|
|
Post by Gandalf on Nov 7, 2021 17:07:34 GMT -5
Pius stood aloof, even as the crowd greeted him with a healthy mixture of adulation and disdain. They recalled his opposition to their old champion, and among the filthiest of the Suburan plebs he had not been forgiven for that. Even after the games and festivals he had thrown at his own expense, Metellus was a divisive figure within the city. But, at least he was known to all, and that was all his dignity required. He gave a simple nod of acknowledgement to Drusus, as respect demanded, but nothing more.
---
When the matter of citizenship was mentioned, the crowd seemed to grow disinterested. They were seemingly being led towards a promise of land reform, only for this to be snatched away and be substituted with extending their selfishly guarded privileges to a number of near-barbarian provincials. They largely greeted Drusus' proposals with a profound silence, interspersed with a few pockets of lukewarm enthusiasm.
---
Quintus Sertorius, feeling that the mood of the crowd had shifted considerably, now decided it was time to shift gears and present his own suit for support.
"Friends, Romans." He greeted, raising his arm in the air. The Italian twang was unmistakable in his own accent, and would be evident to the crowd. "You remember my father. You remember his friend Marius. Both were born outside this city, outside of even Latium, and both were staunch friends of the Roman people. They loved you all as I do. As friends, as brothers."
Sertorius took a pause before projecting his voice out into the crowd.
"Though I speak in favour of both the honourable Drusus and our Italian friends, we both speak for the Roman people. You have also suffered at the hands of death and poverty, and you are Citizens! Where are your farms, I ask? Where are your cattle and sheep?" He pointed dramatically out towards the gates of the city in the far distance, over to the north. "Over there! They are yours, the land of the public! The Italians have their lands but not the rights of the Romans, while the Romans have their rights but not lands to call their own. We intend to balance the scales, and make them yours again. I call upon the Senate and People of Rome to return those lands of the Public that lie empty and unused to the people, so that Romans might live alongside their neighbours as they did in the days of Cincinnatus and Camillus, ploughing their fields with purpose rather than living and dying in the gutter."
Having finished, the Tribune stepped backwards with a nod to his colleague, allowing the senior of the two to reclaim the central stage.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhapture on Nov 7, 2021 18:05:58 GMT -5
" I thereby propose the following plebiscites " Drusus proclaimed. Lex Livia Agraria legionaria
-Any legionaries of veteran +5 legions or if they have completed ten years of service will have the option of retiring to a Roman colony of their choice in the provinces.
Lex Livia de Civitate Sociis -Any Italian male, who has already established residence in Rome or an Italian allied city, will be granted citizenship if he presents himself to the proper Praetor within the year
-Any Italian male, who has completed 5 years of military service as an Ally of Rome, will be granted citizenship.
Lex Livia Campania
-The Ager Publicus in Campania will be set aside for the training and organizing of the legions
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Nov 8, 2021 10:58:49 GMT -5
"I fully support this proposed legislation"
Praetor Decianus added, the weight of a senior magistrate would surely bring in more support to these proposed laws.
"Dear Roman friends, too long have the lives of our allies been wasted at the hands of failed men!. Thousands of good lives were killed and massacred during the recent wars, and they all gave it for the Roman republic!"
Decianus then would address the speech made by Sertorius. As Decianus stood among the assembled crowd he spoke further.
"The good tribune speaks truth, while so many of the citizens live in poverty many farms lie empty in Campania, farms that are better for the republic when you good romans occupy them!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Nov 8, 2021 15:09:10 GMT -5
"Good citizens, if I may speak."
Metellus came forwards and took to the speaking platform after Decianus was finished rambling, flanked by lictors. He projected his voice out to the assembled masses.
"I ask you all, why the good Roman people must share their ancient rights and privileges with men who have never seen our fair city. Honourable Drusus speaks well, and true, in that Italians bleed for the Republic in far flung provinces of distant empires. But, I remind our good Tribune how this state of affairs came to be."
Pius gestured his hand upwards as his voiced raised a little louder.
"Have we forgotten our ancient and bloody struggles with the Samnites, the Volsci, and the Etruscans? These people do not fight for us solely out of the goodness of their hearts, but because our ancestors paid for their fealty with the sword long ago. They spilt their blood for those who shared it and, by their mercy, allowed these peoples to share our place in the sun. A man may be your friend and fight with you in times of great need, but this does not make him your blood or your kin."
Quintus then swept his hand over the crowd.
"We are all Romans, all kin. We let the Italians eat at our table, drink our wine, and share our company. Must we now offer them our daughters, or take them in ahead of our own sons?! If civita socii comes to pass, there will be no Roman consuls or Praetors but rather Italic ones. Samnites and Marsians and Apulians will swarm into this city come election year in untold numbers. Their own politicians will stand now before you as I do and speak of giving the rights to their women and children, and in a hundred years hence none will know that the Romans ever ruled themselves at all. They may offer you farms and allotments to sweeten the deal, but know this, they will give the Italians the whip hand over our Republic, and it shall never be returned to us."
Pius let his words settle, before standing back and gesturing to Drusus.
"Now, if the Tribune wishes, let the voting commence."
|
|
|
|
Post by rhapture on Nov 8, 2021 15:49:23 GMT -5
Drusus got to the front of the Rosta to respond to the Consul.
"Thank you , Good consul Metellus, for participating in our discussion." He began. " Yes we all know that Rome has fought most of the Italian allies in the distant past, but as you mention at one time, Gaius Marius would not even have been a citizen , and did he not add to the glory of Rome in the defeat of the Gauls and Celts? " He asked.
"At one time, Plebians such as you and I, barely had any rights and we could not hold office. Has not your own family been a boon to Rome? Have there not been many plebs who have contributed to the glory of Rome, made her grander, better, and helped Rome in her times of need?" He questioned rhetorically.
"Yes,they have, You have yourself with your exemplary pro-consulship in Africa, and your wise leadership as Pontifex Maximus. And we plebians had to fight for our rights. And we should learn from our own history, should we force our allies to fight for their rights also? Will they need to shed their blood, and our Roman blood to get what they should be rewarded with? " He went on.
"I do not think we should force them to, we can hold out our hands and ask them to join us peacefully. We can show our generosity, we can show our appreciation of all they have sacrificed besides us."
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Nov 9, 2021 7:07:13 GMT -5
"I can consent to those who have served in the legions being offered citizenship. After all, it is through the spilling of blood that one proves their dedication to the Republic." Pius offered, by way of compromise, "But the wholesale induction of every Italian is dangerous to the fine balance of our Republic. Not to mention that if they come to live in Roma, the bread dole engineered by the good Decianus will be put under a mighty strain. I would not see Romans go hungry at the expense of Italians." The Consul concluded, calculating that the fears he had stoked would prove to be the issues that truly mattered if the citizenship was to be put to a vote.
|
|
|
|
Post by rhapture on Nov 9, 2021 16:21:05 GMT -5
"I can consent to those who have served in the legions being offered citizenship. After all, it is through the spilling of blood that one proves their dedication to the Republic." Pius offered, by way of compromise, "But the wholesale induction of every Italian is dangerous to the fine balance of our Republic. Not to mention that if they come to live in Roma, the bread dole engineered by the good Decianus will be put under a mighty strain. I would not see Romans go hungry at the expense of Italians." The Consul concluded, calculating that the fears he had stoked would prove to be the issues that truly mattered if the citizenship was to be put to a vote. "Im sorry Good Quintus Caecilius, but I highly doubt people are going to trek from all points in Italy, sometimes spending two weeks traveling, just to come to Rome for some free bread, not that our citizens do not deserve it, but the people of Rome are people of the city, they can not grow their own food for a whole year, most of the rest of Italy is countryside. These Italians have been supplying themselves with their own provisions for centuries, I doubt they will be clamoring for a free bread dole once a year." Drusus countered.
"I am sorry, Good Metellus Pius, but you keep bringing up hollow arguments. You act as if our Italian allies have not already fought and died along side us, that they haven't already shed their blood and gave their lives in defense of Rome. They have already earned it. " Drusus states emphatically. "Adding these Italians to our roll of citizens would bring far more benefits than denying them. No more worrying about the Italians rising up in revolt because we have not offered them citizenship. More legions easily raised for defense of our provinces. More taxes to be returned to Rome. More people to work their own lands and not sell themselves into slavery just to survive. Rome has many great traditions , Good Quintus , and we hold onto them, but that does not mean Rome does not adapt and evolve as the years pass. Come be on the side of the future and do not get left in the past." He offers his hand in a gesture foe Metellus Pius to join him in these laws.
"You could be the consul who ushered in a Golden Era in our history."
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Nov 9, 2021 16:57:37 GMT -5
"Many will come to live here to take part in the vote. We will have less space, less land, and more citizens to share in the bread dole. I will not take part in this Italic conspiracy to seize control of our Republic. I call upon our good citizens to reject it with all their might."
Announced Pius, rejecting the hand of Drusus to pontificate further to the assembled crowds.
"This will be a golden era of Italians, while good Romans will be left in the gutter. I worry not about the Italians rising in revolt. Let them think on the fate of the Capuans, who thought themselves our equal and joined the detested Hannibal."
Metellus raised his hand into a fist and held it above his head.
"I would gladly remain in the past with my forefathers and their virtue rather than share the future with 'Romans' who have never set foot in our great city. Let the Italians make their empty threats. We Romans have not forgotten how to use our swords."
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Nov 9, 2021 17:38:39 GMT -5
"You speak of Capua but not the other Italians who remained steadfast on our side against the hated Hannibal, even if many of their sons were massacred in battles like Cannae"
Decianus rebuked the insufferable consul. Decianus stood among the citizens of Rome.
"Nor do you consider our allies who fought and bled for many of our other wars, like against the Seleucid kind and the Kings of Macedonia. To just brush them aside because we fought them many centuries ago is rather dishonest."
Decianus said.
"Besides, their influence will not be felt greater as the italians will be divided evenly amongst the current existing tribes, making their votes rather insignificant"
|
|
|
|
Post by rhapture on Nov 9, 2021 19:17:13 GMT -5
"We do not live in some outdated Greek Democracy , Good Quintus Caecilius." Drusus answered. He was tired of this obstinate Consul.
"These Italians will not be in Rome for most of these votes, and I do not see them entering the Senate like a tidal wave from Neptune. Your fears are unfounded and trying to install it in the Plebian Assembly is beneath you." If he wasn't Consul , he would have already have had him removed from the assembly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Nov 9, 2021 19:23:11 GMT -5
"Then let us put it to the people and allow the tribes the say."
Replied the Consul, satisfied within that his piece of theatre had hopefully lain enough seeds of doubt. Pius would say no more, merely watch on like a preening bird as he waited for the final outcome.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Nov 11, 2021 6:58:10 GMT -5
" I thereby propose the following plebiscites " Drusus proclaimed. Lex Livia Agraria legionaria
-Any legionaries of veteran +5 legions or if they have completed ten years of service will have the option of retiring to a Roman colony of their choice in the provinces.
Lex Livia de Civitate Sociis -Any Italian male, who has already established residence in Rome or an Italian allied city, will be granted citizenship if he presents himself to the proper Praetor within the year
-Any Italian male, who has completed 5 years of military service as an Ally of Rome, will be granted citizenship.
Lex Livia Campania
-The Ager Publicus in Campania will be set aside for the training and organizing of the legions
base chance: 30/35. Anything over 5. +2 Drusus Dignitas +4 Decianus Dignitas and Auctoritas +1 Sertorian Dignitas +10 Backed by two tribunes +10 Appeals to veterans seeking retirement. Roll: 6. Ultimately, the law is seen through, though perhaps not as easily as it should have been.
Plebiscite 2 (LEX LIVIA DE CIVITATE SOCIIS) base chance: 18/35. Anything over 17. +2 Drusus Dignitas +4 Decianus Dignitas and Auctoritas (Praetor) +1 Sertorian Dignitas +10 Backed by two tribunes +8 Strength of argument +5 appeals to veterans -5 anti-Italian prejudice -7 Metellan dignitas and Auctoritas (Sitting Consul) Roll : 1 Perhaps swayed by the arguments of the Consul or their own ambivalence to the Italian peoples, the law proposing Italian citizenship is soundly defeated in the council.
Plebiscite 3 (Lex Livia Campania) base chance: 27/35 (Anything above 8)+2 Drusus Dignitas +4 Decianus Dignitas and Auctoritas (Praetor) +1 Sertorian Dignitas +10 Backed by two tribunes +10 pro-military reform Roll: 12 The plebiscite passes.
LAW EFFECTS:
Lex Livia Agraria: All +5 veteran legions will immediately petition their commanders for retirement unless provision has already been made. This petition will have to be satisfied by immediate retirement to an existing colony (the available colonies currently are in Greece, Cisalpine Gaul, Illyricum, Transalpine Gaul, Africa, Crete, or Cappadoca) or promise of future settlement on a plot of land organised by the commander.
Lex Livia Campania: With much of Campania in the hands of the nobility and private renters, provision must be made to determine what exactly falls into the hands of the Roman state to train the legions.
|
|
