Chris

Lucius let his lips bend to match Corinthia's slow smile after she had confessed her true nature, and followed behind as she led him into the dining room without any further exchange of formality. It wasn't until he had lowered himself onto a chaise opposite his host that he spoke again, this time to answer the question of how his journey had been.

"Relatively uneventful," he said, which was fortunate, knowing how tumultuous the seas between Italia and Hellas could be. "I traveled with a military detail most of the way, so at least the pace was quick and to my liking." A slave arrived to give him a goblet of wine, which he took with a nod of acknowledgment. For all his distaste of things un-Roman, Lucius was a man who did not entirely agree with the institution of slavery.

"It is truly a beauty to behold..." he said after taking a quick sip. "This country. I've never been. It feels as if everything has a history or a story behind it."

@Gothic

Dressed in a dark blue tunic that was tied off with a maroon sash for contrast, Lucius followed behind the servant at a brisk pace. The villa was quite large and spacious. He admired its architecture - distinctly Hellenic - as they passed through the corridor. His eyes on the construction methods, Lucius didn't notice the servant's abrupt stop. Just as she uttered "Oh, Domi-" he ran straight into her, and the two of them stumbled awkwardly in opposite directions, though neither lost their footing completely. Lucius composed himself, flattening his clothing with his hands, and then looked up to see Corinthia in front of him. The servant began to apologize to Lucius, though it was entirely his fault, and he simply held up a lithe hand to wave off the need for an apology.

"Claudia," he said, using the polite form of her name. "It seems that I have a bad habit of managing to make myself look the fool whenever you're around."

@Gothic

Quintus Caesar arrived at the games with the full entourage of his family and the Praetorians who escorted them on parade from the palace to the still new coliseum. The procession of so many imperials had become a small spectacle of its own, and - ever a man of the people - Caesar had showered the onlookers with coins and bid them go watch the games and enjoy a few drinks on him.

After the proper portents and speeches had been given, with dedications given to Caesar and the imperials, the first match of the day was set to begin. As soon as the required ceremonies were finished, Caesar quickly had his hands full... though not in political discourse as expected. His youngest son, Drusus - in his typical confounding way - had developed a love of the games, even though he still had a distaste for the bloodshed that accompanied them. He was nearly falling over the front wall of the imperial box, pining to get a closer look.

"Pater..." he started, in a tone that preceded a question. Quintus simply raised his brows, a look that told the boy that his father was listening. "We make the rules for the empire, do we not?"

"We do," he said.

"And we enforce them, right?" Quintus nodded and Drusus continued. "And you are first among your peers, which means that your family is also first among other families, does it not?"

"I suppose that's true," Quintus said.

"Then why do we have to sit up here, where it's so far away from the action that I have to squint to see? Shouldn't we have a closer seat befitting our status?"

Quintus smirked. "Your grammaticus has started teaching the Socratic method has he?" Quintus tussled Drusus' hair, and then gave him an answer to contemplate. "You are right that we hold a power and prestige above all others. Prestige which was earned by my efforts against Rome's enemies. But do you think I fought in wars and won battles just to see another fight from a good vantage?"

Drusus frowned a little. "I guess not... but what about me?"

"Well, my little warrior, you have yet to win any battles."

"So when I win a battle, I can give the order to have the imperial box moved closer to the sand?"

Quintus watched his son, whose eyes were transfixed on the fight. "I suppose you could, but the true measure of a ruler is not what he takes for himself, but what he gives to better his country. Even now if you wanted to see any of these fighters, we could give the order at any time of day or night to have them brought to the palace, to your very room even. None of the people down there have that privilege, and they never will. So we give them this enjoyment to better their spirits, which in the end lends to their support of our family."

"But we can still go see the gladiators after today's matches are over, right?"

Caesar shook his head - more from endearment than annoyance - at his son's lack of attention to the lesson he was trying to impart. "Yes, we can. But step away from the wall."

@Gothic @Anna @Sharpie @Sarah

The past two years had been full of twists and turns for Lucius Junius Silanus. After Caesar's banquet where it was announced that Lucius would tag along with part of the official Roman delegation sent to speak to the kings and satraps of the east, Lucius was sure his star was on the rise. He had the advantage of his name, which thanks to his late-uncle, Decimus Silanus, had been restored to some sort of prestige (despite the man's defeat and death at the hands of the Britons). He spent three months in the east, though for most of that time he was in Armenia, listening to the endless ambitions of that nation's king - Tiridates - and why Rome should support him in an invasion of Parthia and the rebelling Greek satrapies. Rome's official stance, as it was handed down from Caesar, was to remain neutral but ready; Caesar wanted to see how things developed before committing Roman troops. While some within the delegation were eager to jump to war, Lucius and others were more mindful of Caesar's directives.

After the east, Lucius returned to near disaster in Rome. Vitellia Calvina, daughter of his aunt Junia Calvina and Lucius' paternal cousin, had laid legal claim to the domus he built with the very inheritance he had received from Decimus' will. The original domus, where Calvina took up residence after her return from exile, was burned in the riots of Clemens' coup, and Lucius spent most of his personal fortune in rebuilding it as close to the original as he could. Vitellia's argument was that Calvina was the rightful heir to the land, per an old will she had uncovered from somewhere, and therefore the land and everything on it belonged to her. Lucius spent almost all the wealth he had left - and borrowed some - to fight his cousin in the courts, only to lose in the end. In an act of rage he spent his last denarii on hiring laborers to destroy the home so that Vitellia could have the land, but not the home.

He was arrested shortly afterward and again went to trial where he faced charges of arson - pressed by his cousin - whose legal representative (her husband) pushed for Lucius to pay Vitellia the stated value of the home (as listed in tax records), or, should he not be able to, for him to enter into servitude to her until the debt was paid. By the graces of Flavia Juliana, Lucius had his own representation who made it clear that the home in question had been built by and was the property of Lucius Silanus, and therefore it was within his legal right to do with it as he pleased. He was acquitted, and though his lawyer advised Lucius to press charges against Vitellia for defamation, he waved off the suggestion, claiming he had had enough of Rome. It was then that he received an offer from a legate of the 7th Fulminata in Syria to serve as Tribune of a new Romano-Briton auxiliary wing that had recently lost its praefect. He accepted and decided to leave Rome early enough to pay a visit to Claudia Corinthia in Greece.

He traveled from Ostia down the coast of Italy, passing between Regium and Messana in the Straight of Sicily before cutting across the sea and into the Isthmus of Corinth where he made landfall. It was Lucius' first time setting foot in Greece, and soon after landing he was enamored with the history. A carriage took him from the port to his destination where he was met by servants who ushered him to a section of the villa reserved for guests, where his belongings were placed. He was told there was a private bath adjacent to his room if he wanted to bathe, and that the domina would call upon him within the next hour.

Lucius took the opportunity to refresh himself with a bath, all the while contemplating whether or not to be upfront with his drastic change in circumstance. He was interrupted from his thoughts by another servant bringing him towels. He quickly prepared himself and asked the servant to lead him to see Corinthia.

@Gothic

**OOC: Jumping in to wrap this up. See further note at the bottom of my post.**

The discussion continued on for some time until the sun had fallen and the limit for the day's session was almost at hand. With concerns raised and many opinions given on how to quiet those concerns, the core of the discussion boiled down to funding. Though always eager to look good in the public eye, Caesar knew that senators were not eager to simply hand over their wealth to those of less fortunate standings. He had heard enough for one day.

Caesar rose. "Senators, a great many ideas have been brought forth," he began, "but I feel we have come to a point of simply talking in circles. Therefore, I move to formally adjourn the session so that it might reconvene in a week's time whereupon a fully formed proposal will be brought forth for voting." The Curia was in agreement, and the session was closed, with official notes handed over to Caesar.

One week later...

The follow-up session fell on an awful, rainy day and as a result of the weather the proceedings were delayed until enough of a body was present to vote on the legislation in question. Caesar had reviewed the official notes from the previous week and had invited various senators to meet with him privately so they might expand upon their initial ideas. When the floor was gifted to him, Caesar stood and gave the finer points of the alimenta, all of which were ratified by the house.

The main points were as follows:

• Overview: The alimenta will provide general funds, food, and education to orphans and homeless children.
• It would be available across all of Italia, to children aged 0 through 14, and broken into three stages with the long-term goal of producing citizens who could contribute to society as a whole. Non-citizens (freedmen/pelegrini) could also gain access by way of sponsorship by a patron.
   
  • Stage 1 - Ages 0-6
    • The state will begin construction and operation of large homes/education centers (Domi Alimentum) for young and abandoned children where they will be looked after and given basic education and survival skills.
       
  • Stage 2 - Ages 7-14
    • At the age of 7, children will graduate from the Domi Alimentum and be sent to the homes of sponsors to learn a trade for the next seven years. These sponsors are vetted by the state, and are themselves citizens who are farmers, craftsmen, or temple staff. In return for educating or training the children in their trades, the sponsors receive tax breaks.
      • Sponsors are to be regulated and reviewed twice a year, and if they are found guilty of abuse or neglect, they can be fined (the total of the tax reductions they have received, or more; or imprisoned).
      • Any sponsor who decides to adopt a child will receive double the tax credit until the child comes to the age of majority (15).
         
  • Stage 3 - Ages 15+
    • When a child turns 15, the sponsor has the choice to 'hire' the child, or not. If the child is hired, they will stay on to work as hired labor for their sponsor, with the sponsor continuing to receive a tax credit. For those children who are not hired:
      • Boys will be enlisted into the military at full recruit pay. Those whom have been trained in crafts will receive additional pay, and most likely will serve away from the front lines. After serving 15 years in the legions, said 'alimenti' will receive a plot of land upon which to live. The sponsors will receive 5% of the alimenti's pay, only while the child is in active service. After 15 years, the alimenti will receive a plot of land and will no longer have to pay any percentage of their income to their former sponsor.
      • Girls will be enrolled as servants in the temples, brought on as handmaidens for one of Rome's noble families, trained as nurses, or any other number of available professions.
         
• Funding: The initial donation to begin the construction of Domi Alimentum is to be made from the leftover booty from Caesar's British campaigns, along with donations from Rome's nobility. Further funding shall come from state financing.
  • Loans will be given by the state to desiring members of the Equestrian order who meet pre-determined criteria. The borrowers are required to repay the loans with yearly payments (plus interest) that will go to fund the alimenta, and makeup for the income lost as a result of the tax reductions given to sponsors.
  • Those who receive loans cannot also be sponsors.
     
• Longevity: Any alimenti who are able to rise into the Equestrian order will be eligible for a loan at a much lower interest rate than standard. Additionally, any alimenti who complete 15 years of service in the legions will also be eligible for loans, or to serve as sponsors themselves.
  • Should the system of sponsorship fail, or borrowers dry up, taxes could be imposed on the equestrian and senatorial orders at large.
     

**OOC: Thanks to everyone who participated in this thread. We had some really great interactions and ideas. We decided to wrap it up as it had slowed down - mostly because of my own inactivity, for which I do apologize. The staff are already cooking up some great new ideas, so keep your eyes peeled!**

Quintus listened to Claudia's assessment of her brother and cousin as objectively as he could. It was a hard thing for a father to listen to the opinions of others about his own children - even when those with the opinions were family themselves. Quintus, though, had a knack for remaining impartial. He supposed it was a trait he inherited from his own father - to always expect the worst from his offspring until they proved him otherwise. A perfect example was Drusus' relatively recent adoption of a cat and her litter of what ended up being seven(!!) kittens. Quintus expected the boy would let the animals starve, run away... or worse, allow them into Quintus' office where they would ruin his missives. But, he hadn't... yet.

"The ideal man," he repeated her words. "I like that. Together they make the ideal man." He said it again, and then to himself: Together they would make the ideal ruler? "I see much the same as you in regards to the both of them. Titus has taken to the position he has earned by his name alone, and is not afraid to show his perceived importance. Tiberius, contrarily, is a bit more reserved and calculating. A warrior and a politician, it seems. Though, both will have to serve in the field and the curia to win the adoration of the people, the legions, and the senate. That is where their true natures will shine."

Quintus paused, realizing he was talking too much like a military man in front of a young woman who likely didn't care about his musings. A question came to his mind then, but he hesitated a moment before asking - a crack in his otherwise impeccable armor. "Speaking of ideal men," he said softly, broaching the subject, "you are nearing an age where suitors will make themselves known. I trust that is something you have been prepared for?" Quintus assumed that Drusilla, or perhaps Juliana or one of the other women of the family had taken over those aspects of Claudia's upbringing... though he wasn't entirely sure.

He took a steady drink of wine.

@Gothic

Lucius wasn't sure if it was the wine or simply the chemistry sparking between himself and Corinthia that flushed a wave of energy through him as she moved closer. She spoke without uttering a word. He grinned and took a sip of his wine.

"It is possible that I just might have," he said, careful to answer as ambiguously as possible so as to return the tease. In a traditional sense, Corinthia came from a family with a somewhat clouded past - on account of the rise and precipitous fall of her parents. Even still, she remained a Claudian and was in some way connected to that great house. The Junii-Silani, for that matter, had their own blurred past. Great-grandfathers and uncles to Lucius had been tried for treason, some killed and some pardoned. What did it matter in the end?

Just then, the dastardly Longinus reared in - far too drunk and shameful to be of any help to Lucius. He flailed in, bouncing off Lucius and almost falling into Corinthia before Lucius caught the man and pulled him upright.

"Ohh, ss-Lusis," Longinus slurred.

Lucius flashed a smile to Corinthia. "What in Hades' name are you doing man? Have you drained the entire stock?"

"No. Yar-uh. Maybe. I need ss-some air."

Lucius quickly placed himself as a brace for Longinus and looked to Corinthia. "Deepest apologies, domina. I shall hope to speak with you again, if not tonight, then another night soon." Longinus began to fall and Lucius stood him back up and walked out of the main hall as smoothly as possible.

Once they had reached a balcony with fresh air, Longinus burst into a roaring laughter.

"You'd fall for anything, Silanus," he gasped, somehow managing to fit words between laughter and sucking in air.

"You son of a whore," Lucius spat, and for the sake of decorum and rank held back a punch he desperately wanted to throw. "Where do you get off-"

"I saw you were going to win the bet," Longinus interjected. "Didn't say anything about interruptions beforehand, so I thought I'd take matters into my own hands."

Lucius couldn't help but laugh. "I'd kill you here if they wouldn't throw me off Tarp for treason."

"You'd miss me too much," Longinus chuckled and then suggested they go find some drinks. Lucius followed his commander and friend, but all the while couldn't get the thought of Corinthia far from his mind...

finis

Manius listened attentively as Metellus spoke, though his eyes remained transfixed on the bout before them for a few seconds. "If history tells us anything, they will," he continued, commenting on Lucius' rhetorical pondering. "New leaders always like to find a common enemy." Rome after Quintus Caesar's rise had been no different with his war of revenge against the Germans, and then continued conquests in Britannia.

"I have heard quite conflicting opinions on the Graeci," Manius said, calling the Seleucids by the common term the Romans had picked up for them. "Scaurus Major had a great number of connections in the east, and I maintain correspondence with them as often as I'm able. Some have told me that the Graeci are making short work of the Parthians on account of several satraps also warring against the Great King." Parthia had always struggled with civil wars... even still, it had proved itself to be a formidable empire - one that had defeated Roman generals several times.

"Even still, I agree with you. I believe the Graeci will eventually lose out," he continued. "Perhaps when they do, Caesar will find Parthia weakened enough to wage his own war against them." Though not a military man in any sense of the word - on account of his injuries - Manius nevertheless understood the mechanisms behind it, and would support conquests for the proper cause.

@Brian

Without a chance to say anything more on the thoughts that had captured his mind as they continued their discourse, Eppitacos simply resumed his characteristic half grin. "Interesting, indeed," he said, echoing her feelings on meeting again. "Perhaps the gods will see to it that we cross paths again. Hopefully in better circumstances," he added.

The guards came to attention as they were called for, and they quickly grabbed Eppitacos as instructed. He gave a quick nod to Cynane and then let himself be taken away to meet whoever his new owner was.

finis

Quintus kept a steady gaze on each senator that stood to speak his mind. Each man had a fair point to make, and though the discussion quickly expanded into some of the finer details of the proposal rather than simply focusing on whether or not the proposal itself was one to vote in favor it, Quintus was content. That the senators decided to dive right into the intricacies rather than argue the merit of the idea in the first place was a sign that they were, mostly, in support of it.

After Manius Scaurus returned to his seat, Quintus stood and once again was Caesar. "I commend you, Senator Scaurus, on your determination and dedication to the state, and on your eloquent address to this body." A few 'Here! Here!'s rose to fill the silence of Caesar's rhetorical pause.

"I have heard the concerns you have all voiced," he continued, addressing the senate at large. "Who should receive the benefits of the state's generosity? What should those benefits be? How should the state pay for it? The cost of a project such as I have proposed on an empire-wide scale would be astronomical. Though I am glad there are those among you who consider extending the alimenta to the empire as a whole, my eyes are set on Italia to start. Begin the program here, in the heartland of our empire." In truth, Quintus had considered an empire-wide program, though he had come to the conclusion that such a program would have to be organized and maintained on a more regional autonomous level, as opposed to being controlled from Rome. Now was not the time for such ideas, however.

"In regards to funding," he switched gears, "the initial phase I intended to fund with the remaining war booty from the campaigns in Britannia. Though, that will run out eventually, and when it does an alternative source will be necessary. The three main ideas I have heard I have liked - philanthropy, tax cuts, or tax repayments. Or perhaps a combination of the three. What further ideas does this body have in that regard?"

@Tori

Manius was surprised that the topic for the day was not centered around warfare, as he had highly suspected it would be. Perhaps it was his own connection to the east - via his late father - that had kept his mind focused on such matters. When Caesar, then, took the floor to propose an alimenta for the poor and homeless, Manius Scaurus couldn't help but consider it a fine proposal. His colleagues all seemed in agreement of that point, and each had a concern for exactly how the poor might be looked after, as well as how it would be funded. Various concerns, thoughts, and ideas had been brought forth. As of yet, Caesar had yet to take back the floor and so after Titus Sulpicius Rufus had spoken his mind - expanding upon Tiberius Claudius' words - Manius Scaurus took his turn before the assembly.

With a firm movement he pushed the palm of his hand against his cane, exerting his strength through it and into the stone floor to push himself straight up. For any other man there standing was a normal activity that required no thought or concentration - for Manius it had been one of the biggest achievements of his adult life.

"Fellow senators," he began, and surveyed the faces of the Curia. Manius had been told in the past that his voice favored his father, loud and rounded. "Many years ago I was involved in a very unfortunate accident. A fire had spread across the subura my mother and I were travelling through. As the brave vigiles are instructed to do, buildings around the blaze were demolished so as to prevent its spread. One of the buildings collapsed right on top of the litter I was in. My mother was killed. I was terribly injured. For a time my father assumed I was brain dead. His friends and colleagues told him he would be better off putting me out of my misery than praying to the gods that I might be healed. My father, though, was a determined man. I'm not sure I would called him religious, but he certainly was pragmatic. He prayed to the gods just to be sure, and then spent a fortune finding doctors and healers from across the world to speak with me, to work with me.

"He was unsure if I would ever speak again. Here I am speaking. He was certain I would never walk again. I'm not sure you could call what I do walking exactly," he chuckled, "but it's close enough. I don't tell you this for sympathy or to boast. I tell you because the only reason I am here is because the status of my family was enough to fund my rehabilitation. I was as far from being a senator as any other homeless youth in the streets of that now rebuilt subura. But, here I am. It took wealth, and it took some of the same determination that my father possessed. But, I do not believe that trait to be unique to the Aemilii. No, it is a Roman trait: to never give up, to strive to attain something better.

"And now we few have the power to make a difference in the lives of many. Many who, though they share the same blood, are not blessed with the same luxuries or opportunities. To be sure, there are roles in our society that need to be filled. Not every cripple can rise to become a senator, nor should they. But, they can at least rise to be something more than a trampled on vagrant; more than a pawn in some gang lord's scheme to take advantage of other groups of unfortunates.

"I agree that the matter of how a project of this scale should be funded, and how we should choose or select those to be helped are points that will take some discussion, but I am sure Caesar has more to his idea than the idea itself."

With that, Manius Scaurus returned to his seat.

September 74CE

One of Quintus' first projects since assuming power in Rome a decade earlier had been to allot funds - where it could be spared - to restoring public buildings, and especially temples. Rome itself had taken her fair share of damage in the chaos of the political uprest that saw several riots, and near warfare in the streets of the city. One building that had received special attention was the Mausoleum Augusti - where the ashes of the family of Caesar were interred.

From Divus Julius to Claudius, including all their children and wives (those so honored at least), the Mausoleum held within it the remains of some of Rome's finest (and most villainous) leaders. Quintus had ensured that the ashes of his late sister, Lucilla, were interred. He had also had an urn created for the mostly detested Caligula, as he was the father of his wife, and set it as a reminder of the power each Caesar held, and what could come as a result of its misuse.

On that very day, 136 years earlier, Divus Augustus had been born. Quintus saw it as an opportune time to speak with the young men whom - at that time - were on paths to inherit the stewardship of Rome. Having already spoken with his son earlier in the day, Quintus had invited his nephew Tiberius to meet him at the mausoleum after his day of meetings had been concluded.

If he was entirely honest with himself, there was something about his nephew that Quintus liked. He of course cherished his own children, and though they had not been born into the purple (save for Drusus) they had taken to the spoils of their increased statuses with gusto. In Tiberius, Quintus saw pieces of himself. Born a mix of two houses - one ancient and decorated, the other coming into its fame; born the shadow of his father, and forced to live up to - or over - such expectations. Yet, Tiberius had faced even more. Had things gone as Claudius undoubtedly planned them, Tiberius would be emperor... perhaps with Quintus or another uncle as his adviser or protector.

Yet, he had instead given up his Caesarian name and remained a Claudian. Quintus intended to test his resolve on that matter.

"Ave, nephew," he said, when Tiberius came into sight.

@Sarah

"I had heard of Jullus' return," Manius said, following his colleague's comment. "Though I wasn't sure if it was true. It seems like he follows in the typical Flavian footsteps of staying outside of Rome and involved in the legions in some way." Quintus Caesar had been the same, as had their father. "So if he is in Rome, it surely must mean something." Whether it was a sign that there would be movement toward a German incursion, or possibly that Caesar had lost faith in his brother, only time would tell... though Manius would bet on the former rather than the latter.

"I have heard nothing more than rumors," he continued. "A few expectations that Caesar will address the issue in the east with Parthia and these 'new Seleucids'. Personally, I don't think the administration's eyes are set on continued warfare. Caesar has been at war for a long time. Then again, he has won his fortune and power through warfare and the legions, so it might serve him to serve those who support him." Manius paused to observe the entertainment for a moment before probing Metellus. "What are your views on the situation in the east?"

@Brian

"Claudia Caesaris," he said, repeating the name. He had heard it before, and knew simply based on the name that she was either the daughter of Caesar or a close relation. "Sounds like you've done well for yourself... considering the circumstances." Eppitacos wondered whether he would be chosen as a guard, as a showpiece, or as something else more demeaning. His thoughts spiraled into a stream of conscious that soon came out as words.

"In my youth I was raised to be one of the priestly order. I was given up as an orphan, but taken in by the drui in order to serve the gods. I decided that I could serve the people by fighting for them." He paused, and let his eyes settle on Cynane's for a few long, quiet moments. "Do you hear the gods? I thought I used to see them. It was like time stopped and for a moment I was in their world." He realized he was staring at her, though he wasn't really seeing anything at all.

"But, the more I fought, the less I heard them... and now they're silent. Most of my life has been fighting, but now that the gods have taken my arm, I wonder if they will give me their voices again?"

He smiled somewhat sadly, and then found his attention drawn to a quick rise of noise in the adjacent room. A buyer had come forth.

@Atrice

Lucius took note of her tone, and her playfulness in response as he listened, watched, and smirked. His eyes followed the movement of her fingers as they touched to her chest, and then forced his eyes to look up. Virtue was a strong word, and an important one to the Romans that held a number of meanings - it was the summation of a man's manliness, his courage, his valor, and the way in which he conducted himself. Pater Familias at such a young age, having rebuilt his family's home with his own wealth, having served in the British wars to great acclaim - Lucius had no doubts of his growing virtus... though he also recognized that he was still young in the grand scheme of things.

"No," his eyes quickly flicked back down to her hand before returning to her eyes, "I don't think a cowardly man could tame you." He smiled softly and then took a sip of his wine. "I, would need a wife who is as ambitious as she is loyal. Who would work with me to strengthen my career, to further my name, and of course to give me sons." All things traditionally expected of a wife. "But also, to challenge me and push me beyond my own limitations." Lucius appreciated strong women. He wasn't sure if it was the challenge, but something about a strong woman was almost intoxicating to him.

At this point, he had totally lost track of the bet with Longinus. His mind had moved past that petty gamble.

@Gothic

After Titus Faustinus had declared the official start to the meeting, Quintus gave a nod to the senior statesman and then took the floor for himself. There was a moment of silence, as he looked around the Curia to examine the faces of the men in attendance. He could remember in years past when the Senate had been almost empty of notable men and families - some because the families had been exiled or nearly wiped out, some because their scions had retired for fear of their safety, and some because they did not wish to be seen openly defying the will of less-than-understanding emperors. Quintus had spent a great deal of time extending leniency to the senatorial class, while also maintaining a balance with the rising upper-equestrians. A military man through-and-through, this day he was to speak of a social matter closer to home.

"Gratias, Faustinus," he said to the Princeps Senatus, and then returned his attention to the sitting senators. "Senators, there are a great many matters of discussion open to us. Indeed, I have been busy these past weeks with reports coming in from the east and from the limes about the  movement of the Graeci against the Parthians, and the Germani against one another. As Romans we have for a long time cast our eyes out to other lands, our focus on the next conquest, or the next piece of glory we can claim for mother Roma. It is in our blood, one could say, for us to spill the blood of others." He paused, turning his gaze to the other side of the Curia.

"Yet, ten years ago it was neither the blood of the Germani nor the blood of Parthians we were spilling, but the blood of fellow Romans, fellow citizens of our great empire. I was not present in our great city when the tyrant Clemens took power, and I was not witness to the atrocities he committed. Though I know the severity of the reports I heard in Asia were enough to fill me with a resolution to secure and protect my beloved homeland. Had I been able to take a road to Rome that was free from bloodshed, that spared the lives of my fellow Romans, I surely would have. Alas, the fates saw to influence more ambitious men to lesser actions, and battle could not be avoided. There is not a day that passes where I do not lament the loss of my brothers-in-arms, even as they plied those arms against me. For they believed they were fighting for Rome, however misguided they might have been.

"Here in our city, men and women fought and died. In Italia they did as well. Not only our soldiers, but our people. I, too, suffered the loss of my oldest son, a wound I share with many of you. Now, a decennium and more after we have peace, there is again a need to protect that which is ours. Yet before we can march against outward enemies, we must first look inward at our future.

"We cannot speak to the Glory of Rome and marvel at our marble architecture and triumphal arcs without taking a closer look at the naked and starving orphans hiding in the shadows of those same structures. Those children are the future of Rome, yet what future do they have when they have little choice but to live as beggars?"

Caesar paused, surveying the Curia once again before continuing. "I am proposing an alimenta - a nourishment - of our Italian homeland. To provide food, education, and housing for the poor and the disenfranchised children and their caretakers so that we might strengthen the heart of our homeland, and bring hope to its future. Any and all ideas and suggestions for the implementation of such a program are welcomed."

With that, Caesar returned to his seat and the floor was open again.

((OOC: If there are any questions about this, send myself or one of the other staff members a PM or message on Discord.))

As Claudia commented on the adventure that his childhood must have been, Quintus took a moment to recollect on all the things he had seen and experienced. In hindsight, and to someone full of youth who had yet to see the world, he could understand how adventurous and exciting it all seemed. To him at the time it had simply been what was expected of him, or what he needed to do in order to prove himself.

He came back into focus on the conversation as she spoke of the children in the greater family. He smiled softly as she rattled off updates on each of the children, not unlike a quaestor reading a report to his legatus. A mix of ambition and competitive spirit had driven Quintus and his siblings, and had pushed and pulled them together and apart, not unlike the moon with the waves. Some had succeeded - most notably himself, Lucilla, and to a lesser extent Octavius and Jullus - and others hadn't. He had always attributed their drive as a mix of the blood they had inherited. The Cornelian political prowess and competitive nature to serve above and beyond, and the Flavian ambition for one to prove himself, or herself, worthy.

Quintus considered what traits his children might have inherited, or even Claudia herself. As the daughter of Claudius and Lucilla, what parts of each of them did she carry with her? But then she asked if there was anything in particular he wanted to know, which caught him slightly off guard.

"Only anything you feel you should tell me." He paused for a small sip of wine. "Though, I didn't call you here to speak with me to interrogate you." Quintus placed trust in his greater family, and hoped that they would build a stronger bond than he had with his own brothers and sister.

"Though..." he considered a thought in his mind. "If I were to ask you the strengths and weaknesses of each Titus and Tiberius, as it concerns their personalities, what would you say?"

@Gothic

Was it a pity? Eppitacos wasn't so sure anymore. In the end Britannia became Roman regardless. He had foreseen that outcome before he was betrayed and captured, and had sought to find another way around it... but what use was there in dwelling in the past? Whatever their role, the gods had seen to it that Rome triumphed, and the Britons either died as they were or became a lesser version of their conquerors - whether free or not.

And then Cynane asked the real question of importance: Where would he end up? Eppitacos followed her gaze to the main hall, where the banquet and auction was still playing out. "We shall see," he said softly. He doubted he would have any value as a warrior because of his injury, and he also doubted that any of the nobles saw him as anything more than a fighter. Caesar had done his best to paint a different picture of him, but from what Eppitacos had learned, Romans were quite entrenched in their stereotypes of barbarians. Which got him thinking...

"And you- where did you end up? Who is your master?"

@Atrice

In his younger years Quintus detested even the thought of having to attend a meeting of the senate. He had always been a man inclined toward acting, and had seen the senate as a means for rich, bored men to argue and speak of what they might do while not actually doing anything at all. Even after he had taken the purple, Quintus found every excuse he could to be on the fringes of the empire fixing something, leaving the senate to his most trusted advisors and relations. After a decade of leading Rome back to a place of stability and peace, a more relaxed life in Rome gradually became more and more comfortable for the old warrior.

Caesar carefully maintained the delicate balance between his power and the senate's, though not without help from his family and allies. He was seated in his place between the two consular chairs, giving nods to each senator as they caught his gaze. Others came forward to speak with him in private before the official start of the session, but once the Princeps Senatus took the floor, silence reigned, and Caesar listened along with every other man. There were many matters to be discussed, and many important decisions to be made.

Manius Aemilius Scaurus Pius arrived at the Curia slightly later than many others, but well before the official start of the session. As he entered into the famed building, he immediately set his eyes upon his brother, Scaurus Alexander, and then to Valerius Maximus the co-consul, before continuing onward to find a place to sit. Though he was old enough to be considered for a consulship, Manius hadn't pursued the traditional course of offices to bring him to such a standing. As a result, he sat in the rear benches, among the younger senators, and those more like himself whom had decided to focus on careers outside of climbing the political ladder. He gave quick greetings to those seated around him, and then turned his attention on the Princeps Senatus.

Not many years prior his father, Marcus Scaurus, had commanded respect and silence within the halls of the Curia. Manius, though, was not his father. He had only truly been active in the Curia since his return to Rome six years prior. When present he mostly listened, only giving his opinion when it was called for or absolutely necessary. As he saw it, Scaurus Alexander was the public scion of the family. He could maintain the political ascendancy of the Aemilii-Scauri while Manius worked to maintain the family's wealth and legacy for the future... whatever it may be.

Manius put on a soft smile after Metellus gave a straight and simple reason for watching the games. "My morning was mostly consumed with preparing for my upcoming cases," he said in kind.  "Coming here is something of a mental warm up, I suppose. Watching a fight in order to prepare for one." He kept the same smile on his face and then carefully took a seat next to Metellus. Though Manius had adapted to walking, and made his way around well enough, standing and sitting were still two tasks that he had to approach carefully and with concentration. It was something with the way his back and knees had to bend. He postured himself over the seat, and using the strength in his arms slowly lowered himself down.

And then he decided to dive into politics. "Have you heard any rumors of what might be on the ticket for this month's session?" The senate was set to convene in just a matter of days, and it was always best for those in the middle to have an idea of what they might have to discuss.

@Brian (apologies for the delay!)

Eppitacos had never truly known Ysulda well. She was little more than a child when he had been betrothed to her, but he had recognized her appetite for power and her ambition even then. "I truly do not know the exact reason," he answered. "She has held a grudge against me for a long time." While Eppitacos was no warlord, and had wanted no part in leading any people in a fight for freedom as a gladiator, he had been a man of importance and power within the ludus. It was possible that his position of favor had vexed Ysulda - but he believed her desire to bring him down stemmed from a much simpler reasoning: jealousy.

"When we were betrothed, she had only just become a woman. I was told she was smitten with me in the way children have their crushes... but I had other priorities and paid her little mind." And he had become close to Eupheme. "The rumors she spread of me were that I placed a higher priority in my 'Roman whore' than my own people. My priority was learning the ways of my people's enemy so that I could beat them..." He trailed off. Ironic that he had now, in many ways, become Roman.

@Atrice

SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS (SPQR)

Although the 'senate', as it is known, has undergone a series of transformations since its original inception, it still maintains a place of importance and power within Rome's political sphere. From a council of elders built specifically to advise Rome's early kings, to a collection of politicians all vying for ultimate power, and more recently a mix of factions all in support of internal stability, but with different short-term goals and ambitions - the Senate is the gateway for Rome's leading men to leave their names in the annals of history.

As it currently stands, the Senate is composed of 750 active members - a marked increase from the average of 600 during Augustus' reign - though on average only 100-200 are 'sitting members'. To clarify, of all of Rome's population, only 750 men are eligible to be sitting members. "Sitting members" are those IN Rome who actively engage in discussions, who actively pursue a career in politics, and attempt to climb the Cursus Honorum.

The political factions of previous decades have since disbanded, either through deaths or retirement, and the current political landscape is much different than it has been in the past. In general, Rome's elite are supportive of the Flavian Caesars. Rather than attempting to undermine the power of the Caesars, they instead have grouped into two major factions with different modi operandi all centered around strengthening the empire as a whole - civil war is the last thing any of them want. Those factions are:

DEFENSORES (the 'Defenders'): Despite their name, these men are traditional expansionists. It is their belief that Rome should be the master of the world, and any remaining barbarian nation with relative strength poses a threat to Roman dominance. The best defense is a proactive offense. Senators within this camp are most focused on continued expansion on the British isles, the conquest of Germania, and the political situation in the east.

PUBLICI (the 'People'): In contrast to the Defensores, the Publici keep their focus centered on social issues at home. They do not see continued expansion as the right move for the empire, instead pointing to the ill side-effects of conquests such as high taxes, influxes of refugees and slaves taking away work from Roman citizens, and the declining purity of the Italian or Latin population.

MODERATI (the 'Moderates'): Though not a collective party or faction in the same sense as the Defensores or the Publici, the Moderati are arguably the most important senators in the sense that they are the swing votes. Their views, morales, and ideals differ from person to person, as do their ambitions and goals. For some they truly vote based on what they believe is best-others are more easily influenced by rewards.

His eyes found hers as her gaze settled on him once he entered into the litter. She was formal and straightforward, it seemed. One of the first things Eppitacos had learned when he came to Rome and began to learn the Roman language and culture was that - typically - the length of a person's introduction gave some indication of their level of social importance. The daughter of a senator, but more importantly a Vestal Virgin. The exact religious importance of the Vestals was lost on Eppitacos, as a non-Roman, but he understood then she was a person of particular religious importance.

Suddenly  a gentle breeze blow into the litter and wrapped around his neck, seeming to whisper into his ears, and almost like a new breath of life, Eppitacos felt his curiosity piqued in a way it had not for some years. All manner of thoughts flooded into his mind - was this the plan of the gods all along? He found himself wondering. 

She continued, speaking to his good service, and asked if he had any questions. He paused, taking some time to look her over as the light allowed, and then spoke. "I do," he said at first, trying to think of questions more immediately important than whether or not the gods spoke to the woman sitting his opposite. "What is your use for me?" He asked at last. A vestal virgin had no use for a bull, and likewise no need for a warrior or guardian. Why then would she be interested in him?

@AzraelGrim

"She's in Rome," Eppitacos said, quickly answering her 'why'. He wasn't sure how much Cynane knew of the events after he was sold to the Romans, so he decided to elaborate. "From what I've been told, after I was sold out, Ysolda became a protectorate of Rome. Then she was overthrown and fled to Caesar who used the turmoil as just cause for his continued conquest of our people. Ysolda was relocated to Rome for her safety, and married the man who was my lanista, Albinus."

He paused, letting Cynane take in all of that information, and then continued. "Albinus seems to believe the attack was the work of his wife. She became popular with Britons after her arrival." He remembered almost constant visits from would be clients and destitute Britons.

"There's no true way to know, but if this was her handiwork, then she's bested me again," Eppitacos said with a quick exhale of a chuckle.

@Atrice