, Scipio? Did you face the hordes of the Epirites; the Molossian King that invaded our land; the Illyrians, Greeks, Tarentines, Italians, and humangous beasts he called forth with a simple wave of his hand? My father was, Senator. He fought the Molossian at Heraclea, and met his end on the fields of Asculum. He was a brave man and a good soldier. He would never have agreed to sign a peace treaty with an enemy that had invaded, pillaged and killed many good men, women and children under the protection of Roma, to then retreat and abandon those he had come to aid. I plea the Senate to not sign a peace treaty with these scum from Greece; Roma will repay old debts in the future. For now let them huddle behind the protection of the sea and their navy.

As to the Senator's other proposal, I do agree. Maybe we should send out merchants and diplomats to secure trade routes with far off kingdoms. Only good and riches can come out of it. Better relations, sharing of resources and contact with ancient civilisations await, gentlemen. I am open to debate, but would like to remind you that this is for the good of the Republic, and the rich men of Roma as much as the mob.

Cotta takes his seat, awaiting a reply from the Senate

I thank you for the welcome.

A war without a objective is just a drain on our coffers. While I admire your Father's accomplishments and his service to Rome, trade with the illyrians should continue until we have ample resources to deal with them. We have war on the savages in the north and possible war with Carthrage, I see no need to continue with the Epirotes unless we are campaigning against them.

Unless, you want to get honorable revenge and organize a campaign against them? ;)

[/Bean\]

Quite angrily, Cotta retaliates

Have you no honour, Scipio? These men invaded, pillaged and burned our country. They were beaten back through the courage, sacrifice and lives our grand armies. Now, you wish you offer them a choice to recuperate, to replenish their coffers with Roman gold? I swear, on my father's name, that Rome shall not fund her enemies. I have no wish to abandon our direction to the north; Epirus will wait. But while it waits, I refuse to take part in it's recovery.

With that, Cotta sat, silently daring the young Tribune to challange him further.

[YouHaveRecieved]

Wait, you say war with Carthage is more likely than war with Epriotes? Let me remind you that Carthage are our allies and imagine our standing with them. They wouldn't be very happy that we had submitted to Epirus and we now getting trade and money from them. This could possibly provoke war from the South. Also imagine the humility. We noble Romans not only recieving but giving money to Epirus. The only way I would even think to allow it in my mind is by asking them to offer us a regular tribute of 300 mnai a season.

[Mooks]

Wait, you say war with Carthage is more likely than war with Epriotes? Let me remind you that Carthage are our allies and imagine our standing with them. They wouldn't be very happy that we had submitted to Epirus and we now getting trade and money from them. This could possibly provoke war from the South. Also imagine the humility. We noble Romans not only recieving but giving money to Epirus. The only way I would even think to allow it in my mind is by asking them to offer us a regular tribute of 300 mnai a season.

I concede your point and abdicate my first proposal

Decimvs Cornelivs Scipio takes his seat.

[/Bean\]

Cotta stands before any other senators get a chance. (Edit:Damn, not fast enough )

I second this proposal. The Epirites are beaten, withdrawn. As the victors, we have the right to demand reperations from those who have been beaten. I ask the Dictator to consider demanding reparations from our defeated foes.

[YouHaveRecieved]

Whilst we send a Diplomat oer the Aegean we could get trade rights with nations such as Macedon, Selucids, Ptolimics and the Free Greek City States. This would up our naval trade a plenty and would force the Epirites onto the backfoot because I believe they are currently at war with Macedon. Correct me if I am wrong.

[/Bean\]

According to the Reports, Epirus is still at war in Greece with it's rivals; however the Arche Seleukeia have offered and accepted a ceasefire with them some years ago.

I also believe we should send diplomats across the Mediterrainian to Iberia; it is a rich land with many valuable resources.

[YouHaveRecieved]

Yes I believe so. I also believe that we can send our spy on Sardin when we have a navy to the islands around the Magna Greaca as I believe they are very profitable.

[Mooks]

According to the Reports, Epirus is still at war in Greece with it's rivals; however the Arche Seleukeia have offered and accepted a ceasefire with them some years ago.

I also believe we should send diplomats across the Mediterrainian to Iberia; it is a rich land with many valuable resources.

Until we gain cities close to Iberia (Conquests in and around Massila) I doubt any benefit will come from Iberia. They are savages and are more likely to loot our merchants than trade. Perhaps when there is a dominant tribe willing to trade, the sending of a diplomat will make more sense. You should consider the cost of maintaining a diplomat for that long.

Unless,again, by diplomats you mean a small army.

[Il_Duce]

[I]Cotta stands before any other senators get a chance.

I second this proposal. The Epirites are beaten, withdrawn. As the victors, we have the right to demand reperations from those who have been beaten. I ask the Dictator to consider demanding reparations from our defeated foes.

I agree with Legatus Cotta. Although trade rights with the Epirotes would certainly thicken our coin purses, it would be a very unwise move diplomatically. Why not simply take the money from them like the children they are. They are beaten and battered and I believe the idiot general no longer wishes to take on the whole world. If the Roman legions march on him he knows it will be his demise.

Excuse me now, as I must take off to II Legio Latium-- a personal servant shall serve as my scribe and letter carrier.

[YouHaveRecieved]

Ah, to endure the interview tent with Legatus Cotta. I wish you luck!

[navarro951]

Dictator Dentatvs rises...

"I am now announcing that Legatus Lucius Cornelius Scipio will be made Aedile of Taras."

[Potocello]

Servivs rises

"Congradulations Legatus Scipio"

Servivs smiles at Scipio and sits

[Mooks]

edit : nvm

[SwissBarbar]

"Also accept my best wishes, Legatus Lucius Cornelius Scipio"

[/Bean\]

If only we could find him...then we could congratulate him

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: haha Mooks had to check his first name to make sure it wasn't him

[navarro951]

The Heres walks in...

"Well done Consul Asina, not only have you earned the Republic a new city, but you have earned the the new rank of Quaestor. You may choose 2 new bodyguard units when they are available in the Aemilia region. You are a good Consul and will indeed make a fine Quaestor. Stand and be recognized."

Asian receives a standing ovation!

Blasio quiets the Curia down...

"As for Pvblibs Regvlvs, he has served well in Legio I Apulia and has earned the rank of Legatus. A legion will be prepared for him as soon as the resources allow for it. Until then he may continue to serve with Consul Asina and Legio I Apulia or go wherever he wills."

A quick applause is made for Legatus Regvlvs

"And finally, Consul Asina, you will need to select a new Tribune. Legatus Regvlvs will now serve with you, respectfully, but no longer under you. His post will be changed to a new Legion as soon as it is created. So to all Tribuni of Roma, declare your application!"

"And lastly the Dictator wishes to grant the Provincial Dictatorship of his legio's hailing region, Apulia. Know full well your duties as a Provincial Dictator and govern your region well Consul."

[everyone]

(OOC: I already PM'ed navarro the details and other stuffs)

Asina, still dressed in military attire but reeking of the aforementioned smell, turns from his assistant

"I thank you Heres for granting me dictatorship over Apulia, I shall govern the region well and work towards making our Republic more mighty"

Asina's assistant passes a piece of parchment to him

"and I declare that Tribu- I mean Legatus Regulus has completed his training under Legio I Apulia and has served well, he shall make an excellent officer; I would also like to thank Legatus Cotta and Legio II for aiding Legio I in taking Bononia, I think Legatus Cotta should also be credited with the taking of Bononia."

partially smiling from something that just struck his mind; Asina continued

"and it seems we still have another region to capture before Italia is united; I shall use the resources from the newly-granted provincial dictatorship to aid us (OOC: the provincial legion can be used on campaigns as long as a general leads it right? since I don't think it would be very productive if we just leave it sitting around in Apulia)"

he whispers something to his assistant and passed to him another piece of parchment with something scrawled on it;

"Now I shall head over to the Campvs Martivs to notify the Tribuni; good day all"

after Asina left, his assistant then fixed his eyes on the illegibly-written words and attempts to figure out what is written on it

[Tiberius Claudius Marcellus]

Stepping out of the way at the last minute to avoid being knocked to the ground by a swift moving and well-decorated commander, a well-dressed young man looks about the chambers of the Curia. He notices a clerk furiously studying a note handed him by the commander that just left and quietly whispers something to him. The clerk absent-mindedly points in the general direction of several toga-clad senatores and mumbles something unintelligble, clearly absorbed with discerning the contents of the writ. Suddenly, a powerful voice erupts in the cavernous hall,

"Is that how you address a member of the Senate you slovenly oaf!? Stand up straight, look me in the eye when one of your social betters addresses you, and enunciate your syllables! Surely, you disgrace your master's house, now back to your station!"

The few senatores in the chambers discussing politics while not in session stare at the young man, neither showing amusement nor shock at such an outburst in this sacred venue. Several begin to speak in hushed tones while eyeing the self-declared member of the legislative body, unusually tanned in comparison to the people of the capitol. Unnerved by the penetrating gazes of these older, wiser, and more importantly richer, and more powerful men, the newly arrived presumptuous addition to the Senate breaks a small sweat while he adjusts his tunic and shifts his weight as he racks his brain to regain the lost footing he holds in these men's eyes. Solemnly he begins,

"Honored Senatores, I apologize for my outburst. I have grown accustomed to certain privileges and deferential treatment in my home of Taras. I beg you to forgive this offense toward my fellow man."

The well-dressed man, robust with youth, tinged with the ever-so-slight appearance of maturation, grasps the stunned clerk by the forearms and embraces him.

"Forgive me? Friend? I have wronged you in the eyes of others. I have wronged my family's honor. I have disgraced these hallowed halls."

Before the clerk can even begin to respond, the man releases his embrace and steps away to address the senatores in the Curia, unfurling the scroll from the ornately gilded case that has accompanied him on his long journey.

"I am Tiberius Claudius Marcellus of the newly enjoined city of Taras. I come bearing the litterae clausae issued me from this noble governing body, appointing me a member of the Senate, effective immediately, and granting myself and the male members of my family Roman citizenship as reward for my family's aid to Roma during the siege of my home. As you undoubtedly remember, your - our - spy received refuge during his reconnoitering of the city in my Father's house and was given cover as a laborer that he might travel unmolested throughout the lanes and plazas to discern the defenses. We of the gens Claudia have a history of always aiding others who are in need, and rightly so, are remembered fondly wherever we have lived.

I come to claim my rightful seat as a representative of Taras and its surrounding lands and vast, bountiful seas. We in the south have much to offer as a trade gateway to the Greek cities, the whole of Italia, even to our friends across the great sea on Sicilia and in Africa. We are honored to join Roma in her rightful rise to power and glory. Indeed, there is no better friend, and - as the people of my homeland learned - no worse enemy.

Fellow Senatores, I have travelled two long months with nary a rest to reach my new home. As is customary amongst your - forgive me, our - people, I shall offer my services to our military. I pray that I can be used in such a manner that is best suited to my strengths. Gentlemen, the hour is late and the lodging prepared for me is across the city, as I am told. I bid your leave, good Senatores. Roma victrix!"

Smiling smugly to himself, Tiberius turns about and marches confidently out the chamber doors. On his way past the clerk whom he insulted he maintains a stoic face, with his chin and nose held slightly higher than normal. Unnoticed perhaps by all but the still-confused clerk, his eyes check to make sure he has the clerk's attention and Tiberius makes an all but imperceptible grunt of annoyed supremacy.

[/Bean\]

A letter arrives from the front, sealed with the signature of Legatus Cotta...

Honourable Senators, I would first like to congratulate Pvblivs Atilivs Regvlvs on his promotion to Legatus; may the enemies of Rome tremble at our might!

I actually write to ask a favour of the senate and especially of Legatus Regvlvs. I ask that two men, Caivs Aemilivs Mamercvs and his cousin Avlvs Aemilivs Mamercvs be given the highest thought in the appointment to the legions. Since they failed to gain access to the legions on their first appointment, I ask sincerly that Legatus Regvlvs pay the highest attention to these two strong willed and patient Tribunes. After having been stuck in Rome for so long with little to do but wait until their appointment, I feel it would be highly unfair for those unaccustomed to our ways to gain their rightful places. Above all, I would owe Legatus Regvlvs a favour or two, should he ever wish to claim.

I leave it in your wise minds, Senators. How do you stand regarding these men?

Cotta sits, nodding at the two cousins across the chamber.