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ROME NEEDS YOUR VOTE!
In the History of the World XI game, the world has emerged from a chaotic war triggered by the American Jihad. Rome sided with its long-time ally the Dutch to crush the Jihad before it spread to our lands. The war was a military success but diplomatic failure of sorts.
Subsequent squabbling between the Roman Senate and the ruling class of professional public servants and military leaders led to an impasse that crippled Rome for several months. Agreement was reached on a new form of governance with the creation of the Roman Ruling Council. Administrative manners were dealt with quickly, which then brought the discussion to the most pressing matter - what direction Rome should take in foreign affairs.
You are a Senator or a leading member of the Roman public service or a General in the army. You get a vote in where Rome goes from here.
To guide your vote - here are the excerpts from the second meeting of the Ruling Council.
So, please take the time to vote. Also, if you could please make up a character for yourself and explain your vote and try to convince others. Democracy in action! 
In the History of the World XI game, the world has emerged from a chaotic war triggered by the American Jihad. Rome sided with its long-time ally the Dutch to crush the Jihad before it spread to our lands. The war was a military success but diplomatic failure of sorts.
Subsequent squabbling between the Roman Senate and the ruling class of professional public servants and military leaders led to an impasse that crippled Rome for several months. Agreement was reached on a new form of governance with the creation of the Roman Ruling Council. Administrative manners were dealt with quickly, which then brought the discussion to the most pressing matter - what direction Rome should take in foreign affairs.
You are a Senator or a leading member of the Roman public service or a General in the army. You get a vote in where Rome goes from here.
To guide your vote - here are the excerpts from the second meeting of the Ruling Council.
Julius (Chief Senator Elect): Well gentlemen, last week's meeting went well. We dealt with the agenda of clarifying all the administrative and governance details. I commend us all for our diligence in pushing through that mundane work (chuckles from around the room).
And as we agreed, we would deal primarily with our foreign affairs issues at this meeting. First, to Marshall Sulla and Admiral Petronius
Sulla (Marshall of the Army): The army needs to be modernised. That is a fact. We still have one of the largest militaries in the world, and its esprit de corps is excellent. But weaponry has improved, and we have not kept up. This should be a priority for Rome.
Petronius (Admiral of the Navy): I support Marshall Sulla on this. The navy is fine condition and well trained after the American conflict, but if we were to fight abroad again, the troops we land need to be better armed. But I could use a few more frigates to ensure our dominace in the southern sea.
Julian: Thank you gentlemen. Your request are noted, and from what I can see, have the support of the council. They will be included in the budget. Caecelius, the floor is yours.
Caecelius (Head of Foreign Affairs): Where to begin dear colleagues? To start with, the aftermath of the American war. As you are aware, our Dutch allies either captured or razed a number of American cities before the conflict ended ...
Sulla: Serves the Americans right ... all that blather about a "Jihad" with little military strength to back it up. What a bother they are.
Caecelius: I can't disagree with you Sulla. But despite that, the Dutch standing in world opinion was harmed. And to a certain extent, we are tainted as well for our involvement in the war and our alliance with the Dutch. Also, my sources tell me that the Portuguese in fact see us somewhat as a Dutch-puppet.
Julius: The same Portuguese who made the offer of a Trans-Romanic trading block?
Caecelius: Indeed. The very same. I will come to that in a moment. But to close the book on America, one might want to say that until they have bite to back up their bark, we have little reason to pay them much attention, but that would be making a mistake. For some reason - be it that Islamic belief of theirs, or the wild and charismatic leaders that come to power, they have more sway over world affairs than they should. To be honest, there are many in the diplomatic circles around the world, and many in this room, who would have been just as happy if the Dutch had finished what they started.
And that brings us to the Portuguese, America's main ally. In the past they have been critical, almost disdainful of Rome, and its relations with its allies. Historically, there is little to bring us closer to the Portuguese. But history is the past and we must look to the future. To that end, I am distributing a report done by Reinius, the head of foreign policy, on the pros and cons of improved relations with the Portuguese.
Admiral Petronius: And keep in mind gentlemen, that seapower and the improved capabilities of ships can drastically alter the geo-political situation we are facing. We had the upper had for awhile in naval affairs. That is no longer the case. And the sea also opens up new trading possibilities, as no doubt the foreign affairs report will high-light.
Caecelius: Thank you for that Petronius. Closer to home, our relations with the Incans remains solid, despite the lack of active dialogue between the two of us. That is the way it has historically been, and I see it as function of the trust that exists between our two nations. The Incans were openly critical of the Dutch razing of cities. So I am not sure where the Dutch and Incans stand now relative to each other. And regarding the Incans, I am tabling a second report, this one authored by Marius of the diplomatic corps and Chief Senator Elect Julian ( a nod to Julian) on the potential for the creation of an Alliance of Independent and Non-Alligned Civilizations (AINAC). If approved by this council, we would approach the Incans first.
And then there is our alliance with our old stalwarts, the Dutch. We are still on excellent terms with them as well as our other friends, but we need to determine if this is where Rome's future lies. The American affair has given everyone food for thought. Reinius' department, with input from Marshall Sulla who handled much of the military co-operation recently with the Dutch, have prepared a third report regarding our age old alliance, and whether we maintain the status quo, work to strengthen it, or loosen our ties in favour of other options.
Senator Polusia: Correct me if I am wrong sir, but it seems the three options on the table are by definition, mutually exclusive.
Caecelius: For the most part they are. Entertaining the Portuguese proposal for a trans-Romanic trading block will necessarily mean loosening of ties with the Dutch. These are weighty matters, gentlemen.
Julian: And keep in mind, Rome's fourth option. Independent isolationism. No alliances. Trade where we can. Grow as we do.
So, there are the options. You have the reports. We vote on this in one weeks time.
All senators and all heads of departments and their directors and all generals and all rear-admirals get to vote. Think wisely. Think of Rome.
Strength and Honour!
And as we agreed, we would deal primarily with our foreign affairs issues at this meeting. First, to Marshall Sulla and Admiral Petronius
Sulla (Marshall of the Army): The army needs to be modernised. That is a fact. We still have one of the largest militaries in the world, and its esprit de corps is excellent. But weaponry has improved, and we have not kept up. This should be a priority for Rome.
Petronius (Admiral of the Navy): I support Marshall Sulla on this. The navy is fine condition and well trained after the American conflict, but if we were to fight abroad again, the troops we land need to be better armed. But I could use a few more frigates to ensure our dominace in the southern sea.
Julian: Thank you gentlemen. Your request are noted, and from what I can see, have the support of the council. They will be included in the budget. Caecelius, the floor is yours.
Caecelius (Head of Foreign Affairs): Where to begin dear colleagues? To start with, the aftermath of the American war. As you are aware, our Dutch allies either captured or razed a number of American cities before the conflict ended ...
Sulla: Serves the Americans right ... all that blather about a "Jihad" with little military strength to back it up. What a bother they are.
Caecelius: I can't disagree with you Sulla. But despite that, the Dutch standing in world opinion was harmed. And to a certain extent, we are tainted as well for our involvement in the war and our alliance with the Dutch. Also, my sources tell me that the Portuguese in fact see us somewhat as a Dutch-puppet.
Julius: The same Portuguese who made the offer of a Trans-Romanic trading block?
Caecelius: Indeed. The very same. I will come to that in a moment. But to close the book on America, one might want to say that until they have bite to back up their bark, we have little reason to pay them much attention, but that would be making a mistake. For some reason - be it that Islamic belief of theirs, or the wild and charismatic leaders that come to power, they have more sway over world affairs than they should. To be honest, there are many in the diplomatic circles around the world, and many in this room, who would have been just as happy if the Dutch had finished what they started.
And that brings us to the Portuguese, America's main ally. In the past they have been critical, almost disdainful of Rome, and its relations with its allies. Historically, there is little to bring us closer to the Portuguese. But history is the past and we must look to the future. To that end, I am distributing a report done by Reinius, the head of foreign policy, on the pros and cons of improved relations with the Portuguese.
Admiral Petronius: And keep in mind gentlemen, that seapower and the improved capabilities of ships can drastically alter the geo-political situation we are facing. We had the upper had for awhile in naval affairs. That is no longer the case. And the sea also opens up new trading possibilities, as no doubt the foreign affairs report will high-light.
Caecelius: Thank you for that Petronius. Closer to home, our relations with the Incans remains solid, despite the lack of active dialogue between the two of us. That is the way it has historically been, and I see it as function of the trust that exists between our two nations. The Incans were openly critical of the Dutch razing of cities. So I am not sure where the Dutch and Incans stand now relative to each other. And regarding the Incans, I am tabling a second report, this one authored by Marius of the diplomatic corps and Chief Senator Elect Julian ( a nod to Julian) on the potential for the creation of an Alliance of Independent and Non-Alligned Civilizations (AINAC). If approved by this council, we would approach the Incans first.
And then there is our alliance with our old stalwarts, the Dutch. We are still on excellent terms with them as well as our other friends, but we need to determine if this is where Rome's future lies. The American affair has given everyone food for thought. Reinius' department, with input from Marshall Sulla who handled much of the military co-operation recently with the Dutch, have prepared a third report regarding our age old alliance, and whether we maintain the status quo, work to strengthen it, or loosen our ties in favour of other options.
Senator Polusia: Correct me if I am wrong sir, but it seems the three options on the table are by definition, mutually exclusive.
Caecelius: For the most part they are. Entertaining the Portuguese proposal for a trans-Romanic trading block will necessarily mean loosening of ties with the Dutch. These are weighty matters, gentlemen.
Julian: And keep in mind, Rome's fourth option. Independent isolationism. No alliances. Trade where we can. Grow as we do.
So, there are the options. You have the reports. We vote on this in one weeks time.
All senators and all heads of departments and their directors and all generals and all rear-admirals get to vote. Think wisely. Think of Rome.
Strength and Honour!
I’m assuming that Rome is comparable to 19th century Europe tech wise, since it sports frigates while the seemingly advanced Incas have recently discovered oil and uranium and have functioning assembly lines.
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