The Curia

[Potocello]

"Ah yes, Cotta's presence has been missed here, it will be nice to have him back.

As it pains me to say, I must agree with Avlvs. This is a republic we have the Curia to vote on Roma's next actions as loyal citizens. If we are to still call ourselves the Roman republic, some power must be taken away from the Dictator. I mean, what was the whole point of this debate about Greece if in the end, the Dictator decides where we go? For that matter, what is the point of this Curia? This system? An amendment must be made that limits the power of the Dictator for this is becoming a monarchy, not a republic.

Avlvs I am glad that you are concerned with this, regardless of our past differences."

[/Bean\]

Cotta walks into the Curia unannounced, as was his style. It took a moment or two for the Senators to notice, then rise from their seats, as was the custom for those rewarded the Corona Civica. A chorus of applause echoed around Curia walls for Cotta's victory. At his side walks Caivs and Avlvs Aemilus, and all three take their seats.

Thank you, Senators. Patavium has been captured, and the blood thirsty king lies dead. The north is far safer now.

In context of the decisions of the Dictatorship, I think it is now dangerous to not give up at least some of the Dictatorial powers, at least until an emergency emerges. I am in support of having a figure head of the Senate, to gather the decisions and put them into effect. Every gathering needs a leader. But I also suport the idea that the Senate exists for a reason, and should hold real power, not be for simply humouring or humbling the position of Dictator.

I think a Dictator should be nominated for emergency times, when we cannot afford to bicker in the Senate. I am however a supporter of Blasio, I believe him to be a strong and influential character that has been tried and tested. He has made mistakes, though havent we all, being only as we are, human?

[Tiberius Claudius Marcellus]

Tiberius raises an eyebrow while leaning back in the seat at his desk

"Long life to the Res Publica indeed, Lucullus. Yet from the letter sent by our victorious Legatus, he sounds quite ready to end the Res Publica and install himself as king. As he stated himself, he intends 'to make sure further splits in the Curia do not happen....'. How can one do that but through force? Perhaps, as stated in the beginning of the letter itself we see his true, thinly veiled intentions, ' I intend to oversee the complete subjigation of this kingdom'. Does he refer so nobly to the areas around Patavium, or does he secretly mean Roma itself?

"I say too much power is invested in this one man. Let him stay in Roma while others command his legion. While Legatus Cotta may indeed be pure in heart - as pure an any mortal may be - all men are corrupted over time, as familiarity with giving orders breeds contempt for accepting them. It is for the good of the Res Publica that Legatus Cotta be recalled indefinitely."

EDIT: to account for Cotta walking in before I submitted my post! :-)

Slightly surprised, Tiberius stands and turns to face Cotta.

"Ahh Legatus, praise and salutations to you. We are blessed by the gods for your safe return. Surely your men deserve a Triumphus! I must say that you have read my very thoughts in suggesting that the Dictator surrender some authority to us Senatores. Perhaps you, as well, may lead by example and surrender some authority yourself? I pray, stay in Roma a while and allow others to gain experience in battle. You have been away from home for so long that surely your house forgets your face. We would not want so noble a Roman to succumb to the barbarous nature of the very people he conquers should he remain exposed to their lifestyles too long."

[/Bean\]

As eyes turn towards Cotta, attempting to guess his reaction, he simply stands, looking around the Senate.

Woe to victorious Generals of Rome, if this is how success is celebrated.

[SwissBarbar]

Avlvs spoke: Don't mind him, he sees a potential king in everyone

[/Bean\]

Cotta chuckles along with the rest of the Senators. Marcellus and his friends simply stare coldy at the three of them

[Potocello]

"Senators, as you all know, Carthage has been camped out on our borders for quite some time. They have made an
alliance with the vile Epeiros and they spy on us with their ships. Although i have been pushing for an invasion of Greece,
I am concerned with their increasing presence around our territories and their alliances with our enemies. What are your
thoughts on this issue? Are you as concerned as I am? If Carthage attacks us, I will gladly take the Legio III against
them and will trash this propsal to attack Greece.

What say you, senators?"

[SwissBarbar]

"Ask Tribunus Tiberius Claudius Marcellus, he gave an answer to that, when my friend and representative Lvcvllvs also was as concerned as you."

[navarro951]

"Legatus Cotta is now Dux Cotta, congratulations!"

[Potocello]

"Congradulations Dux Cotta, you deserve it."

[SwissBarbar]

"I agree with Legatvs Longvs, you really do deserve it!" Avlvs raised and applauded

[Mjolnir]

Ave DUX Cotta, I look forward to many more great things from you.

[navarro951]

"Good men of the senate, have I ever once imposed myself on you? I simply believe my self as a figure head here. Rightly delegated by Dentatvs himself. I believe in nothing but the senate and Roma. I have allowed debate. I argued my point, never once did I shut anyone up to an opinion. Never once did I say that you argument is done now! The reason our charter demands that I control where legions go is exactly the reason Cicero explained. I cannot allow our legions, which are very expensive, to wander around obviously making war in what ever path it chooses. And as this curia divides itself and we do nothing but bicker on useless arguments, it would take ages for us to decide where we shall move legions or whom is in command. It would be useless."

Completely frustrated, Blasio eyes the curia.

[Mooks]

"Good men of the senate, have I ever once imposed myself on you? I simply believe my self as a figure head here. Rightly delegated by Dentatvs himself. I believe in nothing but the senate and Roma. I have allowed debate. I argued my point, never once did I shut anyone up to an opinion. Never once did I say that you argument is done now! The reason our charter demands that I control where legions go is exactly the reason Cicero explained. I cannot allow our legions, which are very expensive, to wander around obviously making war in what ever path it chooses. And as this curia divides itself and we do nothing but bicker on useless arguments, it would take ages for us to decide where we shall move legions or whom is in command. It would be useless."

Completely frustrated, Blasio eyes the curia.

Scipio eyes him back, unfaltering.

Or it would merely take a vote.

*Scipio takes his seat. Obviosly exhausted. His education ended years ago yet hes stuck in Rome, wasting his time because the senators wont send Rome's legions abroad. Why recruit them then? Shouldnt they be at home, farming their fields and making babies, then in the drilling fields? What kind of nation recruits armies then keeps them at home? Scipio decides to relax his throat, and start making friends and alliances to get his rank above a mere legatus. First he needs to get out of this city though.*

[SwissBarbar]

Blasio, no one doubts your heart, but this is a republic, it's far too dangerous if only 1 man has the power to move the armies wherever he chooses to. How do I know - when you die one day at high age - your heir won't be an enemy of mine? Every other senator must ask himself the same question.

The senate's job is to debate and to vote. We could say, the Dictator is in Charge over the defense. If our homeland is attacked, then he decides quickly what do to. As for war, which needs good preparation anyway, the senate needs to decide! With a vote of course, thats just as quick. Everyone rises his hand, and it's done.

[navarro951]

"This i can agree on, in offensives, the senate can decide targets for attack"

[/Bean\]

Thank you for your delegation of my promotion. I will continue to serve Roma loyally in the best way I know how; through her legion's might.

To be honest, I believe the Senate has had say in where the legions have been moving to so far. It is, however, up to the commander of the legion to decide how to get there, and to some extent how long to take. It has merely been Blasio's, and his fathers, job to make sure this happens, to carry out the Senate's votes. Blasio and Cicero are simply part of the Senate, just like the rest of us. We're all equal, though others simply have different jobs to do.

As for the future of Rome's conquests, I do have my ideas and opinions, though I believe the north must be secured before we can think of sending any legions anywhere else. Patavium is captured, though not yet secured. Massilia is divided in talks of our alliance, and it may take a show of strength to convince them. The Celts still control a large part of the Po plains, and it is my intention to carry out the full campaign in the north, as decided by the Senate, to unify Italia under Roma. This requires capturing Mediolanium, and the consequent garrisoning of the north by at least one legion, in case our neigbours past the Alps have any ideas of their own.

[The Celtic Viking]

Pvblivs, who had been quiet for a long time while thinking for himself, rose to speak - and was almost surprised himself, as he did so nearly automatically. He cleared his throat a little and turned towards Cotta.

"If we are all indeed equal, as you say, then why does he call himself "dictator"? Why does he act like one? Why does he name an heir, like his father did, who will become the new dictator once he dies? Why is it once again his own son? I'll tell you why: because we are not equal. We are, in fact, no longer a republic, for we have a new king on the throne."

[/Bean\]

Let us not get hostile, gentlemen. I am sure that Blasio will gladly give back some of his powers to the Senate, while we all remain civil and do not damage anyone's reputation.

[The Celtic Viking]

""Damage anyone's reputation"?! By pointing out the facts?" Pvblivs laughs. "So if I committed a crime right here in front of all of you in the senate", Pvblivs looked around as he said it, "you would be wrong to "damage my reputation" by calling me a criminal? My dear Cotta, what I'm saying is that the moment Blasio accepted the position of dictator instead of reforming this back to a republic, he damaged his own reputation. I am just doing my duty as a senator to remove the blinkers other senators so gladly seem to wear."

[/Bean\]

So what do you propose, Legatus? What do you wish Blasio and Cicero to do now? How will they stand in the future of the Republic?

[The Celtic Viking]

"I would at first suggest that Blasio renounce the title of dictator, and not only in name but in action as well. There shall be no difference between him and the rest of us, we shall truly be equals. Finances and military matters should not be the province of the king and his prince, but by the two senators that the senate elects through regular votes, and the senate should be able to impeach either of those at any time they choose.

It is quite simple what I'm asking of them: to step off the throne, and never set foot on it again. I want them to reinstall our old Res Publica."

Pvblivs sighs rather loudly.

"But if you'll excuse me, I have to leave for my army now. I have lingered here far too long already, and I've said my piece. I hope that when I come back, this will have been done."

Pvblivs storms out the Curia.

[/Bean\]

Cotta calls after his retreating form.

I see your point, but what will happen to the practicallity that the Dictatorship offers us? The figurehead of which the republic, the man who does not make the decisions by himself, but carries them out. Perhaps we need to keep the postion of the dictatorship, though obviously change some of his powers, and make him the Senate clerk or secretary, that physically makes sure the actions proposed by the Senate are carried out.

(OOC: Kind of like the Speaker in the House of Commons, and whatever the American equivalent is...we're going to need someone to speal to, if you like, and someone to carry out the decisions we make.)

[The Celtic Viking]

Pvblivs, slightly annoyed, runs one hand across his head.

"I've already addressed that. There would be two senators appointed by the senate itself at each meeting, who would carry them out and answer directly to the senate. If the senate feels that either of them is mistreating his position, isn't doing his job or have simply lost their trust in him, they should at any time be able to impeach him and elect a new one to take his place for the remainder of the term.

Unless there is anything else, I must leave."

[/Bean\]

Can't the Consuls do such a thing, Legatus? The consuls change every two and a half years (12 turns), meaning they would hold office in the Senate long enough to carry out the meetings and make the necessary changes.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Yes, but at this point they're not elected, as the law calls for. They're illegally appointed by the king. This must of course change, and the rule that you must be at least Dux must be removed, since we must have options to choose from. That too is broken as it is anyway."

[/Bean\]

Possibly, though these thought require the accused to be in our company. I ask that we at least wait until Blasio arrives for us to begin denouncing him as an enemy of the state.

[The Celtic Viking]

Pvblivs laughs once again. "Of course!" He continues to laugh, then finally takes a break. "Faithfully you need the king to tell you he's a monarch before you realize it. Have fun getting an honest answer from him!" Laughing even more, Pvblivs salutes and leaves the Curia again.

[/Bean\]

Thank you for your agreement, Legatus. I wish you the best of luck in your negotations with the Massilians.

[Mooks]

*Scipio eyes the curia curiosly. He was making these arguements years ago. Perhaps these neo-rebels will decide to attack Greece sooner or later, if history repeats itself*