Caius Livius Drusus & Lucius Cornelius Merula

In a shocking developement late this month, Tribune of the Plebes Lucius Silius was found dead in his peristylum.  Next to the body which had deep cuts to the right wrist, were some pain relieving herbs and a dead crow.  Tribune Silius, believed to be the scapegoat of a Senate conspiracy to deny the wealthy and powerful Drakus Domitius Cordatus a covetted triumph was under considerable stress, close friends say.  One close friend, Gnaeus Aemilius was quoted as saying "this is a sad day for Rome and a sad outcome for Silius and his supporters.  It seems Cordatus will stop at nothing to get what he wants."  The death is being treated as suicide though sources close to the Pontifex Maximus have insisted that wrath of the gods is the true cause.


OUT OF THE PAN AND INTO THE FIRE?

Following last month which saw outgoing Consul, Decimus Junius Pompeius extracate himself from a seiged castra and lose 10,000 men in battle, this month Pompeius brought his battle weary men to the city of Gaza for rest and recuperation and yes you guessed it, another siege!

A day and a half after the Roman force arrived at the fortified city of Gaza to a luke warm welcome from the local population the Seleucid led army arrived just in time to see the local garrison complete fortifications to fully join the port to the city.  Local sources say that the hurried fortifications, improvised from what avaialble local materials there were are not up to usual Roman standards and consist largely of earthworks in many parts.   The tired and demoralised legions could only watch in dismay as the Seleucids force took up positions surrounding the city and isolating it from all land traffic.  As they wait for news of the arrival of re-inforcements from Rome news has reached the city via the patrolling fleet that a large Seleucid Naval force has been seen heading south from the Syrian city of Tyrus.


ETRUSCAN DELEGATIONS RETURN HOME EMPTY HANDED

Following the growing success of Roman forces in Etruria the remaining two cities in revolt with Rome visited Rome last month to negotiate a peaceful return to roman control.  Unfortunately these delegations were snubbed by the Senate as it debated matters of triumphs and ovations and the delegations left without being heard.  A golden opportunity to isolate Tarquinius has been lost.  Meanwhile in Etruria the forces under Atrebas have reached the arnus and have not so far seen sight of the Eturian force.


SCAURUS REACHES XANTHUS!

After losing 3,300 men to an ambush last month, Proconsul Scaurus has reached the Egyptian city of Xanthus.  Upon his arrival and immediate diplomatic problem occured when the Egyptians refused to allow Rome's Pergamese Allies to enter the city.  The enemy force that dealt Scaurus his painful lesson last month has not been sighted again and is assumed to not be following Rome's retreat.


CYPRIAN REVOLT!!

In a development sure to cause complications in the war against Seleucia, the island of Cyprus has rebelled against it's Egyptian masters and declared itself independent.  All Cyprian tax contributions to Rome have been ended.  The Egyptians have pledge to retake the island though this may necessarily effect their ability to commit further troops to Palestine and other theatres of operation in the Seleucid war.

OTHER NEWS

Livius villa draws criticism!

In an expected move last month several opponents of Caius Livius Drusus openly criticised Caius Livius' latest improvements to his villa urbana which take it to among the largest in Rome at 22,000 denari in value.  Asked about the criticism of Oppius and others, Caius Livius had this to say.  "It is to be expected I suppose, it is curious however that expenditure of MY money on MYSELF draws criticism whereas expenditure of MY money for the good of Rome and the people of the Subura, often in the same month, draws no praise.. strange, selective world our Oppius lives in."

Oppius grand scheme comes a cropper!

In news that has caused both widespread mirth and consternation around Rome, the new public work on the Aventine hills buy Tribune of the plebes Marcus Oppius Philipus has been plagued by problems.  First it appears that through some unfortunate mismanagement of the building contractors a large number of unreliable and poor quality workmen were hired for the job, causing materials to go missing and construction to be slow and inefficient.  This much is not unusual as all of Rome knows that builders are a law unto themselves but Oppius prolems appear to be exaggerated.  In the final straw that broke the camel's back, the column at the centre of the forum collapsed one night taking half of one of the buildings with it.  Building inspectors have concluded that the collapse was due to insufficient underpinning of the foundations and the use of too little lime in the cement.   Many around Rome feel that only one explanation is likely, sabotage.  As a result of the problems the project will require another 3,000 D to complete satisfactorily and the CUL points earned from the initial project are reduced by 3,000 permanently.  (ie; for 12,000D spent you will get CUL for only 9,000D, remember to band this CUL correctly as outlined in the rules.)

Consul Sesquiculum throws a wobbly...

On the campus martius a huge commotion broke the daily humdrum of military life as Marcus Fulvius Sesquiculum vented his anger at the loss of his Ovatio.  Several slaves were beaten, two died of their wounds and the known clients of some of the most prominent opposers of the triumph were called up on disciplinary matters and assigned to permanent sanitary duties.  When one of the men objected he was flogged 10 times for disobeying orders.  Sesquiculum was heard to mention several curses directed towards Cordatus.. a man he claims had promised him his support and had not given it.

Racing attacks continue!!.

In a disturbing development last month the stables of Marcus Aemilius Scaurus was targetted by a team of ruthless killers.  A slave messenger from the Scauran household discovered the bodies when visiting to bring news to the stable trainer.  He was shocked to find that all inhabitants of the stables including driver, trainer, support staff and chariot horses had been killed by deep cuts to the neck.  It is generally assumed that the killers may be the same as those that attacked the Oppian stables last month.

What happened to the Vasconi?

Following Lucius Urgulanius Longinus failure to confront the Vasconi threat decisively in the first month of his office, the people of Rome are asking.   "What happened to the Vasconi?"

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

SENATE

NB: Moderate, conservative or General (1, 2 or 3) need 66%, 33% and 50%+ respectively to pass


Lex Hibernica Ovatio Fulvia (Patricus Curius Hibernicus) Moderate   FAILED 56,7%

That for his decisive command and the recapture of three rebellious cities that Marcus Fulvius Sesquiculum be granted an Ovatio.

Lex Livia Triumphalis (Caius Livius Drusus) Moderate– VETOED

That following his successful annexation of Narbonese Gaul, his victory in numerous battles and his submission of thousands of enemy under the yoke of slavery, that Drakus Domitius Cordatus be awarded a triumph through the streets of Rome.

Lex Valeria Largitionalis (Lucius Valerius Flaccus) – WITHDRAWN

1)New public Largitiones Curules Foundation shall be established to support improvement of the quality of the Roman games.
2)If the prize money won by one citizen in one single event is higher than the 10 x price of the team or gladiator involved (i.e. 300 D at the moment), the amount exceeding the set limit shall be liable to a 20% tax for the benefit of Largitiones Curules Foundation.
3)The revenue of the foundation shall be computed and monthly reported by the elected curule aediles.
4)Only elected curule aediles may propose use of the funds of the Largitiones Curules Foundation, the expenditure should however be accepted by the Senate of Rome.
5)The funds for the Largitiones Curules Foundation shall be used for the public benefit directly related to the Roman games such as repair/enlargement of Circus and Arena buildings, building of new venues, enrichment of the quality of the games etc.

Lex Domitia Narbonensis (Drakus Domitius Cordatus) Moderate PASSED 84,4%

1) That Legio XI Italia and Legio XVI Italia be permanently assigned to Narbonensis until such time as the Senate sees fit to change their assignment.

2) That Caracaso be colonized at a cost of 30,000 D.

3) That Legio XII remain in the province for 3 months or until the new praetor raises a local legion, whichever comes first.

Lex Urgulania de Legionis Utilitate III (Lucius Urgulanius Longinus) Moderate FAILED 61,9%

That Legio X, currently stationed in Narbonensis, proceed immediately to Barcino in Tarraconensis, where it shall come under the command of the praetor of Tarraconensis for the purpose of the speedy resolution of the war against the Vasconi.

Lex Fabia Classis ad Siciliam (Caius Fabius Mutinesis) Moderate FAILED 35,2%

- that 8 quinquereme are transferred from Ostia to Lylibaeum;
- that 12 trireme are transferred from Sardinia to Lylibaeum;
- that 8 quadreme are transferred from Oricum to Lylibaeum;
- that Lucius Cornelius Merula as current military consul (or, if he prefere, he can choose a Legatus in his vece) take the command of this new classis to keep under control Mare Africum and Carthago naval activity.

Lex Aemilia Gaza (Marcus Aemilius Scaurus) Conservative PASSED 76%

That XXI Legio, under Legate Caius Fabius Mutinense, be sent by ship to Gaza. That the legion will be escorted by Rhodian, Greek, and Egyptian Allied Fleet elements as appropriate.

Lex Oppia Narbonensis legionis et colonization (Marcus Oppius Philipus) Moderate– Declared Illegal

1) That Legio XI Italia and Legio XVI Italia is to remain in Narbonensis for the safety of the province unless the Senate decrees otherwise.

2) Let the city of Arelate be colonized for 15 000 D. Why do I propose the city of Arelate be colonized instead of the city of Corcossa proposed by Drakus Domitius?

3) That Legio XII be sent immediately to Sicilia, to defend the province should there be an attack from Carthagio. I believe this is self-explanatory.

Lex Minucia Carthaginis (Marcus Miniucius Palsu) Conservative  PASSED 78%

That SPQR send a delegation of three Senatores to Carthago:
- to investigate the situation in Carthago in general
- to investigate if Carthage observes the terms of the peace
- to call in the outstanding tributes
The three Senatores should be chosen by the Senior Consul of the Senatores without office.

Lex Furia de Numidia Foederis (Marcus Furius Faustus) Moderate FAILED 64.7%

I propose that a deputation of three senators be sent to the Numidian king with the following goals:

I. To gauge the readiness, willingness and numeric strength of the Numidians to exercise the terms of their treaty with Rome in the event of hostilities in the region;

II. To assure the Numidian king that Rome will not shirk its responsibilities in the region and that it has the power to do so;

III. To request of the king the right for a Roman survey team to engage in a cartographic survey of Numidia's terrain and borders for the purpose of gaining greater tactical maps for use in the event of invasion. This six-month survey will be conducted by a team of 10 Roman specialists, at Numidian expense to the value of 140D.*, with the full cooperation of the appropriate Numidian civil and military authorities. This survey team will accompany the deputation and begin work immediately after the king grants his assent.

IV. To reduce the tax rate of Numidia from its current 9% to 7%, the Roman 'standard' (currently a reduction of 1350D per annum down to 1050D).

Item IV is persuant to the king's granting the right to the cartographic survey requested in item III.

The three senators to fulfil this deputation are to be selected by the Senior consul. They will be accompanied by a fleet of two Quinqueremes and eight Triremes from the UNASSIGNED FLEET, with a full complement of 170 marines, as a personal guard for the deputation.

Lex Terentia de re fabricae militarii (Arminius Terentius Auricomus) General PASSED 62%

That Arminius Terentius Auricomus, and Lucius Urgulanius Longinus be granted permission to build 3 military factories each in the month of Februarius;
That said factories be located in Taurasia/Gallia Cisalpina, Consentia/Brutti and Segovia/Tarraconensis;
That said factories be paid for entirely at their own expense.

Lex Livia Bellum Gallaecia (Caius Livius Drusus) General   PASSED 94,5%

That Lucius Valerius Flaccus be granted command of a force of two legions, to be decided via further deliberation of this house and proceed with the annexation of the uncontrolled territories in the north of Iberia. 

ASSEMBLY

NB: Radical, liberal or General (1,2 or 3) need 66%, 33% and 50%+ respectively to pass.

Lex Fabia Orica (Caius Fabius Mutinensis) General   PASSED 100%
That Popular Assembly approve this treaty:

SENATUS POPULOSQUE ROMANUS and KINGDOM of EPIRUS agrees
- The city of Oricum, and his surrounding territory, remain Roman controlled.
- Citizens of Roma are free to circulate and trade in Epiran territory;
- Citizens of Epirus continue to be free to circulate, live, own property and trade in Oricum and it's surrounding territory.
- Kingdom of Epirus assumes the responsability to grant military assistance if Roma or it's legal representative Governor in Oricum in the following way::
- Kingdom of Epirus will furnish a detachment of 3,000 aux light infantry to garrison Oricum and ensure the safety of the city and the surrounding lands until Maius of next year, though this period may be extended at mutal agreement.
- SPQR requests the further assistance of the Kingdom of Epirus against eventual foreign aggressions in theatres of war neighbouring Epirus or having direct influence on Epiran interests and safety.
This agreement is added to existing one, and does not replace it, and is subject to SPQR approval.

Lex Valeria de Matrimonio Magistratuum (Lucius Valerius Flaccus) Radical   FAILED 36,6%
Only married  Roman citizen may become consuls and censors.

Lex Oppia Grammatica et Prof (Marcus Oppius Philipus) General   FAILED 31,4%
I propose that all teachers of Latin and/or Roman history who have been teaching for 25 years be awarded Roman citizenship.

The Lex Minucia Consulatus (Marcus Minucius Palus) General   FAILED 36,4%
That each year with at least one plebeian candidate for consul, one of the consuls has to be a plebeian.

REPORT FROM THE AERARIUM JANUARIUS DLX

STARTING BALANCE	361,066D (+50,000D)
EXPENSES
Army	14,706D
Navy	21,580D
Bread Subsidy (Egypt)	0D
Colonization (Carcasso)	30,000D
Other Expenses	0D
New Military Forces & Reinforcements	0D
Total	66,286D
INCOME
Gifts	0D
Tax	60,316D
POW Sales	0D
Total	60,316D
ENDING BALANCE	355,096D (+50,000D)

REBELLION SUMMARY

Area	Condition
ItaliaApulli	Peaceful
ItaliaBrutti	Peaceful
ItaliaEtruscii	Rebellion
Baetica	Peaceful
Cisalpine Gaul	Peaceful
SardoCorsica	Peaceful
Lusitania	Peaceful
Massilia	Peaceful
Sicilia	Peaceful
Tarraconensis	Peaceful
Aegypt	Peaceful
Oricum only	Peaceful
Cyprus	Rebellion

CLASS RIOT SUMMARY

% Chance of Class Riots	Condition
50%	Peaceful

CITIZENS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE

Total Roman citizens worldwide at XII/DLIX	1,600,000
Total Roman men in legionary service	100,480
Citizens available for service at I/DLX	69,952
Citizens used in colonisation since I/DLX	10,000
Citizens mobilized into legions since I/DLX	11,300
Number of citizens still available in DLX	48,652

SUMMARY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS

ACHAEAN LEAGUE	Allied
AEGIAN ISLES	Allied
AETOLIA	Allied
CARTHAGE	Strained
DARDANIANS	Strained
EGYPTIAN EMPIRE	Allied
EPIRUS	Allied
GALLIA CISALPINA	Normal
ILLYRIA	Allied
MACEDONIAN EMPIRE	Allied
MASSILIA (City only)	Allied
NUMIDIA	Allied
NARBONESE GAUL	War/Allied
PERGAMUM	Allied
SELEUCID EMPIRE	War
All other areas	Normal/Neutral

SUMMARY OF REGIONAL PRODUCTIVITY JAN-MAR

ITALIA - ROMA	1.5
ITALIA - AEQUI	1.0
ITALIA - APULII	0.5
ITALIA - BRUTTI	1.0
ITALIA - CALABRII	1.5
ITALIA - CAMPANIA	0.5
ITALIA - ETRUSCII	1.5
ITALIA - LATINS	1.0
ITALIA - LUCANII	1.0
ITALIA - MARSII	0.5
ITALIA - SABINI	1.5
ITALIA - SAMNII	1.5
ITALIA - VOLSCII	1.5
BAETICA	1.5
CISALPINE GAULS	1.0
CORSICA	1.5
EPIRUS	1.5
LUSITANIA	1.0
NARBONENSIS	1.0
SARDINIA	1.5
SICILIA	1.5
TARRACONENSIS	1.0

SLAVE PRICES FOR - FEBRUARIUS DLX

Labourers	1.5 D
Specialists (Artisans, Gladiators etc.)	15 D