Former Consul on the fate of the Conspirators

Fellow Romans,

I would first like to congratulate the Senate on making the right decision in regards to Caesar's funeral. It was the honorable and morally right thing to do for a former military leader and consul of Rome. This man led the Roman army in a time of great prosperity and expansion. Politics must be put aside at a time like this and a former servant of the Rome honored.

Now as to the fate of the conspirators, every last one of them should be given a fair trial as any criminal of the state. With many witnesses and the entire Senate knowing the identities of the murderers, this should not be a difficult conviction. The one claim the conspirators have to excuse their actions was their belief that Caesar was leading Rome down a dangerous road toward tyranny. Fellow Senators, worry over political future is no excuse for murder. If found guilty, these murderers must be put to death as a warning to those who choose to deal political differences in such an extreme and barbaric manner. This trial should be quick and easy, for we cannot excuse murderers of the consul of Rome. I urge you to give these men a trial and let their fates be determined the lawful way.

Lucius Aemilius Paullus