Roman Legion OOC Forums

::A letter arrives from Carthage::

"Noble Romans;

Our Empire has faced trying times as of late, indeed I will venture to say this is the most serious crisis that has ever been faced by our Empire. I will not speak of the polarizing politics of the reasons for the breaking away of Hispania, the North, East and the Sicilia revolt. Clearly something we, as an Empire, are doing something wrong, and when this crisis is over, a solution will have to be found. But as a young Quaestor, it is not my responsibility or place to presume what those solutions should be.

But as a loyal citizen of the Roman Empire, not just Roma Proper, I would like to make a public recommendation to the Senate.

Rome still has good leaders; Proconsular Legate Vitellius is a strong man, who I feel will make a solid head of state, should the motion before the Senate pass. However, there is another who had displayed very admirable qualities: Hadrianus Syilvios (Sorry if I got the name wrong Paul). And it is the opinion of this citizen that he should be awarded a special title that has been given to a very small few.

Officially, there has only been one Defensor Populi Romani: Sarius Lepidus Vitellius. But others have held that title in a less official way, Tetricus Vitellius, was once called it by the Roman people. And more recently, Raeus Vitellius was proposed that title, though he never attained it. Now, there is now power or authority that comes with this title, but it is a symbol, a symbol that there is someone the people can look to as their champion, and I feel that Hadiranus Syilvios has earned that title.

Some may feel this will create a figure that can contend with an Emperor, be it Raeus or his cousin Julius, but I think if we look it will show to be false. The Urban Prefect has an impressive resume and has done much to the people of Rome, but he cannot claim to have the military or leadership experiance of either General just mentioned; I say this because some may object on the grounds that the Emperor is the Defensor, but currently, the Emperor is entangled in Hispania...

Regardless of if this suggestion is accepted or rejected, the Urban Prefect is the Defender of the Roman People, even if not given the title in an official compacity. Thank you for your consideration.

Signed;
Vespius Hostilius Aemilianus, Quaestor.