Curia Session III - 194 BC

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Senator Nero stands and faces Senator Quietus before speaking

Senator Quietus,

The Propraetor of Sardinia et Corsica has stated in both his report to the Consul, as well as through his proxy, that the matter there has already been resolved with minimal bloodshed. For what purpose do you see a need to raise a fresh legion to send over and break this newfound peace and destroy this tribe for? The neighbouring tribes of Sardinia are already on a knife's edge as tensions are high. Breaking a treaty that the Republic enforced would make us no better than the barbarians, and would push these other tribes to rise up in rebellion too.

I also want to ask why the Propraetor of Hispania Citerior feels there is a need for more troops in Hispania to be raised up. It is to my knowledge, at least in Hispania Ulterior as provided by the ex-Propraetor Senator Domitius Corbulo, that both the barbarians that rose up in rebellion there, along with an outside invading force, have been eliminated. Is there a considerable threat in Hispania Citerior that has recently risen up in rebellion, or an invading barbarian army from outside the province, that the current forces can not adequately manage? I also extend these questions to the Propraetor of Hispania Ulterior as the proposal includes both provinces. As of current I am against the raising of these troops unless there is a justified reason for it. The Senate has yet to receive any report from the provinces in Hispania as to their current situation.

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The Consul rises.

Conscript fathers,

Since the Propraetor of Sardinia et Corsica has provided a fairly in depth audit of his province's finances in the previous year and the fact that we have entered into a circular conversation with the former Propraetor of that province not having further information to add, I will move on with the order of business unless a majority of the Senate requests that we keep discussing this matter. If that is the case, I would propose that we return to this topic in a future session.

While I cannot, nor is my desire to, forbid any Senator from continuing to discuss the events transpired last year in Caralis, I sincerely believe it would be very unproductive to do so. Lest it be said that I've taken this stance out of disinterestedness in the matter, on the contrary I was one of those Roman citizens affected by former Propraetor Regulus' questionable surtax. What is more important, I believe, is that the situation has been stabilized and tranquility returned to the island.

Moving on.

One of the points I have included in the order of business was a discussion of our Republic's policy beyond its lands in Italia. It is my appraisal that our policy in the provinces, both diplomatic and military, has been more reactive than proactive and excessive reliance on individual personalities drag the entire apparatus along with it.

As our lands beyond Italia expand and the civilizing responsibility of the Senate and People of Rome along with it, it is crucial for the Curia to define a broad set of guidelines for its representatives. A good example is the situation which has just occurred in Sardinia et Corsica where the Senate was made completely blind to the local difficulties and challenges through the lackluster communication of one of its members. As Senator Lucretius Tricipitinus has correctly pointed out, no accounting of funds nor affairs was available for a decision to be made and it took nearly a year for us to be in the know of what had occurred.

Before continuing with a draft proposal and to allow the Curia some time to consider the above words, and because their interventions are parallel to this issue, I would invite the Senators in representation of Propraetors Marcus Silvius Pastor and Gaius Quinctilius Varus to share their respective reports/plans on Gallia Cisalpina and Hispania Citerior respectively.

I yield the floor.

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

I thought Propraetor Marcus Silvius Pastor was in Sicily?

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

I thought Propraetor Marcus Silvius Pastor was in Sicily?

OOC: Whoops, read too fast.

IC: Proxy spoke again

"Sorry, I misheard and thought you were bringing up both Hispanias at once. Please disregard."

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Quintus Quintius Quietus rose to speak, the pride on his face evident as he rose to speak as proxy for Quinctilius Varus

Conscript Fathers!

It is my honor to report to all of you on the status of Hispania Citerior, and to convey the wishes of my honorable friend Quinctilius Varus. During the honorable governorship of Claudius Nero he defeated the Bergistani in the north and made them allies of Rome. A noble and worthy campaign.

In Quinctilius Varus' short time as governor, as part of his promises of diplomacy and military prowess, Varus has raised tributes to Rome from all of the pacified tribes of Hispania Citerior, Varus has completed diplomacy with the neighboring Ceretani and they have declared themselves Friends of Rome! Further he has managed to arrange a truce and cessation of tribal raiding between the Ceretani and Bergistani.

The northern border of Hispania Citerior is nearly secure, good Romans, save for one tribe. The Ilergetes.

Such a name should be well remembered by noble Scipio Africanus, for the Ilergetes stand those who slayed both Africanus' father, the most honorable Publius Cornelius Scipio, long may he be remembered, but also noble Scipio Africanus' uncle!

This duplicitous and warmongering tribe has backed Carthage, allied Rome only to betray her, again and again and again. When we have proven too powerful for these barbarians they turn to tribal warfare to ever expand their borders. Quinctilius Varus says enough!

He asks for the senate's approval of war against the Ilergetes.

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

Quintus Quintius Quietus rose to speak, the pride on his face evident as he rose to speak as proxy for Quinctilius Varus

Conscript Fathers!

It is my honor to report to all of you on the status of Hispania Citerior, and to convey the wishes of my honorable friend Quinctilius Varus. During the honorable governorship of Claudius Nero he defeated the Bergistani in the north and made them allies of Rome. A noble and worthy campaign.

In Quinctilius Varus' short time as governor, as part of his promises of diplomacy and military prowess, Varus has raised tributes to Rome from all of the pacified tribes of Hispania Citerior, Varus has completed diplomacy with the neighboring Ceretani and they have declared themselves Friends of Rome! Further he has managed to arrange a truce and cessation of tribal raiding between the Ceretani and Bergistani.

The northern border of Hispania Citerior is nearly secure, good Romans, save for one tribe. The Ilergetes.

Such a name should be well remembered by noble Scipio Africanus, for the Ilergetes stand those who slayed both Africanus' father, the most honorable Publius Cornelius Scipio, long may he be remembered, but also noble Scipio Africanus' uncle!

This duplicitous and warmongering tribe has backed Carthage, allied Rome only to betray her, again and again and again. When we have proven too powerful for these barbarians they turn to tribal warfare to ever expand their borders. Quinctilius Varus says enough!

He asks for the senate's approval of war against the Ilergetes.

I do endorse this conflict, although against a barbarian tribe one could hardly call it a war. Although I must first ask, what I presume will be echoed by the other Senators here, is to ask the good proxy for the propraetor if this will secure the province in either the immediate or long term. We would welcome, of course, the tribute from a successful campaign to refill the treasury, but perpetual conflict in Hispania will prove costly.

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Senator Nero rises and faces Senator Quietus before speaking.

Senator Quietus,

I first wish to say that it is great news to hear that the Propraetor has successfully attained treaties with the northern tribes of friendship, and further has increased revenues from the pacified tribes.

I do wish to ask what recent and sudden developments with the Ilergetes has occurred that would warrant a request for war? On the matters you mentioned about their alliance with Carthage and war with Rome, the Ilergetes were dealt with entirely in 205BC when their rebellion failed, and their joint Chieftains Indibil was killed in battle, and Mandoni was handed over as a prisoner to Rome and promptly executed. In their place, a local man loyal to Rome called Bilistage was placed on their throne to lead the tribe, along with a yearly tax paid to Rome and the demilitarisation of their tribe. They rely entirely on Rome to protect them in exchange for their loyalty and tribute. We know this treaty was still in effect still as they didn't join the revolt of 197BC, and remained neutral when the various northern tribes rose up against Rome before I restored order there.

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Q.Q.Q.

Conscript Fathers,

Honorable Valerius Marius, I view it as part of a long term process of securing the frontiers for such a bountiful and vast province but also a short term means to secure wealth for the Republic to help fund her wars and costly garrisons.

Honorable Claudius Nero, you will note that since your time as Governor of Hispania Citerior they have paid no tribute, do not consider us allies and despise us above all their neighbors. Thanks to your efforts and those of Quinctilius Varus the Ilergetes are the only thing standing in the way of a secured and peaceful northern frontier of Hispania Citerior. Though the other tribes stir, their position and their past of endless duplicity towards Rome, it is the opinion of honorable Quinctilius Varus that a punitive expedition against them is good and necessary for the Republic.

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Senator Nero rises back up before speaking

Senator Quietus,

While their stance on how they regard Rome is largely irrelevant, they didn't join the rebellions at a time that would have benefitted them the greatest. However, you bring up a very good point regarding their complete lack of tax payments to the Republic the last few years, and this alone would constitute a serious violation of the aforementioned treaty. As such, I am personally in favour of the Propraetor exacting the neccessary justice.

That all said however, I also agree with Senator Marius that this matter does not require the approval of the Senate as it would hardly be called a war. As such, I feel the Propraetor can act on his own as his Imperium allows him to resolve such minor disputes.

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

I would be remiss if I did not note the disappointment and displeasure regarding the handling of the raid and subsequent communication by Lucius Regulus. And his current malcontented attitude. If the senate wishes to move on, so will I.

To the current matter at hand - If these tribals are not meeting their obligations, then I believe the Governor should do as he feels is necessary utilizing his Imperium.

On behalf of Lucretius Tricipitinus, I did want to convey his wishes for an accounting of the status of the tribes within the lands we have rightful ownership of after the last war with Carthage. To put the matter succinctly, any tribe that isn’t meeting its obligations as a vassal or tributary of Rome should be brought to heel as soon as possible by the governors. With armies on the march in the East, we must make sure the West is settled.