SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUM

SENATE MEETING 11FEB2018

Present:

Emperor Stephanus Galtier

Senators: Markus Vindelici, Cato Leone Elen, Miles Maximus, Janu Shimada Vindelici, Booker Beningborough, Gaius Antigos, Tybalt Caproni, Stef Endriago Antonius Drakon, Regulus Antius Rufus

Citizens: Darkar, Jason Warden-Vindelici, Gaius Cilnius Maecenas Octavian, Mardrakus Hekatos, Aurelius Inside-Romanov-Phoenix, Alexi Inside-Romanov-Phoenix, Ptolemy Confero, Markus Agrippa, Ashar Pannius, Remvs Mercvrivs Karv, Elavor, Zarek Antonius, Damion Draco Antonius, Strymon O Aemilius Parthicus, Ilyas Riina, Quinttin, Sexus Andylutz, Petrus Gnaeus Pompeius, Skip Scipio, Dilly Daxter, Luca Hadrianus, Zander Hadrianus, Candyboy Allen, Duracuir, Ibo, Emmerick Leone Elen Gallicus, Pax Satyricus Pompeus, Joris Africanus, Rugger, Bambi Panius-Serafin, Martouf Jarvinen

Proxies: Zarek Antonius for Senator Marcus Antonius, Strymon Parthicus for Senator Rad Parthicus, Emmerick Leone Elen Gallicus for Guy Leone

I. TRIAL OF SEXUS ANDYLUTZ

Charged with abandonment of his post of Bacchus priest. The senators and their proxies voted on his guilt or innocence.

Prosecutor Cato Leone Elen: As per law, desertion of any post is a crime, punishable by death. So, I hereby suggest 2 options; death by public crucifixion, OR immediate return to the temple, resuming his duties as a Priest of Bacchus, to be bound only to the Temple grounds, and a relevant public punishment.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Sexus Andylutz, The senate has voted. You have admitted guilt and have also been found guilty by vote. We know you performed your duties well as a Priest of Bacchus in the past. So, I hereby order that you are to be movement bound to ONLY the Bacchus Temple grounds; & under watchful guard of the Legion and Gladiators, whom you had served well in the past. I will pass sentence after careful consideration of the crime committed. I now call this trial closed until sentencing. Take the prisoner away.

Janu Shimada Vindelici: I understood the Constitution was adopted on 10 February. The constitution provided for judicial matters to be dealt with by Consuls. So I would like to know Why a trial was brought here. Also I would like to know how many Senators voted, in the trial.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Today's trial was roleplay. And it did not follow any constitution. As part of the roleplay, the outcome was predetermined. The Consul's role as Judiciary would involve real issues, not roleplay necessarily.

Booker Beningborough: thanks to Cato for organizing the RP today.

II. IMPERIAL APPOINTMENTS

- The Senate received notice that Senator Wolf has resigned from the position of Proconsul. He will remain Governor of Pompeii. Regulus Antius Rufus is appointed as new Pronconsul.

Zarek Antonius: Gratitude. Will his Highness Regulus be assuming the same tasks and roles that Governor Wolf handled? If not, how will the three Proconsuls be splitting up the work? Additionally, will we be seeing more of the Proconsuls out and about in the Empire (apologies but i don’t see them as much as I saw Wolf online, though I have not been on as much recently as in the past)? I am asking because I know (from personal experience) that it was always helpful to see Governor Wolf online and (if he was available) to speak with him “face to face” about issues. I realize that may be one of the contributing factors to the Governor’s decision to step down but we did find it quite useful and helpful.

RegulusAntius Rufus: Regarding my appointment; I have a huge jock strap, uh, I mean sandal to fill. A sincere and well deserved "thank you" to Wolf. I did not seek this office but I bowed to the will of the Emperor. I will attempt to fill the office and if I am not satisfactory, I will relinquish the office to any one who can handle it better than I. Role Play: In my humble opinion, Romanum is a "life style" sim not a role play sim. I would strongly suggest that a committee be established to encourage role play and create additional role play opportunities, not events. which we do extremely well already. It is having a presence in the tavern, for example, or providing boys to attend upon the men who utilize the baths, or weekly wrestling matches in the gymnasion. We need a presence in Romanum's streets, not the villas. We need roles to be played. Trades people to mill about selling their wares, discussions in the forum, merchants who are awaiting the arrival of ships containing their purchases, farms and smiths for the stables. Perhaps we can get horses that people can pick up at the stables. The tour by chariot is great but people need other ways to get around the city and these generate role play possibilities. We need executioners and interrogators in the prisons God, there are so many possibilities here. We have the bones (the city) of a great RP environment if we only use them. And people who do RP are not to be exclusive but should invite people they don't know into the conversation. We should all welcome people we don't know, Back stories, we need back stories.

Asharr Panius: I agree with Regulus and I hope the new Proconsul will head a committee for the improvement of RP in the city as he has some great ideas.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Senator Gaius Antigos already is involved in a RP group trying to organize RP. So, I applaud Regulus and his ideas. And I suggest he works with Senator Gaius. I just wanted to say I take Senator Janu comments about today's roleplay seriously. I also am grateful to Cato and Sextus for developing today's roleplay. I approved today's roleplay and agreed to be a part of it.

- The Emperor has appointed Luca Hadrianus as the new Imperial Palace Manager joining candyboy allen who serves as Assistant Imperial Palace Manager, working together as a team. An objection from Senator Markus Vindelici was noted.

- Mardrakos Hekatos is appointed the new city slaver, in the absence of the former post holder, Hunter.

Asharr Panius: Now that the City has a new slaver will all current slaves servicing the city via the temples report to the new slaver? Don't know when priests became slavers.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: We will be distributing an update to our slave policy soon.

III. THE NEW CONSTITUTION FOR ROMANUM

It can be read here: http://www.romanum.net/constitvtion-of-romanvm

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: The new constitution answers the duties of the proconsuls. There is also estate managers, to be known as magistrates. It is my hope between myself, the proconsuls and the estate managers we can deal with issues. Of course, we also have Senators and soon we will have Tribunes who also can deal with issues and concerns of the people.

PTOLEMY CONFERO: Returning to the appointments of Tribunes. Tribunes historically are the voice of the plebs, the people who are not the nobles. I most respectfully propose, that said Tribune meet at a certain time, in the Forum to hear any and all grievances from the population. This would perhaps, clear up some of the clutter in this sacrosanct house.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: I am very excited about our new legislative body, the Tribune of the People (Plebs). It will be a body of 10 male citizens elected directly by the citizens of Romanum. They will serve a one year term. The first year, this year, will be shorter than a year. I will soon announce the procedure and dates for electing the Tribune and how candidates can announce they are running. As stated in the Constitution, how often the Tribune of the People meet and where they meet is up to that body and their body's elected leader.

Markus Vindelici: On the tribuni I have the following opinion: Romanum does not need more political elite because it says many cooks spoil the pulp. My impression is that the left hand no longer knows what the right one is doing, since coordination becomes all the more difficult. It is better to spend our time on good RP than on unnecessary unnecessary bureaucracy and title cheating. Don't we represent Romanum enough, as senators? You cannot transfer RL Rome to SL Romanum one by one.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: The idea behind the Tribune is anything but about the elite. It is exactly the opposite. The Tribune give common citizens a chance to represent the rest of Romanum. To be chosen by Romanum. Sure, one could argue it may be overkill. But it is just another body from a different perspective. The Senate will continue as it has, as the upper chamber of the legislature. If you look at your history books. You will see Rome had both a Senate and a Tribune of the People. Yes, I know that was earlier in the history of Rome then we RP now. Still, it has historical precedence.

Asharr Panius: so with so many senators and over so many years how many have held any meeting to gauge the opinions of the plebs before either a closed senators meeting or the monthly senate meeting? And I'm unsure why 10 Tribunes are needed when ancient history shows there was 1 Tribune of the Plebs and the Senate was closed only to senators.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: If our Tribune idea does not pan out, we will abandon it. But I want to try it.

Gaius Antigos: the citizens of Romanum need a voice, its high time for that. I would even say there should be 20 plebs in their group.

PTOLEMY CONFERO: Will a Tribune vote count by that body as a veto for senator's votes? Historically, it did, and tended to cause interesting outcomes..

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: The short answer is no. The constitution spells out the Tribune is an advisory body to the Senate and the Senate is an advisory body to the Consul.

Janu Shimada Vindelici: I have tried to fulfill my role as Senator conscientiously. I have listened to complaints about flooding. Dealt with other queries. I am regularly present, here. I feel as Senators we have failed, if it’s felt we need another body.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: I am sorry if anyone in the Senate views the addition of the Tribune as a slight against them or their effectiveness in their roles. It was not intended to mean that. It was primarily an opportunity for non-elites, non-landowners, to also have a voice as leaders in our community and it follows the same concept as most governments in the world.

candyboy Allen: make me leader of the tribune to save a lot of time and i see an afraid elite in here and I love that.

Booker Beningborough: The Emperor mentioned the details will be coming for that election, Candyboy.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Candy, you may run for the Tribune.

candyboy Allen: come on, save some time i know the meaning of the people.

Cato Leone Elen: All I can really say at this point on the subject is: "It cant hurt to try ANYTHING. if it works, GREAT. if not, we move on to new."

IV. FUTURE EVENTS

- Olympics: Markus Vindelici: we still need a date for the Olympic Games so i have no updates yet. Janu Shimada Vindelici: The co-ordinators welcome assistance in athletics and artistic events. We hope other promoters will brand their events during the Olympics. Any ideas for extra events are welcomed. Popov has agreed to host this year’s art contest.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier): Regarding dates for the 8th anniversary celebration and the Olympics, it depends how many events there are and how many days are needed. But it should include the weekend of march 23-25. If we need more days, I suggest it start before march 23 and end on march 25.

Markus Vindelici: about the prize money: To prevent fraud, the prize money should be limited. There should not be endless discussions like last year, that just destroys the spirit of the games. Janu Shimada Vindelici: I think the co-ordinators decide the prizes.

V. ROMANUM SPONSORSHIP FINANCES

Senator Nero Creticus Antonius Drakon requests a current accounting of the fund donations to support the sporting events. Who manages that, but it would be nice to hear that it is being used for the correct purpose and how the fund is doing.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Senator Nero has raised a good question. The Consuls and I are discussing this and hope to develop a policy on funds raised and tracking fund spending.

VI. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

Janu Shimada Vindelici: Last meeting we welcomed the Karu lands to our glorious Empire. Is there more news?

Remvs Mercvrivs Karv: My emperor, proconsul, senators and citizens. We witness the happy transformation of the Roman Province of Karuvium into the Kingdom of Karuvium. Similar to the "Ethnarchies" of Nabatea, Commagene, Judea, Comana, Emesa, Mauretania and Numidia. The Kingdom of Karuvium is the Monarchy of the Karu and a Romanised state closely linked by ties of blood, history and culture to The Empire of Romanum. Caius, King of Karuvium has been asked to take the role of Monarch and is happy to serve in that capacity. The Karu are always ready to accept people in search of a role in the Kingdom. The Karu are proud of Senator Syrus who sits in the Senate of Romanum as the third Senator in the Karu family and are proud of Flavius Etchegary-Drake who is the son of Syrus and Eryx and who is now the fourth Senator in the family. We proudly note that our son, Jasoni Alecto, was for a time the Governor of the Province of Londinium. The Karu family has been in existence from the very beginning of the Empire of Romanum and are senators, ambassador, citizens, merchants and even servii. Mercurius wanted to give a home to new citizens, who perhaps could not afford their own home at first, and so this family of adopted sons, stands for sharing, welcoming new citizens and peace. The family numbers 74 sons, grandsons and relatives and is a small community within Romanum.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: As Senator Emeritus Mercurius is my beloved brother and the Karu family my family, I am very grateful for their continued subservience to the Empire of Romanum and to meand I welcome this for many years to come.

Janu Shimada Vindelici (januarius): I don't see my friend Flavius' name on the roll of Senators.

Emperor Stephanus Galtier: Flavius resigned some time ago.

The next Senate meeting will be on Sunday, March 18, at 11:00 am SLT.

Gratitude,

Ixion Parthicus Ἰξίων Παρθικος

Senate Scribe