Legions in the Provinces

In response to several questions, the Gamemaster issues the following announcement.

Several provincial governors control armies of one legion or more. Julius Caesar had assigned all these governors to their provinces (one of the extraordinary powers granted to Julius Caesar by the Senate, as he prepared to leave Rome for the Parthian campaign), and many of these governors had been Caesar’s officers in the Gallic campaigns and in the civil war against Pompey the Great, so their devotion to the memory of Caesar is a given. On the other hand, some of these governors are linked to prominent Republicans by family relationship, by marriage, or by friendship; some of them (like Decimus Brutus, L. Tillius Cimber, and C. Trebonius) were among the assassins of Caesar; and others (like L. Staius Murcus) showed their support for the assassins before departing for their provinces, perhaps because they believed that Caesar had overstepped the proper bounds, or perhaps because they wanted to hedge their bets.

If you believe you can win over a provincial governor and his forces to your cause (whatever that cause might be), you may attempt to do so by following the steps below.

1. Inform the Gamemaster of your attempt to win over the governor and his forces, in writing.

2. Explain to the Gamemaster, in writing, the basis of your appeal to the provincial governor: that is, why would he support you, and what you have to offer him. (For information on these governors, see Broughton, Magistrates of the Roman Republic, vol. 2, pp. 326-331, and the Oxford Classical Dictionary (3rd ed.), both of them available in the Alexander Reading Room in Park Hall.)

The first loyalty of these governors should be to the Senate and magistrates in Rome; so an appeal by the Senate for the aid of these governors automatically gains one point.

A convincing reconstruction of the governor’s motivations, based on his past actions, family and marital connections, etc. can earn up to two points from the Gamemaster.

• 1 Attempt to win over the governor fails.

• 2 Attempt to win over the governor fails.

• 3 Attempt to win over the governor fails.

• 4 Attempt to win over the governor fails.

• 5 Attempt to win over the governor fails.

• 6 Attempt to win over the governor succeeds.

• 7 Attempt to win over the governor succeeds.

• 8 Attempt to win over the governor succeeds.

• 9 Attempt to win over the governor succeeds.

More Rumors

Word has reached Rome that Dolabella and his forces no longer pledge allegiance to the Senate. Due to the lack of cooperation he experienced in undertaking the pursuit of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, he has become angered by the Senate and their lack of concern. Dolabella swears allegiance to no one, not Gaius Julius Caesar, not Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and not the Senate of Rome.

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

A Clarification of Today’s Actions

The legions that came with my cousin Decimus came only with my cousin as prompted by me and by most of the members of the frightened Senate, as was seen by the support my actions received when we put the issue to a vote today. I did not lead the legions, but re-routed them to march toward Rome to protect her when I heard that Octavianus was planning to march toward the city to reclaim us from…ourselves?? I am not sure why this insolent brat continues to mask his intentions of taking over the country when it is apparent he wants nothing less than this. If he is so underhanded in his proclamations from the beginning, then I shudder to think of how he will treat the people of Rome if this petty coup succeeds.

Although I should have consulted the Senate before moving Decimus’ legions, I was in no position to waste any time for fear that forces might be on their way to sack our dear city. I had no intention of causing any panic as I only wanted to protect the city. The legion was already summoned by the Senate; Decimus and I discussed the matter and decided that we could not sit by while a potential threat was looming across the Adriatic. The Senate should have had the foresight to allow Decimus to move the legions as we saw fit in order to protect the Republic.

Lepidus and Octavianus claim that they had “no choice” but to leave Rome. Octavian claims that he has now been thrust into Civil War, that he now stands at a “fork in the road”! To me this is a less-eloquent rendering of Caesar’s words as he crossed the Rubicon. Octavianus claims that he left to “do his duty to Rome.” He left, people of Rome, to do his duty of plundering and attaining glory for his soldiers, nothing more! The Senate has not yet decided what the matters at hand are. Now that Octavianus has inherited his adoptive father’s wealth from his will, his first step is to raise his father’s old legions and march on Rome! I know that some among you still welcome the image of Caesar into your hearts and minds, but I must confess that I do not know why! Caesar is dead, and therefore Octavianus cannot speak for him. I am sure that even Caesar himself would be horrified to know the violence that his son is committing in his name. O the impiety!!

Lepidus and Octavianus, even though they plot to band together, will not stand together long. Antony will also have to fight them. At least one of these men and their legions will die, if not in this war, then in the next that is sure to come. These insubordinate actions set into motion by these two incorrigible wretches of men will only further lay waste to more Roman blood, all for the image of the dead tyrant Caesar!

The legions of Octavianus, if they complied with the voice of reason and came home to defend their mother country, would surely crush Lepidus’ forces and live long to bring home the many spoils that await them in Hispania, Parthia, Gaul, and other extremities of our vast Republic. How dare Octavianus lie to his own legions, assuring them of a victory! He certainly does not respect the lives of his soldiers, since he is guaranteeing them a long and bloody Civil War if he takes these actions against the state. Lepidus says that troops are only loyal to those who don’t commit them to foolish campaigns: why, then do Octavianus’ legions remain loyal to him? It is not naïve to think that Octavianus’ army will be loyal to anyone but himself in these circumstances; however if Ocatvianus were to only work alongside the Senate with his large forces, think of the even greater glory that awaits the Republic. He is not thinking long-term, and once again proves his youth and lack of foresight. When Octavianus is done with annihilating the helpless city and the Senate (O what an accomplishment! What glory!!), he will go for Lepidus next. We have shown him no hostility! Octavian himself said that the public works lay in ruin and are half-finished, waiting to be repaired so that Rome can shine in her glory! Is burning them to the ground his way of accomplishing this? Octavianus seems to think that we are to wait for his costly Civil War until we are to accomplish anything for the people! The threat lies east of him, not west! This cannot stand, Romans!

And Lepidus! The wretch! He sits from a distance in his province and laughs arrogantly at the Senate. And laugh he should at the men who stalemate proper action against him by only authorizing the Senate to send one legion after him. We all owe an apology to Dolabella for nearly sending him to his death. I certainly did not advocate that we send him ill-prepared; on the contrary, I advised that we send him with more legions than one, and his own faction was against it! We made a terrible and costly mistake when we did not mobilize all the legions needed to go quell Lepidus’ rebellion outright the moment he left. Lepidus is right that there is grave danger in leaving our distant provinces without troops—and both of these wretches knew that when they mutinied. There is no respectable camp to choose if this war is to be fought. Therefore, we must sacrifice the provinces for the glory of Rome, for the safety of her noblest citizens, for the safety of the Senate, to ensure the future of the glorious Republic! What makes any of you think that your lives will be spared by Octavianus or by Lepidus, who have proven themselves madmen who command their legions at a whim, in the name of a ghost?

Rumors from the provinces

Reports have reached Rome of an address delivered by the young Gaius Julius Caesar to the legions assembled for the Parthian campaign. It is said that Julius Caesar spoke such words as these:

"My loyal soldiers!

"All of you are here to serve Rome. Many of you were expecting to do so against our hated enemy, the Parthians. I hoped to have the honor of leading you against the those enemies of the Republic.

"It appears, however, that the Senate is otherwise inclined. A matter of days ago, I received a messenger from the Senate informing me that I am to surrender my command and forfeit my armies!"

[The soldiers interrupted the speaker with catcalls of derision against the Senate.]

"If I do not do so, Gaius Julius Caesar is an enemy of Rome! If I fail to prostrate myself before the Senate, they have declared that I am to be a criminal!

"They have declared, for all intents and purposes, that all of you who pledged your loyalty to my command are also criminals! "

[More catcalls from the soldiers.]

"For my time in the Senate, I was insulted and berated by the conspirators who murdered my father, your father, Gaius Julius Caesar. When I left to do my duty to Rome, I was ordered to surrender my command. Why? So you men could be sent to your deaths in the Senate's vendetta against Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, the former Magister Equitum! To fight to the death against your former comrades, under a General whose greatest crime was giving the man we all loved simple dignity after his assassination!

"The Republic is being led by madmen who see themselves fit to be Generals! What a dark time it is! Since the murder in the Senate, I have warned of Civil War, and now it has finally come, I stand at a fork in the road. On the one hand, I can abide the rule of the Senate and surrender my arms, and you men, to the Senate so that they can be thrown away in the Republicans' personal vendetta against the followers of my father. I can watch you be annihilated in Civil War and the Republic fall with you.

"Or, I can do the 'unthinkable' as the Republicans describe it: I can join with those who stand in opposition to the Senate, and in doing so save your lives, your families, and the Republic, from Civil War! Are these men the criminals some of Rome's fathers make them out to be? Have they killed their opponents in the Senate chamber?

"I swore my loyalty to you, as you did to me, and so I will ask: should I take the easy road and let the Republic consume itself in Civil War, or should I unite you with your comrades so that you can save your families and your nation? I know what I will do, so what about you, soldiers? Are you ready to save your homes?"

[The soldiers replied with cries of "Hail Caesar!"]

The senate has officially lost its mind. With Dolabella having been sent out to “stop” me with one legion, the senate considers his lack of success in that endeavor to constitute treason. It was sheer idiocy to send him out so ill equipped. It would have been sheer suicide for him to engage me, and he knows this well. These senators seem to think that this wise inaction is his own personal fault, though. Will they next deride the accomplishments of Fabius “Cunctor”? How would they have defeated me, outnumbered five to one in my own lands nonetheless? Your fear must be clouding your judgment, O senators, if you think that a lack of unwise action is indicative of duty having been failed to the point of treason.

So now they strip all the provinces of armies to try and marshal troops against me. Have they forgotten why those troops were there in the first place? Do they not see how this will only cause far greater uprisings all throughout the abandoned lands? And they think they are fighting my cause through such actions. Fools! They put me where I am and they have done nothing since except unknowingly support my cause. Do they think I am just sitting around enjoying a little vacation?

As I have said before, the senate is acting in the truest manner of insanity. To repeat the same action and expect different results is insane. We must learn from the past or we are doomed to repeat it, yet they have repeated their previous mistakes in their treatment of Caesar once already since his death, which caused me to necessarily pursue my present course of action. Yet they still did not see what they were doing and why I did what I did. Now they are demented enough to try it again in the case of young Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus! They think that he is out pursuing their ends just because that is what they want to think. They think they can just send out a messenger and he will apologize, give up control of his legions, and come home like a scolded child. Do they forget how they were at 19 years old? I would have killed a man for calling me a child then, and from my knowledge of young Caesar, these senators are digging themselves early graves. I hear of the most ignorant comment ever uttered since the Marian Reforms. Apparently Lucius Julius Caesar has never had any experience with the army, and has been living in a cave for the last 50 years, because he is foolish enough to think that their loyalty lies “not with Lepidus, or with Octavius, but with the senate.” Such ignorance is comical in these times. Did my troops ask you for permission when I gave them orders? Did Octavius’ troops do so? Did Caesar’s troops do so? Did Pompey ask for senatorial permission to raise a private army to fight for Sulla? I didn’t think so. As an army officer, I know that troops loyalty lies with the man who fights shoulder-to-shoulder with them, with the man who eats, sleeps, and marches with them every day, with the man who does not commit them to foolish ventures, so that they know to follow him in whatever he orders, with the man who provides them with food in the field and suitable reward after the campaign is over. They do not care which old fools are discussing strategy in Rome. They do not care about temporarily elected officers. Their loyalty lies with whoever is loyal to them every day and every night. But these senators know nothing of that.

It is laughable that they call Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus a child while they cower in their senate and make wild and fearful speculations about Gaius, Dolabella, and me as if we are Gorgons who are ready at any time to swoop in and eat them. Dolabella is a consul of Rome, by Jupiter! Yet they speak of him like an incompetent traitor. Why ever did they elect him then?
The senate has no idea what it is doing. They are inviting rebellion into their provinces. They question even their most powerful magistrates. They do not know how an army works, much less what to do with it if they found themselves in control of one. They make my search for allies so much easier through their insane incompetence, yet they are so unaware of it that they feel justified in accusing others of incompetence. Do you remember how I always used to say that good comedies were no longer being put in Rome? Maybe they should start charging admission to senate meetings.

Converning GJC

Romans, fellow conscript fathers, let us look at ourselves; we are divided. Not only into factions, but physically as well. Here we sit, the right side of the room spouting affronts whilst the left side responds with a menacing look of rebuttal. It was our adolescent bickering which kept us from taking action to ensure Lepidus and his legions were under control and it was our adolescent bickering which aggravated Octavian to the point of leaving Rome with his legions. We all know this is true and this is a step in the right direction. If we can all agree to learn from our mistakes in the past, then we may better be able to avoid similar mistakes in the future. In reference to Octavian and Lepidus, this ‘self-education’-if you will- is exactly what the Senate should do.
These are not the first men to have taken legions and proposed to use their forces against the Roman people. The name of one man might have a faint ring of familiarity to some of you: M. Aemelius Lepidus, the father of our own renegade Lepidus. M. Aemelius Lepidus the younger must have inherited the whole of his father’s bad habits for it seems that he is following in his footsteps almost precisely. In 78, after a sickening display of sycophancy to the Roman people in an attempt to gain public favor, Lepidus the Elder retreated to Etruria with his legions, carrying with him the threat of a march on Rome itself. He, like his son does now, rejected the Senate’s demand to return to Rome. While Lepidus the Elder was rogue he did not spend his time idly. He diligently recruited troops from the surrounding area and we must assume this is what his spawn is doing as I speak. In this instant the Senate did not wait to squelch this rebellion. It took strong and necessary actions. It passed a consultum ultium in 77 to preserve public safety and sent Gnaieus Pompeius to deal with the truant Lepidus in a timely and effective manner. Meanwhile, the Senate decided to leave Catullus in Rome in an effort not to leave her defenseless lest Lepidus or some foreign attack in a moment of weakness.
This is exactly what we should do today. We have our very own Pompey, my son-in-law Sextus, waiting at our disposal with the ability to raise legions of a greater magnitude than that of Lepidus. In addition, we have Dolabella with a legion that, if recalled, has the potential to serve as a protector of the city herself. Furthermore, the placement of Sextus and his forces could not be of a more favorable nature. With his power centralized in Hispania, Sextus stands to be able to flank Lepidus from the West and drive his Legions towards that of Dolabella’s. With two armies loyal to the Republic roping him in Lepidus stands no chance of victory. That is, he stands no chance of victory so long as we move swiftly enough to avoid the unholy union of Lepidus with Octavian. I know Octavian says he stands with us in the Senate, yet he is but a boy. We must remember he is a nineteen year old man with legions at his command for the first time in his life. He must be scared to death and searching for a guiding hand to provide him with some inkling of direction. We must not let Lepidus lend this hand and you must admit that to Octavian, Lepidus seems to be someone whom he should be able to trust, at least on a tangential level. Octavian should be treated with the respect that he deserves given his adoptive rights. If we can not agree on one man to send, let us each choose one man from our respective factions and send them as a team to reason with the youth. Not only will this act demonstrate to Octavian that we are finally working and a whole, but it will be a step in the direction of compromise. Friends, our forefathers ensured the safety of the Republic with a two consul system in order to divide the power. We can not let absentee legions flutter in the wind, this is unacceptable. Even if they mean no harm, they still pose a threat. These legions were created to protect the Republic and while they are marched off at whim they grow hungry, weak and frustrated. An easy target for attack as any man in this room can tell you. Let us be the ones who take advantage of the Achilles’ heel we have ourselves exposed. Let us regain control of our men and our country.