It appears as if I must speak more plainly for some of the audience at hand. The first matter is we have a crisis in Alexandria. It is a key artery in the bloodline that feeds our greatest of nations. The city is in revolt. Likewise, there is a growing threat to the grain supply housed and disbursed from there. I ask for support of the Cimbrii Defendo Aegyptus, not as a long-term solution, but as a response to a fact that we are lacking in troops that are loyal to the People of Rome. We need a legion in Alexandria and we need it there now.

After this measure is passed, I have no problem having a discussion about the redistribution of our forces abroad. It is overdue in my opinion or we wouldn’t be facing the piecemeal legislation we are now. I ask that this house take the time to consider this matter at length and not merely endorse a bill that is a rash show of jumping on the wagon. I applaud Casca’s desire to better deploy our forces, but let us all be honest with one another that if it had not been for the current bills in this house, the Servilia Militaris would not even be on this floor.

Casca, the issue of taking the scrolls from the Library of Alexandria is not one to be taken lightly. Unlike your evening encounters with the boys from the Subura, there are consequences to your premature actions. Surely you know that announcing your intentions to take the contents of the library are just as dangerous as actually taking them. The revolt will spread. While I am on the record for supporting the development of our library here in Rome, it would be folly to make plans to remove the masterpieces from Egypt at this time.

On the other had, we have the matter of delayed responses. Your games have been splendid, but to presume you quelled the discontent is a great leap. The riotous crowds have been disbursed for some time. I say give credit where credit is due. To Caecilius Metellus for putting patriotism above all else. To Catulus Aemilius for dropping charges of treason that were tearing this city apart though he had every right to persue his legal course. Most of all, to this house for passing the Cimbrii Citizen Providentia with unanimous resolve.