Conflict of Orders

For the first time since March, Consul Gaius Claudius Nero Liguricus rises to address the Senate

Conscript Fathers,

Today I bring this session together to address a few matters. The first is a quick announcement to the provinces of Rome. While I was away, it appears as though only the one province of Hispania Ulterior has paid their taxes to the Treasury this year. I should not have to say this, but I expect those proxies representing the Propraetors here to pass this message on that the taxes are to be paid before the year's end. There is no need to delay this long on their payment.

He turns to the proxy for Propraetor Cassius Vecellinus before adding

Senator, I do want you to pass on my thanks to Propraetor Vecellinus for providing such a magnificent amount of funds to the treasury. It is quite heartening to see the province is productive and lucrative to the Republic this year.

Turning back to the Senate at large, Consul Nero continues

A second announcement. I'm happy to announce that the candidacies for next year's Consulships are hereby open. Those of you that wish to make your candidacy known, you are now welcome to do so.

Consul Nero Liguricus then pulls out several parchments before he continues talking.

Moving on, the next matter I want to talk about is the ratification of the treaties I signed on my campaign. They are broken down into three categories. First, we have the Genuates, Bagienni and Taurini tribes that have signed under Civitas Foederata for their support in siding with Rome and fighting against the Punic horde:

The Consul presents three parchments for the 3 tribes agreeing to Civitas Foederata

I. Rome and your tribe will allied in perpetuity under Foedus Aequum.
II. Your tribe will cede foreign relations to Rome.
III. Should Rome wish to construct any Colonia or roads in your lands, it will be permitted.

The Statielli, Garuli, Ingauni and Ilvates tribes signed under Civitas Stipendaria are in two parts. The treaties for the Statielli and Garuli are here:

I. The Republic of Rome, and your tribe, will hereby be allies in perpetuity under Foedus Iniquum.
II. Your tribe will surrender the right to foreign relations to Rome.
III. Your tribe will provide Rome a yearly tax.
IV. In the event Rome wishes to found a Colonia and/or roads within your lands, it will be permitted.

The Ingauni and Ilvates actively sided with the Punic Mago during the Second Punic War, consequently sacking burning our Colonia down while killing our very people, and thus had harsher terms pushed on them as seen here:

I. The Republic of Rome, and your tribe, will hereby be allies in perpetuity under Foedus Iniquum.
II. Your tribe will surrender the right to foreign relations to Rome.
III. Your tribe will provide Rome a yearly tax.
IV. In the event Rome wishes to found a Colonia and/or roads within your lands, it will be permitted.
V. The earthen ramparts protecting their settlements are all to be dismantled, and you are permanently banned from erecting defences around your settlements again.

I will allow debate on the treaties to be made now.

"I support ratifying these treaties to secure our northern frontier."

Proximus Maximus stands to speak

Good Consul Claudius Nero,

Propraetor Fabius Maximus would like to assure the Senate and the People of Rome that the taxes from Hispania Citerior will be sent immediately. The delay was due to waiting for the arrival of additional tributes from the recently conquered Ilergetes and other tributary tribes within H Citerior. The Propraetor wanted all the funds to be shipped together, lest they are targeted by pirates or ne’er-do-wells who would cause harm to our Republic, if they were shipped separately. You can rest assured he will order the transport of taxes to Rome and then send the tributes separately once collected.

Additionally, Propraetor Fabius Maximus wanted to present this recently negotiated treaty with the Ilergetes, for the Senate’s approval:

The tribe known as “Ilergetes” agree to the following terms with the Republic of Rome:

I. The Republic of Rome and the Ilergetes will be allies in perpetuity under Foedus Iniquum.
II. The Ilergetes will agree to not engage in hostilities with other tribes allied to Rome.
III. Rome has the right to found a Colonia and build roads within your lands.
IV. The Ilergetes will pay a yearly tribute to Rome

Consul Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo Hispanicus, who was seated next to his co-consul, rose to address the Senate.

"My only question to my esteemed co-consul is in regards to the first treaty. It does not mention the tribes in question being subject to taxes. Is this addressed separately? Beside this one small item I have no objections or reservations about the treaties. Consul Claudius Nero Liguricus has done the Republic a great service bringing these tribes to heel and we will prosper greatly from it. I suggest we include the treaties signed during my campaign in this vote so that we may bring a swift end to this matter. Senator Proximus Maximus, has already provided the treaty negotiated by the esteemed Propraetor Fabius Maximus with the Ilergetes, and I will add one other treaty that I negotiated with the Celtici. Unfortunately the Carpetani and Turduli tribal leadership had just suffered from an acute loss of blood and were unable to conduct negotiations. Their land will have to be incorporated directly into Hispania Ulterior.

I. The Celtici tribe becomes allies of Rome.
II. Taxes and tribute will be collected annually.
III. Your tribe will not engage in foreign relations.
IV. Celtici warriors may be called upon to serve in a Socii Legion under Roman leadership.

Consul Nero Liguricus rises to speak

Conscript Fathers,

I would be happy to add the treaties provided by Senator Proximus Maximus, and my co-Consul Corbulo Hispanicus to the discussion. To answer my co-Consul's questions regarding the first three tribes not paying taxes, that is correct. They served alongside Rome in the Second Punic War, and I deemed it fair to allow them to become Civitas Foederata, that is to say they will be our military allies in the region, maintaining the peace and should we require them to muster a force for the Republic, they will do so. As an example, the Genuates after accepting this treaty immediately provided me a force of 5,000 men to help in my campaign. I reward those that help the Republic, and punish those that stand against it.

After waiting several minutes, Consul Nero Liguricus rises back up to address the Senate after no one else asks further questions

Conscript Fathers,

As it seems we are all in understanding on this, I will raise this matter to a vote. The following treaties that have been discussed will be voted on in one batch to simplify matters. You may begin voting now.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye

aye