Topic+2+Josh+Vincent

Josh Vincent

Roman Senate

Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus

Arundel High School

January 12, 2012

Social Reform

The entire Empire of Rome is on the brink of a civil war. The petty plebeians of Rome are thirsty for power, and our mighty Senate is eager to ensure their political dominance. However, we must act responsibly: we must accord on matters and reach agreement with these plebs or we, too, may find ourselves staring into the gleaming eyes of a sword. Foremost, we should not increase the power of the Plebeian Assembly without also decreasing the power of the Senate. In increasing the power of the Plebeians, we are creating a situation where two bulls are to be inevitably locked by their horns. A proper solution is to allow previous tribunes the chance to be elected as proconsuls rather than former consuls and previous praetors. In response to this, the Tribunician veto should be restricted so that it is not unlimited – unlimited ability to restrict the passage of necessary legislation amounts to greedy agendas; some pilfering members of our Senate already use the Tribunes as their political pawns. A Tribune shall not be allowed to use the veto if they have already vetoed 4 times; their 5th time they must abstain or allow passage of the law. The seanatus consultum ultimum shall remain – it is necessary for times of dire crisis. However, as absence of violence in politics is a major cornerstone of the Roman Republic, the criminal immunity that Senators receive when the ultimum is used is unjust and wrong: it must be done away with. Now that these fundamentals of political power are established, we can unite to solve pressing matters within Rome. The Italian allies cannot and will not be granted full Roman citizenship. Although the base of taxable income will undoubtedly increase, they are our allies and nothing more. However, to ensure their allegiance to Rome’s causes, we should offer more aide to the fledging countries when they request it – now more than ever we need to strengthen the supports of our military forces. To ensure that corruption is kept at a minimum in these provinces, the appointment of proconsul puppets by the Senate needs to abstain. These proconsul positions should be eradicated and replaced with an “overseer” of the province that is elected by the citizens of said state; only previously elected Tribunes may be qualified for this job, as they have direct experience representing the interests of the common people. After being approved by the Senate, they must report on all diplomatic dealings directly to the Senate. The Gracchi brother’s bills should all be passed; they are all remarkable pieces of legislation that are unparalleled in their desire for progress – with the exception of the abolishment of judicial power in the hands of the Senate. The equestrian class is not ready for such monumentous responsibility, the fate of our citizens given to those who are not politically experienced. The juries have been in the hands of the senate, and should remain there, under their watchful eye. Politically, the equestrian class should not be incorporated at all. The equestrian are businessmen, wealthy influential businessmen, able to woo the public at their whim and wallet. If they are incorporated, it will be the death of the power and righteousness of the Senate. Keep the tax collecting to the Equestrian. The re-election restriction should absolutely apply to Plebian tribunes, but not as restrictively. They should be allowed to be re-elected but only for 3 terms max in a row, or 3 within a 10 year limit. They are directly answerable to the people and will not be re-elected if the people do not agree with them. To prevent a full fledged civil war, one necessary step would to abolish the immunity received by Senators in the consultum. Senators or not, murder must be punished – a rash decision such as the complete death of 300 or more Plebians by a private army within the Senate is completely unacceptable. Any Senator who uses violence for furthering of political reasons shall be stripped of their Senatorship, and their sons and their son’s sons will never have their chance in politics. It is a disgrace to the Empire and values it was founded upon.