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Cicero stood shaking his head...

"Gentleman of the Senate, Seeing as no one in this Senate hall has had the courage to stand in front of this assembly, I shall stand! again! to re open the discussion on the construction of a New Great Library. This is a monument to Romes greatness. Not a testament to a mans ego. Now I am certain that the other members of this Senate have an opinion on this matter so can we show the rest of the Empire that we are in control of the Administrators of this empire."

"Gentlemen we are slipping back to a time with the previous imperial holder where things slowed and the people began to distrust us. I made a promise to the people and Senate of Rome that I would push this empire into a greater future and by the gods I will...But I cannot do this alone. Noble members of the Senate you have been given a great opportunity now lets take it."

Senator Quintus Elvorix stands. "Well said, Senator. I support this proposal in theory, but I would like to hear some specifics first."

"Why build another great library when we should be building highways, colonies and fortifications first." Consul Agrippa stated. "The empire needs to keep expanding and we need the infrastructure to continue this expansion."

Consul Cicero Julianus stood to speak...

"In principle that is absolutely correct, but what I am suggesting is the start of a new age for Rome. We are finally united, plus being the undoubted power ow in the mediterranean it is apparent to me that the greatest minds in the known world should be in Rome not in Alexandria."

"In terms of specifics the project will be at man power level by Architect Fulvius Galerianus. Cost is not an issue as the budget we have to spend this year is remarkable. I suggest it be constructed either on the Capotoline hill or we could actually build it in Aquilaia."

"I must agree with Consul Agrippa" said Sejanus flavianus. "We should invest in the most pressing needs of the empire, like highways, and other improvements that our provinces need, and in megalomaniac projects"

Cicero Julianus stood to speak...

"Well gentlemen, you all speak about more pressing matters but neither of you have actually proposed anything. Is this just a hall of words and not actions. Otherwise my friends we are just hippocrites." Cicero said forcefully.

Flavianus looked directly at the consul. "Is it Hypocrsy to think of the least developed areas of our empire? If we are make our border provinces stable, we need to invest in their infrastruture. I say take the money for this "great" library, and fund temples, markets, roads across the empire. I must confess I do not have a big knowledge of the provinces, so I leave suggestions on where to apply this funds, to my esteemed colegues"

Cicero stood to reply...

"It is indeed Hypocricy, when you say that there are better things to invest in and actually have nothing to suggest in return. I have put forward a genuie idea which is more than I have seen over the past few days."

"I would like the Senate to ask itself, we are here to improve things but have taken no steps in ding that, does the Senate have any relevance if it talks and does nothing, now does the Senate actually have any viable suggestions to improve the status quo."

"Has I have said, my lack of knowledge of the povinces, prevents me to put forward a concrete proposal. There are people more qualified to do that. I am quite sure consul, that you could point things to improve in Hispania. things that would be more beneficial to the empire than this megalomaniac project of yours. Not investing in the provinces only breeds dissent among them. look at moesia. Lack of investment only created hate against Rome, I consider Hypocrisy to invest in monuments to show greatnes, when vast amounts of our territory require investment."

Senator Titus Arcadius Vitellius smiled slightly, enjoying privately the debate. Long had it been since the Senate saw such vibrant activity. He stood, and said, "Why can't we build roads as well as a library? Why not two libraries, or three? As the empire grows- or has grown, in past-tense- we should allow education of the Latin system to grow with it. To bring out laws and culture... or that of the greeks, I should say, to the Latin centers around the empire. Perhaps if we had such institutions of Latin thought in Hispania, Belgica and Phoenica these past rebellions would not have been so easy to orchestrate? I know we are awaiting the budget report from the Economic Office Procurator, but if last year was any indication... we will be able to spend on many things."

Flavianus nodded approvingly. "I totally agree with Senator Arcadius Vitellius. Spreading our culture to our provinces can help with many of the problems that have caused so much distress to our empire. Prosperous commerce and a good eduction are vital both for the stability and growth of of our provinces."