Curia Session V / 195 BC

[admin]

Praetor Urbanus, Quintus Aemliius Crispinus, calls the senate to session to receive the reports of the diplomatic missions as well as to discuss their findings.

[TerranSteel]

For the first time in a long time, a proxy did not stand. It was Titus Furius Pavo in the flesh. He nodded to himself and rose to address the Senate. His face had a distinctive sharp appearance, much like a hawk’s beak.

Thank you, Praetor.

Conscript Fathers,

My cohorts and I have recently returned from Carthage with good tidings. We were able to meet with the governing body of the city and also conduct private investigations of our own. It seemed that Hannibal, as elected ruler of the polity, had begun reforms to strip rights and privileges from the other plutocrats of Carthage, thus increasing tax revenue at his command. No military expansion was witnessed, but there were rumors that Hannibal sought accord with the Seleucid Empire. I need not detail the trouble such unity would cause. A reforged Carthage allied with a larger power of the East would be a dire threat to Rome.

With my compatriots, Allectus Fabius Maximus and Postumus Caesonius Tacitus, we pressured the Carthaginian government to stay committed to their treaty to us and that Hannibal’s actions constituted a breach. The Council of 108 agreed to hand Hannibal into our care, but the beast fled before he could be apprehended. Hannibal is now in exile and plutocrats friendly to us now control their government. They have promised commitment to the agreements between our polities. Carthage remains a disarmed city and we can count on their tribute for a continued 45 years.

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The Censor Cassia Senator rises.

Conscript fathers, Senator Furius Pavo,

The work of the mission to Carthage, and your part in it, is worthy of the utmost commendation. With the stroke of a pen you have severed the hydra's head from its body; time will tell if two won't grow from its place however. It appears that no matter how heavy the indemnity nor damning the treaty that Rome and Carthage are bound by fate to be locked in a struggle for dominance.

Our city and our people have always risen to the challenge with admirable resilience in the face of nearly insurmountable disasters, time and time again, but are we not tempting fate each time we let our enemies survive the folly of clashing swords with us?

If or when there is to be a third war with Carthage, or any other power for that matter, we must remember past days and these days, for a great fire can arise from the smallest ember.

I yield the floor.

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Conscript Fathers,

My delegation to Corinth first called forth a council of our Grecian allies; the Achaean and Aetolian Leagues, Macedon, Pergamum and Rhodes to discuss the Laconian occupation of Argos, and suggest sending an ultimatum to Nabis demanding it's liberation. All but the Aetolians were in support.

I sent the tyrant Nabis an ultimatum, liberate the Argives and cease supporting piracy from the naval base at Githium. His response was loathsome, he would not liberate but sought to bring one more into servitude, myself. I have here the original copies of our correspondence where the tyrant sought to bribe me and use my imperium to justify his annexation:




My Roman honor is not so easily bought. Upon my refusal the tyrant outright dismissed the ultimatum. I ordered the council of Greek allies to ready themselves for war this coming campaign season, a task they willingly undertook. Now they but wait the time and the arrival of a Roman army to lead them against the treacherous Laconians.

The upstart tyrant Nabis and his mercenaries must be taught a lesson in Roman martial prowess and the city of Argos liberated from their control!

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

The proxy for Consul Bellicus rises

"Conscript fathers,

I wish to read the wording of the instructions given to the esteemed Quinctilius Varus, and I quote:

"Quinctilius Varus shall be appointed diplomatic legatus on behalf of Consul Aurelius Cotta. He shall be dispatched to Greece immediately for the purposes of holding council with our allies and shall deliver back a full report of the situation ongoing there to the Senate by the end of Quintilis."

I believe it would behoove this body to investigate on what authority Rome was now entered into a war, with a Roman acting as the aggressor in this situation."

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

The proxy Senator for Consul M. Aurelius Cotta spoke:

Conscript Fathers,

I think we first require some clarification from the legatus before such accusations are made.

Did he convey that Rome was in a state of war with the Spartans?

From what I understand of his report, he convened a council of our allies and requested that Sparta return land and cities to our allies which was taken from them by the now humbled Macedons and given to Sparta as a bribe to fight Rome. And now they have tried to bribe a diplomatic legatus of Rome, authorized by the Senatus Populusque Romanus? The gall!

But we, of course, require some clarity

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Conscript Fathers,

I apologize for any confusion, no state of war was declared or exists between our states. It is the Senate's prerogative alone to declare war.

[TerranSteel]

Conscript Fathers,

I wish to understand a finer point here. Quinctilius Varus reported that he “ordered” for our Greek allies to prepare for war. Was this the intention of his mission or force the hand of Rome to do battle?

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Conscript Fathers,

Our Grecian allies are are not so consumed with the semantics of Nabis' tyranny, they will march against him with or without us. I had hoped my reports of the Argives in bondage and the duplicity of their ruler would be sufficient evidence for Rome to call a vote for war, though I did not manuever us into one or declare one, I never once overreached or exceeded my mandate. I resent the suggestion that I am coercing this esteemed body by performing the duties which I was tasked with.

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

The handsome proxy for the Proconsul rose to speak.

We thank the tireless efforts of our diplomatic legates to secure our interests abroad. The good work by Furius Pavo and his juniors have undoubtedly restored the balance in Carthage and ensured that our treaty remains in place.

As for Legate Quinctilius Varus, we must commend you for bringing this matter to our attention without delay, lesser men might well have been tempted by the tyrants offer! His bribery can only be taken as defiance and an malicious attempt to malign our good legate's virtue. The Senate must surely take action to show that we cannot be so easily swayed and that our interests cannot be simply shrugged aside.

Lest we delay, Nabis will surely be against Rome and her allies. We cannot afford to contend with the Spartans backed by the Selucid empire.