KhaNESII: S.P.Q.R

Dispatches from Marcus Titus Scipio:

As any commander knows, losing a commander during a battle or war is a heart shattering morale hit for troops in the field, but if the Senate deems it necessary to prove my loyalty by forcing me to return to Rome without bringing back the 1st Legio then I shall do so.

As for the deserters, they are no longer soldiers of Rome, and therefore are not obligated to follow the orders of the Senate anymore. Since they are now in my care and under my employ as a bodyguard unit I must ask that the Senate respect that these ex soldiers are now citizens of the Empire and as such no longer eligible for retired soldier benefits which they forfeited by deserting. Also, I believe these tortured souls have been punished enough, they brought shame to their Legion and themselves, they have a black stain upon their honor and their brothers in the 1st Legio are currently in Gaul trying to redeem their honor and pride as the Elite of the Empire. So I ask the Senate to leave these poor citizens alone and allow them to live out their lives in peace.

The messenger also searched for and found Cassiodor and handed him a wrapped bundle of papers and informed him, "The Legate thanks you for your support and he hopes the answer you seek lies within these papers." With that the Messenger turns and leaves the chambers, riding back to the north.
 
The lights at the Aurelian Palace were on far later than was normal. Strewn across all flat surfaces of Cassiodor's study were papers of every description. The cloth that once contained the papers lay forgotten in a corner.

"Eureka!" shrieked Cassiodor all of a sudden. His slave Florentius poked his head in the door. "Sir?"

"Oh, don't you know any Greek? Eureka - never mind. Go and check I didn't disturb anyone else."

Florentius padded off. Cassiodor reexamined the paper that had caused so much excitement. "Interesting..." He picked up his quill and began writing. Perhaps there was still time to find that messenger of Scipio's.
 
They are deserters. I do believe that until the consuls decide so - they remain deserters and by that NOT citizens of the republic, and with no rights of a citizen.
 
Albanus Quiris Cato proposes the following 'laws':

1.2.1: Initiate the office of the Praetor Parricidii (with choice of who to fill that office to be made by consuls in agreement after the bill passes if it does)- voting 'aye' does not signify that i would automatically fill that that office- the choice would be the consuls.

I personally support this bill for the creation of the new office.

1.2.2: Initiate legal proceedings to capture and try the mob who killed the rebel patricians under the direction of the local governor Consul Tiberius Tertinius Pachomius.

Aye.

1.2.3: Initiate legal proceedings to try the defecting legionaires. They should not just be offered early retirement for their trechery. I consider myself an EXTREMELY devoted supporter of our soldiers and am PROUD to have served in Rome's military but we cannot allow this sort of defection to be ignored. I don't call for their heads- merely for our laws and traditions to serve the function they are meant to.

Aye. If they are honorable man, the court will have leniency.
[/QUOTE]
 
If I am correct no one has yet to address the Gauls allied with us that seek to settle within our borders and wishing to prevent another incident like the Triumphs last session I propose:

1.3.13

The Allied Gaul seeking settlement within Roman territory will be allowed to settle as well as receive a fund, size determined by the Consuls, to aid in said settlement.
 
1.3.14.
is mutually exclusive to 1.3.13 and dependent upon the passage of 1.3.5.


New Roman military presence in Transalpine Gaul would be charged with protecting our allies in the region and protecting their homes within that province.
 
OOC:
fixed. sorry- exclusive to 1.3.13.

In one case you want to move the families to our lands. in the other you are going to protect them as part of a show of force in the region.


IC:
I strongly advocate peace through force in Transalpine Gaul. I condemn calls for 'peace at any costs'. I advocate protection, not relocation, of our allies. I believe Rome is strong and can protect itself and its borders. its important that potential enemies also believe this. Fleeing or abandoning a war (regardless of how it was begun) will invite foreign adventure and opportunism. We cannot allow this.

(OOC: to be clear i am talking about caesar's war- i guess that wasn't clear)
 
If you are referring to the so-called ''Republic of Gaul'' when you speak of allied parties, then as far as I am concerned they are no friend of Rome. Julius Caesar is responsible for the creation of this state, and when negotiating with them he did not have any authority to speak for the Senate and People of Rome. Thus any agreements made are between the Republic of Gaul and Julius Caesar, not the Republic of Gaul and Rome. Considering Caesar's rebellion, that leaves the Republic of Gaul at best as a neutral and insignificant party that is best treated with indifference, or at worst yet another Gallic foe.

In regards to the allied tribes which have helped us in the Lucian War, I would suggest they be granted the freedom to settle within Transalpine Gaul. However, I think it is a matter best left for the new Governor of the province to decide. Considering the need for new recruits for our legions, and the legal obligation which requires us to pay Generals' salaries this season, the government does not have the funds to support such minor projects. Instead I suggest any settlement is funded by the Governor of Transalpine Gaul, possibly with the contributions of any willing senators.
 
I am fine with the duties being left to the governor, I merely did not want another important problem to slip through the cracks yet again. Rome must do what it can to protect her allies so that more may join here greatness.
 
If you are referring to the so-called ''Republic of Gaul'' when you speak of allied parties, then as far as I am concerned they are no friend of Rome. Julius Caesar is responsible for the creation of this state, and when negotiating with them he did not have any authority to speak for the Senate and People of Rome. Thus any agreements made are between the Republic of Gaul and Julius Caesar, not the Republic of Gaul and Rome. Considering Caesar's rebellion, that leaves the Republic of Gaul at best as a neutral and insignificant party that is best treated with indifference, or at worst yet another Gallic foe.


I believe that the 'Republic of Gaul' was created by men who believed in the power and glory of Rome, though, when they heard Caesar's whispers, their greed seduced them. That doesn't change that they believe in Rome and are the closest thing we have to friends in an area that is too full of enemies (albeit enemies we incurred by Caesar's madness). The "Republic of Gaul" must be a central piece in our efforts to pacify the region and retain our dominance at our borders. They cannot be a "neutral and insignificant party that is best treated with indifference, or at worst yet another Gallic foe". We can be seen to neither 1) be unable to protect our allies (either real or perceived) nor 2) make more enemies in a region already hostile to us.

In regards to the allied tribes which have helped us in the Lucian War, I would suggest they be granted the freedom to settle within Transalpine Gaul. However, I think it is a matter best left for the new Governor of the province to decide. Considering the need for new recruits for our legions, and the legal obligation which requires us to pay Generals' salaries this season, the government does not have the funds to support such minor projects. Instead I suggest any settlement is funded by the Governor of Transalpine Gaul, possibly with the contributions of any willing senators.

In principle i agree. I await to see your proposal.
 
I agree with Albinus on the Republic of Gaul - like it or not, a Roman made the deal and we must honour it. In fact, I believe we are committed to any agreement that any of us make with another power, for the simple reason that the differences between us are far more obvious to a Roman than to, say, a German. Thus we are bound in the eyes of the world by the deals of a rebel. (OOC: Unless Grandkhan has allotted the NPCs a more sophisticated understanding of Roman politics?)

It is extremely important we find some way of cracking down on renegade negotiators.

Given the choice, I'd simply annex the Republic of Gaul. Simpler, and we can earn more money from it.
 
OOC: good idea talonschild.
 
Vibius Plotius Agatopus Proposes Laws

1.3.15 : Amendment to Law 1.1.6
The Consuls cannot skip payment of salaries two times in a row, even during in Crisis. A chosen Dictator may choose to skip payment of salaries for the entirety of his term if he desires, on the condition that it the base rate is paid upon reinstatement of the Consuls.

This law to meant to preserve the intent behind the salaries- to reward good Generals and Envoys who, unlike Governors, do not receive direct funds from their labors for the republic. This will mean that even during Crisis situations, they will be paid at least once a year. I am assuming that a Dictator would be chosen only during a time of extremely grave crisis; therefore all funds should be freed and available for the empowered man to save the Republic.

1.3.16 : Status of the Helvetii
An Envoy shall be sent to Helvetii to negotiate an official relationship with the tribes in that region. Reasonable effort shall be made to ensure this relationship will be peaceable or friendly.
The Helvetii currently dwell between Pannonia and New Transalpine Gaul. Although separated by high mountains, assuredly they use the few passes they had to trade with the tribes which are now under Roman rule. I believe it is in our best interest to establish an official relationship with these tribes living in such a strategic region, at at a minimum ensure the current peace along their borders and hopefully establishing their friendship as an Ally of Rome.
 
A proposal from Consul Bruscius:

1.3.17: This law brings into existence the office of Overseer of Gaul. This would act as a superior agent to the Governor of Transalpine Gaul, and any other Senators and Generals in the area of Transalrpine Gaul (excluding Consuls), which is to be defined as both Roman and Barbarian lands north of the Pyrenees and beyond the Alpes. This office is to be appointed by the Consuls, and will receive strategic directions in the Bill each season. Its primary purpose is to co-ordinate all operations within this chaotic province and find bring the Gallic Wars to an end in a way that is favourable to Rome and does not compromise the integrity of the Republic. Further aims and objectives will be set by the Consuls, in consultation with the Senate, however precisely how these aims are best accomplished will be primarily up to the Overseer to decide. The Overseer will not be provided with a fixed budget due to the need for flexibility, but may request the Consuls for further resources of any kind should they be necessary. The office shall remain until deemed no longer neccessary by the Senate.

My reasoning for putting forward this Bill is that there is a clear need for central management of the Gallic situation in order to ensure an organised and united response to the challenges we face there. Thus far I have largely filled the role of co-ordinator myself however due to being presently located in Pannonia this has lead to some inevitable complications. I feel that Transalpine Gaul may benefit from co-ordination by a Senator more close to the action itself. My prefered candidate for such an office would likely be (Immaculate) however I would of course need to discuss the appointment with my fellow Consul before making a firm decision.
 
Consul Bruscius, I must protest your decision to throw the Republic of Gaul to the proverbial wolves. As a senator of Rome and a Legatus of a province, he was, like it or not, a representative of the Roman government to the rest of the world. If we are to make any kind of diplomatic progress with the rest of the world, we must prove now that we are capable of making and honoring agreements made with other nations of the world.

I urge you to reconsider your decision regarding the Republic of Gaul. I trust that you, as consul, will be able to portray our nation well in the eyes of the world.
 
Also GK I would recommend that as well as there being more yes votes then no votes, a minimum number of yes votes is also required for a law to pass into effect. Otherwise it will become very easy to pass laws with little support in the senate essentially due to them becoming lost in the thread and not attracting much attention or debate. A minimum requirement for passing would create more of a need for debate between players as proponents of laws would need to gain the support of a greater number of players, and it would also encourage more players to vote then are currently doing so (as their allies will have a much stronger incentive to persuade them). A minimum requirement would also help whittle down the number of laws which pass into effect, if this turn is anything to go by without such a requirement so many laws will be passed that it will soon become very confusing, and difficult to take them all into account.
 
Vibius Plotius Agatopus Comments on Proposed Law 1.3.17

I suggest that the Rhine and the Northern Seas shall be added to the bounds of the Overseer of Gaul. If necessary this can be extended later.

I also suggest giving the Overseer more specific advisory or commanding power over the Governors, Generals and/or Envoys who may be acting in the region. Whether it shall be in public- such as an informal, region specific bill- or private in such a way that disobeying his orders (without a good cause) can amount to treason -such as sending a copy of directives to the Consuls. Such a position needs strength behind it to ensure that it's intended role is followed.

OOC: @ Ekolite, I'm pretty sure he gathers together the final versions of the laws together in one post when the Voting phase begins.
 
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