Curia Session III 195 B.C. / 559 AUC

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

Consul Aurelius Cotta, escorted by 12 lictors and a scribae, re-opened the Senate the next business day for debate.

Conscript fathers,

We debated, at some length, the need for the establishment of colonies in Gallia Cisalpina, protection for these colonies, and the need for new highways connecting to the north of Italia.

I re-open this matter today for discussion

[TerranSteel]

The proxy for Furius Pavo gestured to speak first and then rose with resolution.

My Consul, before we begin proceedings and discussing this vital topic on infrastructure and colonia, I would request that any Lictors and Scriba depart from the Senate. As you have said so yourself, freemen are not welcome in these hallowed grounds unless they have been made an esteemed member of this body.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

The proxy for Furius Pavo gestured to speak first and then rose with resolution.

My Consul, before we begin proceedings and discussing this vital topic on infrastructure and colonia, I would request that any Lictors and Scriba depart from the Senate. As you have said so yourself, freemen are not welcome in these hallowed grounds unless they have been made an esteemed member of this body.

The consul raised his hand, and the lictors banged their rods on the floor to drown out his speech.

The Senator will stay focused on the matter at hand. Lictors attend to the magistrates, and do not speak on Senatorial matters. The Scribe is to record the motions and laws passed, not speak, unless you would prefer to do that yourself.

[TerranSteel]

Undeterred, the proxy of Furius Pavo opened a palm towards the Lictors.

And you called yourself a conservative? One who harkened back to the past for inspiration? You use fasces in an attempt to intimidate. Will you have them brutalize your opponents as well?

I ask you once again, Consul, in good faith that the Lictors depart these unblooded and sacred halls so that we can discuss the future of this Republic.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

Undeterred, the proxy of Furius Pavo opened a palm towards the Lictors.

And you called yourself a conservative? One who harkened back to the past for inspiration? You use fasces in an attempt to intimidate. Will you have them brutalize your opponents as well?

I ask you once again, Consul, in good faith that the Lictors depart these unblooded and sacred halls so that we can discuss the future of this Republic.

Senator, as the presiding magistrate, I will ask you one more time to observe decorum.

The matter at hand is colonies.

[TerranSteel]

The proxy ignores the Consul turns to the assembled Senators, especially the conservatives and traditionalists.

Conscript Fathers, this breach of tradition and outright ignoring the polite requests of this legislature shows a disdain for the Senate greater than any other since the Kings of Rome. I recommend that we do not participate in any discussion brought forth by the Consul today while Lictors, armed and threatening, are present. At the very least, vote no on any law submitted under the implied threat of force.

For as Consul Aurelius Cotta said before, the traditions of Rome must be preserved.

The proxy Senator then returns to his seat, arms folded.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

The consul simply rises and speaks:

Your failure to adhere to decorum is most disappointing.

Lictors have attended the Consul since the beginning of the Republic: in the Curia, in the forum, within the Pomerium, and outside the Pomerium.

I shall refer your behaviour to the Censor for remedy. It is clear you cannot adhere to decorum and stick to a debate topic set out by the presiding magistrate.

Moving along, as there is clearly no debate to be further had about the matter of colonies, The following shall be subject to a vote:

WHEREAS the Gallic barbarians have betrayed The Senate and People of Rome in the past,

WHEREAS Roman soldiers have performed heroic tasks in the recent campaign against the Boii and have earned a right to settle new lands,

And WHEREAS Rome requires rapid transportation to defend her allies and colonies,

The Senate of Rome enacts as follows:

1. Consul Decius Bellicus shall be tasked with concluding the pacification of the Boii and the Insubres for the Consular year 559 AUC. A separate supply motion for funding the legions in the year shall follow.

2. Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus shall oversee the construction of a new highway to the Po Valley of a total distance, in feet, circa 876,000, which would originate an expenditure of 6,132,000 Denarii. Hostus shall receive funding for a year of operations, at 1,022,000 d to carry out his task.

3. Marcus Silvius Pastor shall oversee the establishment of two coloniae of 1,500 veterans each, and shall receive authorization for funding of 945,000 d to carry out this task.

Commence with division.

[TerranSteel]

The proxy Senator of Furius Pavo waves of the Consul with a scoff.

The Senate does not serve at the behest of the Consul. The Censor will know that the Consul may refer a topic at the beginning of a session of Senate but the Senate can act as it wishes, not as the Cosul commands. As a Senate, we may ignore the Consul and go about our business of governance despite what they may desire or wish. The Consul also does not have the power to unilaterally end debate. Senators are allowed to discuss and make changes to any proposed law - not merely silenced because a Consul wishes it.

[Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus]

Hostus Lucretius Tricipitinus was sitting awkwardly watching the Consul and Furious Pavo go back and forth - and the display of the lictors - when he heard his name read out for an assignment. He was shocked at such.

Consul,

While I appreciate your position regarding clarity and purpose in discussions - the Senate has had little time to debate the matters at hand. Namely, will a highway be built, no survey has been conducted and so no proper budget can be outlaid with any confidence. There has also been no consensus reached on the number or size of colonies.

Before we bring matters to a vote, the Senate should have time to decide and reach agreement on these matters.

[Marcus Aurelius Cotta]

Aye