Post by Admin on Jul 22, 2016 16:00:32 GMT
panem nostrum supersubstantialem da nobis hodie
Give us this day our daily bread.
-Matthew 6:11
Due to severe budgetary constraints, and the fact that much of Italia lies devastated or unproductive after years of war and destruction, the decision is made to abolish the Annona grain distribution.
As the bustling crowds clamour for their lifeline distribution of food, the food on which their life, and the life of the city is built, a cold declaration is read out.
"These being the words of Honorius Augustus,
Since time immemorial our imperial predecessors have displayed their largesse through the generous distribution of food to the masses, and the funding of lavish entertainments for their benefit. This largesse was born out of generosity, and has been maintained by our own imperial majesty for many years. Circumstances now necessitate, for the survival of the state, that the distribution of the grain and staples be ended with immediate effect, for a period as long as is necessary."
The hungry crowd, many of whom had only recently come to Rome after their homes had been destroyed by ravaging Sclavenes, were furious. The unfortunate public servant tasked with reading the announcement was dragged down into the streets and pulled apart by the mob. His bodyparts fed to dogs and pigs, or paraded around the streets. The fury of the crowd seems to die down naturally, and all return to their homes. A few fights occur on the streets, and many merchants find their shops robbed by gangs of hungry poor, but order is generally recovered and the militia begin to guard important buildings and grain stores.
---------------------
Race Day
On race day, finding that the games have been cancelled, the crowds of urban poor choose to gather at the Circus Maximus in any case. Forcing their way in, a crowd of tens of thousand assembles as the word spreads throughout the streets. The convocation manage to divide themselves into tribes, based on the location of their residences, loosely based on the seven hills since none can remember how it was done in the days of the republic. The assembled crowd elect two Consuls, in a mockery of that high office, granted to a Tanner and a man whose only status in life is as a supporter of the Greens. They also elect a famous chariot racer as Tribune of the Plebs. Some controversies and fights occur as it becomes apparent that sporting affiliation has turned into political factionalism, but the Greens seem to come out on top.
The two Consuls officially announce the establishment of a Roman Republic, and decree that all food supplies are now held in common. Patriotic Romans are instructed to seize for themselves the grain they are owed, and chaos ensues. Merchants flee town if they can, and many are beaten to death defending their stores. The port of Portus is ransacked, as well as the now-military port of Ostia. Valuables of all kind are looted, not just the food supplies. More organised groups of the rioters find weapons with which to arm themselves, and form themselves into 'Legions' - little more than gangs of ruffians with some shiny new toys.
Mediolanum
Away from Rome itself, a number of riots occur, though they rarely last for long. In Mediolanum, another large riot started, but with the Visigothic armies in the north, it was swiftly and violently put down, with 5,000 rioters killed.
Give us this day our daily bread.
-Matthew 6:11
Due to severe budgetary constraints, and the fact that much of Italia lies devastated or unproductive after years of war and destruction, the decision is made to abolish the Annona grain distribution.
As the bustling crowds clamour for their lifeline distribution of food, the food on which their life, and the life of the city is built, a cold declaration is read out.
"These being the words of Honorius Augustus,
Since time immemorial our imperial predecessors have displayed their largesse through the generous distribution of food to the masses, and the funding of lavish entertainments for their benefit. This largesse was born out of generosity, and has been maintained by our own imperial majesty for many years. Circumstances now necessitate, for the survival of the state, that the distribution of the grain and staples be ended with immediate effect, for a period as long as is necessary."
The hungry crowd, many of whom had only recently come to Rome after their homes had been destroyed by ravaging Sclavenes, were furious. The unfortunate public servant tasked with reading the announcement was dragged down into the streets and pulled apart by the mob. His bodyparts fed to dogs and pigs, or paraded around the streets. The fury of the crowd seems to die down naturally, and all return to their homes. A few fights occur on the streets, and many merchants find their shops robbed by gangs of hungry poor, but order is generally recovered and the militia begin to guard important buildings and grain stores.
---------------------
Race Day
On race day, finding that the games have been cancelled, the crowds of urban poor choose to gather at the Circus Maximus in any case. Forcing their way in, a crowd of tens of thousand assembles as the word spreads throughout the streets. The convocation manage to divide themselves into tribes, based on the location of their residences, loosely based on the seven hills since none can remember how it was done in the days of the republic. The assembled crowd elect two Consuls, in a mockery of that high office, granted to a Tanner and a man whose only status in life is as a supporter of the Greens. They also elect a famous chariot racer as Tribune of the Plebs. Some controversies and fights occur as it becomes apparent that sporting affiliation has turned into political factionalism, but the Greens seem to come out on top.
The two Consuls officially announce the establishment of a Roman Republic, and decree that all food supplies are now held in common. Patriotic Romans are instructed to seize for themselves the grain they are owed, and chaos ensues. Merchants flee town if they can, and many are beaten to death defending their stores. The port of Portus is ransacked, as well as the now-military port of Ostia. Valuables of all kind are looted, not just the food supplies. More organised groups of the rioters find weapons with which to arm themselves, and form themselves into 'Legions' - little more than gangs of ruffians with some shiny new toys.
Mediolanum
Away from Rome itself, a number of riots occur, though they rarely last for long. In Mediolanum, another large riot started, but with the Visigothic armies in the north, it was swiftly and violently put down, with 5,000 rioters killed.
