Quintus Pedius on Marc Antony's Trial

I myself do not believe that Antony forged the acta. My opinion is based on his character and it is based on lack of evidence. Antony is a smart and noble man. And the little evidence against him shows this.

The evidence that some have brought up as proof that Antony forged the acta is weak. The letters that Lepidus says Antony wrote to him warning him about the acta, do not prove that Antony forged the acta. Perhaps Antony heard from a trusted friends rumors about the acta and believed these rumors to be true based on pure trust. This proves only that Antony was trying to warn you Lepidus, to give you a heads up. It proves that Antony was trying to do the right thing. The fact that he sent you another letter telling you new information shows that he was trying to be completely honest with you and not trying to hide anything from you. Why else would he send it? The only thing Marc Antony is guilty of is trusting people too much. For a man who brings in personal letters from a friend to be read in front of the entire Senate is not trustworthy at all.

The other thing that leads me to believe in Antony’s innocence is the discrepancy between Caesar’s acta and Caesar’s will. Why would he forge one and not the other? Yes he voted for the acta to be passed without being read first, but he knew that eventually the acta would be read so the laws could be put into action. He knew that it wouldn’t be kept a secret forever. So why would he forge the acta? He knew that the will and acta would be compared and he would then look suspicious. He could still be put on trial and the acta could be made void.

Think about these two things when you decide your vote. And think clearly. Do not vote that Antony is guilty just because you want him to be guilty because you personally do not like him. Cast your vote based on the evidence presented.

Quintus Pedius on Caesar's acta

Senators,

We meet today to discuss whether or not the Senate should confirm Caesar’s plans for the future of Rome. I believe we should enact his plans, for they truly benefit all the Roman people.

We have disagreed on many things here, most notably whether or not Caesar’s murder was justified. Some of the men present today believe that Caesar was trying to make himself a king. Other men, like myself, believe Caesar was a just leader and the most fit to lead Rome.

We have also disagreed on the type of burial Caesar deserved and on the punishment the conspirators should receive. However, one thing we can all agree on is that during his time I political office, Caesar’s actions benefitted and improved Rome in many different ways.

Caesar was a man of his word, for he gave to every veteran foot-soldier money and land as he promised, increasing faith in the government by the common people. He was a generous man, for he gave many banquets, plays, and athletic contests for the pure entertainment of the people, increasing pride in Rome. He was a fair man, for he allowed half magistrates to be elected by the people, proving Rome could function as a democracy. He was a forgiving man, for he admitted the sons of men who had been proscribed to office, allowing those whose talents might otherwise have been stifled by the mistakes of their fathers to gain political power. He even reformed the calendar, something that benefits not only us, but also future generations.

These things you cannot deny. Caesar helped mold Rome into the great place it is today through his benevolent acts. His plans succeeded in the past and there is no reason they will not work in the future. I have faith in his Acta and thus it should be put into action without being read in the Senate.

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.

Against Anthony (Pre-Marches on Rome)

My fellow Romans, we have gathered here today to address a most shocking and appalling issue. It grieves me deeply that such an issue most be brought before this most illustrious body of men, especially in such uncertain times. However it should not be so surprising to me or to any of you that such has come to pass. For it is in the worst of times that the most cowardly and base of men seek to pursue their own agendas and in doing so they threaten the very foundation of our most esteemed Republic and the offices that govern it. Therefore, as it is my duty as consul that I bring before this court the charge of forgery to one Mark Anthony. The accusation stands that Anthony forged the acta of Caesar in order to dispel all opposition to his selfish quest for power and to insure that he may pick up whatever scraps of Caesar he could. Not only was such a crime an attempt the honor of some of Rome’s most illustrious citizens but a crime against Rome herself.
Before I open the court to discussion I wish to address some complaints that have been brought up regarding the reasons behind this accusation. It has been said by few that such accusations have arisen is a result of personal feelings regarding Anthony, I can assure you that this is not so. You cry foul that this court seeks to punish Anthony now in such times but I ask you when exactly you would believe the right time to be. When there is a snake crawling among us oh enscripted fathers, it is only natural to strike it down before it can do the same.
You ask why we bring these charges before murderers. You say that these Liberators sought to disrupt Rome and such crimes should be called to order before the one we have gathered to discuss today. I wish to clarify here that the Liberators sought to end a tyrant for the betterment of Rome. Their methods may have been lacking but their sentiment was strong. You believe we should not place Anthony before this court crying of his character, his live for Rome and her Republic but I ask you when has Anthony displayed this love. I was not there. I however was here when Anthony sought to veto every law passed by you oh conscripted fathers in order to ensure his master would give him whatever crumbs of power he could spare. I was at the Lupercalia festival when Anthony so dared to place the diadem on a would be tyrants head. I was there that day when Anthony sought to give Rome away to one man in one gesture. And now I am here and now Anthony must pay for his crimes against the Republic. Now he can no longer hide behind his owner and we see the real Anthony.
What should be the punishment? Several methods have been mentioned. I have taken them into consideration and have decided to propose what I believe is the more moderate punishment. I do not to this for any love of Anthony but for the love of this Republic and for you oh conscripted Fathers. I do not wish for further disruption to the Republic that we are seeking to repair. Therefore, I propose that Anthony be exiled from Rome immediately and his status within its walls be stripped from him. Now shall open the court for discussion.

Breaking News Regarding the Trials for Friday's Meeting!

To the Patres conscripti (and Cleopatra),

I, Dolabella, acting on my authority as consul, have arrested Lucious Antonius and Quintus Pedius on the charge of treason to the Republic as a result of their failed attempt to march on Rome along with Marc Antoni and Publius Bassus who are both already being held for the same crimes. As a result, all four parties will be placed on trial and an appropriate sentence will be suggested by me and voted on by you during Friday's senatorial meeting.

These arrests should not effect any prepared defense against Marc Antoni for his previous charge of forgery as all stand as testimony to his character. At the meeting any speech regarding the crimes of these four individuals will be encouraged and of course they will be allowed to speak in their defense regarding these matters.

Your humble voice,
Dolabella

Marcus Terentius Varro - On the Acta of Caesar

Now, senators, we must consider what to do with the acta of a leader who seized a position that was neither his to take nor ours to give. And given that a position that does not exist holds no authority, we might throw out all the acts he decreed after his last elected dictatorship expired. Would you, senator, follow a man who claimed to be consul without examining his name and rank? When the fingertip points to the sun at midnight, the fool will not look at the finger.

And yet, were we to look at them in another way, we should not be so hasty to abandon Caesar’s acta. All of his known acta, all that he either began construction on or announced intent to construct, serve as possibilities to glorify Rome. I think it only right, then, that we the senate consider the fate of these constructions, and the remaining decrees that Marc Antony holds, intrinsically, regardless of their connections to Caesar. I shall begin with my thoughts on the known and incomplete acta.

A temple to Mars, as proposed, would serve as a fitting tribute to a deity who has smiled so favorably upon the Romans throughout our existence. I fear what might befall us should be abandon and demolish the work in place.

As for the theatre and constant pool for sea-battles on the Tarpeian hill, these are luxuries, the sesterces for which we could find better use.

A reduction of the civil code would help ensure that our rule and our justice run smoothly throughout our territories. Yet I would suggest an independent examination of the codes rather than blindly follow the revisions of one man.

Of the library, I cannot speak impartially. But I would ask the senate to consider two things. First, what terrible loss have we incurred by the destruction of the library of Alexandria? Second, what would it mean to Roman knowledge, scholarship, thought, and glory to have a library as grand, nay, grander than that of Alexandria? And consider, dear senators, that Rome, not Greece, could truly become the intellectual center of the civilized world.

To drain the Pomptine marshes and divert some of Lake Fucinus would be to claim much new farmland for the Roman people. It would also be costly, both in wealth and in lives. We must consider if we indeed required more farmland before we drain any further.

Both the highway from the Adriatic to the Tiber and the canal through the Corinthian isthmus will bring more trade to Rome. I fail to see why we should not construct either.

The Dacians, as we know, have made advances into Pontus and Thrace. I am not a man ready to cede any part of the fatherland to barbarians, yet I fear the success of any check in the midst of our political turmoil. If we are divided to any significant degree regarding the Dacians, the campaign will fall from public scorn and the unease of the soldiers.

By extension, any declaration of war on the Parthians lies beyond our grasp. We can neither divide our attention nor gamble so heavily with public opinion while we still settle the affairs of Caesar.

I began my address to you, senators, with a warning: to be wary of the agent of an action. Now, I urge you also not to be unduly prejudiced against an action because of the agent. We do not reject agriculture because the Gauls engage in it, nor hunting because it is the sport of dogs. I would advise the senate to consider each of Caesar’s proposals as just that—another proposal, to be judged as proper or not for this republic.

Marcus Terentius Varro - On What to Do with the Assassins

Senators, it is in the aftermath of one of the strangest wakes of my lifetime that we gather to determine the fate of those who inspired it. Caesar rests, and his followers from all who walk the streets of Rome came to witness, despite the will of the Senate. Now we senators also must wake—both to our moral consciences and to the will of the people, for whom the assailants say they acted.

Caesar, as I have noted, has done much both great and terrible for Rome and for the Senate. I will not speak again of his territorial gains, of his clemency for the exiled, of his constructions within Rome itself. Nor will I remind you of his march against the city, of the white sash and laurel that decorated his monument, of his grasping for a perpetual singular authority. He was a decidedly political figure, and his assailants struck him down for decidedly political reasons. They wished us to return to the age of the Republic, to a period of growth and prosperity that has lasted us more than four hundred years. Perhaps he wished to return Rome to the age of kings, to the age of Tullius and Superbus. I shall not pretend to know the aspirations of the dead, nor shall I pretend to know absolutely the right path for Rome. I have read enough of our literature to know that either such assumption is ill-advised.

I’m old, senators. I may not look it, but I feel it. Very thin—sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. And I do not have the youthful certitude to that I, or others in the Senate, may judge correctly within a single meeting.

Therefore, let the case go to the quaestio de vi, the court of political violence. The decision regarding these assailants, especially considering their number and the complexity of the situation, requires the adequate gathering of information and argumentation that comes with such a case. Republicans, would you doubt the abilities of Cicero or others to argue such a case? And Caesarians, if you cannot find a strong enough scholar and wit on your side, I fail to see why the Roman people should entrust you to lead our fatherland.

Senators, this is a time of great turmoil, but not a time to forget ourselves. We are neither barroom brawlers nor petulant children whining over the loss of some bauble. We are the voice and rule of the people, and we would do well to act with the care, coolness, and rationality that befit a Roman senator. May Jupiter look kindly upon the just.

Marcus Terentius Varro - On the Death of Caesar

Senators, we gather today to acknowledge the death of Gaius Julius Caesar and to determine what is to be done with his remains. Caesar, as we must recognize, is a man of great yet conflicted importance to Rome and its people. He has expanded our territories with arms and men, and has invaded our city with the same. He has restored many of us here today from exile, myself included, and has diminished their importance by his dictatorship. He has captured the hearts of the Roman people, and has tried to establish a terrible precedent to remove their voices.

Senators, I will not pretend that I have received no privilege from Caesar, nor can I condone the manner by which the assailants slew him. But regardless of my feelings, Caesar’s death is immutable. All that we may decide is how to treat the body of this man.

Considering all the glories Caesar has earned and wrought for Rome, it would be a shame to see Caesar’s body lost in the Tiber River. What the conspirators slew Caesar for was a matter of potential harm Caesar posed to the republic and not actual harm having already been done. It, therefore, seems as unjust to me to dispose of the man so callously as it would to execute in the same manner a man who gathered knives and poisons but had yet committed no murder. Neither Caesar nor any man should be punished so harshly for actions untaken.

At the same time, his claim for himself as perpetual dictator, without the blessing of the senate and with an heir besides, is a serious offense, and a man who would steal such a position does not deserve the grand procession and deification proposed here. As I have said, Caesar has tried to establish a terrible precedent to isolate power in one man, whom we may not always trust to speak for the good of the people.

I propose that we instead grant it to the family and friends of Caesar to hold a private burial. For all his actions both inspiring and unsettling, Caesar was a citizen of Rome—nothing more or less. We would dishonor ourselves to deny Caesar this final rite, taking away as much freedom as his later action threatened to take from Rome. Further, we would deny one of the oldest stories on the matter in our history. As I’m certain all of you were taught as small boys, after Remus taunted his brother Romulus and leapt over the wall of Rome, our great founder slew his brother in anger. Yet, by certain accounts, after all battle ceased, Romulus gave his brother a proper burial. Now, I ask you senators, were the actions of Caesar truly worse than those of Remus, the betrayer of his brother and first enemy of Rome?

I should wish that none of us spoke so severely about Caesar, for to do whether favorably or unfavorably would be to distort the memory of Caesar. Grant him a proper, private burial if you wish to preserve the dignity of our fatherland.

Poem 6-Catullus on Antony

Hello man with the suave voice and the pretty face.

Just because you have the means to please people artificially,

do not think that we the senate can be held captive by your persuasive speech.

For even you Antony must be truthful to yourself (which we all know you were not).

Those who used to follow you have left your side. Is this not proof your stupidity in the trickery?

For treason against Rome will not go unpunished.

Just as you so desire to convict the conspirators for treason

We all wish to convict you of the same crime.

And while you have a few men who follow you like puppy dogs follow a mother,

Dependent on her appreciation and affirmation in order live happily,

The rest of the senate has grown a brain, used our eyes, and seen you for what you truly are...

A liar, a traitor, and a power hungry hazard to Rome .

Gaius Matius on the Acta, and M. Antony

Romans,

I am greatly angered at the events occurring within our Senate. I continually stood behind Caesar in my speeches, and after reading his acta, I once again urge each of you to recognize his good intentions. Logic clearly has reached none of the opposition here today, so I shall say it simply. Caesar is not a tyrant! He has the greatest love for Rome of anyone, rivaled only by Marcus Antonius in political matters.

On that note, my anger increases. I have stood behind this man in letters, meetings of the Senate and in my heart. I am astounded at the level of mistrust. Caesar, unaware of his future misdeeds, appointed Brutus as consul, blurring our currently drawn lines of Republican and Caesarian. This "liberator" shouldn't be given anything but a trial. And in what sort of backwards world do we live in that Marc Antony is tried BEFORE murderers? We must act on our beliefs, Romans, and carry out Caesar's acta as planned. Remember the greatness of a unified government. Do not let civil unrest erupt from your misguided judgments and misplaced trials. Trust in your fellow man and dismiss this prideful way of governing.

Gaius Matius

An Egyptian Reaction to Recent Senatorial Meetings

My dear Roman friends,

Upon receiving word from my interwebs of slaves and a detailed summary of the latest senatorial meeting, I am simply appalled by the audacity of a few of its members. Where do I begin? First of all, I find it utterly ridiculous that the trial of Marc Antony be held before the trial of the conspirators, who unlawfully murdered the leader of this fair nation. Let's use our minds that the gods have granted us, dear Romans. Does it make sense to bring someone to trial on accusations of forgery, which are completely unfounded and clearly biased due to personal feelings towards others in the senate before a disgusting and untrustworthy murderer? Along with this, let me remind you all that your senate is halfway filled with liars and cheaters who seek personal gain either through military or monetary purposes. I for one can think of a handful of Romans who thought that they would be in power and still hope to be, even if that means using force or intimidation.

It tears at my heart to see the direction in which this senate is going: creating political factions, not trusting one another, and forgetting the man that loved Rome and all within it.

Brutus is a murderer and all that associate with him I can safely call the same. If you befriend a murder, you are just as worthless and evil. Dolabella is greedy and wants nothing but more money and more power. If you befriend the greedy, you will become just as selfish. Lepidus is power hungry and wants to increase his military reserves. If you befriend a power hungry man, you will become just as ruthless.

I pray that the senate can calm itself and see the light. The will and acta of Caesar have always been the word of Caesar. These documents were not changed by Marcus Antonius; the men that claim this are those who should not be trusted.

Cleopatra VII

Ps. My children were not even mentioned in the will, and I still care more about your nation and the direction it is heading than most of you ever could. Toodles.

The trial of Marcus Antonius

Patres conscripti (and Cleopatra),

Based on the precedent of the Bona Dea scandal (a trial in which Cicero crushed that scam, Clodius, as you all remember), the trial of Marc Antony will be conducted by the Senate. Dolabella is responsible for bringing forth the charges and proposing a penalty.

All Senators are required to voice their opinion on the issue. Should they wish to pose questions to the defendant, he has the right to respond however he wishes, i.e. either on the spot or after each speech.

Gaius Octavius speaks concerning the will

Most noble senators,
I summon you here today to discuss the next most important document Caesar left behind: his will. Gaius Julius Caesar was undoubtedly a skillful general, a sharp politician, and a father to this republic and the Roman people. It seemed at times that my great-uncle made brash political decisions that are often misinterpreted as tyrannical, but let me remind you that he acted only for the betterment of our state. His work as the leader of Rome has brought great success to our republic that has ushered in a new era of progress.
Because of the combative nature of the Senate recently and the general trend of distrust, some of you may think that by having the will read, I am trying to take some sort of power so that I can rule over all of Rome myself. I would like to reassure you all that this is certainly not the case. Caesar was my great-uncle, my blood relative who trusted and esteemed me. I merely want my rightful inheritance that Caesar left to me. I believe that everyone included in the will wants and deserves whatever Caesar has left to them. Bear in mind that Caesar, in his generous nature, most likely has left something for the Roman people. The people of this great republic deserve what is rightfully theirs because Caesar was a father to them as well.
I would like to remind you all that Marcus Antonius and Brutus are the enemies of the senate. Brutus broke his oath of loyalty to Caesar and murdered him, probably in hopes of gaining power for himself. Marcus Antonius has said that the old ways are not good for Rome. If M.A. receives any sort of power, he will try to do away with the senate altogether, and will probably use his army to march on Rome in order to seize power and rule this nation himself. There was talk in the last meeting of a possible case of forgery of the acta by M.A. Let us hope that M.A. would not betray Caesar by making new acta and claiming that they are Caesar’s in order to give himself power. For if Caesar truly favored and trusted M.A. so much that he appointed him Pontifex Maximus, as the “acta” state, then M.A. would certainly be named Caesar’s heir in his will. Therefore, we must read the will to see if this is the case, and M.A. should also want the will read for this reason.
Lastly, it is important that we read the will of Caesar and honor his last wishes, for every man deserves respect in their passing from this earth. I now open the floor for discussion…

The Trial of Antony

Friends and Enemies of Rome-- With today's meeting having taken place, I am filled with grief and anger. I cannot help but grieve for Rome, for I feel as if the Senate is now driven by personal motives rather than a desire to soundly govern the state. I am angry, for I was extremely frustrated to find that no matter how hard I tried to convey my reasoning to all, Republicans and Caesarians alike, no one seemed to listen. I attempted to explain my brother's goodness, yet you all turned your back to me and ignored my sound arguments.

Even if you would believe Antony to be of foul character, what criminal would alter, create, or produce two documents of such different ideas? Neither document completely favors Antony. Both the Acta and the will give authority to Brutus. Why, if he had the ability to alter the document, would Antony do this? You all say that he wished to appear "fair" in hopes that Brutus would be tried and exiled from Rome-- what then? Most of us would say the election of another consul would occur. If this were the case, obviously you Republicans would win that battle, as you have all others, either by means of bribery or sheer stubbornness to the truth. So why do you worry that Antony will seize power, when you all hold the majority?

I am disgusted by all affairs occurring in the Senate. All are seemingly voting with their partition, and not with their heart. For do you all believe in the forgery of the will by Marc Antony? Do you all believe the matter dire enough to require his trial before that of the murderers of Caesar? Do you all believe a trial necessary that will only further divide the Senate? Why do you all follow so blindly!

I feel lost and hopeless and as if those that claim do hate Antony for his so-called desire for sole power, are the ones who truly desire the sole control and power of Rome.

Lucius Antonius

Poem 5-Catullus Praises a few Noble Romans

I know I have become known for my witty way with words,

But I promise with all that I have that Catullus speaks now with no salt in his voice.

In this time of turmoil and trouble where all the state and senate have a choice

Of which route to take and how to make peace in the senate. The birds

Are quiet. The rivers almost stops for fear of another

Incident of terror. But somehow, someone needs to settle the storm.

For I have heard rumors of fear circulating in the Forum

About which man should be appointed to rule Rome. "For which men were more of a brother

Or a son to the late ruler than Lepidus and Octavius?" they say. For truly both men

Were not given any good fortune with the acta having been read,

Almost as if the acta were written by someone in the living rather than the dead.

Octavius, that young noble Roman who is the heir to Caesar. Lepidus who had been

His second for many years. Who better to lead Rome into the light

Than these two men who can truly bring justice to this republic more so than others who thirst

For power-who can almost taste it. Who have it in their sights. But the state comes first.

And the state needs leaders who will do the republic right.

I urge all you, o senators, to take my words and think them through.

For the fate of the state depends on what you, what I, what we do.

Lucius Caesetius Flavus on Caesar's acta

Oh conscript fathers,

I speak to you today in the midst of turmoil and tumult the likes of which we may have never seen before. We sit at a crossroads for our republic, and it is the charge of those whom the republic has chosen to guide it to determine which route we travel. As always, I speak today not on behalf of myself, but rather on behalf of those glorious, downtrodden civilians who only now begin to emerge, fear-stricken, from their homes into a Rome free of Caesar and the specter of his harrowing tyranny.

Caesar, like any man absorbed in his own power, in his own hubris, like any man fooled by the cult of his own personality, saw to it that his legacy would extend beyond his mere mortal life. Indeed, it is but further, albeit unnecessary evidence of Caesar’s tyranny that he felt his influence should last even post mortem. But Caesar sleeps now for eternity. Antony and his band of power hungry cronies would have you believe that such is not the case, but indeed we no longer need to live in fear, as I was once forced to, of Caesar’s expansive command and repression.

We come together today to discuss the fate of Caesar’s acta. I have made my case against Caesar’s tyranny before, you are all aware of his persecution of me for the noble crime of removing a diadem from the head of our late tyrant. But we cannot deny that Caesar had a distinctly organized plan drawn out for the circumstance of his death. I ask you, if Caesar was a tyrant in life, why would he not be so in death? Indeed, it surprises me not that Antony, who himself stands to gain so much from the execution of Caesar’s will, supports the carrying out of these acta. However, let us not be swayed by the selfishness and greediness of those who seek to use Caesar’s death as a means of promulgating their agendas.

Simultaneously, I do not believe that the mere fact that his would-be successors seek to exploit his acta necessarily means that we should ignore them completely. Instead, I believe that we, as a senate, should review the acta and decide, on a case-by-case level, which of these serve the republic and its noble people and which of these serves Caesar’s villanous supporters. May we all remember why we are here, to lead the republic and to protect its citizens, I urge you to join me in moving forwards towards a republic in which no man reigns supreme.

Thank you

Lucius Caesetius Flavus on what to with Caesar's body (sorry it's late)

Oh conscript fathers,

It is with a heavy heart that I approach you all today. I approach you, nevertheless, out of the sense of duty that I have to our great republic. For when our republic is in danger, we who have been appointed with the charge of protecting it must take action. And so, today, I heed my obligation and must move to defend that which is most dear to me. The matter I refer to is simple, and as such I have not much to say. Apologists for the late Julius Caesar have claimed that the man whose body we now discuss was not a tyrant but a hero. However, we must not allow those villainous men who seek to use the present tumult in our great republic for their own benefits to fool us. I speak to you today as I have always spoken to you fine senators, as the representative of the noble and most industrious plebs, who now celebrate their freedom from the tyrant whose excessive ambition and maniac lust for power threatened to unhinge the republic completely.

As tribune of the plebs, it is my sole charge to ensure that they are well represented and protected. This responsibility is not new for me, however I have recently been prevented from fulfilling it by this Caesar who once persecuted me for removing a diadem from a statue bearing his likeness. How can you Caesarians defend the integrity of a man who persecuted a Roman citizen for refusing to honor him as a king?

It is an unfortunate circumstance that Caesar, who for many years served as a legitimate hero of the republic, descended into tyranny and wretchedness when faced with the possibility of great power. Therefore I mourn not that Caesar has died, but that he had to die. That a man as virtuous as Caesar once was could not resist the temptation of supremacy is perhaps the strongest evidence of the lamentable but undeniable fact that excessive power necessarily corrupts.

However, if Caesar was truly the hero his apologists claim he was, surely he would have gladly given his life to the cause of preventing the destruction of the republic at the hands of a tyrant. Caesar breathes not now. Lest his sacrifice go to waste, I suggest we treat him as the despot he had become prior to his death and throw his body to the water, where it will serve as a warning to those who seek to exploit and manipulate the republic. Caesar’s reign of tyranny is finally over. While his death may be lamentable, it was necessary. Join me, oh conscript fathers, in heralding those who liberated us from Caesar’s clutches. May they be treated as the heroes they are and may we now move forward, for the time has come for re-growth. Truly, Caesar’s death will not have been in vain if it teaches us the dangers of autocratic power.

To Enact the Acta, Or Not to Enact the Acta

Perhaps there is a way for Caesarians to prove themselves to the assassins as worthy; perhaps there is a way for the assassins to prove themselves to the Caesarians as worthy. The only way for each faction to prove itself worthy to the other is to keep the acta as it is. We must all try to unite as one unit under Caesar's acta. Although we could not act as one unit under Caesar's rule, perhaps through his legislation alone, without the man behind the legislation, we can move past what many could call his tyrannical reign and back to the old, democratic ways of the Republic, when we acted as one united voting body.

However, again in the Senate meeting, Libo spoke for moderation, and moderation I again voted for. We must read Caesar's acta to revise and determine which of the acta are appropriate to enact during this time of turmoil and uproar, otherwise more uproar may ensue. Revising the acta together will unite us again as one single voting body.

ACTACAESARIS

ACTA CAESARIS

Here I delineate, lest something hinder me from enacting them in person, as well as for the benefit of my own memory, my own plans and appointments for the continued success of Rome.

I am aware that few call me a tyrant king. Every time I hear those words spoken I am stabbed with pain. I work only for the glory of Rome, and the powers I hold I hold only to stabilize a Rome that needed a guiding centralization of power for a time. However, now that I have been in this position of power for nearly ten years, steadied our state, and returned Rome to its former glory, I realize that the utter extent of my power is no longer needed. Thus, within the next year, I will work to restore balance to Rome and hopefully end the calls of tyranny that pain me so deeply. I will start by abandoning my position as Pontifex Maximus. I do believe, however, that I still have a role to play at the helm of our Roman ship, and that a centralized power, although much weakened, is necessary to execute the decrees of the Senate and act as a shining exemplum of Rome far from the walls of our city. Thus, with my deeper sentiments exposed, logic can be seen in the following plans and appointments.

My first delineated appointment serves to redeem a lost voice in Roman political life. Although Marcus Tulius Cicero and I have had an embittered history, and differ on our fundamental values, I believe him to be a man worthy of some degree of respect. As I have aged, I have realized that Rome needs difference of opinion spoken greatly, and in this there is no better man than Cicero. Thus, in order to restore his political life, I reaffirm Cicero’s title as Pater Patriae, hold a parade for the reaffirmation, and also award him the honorary title Senex Sapiens – a position that will allow all that he understands of our Roman Senate, all that he understands of the nature of politics, and all that he understands of oration, to be recorded by state-hired scribes so that his thoughts can immediately enter the public domain and be studied throughout Rome. Hopefully these honorary positions serve to return Cicero to the Senate on a regular basis.

I appoint Catullus, honorable poet, to the new position of Poet Laureate, a position which encourages our Roman art and grants Catullus a state income, so that he will be further encouraged to compose his biting poetry that captures both the good and bad of our Rome.

I appoint Marcus Terentius Varro to the position of Scriptor Magnus, an honor which grants him the ability to directly request and receive from the consuls state funds in order to establish necessary schools of literature throughout the state.

In attempts to move away from unnecessary centralization of potentially violent power, I revoke the title of Magistrum Equitum from Lepidus not because of any reason in his character or for any action. Lepidus will be instead stationed in Armenia, to work skillfully with the Persians so that we may expand and ensure our territories under his honorable guidance.

With Lepidus having been transfered to Armenia, I break up his three armies, and thus secure Rome further from potential misuse of force, and transfer those three armies, one to Lucius Antonius for his truly natural leadership skills, one to Bassus, a noble servant to Rome, and one to Quintus Tulius Cicero, the younger brother of Marcus Tulius Cicero and a promising young soldier.

In my past I have tried to appoint Dolabella to the position of consul, but it was wisely rejected by Marc Antony, who exceeds me in political sense. Since my attempt to appoint Dolabella as consul, I have become aware of Dolabella’s duplicitous nature, noticing glances and grimaces in his face that suggest he is somehow unhappy. I have also become aware of the enormous debt he owes to other Roman citizens, including Cicero, and I demand Dolabella to repay Cicero in full, plus standard interest. Surely Marc Antony saved us all when he stopped Dolabella from bankrupting Rome as consul the same way he has bankrupted himself. Therefore I appoint Dolabella to the position of overseas granary commissioner in Crete.

Brutus, more of a son to me than a senator, will be appointed consul alongside the existing consuls immediately after, and only after, Marc Antony is granted the additional position of Pontifex Maximus.

All other positions currently held by citizens unnamed in this document will be retained by those unnamed citizens.


With these acta, I attempt to realign the power of Rome that had been tipped, not for an unworthy reason, in my favor so that I could secure our state. Now, the three consuls, Brutus, Marc Antony and myself, in union with the Senate, will work together, I pray, to ensure that future glory come to Rome.

Libo On Caesar's Acta

My fellow citizens, senators and countrymen,

I come to you today to offer my opinions on the proposal to adapt Caesar's Acta. As you may recall from my last speech, I was a master negotiator in Caesar's feud with Pompey. From our last meeting I was disheartened to hear the accusations that came across the floor from both sides. Is it true that many of you were bought by Caesar, or that you hid behind his toga when you were in trouble?!

On the other hand concerning the Acta, I want to remind you that it was Caesar that assigned Marcus Varro the duty to increase public participation in libraries. He wanted to build the temple of Mars and to build a theater of vast size. Caesar wanted the Roman empire to be extended by planning to wage war against Parthia. He corrected the calendar and he worked on many more projects.

Therefore, I would like to propose that we go through the Acta point by point, line by line and that we vote individually on each decree. The proposals that increase Rome's glory should be adopted, while those that set to increase selfish gain should be abolished.

Libo