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Post by Gandalf on Sept 11, 2021 13:11:28 GMT -5
Sertorius proposes a treaty that divides Cappadocia into two kingdoms, each ruled by one of the rival kings. However, both kingdoms will house a permanent Roman garrison for ten years to enforce the terms of the treaty, of which Rome will be the guarantor. The Pro-Consul is open to negotiating these terms with both kingdoms but makes it clear that significant incentive will be required to change his mind on this ruling, with the Roman eager to restore order so that he can turn his attention to both the pirate menace on Crete and the political unrest in Rome.
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Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 12:02:18 GMT -5
Bithnyia agrees to these terms but Pontus wants the garrison term reduced to seven years. They offer 5000 denarii in return.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 12:21:07 GMT -5
Sertorius accepts the offer of the Pontic king. Henceforth, Cappadocia would be split in twain. The Legio VI would remain as a garrison under the command of a legate whilst the Pro-Consul himself returned to Pergamum. It seemed the political climate of Rome was taking a turn for the worse; he and then second legion would depart for Greece in all haste to adopt a position closer to the capitol.
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Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 16:19:12 GMT -5
A new letter arrives from Saturninus
"To Sertorius
I inform you that Consul Crassus has withdrawn himself to the Capitoline Hill with a gang of his supporters. All other parts of Rome is under the control of myself and tribune Vitulus. Tribune Vitulus is sent to convince Legio V to join our cause. Even if they will join our cause Lepidus is still to be feared to come south once he is done with the uprising."
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Post by sforza on Sept 15, 2021 14:57:22 GMT -5
Yet again a letter arrives from Saturninus
"To Sertorius
Traigic events have unfolded since my last writing! Rome has fallen to Mugillanus, I and Praetor Regulus have narrowly escaped. Better news is that we have bribed Legio V to join our cause and that my recently recruited cavalry has started an insurgency against the estates of the optimate senators and magistrates."
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Post by oznerol on Sept 25, 2021 16:25:24 GMT -5
Pro-Consul Crassus took possession of his province. Not only he did take command of the forces still in Asia, but also arrived to Pergamum in fashion, after visiting many of Greece and Ionia's most famous cities. He had feasted in Athens, among the decadent Greek there, delighting them with his oratory. The new pro-consul also went to Corinth, Delphi, Rhodes, Ephesus and the very tomb of Achilles by old, ruined Troy. However, business is business, and had to be dealt with. Capitolinus sends word to both Capadoccian kings that he wanted to meet them both, summoning them. He would first test their mettle, then Crassus would see. Maybe Rome would enlarge its substantial lands on the East. Or maybe the petty kingdom would be reunified. Time would say. And Rome always set a line on the sand, to be crossed at their own risk.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 25, 2021 16:35:33 GMT -5
To Crassus' summit, a host of kings and generals would arrive; Ariarathes VIII, the Cappadocian, younger brother of the last king, a rather lean and pale looking man of middle age with a loose hanging mouth and a gaze that proved easily distracted. His counterpart and namesake was the child Ariarathes IX, son of Mithridates himself, escorted by the strapping and vigorous Pontic general Gordius and a substantial bodyguard of Galatian mercenaries.
Furthermore, word would be brought to the Pro-Consul of some rumblings of discontent among the legion in Cappadocia. Loyal as they were to their benefactor, Quintus Sertorius, they were troubled to hear that the former Pro-Consul had been recalled to Rome for trial. One of Crassus' officers would report that the men were on the edge of full blown mutiny
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Post by oznerol on Sept 30, 2021 12:31:05 GMT -5
Before meeting the Asian kings, in the days prior, he had to solve the matter of his unruly legionaries. At Pergamum, he called for some games to be held, at his own expense, including a gift of coin for each legionary there gathered. There was also a theatrical play, written for the pro-consul, about Corolianus: thus the men would learn of the folly and tragedy of those willing to betray the Senate. Also, he made sure to reward those who had a distinguished service with a raise or a medal, to ease their minds. Capitolinus also consulted with the legion's legate, asking for those who appeared to be more attached to Sertorious or were more vocal in their support. To those, Crassus he was particularly atentive, hearing their grievances and trying to appease them and win them over. He used his proverbial silver tongue and oratory to try to win over the soldiery back to the fold.
After sacrificing to the gods alongside both petty kings, Capitolinus held a banquet for them both at the palace reserved for the proconsul of Asia. The lavishness of the formerly royal residence appealed to Crassus' own love for opulence. He sat in the presiding divan, with both kings at left and right. Scores of slaves served the men in attendance, including the Ponthic general, who, nevertheless, was not sitting with his protegee. Capitolinus purely white toga contrasted with the silken embroidered robes of the Asians, but Romans need nothing else to better proclaim their power than their simple toga, perfectly arranged like it was made of the whitest marble. The proconsul, pleasing, talked with his guests in turns, trying to turn the conversation into menial subjects, until that wasn't the case.
"Tell me, Ariarathes, son of Ariarathes, what has been of your kingdom?"
Among the attendants in place there were some strong-looking rowdy slaves and behind the pro-consul stood the lictors.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 30, 2021 12:41:00 GMT -5
It appears the legionaries wish to claim their lands in Cisalpine Gaul as promised to them, many of the older veterans having completed their term of service. Though the desire for immediate mutiny is somewhat sated, it is nonetheless very apparent that the legion wishes to return home and beat their swords into ploughshares.
"It is... Fine. Roma's men keep order in both my lands and the eastern kingdom."
The slack-jawed Cappadocian was more bothered about the food and wine, helping himself to plentiful amounts of both. Obviously he had been chosen for his lineage and Bithynian connections rather than any keen aptitude for governance. The King continued on, in a more hushed and conspiratorial tone.
"But if the legions were removed, I would have a hard time keeping my borders secured from Mithridates, who controls his son's kingdom in all but name."
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Post by oznerol on Sept 30, 2021 13:35:21 GMT -5
It appears the legionaries wish to claim their lands in Cisalpine Gaul as promised to them, many of the older veterans having completed their term of service. Though the desire for immediate mutiny is somewhat sated, it is nonetheless very apparent that the legion wishes to return home and beat their swords into ploughshares."It is... Fine. Roma's men keep order in both my lands and the eastern kingdom."The slack-jawed Cappadocian was more bothered about the food and wine, helping himself to plentiful amounts of both. Obviously he had been chosen for his lineage and Bithynian connections rather than any keen aptitude for governance. The King continued on, in a more hushed and conspiratorial tone. "But if the legions were removed, I would have a hard time keeping my borders secured from Mithridates, who controls his son's kingdom in all but name." "Rome doesn't want that, rest assured, king"Said Crassus. Dealing with such an individual provoked conflicting feelings on him. He was an ally, should treat him as much, but he was a weak puppet. "The growing power of Mithridates has been a pressing concern of us"He sips some watered down wine. With the loud noise of the feast and the distance between guests, no-one but Crassus and his interlocutor would hear what they were talking. "I would rather have you as sole ruler of your land, Ariarathes"
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 30, 2021 13:52:57 GMT -5
"But... How? Mithridates surely won't take that lying down... Would he?"
Ariarathes questioned as he helped himself to more of the figs.
"Rome would have no better friend if you did, my good Pro-Consul."
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Post by oznerol on Sept 30, 2021 14:10:25 GMT -5
"But... How? Mithridates surely won't take that lying down... Would he?"Ariarathes questioned as he helped himself to more of the figs. "Rome would have no better friend if you did, my good Pro-Consul." "Good"Said Crassus. "I need to raise men, good Romans to defend Asia and her good neighbours"He swallowed a delicate bite of stuffed pheasant. "As a tributary, your coin would go great lenghts assuring the men are properly equiped"The pro-consul cleaned his fingers in a golden basin with rose-scented water. "Maybe even two legions could be marshalled and they would be enough to keep Mithridates at bay"
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 30, 2021 14:21:45 GMT -5
"I will raise what coin I can, alas that Mithridates has his claws deep in my kingdom."
It appeared that Ariarathes had barely any control over even his own bureaucracy. The Pontic influence in his kingdom ran deep.
"Whatever support you can give would be much appreciated."
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Post by oznerol on Sept 30, 2021 14:59:22 GMT -5
"I will raise what coin I can, alas that Mithridates has his claws deep in my kingdom."It appeared that Ariarathes had barely any control over even his own bureaucracy. The Pontic influence in his kingdom ran deep. "Whatever support you can give would be much appreciated." "Let's say you will make a census of your realm, at Rome's wish"He said, nonchalantly. "I will send a few cohorts to guard your envoys. They shall not be willing to raise hand against Romans, at least not with any provocations whatsoever"
Added the pro-consul. "And, thus, you shall be able to raise a tax undisturbed among your subjects"
Crassus would send spies and agents ahead, so they would record what they saw.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 30, 2021 15:22:02 GMT -5
"Uhm, of course, Pro-Consul. I will do as Roma commands."
Replied the puppet king, who seemed to want the matter out of his hands entirely. That Crassus would send with him Roman advisors and agents was to be to his own benefit, for he was entirely unskilled and unschooled in any matters of governance. His advisors schemed against each other and were openly using the king's incompetence for their own benefit, which had caused the kingdom's administration to fall into near ruin. Worse still, the agents of Mithridates had fully penetrated the lands of Cappadocia, with the Roman garrison being all that stood between the Pontic king and open domination of both halves of the failed state.
They end up coughing up a meagre tribute of 10,000 denarii to the Roman coffers after some squeezing by the legions.
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