S.P.Q.R.

There was a time, Romans, when the Senate was a body of leaders. Now it seems that the senate is simply a group of old men- not just as the word literally suggests, but also with the implications of senility and foolishness. Our government is in shambles, a man is dead, and his murderers sit amongst us, yet rather than solve any of these problems, we bicker and moan about the issues apparently waiting for the gods to intervene as they do in one of Plautus’ comedies. Only Lepidus, it seems, had the wherewithal to do anything about a matter that we spent a precious day bickering about! Were we not supposed to discuss the burial of Caesar? Well, Senators, it seems no one dared raise the issue, and instead we forced the hand of the man who seized the body of Caesar. I warned that the matter should be discussed at a later time, but got branded a coward for my caution. Caesar is buried, but at what cost? Now the people will surely believe that it is not reason which governs this state, but the points of swords.

I will remind you all that it is this Senate which rules Rome. Reason, wisdom, and experience rule Rome. Yet to hear our last meeting, you would think that chaos was the real defining mark of the Roman state! The Senate bends and sways with every topic, and cannot remain focused on the matter at hand. If the Senate cannot get control of itself then the people will pay them no heed and indeed we will face mob rule. First, we must establish that there are, as there must be, two consuls. I was elected consul suffectus and that position was supported by Caesar. There should not be a man in this senate who finds fault with one of those two positions. If a man loves Caesar, they will obey his wishes, and if a man loves the people, he will follow theirs. Name me consul, and by the gods do it quickly before some other issue side-tracks us!

Once the Senate has established its solid footing in the consulship, we senators must move on to the matter of the men who murdered Caesar. The people know that Caesar’s killer sits gloating amongst us, his hands still red with blood. The people may begin to believe that only soldiers may control Rome if Lepidus’ example is the only one they have to go by. I suggest we follow Caesar’s example instead. Spare their lives, yes, but keep them away from the senate. As praetor, he has power over our courts, and I say it would be futile to bring a man with such recognition to trial. Even if the Senate could find a man to try him without bias, we know that the eloquent Cicero would speak on his defense, and if only by the connection of these names I foresee the judge lauding him as hero without thinking. I say we should make him and his coconspirators leave Rome. I think the shame of having killed a man who was once so dear a friend to him should be a welcome companion on his trip out of Rome, and a vigilant guard.

Please, Senators, do not distract yourselves with new debates. Even if you disagree with me about Brutus, you must agree that my position as consul is valid. Let us ratify that and have the matter resolved before we debate further on the matter of Brutus. Once it is done, we need not fear power being in the hands of one man, and we can finally look for justice in the name of the Senate and the People of Rome.