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Post by sforza on Jun 7, 2022 10:21:52 GMT -5
Africa Proconsularis
 With the noble Caesar Vitellius sending his loyal general abroad to bargain for more support against, Caecina finally arrives in the now long rebuild city of Carthage. Once Rome's biggest enemy, the city was rebuild during the times of Gaius Iulius Caesar. Ever since, Carthage (along with Egypt) is Rome's defacto breadbasket. It is therefore that Vitellius wishes to cut off the grain supplies from ending up in the bellies of Otho's soldiers. Caecina, after touring the city, invites the officials of the city to discuss the latest politics.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 8, 2022 9:32:44 GMT -5
Lucius Calpurnius Piso was in a fool mood. He heard how his brother-in-law got himself lynched and now he was in an akward position. By Imperial appointment he was procunsul of Africa, but what was the point when the emperor who named him was now fish food? Still, he was the legitimate governor and was... as I said, in a very foul mood. The man was hawkish, with a beaked nose, thin and with balding head. He did not look quite like his proud ancestors, or maybe he looked much to them because kin marriage was a common thing. Still, Caecina found Piso in proconsular attire eating figs without mirth while being lectured by a freedman on taxes and customs. A guardsman announced the newcomer.
"Caecina, come, come"
He looked sour and had a perpetual frown.
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Post by sforza on Jun 8, 2022 10:48:05 GMT -5
"Salve Calpurnius"
Greeted the young legate. Unlike the balding governor, Caecina still had his full hair and he had this typical aristocratic Roman look.
"I wish we could discuss more pleasant subjects such as the beauty of this city, but alas these are dangerous times in our Empire."
Caecina looked humble, of course he knew he was the brother in law of the now deceased Galba.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 8, 2022 13:55:34 GMT -5
"Salve Calpurnius"Greeted the young legate. Unlike the balding governor, Caecina still had his full hair and he had this typical aristocratic Roman look. "I wish we could discuss more pleasant subjects such as the beauty of this city, but alas these are dangerous times in our Empire."
Caecina looked humble, of course he knew he was the brother in law of the now deceased Galba.
"I'm not here to talk platitudes. You're a Gaulish fishmonger now?"He said, dry. "What brought you here all the way to Africa? Want bread and grain eh? I wonder for whom"
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Post by sforza on Jun 8, 2022 16:36:08 GMT -5
"The noble Vitellius seeks your support, he wants to avenge the murder of the late Augustus."
Caecina replied, politely but confident.
"Help us aid to avenge the murder of the late Augustus and Vitellius will handsomely reward those who bring justice back"
In Caecina's mind, everything could be brought by bribery and corruption.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 9, 2022 8:42:30 GMT -5
"The noble Vitellius seeks your support, he wants to avenge the murder of the late Augustus."Caecina replied, politely but confident. "Help us aid to avenge the murder of the late Augustus and Vitellius will handsomely reward those who bring justice back"In Caecina's mind, everything could be brought by bribery and corruption. He said, with half a smile. "He already plots to claim the purple? Took him long enough, I guess, considering the fop who sits in Augustus' seat, a half-bred peasant"
Piso frowns. "Handsomely... that's a vague term. I need more than just good will. If your general wants to feed Rome once he gets it, he needs more than empty words. What can he offer in exchange of bread and me starving Otho and his rabble to death?"
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Post by sforza on Jun 9, 2022 9:52:21 GMT -5
"He is looking for a capable prefect to serve in Egypt and i am sure he will need a good consul beside him once that murderer is no more, and after your term in Egypt is finished"
The offer was quite generous, for Egypt was the most lucrative post one could achieve in a lifetime. Caecina smiled, knowing bargaining was part of the process.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 9, 2022 10:10:21 GMT -5
"He is looking for a capable prefect to serve in Egypt and i am sure he will need a good consul beside him once that murderer is no more, and after your term in Egypt is finished"
The offer was quite generous, for Egypt was the most lucrative post one could achieve in a lifetime. Caecina smiled, knowing bargaining was part of the process. Egypt was no bauble. One could grow rich for a lifetime with the benefits it entailed. And it was the most prestigious governoship one might receive from an emperor. And a consulship too. "I see"Piso said, with a slight smile.
"For a consulship and Egypt, I say yes. I will interrupt all grain shipments to Rome and deny it of bread"
He added, with pouty lips. "I presume Caesar will be thankful for all this"
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Post by sforza on Jun 9, 2022 11:24:22 GMT -5
"Excellent"
Caecina smiled mischievously, that peasant Otho and his fellow peasants that allied with him would soon begin to starve.
"Caesar is always thankful for his friends, he will welcome you with open arms when he has claimed the Eternal city"
With the deal concluded, Caecina would tour and enjoy the city for the next two days before he would set his journey further along the African coast to Tingis to start negotiations with the roman legions stationed there.
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Post by sforza on Jun 9, 2022 14:14:08 GMT -5
Mauretania  After a week of travelling along the African coast from the the city of Carthage, Aulus Caecina Alienus, has finally arrived in Mauretania. After occassionaly stopping to visit some of its sprawling cities or its beautiful mountain ridges he finally arrived in the city of Tingis from where Caecina would approach the III Augusta legion. One day after he arrived in Tingis, Caecina and several wagons would ride out for the encampment of the III Augusta legion. Once he arrived at their camps a delegation was send to negotiate with their legate. The delegation would announce that Aulus Caecina Alienus, legate of the Fourth Legion wishes to negotiate.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 11, 2022 3:46:46 GMT -5
The Legate rides out to meet with Caecina as requested.
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Post by sforza on Jun 12, 2022 5:48:07 GMT -5
"Salve"
The young Caecina greeted his fellow collegue from atop his horse. Several droplets of sweat fell from Caecina's forehead, the African sun was not kind to his skin either.
"I thank you for coming to speak with me."
Caecina said, giving a smile to the legate.
"The Republic is in grave danger with the late Augustus murdered by this Otho, this can no longer stand. The legionnaires of the Rhine have proclaimed Vitellius as their Caesar as he has vowed to avenge the murder of Galba. Already the proconsul of Africa has declared for Vitellius"
Caecina explained, who spoke confidently still despite the scorching heath of the African sun.
"Vitellius has called for your support, of course he will handsomely reward those who support him to oust the murderer of Galba"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 15, 2022 6:47:49 GMT -5
“We cannot leave Africa undefended for some usurper’s adventures.”
Replied the Legate, a gruff man appointed some time ago in the days of Nero.
“Return to your master. We will not desert our posts.”
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Post by sforza on Jun 17, 2022 16:37:53 GMT -5
"Very well, Ceasar will not forget your service"
Caecina's face and voice turned sour. Whatever, he would later regret his choice. Once he let off his anger, he departed
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 21, 2022 12:59:04 GMT -5
Now made aware of the situation, the legion declares for Otho, the sitting Augustus in Rome.
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