"A very short oration, on my honor.

Pintor, even if we were elect a prodictator, we would still have to elect a consul. Perhaps it behooves us to first elect a consul, and then he may nominate a dictator, a proper dictator, as is our law. It is in times of crisis that it is most important to follow the law, or they are worth nothing in times of stability.

On the matter of property reform, if at all possible, I would like to avoid a permanent change. We are presented with the dilemma between setting a precedent which may result in two slippery slopes. Either, future senates will continue to lower the property requirements, or they will vote to disregard them when there is no need. I find the former to be more likely as our commitments abroad and demands for garrisons across the republic grow. The Capite Censi would not be missed in faraway Greece. Whereas, the precedent for a temporary ignorance of the requirements under times of extreme duress, while not impossible to abuse, seems to me much more difficult.

Finally, on the granting of Roman citizenship, we have already established colonies amongst the Socii, where the Italics may freely breed with ours. Our stock is already "diluted". We would drastically increase the soldiers available and the citizens would be liable for a tax."