Curia Session II - 194 BC

[admin]

Session shall be ended as of Monday morning. If funds are not allocated, the Hispania legions will stand down.

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Consul G. Cassius Vecellinus rises to address the chamber.

Does anyone have objections to the maintenance of the current four legions in Hispania? Two regular, two allied?

Senator Claudius Nero rises to speak.

I would like to state my support of Consul Veccelinus' proposal of status quo for the forces in Hispania.

I would like to recommend, however, that we bring the Socii Alae home, and raise two fresh allied troops to be sent in their stead. They have served a very respectable two years in Hispania and should be brought back to rest. However the Legions would be Veterans now, and should be retained for this year to provide their expertise to the governors.

For cost on this measure, it should cost 500,000 Denarii for new troops, 200,000 for transportation to bring the new Alae to Hispania, and then bring the old troops back home, as well as 1,784,560 Denarii for the existing Legions to be maintained and readied for combat. All up that is 2,484,560 Denarii.

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

Caesonius Tacitus would be looking at the consuls before speaking.

"Are we voting on a motion before this session ends?"

[TerranSteel]

Consul Furius Pavo gestured assuringly.

We will have a vote on this matter, given the seriousness of provincial defense and security I have taken. I merely wished to see the opinions of the Senate before delivering a topic to vote. We shall vote today.

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

Consul G. Cassius Vecellinus rises.

Conscript fathers,

I believe the proposal as put forward by Senator Claudius Nero is broadly adequate though I would defend bringing our fellow citizens, those in the two legions, home; while their veterancy may be of use, any further year we force these men to stay in Hispania is one more that they do not see their families and tend to their fields.

These men served the Republic faithfully in the field of battle in an unknown land, from their own; let them continue to serve the Republic as virtuous citizens and let the mantle of military service be picked up by others.

I yield the floor.

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Quinctilius Varus proxy, Quintus Quintius Quietus; a short, rotund, balding and jovial man who had been one of those who supported Quinctilius Varus return to public life and now stood as his closest comrade in the senate, rose to speak.

Conscript Fathers,

My good and honorable friend Quinctilius Varus supported the maintenance of forces present, whilst his fellow governor in Hispania has requested double the forces. It seems dangerous to prattle and bargain for some sort of savings while they have already departed for distant shores. Part of my good friends support for maintenance was the assurance of having veteran men at hand who knew the enemies of the Republic well and how to fight them. He has instructed me to state to this august body that he is fine with maintenance or maintenance and the rotation of the Socii Ala but if we return his and good Decius Bellicus's veteran legions, he would ask that two Socii Ala be dispatched along with the newly raised legions to each province in order to provide sufficient force for him and his fellow governor.

I must also say, it is in distaste to be so scrupulous in a time of war that some might consider depriving a Consul of his legions and casting them to the provinces, while the dies of fate have yet to be cast in contest against our Laconian foe. What savings are there to be found in leaving Rome without any significant force at hand, should Neptune, Mars or Saturn turn on good Furius Pavo's brave endeavors? My heart quickens at the very thought!

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Proximus Maximus stands to address the Senate

Conscript Fathers,

On behalf of myself and Senator Fabius Maximus, we support the maintenance of the current makeup of forces stationed in Hispania as suggested by Consul Cassius Vecellinus and Senator Claudius Nero. The Socii Legions and Roman Legions have been stationed away from Rome for too long and must be allowed to return. In it’s place, we can send fresh socii and Roman legions to safeguard Roman lives and property in the province.

[TerranSteel]

Very well. A variety of opinions and options have been presented for consideration. Based on those discussions, I present the proposed law.

Section I.
For the current year, the Magistrates of Hispania Citerior and Hispania Ulterior will command the following:
1 Roman Legion
1 Socii Legion

Section II.
The Socii legions present in Hispania shall be sent home and disbanded for their service. The Roman legions shall remain to maintain security for the current year.

Fresh Socii legions shall be raised and sent to replace the returning Socii legions.

Commence the vote.

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

Aye

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Aye