Canis Domesticus

Turn 2 Senate Phase, Consular Votes

Censor Votes due 12/18, Thursday

Senate Phase

Fabius rises to address the senate.

"Consular elections are coming and I think we need to think of strategy here. The threat of Carthage has not ended and we now have a land war that is unprecendented in size. We need to strike quick before it finds a leader or reinforcements. We also have a small Illyrian war that needs attending. As you all know, I am a man of action. I feel we have the resources to attack both wars this year. If we put all our resources on the Punic war, the Illyrian war will go unprosecuted and cost Rome money. To do so, we need our best available commanders to each lead legions against a war. I propose that Aemilius attack the smaller Illyrian war with 4 to 6 legions and Flaminius have the rest of the legion after raising the maximum to attack the 2nd Punic War. This gives us a decent chance against each and Falminius gets the rewards of vanquishing the 2nd Punic War while Aemilius gets the smaller gains from the 2nd Illyrian war. Flaminius and Aemilius represent our best available men of military prowess.

Fabius nominate Aemilius and Flaminius for consuls.

Valerius addresses the Senate.

"Conscript Fathers!

"Crafty Cunctator has made a case for prosecuting two wars. Let me, review our other options before we rush headlong to confirm his policy.

"The Senate could choose to prosecute no war this year. There are several trivial advantages to this. One, the Consuls need not have good military ratings so that those Senators that do can be kept in reserve for more dire times. Two, there is no need to raise additional legions, so the State's Treasury need not be depleted. The disadvantages are serious. One, we give Carthage more time for their prophesied leaders to appear. Two, we give the Illyrians more time to gather reinforcements. Three, we pay 20T tribute to avoid fighting the wars. CORONUS will vigorously oppose this option, as, I'm sure, will FINLANDIA.

"The Senate could chose to prosecute the Second Punic War, more dangerous of the two wars. It would require 26 combat factors (CF) but, Applus advises me, we would only have a 70.37% of victory. There are several advantages to this choice. One, we concentrate on the main threat. Two, the job could be done by 24 regular legions and a 2-Mil leader, keeping the valuable Vet legion out of harm's way until needed. The sole disadvantage is that we forego an opportunity to take out the nearly toothless Second Illyrian.

"The Senate could chose to prosecute the weak Second Illyrian War. Applus reports that 15 CF will give us a 95.83% chance of victory. This too has several advantages. One, only a small enlistment would be required, even with a 1-Mil leader. Two, the vet can be rested. Three, there is almost a sure chance of victory. The disadvantage is that the elephant in the tent, Second Punic, may be reinforced next year and be even tougher.

"The Senate could choose to prosecute both wars as crafty Cunctator urges. Unfortunately, it would take 41 CF to attack both at optimum odds and we can only raise 34 - 24 regular legions, 1 vet legion, and two 8-Mil leaders. We have sufficient fleets. The advantage of successfully doing this is obvious. The disadvantages are small or political. One, we put the vet at risk. Two, we use up our cadre of 4-Mil leaders. Three, FINLANDIA grows more powerful.

"Applus has provided a chart, which the pages will hand out now. It shows that if we optimize our chance to defeat Second Punic we also maximize our chance of losing both. Shifting 3 CF from Second Punic to Second Illyrian maximizes our chance of winning both while shifting 4 minimizes our odds of losing both."

"The questions before the Senate are these. Do we go for the easy win, risking a tougher Punic War next year? Do we concentrate on Carthage and take a near 30% chance of coming up empty. Do we be bold and attack both? If so, do we emphasize defeating Carthage, maximizing the odds for two wins, or minimizing the chance of a double loss?

"And while you are contemplating that, a reminder that two governorships are up for vote. FINLANDIA has too many votes with a candidate too close to Consul-for-Life eligibility for my comfort. Perhaps Cunctator is due for a Corsican vacation?

Vote Results:

Arborophilia: 7 votes against

Coronus: 8 votes against

100%Loyalus: 6 votes against and 2 votes for

Caelestis Genus: 8 votes against

Finlandia: 14 votes for

Motion fails 16 votes to 29

Finlandia now nominates Furius and Flaminius as Consuls

Valerius addresses the Senate.

“Conscript Fathers!

“Applus has provided new figures based on 7 CF of mil leadership for the two-war scenario. The pages will pass them out now.”

“The question remains: Does the Senate prefer to maximize the chances of a double win or to minimize the chance of a double loss?

"Or perhaps we should ignore the lowly Illyrian this time and attack the 2nd Punic with 24 regular legions and a 2-mil FC and hold the better military Senators in reserve until the likes of Africanus, Macedonicus, and Flamininus appear? The augurs assure us that we face two wars with Macedonia, another war with Ilyria, and wars with Syria and the Gauls in the next few years. Frankly, we don't have that many first line commanders. A little thought now may prevent a constitutional crisis later."

Aemilius rises:

"The senators of Finlandia feel that we should attack both wars this year. We should attack the more dangerous war, the Punic war, with as much as possible and leave the minimum against the Illyrian threat. We dare not leave the Illyrians unprosecuted as it would disturb the people of Rome and cost us money. We recommend a 26/7 strategy as Appius has outlined. We would rather stalemate hte Illyrians than to not attack it at all.

Vote Results:

Arborophilia: 7 votes for

Coronus: 8 votes abstain

100%Loyalus: 8 votes for

Caelestis Genus: 8 votes for

Finlandia: 14 votes for

Motion passes 37 to 0 with 8 abstentions.

Furius and Flaminius agree to make Furius the Rome Consul and Flaminius the Field Consul.

Furius nominates Calpurnius as Censor

Factions

Senators

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Note: Senators in bold are Faction Leaders. Senators in italics are not in Rome.

Rome

Active Forces

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General Items:

Sardinia-Corsica

Sicily

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Active Wars

Unprosecuted Wars

Curia