3rd June 453 - Rome
"I am not sure, who exactly came up with this brilliant idea, but obviously said someone wants to bring down the Republic by making everyone poor!"
"Or maybe said someone has the mental capability to realize that you can`t eat gold and it is more wise to invest it."
"Thug!"
"Dolt!"
"Scoundrel!"
"Harlequin!"
Another interesting day in the Curia. The Senate had gathered to discuss an interesting proposal. Interesting insofar, as almost everyone was immediately going into conniptions about it for this or that reason. One of the few calm Senators was Lucius Postumus Megellus, leader of the so called Mercantile Faction.
He leaned back and smiled. The motion, that was the reason for all this hot temper, was to introduce a wealth tax. And since the Senators represented the wealthy upper class, many of them were overcome by their greed and advocated against anything that would cost them a single coin. He shook his head about such a short-sighted opinion. But maybe this was symptomatic. Just like the fact, that his faction was the smallest in the Senate. Yet he felt the need to say something.
"Fellow Senators. Just three years ago, we publically made a claim toward the superiority over all of central and southern Italy. But these words have to be followed by deeds. Deeds, that will need many soldiers and even more funds to pay for them. Nevertheless we should not only look at the costs, but also the future benefits. Vast territories will come under our control. And with them resources, slaves and more gold from taxes and trade than we can even imagine. Hence I support the wealth tax. Not because I want to get poorer. To the contrary because I want everyone of us become richer."
For a moment it was silent. Before a Senator from the Religious faction was able to say something, the Presiding Consul raised his hand and addressed the Senate.
"I have just received a message from Marcus Fulvius. The city of Sipious has surrendered. One thousand of its citizens have died, another thousand will be sent to Ostia as slaves. The remaining thirteen thousand will serve Rome with soldiers and taxes."
Suddenly everyone cheered about this success. People hailed Marcus and his achievements for the Republic and how this is just the beginning of a bright future. The Consul proposed to vote on the wealth tax and all out of a sudden 4 out of 5 Senators voted for it.
"I am not sure, who exactly came up with this brilliant idea, but obviously said someone wants to bring down the Republic by making everyone poor!"
"Or maybe said someone has the mental capability to realize that you can`t eat gold and it is more wise to invest it."
"Thug!"
"Dolt!"
"Scoundrel!"
"Harlequin!"
Another interesting day in the Curia. The Senate had gathered to discuss an interesting proposal. Interesting insofar, as almost everyone was immediately going into conniptions about it for this or that reason. One of the few calm Senators was Lucius Postumus Megellus, leader of the so called Mercantile Faction.
He leaned back and smiled. The motion, that was the reason for all this hot temper, was to introduce a wealth tax. And since the Senators represented the wealthy upper class, many of them were overcome by their greed and advocated against anything that would cost them a single coin. He shook his head about such a short-sighted opinion. But maybe this was symptomatic. Just like the fact, that his faction was the smallest in the Senate. Yet he felt the need to say something.
"Fellow Senators. Just three years ago, we publically made a claim toward the superiority over all of central and southern Italy. But these words have to be followed by deeds. Deeds, that will need many soldiers and even more funds to pay for them. Nevertheless we should not only look at the costs, but also the future benefits. Vast territories will come under our control. And with them resources, slaves and more gold from taxes and trade than we can even imagine. Hence I support the wealth tax. Not because I want to get poorer. To the contrary because I want everyone of us become richer."
For a moment it was silent. Before a Senator from the Religious faction was able to say something, the Presiding Consul raised his hand and addressed the Senate.
"I have just received a message from Marcus Fulvius. The city of Sipious has surrendered. One thousand of its citizens have died, another thousand will be sent to Ostia as slaves. The remaining thirteen thousand will serve Rome with soldiers and taxes."
Suddenly everyone cheered about this success. People hailed Marcus and his achievements for the Republic and how this is just the beginning of a bright future. The Consul proposed to vote on the wealth tax and all out of a sudden 4 out of 5 Senators voted for it.