The crowd parted as a small squad of bodyguards made way for Senator Titus Furius Pavo as he approached the Rostra. Close behind were three slaves who merely attended the Senator for whatever tasks he required throughout the day. Once taking up the pillar, the hawk-looking man spoke loudly, clearly, and with regal precision.
Fellow Romans,
My name is Titus Furius Pavo and some of you may have heard of me. I am running for Consul of our proud Republic. My family has honorably served as Consuls, some with great distinction, since the founding of our city. I seek to emulate this heritage. Do not take only the past for inspiration, but also the present.
I served honorably as magistrate of Sardinia et Corsica. No rebellions or discontent arose under my rule. I invested wisely and the islands, once left in squalor, are on the road to prosperity.
I also served the Republic abroad. I have just recently returned from Carthage at the head of a diplomatic mission. It is with my comrades that we secured the continued tribute to Rome for the next 45 years. Hannibal fled from the city himself without a single Roman legionary necessary to do it.
These past two years, I have served Rome with imperium in the provinces and as our voice abroad to civilized powers. Domestic and foreign. This is why I believe I can best serve the Republic as Consul for the coming year. A steady hand at home and a firm grasp abroad. Titus Furius Pavo promises prosperity for Rome and prosperity for her people.
The Rostra
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TerranSteel
- Posts: 638
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:24 pm
Re: The Rostra
TerranSteel
Formerly played:
COO 1900 - French Republic
Formerly played:
COO 1900 - French Republic
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Gaius Quinctilius Varus
- Posts: 1024
- Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:39 am
- Location: What stands in the way becomes the way.
Re: The Rostra
Quinctilius Varus listened intently to his opponent's speech, often nodding in agreement. After a suitable length of time had passed, he moved to take position to give a campaign speech of his own. His cadre of bodyguards arrayed near him, many being veterans of the recent Boii war.
Honorable Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!
I stand before you a candidate for Consul in the coming election. I am a humble man of modest means, it was never my intention in life to seek such high and lofty office, nor did I purposefully set feet to such a path. I present myself as candidate for one, singular purpose. The tyrant Nabis has insulted my honor grievously and I would see him brought to heel like the dog he is. The citizens of Argos call out to me in my slumber to free them from their bondage.
My opponent is an honorable and true Roman; a law abiding and loyal servant of the Republic, I find myself reflected in much of his character. His abilities are many and I am sure that win or lose, he will continue to serve Rome admirably. What I offer that he does not is a candidate steeped in the blood of our enemies, I have seen barbarians and revolts alike laid low before my hand in the name of Mother Rome. It is no secret that in the last campaign against the Boii, serving under honorable Proconsul Valerius Marius I was always to be found at the front in any conflagration, and always peering over the maps of campaign whenever strategies were laid out. Furius Pavo is a diplomat second to none, but the time for pens and scrolls is past, it is time to take up the sword!
Many of you have by now have likely heard that Nabis sought to buy my honor, then you must now know that I stand uncorrupted, a law abiding Roman who will seek to maintain our laws and traditions and bring fear to our enemies hearts. I have never lost a battle, and I do not intend to. I am eager to test my skills against those who laid low the storied Spartiates of old. I will not let down the Argives, and I will not let down the Republic, Hail glorious Rome!
Honorable Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!
I stand before you a candidate for Consul in the coming election. I am a humble man of modest means, it was never my intention in life to seek such high and lofty office, nor did I purposefully set feet to such a path. I present myself as candidate for one, singular purpose. The tyrant Nabis has insulted my honor grievously and I would see him brought to heel like the dog he is. The citizens of Argos call out to me in my slumber to free them from their bondage.
My opponent is an honorable and true Roman; a law abiding and loyal servant of the Republic, I find myself reflected in much of his character. His abilities are many and I am sure that win or lose, he will continue to serve Rome admirably. What I offer that he does not is a candidate steeped in the blood of our enemies, I have seen barbarians and revolts alike laid low before my hand in the name of Mother Rome. It is no secret that in the last campaign against the Boii, serving under honorable Proconsul Valerius Marius I was always to be found at the front in any conflagration, and always peering over the maps of campaign whenever strategies were laid out. Furius Pavo is a diplomat second to none, but the time for pens and scrolls is past, it is time to take up the sword!
Many of you have by now have likely heard that Nabis sought to buy my honor, then you must now know that I stand uncorrupted, a law abiding Roman who will seek to maintain our laws and traditions and bring fear to our enemies hearts. I have never lost a battle, and I do not intend to. I am eager to test my skills against those who laid low the storied Spartiates of old. I will not let down the Argives, and I will not let down the Republic, Hail glorious Rome!
crustyrustyaphid
Formerly Kaiser und König Franz Ferdinand I
Formerly Major General Don Carlos Buell
Formerly King Carol I
Formerly Kaiser und König Franz Ferdinand I
Formerly Major General Don Carlos Buell
Formerly King Carol I
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TerranSteel
- Posts: 638
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:24 pm
Re: The Rostra
Sometime later, Senator Furius Pavo ascended the Rostra again to speak to the peoples and aristocrats of Rome. His usual entourage accompanied him as they did before.
Citizens of Rome!
I have spoken before in what qualifies me for the Consulship, yet I have not spoken of what I intend to do if such service and honor is bestowed upon me. Firstly, it is known that our illustrious and honored Censor Cassius Vecellinus has completed his term. It is tradition for there to be a period of no Censor but that should not stop the proper upkeep and prosperity of Rome. As Consul, I shall ask the Senate to vote on the funding of upkeep for our growing city and for the appointment of responsible and respectable Senators to manage and disperse these funds for numerous infrastructure projects across our realm! This includes further roadways to the liberated cities of the north and port expansions to support the growing resources from Hispania! While no replacement of a proper Censor, these positions shall be temporary in nature and subordinate to a Censor when one is selected.
Abroad, we are beset by many threats. None more pressing than the arrogant ruler of Sparta, Nabis! I shall have the Senate vote to declare war on the city of Sparta in defense of our Grecian allies and friends, whom we fought hard to free in the wars with Macedon. As only war can be committed to in defense of our Republic and by the power of of the Senate, not the word of a single individual. A humbled Sparta will provide the funds necessary for Roman prosperity and restore our esteem in the world.
As I have said before, my goal is to bring greater and continual prosperity to Rome and with me as Consul, you shall have it. Prosperity for Rome and prosperity for her people!
Citizens of Rome!
I have spoken before in what qualifies me for the Consulship, yet I have not spoken of what I intend to do if such service and honor is bestowed upon me. Firstly, it is known that our illustrious and honored Censor Cassius Vecellinus has completed his term. It is tradition for there to be a period of no Censor but that should not stop the proper upkeep and prosperity of Rome. As Consul, I shall ask the Senate to vote on the funding of upkeep for our growing city and for the appointment of responsible and respectable Senators to manage and disperse these funds for numerous infrastructure projects across our realm! This includes further roadways to the liberated cities of the north and port expansions to support the growing resources from Hispania! While no replacement of a proper Censor, these positions shall be temporary in nature and subordinate to a Censor when one is selected.
Abroad, we are beset by many threats. None more pressing than the arrogant ruler of Sparta, Nabis! I shall have the Senate vote to declare war on the city of Sparta in defense of our Grecian allies and friends, whom we fought hard to free in the wars with Macedon. As only war can be committed to in defense of our Republic and by the power of of the Senate, not the word of a single individual. A humbled Sparta will provide the funds necessary for Roman prosperity and restore our esteem in the world.
As I have said before, my goal is to bring greater and continual prosperity to Rome and with me as Consul, you shall have it. Prosperity for Rome and prosperity for her people!
Last edited by TerranSteel on Thu Dec 30, 2021 12:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
TerranSteel
Formerly played:
COO 1900 - French Republic
Formerly played:
COO 1900 - French Republic
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Gaius Quinctilius Varus
- Posts: 1024
- Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:39 am
- Location: What stands in the way becomes the way.
Re: The Rostra
Upon hearing of Furius Pavo's speech, and his intent to wage war on Sparta, Varus returns to the Rostra to speak again.
Good, honest and true Romans,
Furius Pavo turns from his maneuvering in the Senate, supposing me to have flung this Republic into a war, and suggests he will prosecute the same war for which I seek this Consulship. Though I spoke these very words on the Senate floor "...no state of war was declared or exists between our states. It is the Senate's prerogative alone to declare war." though I would of course seek the Senate in any such endeavor, I am still beset by him and his allies as though I have doomed our fair Republic in the honorable execution of my duties. In spite of my honor being besmirched heavily by a villain, I did nothing to over reach my mandate, that they feign confusion as to why the missions to our defeated enemy Carthage, and the mercenary pirate king Nabis ended differently is a mockery.
As the Legatus sent to Greece I can say this to all present; they will have their war, with our without us. The Aetolians would prefer Roman arms are not present on the field of glory, all the better for them to advance themselves. Until Furius Pavo's latest speech I had thought him for peace while our allies fought on the frontier of the Seleucids, a precarious position which would surely leave openings for the ever ambitious Antiochus to seize upon.
To hear him say it is his intention to wage war on the tyrant Nabis warms my heart, but I fear the man is neither dedicated enough, nor experienced enough to bring task to purpose. How can we trust the man who let Hannibal slip from his grasp to lead armies in the field and bring glory to the Republic? He speaks of war with brevity, a financial exchange to be made. War is not such a certain enterprise, and I would not trust it to one so experienced with words, and so inexperienced in the ways of war.
Argos liberari oportet!
Good, honest and true Romans,
Furius Pavo turns from his maneuvering in the Senate, supposing me to have flung this Republic into a war, and suggests he will prosecute the same war for which I seek this Consulship. Though I spoke these very words on the Senate floor "...no state of war was declared or exists between our states. It is the Senate's prerogative alone to declare war." though I would of course seek the Senate in any such endeavor, I am still beset by him and his allies as though I have doomed our fair Republic in the honorable execution of my duties. In spite of my honor being besmirched heavily by a villain, I did nothing to over reach my mandate, that they feign confusion as to why the missions to our defeated enemy Carthage, and the mercenary pirate king Nabis ended differently is a mockery.
As the Legatus sent to Greece I can say this to all present; they will have their war, with our without us. The Aetolians would prefer Roman arms are not present on the field of glory, all the better for them to advance themselves. Until Furius Pavo's latest speech I had thought him for peace while our allies fought on the frontier of the Seleucids, a precarious position which would surely leave openings for the ever ambitious Antiochus to seize upon.
To hear him say it is his intention to wage war on the tyrant Nabis warms my heart, but I fear the man is neither dedicated enough, nor experienced enough to bring task to purpose. How can we trust the man who let Hannibal slip from his grasp to lead armies in the field and bring glory to the Republic? He speaks of war with brevity, a financial exchange to be made. War is not such a certain enterprise, and I would not trust it to one so experienced with words, and so inexperienced in the ways of war.
Argos liberari oportet!
crustyrustyaphid
Formerly Kaiser und König Franz Ferdinand I
Formerly Major General Don Carlos Buell
Formerly King Carol I
Formerly Kaiser und König Franz Ferdinand I
Formerly Major General Don Carlos Buell
Formerly King Carol I
Re: The Rostra
BARBARIANS DEFEAT SARDINIAN MILITIA
Word of a minor incursion in Sardinia has reached Rome. Only days later, word of the defeat of the provincial militia has also reached Rome. The Governor escaped with only his life! hundreds of Militia feared dead. Barbarians pillaging helpless villages.
Defeat of Rebels in Hispania!
A roaming horde of rebels in Hispania Ulterior have been defeated by the governor! They withdraw west toward Onoba!
Word of a minor incursion in Sardinia has reached Rome. Only days later, word of the defeat of the provincial militia has also reached Rome. The Governor escaped with only his life! hundreds of Militia feared dead. Barbarians pillaging helpless villages.
Defeat of Rebels in Hispania!
A roaming horde of rebels in Hispania Ulterior have been defeated by the governor! They withdraw west toward Onoba!
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Marcus Silvius Pastor
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:27 pm
Re: The Rostra
The proxy for Senator M. Silvius Pastor waited for the speakers to descend the Rostra, before ascending himself and pulling from his toga an arranged set of papers. A keen observer would note that the papers themselves are visibly impure, almost as if handwritten in a military tent rather than a Domus, far away from Rome. Holding the papers in his left hand, the proxy swept his right hand over the crowd before speaking.
Citizens, Roman Brothers!
Our Mother City calls upon us once again to perform a simple, yet earnest task - to elect two Consuls; stewards of the Roman people. Stewards of the Roman people. Let that inform your judgement, my brethren, that these men elected Consul are tasked with a monumental endeavor - the guidance of Rome and her people, through whatever we may face on our odyssey.
Ahead of us, dear Romans, is a storm which we have weathered before: our Greek allies, in the midst of a tyrannical aggressor, have asked for our assistance in their defense! As we have done before, we shall answer their call - to do so would not only be dishonorable beyond comprehension, but an act so reprehensible and un-Roman that all people of Rome would undoubtedly take to the streets to protest such a cowardly retreat!
As we have seen from history, times of conflict require a delicate balance of stewardship, where Rome is guided both domestically and in campaigns abroad with deft skill and astute mind. Two men, almost into one, on behalf of Rome. Luckily, my fellow citizens, such a partnership exists here - two men whose skills complement one another to the point of near-symbiosis - to guide Rome on her course for the year 560 A.U.C.
These stewards of Rome are Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus and Senator Gaius Quinctilius Varus! The former, already once-consul and once-censor, has distinguished himself as a most-capable and resolute Roman administrator! Under his Censorship, Rome began the necessary expansion of harbor and religious facilities at Ostia, commenced the field work for the established of coloniae in Cisalpine Gaul, and surveyed the route of an infrastructure project to link newly liberated lands in Cisalpine Gaul back to Rome via Ariminum. Oh, is that all? I hear you ask with a chuckle - no! The Censor also commissioned a survey on the entirety of the Ager Publicus in Magna Graecia and, lest we forget, when bandits descended on the Rostra just one year ago to desecrate our Republican electoral process through political intimidation, the Censor issued an edict banning such deplorable acts and launched a successful investigation into determining the identity of the perpetrators! A true Roman steward on the homefront, indeed!
The latter, Senator C. Quinctilius Varus, has demonstrated his military acumen and incorruptibility while on duty for Rome! Alongside Proconsul Amulius Valerius Marius, then-Legate Quinctilius Varus decimated the Boii and liberated rightful Roman lands in Cisalpine Gaul! Upon his return to Rome, Senator Quinctilius Varus was then tasked to represent Rome and her people in Greece, where our allies had been threatened by the Spartan tyrant, Nabis. There, he not only assuaged the fear of our Greek allies in the face of looming conflict, but he unequivocally denied a monumental bribe from Nabis himself - totalling an absurd 225,000 Denarii! While all honorable Roman men on such an assignment would say that they would never accept such disgraceful blood-money, Nabis must have presumed such an eye-watering sum would leave any man questioning his morality - not Senator Quinctilius Varus, who informed the Senate of our Greek allies’ plight and Nabis’ duplicitous schemes upon his return to Rome, with the original correspondence to prove it! A true Roman steward abroad!
Brothers, Rome faces a storm which we must weather together. We shall answer the call of our Greek allies, defeat the tyrant Nabis, and bring further glory and honor to Rome in the process! To do so effectively, our leaders - our stewards - must plot a united course by which Rome navigates through both their individual and combined leadership. For this task, in 560 A.U.C., there are no better men than Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus and Senator Gaius Quinctilius Varus, true stewards of Rome - who together, shall guide Rome!
Citizens, Roman Brothers!
Our Mother City calls upon us once again to perform a simple, yet earnest task - to elect two Consuls; stewards of the Roman people. Stewards of the Roman people. Let that inform your judgement, my brethren, that these men elected Consul are tasked with a monumental endeavor - the guidance of Rome and her people, through whatever we may face on our odyssey.
Ahead of us, dear Romans, is a storm which we have weathered before: our Greek allies, in the midst of a tyrannical aggressor, have asked for our assistance in their defense! As we have done before, we shall answer their call - to do so would not only be dishonorable beyond comprehension, but an act so reprehensible and un-Roman that all people of Rome would undoubtedly take to the streets to protest such a cowardly retreat!
As we have seen from history, times of conflict require a delicate balance of stewardship, where Rome is guided both domestically and in campaigns abroad with deft skill and astute mind. Two men, almost into one, on behalf of Rome. Luckily, my fellow citizens, such a partnership exists here - two men whose skills complement one another to the point of near-symbiosis - to guide Rome on her course for the year 560 A.U.C.
These stewards of Rome are Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus and Senator Gaius Quinctilius Varus! The former, already once-consul and once-censor, has distinguished himself as a most-capable and resolute Roman administrator! Under his Censorship, Rome began the necessary expansion of harbor and religious facilities at Ostia, commenced the field work for the established of coloniae in Cisalpine Gaul, and surveyed the route of an infrastructure project to link newly liberated lands in Cisalpine Gaul back to Rome via Ariminum. Oh, is that all? I hear you ask with a chuckle - no! The Censor also commissioned a survey on the entirety of the Ager Publicus in Magna Graecia and, lest we forget, when bandits descended on the Rostra just one year ago to desecrate our Republican electoral process through political intimidation, the Censor issued an edict banning such deplorable acts and launched a successful investigation into determining the identity of the perpetrators! A true Roman steward on the homefront, indeed!
The latter, Senator C. Quinctilius Varus, has demonstrated his military acumen and incorruptibility while on duty for Rome! Alongside Proconsul Amulius Valerius Marius, then-Legate Quinctilius Varus decimated the Boii and liberated rightful Roman lands in Cisalpine Gaul! Upon his return to Rome, Senator Quinctilius Varus was then tasked to represent Rome and her people in Greece, where our allies had been threatened by the Spartan tyrant, Nabis. There, he not only assuaged the fear of our Greek allies in the face of looming conflict, but he unequivocally denied a monumental bribe from Nabis himself - totalling an absurd 225,000 Denarii! While all honorable Roman men on such an assignment would say that they would never accept such disgraceful blood-money, Nabis must have presumed such an eye-watering sum would leave any man questioning his morality - not Senator Quinctilius Varus, who informed the Senate of our Greek allies’ plight and Nabis’ duplicitous schemes upon his return to Rome, with the original correspondence to prove it! A true Roman steward abroad!
Brothers, Rome faces a storm which we must weather together. We shall answer the call of our Greek allies, defeat the tyrant Nabis, and bring further glory and honor to Rome in the process! To do so effectively, our leaders - our stewards - must plot a united course by which Rome navigates through both their individual and combined leadership. For this task, in 560 A.U.C., there are no better men than Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus and Senator Gaius Quinctilius Varus, true stewards of Rome - who together, shall guide Rome!
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Marcus Decius Bellicus
- Posts: 1128
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:44 pm
Re: The Rostra
A member of Marcus Decius Bellicus' domae rises to ask a question
"If his military acumen is so great, why is the current consul having to still fighting the Boii and Insubres and liberate Roman lands from them? Why should we trust him to fight another war if he couldn't finish the last one? Which Consul in two years' time will be needed to clean up another mess in Greece, created by Senator C. Quinctilius Varus?"
"If his military acumen is so great, why is the current consul having to still fighting the Boii and Insubres and liberate Roman lands from them? Why should we trust him to fight another war if he couldn't finish the last one? Which Consul in two years' time will be needed to clean up another mess in Greece, created by Senator C. Quinctilius Varus?"
He is a proconsul of Rome.
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Gaius Cassius Vecellinus
- Posts: 914
- Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 12:49 pm
Re: The Rostra
After a period of political canvassing in the city, Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus finally made his way to the Rostra and sought the attention of the passersby.
People of Rome,
In the last half a century we have labored to defeat and subdue a threat from overseas which, poisonous as it was, grew to become a threat in our midst as ally turned to enemy and friend to traitor. It was only through competent Roman leadership that we have managed overcome these physical dangers to our glorious Republic and paved the way for an independent future.
Yet, our victories in war create their own challenges in peace, challenges we have yet to address and which, left to fester, may threaten the prosperity of our people. From the gross mismanagement of the Ager Publicus both largely expanded and utterly ruined by the war with Carthage, to the ad hoc arrangements that govern our provinces or even the unrestricted and unsurveyed actions of our provincial governors who so only recently appear to have spelled death for hundreds in Sardinia.
If I am Consul, you have my vow that the power of the Senate will be not only implicit, but explicit, that abuse will not be only fined, but punished and that success in the battlefield afar will have direct and positive repercussions here in Rome.
I count on your support to see this vision of Rome come through, for you and for us all.
The Censor made the Roman salute and exited the Rostra to mingle with the crowd and those that wished to approach him.
People of Rome,
In the last half a century we have labored to defeat and subdue a threat from overseas which, poisonous as it was, grew to become a threat in our midst as ally turned to enemy and friend to traitor. It was only through competent Roman leadership that we have managed overcome these physical dangers to our glorious Republic and paved the way for an independent future.
Yet, our victories in war create their own challenges in peace, challenges we have yet to address and which, left to fester, may threaten the prosperity of our people. From the gross mismanagement of the Ager Publicus both largely expanded and utterly ruined by the war with Carthage, to the ad hoc arrangements that govern our provinces or even the unrestricted and unsurveyed actions of our provincial governors who so only recently appear to have spelled death for hundreds in Sardinia.
If I am Consul, you have my vow that the power of the Senate will be not only implicit, but explicit, that abuse will not be only fined, but punished and that success in the battlefield afar will have direct and positive repercussions here in Rome.
I count on your support to see this vision of Rome come through, for you and for us all.
The Censor made the Roman salute and exited the Rostra to mingle with the crowd and those that wished to approach him.
Civis romanus sum
Re: The Rostra
BATTLES IN HISPANIA
The Governor Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo has put down a rebellion in Hispania Ulterior! Scores of barbarians responsible for the death of hundreds at Hispalis have been slaughtered. The defenses at Onoba were assaulted at large loss! The Socii Legion sent to assist him may be shattered.
The Governor Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo has put down a rebellion in Hispania Ulterior! Scores of barbarians responsible for the death of hundreds at Hispalis have been slaughtered. The defenses at Onoba were assaulted at large loss! The Socii Legion sent to assist him may be shattered.
Re: The Rostra
SARDINIAN GOVERNOR RAISES EMERGENCY LEVY. STATE THUGS SEEN GOING FROM HOME TO HOME DEMANDING DENARII. SOME 50,000 EXTORTED FROM POPULACE. MOTHERS MOURN DEAD SONS, THEN FORCED TO GIVE GOVERNOR DENARII FOR MORE MILITIA