|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 10, 2021 10:54:18 GMT -5
A few days pass…
Word comes to the city that the Legion has done very little since their landing, only recently becoming aware of events. They cautiously await the arrival of Fabius Maximus from Sicily, only a few days behind them.
Within the city, chaos reigns. Saturninus is in control of the Aventine and the Forum, with the Capitol being the last holdout of Consul Crassus. A few armed clashes between the frightened militia and the Tribune’s thugs have taken place, though they are usually non-lethal. The Senate has split between holding up on the Capitoline and joining Mugillanus outside the city, with the Consul rumoured to have fled to the Campus Martius. For now, Saturninus has the initiative, with the Senate apparently crippled by indecision. While the fires have gone out, an eerie quiet rules over Roma, with the current armed ceasefire standing on the brink of erupting once more into open violence.
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 10, 2021 12:37:59 GMT -5
"Brave Citizens of Rome"
Saturninus addressed the citizens at the capitol in hill and those nearby.
"You have been very brave in defending what you believe is to be good"
Saturninus said, recovering from the bad cough from few days ago.
"However now is time to rebuild what has been destroyed through the recent violence"
Saturninus spoke loudly, his new uniform makes him look an hero of old.
"I hold no ill judge against any of those who are on the capitol in hill."
Saturninus added, tribune Vitulus was send south to deal with the fifth legion.
"I will give the good Citizens of Rome my treasury to rebuild and repay the damage and losses that have been incurred by the recent violence"
Saturninus was not done yet.
"Together we can rebuild Rome into something that will be good and equal for all citizens"
Saturninus was close to ending
"Let us stop the bloodshed and work together to make Rome beautiful and sacred again"
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 10, 2021 12:43:26 GMT -5
Saturninus is pelted with stones by the citizens of the Capitol Hill, many screaming obscenities at his tyranny and the bloodshed he has caused. He is forced to retreat after accumulating several bruises. Furthermore, many of Saturninus’ gladiators and other hired goons grumble that their master would give away his entire treasury to their ostensible enemies. They begin to publicly complain of this.
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 10, 2021 12:53:42 GMT -5
With Saturninus unable to convince the citizens of the Capitoline Hill to leave he sends out agents to locate and find the other consul. He also assures that not a single denarii is going to the citizens of the capitoline Hill.
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 7:05:46 GMT -5
With nearly all of Rome under the control of Saturninus he sends out agents to seize the treasuries of hostile senators as well as the consuls and other hostile magistrats. He also sells any worthwhile furniture of the villas of those captured senators. Those senators still remaining in Rome and allied magistrats are to be spared this seizure.
-------
Saturninus calls for the captured senators to assemble.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 8:25:40 GMT -5
Sensing panic, most of the senators managed to send their families and valuables out to the countryside. Saturninus manages to loot a measly 5000 denarii from the houses of those senators foolish enough not to bar their doors. However, the violent seizure of property does little to calm the atmosphere. Rome becomes a ghost town, with many wealthy citizens and equestrians fleeing in panic as the rest lock their doors, awaiting the eventual restoration of order.
—-
Those few captures senators that remain assemble in the forum, including those few who openly side with Saturninus
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 11:53:17 GMT -5
"Esteemed senators"
Saturninus addressed the senators in the forum.
"Firstly I will assure you that no harm will befall any of you present today. I will see to it personally.
Saturninus ensured the senators. Praetor Glaucia was present too, his closest ally and friend other than Vitulus maybe.
"However the republic must be governed still despite the grave times we are in"
Saturninus said, fatigued from the recent days.
"Therefore I propose this bill to have order restored as soon as possible."
Lex Appuleia Roma
- Legio VIII and Legio V shall be assigned to Praetor Gaius Servilius Glaucia
- Gaius Favius Maximus Atellus shall be send to Crete to negotiate with the cretans in an effort to make an end to Cretan piracy.
- Legio V shall be temporarily allowed to have troops inside the city to restore and maintain order untill necessary. They shall function as police.
- New elections will be organized once order has been restored.
- Coloniae shall be established for those who have served in the Sicilian revolt upon their retirement.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 12:09:53 GMT -5
The Senators mumbled in confusion; there were no sitting Consuls, not even a ranking magistrate of any note, and the Senate was being summoned upon the whims of a mere Tribune.
One man, Servilius Vata, spoke up. He had been ‘coerced’ into joining with Saturninus.
“Good Tribune, how are we to pass laws and hold elections with no government? You have driven our consuls from the city or hold them under siege. Our Republic has been left without a head, and none know what is going on.”
Many had expected Saturninus to give them some clarification, but the laws he proposed only made things more confusing.
“Are they still our Consuls? If so, why are they being besieged or run from the city?”
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 12:18:47 GMT -5
"You ask good questions, senator"
Saturninus addressed the senator.
"I have no idea where Consul Mugillanus is but it appears that he has fled the city, showing no interest in the city in this grave time.
Saturninus paused, then he looked to the other senators.
"As for Consul Crassus, I tried to negotiate an end to his situation but it seems that he has refused the offer, not willingly to make an end to the violence."
Saturninus gave clarifications to the senator.
"I still hope to make an end to this all through negotiations but in the meanwhile Rome must be governed too."
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 12:27:27 GMT -5
“The Consuls are the state, Tribune. I am concerned upon what authority you have summoned us and dictate to us if one is not present.”
Those brave enough to do so echoed the same sentiments. The Tribune had not even attempted to give himself a veneer of legality. Rome was in open war with its own magistrates.
“I propose that you negotiate a general amnesty. Let us move forward from this debacle and return to the virtues of good governance.”
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 12:56:38 GMT -5
"Consul Mugillanus has fled from the city, effectively abandoning his duties, therefore we can conclude that he has resigned his magistracy, therefore we need to elect a consul suffectus."
Not the first time in Roman history that a new consul had to be chosen in the same year.
"Not only Consul Mugillanus had abandoned his duties but it seems also Aedile Claudius and Praetor Regulus fled their duties and Rome and therefore we should consider their positions resigned and their positions to be re-elected suffectus"
Saturninus explained, it wasn't entirely unlogical.
"I also have the right to summon the senate of course, though i admit it is not usual for a Tribune to do so"
Saturninus said.
"But regardless I shall take your advice in mind and hopefully consul Crassus shall be open to it"
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 15:47:56 GMT -5
“This is highly irregular.” Servilius replied to the Tribune, but at least they were following some logical process. “Who exactly shall be named in place of the Consul? It is not as if the Republic is in a fit state to hold elections.”
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 16:12:21 GMT -5
"Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus seems to be a suitable candidate"
And like Saturninus he hated Scaurus. They were of the same political mind.
"He has already had several magistracies and was even pontifex Maximus a few years ago"
It wasn't a controversial suggestion.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gandalf on Sept 12, 2021 16:20:28 GMT -5
“Ahenobarbus fled Rome with the other senators. He is in his villa, no doubt, in Tusculum.”
Said Vata, looking about himself at the poor crop that they could muster at present.
|
|
|
|
Post by sforza on Sept 12, 2021 16:44:33 GMT -5
"What about your father?, he is experienced I recall"
Perhaps if the younger Vata was older Saturninus could have promoted him. The older Vata would surely pose not much of a problem.
|
|
