Curia Session I 194 BC

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

Aye

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

I will not force the survivors of Corbulo's ineptitude to parade in his honor. Honorable Consul you disservice yourself by tying your well deserved Ovatio with the triumph of such an undeserving man.

Nay

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Aye.

[Proculus Lucius Regulus]

Article One: Aye
Article Two: I cannot in good faith vote to honour Domitius Corbulo with a Triumph. Nay.

[Marcus Silvius Pastor]

The Senator M. Silvius Pastor, finished pondering the orations, rises to speak.

Honored and Esteemed Consul,

Having served alongside you in Cisalpine Gaul, at the Battle of Parma and the Liberation of Placentia, I can personally attest that your military achievements as Consul for the Year 559 A.U.C. are more than worthy of an Ovatio. It is my humblest regret that a higher honor could not have been bestowed upon you during your return to Rome. It was truly an honor to serve with you, a sentiment which I am sure that all those under your command share.

Therefore, for Article 1, I proudly vote Aye.

The allegations brought forth by Senator Gaius Quinctilius Varus against Propraetor, Senator Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo are concerning to say the very least - allegations levelled against any sitting or prior Roman Governor, whose foundation rests upon evidence from any number of primary source(s) should be cause for distress. I fear that if an investigation is not authorized into such allegations, we risk setting a dangerous precedent for future Roman administrators bestowed with the honor of Imperium. Moreover, to award a Triumph - in the direct face of such allegations - risks devaluing one of our most esteemed traditions to mere pedestrianism.

I cannot, in good conscience, vote for the approval of a Triumph in light of the allegations presented. For Article 2, I vote Nay.

If the Articles are to be considered together, I must reluctantly vote Nay.

I must close by voicing my support for an impartial investigation into such allegations of Provincial mismanagement. We are Roman gentlemen, not Barbarians - we must hold ourselves accountable as such. Should this body deem any subsequent debate on the matter necessary, I propose separate investigations in the Provinces of Hispania Ulterior and Sardinia et Corsica. To conduct these investigations, I nominate the Censor-Emeritus, Consul-Elect, Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus - a Servant of Rome who has demonstrated continued dedication to the maintenance of order and the protection of public morals.

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus shook his head in disgust, muttering about the unroman nature of voting against the triumph and the presumption of guilt with no credible evidence.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

Regrettably, I must bring the proceedings to a halt.

I do support an ovation for Decius Bellicus, and feel a triumph should be discussed, once an investigation has been conducted.

However, the matter has been brought forward irregularly.

Neither of Gaius Cassius Vecellinus or Amulius Valerius Marius were given an opportunity to debate the matter. Two of the most prestigious men in the republic denied their chance to voice their opinion. This vote was rushed so that neither could express anything beyond their vote.

Additionally, this senate session was called out of order. While Consul Decius Bellicus did contact me; he did not even wait a customary 24 hours for a response before violating the norms of the republic and calling two Sessions in a row.

I must exercise my veto.

The matter can be debated once I reconvene the Senate at its appropriate interval.

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

The Lictors stamp their rods

"This is the time for a vote, not for debate. However, seeing as a few of you have made repeated mockery of this most august of bodies, I shall respond.

"I find it laughable that you would accuse me of silencing debate, Consul Aurelius Cotta, you who used Lictors to intimidate your political opponents into silence and have attempted time innumerable to steamroll through a vote just to get your own way. As with everything you do, your words are cast outwards, so you can shield yourself from the shame and guilt you feel for yourself.

"Your veto is noted, however that does not preclude a vote, surely by now, with your other attempts at seizing power having failed, you would've learned how this government works.

"The attempt to deny a triumph to Domitius Corbulo is an absolutely laughably pathetic attempt by yourself and your ilk to deny a triumph to someone who is not cleaning your anus with their mouths. Other triumphs have been granted without the slightest batting of an eye. The Rostra is filled with the news of impropriety of Lucius Regulus, yet you have yet to call for him to answer for the mountain of evidence piled against him.

"Nay sir, instead you choose to handle your Consulship like a child denied a sweet at dinner, kicking and screaming and pointing fingers at everyone around you. You sir, are barely worthy of the term Roman, dare I say many a Boii met their end at my blade that had more qualities that, should the Fates had found them born elsewhere, would have made them a much better Roman than you could ever hope to be.

"Whereas I forwent my triumph to put an end to your petty attempts at seizing power, wealth and glory for yourself, your forewent your own brave and glorious crushing of a few unarmed slaves, just so you could use that to springboard yourself to more power, wealth and glory. Yet time and again this very body has voted you down. You called for an Assembly, with a Plebian Tribune, who I know you were speaking with most illicitly beforehand, and yet again saw your attempt at seizing power, wealth and glory defeated.

"What I see before me isn't a Consul. Nor a man. Nor a Roman. I see a petulant whelp who would do all of Roman, and his domae, a great favor by taking a long walk off of a short quay into the sea."

Decius Bellicus makes a shooing gesture of his hand

"Why don't you go find some children to play with, they seem to be more your maturity level these days."

[TerranSteel]

I concur with the sitting Consul Bellicus. As you all know, I support the full power of this Senate and wish for all votes to be tallied, abstaining or otherwise.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

The Lictors stamp their rods

"This is the time for a vote, not for debate. However, seeing as a few of you have made repeated mockery of this most august of bodies, I shall respond.

"I find it laughable that you would accuse me of silencing debate, Consul Aurelius Cotta, you who used Lictors to intimidate your political opponents into silence and have attempted time innumerable to steamroll through a vote just to get your own way. As with everything you do, your words are cast outwards, so you can shield yourself from the shame and guilt you feel for yourself.

"Your veto is noted, however that does not preclude a vote, surely by now, with your other attempts at seizing power having failed, you would've learned how this government works.

"The attempt to deny a triumph to Domitius Corbulo is an absolutely laughably pathetic attempt by yourself and your ilk to deny a triumph to someone who is not cleaning your anus with their mouths. Other triumphs have been granted without the slightest batting of an eye. The Rostra is filled with the news of impropriety of Lucius Regulus, yet you have yet to call for him to answer for the mountain of evidence piled against him.

"Nay sir, instead you choose to handle your Consulship like a child denied a sweet at dinner, kicking and screaming and pointing fingers at everyone around you. You sir, are barely worthy of the term Roman, dare I say many a Boii met their end at my blade that had more qualities that, should the Fates had found them born elsewhere, would have made them a much better Roman than you could ever hope to be.

"Whereas I forwent my triumph to put an end to your petty attempts at seizing power, wealth and glory for yourself, your forewent your own brave and glorious crushing of a few unarmed slaves, just so you could use that to springboard yourself to more power, wealth and glory. Yet time and again this very body has voted you down. You called for an Assembly, with a Plebian Tribune, who I know you were speaking with most illicitly beforehand, and yet again saw your attempt at seizing power, wealth and glory defeated.

"What I see before me isn't a Consul. Nor a man. Nor a Roman. I see a petulant whelp who would do all of Roman, and his domae, a great favor by taking a long walk off of a short quay into the sea."

Decius Bellicus makes a shooing gesture of his hand

"Why don't you go find some children to play with, they seem to be more your maturity level these days."

M. Aurelius Cotta looks visibly disgusted at the rampant use of proletarian language.