Page 7 of 12
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:30 pm
by Amulius Valerius Marius
This Senator heartily supported the motion
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:42 pm
by Marcus Aurelius Cotta
Allectus Fabius Maximus wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 3:35 pm
Primus Proximus Maximus stands to speak and faces the Senator defending Claudius Marcellus.
Conscript Fathers,
If the good Claudius Marcellus found it in his heart to come to Senator Domitius Corbulo’s aid, he would have done so without needing to be compelled to do so by the Senate. The Senate failed to send the proper forces to dispatch the rebellious barbarians in H. Ulterior then was unable to transfer command of the forces from H Citerior to H Ulterior. And thus, we saw the result of this irreconcilable division of forces that led to the shattering of an allied legion and avoidable losses among the brave and worthy Romans who liberated the our rightful lands from barbarian occupation. The record is plain for all to see that Claudius Marcellus stood to the side and kept his men to wait idly by while others carried the burden of waging a campaign against these natives.
And for that reason and that reason alone, there must be a discussion on how to prevent such actions from occurring again. If the governors of our Hispanian provinces cannot work well with one another for one reason or another, then it is the Senate’s duty to compel them to do so or assign an individual who will have broader command over all military forces in the region.
He would then turn to Valerius Marius
Good Senator,
What I wish to see and what I imagine others would like to see as well, is not an administrative unification of the Hispanian provinces. H Citerior and H Ulterior would continue to be managed separately as they have been. However, the military forces should be unified under a single command structure to prevent a single commander from withholding their forces for any campaign or military effort. That is what I propose. How and what that will look like I am leaving up to the Senate to debate and decide on.
I yield the floor.
Actually, all the record shows is that a magistrate with lesser imperium chose to not invite the proconsul to lead the campaign and instead issued a demand to someone he had no right to issue it to. I cannot speak to why Domitius Corbulo did not want the presence of the proconsul. Doubtless he ultimately decided he had enough men for the campaign to be conducted safely. If he didn’t decide that; then he obviously was not acting in the best interest of Rome.
It would be an insult to request the proconsul cart his legions away to the south without the proconsul’s presence and is most unfortunate that some Senators continue to grind their gladius on this stone, hoping to damage to reputation of the mighty Marcellus for simply reacting appropriately to what he was being told.
Moving along to what I raised during my Consulship - the presence of foreign cults.
Consul Cassius, I support this new motion wholeheartedly.
Root them out and destroy them.
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:52 pm
by Postumus Caesonius Tacitus
The proxy for Caesonius Tacitus would simply nod when the SENATUS CONSULTUM DE BACCHANALIBUS was read aloud indicating his approval for the motion.
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 4:55 pm
by Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus
The proxy stood:
Good Consul,
The presence and threat of this foreign cult is an important matter and one we must address - but do we not have a conversation on the deploying of legions (or not) in Hispania ongoing and thus, the presence of foreign cults being next on the agenda? Or are we giving up on that venture and moving on to the next topic at hand?
With respects to your current motion, assuming we're to continue on this topic, how would this affect other areas of Roman life affected by Bacchus? For example; the recently constructed Theater of Bacchus in Sicilia?
I fear, perhaps, that this motion be designed to affect the lowest common denominator. Would it not be prudent for you, Consul, to investigate the allegations, identify the perpetrators and punish those involved? We were provided a list of individuals - why not order their arrest, seize their slaves and question them? Then, if the conspiracy cannot be rooted out in that manner, we enact legislation?
I can't speak for all but I would like to see the guilty punished in front of the gods for their affronts! An investigation, trial and punishments are paramount, not just some legislation that may bury the problem for the time being!
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:02 pm
by Postumus Caesonius Tacitus
The proxy for Caesonius Tacitus would speak again.
"I would think article IV would cover an investigation:
VI. That Consul Gaius Cassius Vecellinus is tasked and empowered to make such measures as required to eradicate the Bacchanalian cult throughout Italia.
Still, I would not mind confirmation from the consul that my interpretation is correct."
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:42 pm
by Gaius Quinctilius Varus
Q.Q.Q. rises, a look of pure frustration upon his face.
Conscript Fathers,
Within the very hour we have received word of this cult our good Consul has already provided a Lex to be voted upon and nominated himself for the task of investigating it. Why then has my good friend Quinctilius Varus sat for so long, through so much of this campaign season and now upon the third opportunity for a vote he is again to be ignored. The supposed proposals the Consul put forward to attempt to 'make headway' were categorically rejected by both Governors in Hispania, men whom this Consul has hand picked. Did this body not sensibly reject the dispatching of Consular legions to instead keep them as a reserve against Gauls or ruinous news from Greece? Did not the Consul himself voice concerns for such in the last session?
Good Consul, why do your responses feel arbitrary and lackadaisical approach to the needs of your chosen Promagistrates? I ask, I plead that before any other matter is addressed this body do what is has shown no disapproval for two sessions, and vote for the formal approval of conflict with the Ilergetes and allow my friend Quinctilius Varus to serve Rome, without the needless preconditions other "solutions" have proffered.
Lex Ileregetum Bellum
I. The Senate formally approves of conflict with the Ilergetai, to be prosecuted until their subjugation or capitulation is complete.
II. For the campaign season of 194 B.C. the Senate will raise a Hispanian Socii Ala - 250,000 Denarii
I ask that this be voted on first, or concurrently with your Lex regarding the cult. If any other legislation is brought forward before a meaningful vote on the situation in Hispania I will vote against it on principle, and would ask any Senators who stand in agreement with me to do the same.
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:55 pm
by Proculus Lucius Regulus
I concur with Quinctilius Varus's proxy - we are now aware of the cult and can protect our Republic. There is time to spare to deal with it formally. For now, the campaigning season dwindles. The threat of Hispanian tribes is simply more urgent. Stop hiding behind new business, Good Consul, and call a vote.
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:57 pm
by Amulius Valerius Marius
A point of order if you will; the Consul is not offering a lex but instead the collective advice of the Senate to the office of Consul , from which he shall act against the cult.
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 6:06 pm
by Marcus Decius Bellicus
The Proxy for Decius Bellicus rises, looking exasperated
"So after rejecting the Consul's compromise solution in the name of not wanting to put Ulterior to risk, the very same Senators are now content to do nothing to protect it? The petty partisan politics of some members of this body will be the undoing of the Republic, it's as much of a threat as the fake sense of frugality they adopt when convenient."
Re: Curia Session IV - 194 BC
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 6:17 pm
by Allectus Fabius Maximus
Primus Proximus Maximus stood to speak
Conscript Fathers,
It makes no sense, fiscally or militarily, to raise an additional socii legion for H Citerior when Proconsul Decius Bellicus has a Roman and Socii Legion in H Ulterior.
My proposal is simple: We direct both the Proconsul Decius Bellicus and Propraetor Q. Varus to lead their respective forces on an offensive campaign against the Ilergeretai. As equal partners in this endeavor, I hope both men are able and willing to work with one another to show those barbarians the might of Rome’s armies. If they fail to cooperate, it will surely lead to disaster but it is my hope and expectation that these men will do what is best for Rome and not for themselves. Lest they suffer the consequences of their incompetence in the field of battle or in these very halls upon their return.