The Republic Reborn

[Polycarp]

12th century Europe does have professional forces - knights.  (And mercenaries, sort of).

But you mean full time soldiers - that is, a professional standing army, and I am very reluctant to touch the concept in this game.  It did not appear in Christian Europe until the 15th century.  The ancient Roman Republic itself relied on citizen-soldiers rather like your Urban Militia for centuries; by the time they felt pressured to change the system, the Republic was already a Mediterranean superpower on three continents.  It was an anomaly even for the time; the soldiers of the Greek kingdoms of the Mediterranean were generally either mercenaries or landowners who funded their arms with their estates, quite like like medieval knights.  To accomplish it, Rome relied on a vast population base and a vast infrastructure, neither of which would be matched again in Europe until the heyday of the Ottoman Empire.

The only thing I can think of in the 12th century that even resembles a true professional corps would be basically "permanent mercenaries" like the Varangian Guard, but unless you have a Byzantine-sized treasury it's just not feasible.  A standing professional soldier has to be clothed, fed, housed, armed, trained, salaried, and at all times fully employed by the state (he even has to get retirement), while with a knight all you have to do is give him a parcel of land to support himself and tell him what you expect, because he does all those other things himself.  Rome would need a bureaucracy far larger than 100 senators and a few lawyers to make that kind of system functional.

This is something that we might revisit in the long term future of this game, but for now I think it's best left as an anachronism.  There are plenty of other ways to raise and support an effective force - militia service, vassalage, mercenary contracts, tribute, even religious fanaticism - and Rome will have to rely on those.

[LD]

OOC- am I missing something about Formello? How did it come up? Just an important strategic position, or did it insult something related to Rome? It just came as a surprise here and I'm trying to answer appropriately.

Under construction-->
[spoiler]Private to DeRosa : The people are weary of war and winter is here. Senator DeRosa, I fear that now is not the time to embark on an audacious journey. I admit, I myself had been considering about strengthening Rome through conflict, but Winter is a poor time for campaigns--the popolo will freeze and perish. And the mood in Rome is not one for offense. I am most sad that I cannot support your actions and I most assuredly wish that you had voiced them to me before your speech to the Senate or to the People. I respect you, Senator DeRosa, but I fear that the plan, while sound in theory--is not appropriate at this time.

Regarding our business ventures; that is a most capital statement you make. Once we have determined the market here in Rome, we can provide it something of great value. The key to creating a market for value will be increasing the size of Rome's defense fund and in ensuring that Rome has the blacksmiths who are skilled enough to craft the iron into proper Chain. For our venture, I would suggest an equal allotment of reward for an equal amount of risk. If you invest  1 wealth, and I 1 wealth and the profit is 4, then we will divide that equally. I do have a request, however, namely that my blacksmiths be permitted to add some finishing touches on any armor that is produced from the Iron-that request is quite important to my interest in this venture.

//
Speech to senate:
The town of Formello is allied against Rome. And the town of Formello has heard that wrath has been directed against it. But Rome also produces olives, and with them, olive branches. I counsel olive branches to be sent to Formello, in whom reside many of our Brothers. Although their politics may be anathema to Rome, policies can change.

Letter to Formello
Senator DeRosa delivered a striking speech in the Senate the other day. Surely you have heard of its content? What would it take to have Formello and Rome be friends? The city does not oppose the Papacy, but the Good Monk Arnold opposes Papal wealth and Church oppression. Some among our number and among Arnold's friends are more militant than others and Tivoli and the Lateran have been soundly crushed. No one expected either to fall, and yet, before Rome, they did.

The Church can give much good to the world, and Rome is eager to work with and to support Clergy and any of our Brothers who work with the People. If you wish for peace, I suggest you act soon, before the mood in the Senate decides on a course of action.

OOC: Determine if Rome has enough blacksmiths to forge Chainmail from Iron. Determine if that would cost extra. (e.g. how much would heavy infantry cost us to make, total?)[/spoiler]

[Elemental_Elf]

Its a nearby fortified town on the edge of what should be (will be) our territory. We need to build a buffer, a safe zone, if you will - lest the good King of Germany and the almighty Pope are going to come at us with everything they have. Fredrick is serious and we need to build up a fortified position to deter him at all costs. I was not lying when I said DeRosa feels the Eternal City is surrounded by Wolves. Every direction you look to is an enemy - to the north is Germany )a power that could crush us like an ant) to the south is Naples (which is full of people who covet what we have) and to the west is the Papacy (who we scorned when we kicked the Pope out of the City).

I did some research into the town last turn and was planning to go to war this turn. I acted with haste and posted before I realized we had a little civil war.

There aren't take backs in this game, so my mistake will, in all likelihood, doom Domenico DeRosa but... C'est le vie... Though, I suppose a more appropriate turn of phrase would be, the die is cast.

I suppose I will probably blame the entire affair on DeRosa coming to the realization that the horse he hitched his wealth and future to - Fredrick - has turned out to be an un-tamable stud, who has, in no uncertain terms, flung DeRosa (and his fortune, his hopes and his dreams) off the side of a cliff. DeRosa needs a way to gain influence and forge a new path - that path is war. He is investing every cent he has into this venture and prays every night to the almighty that it succeeds. If it does, then he will gain prestige, fame and fortune. If it fails, he will most assuredly either die gloriously in battle or die destitute and eventually commit suicide.

He went off the deep end and now he has to see this through to the end. Win or loose - people will remember the name Senator Domenico DeRosa!

[LD]

Ah, thank you for the explanation. Sorry about that.

Feel free to look at my spoiler above, EE and Polycarp. I'm trying to provide some cover for your speech... I'll move it into IC when I'm happy with how it turns out.

[Elemental_Elf]

OOC - And that's why Vittorio is the better politician! :)

[Nomadic]

An interesting tactic. Though I think we need allies more than we need a buffer. Our only hope is in getting the locals riled against the Germans. It perhaps helps that most of the locals aren't too fond of having the empire meddling in their affairs. I'm afraid that as powerful as Barbarossa is, he'll just steamroll any buffer we put up. What we probably need to do is get Sicily to realize that a Rome under Barbarossa means having German neighbors. I'm sure they'd much prefer retaining independent Papal States as a buffer between them and Freddy. That though will probably require some serious wheeling and dealing and a bit of bribery. In the end though Sicily is probably the only one we have a chance of swaying that also has the power to stand up to Freddy.

[Magnus Pym]

An interesting tactic. Though I think we need allies more than we need a buffer. Our only hope is in getting the locals riled against the Germans. It perhaps helps that most of the locals aren't too fond of having the empire meddling in their affairs. I'm afraid that as powerful as Barbarossa is, he'll just steamroll any buffer we put up. What we probably need to do is get Sicily to realize that a Rome under Barbarossa means having German neighbors. I'm sure they'd much prefer retaining independent Papal States as a buffer between them and Freddy. That though will probably require some serious wheeling and dealing and a bit of bribery. In the end though Sicily is probably the only one we have a chance of swaying that also has the power to stand up to Freddy.

Amen

[Stargate525]

[ic= Bernardo: A Speech to the consiliarii]
You are fools.

The entire might of the German is moving against us, and you speak of further warmongering? Cities once part of the Roman Heartland have banded together in fear of us! The ancient Rome thrived on trade and diplomacy, not addle-headed warfare. And, even in war, we had legions. What have we now?

Little more than rabble.

I applaud the Consul's decision to heed my suggestion and begin enforcing law in the city. I further demand that the ancient fines be levied, and that money go directly to the repair of the walls and the training of a proper Roman Legion for use in the coming siege. Securing additional lands will do nothing, as we have no power to hold what we take. Instead, all it will do is exhaust our people, and make us ripe for harvest when the reapers of the Germans come.

Nevertheless, as I am no less of a Roman than you, I will do my part to dissuade the pope from having allies in the vicinity.[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Il Signore]
The time has come to choose a side. Though some of the senate seem hell-bent on throwing us off the cliff to war, I do not wish that. We need allies, and you would do well as one. You, and everyone like you, throwing in with Rome both weakens Frederick and strengthens us.

We need a league of our own. Perhaps with your help, working together, we might be able to forge one in time to save the New Republic.[/ic]

[ooc]
-Volunteer my time as a magistrate, focusing on larger cases, and establishing a name amongst the people as strict but fair.
-Assemble my men, and begin a march for the sea. Following the river, we present every town that supports the Pope with two options; Support Rome openly, or be risked destruction when the battles come. This begins with Tre Fontane, where I will lead the army in PEACEFUL pilgrimage and prayer (obviously, with their capitulation, the choice has already been made). The ideal ending point is Gregoriopolis. The idea is for publicity, not carnage; this should be fast, and we will avoid a battle. Unless the arrests can be done with minimum bloodshed, we'll simply note the town and move on.
-In addition, my men collect any back due rents from absentee, non-negotiating landlords, and replace the overseers of that land with my own loyal men (assuming the current overseers mind a change in ownership). If asked, I am invoking my right as a magistrate to claim the owners missing in their duties, and taking over said ownership of the land in absentia. I will also collect perhaps half the rent they owe, being generous and a good landlord.
-If I have the men and resources at the end of the run, I take ownership of unworked salt flats, and get those running.
-As the lands I'm currently administering have not paid their previous autumn's taxes, they are due to pay more next year. I make this known to them now, so that they won't be surprised come Fall.

-All of the above cost money, and I don't want to spend more than three wealth on the whole endeavor (I am aware this will put me under; I'm taking a loan if need be.
[/ic]

[Llum]

[ic=Speech to the Consiliarii]
Fellow Senators it is with great joy that I can say that my negotiations, as Consul of the Exterior, with Tre Fontane have gone exceedingly well. In exchange for leaving them be, allowing the brothers of Tre Fontane free access to Rome and not sending any armed men to the abbey, Tre Fontane will pay tribute to Rome for the value of [1 wealth] yearly. I humbly suggest this is put in the defence fund already established.
[/ic]

[LD]

Stargate: re: "Assemble my men, and begin a march for the sea. Following the river, we present every town that supports the Pope with two options; Support Rome openly, or have your leaders evicted, arrested, and replaced. This begins with Tre Fontane, where I will lead the army in pilgrimage. The ideal ending point is Gregoriopolis and the occupation and looting of the salt flats there. The idea is more for publicity; This should be fast, and we will avoid a dug-in or difficult battle."

Did you notice that Tre Fontaine capitulated to rome in Llum's post below yours? :o.

Other note- getting around to posting up the other details- I have some errands to run first though.

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Speech before the Lesser Council]

We are fools, Senator Fontane? You denigrate the achievements of Roman arms. Rabble? Our men are proud Romans, and have proved their mettle time and again. This is not the Rome of old, and though our spirit may match the boldness of that Great Republic, our resources do not, and that is fact. Many of you have spoken of this, but let me be clear, we do not have the wealth or the men to raise a Legion. You would have the men of Rome devote their lives to war? They have families, Senators, and trades to practice. Funds so gathered through fines will be used where they are most needed, to better the lot of of Rome and her people. Consul Calafatus and I are both in agreement that the repair of the Aqua Virgo should be foremost of our efforts, both to provide cleaner water to our citizens, and to ensure a supply should we be invested. I work to this end, and I will see it done.  

Senator De Vinti has spoken regarding this so-called Faliscan League. This is a troubling development, to be sure, but do not fear. Consul Calafatus and myself work tirelessly to bring a balance to Latium, and we assure you that there are others of like-mind who also share the concerns of Rome.

And to you, Senator De Rosa, your plan is surely folly. The people of Formello have done nothing to our city, and we cannot in good conscience send our men against them. Certainly, they are in the grasp of the Pope, yet so is near all of Latium. Consul Calafatus and I have spoken, and there will be no war this season. Rome has seen enough blood, and she can stomach no more of her own dead. This is the decision of your Consuls, it is final, and any who should go against it do not stand with the Senate. I see by Senator Manzinni's expression that he has something he wishes to say on this subject, and so I will grant the floor to him, let us hearken to his words, Senators. [/ic]

[Stargate525]

Did you notice that Tre Fontaine capitulated to Rome in Llum's post below yours? :o.

Did you notice that I posted BEFORE the capitulation? I've since fixed it.

[ic=Reply to Basile, in front of the Lesser Senate]
This is republic, Basile, not dictatorship. Though you be a consul, our word still carries weight. What good is fresh water if we are once again under the thumb of the Pope? Water will not stop invading armies! Have you forgotten the River Tiber? That will do for now. Let the walls be erected once more!

And you bring my words out of context. I do not propose that we levy the fifteen legions of Rome at her height, but the single, solitary legion that Rome began with. We Italians have the distinction of fielding the first truly professional army in history. I say we do it again. I ask that they devote their lives, not to war, but to ensure that others need not continually abandon their jobs (which fuel our economy) to pick up a cudgel they haven't practiced with![/ic]

[Nomadic]

[ic=Speech to the Lesser Senate]
My lot is with the consuls, I will not see Rome shed more blood yet so near to the recent carnage. Let us accept the gracious offer of Tre Fontane, let us look to our friends in Rieti and Gregoriopolis, let us seek out yet more allies, and most importantly let Rome look now to her own affairs. There will be blood spilling soon enough. The city needs the power to stand on its own, the tiber will not survive a day under besiegement and we have little in the way of food stores. Let the aqueduct be repaired, let food be stored against the coming doom. The men must be ready with sword and bow yes but let they be made ready towards the defense of their homes, not pointless battles beyond our walls. We must look to the defense of Rome first! There will be time to expand our influence and to find retribution in those who wronged us, but it must wait for first we must survive the hammer of Frederick!
[/ic]

[LD]

Did you notice that Tre Fontaine capitulated to Rome in Llum's post below yours? :o.

Did you notice that I posted BEFORE the capitulation? I've since fixed it.

Yes I did. I didn't mean for my statement to seem rude? I am sorry if it did. I just wanted to make sure that you'd see it so you could have the opportunity to adjust if you wished. I was trying to be helpful. So I can improve in the future, what wording would you suggest I make?

[Elemental_Elf]

[ic=To the Senate]The Consuls have spoken and I will heed their call. We will not go to war this day. However, I must say while we rest on our laurels, licking our wounds, we shall see our enemies gather the strength necessary to oppose us. Mark my words - the German King will remain an ever present thorn in our side. We must build our defenses and forge the egalitarian society we all fought for when we expelled our former master. [/ic]

[ic=Speech to the masses]THE CONSULS HAVE SAID NO! No to war and no to offense. Mark my words friends, someday soon war will come to our very walls and we will look back on days such as this and realize looking inward instead of outward was wrong! When the German King comes to our fair city, slaughtering your wives and children - think back upon days like this and REMEMBER - we could have forged a different path, a better path. [/ic]

[ic=A Letter To My Son, Leonardo DeRosa]Dear son,

I have made an error in judgment and leapt without looking. I know I have doomed my own future... I am old and weary... I fear death is close. If I should pass, I want you to know, I bequeath everything to you - my titles, my wealth (what little of it remains) and all my property. [/ic]