Conflict of Orders

The Censor rises.

Conscript fathers,

I heartily support the effort to secure our northern frontiers for generations to come through the establishment of colonies, however, it would be remiss not to do so without providing them with the infrastructure to truly thrive and be integrated with the Republic. As such, I would propose that not only the colonies, but also a Roman Road, connected to the terminus of Via Flaminia at Ariminum, cross Bononia, Mutina and end at Placentia where a colony suffers much hardship from want of a connection to the Adriatic.

While the expenditure of such a road would be great; it could be defrayed by dividing its payment over six years. The total distance, in feet, involved would be circa 876,000, which would originate an expenditure of 6,132,000 Denarii. The dividends however would be great and open the entirety of the Po Valley to large-scale agricultural and mining activity.

I yield the floor.

The proxy for Senator Caesonius Tacitus would speak

"My math says 945,000 Denarii for two settlements. Perhaps we should do a colony this year and next if we also do the six year plan recommended by the censor for a road. Let us recall that we still need to pay to raise any additional legions that may be needed for the year, campaign costs, maintenance for Rome, and anything else we may need to deal with this year. I'd also like to note we currently only have two allied legions in Hispania and if we plan on raising a roman legion to reinforce each of them again this year, that would be over one and a half million Denarii for that alone when you include the costs to transport them over."

Visibly pleased at the resumption of regularly-scheduled proceedings, Senator M. Silvius Pastor rises to speak sporting a broad smile.

Esteemed Brethren,

The proposals before us are most-honored and well-reasoned - I must speak in support of both. As noted by Senator Amulius Valerius Marius, the establishment of colonia at Bononia and Mutina would allow for us to thoroughly and properly avenge the betrayal and treachery of the Boii while honoring our brave Roman veterans. The re-establishment of Roman law in the region, as so aptly described by our Consul M. Decius Bellius, would cost a total of 945,000 Denarii - a sum only marginally more than the value of the Boii spoils brought to Rome.

The honored Censor, C. Cassius Vecellinus also speaks wisely - the construction of infrastructure to these colonia at Bononia and Mutina are necessary for them to flourish! As the Censor suggests, the payment for the construction of this infrastructure project could be divided over the course of years. Given the cost, the division of the overall cost over six years seems prudent.

In sum, the establishment of colonia at Bononia and Mutina would cost a total of 945,000 Denarii and the infrastructure project would cost an estimated 876,000 Denarii; for a grand total of 1,821,000 Denarii. I steadfastly support the allocation of funds for these endeavors, and also advocate for the immediate survey of these lands to ensure that the Romans living in these colonia are afforded proper facilities for their religious, commercial, and other miscellaneous needs.

Decius Bellicus rises after the debate has slowed

"Conscript fathers, it appears that there is some consensus on the establishment of colonia in the reclaimed Boii territory, as well as connecting it to the broader Republic. However, I think it would be remiss if we did not adequately address the very valid point of taking steps to ensure that the area is pacified and the Boii are fully brought back into the fold of the Republic. I believe I speak for us all that it would be very, very shameful to send Roman colonistas there without ensuring the land is safe.

"So I offer to the Senate whether or not we should authorize the dispatching of legions to finish the pacification of the Boii and then to continue on against the Insubres to fully pacify the entirety of the region."

Retakes his seat