Sons of Cotta
Publius Valerius Falto (16 March 534 - 29 July 536)
With peace in Rome came yet another reelection for Publius Valerius Falto. He had quickly gone from the brother of a deranged man to the shining example of what Rome was. Publius may not have been a military man, but already two of the world's greatest powers had bent knee to his will. Both Carthage and now Macedonia have faced the might of Rome and learned that they could not compare. Both still had great power and then there still remained the lands of Egypt. These three states were what stood in the way of Rome and eternal glory.
Even still Rome had other priorities at this time. Firstly, Publius was forced to name a new Legate to the Third. During their trip across the Adriatic, Tiberius Valerius Labeo, had falled overboard. His replacement, Marcus Lucius Rufus, met his men in the north at Gallia Cisalpina. It was there that the military assisted in the colonization of a new Roman territory. The troops had removed any bandits or barbarian forces in the area just after the 536 election which saw Publius reelected once again.
Before the region was truly considered part of Rome, Publius passed away. The stress of two major wars had been to much on his body. His replacement was Quintus Aurelius Cotta.
Quintus Aurelius Cotta (29 July 536 - 16 March 538)
Quintus was the eldest son of Gaius Aurelius Cotta. His father had become Legate of the Second back in 487. In this position he proved his skill as a very talented Legate as he fought in the First Punic War, helped reclaim northern Italia, and captured Greco-Carthage during the Second Punic War. Before his death Gaius had three sons who would all become prominent figures of Rome. Quintus had become Dux of Taulanti following the Greco-Roman War. His brother Tiberius became Dux of Corsica while Sextus went on to join the First Legion.
Quintus finished his term as Consul with no great interest to continue. He did not enjoy the politics of Rome. For that reason when he left the Consulship he was more then happy to become Dux of Picenum.
Lucius Manlis Flaccus (16 March 538 - 16 March 540)
Lucius was a surprise to the people of Rome. He had achieved nearly nothing in his time as Dux of Picenum. He only held the position because nobody else had asked. Now here he was as Consul of Rome. Thankfully his term was as calm as that of Quintus. The only difference being that Lucius had to sign a form naming a new Legate. Decimus Valerius Cotta, Legate of the First, had passed away from a wound he had suffered during the Greco-Roman War. His replacement was Sextus Aurelius Cotta. Who also ran for Consul the very next year.
Sextus Aurelius Cotta (16 March 540 - 16 March 546)
Even though Sextus was still an unknown he was named Consul to replace Lucius who people still did not understand how he had risen to such a position. Sextus was the youngest Legate of Rome and now the youngest Consul in the history of Rome. No matter he was honored to hold a position of such importance. Rome was in need of a military man. It had been six years since the end of the Greco-Roman War which meant that Macedonia was now prepared for a second war. Then there was still Carthage. They had fourteen years of peace between the two nations. Even more frightening they had a new powerful ally. Egypt. Both of these nations were future enemies of Rome.
Nevertheless when he became Consul there was no war going on. For this reason he had time to increase the might of Rome. He went about this both in a military sense as well as a civic sense. He formed the Third Navy under Tiberius Horatius Dives as well as the Fifth Legion under Aulus Aufidius Rufus. Lands were also colonized north of the Alps and in Greece. Nearly doubling the size of their Greek territories and almost connecting the two regions of Roman control.
It was at this time a massive army of 40,000 barbarians came rampaging over the Alps. Sextus moved his First Legion to protect the newly colonized Paleoveneti. He was unsuccessful and the lands were lost. The newly formed Fifth intercepted them in Bononia but were also defeated. Before the 542 elections the Fourth reclaimed Paleoveneti and was moving south towards Bononia. The increase revenue and the return of Paleoveneti was enough to see Sextus keep his position as Consul for a second term. The Fourth was also beaten and then the First failed in yet another attempt to force the barbarians out of Bononia.
It was not until July of 542 that they were finally defeated by the Fifth Legion. Shortly after both newly elected men of the Fifth Legion and Third Navy passed away. Deciums Cassius Scipio and Gnaesus Atilius Cotta replaced them. Many believed with Aulus' victory over the barbarians he would be elected Consul in 544. With his death Sextus was able to keep the position.
Shortly after the election and with difficulties brewing in Greece, Sextus formed an alliance with the Aetolian League. Their vast army of 50,000 men would be a great deterrent for Macedonia to start any war with Rome he believe. He also had the Fourth moved from northern Italia to Greece in preparation of a conflict with Macedonia. As it turned out it was not Macedonia but Carthage he should have been payting attention to. They had begun a war to regain Hispania from Massillia and Rome's ally needed their assistance to bring the war to Carthage.
Which Sextus was happy to do. And just in time for the 546 election.
just saw this Rome AAR so I will have to read it when I get time. Was starting to think you disappeared from writing all together! But glad I found another AAR by you.
