Session March 2776

Latest revision as of 10:38, 19 April 2023

Presiding Magistrate

Q. Arrius Nauta, Consul

The session was chaired by Q. Arrius Nauta. The 'Call to Convene' was announced on a.d. VI Id. Mar. ‡.

Consular Auspices

Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, pontifex, took the auspices for consul Q. Arrius Nauta in his name, and they were favorable.

Consular Opening and Closing Ceremony

The Senate session was ritually opened by a sacrificial ceremony by pontifex Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, on behalf of consul Q. Arrius Nauta.

Quorum

The Senate of Nova Roma currently has 21 voting members which gives a minimum quorum of 14 voting members. With 20 senate members present and with 1 present through proxy, the QUORUM IS ACHIEVED.

Proxy - Gaius Petronius Dexter is on Leave - his Proxy is assigned to Sextus Lucilius Tutor - therefore, as per XI.J of the SENATUS CONSULTUM DE RATIONE SENATUS MMDCCLXV, he is deemed present.

The 21 voting members are (first those who are currently magistrates then in order of senate precedence):

A. Tullia Scholastica, senatrix censoria, princeps senatus
Q. Arrius Nauta, senator censorius, CONSUL
C. Cornelius Barosus, senator praetorius, CONSUL
C. Petronius Stephanus Turpilianus, senator tribunicius, PRAETOR
P. Porcius Licinus, vir tribunicius, PRAETOR
Fl. Vedius Germanicus, senator censorius
Sex. Lucilius Tutor, senator censorius
P. Annaeus Constantinus Placidus, senator censorius
M. Pompeius Caninus, senator consularis (RESIGNATION PENDING)
T. Domitius Draco, senator consularis
M. Aurelius Cotta Iovius, senator praetorius, AEDILIS CURULIS
M. Hortensia Maior Fabiana Faustina, senatrix praetoria TRIBUNA PLEBIS
D. Aurelius Ingeniarius, senator praetorius
C. Petronius Dexter, senator praetorius - ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE
C. Artorius Praeconinus, senator praetorius
M. Caecilius Metellus Tocaiensis, senator aedilicius, TRIBUNUS PLEBIS
A. Vitellius Celsus, senator aedilicius
A. Iulius Paterculus, senator aedilicius
Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, senator quaestorius, AEDILIS CURULIS
C. Flavius Constantinus Aeneas Stilicho, senator quaestorius, AEDILIS PLEBIS
Gallio Velius Marsallas, senator quaestorius

The following 3 tribuni plebis who are not senators themselves have the right to attend this meeting of the Senate and are invited to participate therein:

P. Aurelius Barbatus, vir privatus, TRIBUNUS PLEBIS
Ap. Curius Rullus, vir privatus, TRIBUNUS PLEBIS
Ti. Iulius Nerva, vir privatus, TRIBUNUS PLEBIS

Schedule

1845 Rome Time (CET) a.d. VI Id. Mar. ‡ 2776 AVC	(10 March 2023)	Call to convene.
1845 Rome Time (CET) a.d. VI Id. Mar. ‡ 2776 AVC	(10 March 2023)	Call to order. Debate period commences. Debate period continues until deemed necessary.
1530 Rome Time (CET) a.d. III Non. Apr. ‡ 2776 AVC	(3 April 2023)	Call to vote. Voting period commences, debate period is allowed to continue until the end of the voting period.
1900 Rome Time (CET) a.d. VIII Id. Apr. ‡ 2776 AVC	(6 April 2023)	Voting period ends. Voting period ends if majority is reached. If necessary number of senators didn't vote, I will extend the voting period.
1600 Rome Time (CET) a.d. VII Id. Apr. ‡ 2776 AVC	(7 April 2023)	Call to close. Results announced, decrees published.

Agenda

ITEM I	Decrees or discussions about the 25th Anniversary and celebrations of the goddess Concordia in this Sacred Year.	Item for Vote
ITEM II	Decree about the organization of the 25th Anniversary Year's Conventus and its budget.	Item for Vote
ITEM III	Appointing the quaestores aerarii.	Item for Vote
ITEM IV	Setting the tax rates for the current year.	Item for Vote
ITEM V	Discussion about provincial administration.
ITEM VI	Creating policy against unauthorized use of the trademarked Nova Roma logo.	Item for Vote
ITEM VII	Grant of license to use the Nova Roma logo on various commercial products for Fl. Vedius Germanicus.	Item Withdrawn
ITEM VIII	Dissolving Regio Noveboracensis.	Item for Vote
ITEM IX	Appointing C. Flavius Constantinus Aeneas Stilicho as general, legatus pro praetore for an operative command of the Late Roman Special Force.	Item for Vote

Proposal Results

ITEM I - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE ANNIVERSARIO XXV CELEBRANDO

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 20 = GCB, MHMFF, GCL, MACI, ATS, AIP, GPST, GVM, PACP, DAI, MPC, QAN, FVG, GFCAS, AVC, PPL, TDD, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

QAN: It will give more legitimacy to our main celebrations if they are ordered and supervised by the senate.

DAI: This is an exciting time. Certainly for the governors, I would encourage, at least, a small private ceremony, if that is all that can be mustered.

Antiquo = 0

Abstineo = 0

ENACTED

ITEM II - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE MAGNO CONVENTU INTERNATIONALI AQUINCENSI

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 20 = GCB, MHMFF, GCL, MACI, ATS, AIP, GPST, GVM, PACP, DAI, MPC, QAN, FVG, GFCAS, AVC, PPL,TDD, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

QAN: Same as for Item 1. This SC makes our Conventus completely a Nova Roma endorsed event and we even help our key members to participate with some financial aid if needed.

DAI: I wish the committee well and I hope the Conventus is brilliant. I do hope that some online provisions are made to include those that cannot travel where it is practicable to do so.

Antiquo = 0

Abstineo = 0

ENACTED

ITEM III - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE QUAESTORIBUS AERARII ANNO C. CORNELIO Q. ARRIO COSS.

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 20 = GCB, MHMFF, GCL, MACI, ATS, AIP, GPST, GVM, PACP, DAI, MPC, QAN, FVG, GFCAS, AVC, PPL, TDD, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

TDD: Long overdue.

FVG: It is unfair that these individuals have been prevented from performing their duties by delaying their appointments this long.

QAN: A hard working good administrator woman, Popillia Laenas, and a newer citizen and devote cultor of the gods, Q. Cornelius Rufus, a UK activist of NR. I recommend both.

DAI: It has been assuring to see one quaestor still in post to provide the continuity of position here.

Antiquo = 0

Abstineo = 0

ENACTED

ITEM IV - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE TRIBUTIS C. CORNELIO Q. ARRIO COSS.

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 19 = GCB, MHMFF, GCL, MACI, ATS, AIP, GPST, GVM, PACP, DAI, MPC, QAN, GFCAS, AVC, PPL, TDD, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

TDD: Reluctantly. I believe our tax system needs a thorough looking at. I would rather see discounts offered for service to Nova Roma, not because one has the money/time to get a degree in Latin or the money for expensive outfits.

QAN: This is our routine tax SC that sufficed since 2019. I don't see a valid argument to change. I think the tax could be higher, but only if we present a project for which we must ask more. For the usual running of NR, $9 will be enough. There was talk about giving equestrian fee discount to cultors, but since most cultors, specially priests, must have Roman garments, they can apply for the reenactment discount for equestrian fee. Priests must also learn Latin, so they can fall under the Latinist discount, too, with some extra study.

DAI: This is the usual anticipated proposal and I think it remains fairly balanced.

Antiquo = 1 = FVG

• Comments:

FVG: While I have no objection to the rates themselves, which are reasonable, the discounts for certain privileged classes to join the Ordo Equestor are unfair to other citizens.

Abstineo = 0

ENACTED

ITEM VI - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE INSIGNI SIVE LOGOTYPO NOVA ROMAE MACRONATIONALITER RENOVANDO ET PROTEGENDO

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 20 = GCB, MHMFF, GCL, MACI, ATS, AIP, GPST, GVM, PACP, DAI, MPC, QAN, FVG, GFCAS, AVC, PPL,TDD, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

GFCAS: Necessary and overdue.

FVG: This is long needed.

QAN: This is just common sense, it must be done.

DAI: I find this sensible and efficient. Perhaps a long time coming. The senate must give thought as to whom the trademarks will be managed after the Task Force completes their mission. Dare I say the Officium Operum Publicorum may be responsible for the ongoing management?

ATS: Nobis magni momenti est.

Antiquo = 0

Abstineo = 0

ENACTED

ITEM VIII - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE REGIONE NOVEBORACENSI DISSOLVENDA ET REGIONE NOVOCAESARIENSI CREANDA ET DE ADMONITIONE DE NOMINIBUS RECTIS ADHIBENDIS

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 10 = GCL, MACI, AIP, GVM, DAI, MPC, FVG, AVC, PPL, TDD

• Comments:

TDD: Excluding the defamatory conduct of Consul C. Cornelius Barosus, and the overall high temperature in the discussions, I believe this is best for the well-being of the Province. Time will tell, of course.

FVG: This will allow the province to be managed more rationally, according to the needs of the people who live their.

DAI: Clearly the surrounding discussion is one of passion for many. In some ways I feel the direct opposition of opinion is born from different foundations and it is hard to find a middle ground. Perhaps we are seeing democracy in practice but we also ask if we are staying true to our Roman ideals. It can be hard for us to leave our native cultures behind but then we must ask what does it mean to see Rome alive in the modern era? In the end we must do the best for the longevity of the Republic and sometimes this comes down to hard decisions. If similar discussion happen in the future, let us bring it back to foundations and measure our thoughts and decisions against the objectives and declaration of Nova Roma.

Antiquo = 6 = GCB, MHMFF, GPST, PACP, QAN, GFCAS

• Comments:

GFCAS: Although at first not opposed, and very much pro- regionality (which I still am, however in a more sensible way) I was convinced otherwise by arguments and experiences of the past. A past that did not necessarily lead closer in an efficient way, to the goals of Nova Roma as I think they can be understood elegantly through the founding statements.

QAN: I don't like the fact that the senate is changing these things back and forth. We had a solid principle why the provinces and regions were named the way they were, and why they had the borders they had. We could read a load of arguments about it back in 2020 when the system was established, last year when it was first challenged, and now during this session. Nothing changed since then, why would we redo it? Just because some dislike it? I am not against Draco or Vedius, I like both of them, and hold them in esteem. I understand they did not like the system, but they failed to convince the senate. And now even Cn. Lentulus, the strongest proponent of the system, is caving in to them just for their friendship. I separate friendship from politics, and I do not vote yes, even if it is not pleasant for some, because I believe in the principle I stood for.

Abstineo = 4 = ATS, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

ATS: Pro tempore quidem, abstineo.

ENACTED

ITEM IX - DRAFT SENATUS CONSULTUM DE IMPERIO C. FLAVII CONSTANTINI AENEAE STILICHONIS

Uti rogas / censeo / consentio = 17 = GCB, MHMFF, GCL, MACI, ATS, AIP, GPST, GVM, PACP, DAI, MPC, QAN, AVC, PPL, SLT, GPD, MCMT

• Comments:

QAN: A brilliant new addition to our international leadership, I trust Flavius Stilicho will help to make Nova Roma one big step closer to our final goals.

DAI: Although the experience and knowledge of C. Flavius was never in question, I did originally question the necessity of such an appointment. However, this is one of efficiency at the end of the day and it actually helps us to break away from bureaucracy in support of developing community and standards.

Antiquo = 1 = FVG

• Comments:

FVG: While I have nothing against C. Flavius Constantinus Aeneas Stilicho, I feel Nova Roma is placing too much emphasis on reenactment, and this only continues the trend.

Abstineo = 2 = GFCAS, TDD

• Comments:

TDD: I'm not voting for it, but I'm not voting against it. I have nothing against C. Flavius Constantinus Aeneas Stilicho, but I question the need for this. I'd rather the allied legion leaders get together and appoint someone to represent their interests. While Nova Roma is built around the idea of the Roman Republic, we're also a 21st-century corporation and not a LARP. We need to remember that sometimes.

GFCAS: It is not my place to vote on such a proposal concerning myself. I just would like to add, that I have taken the decision to renounce my imperial display in late antiquity reenactment for the foreseeable future. I will play emperor Constantine I. one more time at the Natale di Roma festivities in two weeks and then explain my decision. This has much less impact or importance for Nova Roma, than for the fast growing community of late antiquity reenactment, amongst whose central figures I certainly stand. However it is my decided goal to have both communities grow closer and work on the same dream. A purple cloak should never stand in the way of such a dream.

ENACTED

Session Results