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Post by Gandalf on Aug 17, 2021 14:02:04 GMT -5
 The Plebeian Council could only be summoned by Tribunes of the Plebs or a sitting Consul, with any non magisterial Patricians barred from even attending. Here legislation can be proposed and voted upon, taking effect in the entirety of the Republic.
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Post by sforza on Aug 27, 2021 14:21:05 GMT -5
"Good Roman people"
Saturninus said to the amassed crowd after he had convened the plebeian council on the request of the Roman people.
"The roman people asks for justice and justice shall be given to the noble Roman people" Saturninus began with his speech, he and his co-tribune had prepared for this moment. For choosing the wrong words might end not well.
"Consul Sertorius has just defeated the barbarians in the north of our lands. We do not want the old aristocracy to amass lands where the Roman people had so bravely fought for, rather these lands should be granted to the neediest of Romans and for those who fought under Marius"
Saturninus paused, he of course had left out the role of consul Lepidus in the war effort. Saturninus has many more reforms in the pipeline but he decided to first gauge the interest of the people.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 14:55:29 GMT -5
The crowd murmured their approval both at the victories of Sertorius and the promises of this bill. A few shouts of the Consul's name went up amongst the crowd, as well as the Tribune's own. The name of Gracchus was also invoked once more, albeit in hushed whispers. It was long since they had a genuine champion. Saturninus showed promise, but he needed something radical to earn their trust.
There were a few unconvinced, those being the wealthier of the plebeian tribes assembled at the council, but they were a firm minority. A few of them began to grumble their discontent. Fortunately, order was kept for the time being, though there was always the danger that violence could erupt with tensions so high.
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Post by Royal Joker on Aug 27, 2021 14:58:32 GMT -5
Vitulus, having hastily made his way to the convened council after the news reached him, walked up to stand next to his co-tribune. Still huffing and wiping the sweat from his brow, he took a few moments to gather his thoughts.
"Mars has stood with the sons of Rome on this blessed day, and the standards of our legions shall be held high with pride! The Barbarian hordes flee before the might of Rome, and the northern provinces are safe once again."
A brief pause before continuing.
"Now that the war is won, how shall the peace be won? How many veterans are now returning, your sons and brothers who fought and bled for this victory, with but a soldier's meagre wage? How are these heroes of our great republic to support their families? Are we to leave them starving on the streets, like stray dogs? I say not!"
"People of Rome! It is only just that they be justly rewarded for their heroic deeds! There is good land, fertile land, across the provinces where colonies can be created. I support my co-tribune's proposal, the establishment of new coloniae across the provinces for the veterans of the recent war against the Cimbri. Let no loyal son of Rome think that his country has forgotten him!"
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 15:09:30 GMT -5
It seems the people had been won over. Veterans and land reform were never unpopular, and provoked wild shouts and stamps of approval from the assembled plebs.
"And what about the citizens of Rome?! Let colonies be opened to all!"
Another Tribune added, and now the people were whipped up into a frenzy. The rest of their number hurried to attend, bench-warmers and optimate puppets to a man. One began to voice his objection to the new law only to be shouted down by the rest of the crowd. Cowed and clearly in fear of his own life, he backed down.
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Post by sforza on Aug 27, 2021 15:24:16 GMT -5
"Good Roman people"
Saturninus shouted out to the approving roman people before him. He had something else in mind, a trick that could do damage to much of the optimates.
"The new law shall include a clause where all senators shall be required to take an oath to observe and respect the law"
With luck, some of the optimate senators would not take the oath, which would be of course punished
"We will see who is an enemy of the good Roman people or not"
He hoped the Metelli were foolish enough to not take the oath.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 15:31:45 GMT -5
"Make them swear!" The poorer plebs cheered, but the wealthier tribes appeared disgusted with such a measure. Nonetheless, it seemed likely that the law would pass without much opposition. An Optimate Tribune bravely stood.
"I must protest this... I will exercise my right to Veto if I am not heard!" He tried to shout over the din, but he was barely heard over the clamour of the roman mob.
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Post by sforza on Aug 27, 2021 15:47:46 GMT -5
"Say what you have to say tribune, but let us not deny the people what they so desire"
Saturninus said, it would be foolish for the tribune to stand against this new law as thousand upon thousand of roman people had gathered and were in a frenzy. The risk must be even clear to the most stupid man in rome that to go against the roman people now would be almost suicidal.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 15:55:07 GMT -5
"Let us consider the possibilities that we can finance -"
An immediate chorus of boos drowned out the Tribune, continuously interrupting him whenever he tried to speak.
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Post by sforza on Aug 27, 2021 16:04:47 GMT -5
"Tribune, this does not work"
Saturninus said to the optimate tribune, why did this man bother at all? Still he'd rather avoid a veto.
"Good Roman people, let the tribune speak out freely as Roman law allows him to do so, even though i will probably disagree with him"
If carefully worded, Saturninus would avoid a veto and still have the full support of the plebs. He gestured for the tribune to speak out now.
"Then the Roman people can vote to whether pass the new law or not"
It seemed that the new law would be approved anyways.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 16:09:33 GMT -5
The Tribune hesitated, waiting for quiet. It did not come. The mob ignored Saturninus and continued booing. It seemed they would not be satisfied until a vote was called for the new law.
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Post by sforza on Aug 27, 2021 16:26:23 GMT -5
"Tribune, i have tried my best to have you speak to the people but it seems for naught"
Saturninus said, he had tried at least. Now he did not want to wait any longer for the law to pass.
"Good Roman people, i call upon the vote to start, let the Roman people be heard!"
Saturninus addressed the people, indicating the voting could start.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 27, 2021 16:29:01 GMT -5
Even with a surprising number of wealthier and moderate plebeians opposing the motions, the sheer size of the Roman urban poor would ensure the law would pass. Voting would however take some time, time enough for the temperatures to cool and for the Senate to undoubtedly hear of the news.
(I'll give a chance for others to intervene)
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Post by sforza on Aug 27, 2021 16:41:30 GMT -5
Lex Appuleia Agraria as written by Lucius Appuleius Saturninus and Gaius Mamilius Vitulus - All soldiers who had fought against the barbarian invaders in the North shall be rewarded with lands that were occupied by the invaders
- The neediest of the Roman citizens shall be given free lands too that was occupied by the invaders
- All Roman senators are required to take an oath to observe and respect the law. The oath needs to be taken at the latest 5 days after going into effect.
- Failing to take the oath shall result in a hefty fine and an expulsion from the senate
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 28, 2021 13:56:47 GMT -5
The law passes.
Consequences:
Legio II and Legio VI develop loyalty to Sertorius for arranging their retirement, given his associations with Saturninus.
4 Coloniae are established in Cisalpine Gaul for Roman citizens. The Allobroges and other Gallic tribes are rumoured to be contemplating rebellion at this seizure of their lands.
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