The Curia: The Consulship of Marius and Catulus (102 BCE)

The Senate was convened immediately following the return of news that brought portents of both triumph and tragedy: Consul Marius had won a great victory over the Teutones in Gaul, but had paid for it with his life. The honour of Rome had gone some way to being avenged after the disastrous defeats of Longinus and Caepio in the previous years. However, the war was not over yet. Consul Catulus, left to defend the Alpine Passes, was overwhelmed and slain by the Cimbri in battle. With the legions in retreat and Marius' army still on the other side of the mountains, the barbarians had a clear path to Italy itself. Furthermore, the slaves in Sicilia still remained in open revolt, and threatened to seize the entire island after routing the gubernatorial legion from the field.

Metellus Numidicus, the aged and hawkish Censor, was the first man into the Curia Hostilia. For him, the news was nothing short of miraculous: Rome had won, but this time Marius could not claim any false glory from beyond the grave. Despite his attempts to assume a veneer of solemnity, none could deny there was a spring once more in the old man's step. Numidicus could assume his retirement next year (before Saturninus and his ilk would hound him out by force, it was whispered in the forum) with a weight lifted from his heart. Surrounding him trouped in-step his sea of kinsmen and clients, including his son and supposed political successor; Quintus Metellus, who had been elected Quaestor that very year and thus had assumed his seat in the Senate. 

"Patres Conscripti." Numidicus began, as the senior surviving magistrate. The two empty curule chairs loomed over the senators in a rather ominous fashion. "Our noble Consuls have both met their end on the field of battle. Two of our Praetors have joined them. Barbarians now knock on the gates of Italia itself, and they will surely march for the heart of our Republic if not met in the field. Not since Hannibal marched his hordes across the Alps have we known a more dire and direct threat!" 

The old Censor gestured upwards with both hands, his rhetorician's education being put once more to good use.

"But Mars is still with us. The Republic's legions are still in the field, victorious. They need only Consuls to take command of them. I myself am too old and wizened to lead us to war once again, but what I do propose is that we immediately proceed with emergency elections. Gather the assemblies, and let those who would finish this war in its finality make their case before this august body. Let us judge their merits." 

Numidicus straightened his toga, allowing the words to hang in the air before resuming his seat. 

Marcus Junius Silanus was one of the first to enter the Curia, distraught that his one time ally Marius was slain and at the hands of the unwashed Germans. He suspected treachery, why else would the Consul himself had been put in the direct rage of the battle? Suspicious as ever and unable to shake this shadow of doubt in his mind, he clutched his stilus closely, if anyone tried any funny business, they would lose an eye. He had only recently been exonerated after being prosecuted for mismanagement by the ex-consul Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, and the whole affair had been a mar on his career and that of his esteemed, ancient line.

"I too shall stand for the consulate. None here can doubt my qualifications. I served seven years past and during these times of tumult, experienced and steady hands are required to guide the state through this crisis." he remained on his feet, ready to meet any challenges.

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Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo was one of the last to arrive, having to answer the cummons from well outside the city limits of Rome at his palatial villa in Picenum. His toga was a bit travel stained and he huffed his way to his place near the top of the rows of wooden bleachers. He took his place and listened intently, greeting some other junior senators amicably. His eyes, as ever, were crossed, and his left eye wandered towards his nose while his right was subject to twitching and glancing about here and there. For now he kept his silence while the more senior senators cast their hats in the ring for the Consulship. he himself was too young, and as an outsider looking to fit into with the urban elite, he would not disturb tradition now and possibly provoke their ire.

"the Republic would be in no better hands than with myself and Sertorius leading the legions, of that there is no doubt." This was the chance for Marius' allies to take up the torch. Silanus would much rather work with someone closer as an ally in the travails to come. If their interests were aligned, perhaps it would lead to the only correct result.

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Strabo stood, waiting for the tumult to die down. His left eye was wandering. "I stand IN support of Lepidus. He is descended from a long line of very successful Consuls and field commanders. In these times of unprecedented crisis we should rely on those families of proven quality I say!"

It was hard to say if Strabo's nod in acknowledgement towards Sulla would ever be construed as such, his left eye seemed focused on the wall instead of Sulla, but a generous appraisal would have gone with the former appraisal.

Gaius Mamilius Vitulus, surrounded by his supporters and clients among the populares, sat in silence as motions of support were tossed around like bets at the market square. Studying the camps that were forming, it seemed that Lepidus and Silanus were the two most likely to be made consuls. Vitulus sighed, knowing full well that such an arrangement favored the Optimates after the death of Marius. Nevertheless, they needed a man of the people, and who better than a Junia to take the helm? The Plebeian Tribune rose from his seat to add his voice to the cacophony.

"I too support noble Silanus as consul. At dire times like these, we need decisive action before our foes get the chance to exploit any delay of bickering debate."

---

Manius Papirius Mugillanus, who arrived a bit late from his country villa outside Rome, was seated among the distinguished patrician members of the Senate. He was stroking his chin in contemplative thought. It appeared that no other good man other than Lepidus enjoyed enough support for the consulship at this point. Now that the upstart Marius was dead and gone, the opportunity was ripe to return Rome to its proper leadership. The Aedile chuckled to himself at the thought.

While he had contemplated the thought of seeking consulship and discussed it with his allies, ultimately he had declined. It was too early, too early for such ambitions. However, other positions remained open.

"Noble members of the Senate, I would like to announce my intention to stand for the Praetorship. All good men of Rome must do their duty when the barbarian filth dare stand against the might of our forces. I promise to bring Roman retribution to those who have taken the lives of our noble consuls!"

Among the Populares Senators, Lucius Atilius Regulus watches as the vies for power and position begin. Gaius Marius had been a relative success with keeping the Senate united, but without a strong figure, there was no one to ensure a peace. The Senate was now thoroughly divided between the two factions of governance. For a time, the male wondered what to propose. He listened to those various voices that made it known of which position they would choose to stand for. However, one was not said... and so Lucius stood up.

Senators! There is another pressing matter to concern ourselves and that is the replacement of the incompetent governor of Sicilia!

Lucius states loudly.

The Pro-Praetor has dishonored the Senate and the Republic with his negligence and incompetence! This has resulted in a slave revolt that now threatens two wars right on our doorsteps. The ports of Sicilia are a necessity and they must be protected to ensure safe trade and flourishing revenues.

With that said, Regulus raises his hand.

I declare my candidacy for the Pro-Praetor's replacement and to see that Sicilia is calmed before we are forced to stretch ourselves!

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And so, another voice spoke. Gaius Fabius Maximus Atellus, Praetor of the Senate, had been keeping an eye on the developments in the city since the death of Gaius Marius became more known. Things weren't too bad, but occasionally, the Urban Cohorts had to be called in to disperse potential groups of troublemakers and calm the populace. He didn't want to be forced into ensuring a curfew, but if it came down to that, it would be done. Hearing the competition rising for the Praetorship, Gaius wondered who would be standing with him in the next years to come.

On the topic of Praetors, Gaius rose and spoke up.

I agree with the words of Metellus. While our new consuls go off to war, it would be the duty of a Praetor to see justice be brought. The Republic has them so those of my office should be used to do their sacred duty to our nation. To ensure that the Pro-Praetor be arrested for his horrid negligence and brought back to Rome for his incompetence while seeing that these slaves put down before they threaten more than just Sicilia.

There was but a small gap between Messenia and the boot of the peninsula after all. Slaves, with the means to build row boats, would certainly bring trouble to their homeland if left unchecked. Not to mention that if word spread of this slave revolt, who knew what other slaves would gain a mind and consider the same.