Roman Legion OOC Forums

Emperor Julius Vitellius just finished his arrival festivities and stands in the Palatine Forum surrounded by his guards and flanked by the two consuls. When the people quiet down he raises his arms and speaks:

"People of Rome,

I return to you as an emperor, with high hopes for the future. How could I not feel hope when I know that the Roman people stand united behind me as you do? We have weathered tough times and come out stronger for it. Our great emperor Calidus Raeus Vitellius was slain by the man he once called friend, and I see it as an apt analogy for Rome's struggles at this moment.

Beset by former friends on all sides, Rome is inevitably pulling through. I expect to hear good news from the east any time now, and Lucius Verus has turned his army towards Hispania. How good it is to hear of two of Rome's enemies spilling each other's blood.

I will tell you something about the men we face though. During the Northern Crisis of 132, when I needed men to rush down and protect Italia from Lucius Verus I went to Augustus Tiberius Varro's legions. I gave one speech. Just one speech, and the men followed me down into what seemed like certain battle. Tiberius Varro apparently doesn't inspire much loyalty in those he controls.

Antonius Terpus, on the other hand, seems to be able to find loyal subjects, but I don't know why he'd trust Tiberius Varro when that young man left Rome as fast as he could. It seems that our enemies are either unable to inspire loyalty or can only get the disloyal to serve. These are not men we should fear. These are the type of men Rome inevitably defeats.

The Gods will not forget your sacrifices during this crisis, and neither will I. Taking back our lands will bring riches to this city. Former rebels will become slaves, eastern luxuries will be sent back as booty, and our sons in the legions will be safe and rich too. Rome will be stronger for this, I swear it, and we will know where we stand.

This empire was not formed so that small minded men could bring it down. It was not blessed by the gods in the past only to be forgotten, and it certainly was not sacrificed for by our ancestors only to have us lose it. Looking into the dark days we find ourselves in I sense our greatest opportunity. We will rid ourselves of those who would try to weaken us from within, and we will have an experienced army to punish those foreign powers who thought to attack us while we were yet weak, as well as those who called us friend, but did not come to our aid.

Citizens, I promise you that you will not see anyone in the empire work harder, you will not see anyone fight harder, and you will not see any people in history who will sacrifice more than I have and we have. That is my promise to you, and I know that victory will come of it."