Conflict of Orders

Esteemed Senators,

I must express similar concerns as the wise Senator Caesonius Tacitus has stated. While the discussion over whether Quinctilius Varus' actions in Greece were within his power or not, the dice of fate have been cast in Greece, and so we have the much more pressing issue of deciding on what to do now that we have solid proof of the Spartans illegally occupying our ally, the Achaean League's, Polis of Argos. The Polis was granted the right to join the League as a full member for supporting our war against the Macedon King Phillip II just a couple years past. Furthermore, they have refused to end their occupation of the city after being asked by Varus. While no formal declaration of war was made by Varus, the Spartan King Nabis could perceive these talks as an aggressive threat, and wish to act first. If so, he has ample time to mobilise his forces and strike first against the Alliance while we bicker and squabble over what was or wasn't within the diplomat's Imperium. From what information Quinctilius Varus has provided us, Nabis may also have supporters from amongst some of the other Greek states. Worst still, if the Seleucid Great King Antiochus aligns with Nabis, then we will have to contend with a large force on multiple fronts. As we very well know, he has recently occupied the region of Thrace, and is poised on the border of the Macedon Kingdom.

As of current it appears as though we have a choice between two options we can make to ensure Roman honour and influence are maintained and our position in Greece as its protector is upheld. The first is to act immediately so as to minimise the amount of time Nabis has to muster his troops. This can be done by electing a Senator as Military Commander, raising a full army to place under his command, and sending him to Greece. This individual will operate in Greece until a Consul can take over, or much more ideally, will become Consul himself. The latter will allow the Consular legions to be directly placed under his command without requiring multiple commanders.

My recommendation for the best individual that he will confidently achieve the latter stance would be Senator Gaius Cassius Vecellinus, and my reasoning for this is as such. As of current, the position of Plebian Consul only has one contender, that being Vecellinus himself, so he is poised to win this position with no real issue. Therefore he will be able to fight in Greece from now until March with a freshly raised army as a Military Commander, and once the new Consular term starts next year, his position will change from Military Commander to Consul. From here the Consular legions placed under his command can sail over to Greece to unite with him. It is an efficient and stable way to ensure that the entire campaign requires only one leader, and he will be able to conduct the war on his own to bring about a rapid and swift end, and ensure Roman honour is maintained.

The alternative is to wait until one of the current Consuls finish their campaign and are able to go to Greece. This is entirely dependent on if either of their campaigns are achievable before the end of their terms, and we truthfully do not know how long they will take.

Conscript Fathers,

Honorable Claudius Nero, your concerns are well met. A few points, if I may; we seek the total liberation of Argos. If as a free city they choose to align themselves with the Achaean League that would serve Rome well as they stand stalwart allies.

To clarify your point that Nabis may have supporters amongst our Greek allies please do not be mistaken, he stands alone and the Greeks are united in their purpose against Nabis. The Aetolians would prefer to execute this coming war without Romans so as to improve their own positions. While it is a possibility that Antiochus' Seleucids could align themselves with Nabis, Nabis is still a pirate and a mercenary. Surely a man who they call "The Great" would not taint his Dignitas by aligning forces with a single city state run by an immensely unpopular tyrant. My concerns for the Seleucids lie only in if we allow this war to occur without Roman leadership it could open the door to Europe for them.

Since you brought up the concerns of honorable Caesonius Tacitus I will again speak of my answer to him, the Greeks are preparing for war next year. Though some amongst them sought immediate conflagration, as the Legate of Rome I requested they wait until next campaign season to provide time for me to report back and for a new Consul to raise an army to join them if Rome so chooses. Your concern that Nabis is aware of potential conflict would only be confirmed by sending green legions across the sea in winter to wait for our allies to muster or sending a Consular army in those same rough seas. Remember the Greeks, like us, raise their forces from their citizenry, while surely their smithies clang with preparation, most of their soldiers for the coming campaign are still in their villas and tending to their livelihoods. Nabis likewise would risk ruin trying to attack any allied states and being forced into a winter siege through spring planting season.

Since you voice concern for revealing intent, then surely we should not confirm it before we or our allies are prepared. Your suggestions, respectfully, would show our hand too soon and risk as you put it a "presumptive" Consul on the rough winter seas or send a Consul to sit and wait through the winter in camp in Greece only to leave the army with a new Consul come end of term, both expensive and dangerous endeavors.

This esteemed body knows I have voiced my intent to run for Consul and I would use that position to move towards prosecuting war on Nabis, should the Senate agree. As Legatus I did my duties in paving the way for the next Consulship, so that if they so choose and we Conscript Fathers vote for war they will have time and money to raise an army appropriate to the threat and lead our allies to victory. Though as a humble senator I must say I stand in complete certainty that the Laconian dog must be brought to heel.

Argos liberari oportet!