The Unsuccessful-March-on-Rome Speech

Conscript fathers, you all know that during the time since Caesar’s death, we have been divided into factions. Neither one of the factions have been able to make any decisions for Rome. It is only with the help of the “indeterminates,” such as Libo, that any decisions have been made in the Senate at all. The two leaders of the factions, Brutus and Antony, are so focused on their hate for each other that they can hardly see what their hate has done. In their separate factions, the two former “favorites” of Caesar each ruled with a firm hand, determining exactly the mindset of each of their minions. The Senate was not set up for the kind of division that has come about because of Caesar’s death. Not only has their power over each individual in the Senate divided up the members of the Senate, but it has also forced others to take immeasurable steps to defend the safety of Rome. The steps taken today can not be taken back, yet, for no other reason than simply the safety of Rome, I am willing to take them.

Today, Gaius Julius Caesar and I have taken the step necessary to Rome’s safety: we have marched on Rome. Rome’s safety is dependent upon capable leaders who are willing to take the necessary steps to secure that very safety. The late Caesar so named Octavian, now Gaius Julius Caesar, heir to his fortune. He adopted his grandnephew as his son. Not only did the late Caesar give him three-fourths of his estate, but he also gave him power over all his regions. Although young in age, clearly the late Caesar believed our new Caesar to be politically and militarily adept enough to handle a position of great power. For this reason, I propose that new Caesar step into the role his adoptive father left vacant. In a time of great political turmoil, truly the voice of one man alone is what the city of Rome needs. With the chaos that ensues in the Senate due to the number of factions and divisions among us, the Senate has not one voice, but several voices, and to our Roman people we appear weak and divided. Through the voice of one man, Rome will survive the turmoil, at least until the Senate once again unites as one to give their one voice to the Roman people. Until then, I propose new Caesar as dictator, and I, Marcus Lepidus, as his Magister Equitum. Just as the late Caesar relied on my military and political skills, so will the new Caesar rely on me. Because of his youth, he will need my guidance and mentoring more so than his father, which is why we will have joint power over the estate of Rome. Yet, hear me Senators, the Roman people will hear only one voice to guide them and bring them to reason in this time of turmoil. That voice will be the new Caesar’s, and that voice will bring peace to Rome.