Marcus Aurelius walked slowly along the hall down to the Roman Forum. The meeting with Princeps Senatus Ralen and Consules Egil and Aeneas had been long and full of matters to discuss.

Senatorial debates in roman Curia regarding the "Ravenna affair" had been intensive and arduous during last weeks. A consensus finally was reached, after exhaustive reports proved that former Consul Ildico had ordered roman army to attack the etruscan province; and with a few votes in favour it was decided that Ravenna should return to Etruscan Nation.

Censor crossed his domus door and headed for the tablinum, asking his secretary Lucius to follow him. His friend had been waiting for him for so long... he knew that morning was going to be tiring. Lucius took some wax tablets and his styli, Marcus began to speak:

QUOTE:

To Honorable Lars Porsenna,
Archon of the Etruscan Nation:

Greetings and congratulations... I hope your new days as Archon of the Etruscans to be full of joy, prosperity and glory. Etruscan people has always been known beacuse of his wisdom and good sense, and your election confirms this thought.

Debates in Senatus about our incident in Ravenna had been long, but finally investigation has shown that was our ex-Consul Ildico who order the army movement before leaving our nation, though we are not sure about her intention with this act.

Nevertheless, roman senators have decided that, despite the Republic interest in that province, it wouldn't be honorable or worthy of Roman Nation to keep a province conquered by surprise, without a true defense form their former owners. Rome therefore will relinquish control of Ravenna in two days, allowing your armies to retake its dominion; and necessary resources for its reconstruction will be transfered to you in following days. I hope Etruscan people to be pleased with these decisions.

May Iuppiter Optimus Maximus be with you!!


Marcus Aurelius
Senator and Censor of the Roman Republic

The long-awaited roman messenger arrived in Verona to bring word from the roman Senate about the further destiny of Ravenna. The Archons clerk took the parchment and walked rapidly to the Archon with it, while the messenger had a break in the kitchen. Lars Porsenna moved anxiously through his office as his clerk arrived with the parchment. The seal with the letters SPQR was quickly broken and the Archon read the paper relieved. Till this moment he was unsure about the sense of the silence of the Senate. But now the danger of war was over and the etruscan people of Ravenna will come under etruscan law again.

QUOTE:
Dear honorable Marcus Aurelius
Senator and Censor of the Roman Republic

Very grateful I have read Your words and I want to invite You, if You will visit Verona anytime, as my guest of honor.

The final decision of the roman Senate about Ravenna shows the dignity and honour of Rome. The danger of war between our peoples have been avoided and I am joyful about. In a few days we will recover Ravenna.

After this we should forget the crisis, former consul Ildico provoked between Rome and Etruria. Let us continue with friendly diplomatic relations.

Greetings in the name of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Lars Porsenna
Archon of Etruria