Salvatoria: The Memoirs of Lucretia Aurelia

ᑕᕼᗩᑭTEᖇ ᙭᙭᙭III: ᗪOIᑎG TᕼE GOOᗪ ᗯOᖇK

April 2, 34 B.C

Rome, Second Roman Republic

The trumpeter silenced the Senate.

"All preside for Marcus Tullius Cicero... and Lucretia Aurelia Cicero, Consuls of the Second Roman Republic!"

The Senate clapped for Cicero and I as we entered the chamber. I felt a small sense of pride being allowed in here - as a member of government, not a private citizen. Cicero and I sat in our seats, and I helped my old father in law, who was now 73, into his.

"Thank you dear," He smiled.

I practically had to beg Cicero to join me for the provisional consulship. He had only agreed once I promised he would only need to serve one year.

"Consuls, you may make your opening addresses,"

Cicero managed to stand up.

"Honorable Senators, esteemed citizens,"

"It is with a profound sense of duty and humility that I stand before you today as your consul. The challenges that lie ahead are great, but so too is our collective strength and resolve. Together, we have weathered storms that would have broken lesser nations, and now, as we emerge from the darkness into the light, we must seize the opportunity to rebuild and renew our beloved Republic. The task before us is not an easy one. We must heal the wounds of division, restore the institutions of government, and rebuild the trust and confidence of the people. But I have every confidence that, with your wisdom and guidance, we will rise to meet these challenges and emerge stronger than ever before. As consul, I pledge to uphold the principles of justice, integrity, and honor that have always been the hallmarks of our Republic. I will work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of the people are heard, that their rights are protected, and that their aspirations are realized. Let us move forward together, united in purpose and determined in spirit. Let us honor the sacrifices of those who came before us by building a Rome that is worthy of their legacy. And let us never forget that it is our duty, as citizens of the Second Roman Republic, to strive always for the greater good and the glory of Rome."

The Senate now directed me to speak, and I stood up as Cicero sat down. I took out my speech, looked over it, and spoke.

"I speak not only to the members of this sacred and esteemed assembly, but I also speak to the people of Rome. Civil war has rocked our country for fifteen years, and has been dominated by tyrants and tyranny for ten longer. The legacy of Lucius Junius Brutus I can say proudly lives on. Tyranny has yet to prevail, and as long as we remember men like Cicero, Cassius and Brutus, it shall never prevail. As we lead the Republic into a new age, we must in these next few years fix the critical flaws of the Republic, its constitutions and its systems. Rome is bleeding, and the patchwork medicine is not working... It is up to us, all of us, populares, optimates, man, woman, to work together to heal the wounds and usher in the new age. Together... the idea of Rome... it shall endure! For now, and for all time!"

The Senate erupted into applause and cheers as Cicero and I shook hands.

"Let's get to work,"

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July 34 B.C

The next few months were busy, with almost no time to rest. The Senate was established as the supreme governing body of the Republic, with consuls being now elected by the people in full. Cicero, a former consul himself, helped spearhead efforts to address the fundamental flaws in the consular system. No longer was senatorial status required, as that essentially only allowed elites to run. Now, property and wealth did not determine voting power. Every Roman citizen could vote, and counted for one vote. There were grumblings for the elite, but given the fragile environment, managed their annoyance.