Conflict of Orders

Albinovanus Fango, proxy of Propraetor Domitius Corbulo, arises.

"Patres Conscripti,

On behalf of Propraetor Domitius Corbulo I lend my support to Lucretius Tricipitinus' proposed legislation and call for an immediate vote."

Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus smiled and nodded when he received support of several of the Senate - and rose when the appropriate time came

Conscript fathers, you honor me with your support for my bill. We would be remiss, however, to potentially not discuss article 1 further. Senators Quinctilius Varus and Silvius Pastor make a point that perhaps the time is too late for the demands of article 1 and that it could be stricken. Instead, we prepare for war come this spring. I do not wish for my bill to be seen as forcing through my will upon the Senate.

As article 1 was inspired directly by Senator Cassius Vecellinus, I was hoping to hear more from him on the matter before we proceed.

The beguiling Proxy for the Proconsul rose to speak,

With respect, I agree with Senators Silvius Pastor and Quinctilius Varus. While assuredly not your intent, the effect of this new proposal would be to declare that the bribe of 225,000 was insufficient - however the Rēs pūblica Rōmāna can be bought for 2,250,000 if you wish to escape due and fair punishment for one's actions!

Furthermore, this proposal does not address the point that I first raised earlier in the meeting, that of naval concerns. We must raise a fleet capable of defeating the Spartans and a legate to lead it. I propose a fleet of 10 Quinquereme and 30 Trireme to be commissioned for this purpose and that the Senate nominate Senator Silvius Pastor to command it as Legate.

After glancing up and down, both jotting and reviewing notes, the proxy for Senator M. Silvius Pastor rose once more.

Honored Senators,

I must first commend the comprehensive proposal set forth by Senator Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus - in merit, I must concur with the notion that each article is representative of an agenda item for discussion. That said, I believe that those proposed articles; specifically Articles 2 and 4, discussing the composition of a Roman expeditionary force and its composition, should be shelved in proper order and voted on separately. It makes neither financial nor strategic sense to dedicate funds for an expeditionary force when Rome herself is not as war. Rome cannot, and shall not, ever be bought - we are a principled people and a steadfast ally. As such, I echo my earlier call - spoken by those before and after me - that we first vote on a formal Declaration of War before anything else.

To the proxy of the honored Proconsul, I can safely say that Senator M. Silvius Pastor is both humbled by your nomination that he lead the Roman fleet as Naval Legate. He would undoubtedly be honored to serve in that command, or any other command deemed suitable by this august body; however, such nomination and confirmation is naturally predicated by a formal Declaration of War.

Turning to the presiding Consul, the proxy nods in deference.

Honored Consul, I once again ask that a vote be called - for a formal Declaration of War.

I yield the floor.

The proxy for Decius Bellicus rises

"Is the Senate to build a navy and name a legatus who shall sit at port through the winter? It strikes me as odd that we shot down, initially, the idea of an immediate response of forces due to the weather, but now we want to get this going as quickly as possible. I would also challenge how wise it would be to name a Legatus who is not even in Rome, as it stands M. Silvius Pastor is on campaign with Consul Decius Bellicus, if we are so concerned about the timeliness of a response, shouldn't we consider someone who is not leagues away from a boat?"

The proxy pauses to look around the Senate

"It is surprising to see deference not being given to the incoming Consuls on how we should best approach this campaign, to do otherwise does not seem to be wise and more political than logical."

Wearing the same expression as the first time he stood to speak, the proxy for Senator M. Silvius Pastor rises again.

My apologies to the proxy for the Honored Consul; my previous articulations must not have been iron in phrasing. My advocacy is for an immediate vote on a formal Declaration of War. Such a vote neither binds our Republic to immediate mobilization nor construction of warships. Rather, it presents us with the necessary foundation to begin such discussions in earnest.

I also agree with the sentiment that, if no deference is afforded to the Consuls-Elect in the matter of the composition of Roman expeditionary forces and their commanders, there would be cause for surprise. However; first, a formal Declaration of War ought to be voted upon - so as to allow the Consuls-Elect full authority to comprise their forces in a time of war - and second, full deference to the Consuls-Elect in the form of an in camera meeting between them, to ostensibly decide the composition of the Roman expeditionary forces and their commanders, was proposed to this august body for consideration should war be formally declared. The Consuls-Elect do, and shall continue to have, the authority to propose the commanders for this expedition, alongside voicing their approval or disapproval of Senatorial nominees.

For the third time, I ask the presiding Consul to call a vote on the formal Declaration of War.

If such a vote is not procedurally called, I humbly ask that we adjourn this session.

Senator G. Cassius Vecellinus was seen for several moments discussing with with his future co-Consul, T. Furius Pavo, before he turned to the presiding magistrate and intervened.

Conscript fathers,

Heeding to the request of several Senators, I, as consul-elect, discussed with my future co-consul, wish to announce our agreement to the measure as proposed by Marcus Silvius Pastor. Specifically, we lend our support to a motion for an immediate declaration of war on the tyrant of Sparta.

Moreover, we would ask the support of our fellow Senators, for a pre-approval of a mobilization of six legions: two consular, two regular and two socii, as well as 40 currently dry docked warships, come the beginning of the next consular year.

By joint agreement between myself and my fellow consul-elect, we propose that it be him, Titus Furius Pavo, to lead these forces on that campaign. The nomination of legates for that campaign, as necessary, should be left to his discretion.

With this motion we can settle the matter of how the situation in Greece is to be handled and move on to the other pressing issues facing us.

I yield the floor.

The virile Proxy for the Proconsul spoke,

We will support this compromise.

Gaius Cassius Vecellinus wrote: ↑Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:20 pm Senator G. Cassius Vecellinus was seen for several moments discussing with with his future co-Consul, T. Furius Pavo, before he turned to the presiding magistrate and intervened.

Conscript fathers,

Heeding to the request of several Senators, I, as consul-elect, discussed with my future co-consul, wish to announce our agreement to the measure as proposed by Marcus Silvius Pastor. Specifically, we lend our support to a motion for an immediate declaration of war on the tyrant of Sparta.

Moreover, we would ask the support of our fellow Senators, for a pre-approval of a mobilization of six legions: two consular, two regular and two socii, as well as 40 currently dry docked warships, come the beginning of the next consular year.

By joint agreement between myself and my fellow consul-elect, we propose that it be him, Titus Furius Pavo, to lead these forces on that campaign. The nomination of legates for that campaign, as necessary, should be left to his discretion.

With this motion we can settle the matter of how the situation in Greece is to be handled and move on to the other pressing issues facing us.

I yield the floor.

I see.

So the will of the incoming Consuls would be to strip a Consul of his legions, and send them away, after he returns victorious over a revolt for which he did not seek any adulation for stamping out with great efficiency? And I shall be carted off with but a single legion by these same men to stamp out some unworthy tribals in Corsica next, whilst men who do not yet hold the title of Consul pretend to be on campaign in Greece until the weather turns? This is what I understand to be the proposal?

And that I would be expected to immediately undertake a campaign in Corsica to put down tribals when it is supposedly not the campaigning season, while a consular sized army sits in Greece and does nothing but waste the holdings of the Temple of Saturn under not even a man who currently holds even proconsular authority?

A motion is forthcoming. I will require a few moments to draft it.

Carry on.