The Rostra

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AURELIUS COTTA IS A WICKED MAN

So says a few dozen men walking the street, yelling condemnations referencing his flippant behavior in the Senate.

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SARDINIAN SITUATION STABILIZED

Emergency taxation bleeds the island dry, but renewed effort defeats barbarians.

[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo Hispanicus]

On a particularly busy evening in the Rostra, between speeches, a group of men made their way through the crowd. Slaves, servants, and bodyguards surrounded a man who had not stepped foot in this city in over two years. A signifer carried his personal standard, a vexillum depicting a golden lion. In front of the column was a herald loudly announcing the entrance of the man at the center of this group.

"Make way for the conqueror Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo, Lion of Hispania, Pacifier of the Tartessians!"

The column continued through the crowd until they reached the Rostra. Domitius Corbulo walked up to the platform and turned to the crowd.

"Romans! It has been two years since I have been among you. Two years out in the corners of the Republic staring down brutal enemies who spit upon our gods and our way of life. The angry tribesmen of Hispania sought to undo the hard work of brave Romans in expanding the wealth of our Republic there. I can happily say the barbarism within the hearts of the Turdetani have been removed and a peaceful docile people have emerged. A time of peace has descended upon Hispania for the time being, though there is much still to be done.

The defeat of the Turdetani and the capture of treasures and minerals they had kept from Rome brought much wealth into the treasury of the Republic. I have personally, just earlier today, deposited the last of the gold into the Temple of Saturn. As I approached the Temple I could not help but notice the state of disrepair the structure has fallen into. Other temples stand proudly and vibrantly, but the Temple of Saturn, location of our sacred treasury, and site of worship of one of our most revered Gods. As I am unable to accept this insult to the Gods, I hereby declare that I am putting forth 300,000 Denarii out of my own personal treasury to fund a full restoration and renovation of the Temple of Saturn so that it can fully represent the financial wealth of the Republic. This amount will also fund the renovation of a number of other smaller temples which also desperately need to be restored. I have always been a man of the gods and will always put their will before my own wealth.

I have one more thing to say. I have only just heard of news of an uprising in Sardinia last year. Much criticism has been directed at my fellow former Propraetor, but I am not in agreement. The early failures of the Sardinian revolt were not the fault of Lucius Regulus but rather a Consul who sat in Rome and ignored reports from the provinces. A Consul who is on record as having said provincial defense should fall to militia and not to legions. A Consul who pushed for provincial taxes to be returned to Rome as quickly as possible leaving no reserve to raise additional forces. Some have suggested Lucius Regulus should have asked for reinforcements, but why would he have when I asked for reinforcements in Hispania Ulterior and was ignored? In fact I believe Lucius Regulus should be rewarded for his bravery in the face of an impossible situation. The Proconsul committed to the task at hand with the resources and powers available to him, while an indifferent and callous Consul fiddled in Rome daydreaming of campaigns beyond the frontier. Provinces burned while Aurelius Cotta made a mockery of the office of Consul."

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CONSUL DEPARTS ROME FOR GREECE

Naval Legate Fabius Maximus and Army Legate Lucretius Tricipitinus to join him.

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Fellow Romans, lend me your ears.


Recently there has been an outpouring of generous pledges to put toward the construction of a new Emporium.

110,000 has been pledged by Silvius Pastor.
55,000 has been pledged by Decius Bellicus.

This leaves 55,000 left to be funded by other donors.

Additionally, should this expense be met by public donors, the Aediles propose raising a further 65,0000 Denarii spent on various things such as removing silt from high traffic areas, and general improvements to Ostia which will further facilitate the piloting of ships through the mouth of the river, as well as docking capacity for ships which choose to send their cargo up the river via towed barges.

- Quintus Fabius Labeo

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Many merchants have taken to the Forum and Rostra to (Verbally) attack those senators who were seen as obstructing the Emporium project and delaying its start. The Merchants praise the Aediles for continuing to take up the mantle of the project, while casting curses upon the names of those Senators who attempted to hijack the project for their own vanity.

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Counter demonstrations begin, criticizing Silvius Pastor for attempting to block others from donating.

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

Caesonius Tacitus has pledged 2,000 Denarii for this project.

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

“On behalf of Senator Lucretius Tricipitinus- I am here to make a pledge that if the entire 220,000 is raised (with 53,000 remaining to be raised), he will donate the requested 65,000 the Aediles wish for additional works. However, should the 220,000 not be met, he will fully fund the remaining portion of the Emporium costs.

It is certainly a great honor to take part in such a major work that will see Rome grow and prosper.”

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

Former Consul Aurelius Cotta takes to the Rostra, mocking Lucretius Tricipitinus.

How nice of Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus to hold his donation amount hostage to what others donate, after pledging on the floor of the Senate that he would have donated immediately so that the Senate would not have to pay and deliberately having the motion killed in the process.

Now the project is in funding purgatory. And he still sets conditions on his donations.

I pledge 4000 now, and can give more in the coming months. Perhaps the miser Senator can put his denarii where his mouth is.