The Republic Reborn

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=In the Inner Council]So, Senator Manzinni, you would have the Commune of Rome make a gift of the Theatre of Marcellus to you, and then later charge the Commune for the privilege of its use? To me, this seems as if you would use your position on this esteemed council as a method of personal profiteering.

Rome already possesses a militia - men who have proven themselves able and brave time and again - and it is my belief that they are happiest where they currently reside: in their own homes in the company of their families! And should the City ever require the use of the Theatre for the purposes of the billoting of soldiers, why could we not already do this? The building is of sound condition, and would likely only require minor maintenance to make it suitable for such purpose.

I respond with a resounding no to Senator Manzinni's proposal. The City cannot divest itself of its properties so frivolously.[/ic]

[Nomadic]

[ic=To the Inner Council]
I am of like mind with Senator Basile, there is nothing to be gained for Rome in doing this, let it be as it is now. Our needs regarding the militia are being met appropriately at this time.
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Consul De Vinti]Consul,

I am glad to hear it.  I will be present to oversee the ceremony, as well as other cardinals including His Eminence Rolando Bandinelli, Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church.  His Holiness will not be in attendance.  We intend to arrive on the Via Tiburtina and will proceed directly to the Lateran from the Basilica of St. Mary Major, thus avoiding the populated districts of the city.  We will have an armed escort, and the Senate should ensure that no attempt by any of the more antagonistic citizenry will be made on the Caelian Hill.

His Eminence Odone Bonecase
Cardinal-Deacon of the Basilica of Saint Giorgio in Velabro
Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals[/ic]

[ic=The People Respond...]Consul De Vinti's words to the people regarding "tolerance," "good will," and "forgiveness" seem to fall on deaf ears.  Most of the audience seems unimpressed, while a number of malcontents mixed in the crowd heckle him relentlessly.[/ic]

[ic=To Consul De Vinti]The barons that do respond to your letter - many do not - are quite polite but insistent that they have no interest in parting with their fiefdoms.  Some point out that, as Papal vassals, it would be disloyal to sell their lands without Papal permission (particularly to the Romans, considering their troubled relationship with His Holiness).[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=To the Inner Council]
Pardon? A Gift? I did not name a price, yes, but nor did I ask for the theatre as a gift from this great Council. Name your price for divestiture of the Theatre. (shrugs) I would gladly contribute a fair price, even a generous price, to support Rome and help develop the city. I would of course be using the Theatre for other purposes additionally- it is large enough to quarter troops, to provide area for their training, and to do so much more. If you sell me the theatre now, the Senate gains income now. To sit on such a potential and to not benefit the city by gaining income from it now- and discounts from use of it in the future is to deny the great people of Rome a great boon.

In conclusion, Not providing the theatre for sale will allow the theatre to sit unused and without income and the Senate will have less funds to help this fair city, whereas Providing the theatre will give the city income now- it will obviate need for taxation for at least a season - and it will provide the city discounts later on quartering and training of soldiers.

[/ic]

[Nomadic]

[ic=To the Inner Council]
I see no reason to sell off the theater. I trust that the good senator has the best intentions at heart but currently we are making do just fine and the theater will serve its purpose as a potential barracks as it is. However if the senator desires the space for his own I'm sure we could see to the possibility of renting it to him for his purposes. Sale however I do not agree with.
[/ic]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=In the Inner Council]Indeed, Senator Sismondii, leasing the theatre to Senator Manzinni should he truly desire it is a fine compromise. One which I do not oppose. For such a grand and imposing structure, I think that perhaps an amount of [1 WP] in silver per season would be suitable in recompense. Does this proposal interest you, Senator Manzinni? Of course, Consul De Vinti will have the final word in any case. And I desire to hear his thoughts on this subject as well.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

Some people were asking me in chat about the Theater of Marcellus and its function as a fortress.  Though the picture below is a model of what it looked like in Imperial times, it was largely intact in the 12th century and probably looked similar to this.

Pier Leoni, the Patrician's father, converted the theater into a fortress by "bricking up" all the arched entrances you see around the theater's perimeter - filling them with brick and rubble and mortaring them in place to make a solid wall.  That kind of construction probably isn't as strong as an actual stone castle wall, but it's more than enough to keep angry Roman mobs out.  Some of the bricked up arches on the second level have arrow slits built into them.  The theater has withstood many episodes of civil disturbance without being overrun, but it has never been tested by an actual siege.

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=At the Lesser Council]I agree that the Theatre could be put to good use, but Senator Basile is right that the Vigili, and the various militias, seem pleased with the way things currently function.
Perhaps if it was used as a place of learning? It could become a hub, and attract people from all over. Surely Rome could benefit from such a thing.

I agree on the amount of the seasonal rent that was suggested before [1 WP per season]. And honestly, I think it is a fair price, to say the least.

Senator Manzinni. You speak of using the Theatre of Marcellus as barracks, training grounds and for "more purposes". The latter intrigues me, what exactly are you talking about?[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ooc=Winter 1154]Pay Upkeep for Heavy Infantry [1 WP]

Funeral Ceremony
Use my whole Heavy Infantry, patched with symbols and flags of Rome, as security forces for the funerals of Pope Anastasius.
Secure the red porphyry sarcophagus that Anastasius had selected prior to his death for use at his funerals.
Secure the Basilica Saint John Lateran with a "slightly more than reasonable" amount of Vigili during the funeral ceremony. Stay extremely alert for extremists that would have for goal to disturb the process.
Make sure to invite the important figures of Rome to the funeral; Colonna, Pierleone, Senatores, Consiliariis, wealthy Equites and merchants. Allow for additional security forces to help safeguard the event if it is ever proposed by Pierleoni, the Colonna family or any senatores consiliarii.
[Pay any important fees not exceeding 4 WP from the Treasury and take any more from my Savings if needed]

[spoiler=Polycarp's Eyes Only]Flax
Send 3 Masnadas to plant fear in the lands near and around Labarum. They are to make strange, eerie and guttural sounds; move things around without breaking them; break small things like tools; draw pentagrams and other devilish symbols and phrases on surfaces. All this under the cover of night and stretched over the entire season as to raise the suspicion that it may very well be the devil's work and that the place has become haunted.
A report needs to be made at the end of the season, or before if the situation develops rapidly.

[Absolute secrecy is required in this matter. Better do mundane things, or even wait when the cover is not entirely right than get caught. Huge emphasis is placed on this order; subtelty before anything else]
[Allow 1 WP to be spent for anything the men would need, but I doubt it will have to be used][/spoiler]

Naples
Keep my Neapolitan agent stationed in Naples for eventual opportunities to recruit skilled Flax workers. This season, he is allowed to make promises of an "entry bonus" not surpassing 1 WP in value. Also stay tuned on the latest events in Sicily, notably this rumored scheming between the Greeks and the Germans against the Sicilians.

...Might be updating this...[/ooc]

[LD]

[ic=Inner Council]

Regarding uses for the Theatre; I speak of several purposes, and I suppose that other Senators can perhaps themselves imagine other uses.

One could use portions of the theatre as overflow housing for poor pilgrims in the Spring--this is something better done by an individual senator rather than the senate however as whoever uses it for those purposes will risk raising the ire of other poor Romans who would otherwise host the pilgrims-and it is far better that ire be directed against an individual rather than against the Senate. Now, while having poor Romans provide lodging to poor pilgrims would seem to benefit the economy of Rome--in the current climate and perhaps only for this year, where foreigners are beaten, attacked and killed, it would seem useful to provide a sanctuary for such foreigners- since it is their money that provides much sustenance for Rome--and it is far easier to protect them if they are in an easily defensible place, safe from the mob, such as the Theatre.

Indeed it is possible the Theatre could be used as a place of learning, but abandoned churches would seem to be better beginning places for schola. Unless Rome could attract more than a hundred professors and scholars and people willing to be students, the theatre would be far outsized for those purposes.

Ultimately, I believe that my proposed use for the Theatre will benefit the most Romans at this time; to not put the theatre to any use in the coming seasons would deny potential benefit to Rome. I still suggest a sale of the Theatre unless you have a project in mind that you would intend to use it for. If not, then I will not say I am opposed to renting the location, but it is worth far less to me to rent it than it is to purchase- it will cost me far more to renovate the theatre than it would for me to even break even while seeking to serve Rome. My plans for the theatre are of a long-project-investment nature rather than short-term profit. With mere rental, I can offer some limited benefits to Rome in the short term and nothing in the long term, for use would be denied to me-I will not know if my lease will be renewed or not. In the short term, however, I can offer Rome great benefits from a sale- and in the long term I can offer far greater.
[/ic]

OOC- to speed things up- if you fellows are still against a sale of the theatre I will propose a multi-year non-revocable lease to use the theatre for my purposes
Also, DaVinti- I'll get back to you on the Judges proposal- I'm just very busy these days-I hope to respond to that before the end of the turn.

[ic=To DeRosa]
Given Da Vinti's comments, perhaps now is the time for you to bring up your plans for a Schola to be located in Rome? I believe you had plans for an alternative site? DaVinti seems amenable and it could further you interests perhaps?
[/ic]

Self-
[spoiler]Several year lease?[/spoiler]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=At the Lesser Council]Although a potential safe haven for poor pilgrims, I feel that rounding them in the same place, under some sort of constant protection, would contribute even more to sending the wrong message. They would, perhaps, feel even less secure. And their stay in the Eternal City might be shortened.
It is true that the funeral of the late Pope Anastasius is to take place shortly, and that alot of security resources will be allocated to the protection of the ceremony and its participants. Perhaps it would be best to use the Theater as a safe haven then, if only temporarily.

Manzinni, again you are vague with the terms you make use of. What exactly are your long terms goals and their benefits to Rome in regards to the Theatre of Marcellus? If we would to completely understand your goals, maybe we would see the advantage in making you the sole proprietor of this grand structure?[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=Inner Council]
Re: "There would be five judges, and they wouldn't be permanent. Each time the Court of Last Resort is called upon, the process of selecting judges must be undertaken.
There would be three of them among the senatores consiliarii. I have two ideas as to how they would be selected. Either by pure blind luck, a sort of game if you will though do not take this lightly, or by an open vote in the Senate. Personally I trust the ethics of the consiliarii enough to go for the first method, but it would probably be safer, politically, to go for the second proposed method.

The two remaining judges would be selected among the senatores by the selected consiliariis of the Panel. There would be a need to reach a consensus."

Regarding Senator Da Vinti's suggestion regarding the court of last resort, I support the selection of senatores consiliary by the choice of God- through lots. I do however, have some reservations regarding the selection of the 2 remaining judges-- if the existing judges choose the two remaining judges, then there are two problems; first- the choices of the majority of inner consiliary will tend to favor the same political views as the consiliary who already sit--making their seating superfluous; second- there is a great chance that the Popolo will see the remaining judges as being cronies of the three who choose them- and as not independent or free to choose their own path. I suggest that the greater council judges should likewise be selected by random lot.

[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Reminder]This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last day to post orders.  Get 'em in![/ooc]

[LD]

[ic=To the Inner Council]
My plans for the long term use of the Theatre are those of restoration, hospitality, and military purposes. I recommended use of it as a training grounds and home for soldiers if necessary during certain seasons at a sharp- a very sharp discount to the city and free use of it for at least this year during the seasons of training. I stated that I would use my own funds to restore the grounds and to purchase the location, which would save the city money without the need for taxation.

I stated that I would also use it for purposes of protecting poor pilgrims, although I do agree Da Vinti that what could be a safehaven for poorpilgrims could also be turned against the poor foreign pilgrims. I believe they would be safer next to a militia, but since you are the Minister of the Interior, I will bow to your judgment on the issue for this season.

I indicated I could be amenable to a long-term lease under certain conditions, but it appears that the Senate does not wish to quarter soldiers in the Theatre and it appears that it has been adjudged inadvisable to use as a safehaven for poor foreign pilgrims; as such, it does not appear to be economically feasible.

I had hoped to provide Rome a good opportunity to gain income in exchange for a structure that would help revitalize the district in which it is located, and I had hoped to reduce the need for taxation on the Equites, and I had hoped to revitalize the district in which the Theatre is located, but I understand the Council believes that the structure is best not used for these productive purposes at this time. I think that all of us should be brainstorming and sharing ideas to improve Rome. It is a pity when one, such as mine is rejected, but I believe that all of Rome is the better when we have these types of debates. Thank you for your time.
[/ic]

[LD]

[ooc]
-I understand EE is retiring this session and not posting; could I still spend 1 WP and hire his guards to take care of order in my district? With statements that "-Protect Houses of God no matter where the Priests come from. If Priests must be expelled, the people should use legal process, not the Mob."
-Offer the people in the district to bring their grievances against the priests to the Senate for investigation by the Courts.
-Acquire ships to send out to purchase grain in the spring from Sicily? Spend what is needed for this.
-Rent out my hospitality for the Spring to Pilgrims.
-Offer 1/2 of my crossbows to certain select allied Equites and allies of DeRosa for purchase at 1 WP.
-Contribute 1 WP to the funeral of the Pope, either for security or for whatever the current pope and cardinals wish it to be used for.
-1 WP saved (If edit arrives in time- 1 WP for goldsmithed religious icons from the senator, to be placed in storage).
-1 WP for training 60 guards for my personal estate  (with my spears) I don't want many people but essentially I want my masnada and some other loyalists to be trained in using the spears and armor so they CAN be competent when needed. (Equip them better if this will pay them to be better). They can know that this expense and extra pay is only for this season for use in emergencies, so they don't start having extra expectations. If it makes more sense for you gamewise you can train 100 to make it useful.
[/ooc]