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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 6, 2021 16:18:54 GMT -5
"It is a sad day when Roman blood is spilt... but nevertheless, we must advance, for a just cause. We shall meet again, Metellus. I pray the gods be with you."
With that, Vitulus turned away from the captured tribune and made his way to an ad hoc platform that was being set up by a few of his supporters. He dusted off his clothes and stepped up, looking out over the mass of people. Taking a deep breath, grounding himself, Vitulus roared out his first words, hoping to capture the attention of the large crowd.
"People of Rome! Justice is with you! Your ancestors are with you! The gods are with you! Despite the interference of those who would trample all over your rights and freedoms for an extra denarii, your tribunes still stand, to fight for what is good and true! Today, we were to celebrate what it means to be Roman, to feast and be merry. Yet once more, like with the Gracchi a mere generation ago, agents of the corrupt aristocracy moved to disrupt and incite violence! Roman blood runs in the Tiber today, and for what? Because the people asked that Roman law be respected by all, or for festivities held in honor of the people? Are your rights worth less than salt dropped in the river? Is Roman law but a mere suggestion for those in power?"
"No! A thousand times no! Tribune Saturninus and I have fought tirelessly for the rights of all Romans, not just the wealthy few. For that, we are berated, barred from representing your grievances in the Senate. It is time that we say that enough is enough! If the voice of the People is to be ignored, then we must make sure the People are heard for once. Thus, we have put forth a list of demands, that we shall deliver to the Senate in person."
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Post by sforza on Sept 6, 2021 17:15:12 GMT -5
"Good Roman people, the good Tribune Vitulus speaks the truth!"
Saturninus added to Vitulus' words. Standing next to Vitulus he started his speech. Perhaps Saturninus' face revealed his distress.
"It is an unfortunate day when good Roman blood is spilt but the history of Rome is a tale of struggle and sacrifice, just as the foundation of the plebeian council was a struggle between the aristocracy who held no love for the Roman citizens"
Saturninus sweated profoundly, perhaps it was getting him all too much. But still he continued on, for there was no point of return now.
"Like the Gracchi, i and Tribune Vitulus can no longer bear to stand the abuses that are running rampant. Our Republic has increased in size enormously but it is the aristocracy that profited from it! Not the Roman soldier, baker, butcher or armourer!
Saturninus said, trying to relax his breath. The coming moments would determine the fates of all.
"We wish nothing more than address those abuses by the demands that tribune Vitulus has proposed, so that Rome shall be a better place for its people, its people that made Rome to what it is today."
Saturninus added further.
"Furthermore i announce my intention to step down from politics if it must be, for despite the words of the senate i am no tyrant and i desire nothing more than the well being of the Roman citizens."
Then Saturninus closed his speech.
"For the Roman people"
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Post by oznerol on Sept 7, 2021 4:53:52 GMT -5
Twelve lictores stand before the steps of the raised podium: the axes shine under torch light. The tall columns of the Capitoline temple to Jupiter Optimus Maximus loom over their heads. Clad in pure white, in a perfectly arranged toga with a purple band, is the consul Crassus. Word spreads he will address the people of Rome from the Capitoline Hill. Slaves, clients and strong men spread across the open field before the most sacred temple. Once the crowd gathers and before the murmur starts, Licinius speaks. And, oh, Jove, how he speaks. His voice is clear like a clarion, without a single affectation or flaw. In waves, projected with ease, it falls upon the heads of the Romans there joined to hear him.
"Oh, people of Rome, my brothers, my kin"
He doesn't gesticulate much, his stance is composed, simple and humble.
"Turmoil agitates the belly of our Res Publica. Fires lit by rogues and those who would see our State done for"
He makes a short pause. Licinius was known to make short addresses, so it would sound like a dialogue, like a conversation, instead of a long monologue.
"The Forum is overrun with lackeys, dishonorable men and foreigners of ill repute"
A virile hand, attached to a firm arm, points toward the fumes raising from the heart of Rome herself.
"This is a threat to all we know and care for, tresspassing all that is sacred and we hold dear"
The hand and the arm return to his chest.
"No Roman would do this, only traitors to the Res Publica, men without principle, scruple or virtue. This is worthy of the effeminate Greeks, worthy of those tyrants who rule like gods over a tamed populace, with sweet words and empty promises"
Licinius makes another pause, and lets it weight.
"What does that churl of Saturninus desires?"
The rethoric question floats in the air for a minute, with the crowd murmuring their own answers.
"He wants to be king, I say! He rouses the hearts of the people with ill words and ill desires, so they would make him king!"
Tossing the claim of kingship was always effective.
"Hasn't he claimed to lead the people? Isn't he trying to take control of our institutions?"
Crassus moves ever so slightly, his head tilted. The toga falls in perfect drapes.
"I will not have Saturninus Rex ruling over our beloved city! Neither will I stand when order is broken and subverted for some erratic criminal! No man will rule alone this city while the gods watch over our blessed Res Publica!"
He looks at the crowd.
"I say nay. Nay I say, to Saturninus and his band of rascals, pillagers, rapers of Vestals, betrayers and worse! Don't you see the fires? The fires licking the columns of our temples, the walls of our basilicas, our assemblies?"
Again the perfectly virile hand points to the Forum.
"Don't you smell the ashes, don't you smell the blood, the shit and the fire? That is Saturninus' Rome, or what he would want. A gang of ruffians ruling over the most august City!"
He snarls.
"I say nay. Our Rome is this"
The consul points to the temple behind him.
"Jupiter stands as witness. I say nay. This is Rome!"
The temple looks enormous and formidable in torch light, clad in red light and black shadows. As if Jupiter Optimus Maximus himself watched the scene. The consul had strategically openned the gates to the temple and lit the interior, so the god was part of the audience.
"The Rome of our fathers. Our Rome. That which was built with blood and bricks laid by the hands of citizens like me, like you, brothers, sisters. Kin. Romans"
Another pause, Crassus opens the arms.
"This is Rome. I say nay to Saturninus and his ilk. What do you say, Romans?"
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 7, 2021 5:23:20 GMT -5
Finally, a Consul had come to address the people. With the war-hero Mugillanus seeming to abandon the city for the Campus Martius, hope appeared lost. None expected Crassus, a man of words rather than arms, to be the one to attempt to rally a defence of the city atop the Mons Capitolinus.
It evoked the spirit of the hero Manlius of old. Citizens found themselves steeled against the foe, who suddenly seemed as alien and barbarian as the Gauls of Brennus. Gladiators were running amok in the Forum, the foreign army of a despot and tyrant. As when Roma was under threat of subjugation, the citizens would arm themselves with whatever they would find. Word spread quickly around the hills that the Consul Crassus had not abandoned the city, and those willing to defend Roma would rush to join his defence of the Capitoline. A few hundred were gathered to him, all told, armed with clubs and stones outside Jupiter’s Temple. More would surely join him, so long as he held out, but the question was for how long they should keep the roads open for Saturninus’ goons to follow.
Those that remained with the Tribunes were their most ardent followers. The more moderate citizens had locked themselves in their houses and prepared for the worst, especially with a small troupe of gladiators looting and pillaging in the forum. Roman citizens were being put to death in the street, and all semblance of order in the chaos had been lost. Saturninus wanted to face the senate directly, but where were they? First they would have to address the thugs running amok in the streets. Word had reached them of conflicting reports; Consul Mugillanus had supposedly left the city under armed guard, while Consul Crassus had simultaneously been sighted at the Capitoline, rallying the people in the defence of Roma.
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Post by sforza on Sept 7, 2021 11:43:17 GMT -5
"In the name of the gods, stop the senseless killing and looting of Roman citizens, I did not pay you for rampant looting and killings in our city unless truly necessary"
Saturninus reprimanded some of his agents that decided to act as ruffians.
"Our goal is to deliver the senate our demands, with the least bloodshed possible, go on and we will lose the support of the people!
Saturninus addressed his agents and gladiators.
"After this all is over you all will be rewarded greatly for the service provided"
He'd have to drain his treasury to pay them to calm down. Perhaps otherwise they would turn on Saturninus himself.
-------------------------------------------
"Vitulus"
Saturninus addressed his ally and friend, placing a hand on his left shoulder.
"It appears that the consuls have been spotted, Crassus attempts to rally people on the capitoline hill and Mugillanus is reported to leave the people, probably attempting to reach Lepidus in the north or something."
Saturninus informed his ally, his breath increasingly becoming difficult to control from all the flames and smoke erupting in the city.
"We must reach the consuls as soon as possible, give them our demands and root out their resistance, i propose you go after Mugillanus and i shall take care of Crassus. Try to negotiate a solution but arrest them if necessary!
Saturninus said, growing tired of all the ad hoc changes to their plans.
"Then i shall go on to occupy the treasury and other important buildings, then we must contact the legions closest to Rome.
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 7, 2021 14:43:36 GMT -5
"No, we must secure the treasury and the grain stores first. With that, we'll have leverage to rally more people to our cause. And splitting up is unwise, it will give our enemies an easier time to pick us off. We must hold the city - let Mugillanus rot outside the city if he wants to."
If there were enough people to rally to a man like Crassus when the other consul left the city, Vitulus could imagine their loss of support if one of them did the same.
"First, the treasury and the grain stores. Then we'll move on Crassus and take the Capitoline Hill. We've come too far to turn back now."
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Post by sforza on Sept 7, 2021 14:47:48 GMT -5
"You are right"
Saturninus admitted to his colleague.
"To the treasury and grain stores then"
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Post by Gandalf on Sept 7, 2021 15:04:54 GMT -5
Some of Saturninus' men return from the forum, shamed by their master for their antics. Others continue on, lost in the throes of their violence, and their campaign of pillaging spills into the Aventine Hill. Those that join back up with Saturninus, around five hundred in total, find that their way to the Capitoline Hill is barred.
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Post by oznerol on Sept 7, 2021 15:06:48 GMT -5
The Capitoline Hill, by far the easiest to defend in whole Rome, is barricaded and secured. The way up the hill, climbing narrowly, is thus closed to attackers. The lictores parade themselves around, following the consul, showing where legitimacy is. With the second consul gone, Crassus is effectively sole head of the Roman Republic. Saturninus could either parley or fight, and Crassus was ready for both. The rallied citizens are encouraged by the consul to fight for the Res Publica's future, in waiting for the legions to arrive to Rome proper.
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Post by sforza on Sept 7, 2021 15:50:38 GMT -5
Saturninus chooses parley.
"Salve Crassus"
Saturninus greeted the consul. He of course, knew that this conversation would most likely go nowhere.
"It is time to stop the bloodshed, don't you think"
Saturninus coughed badly. The stress becoming him too much. In his hand he held a paper with written demands on it.
---------------------------------
(just before)
"Vitulus"
Saturninus called his friend and ally, his head was sweating profoundly, he had a bad cough too.
"We must act swiftly, soon the legions from Sicily will head to Rome"
Saturninus said, perhaps getting ill from all the stress that the violence and politics brought itself with.
"We must persuade to have the military join our just cause"
Droplets of sweat were now falling from Saturninus' forehead, his uniform soaked.
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Post by oznerol on Sept 7, 2021 16:37:22 GMT -5
Saturninus chooses parley. "Salve Crassus"
Saturninus greeted the consul. He of course, knew that this conversation would most likely go nowhere. "It is time to stop the bloodshed, don't you think"
Saturninus coughed badly. The stress becoming him too much. In his hand he held a paper with written demands on it. --------------------------------- (just before) "Vitulus"
Saturninus called his friend and ally, his head was sweating profoundly, he had a bad cough too. "We must act swiftly, soon the legions from Sicily will head to Rome"
Saturninus said, perhaps getting ill from all the stress that the violence and politics brought itself with. "We must persuade to have the military join our just cause"
Droplets of sweat were now falling from Saturninus' forehead, his uniform soaked. Said Crassus from the top of the baricade. "Why do you come with bare steel within the pomerium and to Jupiter's abode? Heavens don't take kindly this kind of outbursts. What kind of negotiation you seek? The one of a knife between ribs?"
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Post by sforza on Sept 8, 2021 16:44:23 GMT -5
"It was Metellus' sudden appearance that has provoked the riots at the games"
Saturninus replied, not wanting to pin the blame entirely on himself. He coughed badly.
"I am seeking a solution to end this fighting, i and tribune Vitulus have drawn up certain demands, they are not unreasonable"
Saturninus said, trying to relax his breath. The man looked increasingly ill.
"Accept these terms or negotiate them and we can leave this bloodshed behind"
1. The Lex Appuleia Mamilii be recognized as legitimate Roman law
2. The Lex Hortensia shall be properly enforced
3. All restrictions reserved for the patrician class shall be declared void, with no distinction made between Patrician and Plebeian
4. Consuls shall not have the power to void any law passed by the Plebeian Council
5. A Tribune of the Plebs shall never be barred from the Senate under any circumstances
6. The Senate cannot pass laws that restrict the representation of the Plebeian Tribunes
7. Guaranteed representation for the Equestrian class in provincial administrations and courts
8. Soldiers, upon retirement, shall be guaranteed arable land in the form of Coloniae
9. Salary raises for the soldiery
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Post by Royal Joker on Sept 9, 2021 12:59:50 GMT -5
(just before) "Vitulus"
Saturninus called his friend and ally, his head was sweating profoundly, he had a bad cough too. "We must act swiftly, soon the legions from Sicily will head to Rome"
Saturninus said, perhaps getting ill from all the stress that the violence and politics brought itself with. "We must persuade to have the military join our just cause"
Droplets of sweat were now falling from Saturninus' forehead, his uniform soaked. "Agreed, we won't survive for long if the consuls are able to utilize the army against us." Sweat and dust covered the man's clothes, looking less like a tribune and more like a street beggar. "I do know the legion from Sicily is returning to Rome, but do we know when and where it will approach from? There's even a possibility that if we somehow are able to intercept it before one of our enemies can take command over it that they'll just arrest us. I agree we cannot do nothing, but the odds are against us. Do you want me to ride out and try to intercept the legion?"
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Post by sforza on Sept 9, 2021 15:39:14 GMT -5
"They will probably come from the south seeing as they come from Sicily"
Saturninus logically explains. It made the most sense for the legion to March.
"The biggest city south of Rome is Naples so I would guess they would take that road.
Saturninus replied, his toga covered entirely by dirt and ash.
"Convince their legate by every means possible, bribery if must from what is left from our treasury. Promise him a political role or something"
Saturninus suggested, he didn't really remember him the name of their commander.
"If that is not possible try to have the legions mutiny, remind them of our reforms and promise them coloniae for their role in Sicily if must be"
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Sept 9, 2021 16:30:14 GMT -5
An obscure senator, who's name has been lost to time and had been too obscure to warrant a place in the annals of history, or perhaps was struck from it. Rose to the occasion to speak between the two leaders of this supposed people delegation.
"Conscripted fathers. Every moment you keep bickering is a moment lost to your cause. Ask the people to join you.. offer them something instead of this ludicrous proposal for soldier pay. Do you see soldiers among this mob?!" he yelled, the incompetence of these men showing greatly. "The people love the republic, show them they are the republic, give them what they want. A chance at a good life, with money to feed their families and own their own homes!" The senator spoke, hoping to inspire these men to great things.
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