Curia Session IV - 194 BC

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

How could the people forget M. Decius Bellicus forwent his triumph when the most humble Proconsul reminds them daily. Scourge of the Boii indeed, although perhaps becoming in the habit of finishing others campaigns. One can only imagine what might come next, fighting the Turds.

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

Primus Proximus Maximus looked outraged and stood up to speak

Good Consul,

Why have you set yourself up to launch an illegal war in Hispania? The Senate has the ultimate authority on authorizing hostilities against foreign adversaries. There is enough support for it with the disagreements being about how to wage said war. This unilateral action on your part is contrary to the mos mairorum and I for one will not consent to it without a proper vote and accounting of it by the Senate.

The Consul rose.

Conscript father,

I seem to recall that in one of your early interventions you defended the right of the governors to act unilaterally in regards tribal matters. Indeed I recall nearly all Senators now decrying this action arguing similarly.

I've seen proposals to declare war by acclamation and proposals to not declare war at all; I've seen Proconsul Bellicus criticize former Consul Marcellus for not sending his legions to his provincial colleague, Domitius at the time, but then refuse to do the same for Propraetor Varus when the latter requests it unless he personally leads these endeavours, which is exactly why Marcellus refused it; then we have Propraetor Varus who considers the Ilergetes a death threat to our holdings but apparently only if he commands the united forces himself, otherwise we might not as well bother.

Two vocal individuals screaming for support at any cost to the Republic is not the will of the Senate. Individuals jumping from argumentative position to position for no other reason but to counter argue the other they oppose for personal vendettas is not the will of the Senate.

Alas,

1 - The Senate and People of Rome declare war upon the Ilergetes.

Begin division.

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

Aye.

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

Aye

[Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus]

Aye.

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

The proxy for Lucretius Tricipitinus rubbed the bridge of his nose:

“Aye

But I would be remiss to note that if the two governors cannot come to work together to quell threats to Rome. We should launch a Consular Campaign. Such division and strife while we are a nation at war! For shame! Shame! We have men fight for Rome in Greece and at home we sit here and squabble over who gets the loot in Hispania?!? SHAME! SHAME ON YOU!”

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Aye

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Primus Proximus Maximus looked outraged and stood up to speak

Good Consul,

Why have you set yourself up to launch an illegal war in Hispania? The Senate has the ultimate authority on authorizing hostilities against foreign adversaries. There is enough support for it with the disagreements being about how to wage said war. This unilateral action on your part is contrary to the mos mairorum and I for one will not consent to it without a proper vote and accounting of it by the Senate.

The Consul rose.

Conscript father,

I seem to recall that in one of your early interventions you defended the right of the governors to act unilaterally in regards tribal matters. Indeed I recall nearly all Senators now decrying this action arguing similarly.

I've seen proposals to declare war by acclamation and proposals to not declare war at all; I've seen Proconsul Bellicus criticize former Consul Marcellus for not sending his legions to his provincial colleague, Domitius at the time, but then refuse to do the same for Propraetor Varus when the latter requests it unless he personally leads these endeavours, which is exactly why Marcellus refused it; then we have Propraetor Varus who considers the Ilergetes a death threat to our holdings but apparently only if he commands the united forces himself, otherwise we might not as well bother.

Two vocal individuals screaming for support at any cost to the Republic is not the will of the Senate. Individuals jumping from argumentative position to position for no other reason but to counter argue the other they oppose for personal vendettas is not the will of the Senate.

Alas,

1 - The Senate and People of Rome declare war upon the Ilergetes.

Begin division.

Primus Proximus Maximus stands to speak

With all due respect Consul and to clarify any earlier points,

I have supported the right of governors to suppress and pacify those barbarians within the borders of their provinces. Never have I or my colleague Legate Fabius Maximus supported the unilateral actions of governors to wage war on behalf of Rome on neighboring tribes and nations. Such an action could and would lead to disastrous results and forces this Republic to engage in a war that was unsanctioned by the Senate and People of Rome. Not to say there are not situations where a Governor is expected to defend Roman territories against barbarians who don’t respect the rule of law or borders and are expected to act unilaterally for the sake of expediency to save Roman lives and property when faced with a present and clear danger. They are still bound to act according to the will of the Senate and the People of Rome.

Up till this day and until my dying breath, I will support the supremacy of the Senate over any tribune, assembly, or even magistrate and hold them accountable for any actions that bypass the Senate.

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

The Proxy rises, slowly

“That is enough Consul. Proconsul Decius Bellicus has refused nothing, except to allow you to be the root cause of the death of good Romans. You have insulted and insinuated enough in this endeavor. By your own actions you have all but ensured that barbarous enemies of Rome will go unpunished, as this campaign season swiftly draws to an end and you have once again seen to it that the Senate refuses any sort of military aide.

You were all on board to spend millions when you were a Censor, but now as Consul you won’t spare a single coin to the defense of Rome’s honor and glory. You talk of honor and glory but it is the grasping fist of a miser that you wish to rule with.

Seeing as how this division does nothing but doom the forces of Propraetor Varus without any sort of support or support for the Proconsul, I vote NAY on behalf of him,”

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

aye