Here is a collection of early posts about our first consular election in 2748 AUC (winter 1996 CE). They originally appeared in "Need Help with the Combination", "Elections", Need Help in Rome -- Here are Questions and Answers", and "About Chapter 2", (plus all of Carlo Magne's posts include a request for votes).
Originally, I just wanted to practice a few new HTML features .This turned out to be a much larger project than I anticipated. To say nothing of ... well, look under the "Trium-Feminate" heading.
You can jump to these sections:
Our Candidates Announce
The Issues
Domestic Issues
Races, Political and Chariot
Foreign Policy
The Voters Respond
A Few of Us Start to Worry
The Trium-Feminate Proposal
Go to End of Page
Comments on the Consular Elections should be posted in "Chapter II -- Our Lives as Romans".
Carlo Magne -- Jan 4 and 6
Carlo Magne was our first announced candidate, in posts to"Friends, Romans, Countrymen" (...I
hope this information helps you unlock the
mysteries of SPQR and prevents any unnecessary frustration. I'm available for consultation. All I
ask is your vote for Consul during the next election!!! Remember the name... Carlo Magne
(Charles The Great) ---Charlemagne---) and "Clues for Votes" (In that time honored Italian
tradition of reciprocity I would be happy to provide clues in return for
your votes in the next election)
Gaius Cellicus Naso -- Jan 16
Charlemagne! I 've heard about your task to become the next consul in Rome! But populus
romanus must choose another one! Are you ready to deal the power with me? We can discuss
about it! May the gods of Rome with you, and never Fortuna leave you on your way!
Leo the Wise -- Apr 9
Friends, Romans, countrimen, SPQRers!
In the time of chaos and mortal threats to our beloved city we are about to enter the elections
campaign (by popular demand). No one, so far, decided to step forward and take the burden of
responsibility. Looking for other noble Romans to join me, I, Leo the Wise, hereby announce my
decision to run for any office available, holding which I can serve the city, the people, and the
country.
About myself: I came from a distant land of Barbarians, woods, snow and cold to become a citizen
and to join others in the mission to save Rome from Calamitus. I am a man of sciences (matematica
and physica) but public service is nothing new to me.
Some ideas I want to put into life if elected:
(skip past Leo's ideas)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: We are all aware of the land of QIN. Also, there are other
on-line lands, too. I believe it to be of benefit for us and them to establish the enlightened Roman
rule other those lands, keeping an eye on new appearances. The Roman rule will bring prosperity
peace and order to those lands, that lack the sophistication, size and popularity of SPQR.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS: Each of us knows how hard it was to reach the ears of the CyberGods.
I promise to do my best to change this misfortune of ours.
MATTERS OF WAR AND INTELLIGENCE: The maintenance of Roman legions is of
paramount signficance to the safety of the country. But only the wit will defeat such dangerous
enemies as Calamitus. I strongly suggest the establishment of an IRS (Intelligence Roman Service)
to protect Rome from all the evil plans, growing inside and outside of our beloved city. Wisdom
wins where force fails. However, this service will be under public control, as to protect free and
noble Romans from misdeeds and tyrany.
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS: Following Roman traditions, I will see to it that all the public
entertainments are preserved and new ones are commenced. Also, I recognize the vital role of
bread and water for the life of our city. The supplies will be under a close control and the safety of
water will be specially monitored to prevent any poisoning.
THE GAME: Waiting, as many of you, for the next Chapter, I'll be glad to keep providing help to
everybody who has any problems on their mission to save Rome.
Shellicus -- Apr 10
I am impressed with Leo the Wise's campaign speech, but I would add plans for a graffiti clean-up
program, along with mandatory time in the Tillian for all graffiti hooligans. They are ruining our fair
city!
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FeAudrey -- Jan 24
No one gets my vote who doesn't have a plan for dealing with the Vandals. No announced
candidate has even mentioned the immediate danger from Calamitus. For all we know, Calamitus'
plan may worked and destroyed Rome -- which why there is no Chapter 2!
Carlo Magne -- Jan 31
Feaudrey, I share your concern for the welfare of the empire. But be assured everything is being
done that can be done to ward off the destruction that Calamitus is planning. In fact, several of my
agents have contacted him through a third party in an attempt to discover his real motivation.
From what I've been told he seems to have no interest in gold, which rules out the possibility of
bribery. He simply harbors a deep hatred for everything Roman. If he will not listen to reason I
have other plans, which for obvious reasons can not be discussed her. Rest assured, chapter two
is coming soon - and it will be Calamitus' undoing! In the meantime spread the word - Carlo
Magne for consul (and free chariot races every Friday night!).
FeAudrey -- Feb 2
Carlo Magne, I am afraid I was speaking figuratively when I mentioned "my" vote. Being a woman,
I have no vote of my own. I do have considerable influence on the votes of my husband, brothers,
and sons, so my good opinion is worth having. And I must tell you that bland assurances that the
matter is in hand do not impress me. It is bad enough to have Vandals skulking around the City
without Romans doing the same. As I have so often told my menfolk, if you can't tell me what you
are doing, you probably ought not to be doing it. On the other hand, if you want to concentrate on
more traditional campaign promises, such as chariot races -- that's another matter. What are you
proposing in the way of facilities for women who follow racing? I have enjoyed the sport ever since
my grandfather first took me to the Circus as a small girl, but it is not always convenient for one of
my menfolk to escort me. (My poor sons -- I am neither young and beautiful enough to make their
friends envious, or elderly and frail enough that they would get credit for kindness to me!) Should
Rome survive both Vandals and Senators, better arrangements would be most welcome.
Carlo Magne -- Feb 9
Feaudrey you've hit the nail on the head: A good woman's "vote" is worth the vote of all the men
she's got in tow! And from the way you talk, I suspect that the candidate that gets your "vote"
needs only the one! So, let's talk chariot races. Have you ever the pleasure of being escorted to
the show in a consuls litter (that'll turn a few heads) - and did I mention my private box? So tell
me, what kind of accomodations did you have in mind for our female "charioteers"?
FeAudrey -- Feb 15
A ride in a consul's litter? I'll say that that would turn a few heads! Respectable equestrian Roman
matrons do not ride in litters with men from outside their families. The customs of the senatorial
class may be different, but I think that I had better stick to those of my own. I hope that this does
not offend you. To attend the Circus seated in a private box would be a treat, but my original
problem remains: I cannot go unescorted. The solution to this, I thought, might be a section
reserved for women, just as we have our own accommodations at the baths.
Venusta -- Feb 15
Hear, hear, FeAudrey! Vesta surely is smiling on you for your modesty. If I may, I'd like to join
you in the women's section on Ladies' Night (that is, assuming Carlo Magne keeps that particular
promise). I'm sure we can see the men very easily from there!
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Carlo Magne -- Jan 31
God bless you noble Martinus! You are a true lover of peace - the world could use many more like
you. I agree with you that we should seek peace with our neighbors before war, the question is
,however, how do we carry it out? Even in the recent example you cited, namely Dalmatia, there
was far to much hesitation, in my opinion, before deploying the legions; resulting in unnecessary
death and destruction . Citizens in some provinces still oppose the deployment all together; they
fear this relatively small conflict will result in an even larger conflict and suggest that, after all, this
local conflict is none of Rome's business. I disagree. We should have been involved earlier to
prevent it from getting this far out of hand. As the leaders of the Imperium Romanum we have a
responsibility to the empire: to maintain the peace and protect our borders. If our neighbors are
willing to cooerate with us we are more than willing to share the benefits of empire: peace, trade,
technology. On the other hand, if our neighbors are hostile and continue to rape our wives and kill
our children we have no alternative but to react to violence with force. The people of Rome must
make a decision: we must either rule as the leader of the civilized world - responding to peace
with
peace and force with force, or be prepared to step aside and let another take our place.
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Flavius -- Jan 9
...To count with my vote, Il signore Carlo Magno, must provide further (easier) clues on
the combination.I hope to hear from you soon! Grazie, Flavius.
Carlo Magne -- Jan 9
flavius, i C you drive a hard bargain!! however, at this stage in the game, with only two committed
votes (not Xcepting my own), i'm willing to go the extra mile for my beloved constituency. ...
Kutlu -- Jan 15
Hey cives why do you still hesitate to give your support to Carlo Magne for the next elections.
etiam faveo Carolo Magno. mandemus eo consultatem quam ille valde petit. nonne consentitis?
Carlo Magne -- Jan 16
I don't know about all this latin stuff, in fact I never actually learned how to read or write (much
less navigate the internet) - I only manage to post these messages with the help of an assistant
from that island you call Britania. The only latin I know is -- Renovatio romani imperi -- "Revival of
the Roman Empire", and that is my aim!
Hibernicus -- Jan 24
(expresses concern as to the fates of Apicius and Trimalchio) ...
If you really want our votes Carlo Magne, then tell us who "Cybersites"
truly are. What exactly do they do with people who are brave enough to stand before the plebs
and tell the truth? And who is running the Pretorian Guard - in fact who is running this Empire of
ours, and with what agenda? Yours, still searching for the gate, still loyal to the republic Hibernicus
Carlo Magne -- Jan 30
My dear Hibernicus, I share your concern about the mysterious dissapearance of of those called
Trimalchio and Apicius. However, I have it on good grounds that these, after tempting the gods
with their mischievious trek through forbidden territorry (whether it be real or imaginary, I cannot
say) were swept away by a huge eagle, one in each talen, never to be seen or heard from since.
Being not a soothesayer myself, I cannot interpret precisely the meaning of this omen, but an old
hag in the marketplace warned me that they may not be the last! Upon hearing this terrible news I
immediately returned home, burnt incense for three hours, offered three portions of meal and a
bowl of warm goats milk to the gods and received this response: "DO NOT DOUBT THE
CYBERSITES GODS. WE ARE BENEVOLENT GODS. IN THE WORLD OF S.P.Q.R.
YOU ARE SAFE. KNOW ONLY THAT THE NARROW MAY IN TRUTH, BE THE
BROAD." After ruling out a possible reference to my skinny wife, I am convinced that this
revelation must have something to do with the entrance to chapter 2 but gives no insight as to
WHEN. I hope this limited information helps you, dear Hibernicus. Be patient, keep a watchfull
eye, and avoid large birds flying overhead (a helpful piece of information even when not in SPQR!)
. I am, as usual, your faithful servant, Carlo Magne.
Carlo Magne -- Feb 9
Gaius you are a worthy opponent! I fear for both of us (and the empire), however, because the
average Roman citizen seems to have lost interest in that most noble of causes - politics. I
thought it would never happen in a thousand years - yet all I hear these days is "where's Chapter
2, Chapter 2, Chapter 2"! Don't they know there must be a leader for Chapter 2!?!
Carlo Magne -- Feb 9
Caecilius, I understand you have an excellent voting record. Never missed an a vote count.
Always went with the best candidate. Well, have I got a deal for you! It just so happens that I'm
running for consul in the next election (I like the way that sounds: "CARLO MAGNE FOR
CONSUL") and I know the combination which you so earnestly desire. Now, I'm not suggesting
that I would buy your vote (that sounds so taudry) - but if I were to give you some assistance now
I'm hoping you might find some way to help me down the road a bit (i.e., at election time). What
d'ya say? In the meantime you might find one of my previous postings helpful - but remember the
name: Carlo (Rex) Magne, Charles The Great, Charlemagne - for consul (and free "Ladies Night"
at the chariot races every Thursday evening)!
Venusta -- Feb 10
Citizen Carlo Magne! You seem to believe that the populus romanum is misguided in its desire for
Chapter 2. True, we need a leader, but until we can enter the next realm you are asking us to rely
only on campaign promises. And we all know what *those* are worth. I must say, however, that I
am quite inclined to give you my vote, as you seem to enjoy the favor of the revered Cybersites
gods, and the Ladies' Night at the Chariot Races ain't bad either.
Magaera -- Feb 10
(mentions QIN)...
Carlo Magne, I would vote, but alas, like FeAudrey, I have no vote. But you'll have my undying
gratitude if you can intercede on our behalf with the Cybergods!
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Comments on the Consular Elections should be posted in "Chapter II -- Our Lives as Romans".
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The sestertius is courtesy of the Museum of Antiquities Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K. (hard by Hadrian's Wall), where they're always happy to see veterans of the Britannia campaign.