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Post by Gandalf on Jul 5, 2022 2:43:43 GMT -5
The humble abode of the Sempronii Gracchi on the Esquiline Hill. Here Tiberius lives with his sister, Sempronia.
Ager Privata of the Gracchi:
1 units of land - 2000 denarii
327 BC:
Total: 4000 denarii
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Post by sforza on Jul 5, 2022 12:47:29 GMT -5
Only a few days before the elections would occur, Quintus Appuleius Pansa, the incoming Plebeian tribune, decides to pay a visit to the Gracchi family. Freshly shaved and well dressed, he would arrive to their door.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 6, 2022 2:47:12 GMT -5
Tiberius Gracchus was a slender and healthy man in his early thirties, well known in the courts for his clear, powerful voice and simple but bombastic style of oratory. A mop of raven coloured hair framed a bony face and prominent nose, which sat beneath two friendly but watchful green eyes.
”Welcome, friend Pansa.”
Said Gracchus, who personally came to escort the candidate into his simple home; an unadorned villa with only a handful of rooms.
”What business brings you to call on me?”
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Post by sforza on Jul 6, 2022 5:10:29 GMT -5
Pansa, in his late twenties, was in the prime of his physical appearance, his body being well built and quite muscular. His many black hairs suited well with his olive skin tone.
"Salve, my good friend Tiberius"
Pansa greeted his fellow Roman with a firm handshake. Like many of the Appuleians before him, he was known to be a good orator who could easily move the crowds. It was logical then that the Appuleians had dominated the plebeian tribunate for many years now.
"I hope all is well despite the troubles of our republic"
Pansa said, with a friendly smile as they walked across the villa of his friend.
"But the matter what brought me here is that i find myself unwed still unfortunately"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 6, 2022 14:01:43 GMT -5
”I see.”
Tiberius understood in that moment why Pansa had come, nodding and allowing himself a small smile as he offered his guest a seat.
”Well, my sister is without a husband, as fortune would have it. If you would be willing, you could both be married.”
Gracchus knew Pansa by reputation as being of the same mind as he. It would not be an unnatural alliance for either of them.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 6, 2022 14:28:42 GMT -5
Lucius Livius Denter knocks on the door of his Gracchi neighbors on the Esquiline Hill, wishing to pay his respects to noble Sempronius Gracchus.
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Post by sforza on Jul 6, 2022 15:26:24 GMT -5
”I see.”Tiberius understood in that moment why Pansa had come, nodding and allowing himself a small smile as he offered his guest a seat. ”Well, my sister is without a husband, as fortune would have it. If you would be willing, you could both be married.”Gracchus knew Pansa by reputation as being of the same mind as he. It would not be an unnatural alliance for either of them. Pansa smiled, as he seated himself opposite Gracchus. "I would be honored to marry your good sister and call you my brother. I will be a good husband."Pansa said, as he stroke his chin. Evidently he was happy about the match. "Happy to count on you during these difficult times for our republic"Everyone had heard about the damned Samnites rising their ugly heads again, and the conservative patricians were always looking to undo the progress of the plebeian cause.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 6, 2022 16:28:31 GMT -5
Lucius Livius Denter knocks on the door of his Gracchi neighbors on the Esquiline Hill, wishing to pay his respects to noble Sempronius Gracchus. Gracchus naturally came to greet Livius himself. Election season certainly was in full swing; never normally would he count on two senators in the same month, let alone the same day. "Salve, Livius."
Greeted Tiberius cordially, choosing the family name over the familiarity of the praenomen and the implied slight hidden in the surname - one can never be too sure. A couple of slaves idly moved about, hurriedly cleaning from the last visit.
"What can I do for you? Please, sit." ”I see.”Tiberius understood in that moment why Pansa had come, nodding and allowing himself a small smile as he offered his guest a seat. ”Well, my sister is without a husband, as fortune would have it. If you would be willing, you could both be married.”Gracchus knew Pansa by reputation as being of the same mind as he. It would not be an unnatural alliance for either of them. Pansa smiled, as he seated himself opposite Gracchus. "I would be honored to marry your good sister and call you my brother. I will be a good husband."Pansa said, as he stroke his chin. Evidently he was happy about the match. "Happy to count on you during these difficult times for our republic"Everyone had heard about the damned Samnites rising their ugly heads again, and the conservative patricians were always looking to undo the progress of the plebeian cause.
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Post by sforza on Jul 7, 2022 9:56:03 GMT -5
"I would love that to happen, yes"
Pansa smiled. With the right connections in the political world, he could aim for much higher than just the tribunate.
"Oh and also i was thinking to visit our good friend Lucious Livius someday, i believe that he is quite like minded"
The more people behind the plebeian cause the easier it would be to pass new legislation.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 7, 2022 12:30:46 GMT -5
Gracchus naturally came to greet Livius himself. Election season certainly was in full swing; never normally would he count on two senators in the same month, let alone the same day. "Salve, Livius."
Greeted Tiberius cordially, choosing the family name over the familiarity of the praenomen and the implied slight hidden in the surname - one can never be too sure. A couple of slaves idly moved about, hurriedly cleaning from the last visit.
"What can I do for you? Please, sit.""Salve, Sempronius. Good tidings to you." Lucius matched Gracchus's formal tone as he nodded his greetings. He took a seat opposite his host before continuing. "To bluntly ask the favor of a another man is sometimes frowned upon, yet I find regular pageantry tedious at best. The assembly is gathering soon and I intend to stand for the tribunate this year. You are a respected man among the people, Sempronius. I promise my support for you as plebeian aedile, in exchange for yours as I seek the tribunate."
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 7, 2022 15:24:38 GMT -5
"I would love that to happen, yes"Pansa smiled. With the right connections in the political world, he could aim for much higher than just the tribunate. "Oh and also i was thinking to visit our good friend Lucious Livius someday, i believe that he is quite like minded" The more people behind the plebeian cause the easier it would be to pass new legislation.
Gracchus was unsure as to where Pansa exactly stood, but he concealed such uncertainty with a relaxed smile.
"Then we shall have to arrange a meeting, naturally."
Little did they both know that Livius would pay him a social call merely a few hours hence. Gracchus naturally came to greet Livius himself. Election season certainly was in full swing; never normally would he count on two senators in the same month, let alone the same day. "Salve, Livius."
Greeted Tiberius cordially, choosing the family name over the familiarity of the praenomen and the implied slight hidden in the surname - one can never be too sure. A couple of slaves idly moved about, hurriedly cleaning from the last visit.
"What can I do for you? Please, sit.""Salve, Sempronius. Good tidings to you." Lucius matched Gracchus's formal tone as he nodded his greetings. He took a seat opposite his host before continuing. "To bluntly ask the favor of a another man is sometimes frowned upon, yet I find regular pageantry tedious at best. The assembly is gathering soon and I intend to stand for the tribunate this year. You are a respected man among the people, Sempronius. I promise my support for you as plebeian aedile, in exchange for yours as I seek the tribunate." Tiberius nodded, apparently appreciating the candid nature of the request, though recognising the praise for what it was. "There is no shame in forthright speaking. To dance with flattery and hide in flowery prose is the manner of a Greekling, and ill suited for our city."Gracchus took a sip of well watered wine."I see no reason to stand in your way, Lucius Livius. Though I wish to know what your agenda will be for the next term. Rome is at war, and we can ill afford uncertainty within the city."
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Post by sforza on Jul 7, 2022 16:14:07 GMT -5
"I would love that to happen, yes"Pansa smiled. With the right connections in the political world, he could aim for much higher than just the tribunate. "Oh and also i was thinking to visit our good friend Lucious Livius someday, i believe that he is quite like minded" The more people behind the plebeian cause the easier it would be to pass new legislation.
Gracchus was unsure as to where Pansa exactly stood, but he concealed such uncertainty with a relaxed smile.
"Then we shall have to arrange a meeting, naturally."
Little did they both know that Livius would pay him a social call merely a few hours hence.
Pansa smiled, but first other things had to be arranged. A marriage for example. "But i shall go now and make the necessary arrangements for the marriage. You shall hear of me shortly"Pansa smiled as he offer his brother in law to be a handshake to ferment their brotherhood.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 8, 2022 12:06:38 GMT -5
Tiberius nodded, apparently appreciating the candid nature of the request, though recognising the praise for what it was. "There is no shame in forthright speaking. To dance with flattery and hide in flowery prose is the manner of a Greekling, and ill suited for our city."Gracchus took a sip of well watered wine."I see no reason to stand in your way, Lucius Livius. Though I wish to know what your agenda will be for the next term. Rome is at war, and we can ill afford uncertainty within the city.""Nor do I intend to. Rome's favor in war is to the benefit of all its citizens, and I would be a poor tribune if I hampered the war effort." Livius shook his head as he took another sip of wine. "I also do not intend to be idle, either. War brings slaves and land, which brings prosperity to Rome. Thus, I will lobby for the abolition of the nexum, which has outlived its purpose for too long."
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 9, 2022 3:41:23 GMT -5
Gracchus nodded. It was a move that made political and moral sense, but one must be careful when provoking the hornets nest that was the largely Patrician Senate.
”As much as it might pain our radical friend Pansa, we need allies amongst the Patricians. We cannot hope to affect any lasting change against the entire weight of the Fathers in the Senate.”
Tiberius gave a smile.
”I intend to court the great Valerius Corvus, who has long been my family’s patron. The Censor would be an ideal counterweight to the vitriol of his colleague.”
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 9, 2022 11:37:23 GMT -5
"Of course. I will speak with Pansa on these matters, he's a trusted friend of mine. I'm sure he'll see reason and not stick his neck too far out. No one wants to start a riot in the middle of a war."
Otherwise all their heads would mount the city walls.
"I will have to seek an audience with the more moderate patricians before putting forward the motion. No need to allow men like Camillus to accuse us of being traitors."
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