Most Unfortunate War

Romans! As so frequently in our past we are again in a time of war. We have a serpent on our left and a scorpion on our right, both poised to poison our fair city. We can not possibly deal with these threats both at once, therefore we must deal with them one at a time. M.A. Lepidus has too long run renegade in our fields and it is time to end his rampage. He is the more experienced commander, but also has fewer legions at his command and is the easier target to eliminate. We must assemble our forces and destroy him first, then turn our attention to G.J. Caesar.

Currently the only legion in the field loyal to the senate is under Dolabella and grossly under powered considered against M.A. Lepidus’ five legions. We need the forces of Pompey to join us in putting him down. You must consider among yourselves the consequences of this action and what we should offer to Pompey in exchange for his assistance. The senate needs an interim with Pompey and Scribonius Libo is the logical choice due to the family relation. Because Pompey’s forces are less than fond of Rome the offer we make must be significant, the governorship over one or both of M.A. Lepidus provinces in Spain and Gaul is the most practical boon to offer.

For our part we still must send assistance to Dolabella in his struggle. The armies of D.J. Brutus are primed to fill this void. I know that this reminds many of you that D.J. Brutus just recently crossed the Rubicon at the instigation of his cousin M.J. Brutus. This is by definition an act of treason, our Praetor should know better. The legions have now been sent back to their province and should continue that way until they join Dolabella. This treasonous act has therefore been neutralized and reversed without bloodshed and, we can continue to discuss M.A. Lepidus and G.J. Caesar, but the act was still committed and must still be accounted for. Although nothing came of M.J. Brutus’ actions he still must face the repercussions of his actions, this is no light maneuver he unilaterally took. I urge you to consider your opinions on this matter as it will come up after the troop movements.

You have obviously noticed that these movements thus far leave Rome herself undefended from attack elsewhere, especially now that G.J. Caesar’s plans grow clearer. It may yet still be possible to avoid a clash with him; however, it is pure folly not to plan for the bloody alternative. The one legion in Sardinia and the three legions in North Africa are the closest armies yet to be utilized. We must send T. Sextus and the governor of Sardinia decrees to bring their troops to us. Although this provides only four legions against G.J. Caesar’s eight it will still provide some defense while we deal with M.A. Lepidus. Once M.A. Lepidus is dealt with we can redistribute the remaining forces for the defense of Rome and to maintain order in the provinces as needed.

These are the actions we must take in defense of Rome, these are the issues most immediate to Rome’s welfare. I remind you senators that we who remain loyal to Rome and in her very walls must bind together to deal with the coming frenzy, and the better we cooperate the more protection we can offer to Rome and her people.

M. Antonius