Anno quingentesimo sexagesimo quintus ab urbe condita
Maius DLXV (188 BC)
L. Iulio Caesare Albino L.Cornelio Scipione Asiatico consulibus

IMPERIUM NEWS

Issue CL (150)

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Late one afternoon at the end of this month, a veteran consular was walking quietly home having visited a friend in the Clivus Orbius. He was accompanied by a house slave, who was carrying his cloak and a basket, and by a slave clerk. It was hot and few people were about. Walking casually towards them came a slight, wiry man dressed in typical Roman style.

As he drew near he appeared to recognise the Senator, and greeted him with a smile. As the puzzled consular responded, the man removed his hand from beneath his cloak and suddenly plunged a fine stiletto dagger into the poor victim’s heart. Taken completely by surprise, the slaves’ reactions were too late either to prevent the atrocity or to apprehend the murderer, who was seen to run quickly into the maze of alleys around the Subura.

All efforts to aid the Senator were hopeless, as he had died on the spot. Gaius Claudius Nero, the victim of the outrage, was a true Roman hero. The Commander of the Army that defeated and killed Hannibal’s brother Hasdrubal at the Battle of the Metaurus in the year he was Consul, he had been Censor a few years later, but had since then lived a quiet life of semi-retirement. His recent rapprochement with his nephew, Publius Claudius Nero, had, however, thrust him back somewhat into the public eye as spokesman for the family in the Senate.

Speculation is rife as to who would want to slay such a distinguished old man. Was it the agents of some hostile foreign power, or Hannibal seeking belated revenge? Was it some enemy of his nephew’s? Was it some enemy of Cato, angry that the Claudii Nerones had undertaken the defence of the ex-Princeps Senatus, and perhaps confusing Gaius with his elder brother Tiberius, who was actually conducting Cato’s defence?

Despite stern disapproval from some quarters, Consul’s Caesar’s proposed Peace Treaty with Egypt was duly ratified by the Assembly this month. Grain shipments, but not tribute, are to continue. Rome renounces all claims to Egypt, Cyrenaica or Palestine, apart from Gaza. She thus returns the ruins of Hierusalem to the Pharaoh. Egypt will compensate Roman citizens for any losses they suffered in the recent troubles.

Under the terms of the Treaty Egypt is to return any confiscated property. However, as Egypt is no longer an Ally and as Roman citizens are not permitted to own estates abroad except in the territory of Allies, it is unclear how this provision is to work in practice. Doubtless Consul Caesar knows, but he was unavailable for comment.

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The Aquitanian Army defending the passage of the River Olorron refused to be provoked into attacking the forces of Commander Hibernicus at the end of this month. Having endured a bombardment by flaming missiles for some time, sub-chief Amorix withdrew his men about half a mile north, out of range of the Roman onagers. They remained in battle formation, however, ready to fall upon the Romans if they should try to force the River. Discussions continue in the Roman camp as to what to do next.

Disease found in the grain reserves has led to widespread famine and privation in this distressed and hostile place. The morale of the Aquitanians has suffered as a result. Already some of his subjects were beginning to question the wisdom of King Bituitos in aiding the revolt of the Volcae. It is thought that starvation may become a factor in the siege of Elimberris by Sigeric’s Germans, which has now been going on for 5 or 6 weeks.

A raiding force of about 4,000 Dardanians from Moesia has crossed the border and devastated the countryside around Lissus in the south of the Province. Latest reports put them on the road north to Narona.

Set the location value of all estates in Lissus to zero for the month of Maius.

Following ratification of the Peace Treaty with Egypt, the Roman forces in Cyrenaica are obliged to leave immediately. With Consul Caesar still in a fever, it is up to the Senior Legate, Cnaeus Ulpius Sisenna, to make the necessary arrangements for what some see as an humiliating climb down by Rome. With seven full Legions in place outside Darnis, it will take quite a logistical effort to get them all home again quickly.

Scorning the challenge to single combat offered by Governor Numerius Lucretius Tacitus as a trick, Boeorix and the Cimbri host side-stepped the Roman force at the Arelate bridge and forded the river to the north, losing many of their number in the process. They are now also across the River Druentia and are reported to be on their way to Segustero. Meanwhile Tacitus has gathered his reinforcements to him at Arelate.

The German horde under the command of Agiulf is also reported to have crossed the Rhodanus and to be heading East.

The slave revolt that broke out in Narbonese Gaul in Januarius is now reaching serious proportions. Allowed to grow unchecked by Roman interference it is now believed that over 17,500 armed and desperate slaves are involved. They are apparently gathering at Carcaso under a charismatic leader called Mago, and to be co-operating closely with King Baldric, who has promised them land and honour if he maintains his independence.

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Censor Caius Fabius Mutinensis showed his anger at the recent ratification of the Peace Treaty with Egypt by entering black marks against the names of all those who voted for it. This move, which his colleague refused to overrule, will inevitably lead to the Censor becoming even more unpopular in certain quarters than he was before.

The Senate is expected to debate the Peace offer from King Bessus of Thrace during its June sittings. With Peace having been made with Egypt, what would be the point of continuing with hostility elsewhere in the East, some ask? On the other hand, Rome confirmed in her new Treaty with Egypt that she had neither Alliance nor friendship with Thrace; has this cut the ground from under her feet?

Sources close to Africanus have reported that he is not happy with the recent antics of General Junius Pompeius. Named this month as the head of the delegation to King Alexander, entrusted with the task of gaining his approval to the proposed Treaty, Pompeius has left the other two members of the commission (Africanus and Caecilius Metellus) kicking their heels in Ambracia, whilst he consorts with his wife. Pompeius was due to visit the confused region of Greece thereafter in order to report on the situation there, but this has clearly been put off. The hero of Zama told our reporter,”I still have friends in Rome, you know! One of the Consuls is my brother after all, and I’ve known Censor Flaminius for years. There’s no good reason why I should tolerate this sort of behaviour from Pompeius! If the man thinks he can snub me with impunity, he’ll find his name entered in the Censors’ black books.”

Friends of the young sister of Vestal Claudia Prima are doing their best to dissuade the notoriously headstrong maiden from setting out on her proposed trip to Hispania Ulterior in order to marry her fiancé, the Praetor Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Pointing out that the coast of Narbonese Gaul west of the Rhodanus is under serious threat from the Volcae and from slaves who could quite easily turn their bloody hands to piracy, these friends are encouraging the would-be bride to wait until Lepidus returns from Hispania. What sort of husband would expose his young bride to such a risk, they ask?

Marcus Aurelius Cotta, the replacement for Manlius Calvus as Praetor of Sardo-Corsica, has arrived at Carales in Sardinia and is now settling in to his duties. It remains to be seen if he will be any more energetic than his predecessor, who largely let his Quaestor administer the Province for him.

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In Capua the sun appeared in the middle of the night.
It is reported from Venafrium (Campania) that lightning struck a flock of sheep, but killed only the wethers (castrated male sheep).
On the island of Corcyra a horn was heard playing in the sky and it rained dirt and dust.

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Legislative Report

SENATUS
Moderate, Conservative or General (1, 2 or 3) need 66%, 33% and 50%+ respectively to pass

SC Aemilia Refugium Aerarium (MAL) – General – Passed (70.59%)

The Senate may demand a refund to the Aerarium, in part or in total, of the treasury funds allotted to a Praetor or Pro-Praetor should that officer fail to serve his complete term in office.

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SC Junia Aegyptus Foedus (DJP) – General – Failed (22.59%)

That Consul L. Iulius Caesar give the following terms for a treaty between Egypt and Rome.

1) That Egypt fulfills its prior obligation of monthly grain shipments to Rome.

2) That Egypt fulfills its prior obligation of 7% taxes paid to Rome monthly.

3) That Egypt recognize Roman control of Gaza.

4) That Egypt recognizes Galilaea Superior as an independant nation and renounce claims to said lands.

5) That there is peace between Egypt and Rome.

6) That Egypt offers to Roman troops free passage through Egyptian territory.

7) The Rome offers to Egyptian troops free passage through Roman territory.

8) That Egypt will return any property that has been confiscated from Roman citizens and will fully compensate them for any loss and for lost income during the months since confiscation including all POSSIBLE income (based upon regional productivity as reported in Imperium News).

9) That Egypt pays Rome a recompense of 4000 D for their failure to send grain for two months.

10) That Egypt does not wage war on a friend and ally of Rome.

11) That Rome recognizes the right of Egypt to reconquer her rebellious provinces, namely Thrace and Cyrenaica.

12) That Rome bears no responsibility for aiding Egypt in such reconquest.

13) Should she wish it, Egypt may request Roman aid against any foe that attacks Egypt.

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SC Fabia Iactura ab Aegypto (CFM) – General – Failed (14.65%)

That before any new treaty is signed with Aegyptus, Ptolomaeus has to repay for the losses he caused breaking the previous treaty that at Maius DLXV are:
- 10 Estates in Salamis (Cyprus) and 300 slaves; 25 military factories in Darnis (Cyrenaica) to PAV for a total of 21,960 D.
- 9 large transports with luxury cargo and compensation for the lost profits to PMT for a total of 72,000 D.
- 10 estates in Alexandria (Aegyptus) and 300 slaves for a total of 112,360 D.
- 8 months of not paid tributes, four months of grain dole, the mobilization and maintenance cost for classis II and the legiones engaged in Cyrenaica and Palaestina to the Aerarium for a total of 179,934 D.

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SC Domitia Macedonia et Hellas (DDC) - General – Passed (77.83%)

1) Pursuant to clause 3 of the Lex Livia Pax Macedonia which states "Macedonia will withdraw from Epirus and from all captured Greek and Illyrian land and renounce any claim to these lands in perpetuity," All Macedonian garrisons in Greek cities are to be removed.

2) All member cities of the Pan-Hellenic League are to have a city wide vote, governed by Commander Pompeius or his delegated subordinates, to determine if they wish to remain members of the Pan-Hellenic League.

3) That those Greek cities which do not wish to remain members of the Pan-Hellenic League be offered alliance with Rome under a minimum of the following conditions:

i. They become a Friend and Ally of Rome.

ii. They pay 7% monthly tax to Rome.

iii. That they provide and protect fair access to their internal commercial and property markets to Roman citizens.

4) That the cities that choose to remain a part of the Pan-Hellenic League be offered alliance with Rome under a minimum of the following conditions:

i. They become a Friend and Ally of Rome.

ii. They pay 7% monthly tax to Rome.

iii. That they provide and protect fair access to their internal commercial and property markets to Roman citizens.

5) That Macedon provide open access to Commander Pompeius, or his delegated officers, to determine the size and extent of the Macedonian military.

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

Lex Iulia de Pace Aegypti (LIC) – General – Passed (63.6%)

There shall be Peace between Rome and Egypt;

Egypt will continue with the monthly grain shipments as before;

Egypt will return any property that has been confiscated from Roman citizens and will compensate them for any loss and for lost income during the months since confiscation;

Rome will renounce any claim to Egypt, Cyrenaica or Palestine (apart from the City of Gaza );

Roman forces will withdraw immediately from Cyrenaica and Rome will provide no further assistance to the rebels;

Egypt recognises Gaza as a Roman controlled City;

Both nations recognize the independence of the Kingdom of Galilaea Superior;

Egypt will refrain from making war on any ally of the Roman People


Rome confirms that she has no alliance or friendship with either Cyrene or Thracia. p>

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Lex Fabia Aegypto Bellum Gerere (CFM) – General – Failed (30.19%)

The Populus Romanus order the Consules to take any measure, even military, necessary to oblige Ptolemaeus of Aegyptus to comply with the Treaty he unilaterally broke, and to compensate the losses and the costs Roma suffered for his actions.
That Aegyptus be obligated to restore Roman citizens’ properties and repay for the the losses they suffered.

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STARTING BALANCE			D. 789,262
Expenses		Incomes
Army maintenance	15,955	Tax	50,809
Navy maintenance	28,560	Gifts	0
Military recruitments	0	POW sales	0
Colonization	0	Others	0
Bodyguards for PMT	48	-	0
Total	44,563	Total	50,809
ENDING BALANCE			D. 795,508
Reserves funds			D. 300,000

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Chance of CLASS RIOT

3 %

Peaceful

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CITIZENS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE (at Iunius)
Total Roman citizens worldwide at December DLXIV	1,969,500
Total Roman men in legionary service at December DLXIV	79,605
Citizens available for service at Ianuarius DLXV	90,514
Citizens used in colonization since Ianuarius DLXV	5,000
Citizens mobilized into legions since Ianuarius DLXV	19,400
Number of citizens still available in DLXV	66,114
Available capiti censi	20,000

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SLAVE PRICES FOR APR-IUN DLXV
Labourers	1.2 D.
Specialists (Artisans, Gladiators, etc.)	12 D.
Chariots	30 D.

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REGIONAL PRODUCTIVITY (APR-IUN DLXV)
Italia - ROMA	1.0	ACHAIA	0.5 (1.0)
Italia - AEQUI	1.0	AEGAEUM	1.0
Italia - APULIA	0.5	AEGYPTUS	N/A (1.0)
Italia - BRUTTIUM	1.0	AETHIOPIA	N/A (1.5)
Italia - CALABRIA	0.5	AQUITANIA	N/A (1.0)
Italia - CAMPANIA	1.0	ASIA	1.0 / N/A
Italia - ETRURIA	1.5	CYPRUS	N/A (0.5)
Italia - LATIUM	1.0	CYRENAICA	0.25 (0.5)
Italia - LUCANIA	1.5	EPIRUS	1.0
Italia - MARSII	1.5	LYCIA	1.0
Italia - SABINIS	1.0	MACEDONIA	0.5
Italia - SAMNIUM	1.0	MAURETANIA	1.5
Italia - VOLSCII	1.0	NUMIDIA	1.0
GALLIA CISALPINA	1.0	PALAESTINA	N/A (1.0)
GALLIA NARBONENSIS	0.75 (1.5)	PERGAMUM	1.0
HISPANIA CITERIOR	1.5	-	-
HISPANIA ULTERIOR	1.0	-	-
ILLYRICUM	1.0	-	-
SARDOCORSICA	1.0	-	-
SICILIA	1.0	-	-

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FOREIGN NATIONS STATUS SUMMARY
PanHellenic League	REVOLT	Aquitania	WAR
Aegyptus	Normal	Epirus	Allied
Aethiopia	Normal	Macedonia	Allied
Africa (Carthago)	Normal	Massilia (city only)	Allied
Asia	REVOLT	Numidia	Allied
Creta	Strained	Palaestina	Normal
Cyprus	Normal	Pergamum	Allied
Creta	Strained	Seleucid Empire	Strained
Cyrenaica	REVOLT	Thracia	Strained

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Buildings
The following significant works have been commissioned in Rome this month:

Patron	Description	Value
PMT	Thermae Manliae along Clivus Publicius	D. 10,000
PCH	Thermae Curiae in Ianiculensis	D. 30,000

Cities Upgrade
The following upgrades have been commited to this month::

Patron	Description	New level	Value
LSR	Via Sempronia from Salonae to Burnum (Illyricum)	-	D. 530

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Trade Reports Maius DLXV

The captains reports the following on the QML’s trade:
Fleet #1 carrying 1,000 D in standard goods in 1 transport, reached port with the loss of 0 ship for disaster and 0 for piracy. QML’s return was 1,229 D.
Fleet #2 carrying 1,000 D in standard goods in 1 transport, reached port with the loss of 1 ships for disaster and 0 for piracy. QML’s return was 0 D.
In all for 2,000 D. worth of trade goods, QML made a profit of 1,229 D.

The captains reports the following on the PMT’s trade:
Fleet #1 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, reached port with the loss of 4 ship for disaster and 0 for piracy. PMT’s return was 13,320 D.
Fleet #2 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, reached port with the loss of 2 ships for disaster and 0 for piracy. PMT’s return was 39,960 D.
Fleet #3 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, reached port with the loss of 3 ships for disaster and 1 for piracy. PMT’s return was 13,320 D.
Fleet #4 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, reached port with the loss of 1 ships for disaster and 0 for piracy. PMT’s return was 53,280 D.
Fleet #5 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, reached port with the loss of 1 ship for disaster and 1 for piracy. PMT’s return was 53,280 D.
Fleet #6 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport has not reached port, it is rumoured the captains fled with the cargo and the ships.
Fleet #7 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, reached port with the loss of 0 ships for disaster and 2 for piracy. PMT’s return was 39,960 D.
Fleet #8 carrying 18,000 D in luxury goods in 5 transport, is lost for disaster.
Total PMT return 213,120 D. In all for 144,000 D. worth of trade goods, PMT made a profit of 69,120 D. losing 24 of his 40 ships.

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Slave Market Reports Maius DLXV

No trades this month.

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Bonus Awards for Maius DLXV

For their speeches in the Senate the following PCs receive:

LSR – 20 CIV
DDC – 17 CIV
DJP – 5 CIV
MAL – 5 CIV

For their actions in the Civil Office the following PCs receive:

PAV – 15 CIV
ATA – 5 CIV
MAL – 5 CIV
DCR – 3 CIV

For their Speeches in the Assembly the following PCs receive:

CUS – 4 CUL
PAV – 4 CUL

For gossiping in the Forum the following PCs receive:

MAL – 16 CUL
PCN – 5 CUL
NLT - 4 CUL
MAC – 3 CUL
CUS - 2 CUL

For their Religious Actions the following PCs receive:

NIL

For their Military actions the following PCs receive:

QML – 50 MIL
PCH – 26 MIL
CUS – 5 MIL
PCN - 1 MIL

For their actions in the Courts the following PCs receive:

NIL

N.B. Submissions etc. are taken into account at the end of a case.

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Don’t forget to take account of the Censors’ Family Reputation adjustments in your Statreps.

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