The Case of The People of Rome versus Marcus Decius Bellicus

[Gaius Cassius Vecellinus]

The real G.C.V. appears in court after a speedy journey on the new fangled galley "Turbinia".

I vouch for everything expressed by my representative and reiterate his words.

[Ass. Admin B]

Good. Thank you for doing your citizens duty and showing up for this important trial.

Gaius Quinctilius Varus, do you have anything else to add, or witnesses to present?

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

I have nothing further to add, your Honor.

[Ass. Admin B]

The Judge hereby recognizes that Gaius Quinctilius Varus has yielded the floor. He will have no more opportunity to speak during this case. The court hereby recognizes Marcus Decius Bellicus and invites him to bring testimony, evidence or witnesses at his leisure. I yield the floor.

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

Marcus Decius Bellicus, the man who forewent his own triumph in the name of preserving the ultimate imperium of the Senate, takes to the center, looking at those assembled for a moment. His eyes sweep the crowd, looking every bit the veteran, gauging everyone present for a moment with his cold, grey eyes. When he begins to speak, it is like a chill wind growing stronger.

"The sounds of the triumphs of our Consuls, the great Hispanicus and Liguricus, seem to still echo within my ears and within these very walls, as Rome has seen a great series of victories in succession. Indeed, to name all of the enemies of Rome that have fallen would take more time than the breath in my lungs, to list the new lands added to the Republic would take a legion of scribae to add them to the maps. So you must imagine my surprise when my accuser brought forth this case, making a very serious accusation against me.

"We have heard today that the provincial forces assigned to Hispania Ulterior under my command as Proconsul did not support my accuser in his war. We have heard today that no preparations were made to undertake this war. We have heard today that the forces of Citerior waited on the border, supposedly without any sort of supplies, and squandered their chances at striking vengeance upon the enemies of Rome.

"But what we never heard today was one very critical factor of the accusations laid upon my shoulders. That these actions occurred with intention, to subvert the decree of then-Consul Gaius Cassius Vecellinus. Indeed, speaking before you all the former Consul only confirmed that military action was never undertaken, there was no confirmation that this was done with any sort of intent. Even though I do not believe that it was within the Imperium of the Consul to make such a decree, as it bordered upon the powers normally given to a dictator of Rome, I did my best to follow them as I could, knowing that the Senate would be the body best suited to determining if those actions were correct or potentially out of line.

"But what you never heard today was the fact that my accuser never once attempted to contact me to fulfill the goals of his war. He never once asked for assistance, coordination, or to even do so much as give a destination as to where troops were supposed to go. While he maintained the Imperium within the borders of Hispania Citerior, although we shared joint command of the forces, this was his war. As someone who conducted a Consular campaign and received an ovatio for my efforts, I can tell this body that the first thing you do in war is that you gather your supply, you gather your forces, you draft your plan and you ensure that your officers and subordinates understand it.

"It is good to hear today that my accuser sent his men into the field wholly unprepared for a war, seeing as no plan was seeing created for this plan. Even though the Senate authorized the sending of supplies to Citerior when the legions were initially dispatched, apparently under the watch of my accuser they all disappeared. You may ask yourself why would I call this a good thing to hear, it is because, in the eyes of Rome and the Gods, my accuser did not get presented with the opportunity to lead his men to the ferryman with empty stomachs on the field of battle.

"So as the seasons changed, I continued to undertake my duties as Proconsul and improved Hispania Ulterior. Building roads, temples and expanding the mines. Working with local prefects to see what, if any docks or ports should be expanded in the future. I undertook steps towards diplomacy with the enemies of Rome since the Senate, at the insistence of my accuser, was not willing to commit itself to wars on both sides of Hispania. What was the result of this action while my accuser played soldier? The coffers of Rome were graced this year, under the direction of the former Consul, with one of the largest tributes ever from Hispania Ulterior.

"So when I stand here today, defending myself against these accusations, I must ask what part of this decree, were it legal, did I not follow? It was never made clear to me today by my accuser what exactly it was that I did that fell out of line with the decree as it was issued. There was never once any attempt by my accuser to show what it was that I did, with intent, to not follow the letter of the decree. So let me explain to you all today how this decree functioned and who, if anyone, violated them.

"Articles I and II are there to be explanatory, Article III I followed to the letter as at no time was less than one legion left in Ulterior. In regards to Article IV, it was not I who failed to uphold the instructions of the then-Consul, as the responsibility to lead the coordination of efforts falls upon the shoulders of the magistrate with the Imperium within the territory in question. In this case, that is my accuser who failed to ensure that coordination was undertaken for the purposes of conducting the Senate-mandated war within his province.

"But there is a simple way to get to the bottom of this. At this time I call upon my accuser to testify."

[Ass. Admin B]

The Judge recognizes Marcus Decius Bellicus calling upon Gaius Quinctilius Varus to testify. While unusual, well within his rights. The court asks for Gaius Quinctilius Varus to come to the witness stand and answer any question under oath.

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

This is out of order and beyond the scope dictated for this trial. I call on our honorable Judge to maintain the course outlined initially and bring this endless charade to a conclusion.

[Ass. Admin B]

Marcus Decius Bellicus is within his rights to ask you questions related to the case. You may use it however you like, but I ask you to answer his questions as a Roman and a duly invited witness.

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

If I were the last Roman I would still stand as a true one.

[Ass. Admin B]

Very well, I shall assume that means you are willing to answer questions. Marcus Decius Bellicus, please proceed with your questioning. Keep it short and precise.