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Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 10:50:33 GMT -5
The Romans break camp and move out for this supposed holy site, with the Iberians once again marching in the vanguard. Lepidus commands a screening force of cavalry on both wings, shielding their advance, while Mugillanus remains ahead with the scouting party. The Legion moves cautiously through the rough territory of the Cantabrian hills, keeping watchful for any signs of tribal resistance.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 13, 2021 12:13:17 GMT -5
Fortunate for the Romans and their allies, there was nothing that was encountered. It seemed that the speed of Sulla's campaign against the Gallecians had likely not been heard yet and the Cantabrians figured that the Romans would be tied down longer than anticipated. As a result, the chieftains had not raised their levies just yet. However, once the Romans made for the holy site, word would likely spread quickly and result in an armed reaction.
Mugillanus confirms the presence of a holy site and finds it being guarded by nothing more than sentries. The settlement wasn't walled, which was a plus for the Romans. There were a number of people there, praying to the sacred fountains and waters.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 13, 2021 12:17:10 GMT -5
Sulla's forces approach the holy site in dramatic fashion, the legion halting to establish an encampment only a mile or so away from it. Sulla himself heads a delegation, accompanied by all his officers and a hundred equites, and demands to see the chieftain of the local tribe or someone who could speak on their behalf.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 14, 2021 12:00:36 GMT -5
No chieftain shows their face, but rather, a leader of the community. Though not a priest, the individual saw to the order of the location and ensured all were protected. He was a man in his late middle ages and wasn't alone when he arrived to meet with this Roman delegation. With him were two other notables of the secular presence and a few priests that represented the High Priest in his stead. This group of several individuals came forth when they witnessed the arrival of a strong Roman army. And it seemed they were alone.
Upon arriving, in broken Latin, the male speaks.
Why have you come to our lands, Roman? Why do you bring such an army to this holy site?
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 14, 2021 14:28:56 GMT -5
”I come on behalf of the Republic to demand your obedience and submission. Your tribe shall be made to answer for attacks on Roman territory and allies. I demand that your tribe recognise the sovereignty of the a republic. Tribute must be paid and hostages submitted, or else we shall bring Roman law to these lands by the sword.”
Sulla turned his nose up at these backward tribals. The very centre of their culture was nothing more than a few rivers and waterfalls. They, like all the other barbarians, would soon learn the ways of proper decency and civilisation.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Sept 16, 2021 20:10:07 GMT -5
Given the show of force by the Roman delegation, there was little that could be done. However, someone slips out the rear of the settlement, rushing off to warn one of the chieftains in the area of the Roman force present on their lands. Those delegates present have a mild and swift conversation among themselves before turning back to Sulla. An exhale leaves the lips of the leader among the Cantabrian elite.
To save our sacred place from your steel, Roman, we give our submission to your Republic.
From there, as dictated, hostages were submitted from the notable families and a tribute of six thousand denarii is arranged to be paid.
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 17, 2021 6:24:05 GMT -5
With a token show of force in Cantabria satisfying Sulla's ambitions for the present, the Romans march back into allied territory; the lands of the Vaccaei. There, the tribal allies were disbanded. Sulla would hold court there for the rest of his governorship, fostering loyalty amongst the Iberian tribes through the giving of gifts won from his recent campaign and ensuring that the children of their chieftains were given proper education in Corduba. For this year, he pledged a reduction in taxes for the vassal tribes, and gave a number of their chieftains the rights of citizenship to further endear himself to them.
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