Curia Session IV - 194 BC

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The Consul rose.

Conscript fathers,

Barring no opposition I will be presenting a motion and putting it to a vote shortly; any who wish to present a counter argument should make their opinion known within the next few moments.

I yield the floor.

[TerranSteel]

I believe, good friend Caesonius Tacitus, that the Magistrate is requesting additional funding for a new Socii legion made up of Hispanians.

I believe as governor, he has the powers to do what he wishes within the bonds of Roman virtue and decency with Imperium - but the additional funding is what is at discussion here.

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

Proxy for Caesonius Tacitus speaks again.

"I was understanding that he both wanted senate support for war and funding for an allied legion made of Hispanians. Regardless, given that they apparently militarized in defiance of our treaty and their general tendency to switch sides whenever the wind changes, I feel that is sufficient to support his request."

[Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo Hispanicus]

Domitius Corbulo listened carefully for a great time as the proposals were put forward for the raising of troops and offensives in Hispania. Finally when it was his turn to speak he arose.

"Patres Conscripti,

I am in full support of Propraetor Quinctilius Varus' proposal for the raising of additional Socii legions and for his expedition into Ilergetes territory. We should always strive to secure our borders from enemies and it is apparent that currently the Ilergetes tribe is not a friend to Rome. Indeed, it is my belief that our borders will never be truly secure so long as uncivilized savages occupy lands beyond them. Hispania will never be truly secure until its only borders are that of the sea and the domain of almighty Neptune.

It is with this in mind that I believe we should not only make use of our forces in Hispania Citerior but also in Hispania Ulterior. If we are to raise an additional Socii legion in both provinces, we must use our army in the south to expand our influence in Hispania into the bordering tribal regions and bring these unfriendly savages to their knees. The Ilergetes are not the only tribe with which we have reason to subdue. There are many tribes to the south that aided Carthage during its war against Rome. I would ask that Proconsul Decius Bellicus conduct a reconnaissance of neighboring unfriendly tribes and report to this body which of them are the greatest risk to this Republic and therefore the preferred target of an expedition from Hispania Ulterior."

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Primus Proximus Maximus stands to speak

Good and Honorable Conscript Fathers,

I wish to state my support for any and all offensive campaigns against the unwashed barbarians that border Roman territory. As the good Senator Domitius Corbulo so eloquently stated, any presence of barbarians at our doorstep is a threat to Roman lives, property and livelihoods. I further support a campaign in H. Ulterior yo continue the good work of Senator Domitius Corbulo. I do however suggest a more coherent and centralized strategy with regards to Hispania. Specifically working to ally with some tribes while initiating hostilities with others. As a reminder, these poor savages are just that, poor. They have nothing to offer other than the free physical labor once they have been placed in bondage.

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

The Proxy for Proconsul Marcus Decius Bellicus, The Lion of Hispania, Scourge of the Boii and Defender of the Republic rises

"Conscript Fathers,

Such a survey has been completed by the Proconsul as one of his initial acts as the Proconsul of Hispania Ulterior. As it stands right now, there is a hesitant, fragile alliance with the Cynetes, Conii, Germani, and Mantesani tribes, as a part of Propraetor Corbulo's efforts to fight against the uprising led by the Turduli tribe.

However, as it stands the Turduli remain a serious threat to the stability of Hispania Ulterior. Proconsul M. Decius Bellicus recommends the raising of additional troops, as the recommendations of his advisors is that there would need to be "a few" legions to have a similar rate of success that he had crushing the barbarous tribes of the Boii.

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

The Proxy for Proconsul Marcus Decius Bellicus, The Lion of Hispania, Scourge of the Boii and Defender of the Republic rises

"Conscript Fathers,

Such a survey has been completed by the Proconsul as one of his initial acts as the Proconsul of Hispania Ulterior. As it stands right now, there is a hesitant, fragile alliance with the Cynetes, Conii, Germani, and Mantesani tribes, as a part of Propraetor Corbulo's efforts to fight against the uprising led by the Turduli tribe.

However, as it stands the Turduli remain a serious threat to the stability of Hispania Ulterior. Proconsul M. Decius Bellicus recommends the raising of additional troops, as the recommendations of his advisors is that there would need to be "a few" legions to have a similar rate of success that he had crushing the barbarous tribes of the Boii.

Could the good proxy clarify the Proconsul's request for the Senate? Does he require Roman legions or could this be met with hispanian ala like his compatriot with local funds?

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

The Proxy nods along as the question is asked before rising

"I shall spare the good conscript fathers the full summary of the Proconsul's decision, but it amounts to he would prefer the presence of Roman legions, but if Senatorial frugality will win the day he would request multiple Hispanian ala."

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Senator Nero rises to speak

I have one question for the proxy of Proconsul Bellicus. Does the Proconsul have an estimation for the number of men the Turduli have mustered? It is hard to justify raising several fresh legions, Roman or Socii, if we do not have a reason why.

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

The Proxy consults with a tablet before responding

"The exact figures of troops are unknown, however we know that the Turduli have a full army of barbarian reavers ready to once again sow chaos upon the Roman peoples of Hispania Ulterior, which could no doubt incite those recalcitrant tribes in Citerior as well. In the absence of additional Roman legions being dispatched, such as was done in the past at the behest of the Consul, the Proconsul recommends either two Hispanian ala being raised or another legion of Romans, or some combination of those two."