The house of Claudius
Being the emperor of the Roman empire isn't easy. From the reign of Augustus, the Julio-Claudian dynasty had ruled over the Roman empire with success. But while Augustus was a cunning manipulator and the general who ended the civil war, later emperors weren't that gifted. As we often see, the son of a great emperor doesn't have to be a great emperor himself. Tiberius, the second Roman emperor was a gifted administrator who executed the plans Augustus had for the Roman empire. Trade flourished and the treasury was filled with gold, while the Roman empire was at peace. When Tiberius died, the son of his nephew Germanicus became emperor. This third emperor is usually known as Caligula. When we take a look at Caligula's reign, we must have great respect for the modesty of Tiberius.
The power made Caligula crazy. There was nothing to keep him from doing whatever he wanted, and that is not a healthy position for a human to be in. Caligula is known for trying to make his horse Consul (comparable to a president). In 41 AD, the Preatorian Guards (the guards of the emperor) and the Senate had enough of it: they assassinated Caligula and placed his uncle, Claudius, at the throne.
If anyone would ever have said Claudius would become emperor, people would have laughed at him. His inability to speak clearly in public excluded him from any public duty at first. Physically not everything was completely right, and this combined with his stammering and confused speech made him the fool of the family. People weren't very tolerant for people with disabilities then. All this excluded him for the power games that were played inside the royal family because he wasn't seen as a threat and with the death of Caligula, Claudius was the only possible successor left. He proved to be a worthy one. Under Claudius, stability was again achieved, and Rome was as great as it had ever been. Claudius gradually transferred some of the power that the senate once had to his freed slaves, who acted as a kind of ministers, but didn't have the status the Patricians of the senate. The empire was way too big to be governed by one person, and this was completely sensible, but it annoyed the senate. As Claudius seemed weak, many thought they could take advantage of him.
Claudius had to fight his entire life to survive, to stay on top and he did so successfully. His reign was a blessing for the empire. But as successful he was as a leader, so unlucky he was in his personal life. He married 4 times. His third wife, Messalina gave him a son, Brittanicus, and a daughter, Octavia. However, this marriage wasn't to stay. For Messalina, one man wasn't enough, and everybody in Rome knew she was "visiting" other men. Claudius had her executed as the marriage became impossible.
He remarried, for the fourth time, with Aggripina, the daughter of his nephew Germanicus. She already had a son, Nero, and she was an ambitious woman. As Brittanicus was still to young to become the emperor, Nero was adopted and made heir. But now, with Brittanicus almost old enough to become emperor, and Claudius still not dead, time is starting to get short.
The power made Caligula crazy. There was nothing to keep him from doing whatever he wanted, and that is not a healthy position for a human to be in. Caligula is known for trying to make his horse Consul (comparable to a president). In 41 AD, the Preatorian Guards (the guards of the emperor) and the Senate had enough of it: they assassinated Caligula and placed his uncle, Claudius, at the throne.
If anyone would ever have said Claudius would become emperor, people would have laughed at him. His inability to speak clearly in public excluded him from any public duty at first. Physically not everything was completely right, and this combined with his stammering and confused speech made him the fool of the family. People weren't very tolerant for people with disabilities then. All this excluded him for the power games that were played inside the royal family because he wasn't seen as a threat and with the death of Caligula, Claudius was the only possible successor left. He proved to be a worthy one. Under Claudius, stability was again achieved, and Rome was as great as it had ever been. Claudius gradually transferred some of the power that the senate once had to his freed slaves, who acted as a kind of ministers, but didn't have the status the Patricians of the senate. The empire was way too big to be governed by one person, and this was completely sensible, but it annoyed the senate. As Claudius seemed weak, many thought they could take advantage of him.
Claudius had to fight his entire life to survive, to stay on top and he did so successfully. His reign was a blessing for the empire. But as successful he was as a leader, so unlucky he was in his personal life. He married 4 times. His third wife, Messalina gave him a son, Brittanicus, and a daughter, Octavia. However, this marriage wasn't to stay. For Messalina, one man wasn't enough, and everybody in Rome knew she was "visiting" other men. Claudius had her executed as the marriage became impossible.
He remarried, for the fourth time, with Aggripina, the daughter of his nephew Germanicus. She already had a son, Nero, and she was an ambitious woman. As Brittanicus was still to young to become the emperor, Nero was adopted and made heir. But now, with Brittanicus almost old enough to become emperor, and Claudius still not dead, time is starting to get short.
This will be a 7 player mini themed. Most of the theme is based on the 7th book of the "Annales" by Tacitus but that text isn't pleasant to read. Wikipedia has most information too. Knowledge of the theme isn't required, though it might help you (enjoy the flavour more).
The game focuses on the day game, but is slightly experimental. It won't contain new mechanisms.
The game focuses on the day game, but is slightly experimental. It won't contain new mechanisms.