The world-famous Drusus Silo looks back on the fall of The Roman Republic and the formation of the Empire that would one day span the world. He examines the significant events that led to the civil war between two of Rome’s greatest generals, and the rise of Rhea, a decedent of Venus who would rise to power and forge a new nation.
The end of the Republic, which had stood for over four hundred years, was a bloody and traumatic time in our proud history. Yet what ultimately happened could have so easily been avoided if those in power at the time had used their authority wisely and stayed focused on Rome’s true enemies, which were numerous. However, two men we look back on as heroes and villains, Tullus and Septimius, squandered their power on self-indulgence and acts of petty revenge. When Tullus ordered Septimius' execution, which resulted in the annulation of his army was the first blow that set Rome towards the course of civil war. What would follow would be years of civil strife, anarchy, and conflicts with what seemed like the entire human race.
[A correspondence found in the Senate House vault between Septimius and Cinna.]
Septimius to Cinna
Our time to strike has finally come. With Tullus supporters ousting themselves in their support of his campaign in the east, we now have the means to target all of the loyalists at once. While my agents take care of manners here in Rome, I’m tasking you with removing Tullus from my sights once and for all. You will have the Eleventh Legion under your command. Go to Tullus’ camp under the authority of the Senate and eliminate the man. Make sure he is aware of who is responsible for his undoing. When this is done, remove his army from the field with extreme hostility and return to Rome promptly. We are entering into a new era for the Republic, my friend. I’m trusting you with this important task because I know there is no better man to carry out my agenda. Do not fail me, Cinna.
[A correspondence found in the archives of Gallus between himself and Tullus six months after Tullus army was destroyed by Cinna.]
Gallus to Tullus
It does my heart good to hear you survived the assassination attempt on your life. Unfortunately, your supporters here in Rome weren’t as lucky. Septimius has purged Rome of all those senators that rallied behind you with violence and blood. All that is left are cowering senators too afraid to stand against Septimius and his cohorts.
For weeks now, I have had agents out searching for you and hope this letter has reached you well. I can no longer stand by and allow men like Septimius corrupt the excellent name of the Republic. The man is a monster. He spends most of his days between the legs of his concubines and his belly filled with wine, while our great city crumbles around him. Because of this, I seek you out to be our savior. If any man can rally the masses to his side, it is you. With my backing, you can raise a new army and march on Rome. I am in the position that I can divert our defenses elsewhere. I cannot say too much more, but if you are willing, we can meet and discuss the terms.
Your ally, Gallus.
From the words of Drusus Silo
Tullus, for all his faults, was an intelligent man. After receiving the first letter from Gallus and his offer of help to fund a new army, Tullus was pushed into a corner of having to accept help from a man he knew cared nothing about saving the Republic. Nevertheless, in desperate times, strange alliances had to be formed.
[A correspondence found in Tullus’ personal archive between himself and Gallus.]
Gallus,
Your letter did indeed find me how I do not know. I shall have to redouble my efforts to remain hidden or risk Septimius’ agents discovering I’m still alive. Your words about saving the Republic warm my heart, or they would have if it came from another man. Do not be foolish with me, Gallus. You have no name of note and, despite your wealth, have risen as high as you will under Septimius’ regime. You seek to be elevated above your peers and have found an opportunity where your gold can buy that more elevated station if I am victorious, that is. Sadly, it is a reality of my situation. I am not short on friends and allies who I know will stand with me until the end, but I am short of the funds needed to march on Rome. So, it would seem without much in the way of other options I am forced to consider your proposal.
We will meet in Alexandria in the autumn. The exact date and time will be of my choosing. I will reach out to you again in the coming weeks. Until then, remain silent about what has been spoken between us. And know, if you prove to be untrustworthy, I will expense all the resources I have to make you suffer.
The
era of Tullus and Septimius produced some of Rome’s most significant military
minds. While Septimius would end his life a fat drunkard and Tullus a psychotic
madman, there
is no denying both men’s accomplishments. Yet, the generation that would follow
would give rise to the best and brightest the Republic would ever produce.
These men and women would see the end of the Republic era and the rise of the
Empire, and many would get their first taste of war with the two warlords that
plunged Rome into its first Civil War. Among them was Fabius.
Coming from a renown military family, Fabius grew up in the shadows of greatness, yet his family, like so many others, were limited by how far they could rise. For generations, they fought to better Rome’s elite class, but when they asked to join them repeatably, they were shunned and sent to do the Republic’s dirty work. Young men like Fabius were determined not to share the same fate. While he believed in the Republic, he saw under Septimius’ leadership the alter his family had fought to defend erode until it was ruined. Thus, Tullus turned to Fabius, who was only twenty-five years old but already an accomplished commander to join his army. Fabius would lead Tullus’ forces as he took the heart of the city and tore down the doors to the Senate.
[A private correspondence sent from Tullus to Fabius while he campaigned in Gaul.]
Fabius,
It has been many years since last we spoke, and then you were but a young boy on the path to manhood. I have eagerly watched your progress since I first laid eyes on you. Your father and I did not always see eye to eye, but I respected him, nonetheless. It saddened me when I heard of his passing and angered me, even more, to know that Septimius threw his life away in such a manner. It is that corruption and level of incompetence that I work to burn out from the heart of Rome.
By now, I’m sure you have heard about Septimius’ dog, Cinna attacking my army in the east. No doubt, the blob has thrown a festival to celebrate the occasion. Aalst, I survived the brutal assault, but my army did not. What retainers I have left, we have fled and hide with the aid of some choice friends, who have promised to support my endeavor to liberate our dear Republic from the clutches of a madman. I ask you to consider joining me. Like your father before, your place is rightfully by my side as one of my chief commanders. Together, I know we can save Rome.
I hope you consider my offer Fabius. You deserve more than to be cast to the north fighting barbarians – destine to be lost and forgotten under Septimius’ rule. Together, I can promise you the old ways of how Rome has worked will be buried when I am in power. Then, Rome can begin to heal, and we can forge a new era that returns our nation to its former glory.
Tullus
From the words of Drusus Silo
The war that would be fought between Septimius and Tullus would be bloody, long, and brutal, but little did Tullus know the first bloodshed would be a grave mistake – one he would unknowingly make twice. This mistake, in the long run, would be his undoing for it would be the fire that would forge Rhea into the warrior and leader she did not yet know she would be.
As Septimius prepared to launch his new armada to Rome, it was accidentally discovered by a small patrol of ships belonging to the famed Chimera Legion. Forced to act quickly, Tullus attacked the patrol, destroying several ships before a lone vessel managed to escape. On high ranking officer onboard, the Eye of Jupiter was the father of Rhea. When she learned about his death, her innocence would be lost. From that moment forward, her life would be intertwined with Tullus. She would grow stronger, as he would be burdened as a ruler.
[Taken from Tullus’ private journal]
Roman blood has been spilled, not the first of this war, but the first I’ve been forced to take. I greave for my brothers and sisters and curse the gods for setting them upon me. We were wrecked by a horrible storm that the patrol must have been blown off course. Quite by accident, they stumbled upon my fleet’s hiding place. Completely unaware of who we were, they set course for us most likely seeking a safe port to set in for repairs. I had no choice but to attack them before they realized who I was and fled back to Rome with news of my survival.
They fought like true heroes of the Republic, those brave men, and women of Chimera Legion living up to their legend. Five of my ships were severely damaged, but we had the advantage in numbers and surprise. Eight of their vessels were destroyed, with only one ship escaping. I know it set course for Rome and will no doubt report what happened to Gallus. He will delay the Senate, but I’m forced to push up my plans to attack Rome by a week. Once my ships are repaired, I have decided, the die is cast. More Roman blood will be spilled. This is a fate I cannot escape.
The world-famous Drusus Silo looks back on the fall of The Roman Republic and the formation of the Empire that would one day span the world....
