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Lazarus · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Top Secret

Proposal Title: Exile for Lepidus Tetricus Vitellius

Proposal Author: Decius Lucius Verus
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Introduction:
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Lucius Verus rose from his seat in the curia with and raised his right hand with a serious look on his face.

"Senators! Rome is now starting to know stability once again thanks to the reign of our great Imperator, Calidus Raeus Vitellius Honestus. However, we must not forget that it was no more than a year ago that we stood upon the brink of civil war." Lucius paused as his eye scanned the senators on the front row.

"We did so because of the actions of a man who single-mindedly pursued his own personal feud against the Magister Militum per Occidens regardless of the consequences to Rome. A man who violated not only the sanctity of his own word but also the sanctity of the neutral ground that was the Tullian Palace. A place of great history and splendor that, I do not have to tell you, suffered grave consequences for his actions." Lucius paused once again, his eye this time resting on Lucius Tacitus Vitellius with a faint smile on his lips.

"I speak of course of the former consul Lepidus Tetricus Vitellius, who has seen fit to impose exile upon himself, perhaps in recognition of the magnitude of his crimes. It was Tetricus Vitellius who spilt Roman blood! It was Tetricus Vitellius who personally recruited the I Minerva for his own ends and violated a peace agreement reached with the senate and people of Rome! It was Tetricus Vitellius who continually put his own agenda ahead of Rome's! In the interests of Roman stability I think it is time the senate made his exile official and it is for that reason that I move forward with this proposal."

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Senatus-Consultum:
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Article I: The senate and people of Rome hereby exile Lepidus Tetricus Vitellius to Britannia and forbid him fire and water within 800 miles of Rome.

Article II: The senate and people of Rome hereby infer a damnatio memoriae upon Lepidus Tetricus Vitellius for his treasonous actions, which brought Rome to the brink of civil war. Henceforth his name shall be stricken from the senate records and all images of his person be removed.

Article III: The senate and people of Rome hereby impose a fine of 300,000 sestercii upon Lepidus Tetricus Vitellius to be paid in full to the Roman state. If so desired by the Imperator, these funds may be used to recover the costs of the reconstruction of the Tullian palace or enter the Imperial treasury.

-Anno I of the Consulship of Calidus Raeus Vitellius Honestus and Carus Florianus Julianus

-Anno II of the Tribunica Potestas of Calidus Raeus Vitellius Honestus, during the Principate of the same.

-Anno DCCCLXXXVI Ab Urbe Condita
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Decius Lucius Verus.

JayMichaelBecker · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 69 Location: Olympia, Washington

P. Rufinus Accarus speaks:

"Senator Verus, I can't help but comment on how ironic it is that you are the one proposing this- if You and your army had been routed and Tetricus was here in Rome, we would be proposing this for you.

That said, you are the man standing here. I support this... albeit begrudgingly."
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Ferus Juventas, GM
General Affairs, Provincial Affairs, New Player Something-or-other

Decius Cassius Agrippa, Tullius Quinus Vitellius, Quinus Lucius Vitellius

"All this buttoning and unbuttoning."

Maximus Tiberius Agrippa · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 27

Maximus Tiberius Agrippa spoke:

"While, I can say that we all recognize the negative and harmful actions taken on behalf of Tetricus Vitellius, I think before we proceed with all measure suggested in this proposal we have to look at the legal precedent. I have perhaps the greatest concern with Article II. I do not believe, it would be entirely right for us to apply something such as a damnatio memoriae on him, from what I can recall, only one man has incurred such a punishment… his father, for openly placing Rome in a state of Civil War. I do not believe it would be proper to carry through with something such as for putting Rome on the brink of something…."
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Maximus Tiberius Agrippa

Alias: Wilbur

Lazarus · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Top Secret

Decius Lucius Verus responded to Maximus Tiberius Agrippa:

"With all possible respect senator Agrippa, the only reason we only reached the "brink" of civil war was because of greater men than Tetricus Vitellius. Men like consulars Justialus Pius and Cassius Ispius! Proconsular Legate Aelianus Julius Vitellius! And yes, indeed, though I dislike self-praise even myself along with a number of officers on my staff such as Proconsular Legate Laenas Maxentius Volusius. Had we not been there to control the resulting outrage of the Northern army and dampen their temper because of my close affiliation with Iovinianus Vallentinus, and subsequent loyalty the men held to me, to a degree to which they no longer demanded blood, I can tell you that the consequences would likely have been far worse than any man in this body dare imagine.

No, I do not buy the argument that his punishment should be lighter than that of his father simply because we thankfully managed to prevent the worst case scenario. One that might very easily have happened. If anything, the continued actions of Tetricus Vitellius up until his self-imposed exile only served to make such an outcome all the more likely. It is all too obvious that despite the lack of blood relations, the apple did not fall far from the tree. As such, I find it only appropriate that the son be punished in a similar way to the father, that we might perhaps deter similar actions from the family in the future or from anyone else for that matter."

EDIT: Blasted typos
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Decius Lucius Verus.

JayMichaelBecker · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 69 Location: Olympia, Washington

Lucius Tacitus Vitellius rose to his feet:

"Senator Verus, you are out of line. The Consulars you mention are great and noble men of this august body and worked, with their lives quite obviously at risk, to forge a deal between yourself and our departed Princeps Decius Daia. Find me one example where they failed to act honestly and for peace that doesn't have to do with our former Princeps!

As for this proposal- and I am near to calling it ridiculous- by calling for damanatio against Tetricus you are infact calling your actions as well a crime against Rome- the near civil-war he brought forth in fact brought you, did it not? Did you not march your northern legions- and don't give me that crap argument that 'they were emotional and uncontrollable', because if you were as great a general i've perceived you to be that would not have been an issue- south to Rome in order to fight Tetricus, and depose Princeps Daia?

For your sake, Senator, I recommend humbly rescinding this proposal."
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Ferus Juventas, GM
General Affairs, Provincial Affairs, New Player Something-or-other

Decius Cassius Agrippa, Tullius Quinus Vitellius, Quinus Lucius Vitellius

"All this buttoning and unbuttoning."

Wra7hofAchilles · Deity Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 140 Location: Chicago, IL

Lazarus · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Top Secret

Decius Lucius Verus rose once again and let out a heavy sigh.

"With all respect to you, honourable Tacitus Vitellius, I would suggest that you actually listen to what I say and kindly refrain from putting words in my mouth, that I do not speak. I did not criticise consulars Justialus Pius or Cassius Ispius! On the contrary! I hailed them as heroes! It is only thanks to men like them and Proconsular Legate Aelianus Julius Vitellius that the conflict never escalated! Had it not been for their actions, the actions of Tetricus Vitellius would likely have led us to civil war.

Nor have I said that I could not control my men and that I only marched because they were angry. I have never made any such statement but always taken full responsibility. Indeed, what I said was that had I not been there to control them and dampen their temper far worse things would have happened. For one, the army would never have stopped to speak with consulars Pius and Ispius. It is very likely that none of us would be here right now.

As for my own actions, yes, perhaps I can be tried as a traitor. I have never denied that. On the contrary, I have accepted it, as I told consulars Pius and Ispius during our talks. It was the Emperor's choice to view my actions in the context with which they were taken, but if it is your wish to try me as a traitor for those actions, then I suggest you do so. It is a cost that I was and am willing to pay to do what was inevitably necessary.

Whether treasonous or not, my decision to march was made in response to the treasonous actions of Tetricus Vitellius. Unlike Tetricus Vitellius my actions were not out of personal lust for revenge or advancement. The fact that Actius Decius Daia has been allowed to retain political office without my objection is a testament to that, as is the command of Proconsular Legate Daratius Antonius Terpus in Egypt. It was invariably Tetricus Vitellius who threw the first stone! And not only that, but he continued to throw them! I hear rumours that he helped orchestrate the riots here in the city! Without proconsular authority he acquired a legion and attacked me, thus making him the first party in the conflict to aggressively spill Roman blood. Not only that, but he attacked me while I had halted the army in response to the peace agreement reached with consulars Pius and Ispius.

It is clear to anyone I think, that Tetricus Vitellius did not pursue peace. I received word that even following his escape from the Minerva and prior to his self-imposed exile, he toured Gaul trying to recruit an army. While the peace agreement was still in effect! No, Tetricus Vitellius continued the pursuit of his own agenda no matter the cost to Rome. I cannot even be sure if he really has gone to Britannia, or whether his "exile" is really just a clever ruse!

That is why I not only wish to make it formal, but to send a clear and unmistakeable signal. Especially in the light of his father's actions. If anything, the actions of his "father" should have taught Tetricus Vitellius a lesson he should not have forgotten. But he chose to dismiss it and follow in his father's foot-steps, nearly uprooting Rome in the process! He, more than anyone else, should have known better! After two generations of treachery against Rome, are we really to sit by and do nothing?

I for one, will not. Even should it bear personal consequences for me.

And whether you believe it or not, my actions were wholly different from those of Tetricus Vitellius. The only thing that binds them is that they are potentially treasonous. Tetricus Vitellius broke his own word, violated neutral ground, conspired to murder a high-ranking Roman magistrate, possibly incited riots, attacked fellow Romans and sought to recruit troops for an offensive campaign when a peace agreement had been reached. I marched on Rome, but I never aggressively engaged other Romans and stopped short of even crossing the Rubicon into Italia when I met with consulars Pius and Ispius. I voluntarily put myself at the mercy our Imperator and complied with all of his orders without question. Even going so far as arresting some of my own men for their involvement with the massacre of the Minerva. Though my actions may or may not be treasonous in their own right, I would appreciate if you did not liken them to those of Tetricus Vitellius. Respectfully, they are indeed nothing alike."
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Decius Lucius Verus.

Florianus · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 32 Location: Sydney, Australia

OCC: Do we want to use a polling system to put this up for vote? Or should one of the Consul's just say its up for vote and we'll take SS voting?
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IC: Carus Florianus Julianus
OCC: Eddie

Florianus · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 32 Location: Sydney, Australia

Due to the strong interest in this proposal by the senate, it is up for vote. Because of my personal relationships with both Tetricus and Lucius I will abstain from voting myself.
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IC: Carus Florianus Julianus
OCC: Eddie

Maximus Tiberius Agrippa · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 27

OCC: I'm sorry if I missed something, but how do we vote again?
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Maximus Tiberius Agrippa

Alias: Wilbur

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