Roman History 21 - Septimius To Alexander 197-222 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 101 and all was of little Rome episode 101 and all was of little Rome episode 101 and all was of little value we date the reign of Septimus seis value we date the reign of Septimus seis value we date the reign of Septimus seis from the moment he was hailed Emperor by from the moment he was hailed Emperor by from the moment he was hailed Emperor by the panonian legions in April 192 but it the panonian legions in April 192 but it the panonian legions in April 192 but it wasn't until February 197 that he could wasn't until February 197 that he could wasn't until February 197 that he could really relax comfortably on his throne really relax comfortably on his throne really relax comfortably on his throne during the intervening 5 years he had during the intervening 5 years he had during the intervening 5 years he had been forced to sit perched on the edge been forced to sit perched on the edge been forced to sit perched on the edge of his seat as he parried the thrusts of of his seat as he parried the thrusts of of his seat as he parried the thrusts of first didus julianus then penus Niger first didus julianus then penus Niger first didus julianus then penus Niger and finally Claudius and finally Claudius and finally Claudius albinus but following the defeat of albinus but following the defeat of albinus but following the defeat of albinus at lug Dunham the Empire ran out albinus at lug Dunham the Empire ran out albinus at lug Dunham the Empire ran out of men willing to get in seas' Way Rome of men willing to get in seas' Way Rome of men willing to get in seas' Way Rome was now his and his was now his and his was now his and his alone but where other men might have alone but where other men might have alone but where other men might have been able to enjoy what they had won been able to enjoy what they had won been able to enjoy what they had won searis soon discovered that it was the searis soon discovered that it was the searis soon discovered that it was the chase far more than the object itself chase far more than the object itself chase far more than the object itself that had excited his that had excited his that had excited his passions though he would ruled the passions though he would ruled the passions though he would ruled the empire for another 14 more or less empire for another 14 more or less empire for another 14 more or less successful years the morning of the successful years the morning of the successful years the morning of the final battle with albinus was probably final battle with albinus was probably final battle with albinus was probably the last time septimius Seas found the last time septimius Seas found the last time septimius Seas found himself really excited to greet the new himself really excited to greet the new himself really excited to greet the new day upon his return to Rome following day upon his return to Rome following day upon his return to Rome following the brief but decisive campaign against the brief but decisive campaign against the brief but decisive campaign against albinus and Gul the now Undisputed albinus and Gul the now Undisputed albinus and Gul the now Undisputed Emperor set about transforming the Emperor set about transforming the Emperor set about transforming the Imperial Imperial Imperial order as a said previously searis and order as a said previously searis and order as a said previously searis and his descendants had no use for the his descendants had no use for the his descendants had no use for the Romantic fictions of the Augustine Romantic fictions of the Augustine Romantic fictions of the Augustine principate and what remained of the principate and what remained of the principate and what remained of the Republican charade survived their reign Republican charade survived their reign Republican charade survived their reign only out of

only out of only out of inertia the Senate still gathered and inertia the Senate still gathered and inertia the Senate still gathered and consuls were still named but the Leading consuls were still named but the Leading consuls were still named but the Leading Men of Rome were reminded of their Men of Rome were reminded of their Men of Rome were reminded of their powerlessness with a bluntness not felt powerlessness with a bluntness not felt powerlessness with a bluntness not felt since the days of since the days of since the days of demission naturally this led most of demission naturally this led most of demission naturally this led most of them to dislike Seas a great deal but them to dislike Seas a great deal but them to dislike Seas a great deal but the emperor could not have cared less the emperor could not have cared less the emperor could not have cared less rich and vain old men were not his rich and vain old men were not his rich and vain old men were not his concern he was in office by virtue of concern he was in office by virtue of concern he was in office by virtue of the fact that the armies were with him the fact that the armies were with him the fact that the armies were with him he knew that and they knew that so when he knew that and they knew that so when he knew that and they knew that so when he needed to use flattery to achieve his he needed to use flattery to achieve his he needed to use flattery to achieve his ends it was the army that he flattered ends it was the army that he flattered ends it was the army that he flattered and when he needed to use money to and when he needed to use money to and when he needed to use money to achieve his ends it was the army that he achieve his ends it was the army that he achieve his ends it was the army that he paid everyone else was paid everyone else was paid everyone else was irrelevant but even with his irrelevant but even with his irrelevant but even with his single-minded focus on keeping the Army single-minded focus on keeping the Army single-minded focus on keeping the Army happy the common citizens of the Empire happy the common citizens of the Empire happy the common citizens of the Empire generally supported SE the reign of generally supported SE the reign of generally supported SE the reign of Commodus with its mad corruption was Commodus with its mad corruption was Commodus with its mad corruption was still fresh in everyone's mind and so still fresh in everyone's mind and so still fresh in everyone's mind and so simply by virtue of the fact that he ran simply by virtue of the fact that he ran simply by virtue of the fact that he ran a pretty sane and relatively honest ship a pretty sane and relatively honest ship a pretty sane and relatively honest ship saris earned the people's respect even saris earned the people's respect even saris earned the people's respect even if in the end he never quite earned the if in the end he never quite earned the if in the end he never quite earned the people's people's people's Love of All the long-term stamps Seas Love of All the long-term stamps Seas Love of All the long-term stamps Seas put on the Empire nearly all relate in put on the Empire nearly all relate in put on the Empire nearly all relate in some way to the place of the legions in some way to the place of the legions in some way to the place of the legions in the political order and it was his Reign the political order and it was his Reign the political order and it was his Reign that provided the crucial bridge between that provided the crucial bridge between that provided the crucial bridge between the enlightened despotism of the the enlightened despotism of the the enlightened despotism of the previous prev century and the raw previous prev century and the raw previous prev century and the raw military dictatorships of The Next military dictatorships of The Next military dictatorships of The Next Century as we've already seen he Century as we've already seen he Century as we've already seen he reorganized the pretorians into a force reorganized the pretorians into a force reorganized the pretorians into a force of some 50,000 cracked troops and in so

of some 50,000 cracked troops and in so of some 50,000 cracked troops and in so doing altered their mandate from being doing altered their mandate from being doing altered their mandate from being the emperor's personal bodyguard to the emperor's personal bodyguard to the emperor's personal bodyguard to being the emperor's personal being the emperor's personal being the emperor's personal Army refusing to forget about the Army refusing to forget about the Army refusing to forget about the regular soldiers who would not be chosen regular soldiers who would not be chosen regular soldiers who would not be chosen to serve in the expanded pretorians Seas to serve in the expanded pretorians Seas to serve in the expanded pretorians Seas then nearly doubled the annual pay of then nearly doubled the annual pay of then nearly doubled the annual pay of all the men left out on the Frontiers all the men left out on the Frontiers all the men left out on the Frontiers in this Seas found himself once again in this Seas found himself once again in this Seas found himself once again paralleling to Mission who you'll recall paralleling to Mission who you'll recall paralleling to Mission who you'll recall used a similar wage increase to used a similar wage increase to used a similar wage increase to guarantee that an officer's call to guarantee that an officer's call to guarantee that an officer's call to revolt would always fall on deaf revolt would always fall on deaf revolt would always fall on deaf ears the long-term effects of the raise ears the long-term effects of the raise ears the long-term effects of the raise though would be to further cleave the though would be to further cleave the though would be to further cleave the interests of Civilian and Soldier as it interests of Civilian and Soldier as it interests of Civilian and Soldier as it became more and more of a burden for the became more and more of a burden for the became more and more of a burden for the former to pay what the latter former to pay what the latter former to pay what the latter expected and not only were the troops expected and not only were the troops expected and not only were the troops being paid more but by the end of seas' being paid more but by the end of seas' being paid more but by the end of seas' Reign there were more of them to Reign there were more of them to Reign there were more of them to pay before his death Seas had ballooned pay before his death Seas had ballooned pay before his death Seas had ballooned the active service up to 33 full Legions the active service up to 33 full Legions the active service up to 33 full Legions with increases in local auxiliaries to with increases in local auxiliaries to with increases in local auxiliaries to match Rome had not seen this many active match Rome had not seen this many active match Rome had not seen this many active duty soldiers since the days of Octavian duty soldiers since the days of Octavian duty soldiers since the days of Octavian and anony and they all swore their and anony and they all swore their and anony and they all swore their allegiance to seis and seas allegiance to seis and seas allegiance to seis and seas alone well not only seis also his sons alone well not only seis also his sons alone well not only seis also his sons kacala and Getta and also the man SE put kacala and Getta and also the man SE put kacala and Getta and also the man SE put in charge of his newly reformed petorian in charge of his newly reformed petorian in charge of his newly reformed petorian guard gas fulvus platanus for a while guard gas fulvus platanus for a while guard gas fulvus platanus for a while they swore allegiance to him too a they swore allegiance to him too a they swore allegiance to him too a development that everyone in the searan development that everyone in the searan development that everyone in the searan Inner Circle came to view with Inner Circle came to view with Inner Circle came to view with alarm everyone except the emperor that

alarm everyone except the emperor that alarm everyone except the emperor that is plais was Sis's maternal cousin and is plais was Sis's maternal cousin and is plais was Sis's maternal cousin and the two men had been close friends for the two men had been close friends for the two men had been close friends for years when albinus was vanquished Seas years when albinus was vanquished Seas years when albinus was vanquished Seas finally had a free hand to conduct the finally had a free hand to conduct the finally had a free hand to conduct the Affairs of State his way and one of his Affairs of State his way and one of his Affairs of State his way and one of his first unfettered acts was to appoint first unfettered acts was to appoint first unfettered acts was to appoint platana petorian prefect in platana petorian prefect in platana petorian prefect in 197 this promotion effectively elevated 197 this promotion effectively elevated 197 this promotion effectively elevated platonis to the position of sas's second platonis to the position of sas's second platonis to the position of sas's second in in in command kacala and geta while officially command kacala and geta while officially command kacala and geta while officially SE CS were still only nine and eight SE CS were still only nine and eight SE CS were still only nine and eight respectively and in no way ready for respectively and in no way ready for respectively and in no way ready for official responsibility so it fell to official responsibility so it fell to official responsibility so it fell to platanis to help searis run the show and platanis to help searis run the show and platanis to help searis run the show and from the get-go his influence was from the get-go his influence was from the get-go his influence was felt in contrast to the period following felt in contrast to the period following felt in contrast to the period following the defeat of Niger where Seas took the defeat of Niger where Seas took the defeat of Niger where Seas took great pains to avoid executing the great pains to avoid executing the great pains to avoid executing the Syrian Governor supporters in the Senate Syrian Governor supporters in the Senate Syrian Governor supporters in the Senate he was convinced to follow up his final he was convinced to follow up his final he was convinced to follow up his final victory over albinus with the Spate of victory over albinus with the Spate of victory over albinus with the Spate of political political political executions with pius's help searis Drew executions with pius's help searis Drew executions with pius's help searis Drew up a list of friends non- entities and up a list of friends non- entities and up a list of friends non- entities and enemies with the aim of promoting the enemies with the aim of promoting the enemies with the aim of promoting the first ignoring the second and first ignoring the second and first ignoring the second and liquidating the liquidating the liquidating the last though they did spare many seas and last though they did spare many seas and last though they did spare many seas and platanis execut uted some 20 to 30 platanis execut uted some 20 to 30 platanis execut uted some 20 to 30 members of the Senate who had openly members of the Senate who had openly members of the Senate who had openly supported the governor of supported the governor of supported the governor of Britannia thrown onto this list for good Britannia thrown onto this list for good Britannia thrown onto this list for good measure was also perona's father-in-law measure was also perona's father-in-law measure was also perona's father-in-law so panis the only man Left Alive in the so panis the only man Left Alive in the so panis the only man Left Alive in the Empire who had ever publicly aimed at

Empire who had ever publicly aimed at Empire who had ever publicly aimed at becoming Emperor we can't have that becoming Emperor we can't have that becoming Emperor we can't have that lying around now can lying around now can lying around now can we The Purge wetted pla's appetite as he we The Purge wetted pla's appetite as he we The Purge wetted pla's appetite as he personally took control of the Estates personally took control of the Estates personally took control of the Estates of all the dead Senators suddenly he had of all the dead Senators suddenly he had of all the dead Senators suddenly he had power and wealth Beyond his wildest power and wealth Beyond his wildest power and wealth Beyond his wildest dreams and naturally he wanted more over the next few years in the more over the next few years in the governing relationship between searis governing relationship between searis governing relationship between searis and platanus grew to reflect the and platanus grew to reflect the and platanus grew to reflect the former's disdain for the tedium of former's disdain for the tedium of former's disdain for the tedium of Imperial governance and the latter's Imperial governance and the latter's Imperial governance and the latter's insatiable Lust For more and more insatiable Lust For more and more insatiable Lust For more and more power saris began to defer to his power saris began to defer to his power saris began to defer to his prefect on practically any matter of prefect on practically any matter of prefect on practically any matter of domestic importance and platanis was domestic importance and platanis was domestic importance and platanis was only too happy to take responsibility only too happy to take responsibility only too happy to take responsibility for the everyday maintenance of the for the everyday maintenance of the for the everyday maintenance of the empire empire empire from his per to top the newly enlarged from his per to top the newly enlarged from his per to top the newly enlarged petorian Legions clais became the deao petorian Legions clais became the deao petorian Legions clais became the deao dictator of Rome if you wanted something dictator of Rome if you wanted something dictator of Rome if you wanted something done you had to go through platanis and done you had to go through platanis and done you had to go through platanis and if you ran a foul of the prefect there if you ran a foul of the prefect there if you ran a foul of the prefect there was no appeal seas in his own words was no appeal seas in his own words was no appeal seas in his own words loved and trusted the man more than any loved and trusted the man more than any loved and trusted the man more than any other in the other in the other in the Empire plais exploited this trust to the Empire plais exploited this trust to the Empire plais exploited this trust to the hilt settling personal scores hilt settling personal scores hilt settling personal scores confiscating whatever property he took a confiscating whatever property he took a confiscating whatever property he took a fancy to and generally using the fancy to and generally using the fancy to and generally using the Imperial bureaucracy as a means of Imperial bureaucracy as a means of Imperial bureaucracy as a means of personal enrichment with plonis captaining the enrichment with plonis captaining the ship of State for him seis was free to ship of State for him seis was free to ship of State for him seis was free to indulge in pastimes that interested him indulge in pastimes that interested him indulge in pastimes that interested him far more than running the government

far more than running the government far more than running the government namely war and namely war and namely war and Conquest so far apart from his brief Conquest so far apart from his brief Conquest so far apart from his brief campaign in Parthia also varys's great campaign in Parthia also varys's great campaign in Parthia also varys's great victories as Emperor had come against victories as Emperor had come against victories as Emperor had come against his fellow Romans a legacy no General his fellow Romans a legacy no General his fellow Romans a legacy no General was eager to leave behind so seis was eager to leave behind so seis was eager to leave behind so seis decided he needed to do something to decided he needed to do something to decided he needed to do something to bolster his historical bolster his historical bolster his historical credibility having already achieved a credibility having already achieved a credibility having already achieved a string of easy victories in the East string of easy victories in the East string of easy victories in the East following his triumph over Niger the following his triumph over Niger the following his triumph over Niger the emperor decided that Parthia would once emperor decided that Parthia would once emperor decided that Parthia would once again be a great place to Pat his again be a great place to Pat his again be a great place to Pat his resume His official causus belli for war resume His official causus belli for war resume His official causus belli for war came in 198 after the parthians moved came in 198 after the parthians moved came in 198 after the parthians moved some forces to their western frontier as some forces to their western frontier as some forces to their western frontier as a delayed response to his previous a delayed response to his previous a delayed response to his previous invasion of their territory in invasion of their territory in invasion of their territory in 195 citing the threat to Roman interests 195 citing the threat to Roman interests 195 citing the threat to Roman interests the emperor headed to Syria to oversee the emperor headed to Syria to oversee the emperor headed to Syria to oversee an offensive into Mesopotamia as was sas's style actual Mesopotamia as was sas's style actual leadership of the initial campaign was leadership of the initial campaign was leadership of the initial campaign was handed over to a highly capable handed over to a highly capable handed over to a highly capable subordinate in this case a general named subordinate in this case a general named subordinate in this case a general named lus and in case you're wondering the lus and in case you're wondering the lus and in case you're wondering the answer is no I don't know if this lus answer is no I don't know if this lus answer is no I don't know if this lus was related to the conniving petorian was related to the conniving petorian was related to the conniving petorian prefect so recently executed by prefect so recently executed by prefect so recently executed by searis this lus had served searis searis this lus had served searis searis this lus had served searis throughout the Civil Wars and is throughout the Civil Wars and is throughout the Civil Wars and is credited in some histories with being credited in some histories with being credited in some histories with being the man who turn the tide at the Battle the man who turn the tide at the Battle the man who turn the tide at the Battle of lug Dunham after searis had been of lug Dunham after searis had been of lug Dunham after searis had been swept up in the nearly disastrous swept up in the nearly disastrous swept up in the nearly disastrous Retreat of his left Retreat of his left Retreat of his left wing he had been posted in the East

wing he had been posted in the East wing he had been posted in the East following the Battle and in the following the Battle and in the following the Battle and in the intervening year had been skirmishing intervening year had been skirmishing intervening year had been skirmishing with the parthians in and around the with the parthians in and around the with the parthians in and around the Euphrates Euphrates Euphrates River when searis arrived lus was more River when searis arrived lus was more River when searis arrived lus was more than ready to be let off his leash and a than ready to be let off his leash and a than ready to be let off his leash and a fleet was ordered built to Ferry the fleet was ordered built to Ferry the fleet was ordered built to Ferry the Syrian Legions down the Euphrates Syrian Legions down the Euphrates Syrian Legions down the Euphrates River following the footsteps of Tran River following the footsteps of Tran River following the footsteps of Tran and aidus cases the Romans sailed down and aidus cases the Romans sailed down and aidus cases the Romans sailed down the Euphrates sacking Babylon celosia the Euphrates sacking Babylon celosia the Euphrates sacking Babylon celosia and Tesson along the way as usual the and Tesson along the way as usual the and Tesson along the way as usual the parthians were no match for the sudden parthians were no match for the sudden parthians were no match for the sudden Roman Invasion and as before the Roman Invasion and as before the Roman Invasion and as before the victories came victories came victories came easy the next year lus and searis led easy the next year lus and searis led easy the next year lus and searis led the legions across the river Into the the legions across the river Into the the legions across the river Into the Heart of Mesopotamia Heart of Mesopotamia Heart of Mesopotamia they met Little Resistance until they they met Little Resistance until they they met Little Resistance until they came to the strategically important city came to the strategically important city came to the strategically important city of of of hatra unlike the more Western parthan hatra unlike the more Western parthan hatra unlike the more Western parthan cities which were often quickly cities which were often quickly cities which were often quickly abandoned by the parthan king and then abandoned by the parthan king and then abandoned by the parthan king and then reoccupied later when the coast was reoccupied later when the coast was reoccupied later when the coast was clear hatra was actually militarily clear hatra was actually militarily clear hatra was actually militarily speaking a key parthan speaking a key parthan speaking a key parthan asset centrally located it served as a asset centrally located it served as a asset centrally located it served as a launching pad to points all throughout launching pad to points all throughout launching pad to points all throughout old Persia losing Tesson even if it was old Persia losing Tesson even if it was old Persia losing Tesson even if it was technically the capital was one thing technically the capital was one thing technically the capital was one thing losing Hatcher was quite another and as losing Hatcher was quite another and as losing Hatcher was quite another and as a result the Romans met obstinate a result the Romans met obstinate a result the Romans met obstinate resistance to their Siege the legions were forced to retire Siege the legions were forced to retire before the arrival of winter having before the arrival of winter having before the arrival of winter having little to show for their efforts but little to show for their efforts but little to show for their efforts but dead bodies and destroyed dead bodies and destroyed dead bodies and destroyed equipment over the winter and there was

equipment over the winter and there was equipment over the winter and there was a shake up in the high command as searis a shake up in the high command as searis a shake up in the high command as searis grew increasingly paranoid about leus grew increasingly paranoid about leus grew increasingly paranoid about leus who was brilliant charismatic and who was brilliant charismatic and who was brilliant charismatic and beloved by the beloved by the beloved by the troops it was rumored that Legions would troops it was rumored that Legions would troops it was rumored that Legions would not March unless lus gave the signal a not March unless lus gave the signal a not March unless lus gave the signal a rumor that whatever its validity really rumor that whatever its validity really rumor that whatever its validity really rubbed searis the wrong way and when you rubbed searis the wrong way and when you rubbed searis the wrong way and when you rub a Roman Emperor the wrong way the rub a Roman Emperor the wrong way the rub a Roman Emperor the wrong way the consequences are often consequences are often consequences are often dire along with another officer thrown dire along with another officer thrown dire along with another officer thrown in for some minor slight lus was accused in for some minor slight lus was accused in for some minor slight lus was accused of some imagined crime or another seized of some imagined crime or another seized of some imagined crime or another seized by imperial agents and executed by seas by imperial agents and executed by seas by imperial agents and executed by seas in late in late in late 199 with his able Commander gone the 199 with his able Commander gone the 199 with his able Commander gone the next year Seas personally led the next year Seas personally led the next year Seas personally led the legions back across Mesopotamia to hatra legions back across Mesopotamia to hatra legions back across Mesopotamia to hatra planning to sack the city or die planning to sack the city or die planning to sack the city or die trying in the end he didn't NE Hatcher trying in the end he didn't NE Hatcher trying in the end he didn't NE Hatcher once again held out against the Roman once again held out against the Roman once again held out against the Roman attack after most of his Siege engines attack after most of his Siege engines attack after most of his Siege engines were destroyed and most of his men lay were destroyed and most of his men lay were destroyed and most of his men lay dead or wounded Seas withdrew back dead or wounded Seas withdrew back dead or wounded Seas withdrew back across the Euphrates with the winner of across the Euphrates with the winner of across the Euphrates with the winner of 200 200 200 approaching weary of banging his head approaching weary of banging his head approaching weary of banging his head against the walls of hatra seas did what against the walls of hatra seas did what against the walls of hatra seas did what any good leader would do he declared any good leader would do he declared any good leader would do he declared Victory and Victory and Victory and left s celebrated this um Victory by left s celebrated this um Victory by left s celebrated this um Victory by erecting the now famous arch of Septimus erecting the now famous arch of Septimus erecting the now famous arch of Septimus searis in 202 famous in part because searis in 202 famous in part because searis in 202 famous in part because it's still standing in Rome depicting it's still standing in Rome depicting it's still standing in Rome depicting his triumphs in the East and generally his triumphs in the East and generally his triumphs in the East and generally glorifying the severan family the arch

glorifying the severan family the arch glorifying the severan family the arch is indeed impressive and architecturally is indeed impressive and architecturally is indeed impressive and architecturally it stands up well to the ARs of Titus it stands up well to the ARs of Titus it stands up well to the ARs of Titus and The Columns of Tran and Marcus and The Columns of Tran and Marcus and The Columns of Tran and Marcus aelius but the the underlying campaign aelius but the the underlying campaign aelius but the the underlying campaign itself doesn't hold a candle to the itself doesn't hold a candle to the itself doesn't hold a candle to the victories of his predecessors the arch victories of his predecessors the arch victories of his predecessors the arch of searis is a glorious Mountain erected of searis is a glorious Mountain erected of searis is a glorious Mountain erected a top an in glorious mole hill while searis was off playing the hill while searis was off playing the part of conqueror platanus was back in part of conqueror platanus was back in part of conqueror platanus was back in Rome playing the part of Rome playing the part of Rome playing the part of Emperor he considered himself well Above Emperor he considered himself well Above Emperor he considered himself well Above the Law confiscating whatever he liked the Law confiscating whatever he liked the Law confiscating whatever he liked exiling or killing whatever he exiling or killing whatever he exiling or killing whatever he didn't pretty soon even is's allies didn't pretty soon even is's allies didn't pretty soon even is's allies began to grow concerned about the began to grow concerned about the began to grow concerned about the unchecked huus of good unchecked huus of good unchecked huus of good platanis but throughout this period any platanis but throughout this period any platanis but throughout this period any attempt to convince the emperor that his attempt to convince the emperor that his attempt to convince the emperor that his prefect was turning into something of a prefect was turning into something of a prefect was turning into something of a monster was met with a dismissive monster was met with a dismissive monster was met with a dismissive hand the basic problem was that Seas hand the basic problem was that Seas hand the basic problem was that Seas trusted platanus more than any of the trusted platanus more than any of the trusted platanus more than any of the men who denounced him so he always men who denounced him so he always men who denounced him so he always believed the prefect side of any believed the prefect side of any believed the prefect side of any story but despite his best efforts to story but despite his best efforts to story but despite his best efforts to remain in denial it seems that remain in denial it seems that remain in denial it seems that eventually the steady drip of complaints eventually the steady drip of complaints eventually the steady drip of complaints began to have their effect on the mind began to have their effect on the mind began to have their effect on the mind of the emperor and when he returned from of the emperor and when he returned from of the emperor and when he returned from the East he began to notice things that the East he began to notice things that the East he began to notice things that reinforced his nent reinforced his nent reinforced his nent suspicions when coins were minted suspicions when coins were minted suspicions when coins were minted platanis now included himself on the platanis now included himself on the platanis now included himself on the list of acceptable likenesses when the list of acceptable likenesses when the list of acceptable likenesses when the pretorians took their oath of fidelity a pretorians took their oath of fidelity a pretorians took their oath of fidelity a promise of personal loyalty to platanis

promise of personal loyalty to platanis promise of personal loyalty to platanis had been inserted into the had been inserted into the had been inserted into the ceremony when statues of the Imperial ceremony when statues of the Imperial ceremony when statues of the Imperial family were commissioned ploton family were commissioned ploton family were commissioned ploton made sure that statues of himself were made sure that statues of himself were made sure that statues of himself were carved as well and sometimes he went so carved as well and sometimes he went so carved as well and sometimes he went so far as to order that his be made far as to order that his be made far as to order that his be made slightly larger than those of seas and slightly larger than those of seas and slightly larger than those of seas and his his his sons all of these little pieces began to sons all of these little pieces began to sons all of these little pieces began to fit together in sas's head and a picture fit together in sas's head and a picture fit together in sas's head and a picture started to emerge that looked an awful started to emerge that looked an awful started to emerge that looked an awful lot like the man his other advisers had lot like the man his other advisers had lot like the man his other advisers had been warning him about for been warning him about for been warning him about for years Cash's Doo finally tells a brief years Cash's Doo finally tells a brief years Cash's Doo finally tells a brief story of a highly embarrassing moment story of a highly embarrassing moment story of a highly embarrassing moment for the emperor when s ordered a baith for the emperor when s ordered a baith for the emperor when s ordered a baith to call a particular case to trial but to call a particular case to trial but to call a particular case to trial but the baith Practical man that he was that the baith Practical man that he was that the baith Practical man that he was that is he took seriously his own is he took seriously his own is he took seriously his own self-preservation replied that he wasn't self-preservation replied that he wasn't self-preservation replied that he wasn't going to bring any case to trial without going to bring any case to trial without going to bring any case to trial without pla's pla's pla's permission the parallel to L's men maybe permission the parallel to L's men maybe permission the parallel to L's men maybe refusing to March without their refusing to March without their refusing to March without their General's okay was obvious and while General's okay was obvious and while General's okay was obvious and while Seas no doubt played the incident off Seas no doubt played the incident off Seas no doubt played the incident off well the question now hung out there in well the question now hung out there in well the question now hung out there in the open who was really in charge around the open who was really in charge around the open who was really in charge around here here here but still the emperor persisted in his but still the emperor persisted in his but still the emperor persisted in his denial through 202 when he married denial through 202 when he married denial through 202 when he married carala to platanus his daughter platina carala to platanus his daughter platina carala to platanus his daughter platina and through 203 when he made pla's and through 203 when he made pla's and through 203 when he made pla's console but in late 204 the wheels console but in late 204 the wheels console but in late 204 the wheels finally came off the finally came off the finally came off the bus because the thing is while Seas bus because the thing is while Seas bus because the thing is while Seas loved and trusted platanus the rest of loved and trusted platanus the rest of loved and trusted platanus the rest of the Severn family hated his guts sas's

the Severn family hated his guts sas's the Severn family hated his guts sas's wife Julia domna and platanis despised wife Julia domna and platanis despised wife Julia domna and platanis despised each other and each took every private each other and each took every private each other and each took every private opportunity offered to disparage the opportunity offered to disparage the opportunity offered to disparage the other to the other to the other to the emperor kacala meanwhile suspected emperor kacala meanwhile suspected emperor kacala meanwhile suspected plonis of plotting to undermine his plonis of plotting to undermine his plonis of plotting to undermine his rightful inheritance and took his rage rightful inheritance and took his rage rightful inheritance and took his rage out on platina who he hated by out on platina who he hated by out on platina who he hated by extension only 14 at the time of the extension only 14 at the time of the extension only 14 at the time of the marriage caracal was already showing his marriage caracal was already showing his marriage caracal was already showing his sociopathic tendencies and made it quite sociopathic tendencies and made it quite sociopathic tendencies and made it quite clear that when his father died and he clear that when his father died and he clear that when his father died and he became sole emperor that he was going to became sole emperor that he was going to became sole emperor that he was going to kill his new wife and father-in-law as kill his new wife and father-in-law as kill his new wife and father-in-law as his first order of his first order of his first order of business now it seems possible even business now it seems possible even business now it seems possible even probable that platonus was indeed probable that platonus was indeed probable that platonus was indeed looking to Ace kacala out of his looking to Ace kacala out of his looking to Ace kacala out of his inheritance but if kacala was looking to inheritance but if kacala was looking to inheritance but if kacala was looking to guarantee that platanis was looking to guarantee that platanis was looking to guarantee that platanis was looking to Ace him out of his inheritance well Ace him out of his inheritance well Ace him out of his inheritance well violent death threats are just about the violent death threats are just about the violent death threats are just about the way to way to way to go so I think it's safe to say that go so I think it's safe to say that go so I think it's safe to say that whatever pla tanis's intentions had been whatever pla tanis's intentions had been whatever pla tanis's intentions had been he was now definitely plotting to keep he was now definitely plotting to keep he was now definitely plotting to keep caraca off the throne after all his life caraca off the throne after all his life caraca off the throne after all his life depended on it rumors then reached caracal of pla's it rumors then reached caracal of pla's intensified scheming and the Young intensified scheming and the Young intensified scheming and the Young Prince took it his confirmation that he Prince took it his confirmation that he Prince took it his confirmation that he had been right all along and decided had been right all along and decided had been right all along and decided that he needed to act sooner rather than that he needed to act sooner rather than that he needed to act sooner rather than later to deal with the Troublesome later to deal with the Troublesome later to deal with the Troublesome prefect what he said alone was a prefect what he said alone was a prefect what he said alone was a frame-up job that was so comically frame-up job that was so comically frame-up job that was so comically transparent it is shocking that Seas transparent it is shocking that Seas transparent it is shocking that Seas even believed it doubly shocking in that

even believed it doubly shocking in that even believed it doubly shocking in that whatever doubt had been growing quietly whatever doubt had been growing quietly whatever doubt had been growing quietly in his mind Seas had for years proven in his mind Seas had for years proven in his mind Seas had for years proven himself to be constitutionally incapable himself to be constitutionally incapable himself to be constitutionally incapable of distrusting of distrusting of distrusting platanis why did Seas decide that now platanis why did Seas decide that now platanis why did Seas decide that now was finally the time to give up on his was finally the time to give up on his was finally the time to give up on his once beloved once beloved once beloved colleague the answer seems to lie in a colleague the answer seems to lie in a colleague the answer seems to lie in a conversation between the emperor and his conversation between the emperor and his conversation between the emperor and his brother puus septimius geta while puus brother puus septimius geta while puus brother puus septimius geta while puus lay on his lay on his lay on his deathbed free of any fear of reprisal deathbed free of any fear of reprisal deathbed free of any fear of reprisal sas's brother laid out in Stark deep sas's brother laid out in Stark deep sas's brother laid out in Stark deep detail the crimes and Ambitions of detail the crimes and Ambitions of detail the crimes and Ambitions of platanis and this time with the platanis and this time with the platanis and this time with the denunciation coming from an even more denunciation coming from an even more denunciation coming from an even more trusted Source than platanis Seas trusted Source than platanis Seas trusted Source than platanis Seas finally changed his finally changed his finally changed his mind so when carawa contrived to Flame mind so when carawa contrived to Flame mind so when carawa contrived to Flame patiis for attempted assassination seis patiis for attempted assassination seis patiis for attempted assassination seis was ready this time to believe the was ready this time to believe the was ready this time to believe the charges even if they were complete charges even if they were complete charges even if they were complete Fabrication in January 205 kacala went Fabrication in January 205 kacala went Fabrication in January 205 kacala went to a few centurions in the petorian camp to a few centurions in the petorian camp to a few centurions in the petorian camp and convinced them to interrupt an and convinced them to interrupt an and convinced them to interrupt an imperial banquet with forged proof that imperial banquet with forged proof that imperial banquet with forged proof that platanus had ordered them and eight of platanus had ordered them and eight of platanus had ordered them and eight of their Associates to assassinate their Associates to assassinate their Associates to assassinate Seas Cash's Dio relates the absurdity of Seas Cash's Dio relates the absurdity of Seas Cash's Dio relates the absurdity of the plot by saying platanis would never the plot by saying platanis would never the plot by saying platanis would never have dared to impose such a bidding upon have dared to impose such a bidding upon have dared to impose such a bidding upon 10 centurions at once certainly not in 10 centurions at once certainly not in 10 centurions at once certainly not in Rome certainly not in the palace nor on Rome certainly not in the palace nor on Rome certainly not in the palace nor on that day nor at that hour much less that day nor at that hour much less that day nor at that hour much less would he have written would he have written would he have written it but seis already stewing over his

it but seis already stewing over his it but seis already stewing over his brother's words was in a mood to believe brother's words was in a mood to believe brother's words was in a mood to believe the worst of his former the worst of his former the worst of his former favorite platanus was called to the favorite platanus was called to the favorite platanus was called to the palace and confronted by the palace and confronted by the palace and confronted by the emperor in the midst of the prefect emperor in the midst of the prefect emperor in the midst of the prefect denials kakawa perhaps fearing the denials kakawa perhaps fearing the denials kakawa perhaps fearing the denials would be all too believable denials would be all too believable denials would be all too believable since they were after all true rushed since they were after all true rushed since they were after all true rushed forward and struck platanus in the face forward and struck platanus in the face forward and struck platanus in the face he then drew his sword but was prevented he then drew his sword but was prevented he then drew his sword but was prevented from killing the prefect by Seas who from killing the prefect by Seas who from killing the prefect by Seas who ordered that the deed be done instead by ordered that the deed be done instead by ordered that the deed be done instead by a nameless a nameless a nameless subordinate plais then like so many subordinate plais then like so many subordinate plais then like so many Hubers ridden petorian prefects before Hubers ridden petorian prefects before Hubers ridden petorian prefects before him was unceremoniously executed and his him was unceremoniously executed and his him was unceremoniously executed and his body thrown into the body thrown into the body thrown into the streets as a nod to their once happy streets as a nod to their once happy streets as a nod to their once happy partnership searis eventually ordered partnership searis eventually ordered partnership searis eventually ordered the body retrieved and buried but the the body retrieved and buried but the the body retrieved and buried but the dead prefect's property was confiscated dead prefect's property was confiscated dead prefect's property was confiscated and his family including platina were and his family including platina were and his family including platina were exiled to exiled to exiled to Sicily when he finally became sole Sicily when he finally became sole Sicily when he finally became sole emperor in late 211 emperor in late 211 emperor in late 211 caraka made good on the promise he had caraka made good on the promise he had caraka made good on the promise he had made and ordered all of them especially made and ordered all of them especially made and ordered all of them especially his hated ex-wife strangled to his hated ex-wife strangled to his hated ex-wife strangled to death following the death of platanis death following the death of platanis death following the death of platanis the succession issue became in one sense the succession issue became in one sense the succession issue became in one sense more clear and in another more more clear and in another more more clear and in another more cloudy the likelihood that anyone would cloudy the likelihood that anyone would cloudy the likelihood that anyone would be able to stand between the sons of be able to stand between the sons of be able to stand between the sons of seas and their Birthright was now almost seas and their Birthright was now almost seas and their Birthright was now almost non-existent that much was the clear non-existent that much was the clear non-existent that much was the clear part what clouded the picture was the

part what clouded the picture was the part what clouded the picture was the bit about the sons of sees bit about the sons of sees bit about the sons of sees plural in the mind of their father The plural in the mind of their father The plural in the mind of their father The Joint rule of his sons would be the best Joint rule of his sons would be the best Joint rule of his sons would be the best possible State of Affairs so that's how possible State of Affairs so that's how possible State of Affairs so that's how he wrote up his will but it seems hard he wrote up his will but it seems hard he wrote up his will but it seems hard to understand how he came to this to understand how he came to this to understand how he came to this conclusion apparently in his mind conclusion apparently in his mind conclusion apparently in his mind allowing the boys to become co- Austy allowing the boys to become co- Austy allowing the boys to become co- Austy would eliminate the odds of a bloody would eliminate the odds of a bloody would eliminate the odds of a bloody dynastic struggle flaring up but in this dynastic struggle flaring up but in this dynastic struggle flaring up but in this he had it completely he had it completely he had it completely backwards everyone knew that carala and backwards everyone knew that carala and backwards everyone knew that carala and geta hated each other there was simply geta hated each other there was simply geta hated each other there was simply no way they would be able to share power no way they would be able to share power no way they would be able to share power peacefully they were oil and water if peacefully they were oil and water if peacefully they were oil and water if caraca said up G said down if caraca caraca said up G said down if caraca caraca said up G said down if caraca said go g said stop if caracal rooted said go g said stop if caracal rooted said go g said stop if caracal rooted for one charioteer geta rooted for for one charioteer geta rooted for for one charioteer geta rooted for another the only way to elicit an another the only way to elicit an another the only way to elicit an identical answer to a question would be identical answer to a question would be identical answer to a question would be to ask them is your brother worthless to ask them is your brother worthless to ask them is your brother worthless because both would answer a scornful yes because both would answer a scornful yes because both would answer a scornful yes far from avoiding a dynastic strouble far from avoiding a dynastic strouble far from avoiding a dynastic strouble Sear's plan of joint inheritance Sear's plan of joint inheritance Sear's plan of joint inheritance guaranteed guaranteed guaranteed It Whatever fraternal Bond the boys had It Whatever fraternal Bond the boys had It Whatever fraternal Bond the boys had shared was finally Shattered by the shared was finally Shattered by the shared was finally Shattered by the execution of platias the hatred of whom execution of platias the hatred of whom execution of platias the hatred of whom had been about the last thing they had been about the last thing they had been about the last thing they shared in shared in shared in common the death of the prefect is also common the death of the prefect is also common the death of the prefect is also blamed for a how do you say loosening of blamed for a how do you say loosening of blamed for a how do you say loosening of morals on the part of the morals on the part of the morals on the part of the boys when he was still wielding his very boys when he was still wielding his very boys when he was still wielding his very real and very threatening Powers plais

real and very threatening Powers plais real and very threatening Powers plais acted as a psychological check on the acted as a psychological check on the acted as a psychological check on the sons of seas keeping them directly sons of seas keeping them directly sons of seas keeping them directly fearful on the one hand of the prefect fearful on the one hand of the prefect fearful on the one hand of the prefect but also indirectly fearful of losing but also indirectly fearful of losing but also indirectly fearful of losing favor with their father who could always favor with their father who could always favor with their father who could always turn to platanis if he caught wise to turn to platanis if he caught wise to turn to platanis if he caught wise to the fact that his boys had far more in the fact that his boys had far more in the fact that his boys had far more in common with Commodus than they did with common with Commodus than they did with common with Commodus than they did with Augustus both plon is gone it was time Augustus both plon is gone it was time Augustus both plon is gone it was time for the teenagers to let it all hang out for the teenagers to let it all hang out for the teenagers to let it all hang out who else was their father going to turn who else was their father going to turn who else was their father going to turn to disdaining any real responsibilities to disdaining any real responsibilities to disdaining any real responsibilities both boys became obsessed with Chariot both boys became obsessed with Chariot both boys became obsessed with Chariot racing drinking gambling and everything racing drinking gambling and everything racing drinking gambling and everything else that happens in the wee hours of else that happens in the wee hours of else that happens in the wee hours of the the the morning the ironic thing is that when morning the ironic thing is that when morning the ironic thing is that when you got right down to it they were you got right down to it they were you got right down to it they were pretty much the same terrible person pretty much the same terrible person pretty much the same terrible person even if hinting at this fact was liable even if hinting at this fact was liable even if hinting at this fact was liable to get you killed saris watched all this with alarm killed saris watched all this with alarm and began to despair for his heirs he and began to despair for his heirs he and began to despair for his heirs he also began to despair for also began to despair for also began to despair for himself platanis however personally himself platanis however personally himself platanis however personally unscrupulous he may have been had always unscrupulous he may have been had always unscrupulous he may have been had always shielded Seas from the mundane details shielded Seas from the mundane details shielded Seas from the mundane details of Empire but now that the prefect was of Empire but now that the prefect was of Empire but now that the prefect was dead SAS found himself snowed under by a dead SAS found himself snowed under by a dead SAS found himself snowed under by a staggering amount of staggering amount of staggering amount of paperwork so it was with great relief paperwork so it was with great relief paperwork so it was with great relief that he greeted news from Britannia in that he greeted news from Britannia in that he greeted news from Britannia in 208 to the effect that the natives there 208 to the effect that the natives there 208 to the effect that the natives there were getting were getting were getting restless here was a chance to kill two restless here was a chance to kill two restless here was a chance to kill two birds with one birds with one birds with one stone the distraction of a good old stone the distraction of a good old stone the distraction of a good old Legion campaign would do wonders for his Legion campaign would do wonders for his Legion campaign would do wonders for his own mental health and hopefully the

own mental health and hopefully the own mental health and hopefully the rigors of military life might whip his rigors of military life might whip his rigors of military life might whip his Wayward Sons into Wayward Sons into Wayward Sons into shape so he dug carala and Getta out of shape so he dug carala and Getta out of shape so he dug carala and Getta out of wherever they were sleeping it off and wherever they were sleeping it off and wherever they were sleeping it off and happily informed them that they were all happily informed them that they were all happily informed them that they were all going on a father-son camping trip to going on a father-son camping trip to going on a father-son camping trip to Britain the boys now 19 and 20 were Britain the boys now 19 and 20 were Britain the boys now 19 and 20 were appalled at the idea of fighting a war appalled at the idea of fighting a war appalled at the idea of fighting a war in the Frozen North but their father in the Frozen North but their father in the Frozen North but their father could be a very persuasive man so off could be a very persuasive man so off could be a very persuasive man so off they went next week will follow the severens on next week will follow the severens on their family bonding trip to Britain their family bonding trip to Britain their family bonding trip to Britain where among other things they will where among other things they will where among other things they will attempt to exterminate an entire race of attempt to exterminate an entire race of attempt to exterminate an entire race of people their genocidal aims will be people their genocidal aims will be people their genocidal aims will be halted only by the death of Septimus halted only by the death of Septimus halted only by the death of Septimus seis in early 211 whose passing further seis in early 211 whose passing further seis in early 211 whose passing further gave control of the Empire to kakala and gave control of the Empire to kakala and gave control of the Empire to kakala and geta who will go down in history as a geta who will go down in history as a geta who will go down in history as a pair of Commodus to match the one pair of Commodus to match the one pair of Commodus to match the one Commodus Seas had once upon a time Commodus Seas had once upon a time Commodus Seas had once upon a time criticize Marcus for not smothering with criticize Marcus for not smothering with criticize Marcus for not smothering with a pillow a pillow a pillow [Music] hello and welcome to the history of

hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 102 the common enemy of mankind last week we left off with the mankind last week we left off with the Imperial family packing for their Imperial family packing for their Imperial family packing for their camping trip to Britain you'll recall camping trip to Britain you'll recall camping trip to Britain you'll recall that in 208 Septimus searis had seized that in 208 Septimus searis had seized that in 208 Septimus searis had seized on a relatively minor military Uprising on a relatively minor military Uprising on a relatively minor military Uprising as an excuse to get himself and his sons as an excuse to get himself and his sons as an excuse to get himself and his sons out of Rome for a bit out of Rome for a bit out of Rome for a bit getting away from the capital would for getting away from the capital would for getting away from the capital would for Seas mean getting away from the banality Seas mean getting away from the banality Seas mean getting away from the banality and pettiness of government while for and pettiness of government while for and pettiness of government while for his sons it would mean getting away from his sons it would mean getting away from his sons it would mean getting away from The Temptations that they had been all The Temptations that they had been all The Temptations that they had been all too recklessly indulging in they were too recklessly indulging in they were too recklessly indulging in they were the coair to the throne and yet so far the coair to the throne and yet so far the coair to the throne and yet so far at 192 they knew far more about Chariot at 192 they knew far more about Chariot at 192 they knew far more about Chariot racing and what the best kind of racing and what the best kind of racing and what the best kind of Hangover cures were than they did about Hangover cures were than they did about Hangover cures were than they did about say running a multiethnic Empire with say running a multiethnic Empire with say running a multiethnic Empire with mortal enemies surrounding it on all mortal enemies surrounding it on all mortal enemies surrounding it on all sides sides sides like many a Stern father who had had to like many a Stern father who had had to like many a Stern father who had had to struggle for every dollar and honor that struggle for every dollar and honor that struggle for every dollar and honor that he had ever won saris was afraid that he had ever won saris was afraid that he had ever won saris was afraid that his sons were turning out soft and his sons were turning out soft and his sons were turning out soft and unserious and he knew just how to cure unserious and he knew just how to cure unserious and he knew just how to cure that a good old-fashioned military that a good old-fashioned military that a good old-fashioned military campaign up at dawn Spartan meals lots campaign up at dawn Spartan meals lots campaign up at dawn Spartan meals lots of marching sleeping in tense with the of marching sleeping in tense with the of marching sleeping in tense with the everpresent threat of violent death everpresent threat of violent death everpresent threat of violent death hanging over your head yes sir that was hanging over your head yes sir that was hanging over your head yes sir that was just what the doctor just what the doctor just what the doctor ordered they arrived in country in 209 ordered they arrived in country in 209 ordered they arrived in country in 209 after having raised a new Legion to help after having raised a new Legion to help after having raised a new Legion to help them wage what SAS hoped would be a them wage what SAS hoped would be a them wage what SAS hoped would be a strenuous but not necessarily difficult strenuous but not necessarily difficult strenuous but not necessarily difficult war after all the emperor was at this

war after all the emperor was at this war after all the emperor was at this point looking to add one more great point looking to add one more great point looking to add one more great Victory to his resume before dying so in Victory to his resume before dying so in Victory to his resume before dying so in picking to go out fighting in brania it picking to go out fighting in brania it picking to go out fighting in brania it is probable that Seas thought the deck is probable that Seas thought the deck is probable that Seas thought the deck would be pretty much stacked in the would be pretty much stacked in the would be pretty much stacked in the Roman favor and to further that point Roman favor and to further that point Roman favor and to further that point there was no doubt in anyone's mind that there was no doubt in anyone's mind that there was no doubt in anyone's mind that this would be seas' last campaign he was this would be seas' last campaign he was this would be seas' last campaign he was suffering ing from the effects of old suffering ing from the effects of old suffering ing from the effects of old age and in particular an onset of gout age and in particular an onset of gout age and in particular an onset of gout that required him to be transported in a that required him to be transported in a that required him to be transported in a litter litter litter everywhere his doctors cannot have been everywhere his doctors cannot have been everywhere his doctors cannot have been pleased that their patient was planning pleased that their patient was planning pleased that their patient was planning to go marching around Britain but Seas to go marching around Britain but Seas to go marching around Britain but Seas ready after a long and trying life for ready after a long and trying life for ready after a long and trying life for the sweet release of death was no doubt the sweet release of death was no doubt the sweet release of death was no doubt looking to die with his boots on the particular natives in question on the particular natives in question who had gotten Restless were a who had gotten Restless were a who had gotten Restless were a confederation of caledonians living confederation of caledonians living confederation of caledonians living beyond Hadrian's Wall up up in beyond Hadrian's Wall up up in beyond Hadrian's Wall up up in modern-day Scotland they had been modern-day Scotland they had been modern-day Scotland they had been stirring up trouble for some time but stirring up trouble for some time but stirring up trouble for some time but ever since albinus had dragged the ever since albinus had dragged the ever since albinus had dragged the British Legions away from their post British Legions away from their post British Legions away from their post they had grown Bolder still now Seas had they had grown Bolder still now Seas had they had grown Bolder still now Seas had not neglected to set things back in not neglected to set things back in not neglected to set things back in place following his victory at lunham place following his victory at lunham place following his victory at lunham but still Hadrian's Wall was crumbling but still Hadrian's Wall was crumbling but still Hadrian's Wall was crumbling and now manned mostly by new and now manned mostly by new and now manned mostly by new recruits searis and his sons arrived on recruits searis and his sons arrived on recruits searis and his sons arrived on the scene with backup including a newly the scene with backup including a newly the scene with backup including a newly raised Legion a bunch of gallic raised Legion a bunch of gallic raised Legion a bunch of gallic auxiliaries and an offshore Fleet to auxiliaries and an offshore Fleet to auxiliaries and an offshore Fleet to keep the caledonians cut off from keep the caledonians cut off from keep the caledonians cut off from outside trade and in mid 209 the Romans outside trade and in mid 209 the Romans outside trade and in mid 209 the Romans Advanced north of Hadrian's Wall for the Advanced north of Hadrian's Wall for the Advanced north of Hadrian's Wall for the first time in a long

first time in a long first time in a long time they marched around doing their time they marched around doing their time they marched around doing their level best to draw the Caledonian Army level best to draw the Caledonian Army level best to draw the Caledonian Army into battle but there was just one into battle but there was just one into battle but there was just one problem with this strategy the problem with this strategy the problem with this strategy the caledonians refused to caledonians refused to caledonians refused to fight well it's not that they refused to fight well it's not that they refused to fight well it's not that they refused to fight it's just that they refused to fight it's just that they refused to fight it's just that they refused to fight in a big old battle that would fight in a big old battle that would fight in a big old battle that would look spiffy on another sever in look spiffy on another sever in look spiffy on another sever in triumphal Arch instead the Caledonian triumphal Arch instead the Caledonian triumphal Arch instead the Caledonian forces scattered to the hills and forces scattered to the hills and forces scattered to the hills and embarked on a classic gorilla campaign embarked on a classic gorilla campaign embarked on a classic gorilla campaign they sprang up out of nowhere and they sprang up out of nowhere and they sprang up out of nowhere and disappeared just as quickly picking off disappeared just as quickly picking off disappeared just as quickly picking off isolated Roman companies harassing isolated Roman companies harassing isolated Roman companies harassing supply lines interfering with supply lines interfering with supply lines interfering with Communications and generally making life Communications and generally making life Communications and generally making life miserable for the miserable for the miserable for the legions searis was looking for one last legions searis was looking for one last legions searis was looking for one last shot at glory and what he got instead shot at glory and what he got instead shot at glory and what he got instead was a 2-year War of Attrition against an was a 2-year War of Attrition against an was a 2-year War of Attrition against an enemy he could never stop from poking enemy he could never stop from poking enemy he could never stop from poking him in the the head whenever his back him in the the head whenever his back him in the the head whenever his back was turned enraged at his own frustrated was turned enraged at his own frustrated was turned enraged at his own frustrated impotence the emperor responded to all impotence the emperor responded to all impotence the emperor responded to all of this by ordering of this by ordering of this by ordering genocide the legions marked back and genocide the legions marked back and genocide the legions marked back and forth across the country destroying forth across the country destroying forth across the country destroying whatever Villages they came across and whatever Villages they came across and whatever Villages they came across and killing every man woman and child they killing every man woman and child they killing every man woman and child they could could could find Seas was mostly hoping his campaign find Seas was mostly hoping his campaign find Seas was mostly hoping his campaign would provoke the regular Caledonian would provoke the regular Caledonian would provoke the regular Caledonian forces enough that they would come out forces enough that they would come out forces enough that they would come out of hiding and battle him in the open but of hiding and battle him in the open but of hiding and battle him in the open but if that didn't work well then eventually if that didn't work well then eventually if that didn't work well then eventually the Caledonian race would be the Caledonian race would be the Caledonian race would be exterminated and where the Romans made exterminated and where the Romans made exterminated and where the Romans made desert they could once again call it a desert they could once again call it a desert they could once again call it a piece but Seas would never get the piece but Seas would never get the piece but Seas would never get the chance to finish the job while planning

chance to finish the job while planning chance to finish the job while planning the next phase of his extermination the next phase of his extermination the next phase of his extermination campaign the emperor's real wish was campaign the emperor's real wish was campaign the emperor's real wish was finally granted and he died after a finally granted and he died after a finally granted and he died after a brief illness in February 211 brief illness in February 211 brief illness in February 211 ad Septimus seis was 65 years old and we ad Septimus seis was 65 years old and we ad Septimus seis was 65 years old and we say that he ruled the empire for just say that he ruled the empire for just say that he ruled the empire for just about 18 years even though his claim to about 18 years even though his claim to about 18 years even though his claim to the throne had had been hotly disputed the throne had had been hotly disputed the throne had had been hotly disputed there at the beginning the final campaign in beginning the final campaign in Caledonia had been a disaster the Romans Caledonia had been a disaster the Romans Caledonia had been a disaster the Romans had lost something on the order of had lost something on the order of had lost something on the order of 50,000 men and the caledonians while 50,000 men and the caledonians while 50,000 men and the caledonians while somewhat chastened had by no means been somewhat chastened had by no means been somewhat chastened had by no means been brought to brought to brought to heal the only lasting benefit of the war heal the only lasting benefit of the war heal the only lasting benefit of the war to the Empire was that along the way to the Empire was that along the way to the Empire was that along the way Hadrian's Wall had been reconstructed a Hadrian's Wall had been reconstructed a Hadrian's Wall had been reconstructed a project that led later Romans to call project that led later Romans to call project that led later Romans to call the wall the severan wall rather than the wall the severan wall rather than the wall the severan wall rather than Hadrian's Wall as we know it today Hadrian's Wall as we know it today Hadrian's Wall as we know it today but really searious could have just but really searious could have just but really searious could have just ordered that done without having to ordered that done without having to ordered that done without having to waste all the blood and treasure his war waste all the blood and treasure his war waste all the blood and treasure his war in the highlands had just cost the in the highlands had just cost the in the highlands had just cost the Empire but speaking of that I guess Empire but speaking of that I guess Empire but speaking of that I guess there was one other benefit to the there was one other benefit to the there was one other benefit to the failed campaign at this point the Romans failed campaign at this point the Romans failed campaign at this point the Romans stopped trying to conquer Scotland which stopped trying to conquer Scotland which stopped trying to conquer Scotland which was probably a prudent was probably a prudent was probably a prudent move as for sas's other suspected motive move as for sas's other suspected motive move as for sas's other suspected motive for starting the war in the first place for starting the war in the first place for starting the war in the first place so that his sons could have some sense so that his sons could have some sense so that his sons could have some sense beaten into them well that didn't work beaten into them well that didn't work beaten into them well that didn't work at all at all at all their friends back home were relieved to their friends back home were relieved to their friends back home were relieved to find caraca and geta emerg from the war find caraca and geta emerg from the war find caraca and geta emerg from the war no worse for the wear they were just as no worse for the wear they were just as no worse for the wear they were just as licentious lazy and shallow as they had licentious lazy and shallow as they had licentious lazy and shallow as they had been before they

left despite going out on such a low left despite going out on such a low note the reign of Septimus Seas has note the reign of Septimus Seas has note the reign of Septimus Seas has generally been viewed favorably by generally been viewed favorably by generally been viewed favorably by history there's no getting around the history there's no getting around the history there's no getting around the fact that his militarization of the fact that his militarization of the fact that his militarization of the government would come back to haunt The government would come back to haunt The government would come back to haunt The Empire especially the effect his wage Empire especially the effect his wage Empire especially the effect his wage increases and lavish increases and lavish increases and lavish on the discipline of the troops but he on the discipline of the troops but he on the discipline of the troops but he also took over an Empire that had been also took over an Empire that had been also took over an Empire that had been run into the ground fiscally politically run into the ground fiscally politically run into the ground fiscally politically and morally by Commodus and he did a and morally by Commodus and he did a and morally by Commodus and he did a pretty good job stabilizing pretty good job stabilizing pretty good job stabilizing it aside from platanis his it aside from platanis his it aside from platanis his administration was free of corruption administration was free of corruption administration was free of corruption ran efficiently and always tried to keep ran efficiently and always tried to keep ran efficiently and always tried to keep the overall health of the Empire as its the overall health of the Empire as its the overall health of the Empire as its primary object in almost every way sais primary object in almost every way sais primary object in almost every way sais left Rome better than he found it and left Rome better than he found it and left Rome better than he found it and though that's not necessarily saying though that's not necessarily saying though that's not necessarily saying much after all it it's hard to do worse much after all it it's hard to do worse much after all it it's hard to do worse than kdus it is saying than kdus it is saying than kdus it is saying something seis ruled with an iron hand something seis ruled with an iron hand something seis ruled with an iron hand but he was not a bloodthirsty Tyrant he but he was not a bloodthirsty Tyrant he but he was not a bloodthirsty Tyrant he left that to his sons who soon enough left that to his sons who soon enough left that to his sons who soon enough just became the one son the feud between kacala and geta not son the feud between kacala and geta not unexpectedly hit a rolling boil the unexpectedly hit a rolling boil the unexpectedly hit a rolling boil the minute Seas minute Seas minute Seas died fear of their father was just about died fear of their father was just about died fear of their father was just about the last thing keeping the boys in check the last thing keeping the boys in check the last thing keeping the boys in check and without the old man around anymore and without the old man around anymore and without the old man around anymore it was just a matter of time before the it was just a matter of time before the it was just a matter of time before the sons of seas became the son of saris if sons of seas became the son of saris if sons of seas became the son of saris if you catch my you catch my you catch my drift the dead Emperor's body was still drift the dead Emperor's body was still drift the dead Emperor's body was still warm when kacala made the opening move warm when kacala made the opening move warm when kacala made the opening move he tried to induce the legions to ignore he tried to induce the legions to ignore he tried to induce the legions to ignore get's claim to the throne and instead

get's claim to the throne and instead get's claim to the throne and instead hail him as sole hail him as sole hail him as sole Emperor but knowing that his younger Emperor but knowing that his younger Emperor but knowing that his younger brother he was always going to be in the brother he was always going to be in the brother he was always going to be in the weaker position politically G had for weaker position politically G had for weaker position politically G had for years cultivated the favor of the years cultivated the favor of the years cultivated the favor of the troops kacala had always been a bit hard troops kacala had always been a bit hard troops kacala had always been a bit hard and standoffish so in contrast geta had and standoffish so in contrast geta had and standoffish so in contrast geta had styled himself as easygoing generous and styled himself as easygoing generous and styled himself as easygoing generous and a friend to the common a friend to the common a friend to the common Soldier his work paid off and kacal's Soldier his work paid off and kacal's Soldier his work paid off and kacal's initial power grab was rebuffed if Seas initial power grab was rebuffed if Seas initial power grab was rebuffed if Seas wanted both boys to rule then by God the wanted both boys to rule then by God the wanted both boys to rule then by God the legions were going to honor the dead legions were going to honor the dead legions were going to honor the dead Emperor's final Emperor's final Emperor's final order geta joined a steaming mad caracal order geta joined a steaming mad caracal order geta joined a steaming mad caracal at the head of the legions and together at the head of the legions and together at the head of the legions and together they were proclaimed Augustus things only went downhill from Augustus things only went downhill from there with no desire to continue their there with no desire to continue their there with no desire to continue their father's feudal campaign in the north father's feudal campaign in the north father's feudal campaign in the north the new Emperors canel the war and the new Emperors canel the war and the new Emperors canel the war and headed back to headed back to headed back to Rome while in rout they did not sleep Rome while in rout they did not sleep Rome while in rout they did not sleep under the same roof nor did they ever under the same roof nor did they ever under the same roof nor did they ever eat at the same table colleagues and eat at the same table colleagues and eat at the same table colleagues and name only in every other way they were name only in every other way they were name only in every other way they were bitter bitter bitter Rivals back in Rome they took up Rivals back in Rome they took up Rivals back in Rome they took up residence in the Imperial Palace and residence in the Imperial Palace and residence in the Imperial Palace and built a physical Monument to their built a physical Monument to their built a physical Monument to their Mutual Mutual Mutual enmity after taking up residence in enmity after taking up residence in enmity after taking up residence in opposite wings of the palace they opposite wings of the palace they opposite wings of the palace they divided their two halves with hastily divided their two halves with hastily divided their two halves with hastily constructed barricades manned on each constructed barricades manned on each constructed barricades manned on each side by armed side by armed side by armed guards the two brothers never met in guards the two brothers never met in guards the two brothers never met in private and when they were forced to private and when they were forced to private and when they were forced to appear together in public they were appear together in public they were appear together in public they were joined by a host of armed joined by a host of armed joined by a host of armed guards there was absolutely no missing

guards there was absolutely no missing guards there was absolutely no missing the point that each brother expected the the point that each brother expected the the point that each brother expected the other to try to kill him after a few months of this it became him after a few months of this it became clear to everyone that the mutual clear to everyone that the mutual clear to everyone that the mutual paranoia was simply not sustainable paranoia was simply not sustainable paranoia was simply not sustainable the Empire needed a functioning the Empire needed a functioning the Empire needed a functioning government but its two leaders were so government but its two leaders were so government but its two leaders were so worried about each other that they had worried about each other that they had worried about each other that they had time for little time for little time for little else finally someone proposed a novel else finally someone proposed a novel else finally someone proposed a novel solution that they simply divide up the solution that they simply divide up the solution that they simply divide up the Empire the same way that they had Empire the same way that they had Empire the same way that they had divided up the palace ghetto would head divided up the palace ghetto would head divided up the palace ghetto would head east and set up court in Antioch or east and set up court in Antioch or east and set up court in Antioch or Alexandria while caracal remained in Alexandria while caracal remained in Alexandria while caracal remained in Rome and governed the Rome and governed the Rome and governed the West as a practical expedient it seemed West as a practical expedient it seemed West as a practical expedient it seemed like a great idea but many old hands in like a great idea but many old hands in like a great idea but many old hands in the Senate feared the next logical step the Senate feared the next logical step the Senate feared the next logical step in the process would be to break up the in the process would be to break up the in the process would be to break up the Empire not just administratively but Empire not just administratively but Empire not just administratively but literally and a single unified empire literally and a single unified empire literally and a single unified empire was the whole point it was what made was the whole point it was what made was the whole point it was what made Rome glorious and what made it Rome glorious and what made it Rome glorious and what made it civilization and everything else civilization and everything else civilization and everything else barbarism to tear it aunder would be to barbarism to tear it aunder would be to barbarism to tear it aunder would be to destroy what every previous generation destroy what every previous generation destroy what every previous generation of Romans had worked so hard to of Romans had worked so hard to of Romans had worked so hard to establish in the first place plus there establish in the first place plus there establish in the first place plus there was the added suspicion that such a was the added suspicion that such a was the added suspicion that such a tearing Sunder would not come tearing Sunder would not come tearing Sunder would not come peacefully in other words that this peacefully in other words that this peacefully in other words that this great idea was nothing more than a great idea was nothing more than a great idea was nothing more than a recipe for brutal civil war between East recipe for brutal civil war between East recipe for brutal civil war between East and and and West Chief among the opponents to this West Chief among the opponents to this West Chief among the opponents to this plan was the co- Emperor's own mother plan was the co- Emperor's own mother plan was the co- Emperor's own mother Julia domna she was horrified and not a

Julia domna she was horrified and not a Julia domna she was horrified and not a little bit Furious that her two sons little bit Furious that her two sons little bit Furious that her two sons would be so immature and Petty that they would be so immature and Petty that they would be so immature and Petty that they were basically contemplating wrecking were basically contemplating wrecking were basically contemplating wrecking the Empire rather than face the horror the Empire rather than face the horror the Empire rather than face the horror of having to serve alongside one another of having to serve alongside one another of having to serve alongside one another so in December of 211 she aimed to so in December of 211 she aimed to so in December of 211 she aimed to broker a piece between broker a piece between broker a piece between them of all the crimes carala committed them of all the crimes carala committed them of all the crimes carala committed in his six odd years on the throne I in his six odd years on the throne I in his six odd years on the throne I think that this first one was by far the think that this first one was by far the think that this first one was by far the most heinous it's not just that he most heinous it's not just that he most heinous it's not just that he killed geta which yeah he's about to killed geta which yeah he's about to killed geta which yeah he's about to it's the fact that he did it right in it's the fact that he did it right in it's the fact that he did it right in front of their mother in her apartment front of their mother in her apartment front of their mother in her apartment while at a meeting she had arranged to while at a meeting she had arranged to while at a meeting she had arranged to try to get them to work through their try to get them to work through their try to get them to work through their differences differences differences peacefully I just cannot imagine how big peacefully I just cannot imagine how big peacefully I just cannot imagine how big of a bastard you'd have to be to use of a bastard you'd have to be to use of a bastard you'd have to be to use that occasion to kill your brother in that occasion to kill your brother in that occasion to kill your brother in front of your own front of your own front of your own mother kacala and geta agreed to the mother kacala and geta agreed to the mother kacala and geta agreed to the private meeting with their mother agreed private meeting with their mother agreed private meeting with their mother agreed to come alone and agreed to come to come alone and agreed to come to come alone and agreed to come unarmed they were in the middle of unarmed they were in the middle of unarmed they were in the middle of hashing things out when an armed gang of hashing things out when an armed gang of hashing things out when an armed gang of kacal's men burst through the door and kacal's men burst through the door and kacal's men burst through the door and made straight for made straight for made straight for Getta Julia tried to stand between the Getta Julia tried to stand between the Getta Julia tried to stand between the attackers and her youngest son but was attackers and her youngest son but was attackers and her youngest son but was pushed aside and in the process her hand pushed aside and in the process her hand pushed aside and in the process her hand was wounded was wounded was wounded the Assassins because that's what they the Assassins because that's what they the Assassins because that's what they were then stabbed geta to death at the were then stabbed geta to death at the were then stabbed geta to death at the clear urging of clear urging of clear urging of kakawa Julia bleeding from her own hand kakawa Julia bleeding from her own hand kakawa Julia bleeding from her own hand and covered in her son's blood thus had and covered in her son's blood thus had and covered in her son's blood thus had to face the further that her other to face the further that her other to face the further that her other son was the one who was behind it son was the one who was behind it son was the one who was behind it all kacala assassinating geta was simply

all kacala assassinating geta was simply all kacala assassinating geta was simply The Logical conclusion to an The Logical conclusion to an The Logical conclusion to an irreconcilable Feud and probably if irreconcilable Feud and probably if irreconcilable Feud and probably if carala hadn't have gotten to geta geta carala hadn't have gotten to geta geta carala hadn't have gotten to geta geta would eventually have gotten to carak would eventually have gotten to carak would eventually have gotten to carak but how he did it and where he did it but how he did it and where he did it but how he did it and where he did it and who was around when he did it breaks and who was around when he did it breaks and who was around when he did it breaks every law of decency that I can think of every law of decency that I can think of every law of decency that I can think of so I say boo to carala so I say boo to carala so I say boo to carala [Music] [Music] [Music] boo but now caracal had a bit of a boo but now caracal had a bit of a boo but now caracal had a bit of a problem as I said ghetto was always more problem as I said ghetto was always more problem as I said ghetto was always more popular with the troops and in popular with the troops and in popular with the troops and in particular the men of the petorian Guard particular the men of the petorian Guard particular the men of the petorian Guard liked him a heck of a lot more than his liked him a heck of a lot more than his liked him a heck of a lot more than his D older D older D older brother so just as soon as he was sure brother so just as soon as he was sure brother so just as soon as he was sure ghetto was dead he ran down to the ghetto was dead he ran down to the ghetto was dead he ran down to the petorian camp and the only thing he petorian camp and the only thing he petorian camp and the only thing he could think of to win their support he could think of to win their support he could think of to win their support he lied his head lied his head lied his head off he told the assembled guard that off he told the assembled guard that off he told the assembled guard that both he and his brother had been the both he and his brother had been the both he and his brother had been the target of an attack and while he had target of an attack and while he had target of an attack and while he had managed to escape that poor GTO was managed to escape that poor GTO was managed to escape that poor GTO was dead caraka threw himself at the mercy dead caraka threw himself at the mercy dead caraka threw himself at the mercy of the pretorians and begged them to of the pretorians and begged them to of the pretorians and begged them to protect him from those dirty villains protect him from those dirty villains protect him from those dirty villains who had murdered his beloved who had murdered his beloved who had murdered his beloved brother the guard was distraught over brother the guard was distraught over brother the guard was distraught over the news that ghetto was dead and the news that ghetto was dead and the news that ghetto was dead and perhaps swallowing their own suspicions perhaps swallowing their own suspicions perhaps swallowing their own suspicions agreed to keep the remaining son of sea safe with the pretorians having bought safe with the pretorians having bought his story kakala then set out to do his story kakala then set out to do his story kakala then set out to do everything he could to make them doubt everything he could to make them doubt everything he could to make them doubt whether he had been telling them the whether he had been telling them the whether he had been telling them the truth rather than simply letting his truth rather than simply letting his truth rather than simply letting his hatred of geta die when geta died kakala

hatred of geta die when geta died kakala hatred of geta die when geta died kakala became obsessed with erasing his brother became obsessed with erasing his brother became obsessed with erasing his brother from the history from the history from the history books coins that bore his brother's books coins that bore his brother's books coins that bore his brother's likeness were rounded up and recast likeness were rounded up and recast likeness were rounded up and recast any statue or painting or mosaic of GTO any statue or painting or mosaic of GTO any statue or painting or mosaic of GTO was destroyed and caracal even went so was destroyed and caracal even went so was destroyed and caracal even went so far as to deface the reliefs on the arch far as to deface the reliefs on the arch far as to deface the reliefs on the arch of seas literally scratching out G's of seas literally scratching out G's of seas literally scratching out G's face from any scene in which he face from any scene in which he face from any scene in which he appeared but this of course was not appeared but this of course was not appeared but this of course was not enough geta had been popular across the enough geta had been popular across the enough geta had been popular across the social spectrum and many in his inner social spectrum and many in his inner social spectrum and many in his inner circle would suspect caracal of circle would suspect caracal of circle would suspect caracal of treachery and be looking for treachery and be looking for treachery and be looking for Revenge so G's friends and Associates Revenge so G's friends and Associates Revenge so G's friends and Associates the f families of getus friends and the f families of getus friends and the f families of getus friends and Associates and the friends and Associates and the friends and Associates and the friends and Associates of Gess friends and Associates of Gess friends and Associates of Gess friends and Associates all became caught up in one Associates all became caught up in one Associates all became caught up in one of the largest bloody purges in Roman of the largest bloody purges in Roman of the largest bloody purges in Roman history kacal's Purge in both breadth history kacal's Purge in both breadth history kacal's Purge in both breadth and depth far exceeded anything anyone and depth far exceeded anything anyone and depth far exceeded anything anyone had ever contemplated thousands and had ever contemplated thousands and had ever contemplated thousands and thousands and thousands of people died thousands and thousands of people died thousands and thousands of people died most of them having been guilty of most of them having been guilty of most of them having been guilty of nothing more than being within six nothing more than being within six nothing more than being within six degrees of separation from his hated degrees of separation from his hated degrees of separation from his hated brother things went on like that for about a things went on like that for about a year but after he had sufficiently year but after he had sufficiently year but after he had sufficiently earned himself The Fear and Loathing of earned himself The Fear and Loathing of earned himself The Fear and Loathing of just about every citizen of Rome caret just about every citizen of Rome caret just about every citizen of Rome caret decided to take his show on the decided to take his show on the decided to take his show on the road as Gibbon poetically noted previous road as Gibbon poetically noted previous road as Gibbon poetically noted previous tyrants like tiberious and Nero and tyrants like tiberious and Nero and tyrants like tiberious and Nero and Commodus had tended to stay put in and Commodus had tended to stay put in and Commodus had tended to stay put in and around Rome which limited the scope of around Rome which limited the scope of around Rome which limited the scope of their depravity to the capital

their depravity to the capital their depravity to the capital itself but when caracal decided to tour itself but when caracal decided to tour itself but when caracal decided to tour the Empire he made himself the common the Empire he made himself the common the Empire he made himself the common enemy of enemy of enemy of mankind in 213 he traveled to the Rind mankind in 213 he traveled to the Rind mankind in 213 he traveled to the Rind to put down a brief uprising of Germans to put down a brief uprising of Germans to put down a brief uprising of Germans and after easily winning a series of and after easily winning a series of and after easily winning a series of skirmishes he took the lofty title skirmishes he took the lofty title skirmishes he took the lofty title germanicus germanicus germanicus Maximus caracal penchant for assuming Maximus caracal penchant for assuming Maximus caracal penchant for assuming such lofty titles would eventually rival such lofty titles would eventually rival such lofty titles would eventually rival that of Lucius virus and along the way that of Lucius virus and along the way that of Lucius virus and along the way kacala would add paricus and Alam Manus kacala would add paricus and Alam Manus kacala would add paricus and Alam Manus to his list of to his list of to his list of names one of the sons of perx would names one of the sons of perx would names one of the sons of perx would actually find himself executed around actually find himself executed around actually find himself executed around this time time after puning on one of this time time after puning on one of this time time after puning on one of the Roman names for the Goths suggesting the Roman names for the Goths suggesting the Roman names for the Goths suggesting that kakawa should award himself the that kakawa should award himself the that kakawa should award himself the title of geus as well the emperor was title of geus as well the emperor was title of geus as well the emperor was not not not amused kakawa returned to Rome briefly amused kakawa returned to Rome briefly amused kakawa returned to Rome briefly and then headed east to inspect the and then headed east to inspect the and then headed east to inspect the provinces along the way it is reported provinces along the way it is reported provinces along the way it is reported that he demanded the cities and towns he that he demanded the cities and towns he that he demanded the cities and towns he passed through erect great buildings or passed through erect great buildings or passed through erect great buildings or theaters or baths in his honor and at theaters or baths in his honor and at theaters or baths in his honor and at their expense and then after crippling their expense and then after crippling their expense and then after crippling the mun ipal budgets he would either the mun ipal budgets he would either the mun ipal budgets he would either bypass them completely or he would order bypass them completely or he would order bypass them completely or he would order the structure toppled for not being up the structure toppled for not being up the structure toppled for not being up to his to his to his standards at every stop he would suck up standards at every stop he would suck up standards at every stop he would suck up all the available money and food and all the available money and food and all the available money and food and drink and then throw lavish parties that drink and then throw lavish parties that drink and then throw lavish parties that no one was invited to one of his more no one was invited to one of his more no one was invited to one of his more Charming habits was to refuse to eat Charming habits was to refuse to eat Charming habits was to refuse to eat seafood unless he was far enough Inland seafood unless he was far enough Inland seafood unless he was far enough Inland that importing fish became very

that importing fish became very that importing fish became very expensive then he demand the locals expensive then he demand the locals expensive then he demand the locals bring him oysters for dinner or else bring him oysters for dinner or else bring him oysters for dinner or else by 215 carala had cut a swath of by 215 carala had cut a swath of by 215 carala had cut a swath of Destruction all the way across the Destruction all the way across the Destruction all the way across the Empire and had lately taken up residence Empire and had lately taken up residence Empire and had lately taken up residence in in in Alexandria now over the course of the Alexandria now over the course of the Alexandria now over the course of the last few years what had once been a last few years what had once been a last few years what had once been a secret had become an Open Secret and had secret had become an Open Secret and had secret had become an Open Secret and had once been an Open Secret was now a more once been an Open Secret was now a more once been an Open Secret was now a more or less acknowledged or less acknowledged or less acknowledged fact after his terrifying Purge of fact after his terrifying Purge of fact after his terrifying Purge of anyone connected to geta most people anyone connected to geta most people anyone connected to geta most people sort of took it for granted that caraca sort of took it for granted that caraca sort of took it for granted that caraca had been behind G's murder after all had been behind G's murder after all had been behind G's murder after all kacala had steadfastly denied these kacala had steadfastly denied these kacala had steadfastly denied these charges But as time went by his story charges But as time went by his story charges But as time went by his story morphed into well yeah I did it but it morphed into well yeah I did it but it morphed into well yeah I did it but it was in was in was in self-defense basically geta had tried to self-defense basically geta had tried to self-defense basically geta had tried to kill me but I killed him first kill me but I killed him first kill me but I killed him first instead no one believed a word of it and instead no one believed a word of it and instead no one believed a word of it and caracal was now as much mocked for his caracal was now as much mocked for his caracal was now as much mocked for his shifting Alibi as he was feared for his shifting Alibi as he was feared for his shifting Alibi as he was feared for his cruelty then the always cruelty then the always cruelty then the always independent-minded citizen of Alexandria independent-minded citizen of Alexandria independent-minded citizen of Alexandria decided to greet the arrival of the decided to greet the arrival of the decided to greet the arrival of the emperor with a little play satirizing emperor with a little play satirizing emperor with a little play satirizing the crime that had made caracal the sole the crime that had made caracal the sole the crime that had made caracal the sole Emperor a performance which sent him Emperor a performance which sent him Emperor a performance which sent him into an insane into an insane into an insane rage in his theory and basically to rage in his theory and basically to rage in his theory and basically to prove that his cruelty far outweighed prove that his cruelty far outweighed prove that his cruelty far outweighed his usefulness as a punch line he his usefulness as a punch line he his usefulness as a punch line he ordered a general Slaughter of the ordered a general Slaughter of the ordered a general Slaughter of the citizens it is reported that before it citizens it is reported that before it citizens it is reported that before it was over something on the order of was over something on the order of was over something on the order of 20,000 people lay dead in the

20,000 people lay dead in the 20,000 people lay dead in the streets caracal Justified this massacre streets caracal Justified this massacre streets caracal Justified this massacre to the Senate and by simply noting that to the Senate and by simply noting that to the Senate and by simply noting that he felt it was the whole city of he felt it was the whole city of he felt it was the whole city of Alexandria who was guilty not just those Alexandria who was guilty not just those Alexandria who was guilty not just those who had performed the offensive show he who had performed the offensive show he who had performed the offensive show he did not elaborate on how that could did not elaborate on how that could did not elaborate on how that could possibly be true caraa would do all this be that true caraa would do all this be that evil basically because he had taken to evil basically because he had taken to evil basically because he had taken to Heart his father's dying advice well Heart his father's dying advice well Heart his father's dying advice well two-thirds of his father's advice anyway two-thirds of his father's advice anyway two-thirds of his father's advice anyway he had pretty well ignored the whole be he had pretty well ignored the whole be he had pretty well ignored the whole be harmonious with your brother thing but harmonious with your brother thing but harmonious with your brother thing but enrich the soldiers scorn all other men enrich the soldiers scorn all other men enrich the soldiers scorn all other men that caracal took almost too that caracal took almost too that caracal took almost too literally he'd increased the pay of the literally he'd increased the pay of the literally he'd increased the pay of the soldiers Beyond even what his father had soldiers Beyond even what his father had soldiers Beyond even what his father had so recently raised it to and took every so recently raised it to and took every so recently raised it to and took every opportunity he could think of to deliver opportunity he could think of to deliver opportunity he could think of to deliver to his troops lavish surprise to his troops lavish surprise to his troops lavish surprise bonuses whether or not they loved or bonuses whether or not they loved or bonuses whether or not they loved or even liked the emperor was now beside even liked the emperor was now beside even liked the emperor was now beside the point there was no way they were the point there was no way they were the point there was no way they were going to revolt against him the man was going to revolt against him the man was going to revolt against him the man was a living slot machine who paid out after a living slot machine who paid out after a living slot machine who paid out after every poll every poll every poll no matter how vicious the emperor was no matter how vicious the emperor was no matter how vicious the emperor was that would be the scorn all other men that would be the scorn all other men that would be the scorn all other men bit the Army was with him in time though bit the Army was with him in time though bit the Army was with him in time though the troops went from pleasantly the troops went from pleasantly the troops went from pleasantly accepting the bonuses to impatiently accepting the bonuses to impatiently accepting the bonuses to impatiently expecting expecting expecting them while carala was alive they got them while carala was alive they got them while carala was alive they got what they expected but once he was gone what they expected but once he was gone what they expected but once he was gone the precedent set would prove to be the precedent set would prove to be the precedent set would prove to be devastating to his devastating to his devastating to his successors the Empire simply couldn't successors the Empire simply couldn't successors the Empire simply couldn't afford to pay the legions what kakawa

afford to pay the legions what kakawa afford to pay the legions what kakawa had taught them to expect the coming had taught them to expect the coming had taught them to expect the coming crisis of the 3rd Century will in part crisis of the 3rd Century will in part crisis of the 3rd Century will in part anchor itself on this poisoned root anchor itself on this poisoned root anchor itself on this poisoned root planted by caraca having tortured his own people caraca having tortured his own people enough for the time being in 216 the enough for the time being in 216 the enough for the time being in 216 the emperor apparently decided to look emperor apparently decided to look emperor apparently decided to look beyond the frontiers of the empire for beyond the frontiers of the empire for beyond the frontiers of the empire for fresh fresh fresh victims in a particularly guling victims in a particularly guling victims in a particularly guling incident reported by herodian caracal incident reported by herodian caracal incident reported by herodian caracal appears to have accepted a peace appears to have accepted a peace appears to have accepted a peace offering from the parthan King and then offering from the parthan King and then offering from the parthan King and then when even further my agreeing to marry when even further my agreeing to marry when even further my agreeing to marry the King's Daughter in order to secure a the King's Daughter in order to secure a the King's Daughter in order to secure a lasting friendship between the two great lasting friendship between the two great lasting friendship between the two great Empires carala and his Entourage then Empires carala and his Entourage then Empires carala and his Entourage then crossed the Euphrates and marched crossed the Euphrates and marched crossed the Euphrates and marched Overland to an agreed to meeting place Overland to an agreed to meeting place Overland to an agreed to meeting place where the couple would be where the couple would be where the couple would be wed the parthians had no reason to wed the parthians had no reason to wed the parthians had no reason to suspect treachery and arrived ready to suspect treachery and arrived ready to suspect treachery and arrived ready to celebrate a marriage that would have celebrate a marriage that would have celebrate a marriage that would have profound and hopefully happy political profound and hopefully happy political profound and hopefully happy political implications but Cara calop had never implications but Cara calop had never implications but Cara calop had never had any intention of marrying the had any intention of marrying the had any intention of marrying the foreign princess and when the two foreign princess and when the two foreign princess and when the two families got together carala ordered his families got together carala ordered his families got together carala ordered his men to slaughter the parthan wedding men to slaughter the parthan wedding men to slaughter the parthan wedding party and burn the city to the party and burn the city to the party and burn the city to the ground the parthan king managed to ground the parthan king managed to ground the parthan king managed to escape with his life but everyone else escape with his life but everyone else escape with his life but everyone else was killed in the surprise attack kacala was killed in the surprise attack kacala was killed in the surprise attack kacala then marched back across Mesopotamia then marched back across Mesopotamia then marched back across Mesopotamia looting and burning the countryside on looting and burning the countryside on looting and burning the countryside on his way back to Syria then he fired off his way back to Syria then he fired off his way back to Syria then he fired off a dispatch to the Senate announcing that a dispatch to the Senate announcing that a dispatch to the Senate announcing that the entire parthan Empire now bowed At the entire parthan Empire now bowed At the entire parthan Empire now bowed At His His His Feet this was a bit of an overstatement

Feet this was a bit of an overstatement Feet this was a bit of an overstatement to begin with but beyond that kacala to begin with but beyond that kacala to begin with but beyond that kacala neglected the whole part about his own neglected the whole part about his own neglected the whole part about his own murderous murderous murderous duplicity oh yeah they should feel free duplicity oh yeah they should feel free duplicity oh yeah they should feel free to call him parcus from now on though next week a life of chilling though next week a life of chilling sadism will finally catch up to sadism will finally catch up to sadism will finally catch up to kacala he was simply too dangerous to kacala he was simply too dangerous to kacala he was simply too dangerous to too many people to not have one of them too many people to not have one of them too many people to not have one of them finally decide to knock him off in the finally decide to knock him off in the finally decide to knock him off in the end it will prove to be one of his end it will prove to be one of his end it will prove to be one of his petorian prefects a man named Mar Marcus petorian prefects a man named Mar Marcus petorian prefects a man named Mar Marcus oelas mcris who will turn to murder oelas mcris who will turn to murder oelas mcris who will turn to murder after finding himself in the rather after finding himself in the rather after finding himself in the rather uncomfortable position of having a uncomfortable position of having a uncomfortable position of having a soothsayer prophesize that he is soothsayer prophesize that he is soothsayer prophesize that he is destined to wear the purple one destined to wear the purple one destined to wear the purple one day since prophecies like that were day since prophecies like that were day since prophecies like that were liable to get a man killed mcris will liable to get a man killed mcris will liable to get a man killed mcris will quickly decide to beat caraca to the quickly decide to beat caraca to the quickly decide to beat caraca to the punch and the funny thing about it is punch and the funny thing about it is punch and the funny thing about it is that in trying to steer clear of the that in trying to steer clear of the that in trying to steer clear of the deadly implications of this prophecy deadly implications of this prophecy deadly implications of this prophecy mcris would make it all come true mcris would make it all come true mcris would make it all come true [Music] hello and welcome to to the history of

hello and welcome to to the history of Rome episode 103 the Rome episode 103 the Rome episode 103 the [Music] [Music] [Music] equestrian caraka had dawned the purple equestrian caraka had dawned the purple equestrian caraka had dawned the purple in early 211 ad at the age of 23 and in early 211 ad at the age of 23 and in early 211 ad at the age of 23 and from that moment on he dedicated himself from that moment on he dedicated himself from that moment on he dedicated himself to the task of being a brutal to the task of being a brutal to the task of being a brutal unforgiving and Moody Tyrant towards unforgiving and Moody Tyrant towards unforgiving and Moody Tyrant towards everyone except his everyone except his everyone except his soldiers he was as bad as they come and soldiers he was as bad as they come and soldiers he was as bad as they come and I think the only reason we don't put him I think the only reason we don't put him I think the only reason we don't put him down as the worst emperor of all time is down as the worst emperor of all time is down as the worst emperor of all time is that for one he wasn't Emperor for that that for one he wasn't Emperor for that that for one he wasn't Emperor for that long and two most of the really terrible long and two most of the really terrible long and two most of the really terrible things he did were merely exaggerated things he did were merely exaggerated things he did were merely exaggerated extensions of what his father had extensions of what his father had extensions of what his father had already done he didn't have the time or already done he didn't have the time or already done he didn't have the time or the imagination to take a healthy Empire the imagination to take a healthy Empire the imagination to take a healthy Empire and really wreck it the way that se and really wreck it the way that se and really wreck it the way that se comus had done which is what it takes if comus had done which is what it takes if comus had done which is what it takes if you want to be considered the worst of you want to be considered the worst of you want to be considered the worst of the the the worst I don't see Cara's reain then worst I don't see Cara's reain then worst I don't see Cara's reain then representing a turning point in the representing a turning point in the representing a turning point in the history of Rome but I do see it as history of Rome but I do see it as history of Rome but I do see it as representing a Breaking Point his time representing a Breaking Point his time representing a Breaking Point his time on the throne became a sort of on the throne became a sort of on the throne became a sort of malevolent High watermark that future malevolent High watermark that future malevolent High watermark that future Emperors alternatively tried to dial Emperors alternatively tried to dial Emperors alternatively tried to dial back from or ratchet back up to back from or ratchet back up to back from or ratchet back up to depending on their depending on their depending on their dispositions caraca in his enrichment of dispositions caraca in his enrichment of dispositions caraca in his enrichment of the soldiers and his scorning of all the soldiers and his scorning of all the soldiers and his scorning of all other men inadvertently set a standard other men inadvertently set a standard other men inadvertently set a standard that everyone would point to down the that everyone would point to down the that everyone would point to down the road as either a cautionary tale or as a road as either a cautionary tale or as a road as either a cautionary tale or as a shining Beacon of light things can never shining Beacon of light things can never shining Beacon of light things can never again be like they were under kacala again be like they were under kacala again be like they were under kacala things must go back to the way they were things must go back to the way they were things must go back to the way they were under under under caraca the former argued by the old men caraca the former argued by the old men caraca the former argued by the old men of the Senate the latter by The Hard Men

of the Senate the latter by The Hard Men of the Senate the latter by The Hard Men of the of the of the army this running argument was a major army this running argument was a major army this running argument was a major current in the tension that would define current in the tension that would define current in the tension that would define the coming crisis years when put the coming crisis years when put the coming crisis years when put succinctly the argument sounds like this succinctly the argument sounds like this succinctly the argument sounds like this is the Army the tool of the state or is is the Army the tool of the state or is is the Army the tool of the state or is the state the tool of the the state the tool of the the state the tool of the army carala for his part probably was army carala for his part probably was army carala for his part probably was not acting from any deeply thought out not acting from any deeply thought out not acting from any deeply thought out political philosophy nor probably did he political philosophy nor probably did he political philosophy nor probably did he care a wit that future Generations would care a wit that future Generations would care a wit that future Generations would fight over his legacy he just wanted to fight over his legacy he just wanted to fight over his legacy he just wanted to enrich the soldiers and Scorn all other enrich the soldiers and Scorn all other enrich the soldiers and Scorn all other men like I say no imagination at men like I say no imagination at men like I say no imagination at all but before we get to the business of all but before we get to the business of all but before we get to the business of bringing a violent and ignoble end to a bringing a violent and ignoble end to a bringing a violent and ignoble end to a man who deserved just that we should man who deserved just that we should man who deserved just that we should swing back and briefly touch on three swing back and briefly touch on three swing back and briefly touch on three things the first trivial the second things the first trivial the second things the first trivial the second architecturally interesting and the last architecturally interesting and the last architecturally interesting and the last fairly fairly fairly momentous first I can't believe I didn't momentous first I can't believe I didn't momentous first I can't believe I didn't mention this before but yeah how did mention this before but yeah how did mention this before but yeah how did carala get his name carala get his name carala get his name as I said in episode 100 he was known as as I said in episode 100 he was known as as I said in episode 100 he was known as Lucius Septimus basanis until his father Lucius Septimus basanis until his father Lucius Septimus basanis until his father became emperor at which point his name became emperor at which point his name became emperor at which point his name was changed to Marcus Aurelius antoninus was changed to Marcus Aurelius antoninus was changed to Marcus Aurelius antoninus Caesar his contemporaries including the Caesar his contemporaries including the Caesar his contemporaries including the historians cases Dio and herodian historians cases Dio and herodian historians cases Dio and herodian generally short-handed this to Simply generally short-handed this to Simply generally short-handed this to Simply antoninus the name kakawa not really antoninus the name kakawa not really antoninus the name kakawa not really used in his lifetime and really not used used in his lifetime and really not used used in his lifetime and really not used in his presence was a nickname that in his presence was a nickname that in his presence was a nickname that referred to a particular type of gall referred to a particular type of gall referred to a particular type of gall cloak that the Emperor habitually cloak that the Emperor habitually cloak that the Emperor habitually War as the years passed it became easier

War as the years passed it became easier War as the years passed it became easier to label him with that distinctive to label him with that distinctive to label him with that distinctive cognant rather than antoninus which was cognant rather than antoninus which was cognant rather than antoninus which was a name practically every Emperor adopted a name practically every Emperor adopted a name practically every Emperor adopted so as to associate their reign with that so as to associate their reign with that so as to associate their reign with that now clearly past Golden now clearly past Golden now clearly past Golden Age the same sort of thing happened with Age the same sort of thing happened with Age the same sort of thing happened with Caligula who was referred to in his own Caligula who was referred to in his own Caligula who was referred to in his own time simply as the emperor gas the second thing the architecturally gas the second thing the architecturally interesting thing are the baths of interesting thing are the baths of interesting thing are the baths of carala which the emperor ordered built carala which the emperor ordered built carala which the emperor ordered built in 212 and which were completed in in 212 and which were completed in in 212 and which were completed in 216 this massive massive complex in the 216 this massive massive complex in the 216 this massive massive complex in the southeast of Rome was one of the last southeast of Rome was one of the last southeast of Rome was one of the last great construction projects of Roman great construction projects of Roman great construction projects of Roman Antiquity before too long Constantine Antiquity before too long Constantine Antiquity before too long Constantine will drag the imperial capital to will drag the imperial capital to will drag the imperial capital to Byzantium and Rome itself will fall on Byzantium and Rome itself will fall on Byzantium and Rome itself will fall on hard times even in Italy the dominant hard times even in Italy the dominant hard times even in Italy the dominant Imperial cities will become Milan and Imperial cities will become Milan and Imperial cities will become Milan and Rena depending on the decade leading to Rena depending on the decade leading to Rena depending on the decade leading to a general dis inclination in spending a general dis inclination in spending a general dis inclination in spending money to Gussy up a city past its money to Gussy up a city past its money to Gussy up a city past its prime the complex which sprawled over 33 prime the complex which sprawled over 33 prime the complex which sprawled over 33 Acres was by far the greatest and most Acres was by far the greatest and most Acres was by far the greatest and most ambitious Bath House in Bath House crazy ambitious Bath House in Bath House crazy ambitious Bath House in Bath House crazy Rome and more than any of its Rome and more than any of its Rome and more than any of its predecessors was a full Recreational predecessors was a full Recreational predecessors was a full Recreational facility sports rooms baths of all kinds facility sports rooms baths of all kinds facility sports rooms baths of all kinds Grotto libraries Gardens The Works the Grotto libraries Gardens The Works the Grotto libraries Gardens The Works the thing was and its ruins still are quite thing was and its ruins still are quite thing was and its ruins still are quite a sight to a sight to a sight to behold and cost a pretty penny and no behold and cost a pretty penny and no behold and cost a pretty penny and no doubt displaced a lot of residents and doubt displaced a lot of residents and doubt displaced a lot of residents and businesses but I think we can be pretty

businesses but I think we can be pretty businesses but I think we can be pretty sure that that wasn't of any interest at sure that that wasn't of any interest at sure that that wasn't of any interest at all to all to all to kakawa one of the other last great kakawa one of the other last great kakawa one of the other last great building projects in ancient Rome the building projects in ancient Rome the building projects in ancient Rome the baths of Diocesan in the northeast of baths of Diocesan in the northeast of baths of Diocesan in the northeast of the city copied profusely from the the city copied profusely from the the city copied profusely from the design of carala baths which at that design of carala baths which at that design of carala baths which at that point had been operating for 50 years point had been operating for 50 years point had been operating for 50 years both baths continued to operate well both baths continued to operate well both baths continued to operate well after the nominal fall of the Western after the nominal fall of the Western after the nominal fall of the Western Empire Empire Empire the last thing the momentous thing was the last thing the momentous thing was the last thing the momentous thing was that in 212 shortly after becoming that in 212 shortly after becoming that in 212 shortly after becoming emperor in his own right caracal emperor in his own right caracal emperor in his own right caracal extended citizenship to every free man extended citizenship to every free man extended citizenship to every free man in the Empire slaves were still slaves in the Empire slaves were still slaves in the Empire slaves were still slaves and women were still women but by the and women were still women but by the and women were still women but by the stroke of a pen or maybe the hammering stroke of a pen or maybe the hammering stroke of a pen or maybe the hammering of a chisel every free man within the of a chisel every free man within the of a chisel every free man within the borders of the Empire became a citizen borders of the Empire became a citizen borders of the Empire became a citizen of of of Rome what had once been a valued prize a Rome what had once been a valued prize a Rome what had once been a valued prize a prize so valuable that Wars had been prize so valuable that Wars had been prize so valuable that Wars had been fought over who could have it and who fought over who could have it and who fought over who could have it and who who couldn't was now as common as the who couldn't was now as common as the who couldn't was now as common as the beggar in the beggar in the beggar in the street but before you start getting the street but before you start getting the street but before you start getting the wrong idea no car Calla did not issue wrong idea no car Calla did not issue wrong idea no car Calla did not issue his Edict of universal citizenship his Edict of universal citizenship his Edict of universal citizenship because he was feeling the moral tug of because he was feeling the moral tug of because he was feeling the moral tug of equal justice or something like that no equal justice or something like that no equal justice or something like that no as Gibbon says by the time carala issued as Gibbon says by the time carala issued as Gibbon says by the time carala issued the order Roman citizenship was far more the order Roman citizenship was far more the order Roman citizenship was far more a burden than it was a privilege a burden than it was a privilege a burden than it was a privilege Universal citizenship increased the tax Universal citizenship increased the tax Universal citizenship increased the tax base period end of story base period end of story base period end of story but even though it was now more of a but even though it was now more of a but even though it was now more of a burden than it was a privilege that did burden than it was a privilege that did burden than it was a privilege that did not mean that citizenship did not still

not mean that citizenship did not still not mean that citizenship did not still come with come with come with privileges however base and immediate privileges however base and immediate privileges however base and immediate his motivations had been kacal's edict his motivations had been kacal's edict his motivations had been kacal's edict was a landmarked moment in the history was a landmarked moment in the history was a landmarked moment in the history of Rome and the history of Western of Rome and the history of Western of Rome and the history of Western civilization in an instant one of the civilization in an instant one of the civilization in an instant one of the greatest legal distinctions of all time greatest legal distinctions of all time greatest legal distinctions of all time was blown to Pieces they were all Romans was blown to Pieces they were all Romans was blown to Pieces they were all Romans now well except for the women and the now well except for the women and the now well except for the women and the slaves but they don't count when carala left Rome in 213 ad to when carala left Rome in 213 ad to travel the Empire and become the common travel the Empire and become the common travel the Empire and become the common enemy of mankind it was the last time enemy of mankind it was the last time enemy of mankind it was the last time the people of Rome would ever see him he the people of Rome would ever see him he the people of Rome would ever see him he was still in the east in 217 taking a was still in the east in 217 taking a was still in the east in 217 taking a Victory lap after his triumph over the Victory lap after his triumph over the Victory lap after his triumph over the parthians when he met that violent and parthians when he met that violent and parthians when he met that violent and ignoble end I was just talking ignoble end I was just talking ignoble end I was just talking about as I mentioned in passing last about as I mentioned in passing last about as I mentioned in passing last week carala posed too great a danger to week carala posed too great a danger to week carala posed too great a danger to too many men to not have one of them get too many men to not have one of them get too many men to not have one of them get desperate enough to attempt desperate enough to attempt desperate enough to attempt assassination not that I am in any way assassination not that I am in any way assassination not that I am in any way advocating a determinist reading of advocating a determinist reading of advocating a determinist reading of history but The Life and Times of caraa history but The Life and Times of caraa history but The Life and Times of caraa just scream when he'll get assassinated just scream when he'll get assassinated just scream when he'll get assassinated not if he'll get not if he'll get not if he'll get assassinated the wind finally came when assassinated the wind finally came when assassinated the wind finally came when an Oracle in North Africa started an Oracle in North Africa started an Oracle in North Africa started blabbing to anyone who would listen that blabbing to anyone who would listen that blabbing to anyone who would listen that Marcus oelas mcris one of kacal's Marcus oelas mcris one of kacal's Marcus oelas mcris one of kacal's petorian prefects was destined to wear petorian prefects was destined to wear petorian prefects was destined to wear the purple the purple the purple everyone knew that prophecies like that everyone knew that prophecies like that everyone knew that prophecies like that were extremely dangerous even during the were extremely dangerous even during the were extremely dangerous even during the reign of a relatively mild Prince but to

reign of a relatively mild Prince but to reign of a relatively mild Prince but to have it floating around during the reign have it floating around during the reign have it floating around during the reign of a violent paranoid like kakawa well of a violent paranoid like kakawa well of a violent paranoid like kakawa well that was basically a death that was basically a death that was basically a death sentence the prophet in question was sentence the prophet in question was sentence the prophet in question was rounded up and brought to Rome for rounded up and brought to Rome for rounded up and brought to Rome for questioning and the pretorians tried questioning and the pretorians tried questioning and the pretorians tried everything to get him to recant threats everything to get him to recant threats everything to get him to recant threats bribery torture but the Oracle stuck to bribery torture but the Oracle stuck to bribery torture but the Oracle stuck to his story eventually the petorian his story eventually the petorian his story eventually the petorian officers in charge of the investigation officers in charge of the investigation officers in charge of the investigation were obliged to send a report off to the were obliged to send a report off to the were obliged to send a report off to the Emperor who was traveling around Syria Emperor who was traveling around Syria Emperor who was traveling around Syria with the Imperial Court in tow at this point the Invisible Hand of tow at this point the Invisible Hand of Destiny also known by its more common Destiny also known by its more common Destiny also known by its more common name the lucky break stepped in giving name the lucky break stepped in giving name the lucky break stepped in giving mccr a chance to save his own mccr a chance to save his own mccr a chance to save his own skin the report and question arrived skin the report and question arrived skin the report and question arrived with a bundle of other business and with a bundle of other business and with a bundle of other business and caraka never much for mundane governance caraka never much for mundane governance caraka never much for mundane governance handed the entire untouched bundle to handed the entire untouched bundle to handed the entire untouched bundle to the good prefect mcris with instructions the good prefect mcris with instructions the good prefect mcris with instructions for him to take care of the trivial for him to take care of the trivial for him to take care of the trivial matters and brief him if by some miracle matters and brief him if by some miracle matters and brief him if by some miracle there was actually something interesting there was actually something interesting there was actually something interesting in in in there mcris retired to his quarters and there mcris retired to his quarters and there mcris retired to his quarters and began working through the dispatches began working through the dispatches began working through the dispatches when he came across a particular report when he came across a particular report when he came across a particular report from the petorian back in from the petorian back in from the petorian back in Rome I can only imagine that mcris Rome I can only imagine that mcris Rome I can only imagine that mcris muttered a fair share of curses under muttered a fair share of curses under muttered a fair share of curses under his breath as he read what the Oracle his breath as he read what the Oracle his breath as he read what the Oracle refused to unsay at a minimum refused to unsay at a minimum refused to unsay at a minimum those few brief sentences were going to those few brief sentences were going to those few brief sentences were going to cost mccr his long and successful career cost mccr his long and successful career cost mccr his long and successful career more likely though they were going to more likely though they were going to more likely though they were going to cost him his

cost him his cost him his life mccr had been born in modern life mccr had been born in modern life mccr had been born in modern Algeria around 165 ad and like Septimus Algeria around 165 ad and like Septimus Algeria around 165 ad and like Septimus Seas was the son of an Seas was the son of an Seas was the son of an eite but unlike Seas he did not have eite but unlike Seas he did not have eite but unlike Seas he did not have influential uncles in Rome and so he was influential uncles in Rome and so he was influential uncles in Rome and so he was never recommended for senatorial never recommended for senatorial never recommended for senatorial status as a result of his status he status as a result of his status he status as a result of his status he never held any of the traditional posts never held any of the traditional posts never held any of the traditional posts upand cominging Roman politicians upand cominging Roman politicians upand cominging Roman politicians usually hold and never held any position usually hold and never held any position usually hold and never held any position of authority in the legions but he of authority in the legions but he of authority in the legions but he nonetheless distinguished himself as an nonetheless distinguished himself as an nonetheless distinguished himself as an able administrator and routinely secured able administrator and routinely secured able administrator and routinely secured important posts within the Imperial important posts within the Imperial important posts within the Imperial bureaucracy during the reign of Septimus bureaucracy during the reign of Septimus bureaucracy during the reign of Septimus Seas as You' probably noticed there were Seas as You' probably noticed there were Seas as You' probably noticed there were essentially two paths to public essentially two paths to public essentially two paths to public prominence in the Roman Empire one was prominence in the Roman Empire one was prominence in the Roman Empire one was to be a great Soldier which mcris was to be a great Soldier which mcris was to be a great Soldier which mcris was not the other was to be a great lawyer not the other was to be a great lawyer not the other was to be a great lawyer which mcris over the years established which mcris over the years established which mcris over the years established that he most assuredly that he most assuredly that he most assuredly was it was on the strength of his was it was on the strength of his was it was on the strength of his prowess as a jurist then rather than on prowess as a jurist then rather than on prowess as a jurist then rather than on the strength of his prowess as a fighter the strength of his prowess as a fighter the strength of his prowess as a fighter that carck Callum named him petorian that carck Callum named him petorian that carck Callum named him petorian prefect shortly after becoming prefect shortly after becoming prefect shortly after becoming Emperor the appointment of a civilian to Emperor the appointment of a civilian to Emperor the appointment of a civilian to what was essentially a military post was what was essentially a military post was what was essentially a military post was not uncommon at all and in fact Emperors not uncommon at all and in fact Emperors not uncommon at all and in fact Emperors the good ones anyway like to represent the good ones anyway like to represent the good ones anyway like to represent both past prominence in their choice of both past prominence in their choice of both past prominence in their choice of prefects one old military hand to keep prefects one old military hand to keep prefects one old military hand to keep the troops in line and one capable the troops in line and one capable the troops in line and one capable bureaucrat to handle all the bureaucrat to handle all the bureaucrat to handle all the administrative work that had aced around

administrative work that had aced around administrative work that had aced around the guard over the years whether or not mccr was aiming years whether or not mccr was aiming this whole time to become emperor this whole time to become emperor this whole time to become emperor himself one day is unknown but I would himself one day is unknown but I would himself one day is unknown but I would have to say that it's pretty have to say that it's pretty have to say that it's pretty doubtful over the years prefects had doubtful over the years prefects had doubtful over the years prefects had aspired to be emperor in all but name aspired to be emperor in all but name aspired to be emperor in all but name but there equestrians status the very but there equestrians status the very but there equestrians status the very thing that qualified them to be prefect thing that qualified them to be prefect thing that qualified them to be prefect disqualified them from being disqualified them from being disqualified them from being Emperor so Janus had made probably the Emperor so Janus had made probably the Emperor so Janus had made probably the most concerted effort to get around this most concerted effort to get around this most concerted effort to get around this by marrying into the Julio claudian by marrying into the Julio claudian by marrying into the Julio claudian family but most other ambitious prefects family but most other ambitious prefects family but most other ambitious prefects simply considered that final step a simply considered that final step a simply considered that final step a bridge too far and were content to wield bridge too far and were content to wield bridge too far and were content to wield power behind the power behind the power behind the throne the Empire had seen Italian throne the Empire had seen Italian throne the Empire had seen Italian Emperors and then Spanish Emperors and Emperors and then Spanish Emperors and Emperors and then Spanish Emperors and then even African Emperors Emperors who then even African Emperors Emperors who then even African Emperors Emperors who were the the sons of Emperors Emperors were the the sons of Emperors Emperors were the the sons of Emperors Emperors who were the sons of equites and even an who were the sons of equites and even an who were the sons of equites and even an emperor who was the son of a fredman but emperor who was the son of a fredman but emperor who was the son of a fredman but all those men by the time they dawned all those men by the time they dawned all those men by the time they dawned the purple were listed on the senatorial the purple were listed on the senatorial the purple were listed on the senatorial roles which is why it was patently roles which is why it was patently roles which is why it was patently absurd that this Loose Cannon Oracle was absurd that this Loose Cannon Oracle was absurd that this Loose Cannon Oracle was predicting the reign of an eite named predicting the reign of an eite named predicting the reign of an eite named Marcus opalus Marcus opalus Marcus opalus mcris but no one could get the silly mcris but no one could get the silly mcris but no one could get the silly nutcase to shut up so absurd or not nutcase to shut up so absurd or not nutcase to shut up so absurd or not mcris had to take the implications of mcris had to take the implications of mcris had to take the implications of the prophecy seriously with no way of keeping the information with no way of keeping the information from carala forever and cashes Doo from carala forever and cashes Doo from carala forever and cashes Doo reports that the emperor had perhaps reports that the emperor had perhaps reports that the emperor had perhaps already heard rumors about the prophecy

already heard rumors about the prophecy already heard rumors about the prophecy mccc's kill or be killed instincts took mccc's kill or be killed instincts took mccc's kill or be killed instincts took over and he initiated a conspiracy to over and he initiated a conspiracy to over and he initiated a conspiracy to assassinate assassinate assassinate caraka he was likely not too worried caraka he was likely not too worried caraka he was likely not too worried about negative blowback for the reaside about negative blowback for the reaside about negative blowback for the reaside he was contemplating it's not like he was contemplating it's not like he was contemplating it's not like Caraco was a beloved figure even in the Caraco was a beloved figure even in the Caraco was a beloved figure even in the army they only liked him because he army they only liked him because he army they only liked him because he continued to pay them so the main continued to pay them so the main continued to pay them so the main concern was simply where when and by concern was simply where when and by concern was simply where when and by whom the deed would be whom the deed would be whom the deed would be done we don't know exactly how the done we don't know exactly how the done we don't know exactly how the murder exactly happened despite the rich murder exactly happened despite the rich murder exactly happened despite the rich detail we find in the histories detail we find in the histories detail we find in the histories describing it because those reports describing it because those reports describing it because those reports conflict with each other and were most conflict with each other and were most conflict with each other and were most likely thirdhand accounts of thirdhand likely thirdhand accounts of thirdhand likely thirdhand accounts of thirdhand accounts accounts accounts anyway the most commonly told version anyway the most commonly told version anyway the most commonly told version probably because it was endorsed by probably because it was endorsed by probably because it was endorsed by given is that in April of 217 kacal's given is that in April of 217 kacal's given is that in April of 217 kacal's Entourage was on its way to a temple Entourage was on its way to a temple Entourage was on its way to a temple near the Eastern Frontier and near the Eastern Frontier and near the Eastern Frontier and specifically very near the sight of the specifically very near the sight of the specifically very near the sight of the disastrous Battle of kry when the disastrous Battle of kry when the disastrous Battle of kry when the emperor called for a pit emperor called for a pit emperor called for a pit stop mcris had already convinced a stop mcris had already convinced a stop mcris had already convinced a disgruntled Soldier most likely disgruntled Soldier most likely disgruntled Soldier most likely disgruntled at being passed over for disgruntled at being passed over for disgruntled at being passed over for promotion to be his assassin and with promotion to be his assassin and with promotion to be his assassin and with the emperor all alone by the side of the the emperor all alone by the side of the the emperor all alone by the side of the road taking care of business mccr signal road taking care of business mccr signal road taking care of business mccr signal for the disgruntled Soldier to approach for the disgruntled Soldier to approach for the disgruntled Soldier to approach the emperor on some invented pretense the emperor on some invented pretense the emperor on some invented pretense as the head of the Imperial Bodyguard as the head of the Imperial Bodyguard as the head of the Imperial Bodyguard the other pretorians took their cues the other pretorians took their cues the other pretorians took their cues from mcris and when the prefect seemed from mcris and when the prefect seemed from mcris and when the prefect seemed unconcerned about this single soldier unconcerned about this single soldier unconcerned about this single soldier approaching the emperor they too relaxed

approaching the emperor they too relaxed approaching the emperor they too relaxed their their their vigil the soldier came up alongside the vigil the soldier came up alongside the vigil the soldier came up alongside the emperor and without warning pulled out a emperor and without warning pulled out a emperor and without warning pulled out a dagger and began stabbing caraca to dagger and began stabbing caraca to dagger and began stabbing caraca to death the Assassin was instantly dropped death the Assassin was instantly dropped death the Assassin was instantly dropped by an archer in The Bodyguard but the by an archer in The Bodyguard but the by an archer in The Bodyguard but the damage had been done kacal's bloody damage had been done kacal's bloody damage had been done kacal's bloody corpse lay Motionless in the dust he was corpse lay Motionless in the dust he was corpse lay Motionless in the dust he was 29 years old and had ruled the empire 29 years old and had ruled the empire 29 years old and had ruled the empire for just over 6 years just like practically every other years just like practically every other time an emperor was assassinated the time an emperor was assassinated the time an emperor was assassinated the death of caracal opened up a power death of caracal opened up a power death of caracal opened up a power vacuum that needed to be filled and vacuum that needed to be filled and vacuum that needed to be filled and filled fast or everything was going to filled fast or everything was going to filled fast or everything was going to go to go to go to hell without having the time to work hell without having the time to work hell without having the time to work things out in advance with a ready things out in advance with a ready things out in advance with a ready willing and able nerva or perx mccr had willing and able nerva or perx mccr had willing and able nerva or perx mccr had gone ahead and killed carala without a gone ahead and killed carala without a gone ahead and killed carala without a Shadow Emperor waiting in the wings Shadow Emperor waiting in the wings Shadow Emperor waiting in the wings which usually means big which usually means big which usually means big trouble word quickly spread of The trouble word quickly spread of The trouble word quickly spread of The Emperor's death and the legions Emperor's death and the legions Emperor's death and the legions especially the legions in the East where especially the legions in the East where especially the legions in the East where most of the Imperial Court currently most of the Imperial Court currently most of the Imperial Court currently resided suddenly found themselves once resided suddenly found themselves once resided suddenly found themselves once again in the business of again in the business of again in the business of kingming the Senate who were supposed to kingming the Senate who were supposed to kingming the Senate who were supposed to have the final Authority in these have the final Authority in these have the final Authority in these matters found itself too far away from matters found itself too far away from matters found itself too far away from the action and too weak anyhow to get a the action and too weak anyhow to get a the action and too weak anyhow to get a word in edgewise word in edgewise word in edgewise for 3 Days candidates were nominated and for 3 Days candidates were nominated and for 3 Days candidates were nominated and rejected by the legions for various rejected by the legions for various rejected by the legions for various reasons until with fearful desperation reasons until with fearful desperation reasons until with fearful desperation beginning to creep into everyone's beginning to creep into everyone's beginning to creep into everyone's Hearts the pretorians decided that it Hearts the pretorians decided that it Hearts the pretorians decided that it was time for them to put their weight

was time for them to put their weight was time for them to put their weight behind one of their behind one of their behind one of their own the senior prefect a man named own the senior prefect a man named own the senior prefect a man named adventus begged off the job but mcris adventus begged off the job but mcris adventus begged off the job but mcris perhaps swayed by the prophecy that had perhaps swayed by the prophecy that had perhaps swayed by the prophecy that had got them all into this mess in the first got them all into this mess in the first got them all into this mess in the first place accepted the drive to make one of place accepted the drive to make one of place accepted the drive to make one of the petorian leaders the petorian leaders the petorian leaders Emperor he had put on a pretty good show Emperor he had put on a pretty good show Emperor he had put on a pretty good show of surprise and grief following the of surprise and grief following the of surprise and grief following the murder of kacala and so no one suspected murder of kacala and so no one suspected murder of kacala and so no one suspected that he was in fact The Man Behind the that he was in fact The Man Behind the that he was in fact The Man Behind the man who had killed the man who had killed the man who had killed the emperor with the pretorians United the emperor with the pretorians United the emperor with the pretorians United the rest of the legions resigned themselves rest of the legions resigned themselves rest of the legions resigned themselves to mccr and in what would have been an to mccr and in what would have been an to mccr and in what would have been an unthinkable reality just a few days unthinkable reality just a few days unthinkable reality just a few days before Rome found itself with its first before Rome found itself with its first before Rome found itself with its first ever emperor of equestrian rank back in Rome the Senate 2 resigned rank back in Rome the Senate 2 resigned itself to Emperor itself to Emperor itself to Emperor mcris they were so happy to be rid of mcris they were so happy to be rid of mcris they were so happy to be rid of kacala that they probably would have kacala that they probably would have kacala that they probably would have supported inanimate carbon rod for the supported inanimate carbon rod for the supported inanimate carbon rod for the job but beyond just being not carala job but beyond just being not carala job but beyond just being not carala mccr did bring to the table some nice mccr did bring to the table some nice mccr did bring to the table some nice attributes he was an accomplished lawyer attributes he was an accomplished lawyer attributes he was an accomplished lawyer and his prefect he had always been fair and his prefect he had always been fair and his prefect he had always been fair and judicious with the Senate so the and judicious with the Senate so the and judicious with the Senate so the overall feeling was that basically the overall feeling was that basically the overall feeling was that basically the Empire could do a lot worse I mean it Empire could do a lot worse I mean it Empire could do a lot worse I mean it just just just right in time they would come to regret right in time they would come to regret right in time they would come to regret their decision not really for anything their decision not really for anything their decision not really for anything mcris did while in office though they mcris did while in office though they mcris did while in office though they did nail him for a few things that he did nail him for a few things that he did nail him for a few things that he did while in office but because it did while in office but because it did while in office but because it dawned on them one day that they had set

dawned on them one day that they had set dawned on them one day that they had set a terrible precedent in allowing someone a terrible precedent in allowing someone a terrible precedent in allowing someone outside the senatorial Club to take the outside the senatorial Club to take the outside the senatorial Club to take the job but at the beginning it was all yay job but at the beginning it was all yay job but at the beginning it was all yay caracella is dead long live caracella is dead long live caracella is dead long live mcris the brief reign of the equestrian mcris the brief reign of the equestrian mcris the brief reign of the equestrian Emperor is not notable for one other Emperor is not notable for one other Emperor is not notable for one other small bit of trivia he would be the small bit of trivia he would be the small bit of trivia he would be the first emperor never to set foot in Rome first emperor never to set foot in Rome first emperor never to set foot in Rome while in while in while in office when the rapid succession of office when the rapid succession of office when the rapid succession of Barrack's Emperors comes marching down Barrack's Emperors comes marching down Barrack's Emperors comes marching down the road pretty soon this will become the road pretty soon this will become the road pretty soon this will become more and more the norm but up until this more and more the norm but up until this more and more the norm but up until this point every Emperor had spent at least point every Emperor had spent at least point every Emperor had spent at least part of their reign in the part of their reign in the part of their reign in the capital but only an office from April capital but only an office from April capital but only an office from April 217 until June 218 mccr would simply 217 until June 218 mccr would simply 217 until June 218 mccr would simply never get the chance the new emperor SED the seeds of his own the new emperor SED the seeds of his own destruction right from the very destruction right from the very destruction right from the very beginning he had been ruthless enough to beginning he had been ruthless enough to beginning he had been ruthless enough to kill kacala but he was unable to extend kill kacala but he was unable to extend kill kacala but he was unable to extend that ruthlessness to the rest of the that ruthlessness to the rest of the that ruthlessness to the rest of the Severn Severn Severn family in an attempt to appear liberal family in an attempt to appear liberal family in an attempt to appear liberal and generous and guilt-free he refused and generous and guilt-free he refused and generous and guilt-free he refused to purge the Imperial family and at to purge the Imperial family and at to purge the Imperial family and at first even allowed them to remain in first even allowed them to remain in first even allowed them to remain in Rome with their standing more or less Rome with their standing more or less Rome with their standing more or less unaffected by the fact that they were no unaffected by the fact that they were no unaffected by the fact that they were no longer technically the Imperial family longer technically the Imperial family longer technically the Imperial family anymore taking up residence in Antioch anymore taking up residence in Antioch anymore taking up residence in Antioch mcris thus allowed a group of people mcris thus allowed a group of people mcris thus allowed a group of people suddenly booted from Power free reign in suddenly booted from Power free reign in suddenly booted from Power free reign in Rome to connive their way back Rome to connive their way back Rome to connive their way back in it's not that the Sans had any great

in it's not that the Sans had any great in it's not that the Sans had any great love for kakawa or any reason at this love for kakawa or any reason at this love for kakawa or any reason at this point to suspect mccarus of having point to suspect mccarus of having point to suspect mccarus of having killed him but as Emperor the kakala had killed him but as Emperor the kakala had killed him but as Emperor the kakala had been the Lynch pin that held them all been the Lynch pin that held them all been the Lynch pin that held them all fast to power and now that he was dead fast to power and now that he was dead fast to power and now that he was dead they were suddenly they were suddenly they were suddenly drift it should come as no surprise then drift it should come as no surprise then drift it should come as no surprise then that they conspired like mad to pin that they conspired like mad to pin that they conspired like mad to pin themselves back themselves back themselves back down after he started receiving reports down after he started receiving reports down after he started receiving reports that the severans were in fact plotting that the severans were in fact plotting that the severans were in fact plotting against him mccr finally ordered them against him mccr finally ordered them against him mccr finally ordered them exiled from the capital back to their exiled from the capital back to their exiled from the capital back to their maternal home city of maternal home city of maternal home city of Amisa but really not to sound cruel if Amisa but really not to sound cruel if Amisa but really not to sound cruel if he wanted to stay Emperor he should have he wanted to stay Emperor he should have he wanted to stay Emperor he should have killed them all they had no less plann killed them all they had no less plann killed them all they had no less plann for him and he should have known that for him and he should have known that for him and he should have known that Julia domna for her part did what mcris Julia domna for her part did what mcris Julia domna for her part did what mcris could not do and facing Exile from the could not do and facing Exile from the could not do and facing Exile from the capital decided that enough was enough capital decided that enough was enough capital decided that enough was enough she went on a hunger strike and died she went on a hunger strike and died she went on a hunger strike and died shortly shortly shortly thereafter life had taken a harsh turn thereafter life had taken a harsh turn thereafter life had taken a harsh turn for the empress following the death of for the empress following the death of for the empress following the death of her husband and this last insult to her her husband and this last insult to her her husband and this last insult to her dignity was too much to dignity was too much to dignity was too much to bear probably a good thing that she died bear probably a good thing that she died bear probably a good thing that she died too as it spared her from witnessing the too as it spared her from witnessing the too as it spared her from witnessing the further depravities of her extended further depravities of her extended further depravities of her extended family family family said depravities mostly arose at the said depravities mostly arose at the said depravities mostly arose at the instigation of Julia's sister Julia Misa instigation of Julia's sister Julia Misa instigation of Julia's sister Julia Misa who by virtue of her relation to the who by virtue of her relation to the who by virtue of her relation to the Augusta had lived a rich and untroubled Augusta had lived a rich and untroubled Augusta had lived a rich and untroubled life but much to her Chagrin she had life but much to her Chagrin she had life but much to her Chagrin she had never tasted the real power her sister

never tasted the real power her sister never tasted the real power her sister had once wielded Julia Misa wanted that had once wielded Julia Misa wanted that had once wielded Julia Misa wanted that power and had no compunctions about how power and had no compunctions about how power and had no compunctions about how she was going to get she was going to get she was going to get it she had already been eyeing The it she had already been eyeing The it she had already been eyeing The Fortunes of her two grandsons who were Fortunes of her two grandsons who were Fortunes of her two grandsons who were the only males in the extended severant the only males in the extended severant the only males in the extended severant family and as such stood as very likely family and as such stood as very likely family and as such stood as very likely candidate to succeed the childless candidate to succeed the childless candidate to succeed the childless caraca should he remain childless with caraca should he remain childless with caraca should he remain childless with carala dead those two boys now stood as carala dead those two boys now stood as carala dead those two boys now stood as the only real heirs to the house of seas the only real heirs to the house of seas the only real heirs to the house of seas the legitimate Imperial House of seas the legitimate Imperial House of seas the legitimate Imperial House of seas that had been betrayed and exiled by that had been betrayed and exiled by that had been betrayed and exiled by that treacherous eite that treacherous eite that treacherous eite mcris that these boys would become a mcris that these boys would become a mcris that these boys would become a rallying point for discontentment could rallying point for discontentment could rallying point for discontentment could have been seen from a mile away have been seen from a mile away have been seen from a mile away the two boys in question were the only the two boys in question were the only the two boys in question were the only sons of Julia misa's two daughters and sons of Julia misa's two daughters and sons of Julia misa's two daughters and together they all packed up and headed together they all packed up and headed together they all packed up and headed back to Amisa in back to Amisa in back to Amisa in 217 the Elder boy was named varus aidus 217 the Elder boy was named varus aidus 217 the Elder boy was named varus aidus basanis and at this point he was 14 basanis and at this point he was 14 basanis and at this point he was 14 years old his younger cousin named years old his younger cousin named years old his younger cousin named Marcus Julius gessius basanis Alexius Marcus Julius gessius basanis Alexius Marcus Julius gessius basanis Alexius was himself only nine at the time of was himself only nine at the time of was himself only nine at the time of kaka's kaka's kaka's death the fact that they hadn't reached death the fact that they hadn't reached death the fact that they hadn't reached man Ood yet is probably what saved them man Ood yet is probably what saved them man Ood yet is probably what saved them both as even at this point in history both as even at this point in history both as even at this point in history the Romans looked sideways at murdering the Romans looked sideways at murdering the Romans looked sideways at murdering children but really mccr not killing children but really mccr not killing children but really mccr not killing them both when he had the chance turned them both when he had the chance turned them both when he had the chance turned out to be a blunder of the first order out to be a blunder of the first order out to be a blunder of the first order because soon enough mcris will be dead

because soon enough mcris will be dead because soon enough mcris will be dead and history will come to know those two and history will come to know those two and history will come to know those two young harmless pups as his Imperial young harmless pups as his Imperial young harmless pups as his Imperial successors who we know as elois and successors who we know as elois and successors who we know as elois and Alexander Seas but before we get to that we should Seas but before we get to that we should get back to mcris and his attempt to get back to mcris and his attempt to get back to mcris and his attempt to stabilize the Empire his own claim to stabilize the Empire his own claim to stabilize the Empire his own claim to the throne and the fortunes of what he the throne and the fortunes of what he the throne and the fortunes of what he hoped would be a new Dynasty all at the hoped would be a new Dynasty all at the hoped would be a new Dynasty all at the same time in case you're wondering same time in case you're wondering same time in case you're wondering things will not go things will not go things will not go smoothly kacala had as you can imagine smoothly kacala had as you can imagine smoothly kacala had as you can imagine left the empire in pretty dismal left the empire in pretty dismal left the empire in pretty dismal shape his persistent draining of the shape his persistent draining of the shape his persistent draining of the treasury to Heap rewards upon the treasury to Heap rewards upon the treasury to Heap rewards upon the legions had created a two-fold problem legions had created a two-fold problem legions had created a two-fold problem for his for his for his successor one there was very little successor one there was very little successor one there was very little money left in the Imperial Treasury and money left in the Imperial Treasury and money left in the Imperial Treasury and two the Army expected to keep receiving two the Army expected to keep receiving two the Army expected to keep receiving the same kind of lavish donativos got into power and recognized donativos got into power and recognized the fiscal mask the empire was in he the fiscal mask the empire was in he the fiscal mask the empire was in he immediately tried to scale back the immediately tried to scale back the immediately tried to scale back the solders pay to a reasonable level which solders pay to a reasonable level which solders pay to a reasonable level which immediately ticked them off something immediately ticked them off something immediately ticked them off something fierce it didn't help that he had fierce it didn't help that he had fierce it didn't help that he had promised them the moon when they agreed promised them the moon when they agreed promised them the moon when they agreed to support him but I forgive mccr a to support him but I forgive mccr a to support him but I forgive mccr a little on that front because come on little on that front because come on little on that front because come on campaign promises aren't worth the paper campaign promises aren't worth the paper campaign promises aren't worth the paper they're printed they're printed they're printed on the other pretty massive problem on the other pretty massive problem on the other pretty massive problem carala had left for mcris was his carala had left for mcris was his carala had left for mcris was his utterly disastrous fores into Foreign utterly disastrous fores into Foreign utterly disastrous fores into Foreign Affairs locals in DEA were upset about

Affairs locals in DEA were upset about Affairs locals in DEA were upset about hostages caracal had taken the people of hostages caracal had taken the people of hostages caracal had taken the people of Armenia were angry about kacal's Armenia were angry about kacal's Armenia were angry about kacal's imprisonment of their popular king and imprisonment of their popular king and imprisonment of their popular king and the parthians well the parthians were the parthians well the parthians were the parthians well the parthians were understandably annoyed at that whole understandably annoyed at that whole understandably annoyed at that whole fake wedding real Massacre thing we fake wedding real Massacre thing we fake wedding real Massacre thing we talked about last week in trying to set all of this right week in trying to set all of this right mccr took the angle of least resistance mccr took the angle of least resistance mccr took the angle of least resistance and in so doing earned himself the scorn and in so doing earned himself the scorn and in so doing earned himself the scorn of both the Senate and the legance for of both the Senate and the legance for of both the Senate and the legance for appearing weak he returned the hostages appearing weak he returned the hostages appearing weak he returned the hostages to deia appointed the son of the man to deia appointed the son of the man to deia appointed the son of the man caracal had imprisoned to take over the caracal had imprisoned to take over the caracal had imprisoned to take over the Throne of Armenia and in Parthia well Throne of Armenia and in Parthia well Throne of Armenia and in Parthia well Parthia was a bit more difficult Parthia was a bit more difficult Parthia was a bit more difficult they had come barging West with a pretty they had come barging West with a pretty they had come barging West with a pretty good-sized Army on a mission of good-sized Army on a mission of good-sized Army on a mission of Vengeance and the lifelong jurus was Vengeance and the lifelong jurus was Vengeance and the lifelong jurus was forced to Dawn armor to go out and meet forced to Dawn armor to go out and meet forced to Dawn armor to go out and meet them the legions were by this time them the legions were by this time them the legions were by this time pretty cocky about their ability to pretty cocky about their ability to pretty cocky about their ability to handle the parthians who were about to handle the parthians who were about to handle the parthians who were about to completely fall apart and be reformed as completely fall apart and be reformed as completely fall apart and be reformed as the much more powerful assassinate the much more powerful assassinate the much more powerful assassinate Empire so they were dismayed to find Empire so they were dismayed to find Empire so they were dismayed to find that after one inconclusive battle mcris that after one inconclusive battle mcris that after one inconclusive battle mcris was suing for peace they were double was suing for peace they were double was suing for peace they were double dismayed when they discovered that it dismayed when they discovered that it dismayed when they discovered that it was the Romans who would be paying the was the Romans who would be paying the was the Romans who would be paying the parthians to prevent further hostilities parthians to prevent further hostilities parthians to prevent further hostilities and it was a huge sum of money that they and it was a huge sum of money that they and it was a huge sum of money that they were going to be paying them and hey were going to be paying them and hey were going to be paying them and hey aren't you the same guy who said you aren't you the same guy who said you aren't you the same guy who said you were too broke to pay us so now not only were too broke to pay us so now not only were too broke to pay us so now not only are you proving to be kind of a cheap are you proving to be kind of a cheap are you proving to be kind of a cheap skate but it turns out that you're a

skate but it turns out that you're a skate but it turns out that you're a coward to boot and a liar you are not coward to boot and a liar you are not coward to boot and a liar you are not who we signed up for who we signed up for who we signed up for sir the sinking of his standing with sir the sinking of his standing with sir the sinking of his standing with Allegiance was soon matched by the Allegiance was soon matched by the Allegiance was soon matched by the sinking of of his standing with the sinking of of his standing with the sinking of of his standing with the Senate mcris who had once seemed at Senate mcris who had once seemed at Senate mcris who had once seemed at least an acceptable alternative to least an acceptable alternative to least an acceptable alternative to carala was now proving to be nothing of carala was now proving to be nothing of carala was now proving to be nothing of the the the sort it did not help that Julia Misa who sort it did not help that Julia Misa who sort it did not help that Julia Misa who still wielded considerable informal still wielded considerable informal still wielded considerable informal influence had instigated a pretty influence had instigated a pretty influence had instigated a pretty vicious whisper campaign against the now vicious whisper campaign against the now vicious whisper campaign against the now she probably guessed had killed her she probably guessed had killed her she probably guessed had killed her nephew Julia played the moment perfectly nephew Julia played the moment perfectly nephew Julia played the moment perfectly just when mccc's reputation was just when mccc's reputation was just when mccc's reputation was bottoming out and everyone was wondering bottoming out and everyone was wondering bottoming out and everyone was wondering how they were going to ditch this loser how they were going to ditch this loser how they were going to ditch this loser Julia offered them a solution she Julia offered them a solution she Julia offered them a solution she announced that her eldest grandson announced that her eldest grandson announced that her eldest grandson 14-year-old varus aidus Banus was 14-year-old varus aidus Banus was 14-year-old varus aidus Banus was actually the biological son of kakawa actually the biological son of kakawa actually the biological son of kakawa and the true heir to the Imperial and the true heir to the Imperial and the true heir to the Imperial Throne when intelligent men did the math Throne when intelligent men did the math Throne when intelligent men did the math they perhaps did not necessarily buy they perhaps did not necessarily buy they perhaps did not necessarily buy holy the theory that at the tender age holy the theory that at the tender age holy the theory that at the tender age of 14 kacala had fathered a child with of 14 kacala had fathered a child with of 14 kacala had fathered a child with his maternal cousin but hey stranger his maternal cousin but hey stranger his maternal cousin but hey stranger things have happened and mccr seems things have happened and mccr seems things have happened and mccr seems pretty much like a non-starter so you pretty much like a non-starter so you pretty much like a non-starter so you say the boy is the true heir to the say the boy is the true heir to the say the boy is the true heir to the throne well let's go with throne well let's go with throne well let's go with that next week they'll go with that but that next week they'll go with that but that next week they'll go with that but what that turned out to be was about a what that turned out to be was about a what that turned out to be was about a hundred times worse than mcris and hundred times worse than mcris and hundred times worse than mcris and almost immediately after the teenager

almost immediately after the teenager almost immediately after the teenager history calls elagabalus won the throne history calls elagabalus won the throne history calls elagabalus won the throne even the legion that had been the first even the legion that had been the first even the legion that had been the first to support him was ready to revolt to support him was ready to revolt to support him was ready to revolt against him against him against him [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 104 Here Comes the episode 104 Here Comes the episode 104 Here Comes the [Music] [Music] [Music] Sun so I need to start this week with a Sun so I need to start this week with a Sun so I need to start this week with a brief correction in the episode before brief correction in the episode before brief correction in the episode before last while I was discussing Septimus last while I was discussing Septimus last while I was discussing Septimus seas' campaign in calonia I mentioned seas' campaign in calonia I mentioned seas' campaign in calonia I mentioned that one of the lasting consequences of that one of the lasting consequences of that one of the lasting consequences of the war was that Seas helped reconstruct the war was that Seas helped reconstruct the war was that Seas helped reconstruct Hadrian's Wall leading the Romans to Hadrian's Wall leading the Romans to Hadrian's Wall leading the Romans to actually call it the severan wall this actually call it the severan wall this actually call it the severan wall this is not true at all what he actually did is not true at all what he actually did is not true at all what he actually did was reoccupy and reconstruct the was reoccupy and reconstruct the was reoccupy and reconstruct the antonine wall which had been abandoned antonine wall which had been abandoned antonine wall which had been abandoned around the time Marcus aelius became around the time Marcus aelius became around the time Marcus aelius became emperor Roman historians did thereafter emperor Roman historians did thereafter emperor Roman historians did thereafter call this fortification the Severin wall call this fortification the Severin wall call this fortification the Severin wall but they never ever called Hadrian's but they never ever called Hadrian's but they never ever called Hadrian's Wall that because Seas never ordered any Wall that because Seas never ordered any Wall that because Seas never ordered any major reconstruction of Hadrian's Wall major reconstruction of Hadrian's Wall major reconstruction of Hadrian's Wall sorry for the mixup and thanks to Lane

sorry for the mixup and thanks to Lane sorry for the mixup and thanks to Lane Brown for bringing this flub to my Brown for bringing this flub to my Brown for bringing this flub to my attention in the comment section so attention in the comment section so attention in the comment section so moving moving moving on I think it's possible that in another on I think it's possible that in another on I think it's possible that in another time and place Marcus Opus mcris might time and place Marcus Opus mcris might time and place Marcus Opus mcris might have made a pretty good Emperor he was have made a pretty good Emperor he was have made a pretty good Emperor he was smart able to make difficult decisions smart able to make difficult decisions smart able to make difficult decisions and had always been an excellent and had always been an excellent and had always been an excellent administrator even the things he administrator even the things he administrator even the things he actually did that caused everyone to actually did that caused everyone to actually did that caused everyone to lose confidence in him proved to be more lose confidence in him proved to be more lose confidence in him proved to be more or less the right call in the long or less the right call in the long or less the right call in the long run wasting the Empire's dwindling run wasting the Empire's dwindling run wasting the Empire's dwindling resources in an attempt to defend the resources in an attempt to defend the resources in an attempt to defend the honor of carao was bad policy and mccr honor of carao was bad policy and mccr honor of carao was bad policy and mccr knew it so he refused to do it knew it so he refused to do it knew it so he refused to do it the dead Emperor had picked fights all the dead Emperor had picked fights all the dead Emperor had picked fights all over the place and rather than digging over the place and rather than digging over the place and rather than digging in on those fights mccr asked everyone in on those fights mccr asked everyone in on those fights mccr asked everyone to please form an orderly line and one to please form an orderly line and one to please form an orderly line and one by one described to him the nature of by one described to him the nature of by one described to him the nature of their grievance with Rome then he gave their grievance with Rome then he gave their grievance with Rome then he gave them whatever they wanted to make the them whatever they wanted to make the them whatever they wanted to make the issue go issue go issue go away mccr knew full well that in each away mccr knew full well that in each away mccr knew full well that in each case Rome that is kakawa had been the case Rome that is kakawa had been the case Rome that is kakawa had been the guilty party and ever the lawyer he knew guilty party and ever the lawyer he knew guilty party and ever the lawyer he knew that it would be far more damaging for that it would be far more damaging for that it would be far more damaging for these things to go to trial than to just these things to go to trial than to just these things to go to trial than to just settle out of court right settle out of court right settle out of court right now but things get tricky when it's an now but things get tricky when it's an now but things get tricky when it's an emperor committing needlessly emperor committing needlessly emperor committing needlessly provocative crimes because when an provocative crimes because when an provocative crimes because when an emperor does something it is Rome doing emperor does something it is Rome doing emperor does something it is Rome doing something and so like it or not when you something and so like it or not when you something and so like it or not when you refuse to defend Cara's honor it looks refuse to defend Cara's honor it looks refuse to defend Cara's honor it looks very much like you were refusing to very much like you were refusing to very much like you were refusing to defend Rome's honor and in the honor

defend Rome's honor and in the honor defend Rome's honor and in the honor crazy classical world that was simply crazy classical world that was simply crazy classical world that was simply not not not acceptable in trying to mop up after acceptable in trying to mop up after acceptable in trying to mop up after Cara cith mcris was making Rome look Cara cith mcris was making Rome look Cara cith mcris was making Rome look weak spineless and even weak spineless and even weak spineless and even cowardly I think it is fair to say that cowardly I think it is fair to say that cowardly I think it is fair to say that as the old saying goes most Roman as the old saying goes most Roman as the old saying goes most Roman leaders would rather be strong and wrong leaders would rather be strong and wrong leaders would rather be strong and wrong than weak and than weak and than weak and right weak and right May mean right right weak and right May mean right right weak and right May mean right today but it also means that they'll today but it also means that they'll today but it also means that they'll think they can push you around think they can push you around think they can push you around tomorrow strong and wrong means that tomorrow strong and wrong means that tomorrow strong and wrong means that everyone is still afraid to mess with everyone is still afraid to mess with everyone is still afraid to mess with you mccr chose to be weak and right and you mccr chose to be weak and right and you mccr chose to be weak and right and as a result he was not long for the as a result he was not long for the as a result he was not long for the throne but still I think mcris might have but still I think mcris might have survived and even thrived had he not had survived and even thrived had he not had survived and even thrived had he not had two big factors working against him two big factors working against him two big factors working against him factors that another Emperor say hadrien factors that another Emperor say hadrien factors that another Emperor say hadrien who also brazenly ignored everyone's who also brazenly ignored everyone's who also brazenly ignored everyone's notion of being strong did not have to notion of being strong did not have to notion of being strong did not have to deal deal deal with first mccr was essentially a with first mccr was essentially a with first mccr was essentially a usurper without anything resembling a usurper without anything resembling a usurper without anything resembling a claim to the throne legal sentimental or claim to the throne legal sentimental or claim to the throne legal sentimental or otherwise it had always been hard to otherwise it had always been hard to otherwise it had always been hard to toss aside even ridiculously terrible toss aside even ridiculously terrible toss aside even ridiculously terrible Emperors like commus or Caligula because Emperors like commus or Caligula because Emperors like commus or Caligula because they came with a lofty Imperial pedigree they came with a lofty Imperial pedigree they came with a lofty Imperial pedigree but tossing aside a man without history but tossing aside a man without history but tossing aside a man without history and of such low rank like mcris just say and of such low rank like mcris just say and of such low rank like mcris just say the the the word second by this point in Roman word second by this point in Roman word second by this point in Roman history the discipline of the rank and history the discipline of the rank and history the discipline of the rank and file troops had deteriorated to the

file troops had deteriorated to the file troops had deteriorated to the point that honor and Duty took a point that honor and Duty took a point that honor and Duty took a backseat to cash and backseat to cash and backseat to cash and prizes I think their General attitude prizes I think their General attitude prizes I think their General attitude during the 3rd century is best summed up during the 3rd century is best summed up during the 3rd century is best summed up in a quote from the inhibitable Dwight K in a quote from the inhibitable Dwight K in a quote from the inhibitable Dwight K shut I feel like part of what I'm being shut I feel like part of what I'm being shut I feel like part of what I'm being paid for here is my loyalty but if there paid for here is my loyalty but if there paid for here is my loyalty but if there were somewhere else that valued loyalty were somewhere else that valued loyalty were somewhere else that valued loyalty more highly I'm going wherever they more highly I'm going wherever they more highly I'm going wherever they value loyalty the value loyalty the value loyalty the most once the legion decided that most once the legion decided that most once the legion decided that someone else was going to Value their someone else was going to Value their someone else was going to Value their loyalty more than mcris his days were numbered after a year spent paying off numbered after a year spent paying off Rome's enemies while simultaneously Rome's enemies while simultaneously Rome's enemies while simultaneously refusing calls to pay off Rome's armies refusing calls to pay off Rome's armies refusing calls to pay off Rome's armies mccr left the door wide open for someone mccr left the door wide open for someone mccr left the door wide open for someone to step forward and challenge his claim to step forward and challenge his claim to step forward and challenge his claim to the to the to the throne in the spring of 218 that throne in the spring of 218 that throne in the spring of 218 that Challenger appeared right on Challenger appeared right on Challenger appeared right on Q car's maternal Aunt Julia Misa aided Q car's maternal Aunt Julia Misa aided Q car's maternal Aunt Julia Misa aided immeasurably by a crafty unic named immeasurably by a crafty unic named immeasurably by a crafty unic named ganes had spent the few months they had ganes had spent the few months they had ganes had spent the few months they had been in Exile working single-mindedly to been in Exile working single-mindedly to been in Exile working single-mindedly to get her family back into get her family back into get her family back into Power she quickly recognized mcc's two Power she quickly recognized mcc's two Power she quickly recognized mcc's two big weaknesses big weaknesses big weaknesses his lack of any real claim to the throne his lack of any real claim to the throne his lack of any real claim to the throne and his perceived stiffing of the and his perceived stiffing of the and his perceived stiffing of the soldiers and exploited both to the hilt soldiers and exploited both to the hilt soldiers and exploited both to the hilt to attack the first weak point she to attack the first weak point she to attack the first weak point she announced that her grandson various announced that her grandson various announced that her grandson various avidius basanis who I will call avidius basanis who I will call avidius basanis who I will call elagabalus from here on out was actually elagabalus from here on out was actually elagabalus from here on out was actually the son of kakawa and thus was the only the son of kakawa and thus was the only the son of kakawa and thus was the only man in the Empire with a legitimate man in the Empire with a legitimate man in the Empire with a legitimate claim to the

claim to the claim to the throne to attack the second weak point throne to attack the second weak point throne to attack the second weak point she simply promised that any Legion she simply promised that any Legion she simply promised that any Legion supporting her grandson would be supporting her grandson would be supporting her grandson would be rewarded hand L for the rewarded hand L for the rewarded hand L for the trouble on May 16 218 ad the third trouble on May 16 218 ad the third trouble on May 16 218 ad the third Legion stationed in Syria decided to Legion stationed in Syria decided to Legion stationed in Syria decided to roll the dice and openly declared their roll the dice and openly declared their roll the dice and openly declared their loyalty to the true Emperor Young loyalty to the true Emperor Young loyalty to the true Emperor Young elagabalus when mcris learned of the elagabalus when mcris learned of the elagabalus when mcris learned of the Rebellion he immediately dispatched a Rebellion he immediately dispatched a Rebellion he immediately dispatched a sizable contingent of his petorian sizable contingent of his petorian sizable contingent of his petorian Legions to nip the rebellion in the bud Legions to nip the rebellion in the bud Legions to nip the rebellion in the bud but when Messengers arried back to but when Messengers arried back to but when Messengers arried back to report on what had happened mcris was report on what had happened mcris was report on what had happened mcris was shocked to learn that rather than coing shocked to learn that rather than coing shocked to learn that rather than coing the third Legion and taking elois into the third Legion and taking elois into the third Legion and taking elois into custody the petorian rank and file had custody the petorian rank and file had custody the petorian rank and file had instead joined the instead joined the instead joined the uprising themselves as disappointed and uprising themselves as disappointed and uprising themselves as disappointed and mcris as anyone the petorian soldiers mcris as anyone the petorian soldiers mcris as anyone the petorian soldiers had turned on the senior officers and had turned on the senior officers and had turned on the senior officers and killed them before declaring their killed them before declaring their killed them before declaring their loyalty to loyalty to loyalty to elois now suddenly mccr had a full-blown elois now suddenly mccr had a full-blown elois now suddenly mccr had a full-blown crisis on his crisis on his crisis on his hands he scrambled to keep the rest of hands he scrambled to keep the rest of hands he scrambled to keep the rest of the legions in line and belatedly the legions in line and belatedly the legions in line and belatedly promised them the last donativo little too donativo little too late the second Legion saw which way the late the second Legion saw which way the late the second Legion saw which way the winds were blowing and defected to elois winds were blowing and defected to elois winds were blowing and defected to elois soon after the petorian soon after the petorian soon after the petorian Mutiny now elois controlled two full Mutiny now elois controlled two full Mutiny now elois controlled two full Legions as well as the cream of the Legions as well as the cream of the Legions as well as the cream of the petorian petorian petorian Guard the fact that all the rest of the Guard the fact that all the rest of the Guard the fact that all the rest of the legions in the empire were still

legions in the empire were still legions in the empire were still nominally with him was cold comfort to nominally with him was cold comfort to nominally with him was cold comfort to mcris because in the microcosm of Syria mcris because in the microcosm of Syria mcris because in the microcosm of Syria where a major confrontation was now where a major confrontation was now where a major confrontation was now inevitable he was about to be inevitable he was about to be inevitable he was about to be outnumbered about 3 weeks after the outnumbered about 3 weeks after the outnumbered about 3 weeks after the third Legion declared for elois that third Legion declared for elois that third Legion declared for elois that final confrontation final confrontation final confrontation arrived outside of Antioch mccr gathered arrived outside of Antioch mccr gathered arrived outside of Antioch mccr gathered what troops he could still muster to what troops he could still muster to what troops he could still muster to fight for him and line them up against fight for him and line them up against fight for him and line them up against the legions of alagoas who were led into the legions of alagoas who were led into the legions of alagoas who were led into battle by the unic battle by the unic battle by the unic ganes in the ensuing battle the two ganes in the ensuing battle the two ganes in the ensuing battle the two sides were pretty evenly matched but the sides were pretty evenly matched but the sides were pretty evenly matched but the superior command of ganes one out superior command of ganes one out superior command of ganes one out against the less capable against the less capable against the less capable mcris there is still some debate as to mcris there is still some debate as to mcris there is still some debate as to whether the battle in and of itself whether the battle in and of itself whether the battle in and of itself should have been decisive after all mccr should have been decisive after all mccr should have been decisive after all mccr still had the rest of the Empire with still had the rest of the Empire with still had the rest of the Empire with him he had even convinced the Senate to him he had even convinced the Senate to him he had even convinced the Senate to declare elois and Julia Misa enemies of declare elois and Julia Misa enemies of declare elois and Julia Misa enemies of the the the State plus whatever their personal State plus whatever their personal State plus whatever their personal feelings towards mccr the legions of the feelings towards mccr the legions of the feelings towards mccr the legions of the West may not have been as keen on West may not have been as keen on West may not have been as keen on backing a 14-year-old Syrian boy as the backing a 14-year-old Syrian boy as the backing a 14-year-old Syrian boy as the Eastern Legions had been Eastern Legions had been Eastern Legions had been but in the battle two things but in the battle two things but in the battle two things happened first elois apparently happened first elois apparently happened first elois apparently displayed a degree of courage during the displayed a degree of courage during the displayed a degree of courage during the fight and had rallied a flagging cavalry fight and had rallied a flagging cavalry fight and had rallied a flagging cavalry charge while second in contrast mcris charge while second in contrast mcris charge while second in contrast mcris had fled the field the minute things had fled the field the minute things had fled the field the minute things began to go against began to go against began to go against him this only deepened the impression him this only deepened the impression him this only deepened the impression that mcris was a coward and whatever that mcris was a coward and whatever that mcris was a coward and whatever little faith people were still willing

little faith people were still willing little faith people were still willing to invest in him fled the field along to invest in him fled the field along to invest in him fled the field along with the with the with the emperor the now disgraced mccr tried to emperor the now disgraced mccr tried to emperor the now disgraced mccr tried to flee back to Rome to regroup but he was flee back to Rome to regroup but he was flee back to Rome to regroup but he was caught by agents of the severance in caught by agents of the severance in caught by agents of the severance in capid and capid and capid and executed he was 58 years old and had executed he was 58 years old and had executed he was 58 years old and had ruled the empire for just 14 months this left Rome in the hands of months this left Rome in the hands of 14-year-old 14-year-old 14-year-old Elis with no other viable candidate Elis with no other viable candidate Elis with no other viable candidate stepping forward and with amnesty stepping forward and with amnesty stepping forward and with amnesty promised the Senate who had after all promised the Senate who had after all promised the Senate who had after all just declared him a Public Enemy the just declared him a Public Enemy the just declared him a Public Enemy the Senate ERS accepted the legitimacy of Senate ERS accepted the legitimacy of Senate ERS accepted the legitimacy of the boy shortly after the Severn victory the boy shortly after the Severn victory the boy shortly after the Severn victory at at at Antioch now we often call Young elois Antioch now we often call Young elois Antioch now we often call Young elois the first Eastern born Emperor but in the first Eastern born Emperor but in the first Eastern born Emperor but in fact he was half Syrian half African fact he was half Syrian half African fact he was half Syrian half African just like kacala and geta had been the just like kacala and geta had been the just like kacala and geta had been the reason he is often saddled with this reason he is often saddled with this reason he is often saddled with this distinction is that because unlike any distinction is that because unlike any distinction is that because unlike any of his predecessors this new emperor was of his predecessors this new emperor was of his predecessors this new emperor was culturally culturally culturally Eastern wherever they came from Eastern wherever they came from Eastern wherever they came from originally The Men Who became emperor originally The Men Who became emperor originally The Men Who became emperor by the time they became emperor were by the time they became emperor were by the time they became emperor were fully Roman in their manner of speech fully Roman in their manner of speech fully Roman in their manner of speech and dress and taste but not elois he was and dress and taste but not elois he was and dress and taste but not elois he was truly a Syrian Syrian something the truly a Syrian Syrian something the truly a Syrian Syrian something the Romans back in Rome were about to find out after the defeat of mcris elois and out after the defeat of mcris elois and his Entourage or should I say at this his Entourage or should I say at this his Entourage or should I say at this point Julia Misa and her Entourage which

point Julia Misa and her Entourage which point Julia Misa and her Entourage which included included included Elis took their sweet time making the Elis took their sweet time making the Elis took their sweet time making the trip back to the trip back to the trip back to the capital they passed the winter of 218 capital they passed the winter of 218 capital they passed the winter of 218 219 in bethenia and only with the Autumn 219 in bethenia and only with the Autumn 219 in bethenia and only with the Autumn of 219 approaching more than a year of 219 approaching more than a year of 219 approaching more than a year after the initial Revolt of the third after the initial Revolt of the third after the initial Revolt of the third Legion did they arrive in Legion did they arrive in Legion did they arrive in Rome but to prepare the Romans and the Rome but to prepare the Romans and the Rome but to prepare the Romans and the Senate especially for the coming of Senate especially for the coming of Senate especially for the coming of their new master a portrait of elois had their new master a portrait of elois had their new master a portrait of elois had been delivered to the capital with been delivered to the capital with been delivered to the capital with instructions to hang it in the Senate instructions to hang it in the Senate instructions to hang it in the Senate house where it would oversee all house where it would oversee all house where it would oversee all proceedings the picture was mostly me to proceedings the picture was mostly me to proceedings the picture was mostly me to help them all recognize elabo when he help them all recognize elabo when he help them all recognize elabo when he finally arrived as most people had no finally arrived as most people had no finally arrived as most people had no idea what he looked like but all the idea what he looked like but all the idea what he looked like but all the Senators saw was a horrifying glimpse of Senators saw was a horrifying glimpse of Senators saw was a horrifying glimpse of what was to what was to what was to come the portrait showed elas dressed in come the portrait showed elas dressed in come the portrait showed elas dressed in silken robes adorned with rings and silken robes adorned with rings and silken robes adorned with rings and other jewelry and is that makeup is that other jewelry and is that makeup is that other jewelry and is that makeup is that kid wearing kid wearing kid wearing eyeliner though Roman austerity had long eyeliner though Roman austerity had long eyeliner though Roman austerity had long ago been vanquished by the might of ago been vanquished by the might of ago been vanquished by the might of luxury and decadence there were still a luxury and decadence there were still a luxury and decadence there were still a few old taboos rattling around and a man few old taboos rattling around and a man few old taboos rattling around and a man wearing silk robes and makeup was wearing silk robes and makeup was wearing silk robes and makeup was definitely on that list but appearances aside the Senate list but appearances aside the Senate was also inflamed by El's disregard for was also inflamed by El's disregard for was also inflamed by El's disregard for another another another taboo traditionally the key Powers taboo traditionally the key Powers taboo traditionally the key Powers invested in the emperor The tribun invested in the emperor The tribun invested in the emperor The tribun Authority the proconsul or super Authority the proconsul or super Authority the proconsul or super Authority were just that invested in the Authority were just that invested in the Authority were just that invested in the emperor by the

emperor by the emperor by the Senate whether it was an exercise in Senate whether it was an exercise in Senate whether it was an exercise in rubber stamping was beside the point the rubber stamping was beside the point the rubber stamping was beside the point the emperor had to ask and the senate had to emperor had to ask and the senate had to emperor had to ask and the senate had to give in assuming power though elois and give in assuming power though elois and give in assuming power though elois and his advisers had not his advisers had not his advisers had not asked more steeped in the traditions of asked more steeped in the traditions of asked more steeped in the traditions of Oriental despotism than they were in the Oriental despotism than they were in the Oriental despotism than they were in the traditions of the Roman senate the men traditions of the Roman senate the men traditions of the Roman senate the men surrounding the new emperor had simply surrounding the new emperor had simply surrounding the new emperor had simply declared that alblas now held all the declared that alblas now held all the declared that alblas now held all the powers of Imperial powers of Imperial powers of Imperial office this rankled the Senate to no end office this rankled the Senate to no end office this rankled the Senate to no end coupled with the disturbing port coupled with the disturbing port coupled with the disturbing port portrait of the Syrian Dandy hanging on portrait of the Syrian Dandy hanging on portrait of the Syrian Dandy hanging on the wall well let's just say that the the wall well let's just say that the the wall well let's just say that the reign of elois was not getting off to a reign of elois was not getting off to a reign of elois was not getting off to a great great great start and it wasn't just the stuff start and it wasn't just the stuff start and it wasn't just the stuff shirts in the Senate who were regretting shirts in the Senate who were regretting shirts in the Senate who were regretting the rise of the boy the rise of the boy the rise of the boy Emperor the legions who had raised him Emperor the legions who had raised him Emperor the legions who had raised him up and were on hand to witness ELO's up and were on hand to witness ELO's up and were on hand to witness ELO's day-to-day conduct were shocked at the day-to-day conduct were shocked at the day-to-day conduct were shocked at the boy's boy's boy's Behavior raised with all the Privileges Behavior raised with all the Privileges Behavior raised with all the Privileges that came with being a member of the that came with being a member of the that came with being a member of the Imperial family El Imperial family El Imperial family El not unlike caraa and geta had been not unlike caraa and geta had been not unlike caraa and geta had been spoiled rotten he had no boundaries no spoiled rotten he had no boundaries no spoiled rotten he had no boundaries no sense of prudence and displayed no sense of prudence and displayed no sense of prudence and displayed no evidence whatsoever of holding any evidence whatsoever of holding any evidence whatsoever of holding any inhibitions he dressed as he liked wore inhibitions he dressed as he liked wore inhibitions he dressed as he liked wore the perfumes that he liked and the perfumes that he liked and the perfumes that he liked and frequently consorted with any man woman frequently consorted with any man woman frequently consorted with any man woman boy or girl that struck his boy or girl that struck his boy or girl that struck his fancy it didn't take long for many in fancy it didn't take long for many in fancy it didn't take long for many in the legance officers and soldiers alike the legance officers and soldiers alike the legance officers and soldiers alike to begin to doubt the character of this

to begin to doubt the character of this to begin to doubt the character of this protoc comist they had help to win the protoc comist they had help to win the protoc comist they had help to win the throne in a telling sign of the kind of throne in a telling sign of the kind of throne in a telling sign of the kind of loyalty elgas commanded once people loyalty elgas commanded once people loyalty elgas commanded once people really got to know him two Eastern really got to know him two Eastern really got to know him two Eastern Legions including the third which as Legions including the third which as Legions including the third which as you'll recall had been the first ones to you'll recall had been the first ones to you'll recall had been the first ones to support him both attempted Revolt before support him both attempted Revolt before support him both attempted Revolt before elois even made it to elois even made it to elois even made it to Rome the mutinies were put down and in Rome the mutinies were put down and in Rome the mutinies were put down and in the process the third Legion the one the process the third Legion the one the process the third Legion the one that had been first to declare for him that had been first to declare for him that had been first to declare for him was completely disbanded which is not was completely disbanded which is not was completely disbanded which is not not exactly a promising Omen elois and his extended family Omen elois and his extended family finally arrived in Rome in the Autumn of finally arrived in Rome in the Autumn of finally arrived in Rome in the Autumn of 219 and right off the bat juliia Misa 219 and right off the bat juliia Misa 219 and right off the bat juliia Misa through elois ured that the San dynasty through elois ured that the San dynasty through elois ured that the San dynasty was firmly reent trenched in the hearts was firmly reent trenched in the hearts was firmly reent trenched in the hearts and minds of the Romans by forcing the and minds of the Romans by forcing the and minds of the Romans by forcing the Senate to deify both caraka and her Senate to deify both caraka and her Senate to deify both caraka and her sister Julia sister Julia sister Julia domna she then finally got her own Taste domna she then finally got her own Taste domna she then finally got her own Taste of real Authority by graciously of real Authority by graciously of real Authority by graciously accepting the title A gusta which the accepting the title A gusta which the accepting the title A gusta which the senate had generously foed upon her and senate had generously foed upon her and senate had generously foed upon her and ELO's ELO's ELO's mother but that was not enough for the mother but that was not enough for the mother but that was not enough for the New Augusta and she crossed way over the New Augusta and she crossed way over the New Augusta and she crossed way over the line pretty far over the line even for line pretty far over the line even for line pretty far over the line even for the Line crossing happy Court of the Line crossing happy Court of the Line crossing happy Court of elagabalus by forcing the Senate to elagabalus by forcing the Senate to elagabalus by forcing the Senate to allow her and her daughter to sit in on allow her and her daughter to sit in on allow her and her daughter to sit in on senatorial senatorial senatorial sessions women had never been allowed to sessions women had never been allowed to sessions women had never been allowed to take part in these proceedings and take part in these proceedings and take part in these proceedings and though Livia and agripina had both been

though Livia and agripina had both been though Livia and agripina had both been allowed to listen in in they were both allowed to listen in in they were both allowed to listen in in they were both safely hidden from view by a safely hidden from view by a safely hidden from view by a curtain but Julia Musa was aiming to curtain but Julia Musa was aiming to curtain but Julia Musa was aiming to become the most powerful woman the become the most powerful woman the become the most powerful woman the Empire had ever known she considered Empire had ever known she considered Empire had ever known she considered elas to be merely a puppet and planned elas to be merely a puppet and planned elas to be merely a puppet and planned to control every aspect of the Imperial to control every aspect of the Imperial to control every aspect of the Imperial Administration herself and if that meant Administration herself and if that meant Administration herself and if that meant crashing another taboo so be it but young elois had no intention of it but young elois had no intention of being merely a puppet he was Emperor not being merely a puppet he was Emperor not being merely a puppet he was Emperor not his mother mother or his grandmother his mother mother or his grandmother his mother mother or his grandmother what he said was the final word and what what he said was the final word and what what he said was the final word and what he wanted would be what the Empire he wanted would be what the Empire he wanted would be what the Empire got he was a typically headstrong got he was a typically headstrong got he was a typically headstrong 14-year-old and much to Julia misa's 14-year-old and much to Julia misa's 14-year-old and much to Julia misa's dismay she found herself along with dismay she found herself along with dismay she found herself along with everyone else subject to his everyone else subject to his everyone else subject to his whims the thing that perhaps tipped the whims the thing that perhaps tipped the whims the thing that perhaps tipped the scales away from Julia Misa and made scales away from Julia Misa and made scales away from Julia Misa and made elaba so hard to control was that in elaba so hard to control was that in elaba so hard to control was that in addition to being the spoiled son of addition to being the spoiled son of addition to being the spoiled son of wealth and power he had also inherited wealth and power he had also inherited wealth and power he had also inherited the high priesthood of the sun god El the high priesthood of the sun god El the high priesthood of the sun god El gabal which filled the teenager with the gabal which filled the teenager with the gabal which filled the teenager with the sense that he was a quasi Divine sense that he was a quasi Divine sense that he was a quasi Divine figure we need to look no further than figure we need to look no further than figure we need to look no further than the fact that he assumed the name the fact that he assumed the name the fact that he assumed the name elagabalus to prove how much the young elagabalus to prove how much the young elagabalus to prove how much the young Emperor felt that his role as high Emperor felt that his role as high Emperor felt that his role as high priest to find him at the end of the day priest to find him at the end of the day priest to find him at the end of the day it was probably more important to him it was probably more important to him it was probably more important to him than his role as the head of some Mortal than his role as the head of some Mortal than his role as the head of some Mortal Empire a fact that would become all too Empire a fact that would become all too Empire a fact that would become all too apparent to the citizens of said Mortal

Empire Rome as you know was a highly Empire Rome as you know was a highly superstitious society and one that took superstitious society and one that took superstitious society and one that took its various Cults and temples and its various Cults and temples and its various Cults and temples and ceremonies very ceremonies very ceremonies very seriously the gods they worshiped had seriously the gods they worshiped had seriously the gods they worshiped had been the gods who transformed Rome from been the gods who transformed Rome from been the gods who transformed Rome from a disreputable little village of a disreputable little village of a disreputable little village of Vagabond into the master of the western Vagabond into the master of the western Vagabond into the master of the western world that was not a thing to be taken world that was not a thing to be taken world that was not a thing to be taken lightly and it was important that credit lightly and it was important that credit lightly and it was important that credit was always given where credit was due was always given where credit was due was always given where credit was due but in El ais's mind there was only one but in El ais's mind there was only one but in El ais's mind there was only one God the sun god El gabal who also became God the sun god El gabal who also became God the sun god El gabal who also became known as Soul en victus the unconquered known as Soul en victus the unconquered known as Soul en victus the unconquered son the new emperor obsessively Pious as son the new emperor obsessively Pious as son the new emperor obsessively Pious as he was announced shortly after arriving he was announced shortly after arriving he was announced shortly after arriving in Rome that henceforth all temples in in Rome that henceforth all temples in in Rome that henceforth all temples in the city would be rededicated to El the city would be rededicated to El the city would be rededicated to El gabal because all the gods Jupiter gabal because all the gods Jupiter gabal because all the gods Jupiter included were simply inferior aspects of included were simply inferior aspects of included were simply inferior aspects of the one true God the one true God the one true God the rituals and Cults that had defined the rituals and Cults that had defined the rituals and Cults that had defined Rome and in the Roman mind kept them Rome and in the Roman mind kept them Rome and in the Roman mind kept them safe were suppressed in their place elas safe were suppressed in their place elas safe were suppressed in their place elas instituted dozens of variations of sun instituted dozens of variations of sun instituted dozens of variations of sun worship with the kapper being an hours worship with the kapper being an hours worship with the kapper being an hours long ceremony the emperor himself long ceremony the emperor himself long ceremony the emperor himself performed almost daily and that he performed almost daily and that he performed almost daily and that he required the Senate not just to attend required the Senate not just to attend required the Senate not just to attend but to take part but to take part but to take part in to the Romans this was not just in to the Romans this was not just in to the Romans this was not just blasphemy it was blasphemy it was blasphemy it was dangerous everyone feared what Jupiter's dangerous everyone feared what Jupiter's dangerous everyone feared what Jupiter's reaction would be when he discovered reaction would be when he discovered reaction would be when he discovered that the Romans had ceased to make that the Romans had ceased to make that the Romans had ceased to make offerings in his names and that the offerings in his names and that the offerings in his names and that the rituals he prescribed had been

rituals he prescribed had been rituals he prescribed had been abandoned compounding the sense of abandoned compounding the sense of abandoned compounding the sense of outrage that was bubbling up in Rome was outrage that was bubbling up in Rome was outrage that was bubbling up in Rome was the private life of young the private life of young the private life of young elagabalus well maybe private life isn't elagabalus well maybe private life isn't elagabalus well maybe private life isn't the right term as it was in every sense the right term as it was in every sense the right term as it was in every sense a very public a very public a very public life were he alive today it is likely life were he alive today it is likely life were he alive today it is likely ELO's identity would be classified as ELO's identity would be classified as ELO's identity would be classified as some variation of some variation of some variation of transgender he took both male and female transgender he took both male and female transgender he took both male and female lovers but most of the time dressed in lovers but most of the time dressed in lovers but most of the time dressed in clothing that would have been considered clothing that would have been considered clothing that would have been considered highly AFF highly AFF highly AFF feminite famously his most stable feminite famously his most stable feminite famously his most stable long-term relationship was with his long-term relationship was with his long-term relationship was with his Chariot driver hierocles and it tickled Chariot driver hierocles and it tickled Chariot driver hierocles and it tickled the emperor to no end to refer to the emperor to no end to refer to the emperor to no end to refer to himself as hoc's wife or hoc's himself as hoc's wife or hoc's himself as hoc's wife or hoc's queen and this was really where his queen and this was really where his queen and this was really where his conduct became a source of Shame for the conduct became a source of Shame for the conduct became a source of Shame for the population population population as we've noted previously homosexual as we've noted previously homosexual as we've noted previously homosexual relations in Rome were widespread and relations in Rome were widespread and relations in Rome were widespread and not particularly not particularly not particularly controversial but that was as long as controversial but that was as long as controversial but that was as long as you were the dominant you were the dominant you were the dominant partner to have the emperor take on the partner to have the emperor take on the partner to have the emperor take on the passive role dress as a woman and passive role dress as a woman and passive role dress as a woman and cheerfully answer to the title of Queen cheerfully answer to the title of Queen cheerfully answer to the title of Queen well that was way outside the bounds even when he assumed the regular bounds even when he assumed the regular old gender role of straight husband he old gender role of straight husband he old gender role of straight husband he infuriated Roman sent infuriated Roman sent infuriated Roman sent abilities over the course of his brief abilities over the course of his brief abilities over the course of his brief Reign less than four years total he took Reign less than four years total he took Reign less than four years total he took no less than five different wives no less than five different wives no less than five different wives abandoning them and sometimes returning

abandoning them and sometimes returning abandoning them and sometimes returning to them with alarming to them with alarming to them with alarming Speed most offensive though was his Speed most offensive though was his Speed most offensive though was his decision to marry a Vestal Virgin so decision to marry a Vestal Virgin so decision to marry a Vestal Virgin so that together they could produce Divine that together they could produce Divine that together they could produce Divine children obviously this made a mockery children obviously this made a mockery children obviously this made a mockery of the Virgin part of the Vestal virgins of the Virgin part of the Vestal virgins of the Virgin part of the Vestal virgins and if it went unpunished the rans and if it went unpunished the rans and if it went unpunished the rans feared this sacrilege would bring who feared this sacrilege would bring who feared this sacrilege would bring who knows what terrible Fortune upon the knows what terrible Fortune upon the knows what terrible Fortune upon the Empire all of these outrages his Empire all of these outrages his Empire all of these outrages his flouting of sexual tabos his destruction flouting of sexual tabos his destruction flouting of sexual tabos his destruction of traditional Roman religion and his of traditional Roman religion and his of traditional Roman religion and his habit of appointing lowborn friends and habit of appointing lowborn friends and habit of appointing lowborn friends and lovers to key administrative posts began lovers to key administrative posts began lovers to key administrative posts began to wear so thin that the fabric started to wear so thin that the fabric started to wear so thin that the fabric started to tear Julia Misa who had been the driving tear Julia Misa who had been the driving force behind the boy's elevation in the force behind the boy's elevation in the force behind the boy's elevation in the first Place quietly began to reconsider first Place quietly began to reconsider first Place quietly began to reconsider her her her position she found herself on the outs position she found herself on the outs position she found herself on the outs with the boy unable to control the with the boy unable to control the with the boy unable to control the puppet she thought she had so skillfully puppet she thought she had so skillfully puppet she thought she had so skillfully carved her daughter seemed content to carved her daughter seemed content to carved her daughter seemed content to let the boy follow his whims wherever let the boy follow his whims wherever let the boy follow his whims wherever they may take him happy to trade power they may take him happy to trade power they may take him happy to trade power and influence for the luxuries of and influence for the luxuries of and influence for the luxuries of Imperial Court life and so juliia Misa Imperial Court life and so juliia Misa Imperial Court life and so juliia Misa began making plans to abandon them began making plans to abandon them began making plans to abandon them both giving up on El goas she turned both giving up on El goas she turned both giving up on El goas she turned turned to her other grandson Alexander turned to her other grandson Alexander turned to her other grandson Alexander Seas to see what he was made Seas to see what he was made Seas to see what he was made of in contrast to elois Alexander was a of in contrast to elois Alexander was a of in contrast to elois Alexander was a quiet serious boy who seemed much better

quiet serious boy who seemed much better quiet serious boy who seemed much better suited temperamentally for a long-term suited temperamentally for a long-term suited temperamentally for a long-term stay on the throne El goas on the other stay on the throne El goas on the other stay on the throne El goas on the other hand utterly indifferent to how many hand utterly indifferent to how many hand utterly indifferent to how many people he was pissing off was clearly people he was pissing off was clearly people he was pissing off was clearly going to run into a dagger one of these going to run into a dagger one of these going to run into a dagger one of these days if Julia played her cards right she days if Julia played her cards right she days if Julia played her cards right she might be able to position Alexander ER might be able to position Alexander ER might be able to position Alexander ER as the successor to elois and so when as the successor to elois and so when as the successor to elois and so when elois finally ran into that dagger she elois finally ran into that dagger she elois finally ran into that dagger she would still have another shot at being would still have another shot at being would still have another shot at being the real power behind the the real power behind the the real power behind the throne in 221 she managed after a bit of throne in 221 she managed after a bit of throne in 221 she managed after a bit of coaxing and pleading to convince elois coaxing and pleading to convince elois coaxing and pleading to convince elois to name his cousin Caesar and at least to name his cousin Caesar and at least to name his cousin Caesar and at least for now make Alexander the heir to the for now make Alexander the heir to the for now make Alexander the heir to the throne this way if anything God forbid throne this way if anything God forbid throne this way if anything God forbid should happen to you then the throne should happen to you then the throne should happen to you then the throne will remain in the family will remain in the family will remain in the family naturally when you have children of your naturally when you have children of your naturally when you have children of your own this can all be rearranged but for own this can all be rearranged but for own this can all be rearranged but for now it's just a smart insurance policy now it's just a smart insurance policy now it's just a smart insurance policy think of your mother they'll probably think of your mother they'll probably think of your mother they'll probably kill her if the throne falls into the kill her if the throne falls into the kill her if the throne falls into the wrong wrong wrong hands coincidentally as soon as elois hands coincidentally as soon as elois hands coincidentally as soon as elois agreed and Alexander was made Caesar the agreed and Alexander was made Caesar the agreed and Alexander was made Caesar the assassination attempts assassination attempts assassination attempts began there was no shortage of began there was no shortage of began there was no shortage of conspirators ready to take a shot at conspirators ready to take a shot at conspirators ready to take a shot at elagabalus and the shot started coming elagabalus and the shot started coming elagabalus and the shot started coming fast and Furious as 221 rolled over to fast and Furious as 221 rolled over to fast and Furious as 221 rolled over to 222 elois managed to escape the first 222 elois managed to escape the first 222 elois managed to escape the first few tries but it was becoming obvious few tries but it was becoming obvious few tries but it was becoming obvious that not only did he have enemies but

that not only did he have enemies but that not only did he have enemies but those enemies filled the ranks of the those enemies filled the ranks of the those enemies filled the ranks of the petorian petorian petorian Guard having the best seat in the house Guard having the best seat in the house Guard having the best seat in the house to witness all of ELO's depravities and to witness all of ELO's depravities and to witness all of ELO's depravities and being forced to obey all of his orders being forced to obey all of his orders being forced to obey all of his orders to boot the pretorians probably hated to boot the pretorians probably hated to boot the pretorians probably hated him more than anyone else and elaba soon him more than anyone else and elaba soon him more than anyone else and elaba soon realized that he really couldn't trust realized that he really couldn't trust realized that he really couldn't trust them them them anymore especially because they all seem anymore especially because they all seem anymore especially because they all seem to love his cousin Alexander so much and to love his cousin Alexander so much and to love his cousin Alexander so much and come to think of it maybe my grandmother come to think of it maybe my grandmother come to think of it maybe my grandmother didn't want me to name him Caesar so he didn't want me to name him Caesar so he didn't want me to name him Caesar so he could be my Heir just in case maybe she could be my Heir just in case maybe she could be my Heir just in case maybe she wanted me to name him Caesar so he could wanted me to name him Caesar so he could wanted me to name him Caesar so he could be my replacement furious at being duped into replacement furious at being duped into appointing his own replacement elois appointing his own replacement elois appointing his own replacement elois immediately wrote Alexander out of his immediately wrote Alexander out of his immediately wrote Alexander out of his will and revoked the title of C in March will and revoked the title of C in March will and revoked the title of C in March of of of 222 suspicious of everyone at this point 222 suspicious of everyone at this point 222 suspicious of everyone at this point he then let it be known that Alexander he then let it be known that Alexander he then let it be known that Alexander had actually died just to see how people had actually died just to see how people had actually died just to see how people would would would react the pretorians flew into a react the pretorians flew into a react the pretorians flew into a frenzy not yet convinced that Alexander frenzy not yet convinced that Alexander frenzy not yet convinced that Alexander was dead they threatened to Riot if elas was dead they threatened to Riot if elas was dead they threatened to Riot if elas did not produce the boy alive and well did not produce the boy alive and well did not produce the boy alive and well write this write this write this instant elois took note of the rage instant elois took note of the rage instant elois took note of the rage exploding out of the petorian camp and exploding out of the petorian camp and exploding out of the petorian camp and was pleased pleased that he had flushed was pleased pleased that he had flushed was pleased pleased that he had flushed out their true feelings but he was not out their true feelings but he was not out their true feelings but he was not so pleased to discover that he had sort so pleased to discover that he had sort so pleased to discover that he had sort of let the genie out of the of let the genie out of the of let the genie out of the bottle the pretorians refused his orders bottle the pretorians refused his orders bottle the pretorians refused his orders to stand down and they continued to

to stand down and they continued to to stand down and they continued to threaten the emperor with deadly force threaten the emperor with deadly force threaten the emperor with deadly force if he didn't produce Alexander right if he didn't produce Alexander right if he didn't produce Alexander right this this this instant afraid of what they might instant afraid of what they might instant afraid of what they might actually do to him elois had no choice actually do to him elois had no choice actually do to him elois had no choice but to but to but to comply accompanied by his mother El comply accompanied by his mother El comply accompanied by his mother El goalis escorted Alexander to the camp goalis escorted Alexander to the camp goalis escorted Alexander to the camp and when they all made their entrance and when they all made their entrance and when they all made their entrance the pretorians began to the pretorians began to the pretorians began to cheer completely ignoring the emperor cheer completely ignoring the emperor cheer completely ignoring the emperor and his mother the rorian raised and his mother the rorian raised and his mother the rorian raised Alexander on their Shields and bore him Alexander on their Shields and bore him Alexander on their Shields and bore him to the head of the line and acclaimed to the head of the line and acclaimed to the head of the line and acclaimed him him him Caesar alabas interrupted this Caesar alabas interrupted this Caesar alabas interrupted this Celebration by reminding the pretorians Celebration by reminding the pretorians Celebration by reminding the pretorians that Alexander was not nor would he ever that Alexander was not nor would he ever that Alexander was not nor would he ever again be Caesar and that as the emperor again be Caesar and that as the emperor again be Caesar and that as the emperor his word was his word was his word was final this was a big mistake final this was a big mistake final this was a big mistake the pretorians turned on him with hate the pretorians turned on him with hate the pretorians turned on him with hate in their eyes and elaba suddenly in their eyes and elaba suddenly in their eyes and elaba suddenly realized how much danger he was realized how much danger he was realized how much danger he was in he and his mother tried to flee but in he and his mother tried to flee but in he and his mother tried to flee but they were quickly seized by the angry they were quickly seized by the angry they were quickly seized by the angry guard without ceremony or hesitation guard without ceremony or hesitation guard without ceremony or hesitation they were both killed and their bodies they were both killed and their bodies they were both killed and their bodies dragged through the streets in dragged through the streets in dragged through the streets in disgrace elas was only 18 years old and disgrace elas was only 18 years old and disgrace elas was only 18 years old and he had ruled Rome for just shy of four years his Reign had been a strange years his Reign had been a strange detour that in the end had very little detour that in the end had very little detour that in the end had very little impact on the course of Roman impact on the course of Roman impact on the course of Roman history all his religious reforms were history all his religious reforms were history all his religious reforms were canceled immediately all of his friends canceled immediately all of his friends canceled immediately all of his friends and consorts were thrown out of power

and consorts were thrown out of power and consorts were thrown out of power and life more or less returned to and life more or less returned to and life more or less returned to normal as usual when it comes to the bad normal as usual when it comes to the bad normal as usual when it comes to the bad Emperors it is difficult to pick through Emperors it is difficult to pick through Emperors it is difficult to pick through the various histories to determine which the various histories to determine which the various histories to determine which stories about elois are true and which stories about elois are true and which stories about elois are true and which ones are ones are ones are false everyone had an axe to grind with false everyone had an axe to grind with false everyone had an axe to grind with the Mad little teenager from Syria and the Mad little teenager from Syria and the Mad little teenager from Syria and the only tool anyone had left was the only tool anyone had left was the only tool anyone had left was character character character assassination so did he really smother assassination so did he really smother assassination so did he really smother dinner guests to death under a massive dinner guests to death under a massive dinner guests to death under a massive pile of flower petals probably not but pile of flower petals probably not but pile of flower petals probably not but the infuriating obsession with soulen the infuriating obsession with soulen the infuriating obsession with soulen victus was real enough as was probably a victus was real enough as was probably a victus was real enough as was probably a lot of his scandal of social life but lot of his scandal of social life but lot of his scandal of social life but again how much and which particulars are again how much and which particulars are again how much and which particulars are true is tough to true is tough to true is tough to discern he was bad enough dangerous discern he was bad enough dangerous discern he was bad enough dangerous enough that he was betrayed by his enough that he was betrayed by his enough that he was betrayed by his grandmother and abandoned by the grandmother and abandoned by the grandmother and abandoned by the petorian guard but then again I can petorian guard but then again I can petorian guard but then again I can think of perfectly selfish reasons for think of perfectly selfish reasons for think of perfectly selfish reasons for everyone to have acted just the way they everyone to have acted just the way they everyone to have acted just the way they did without elois needing to be a did without elois needing to be a did without elois needing to be a horrible monster for them to do it Julia horrible monster for them to do it Julia horrible monster for them to do it Julia Misa was angry the boy wouldn't listen Misa was angry the boy wouldn't listen Misa was angry the boy wouldn't listen to her the troops maybe had been to her the troops maybe had been to her the troops maybe had been promised more money if they backed promised more money if they backed promised more money if they backed Alexander but in all likelihood The Alexander but in all likelihood The Alexander but in all likelihood The Stereotype of elist the crazy hedonist Stereotype of elist the crazy hedonist Stereotype of elist the crazy hedonist was not invented out of whole cloth was not invented out of whole cloth was not invented out of whole cloth these things come from somewhere and these things come from somewhere and these things come from somewhere and everyone in Rome sure seemed pretty everyone in Rome sure seemed pretty everyone in Rome sure seemed pretty happy when he was gone next week we'll get into the tragic

gone next week we'll get into the tragic reign of his successor Alexander Seas reign of his successor Alexander Seas reign of his successor Alexander Seas who tried in every way to be the polar who tried in every way to be the polar who tried in every way to be the polar opposite of opposite of opposite of elois he was smart conscientious elois he was smart conscientious elois he was smart conscientious dedicated and made a habit of listening dedicated and made a habit of listening dedicated and made a habit of listening to those who needed to be listened to to those who needed to be listened to to those who needed to be listened to and ignoring those who needed to be and ignoring those who needed to be and ignoring those who needed to be ignored young Alexander always showed ignored young Alexander always showed ignored young Alexander always showed maturity and vision Beyond his years but maturity and vision Beyond his years but maturity and vision Beyond his years but the era into which he was born refused the era into which he was born refused the era into which he was born refused to reward his unimpeachable character to reward his unimpeachable character to reward his unimpeachable character and instead used it as an excuse to stab and instead used it as an excuse to stab and instead used it as an excuse to stab him in the back him in the back him in the back [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 105 the last princeps the reign of Alexander Seas was princeps the reign of Alexander Seas was the the Calm before the the the Calm before the the the Calm before the storm the clouds had begun to gather storm the clouds had begun to gather storm the clouds had begun to gather with the death of Marcus aelius and they with the death of Marcus aelius and they with the death of Marcus aelius and they had only grown darker and more ominous had only grown darker and more ominous had only grown darker and more ominous as the Empire endured first Commodus as the Empire endured first Commodus as the Empire endured first Commodus then a succession of Imperial then a succession of Imperial then a succession of Imperial assassinations then a three-way Civil assassinations then a three-way Civil assassinations then a three-way Civil War then a humorless military

War then a humorless military War then a humorless military dictatorship run by Septimus seas and dictatorship run by Septimus seas and dictatorship run by Septimus seas and then finally the cruel debauchery of his then finally the cruel debauchery of his then finally the cruel debauchery of his heirs when elois was killed by the heirs when elois was killed by the heirs when elois was killed by the petorian guard in 222 it seemed like the petorian guard in 222 it seemed like the petorian guard in 222 it seemed like the lightning and the Thunder and the rain lightning and the Thunder and the rain lightning and the Thunder and the rain was about to start but then a Curious was about to start but then a Curious was about to start but then a Curious Thing Happened the dark clouds just sort Thing Happened the dark clouds just sort Thing Happened the dark clouds just sort of hung there in suspended animation no of hung there in suspended animation no of hung there in suspended animation no Thunder no lightning no rain not yet Thunder no lightning no rain not yet Thunder no lightning no rain not yet anyway for 13 years the Roman Empire was anyway for 13 years the Roman Empire was anyway for 13 years the Roman Empire was granted a stay of execution the granted a stay of execution the granted a stay of execution the provinces flourished the rule of law provinces flourished the rule of law provinces flourished the rule of law prevailed and the burdens of Life were prevailed and the burdens of Life were prevailed and the burdens of Life were eased but in the end it was just a stay eased but in the end it was just a stay eased but in the end it was just a stay of execution not a full pardon of execution not a full pardon of execution not a full pardon and when Alexander seis was assassinated and when Alexander seis was assassinated and when Alexander seis was assassinated in 235 the Thunder and the lightning and in 235 the Thunder and the lightning and in 235 the Thunder and the lightning and the rain finally arrived when discussing the very worst arrived when discussing the very worst Emperors in Roman history it is common Emperors in Roman history it is common Emperors in Roman history it is common to point out that the most striking to point out that the most striking to point out that the most striking similarity between Caligula and Nero and similarity between Caligula and Nero and similarity between Caligula and Nero and Commodus and kacala and elois was how Commodus and kacala and elois was how Commodus and kacala and elois was how young they all were the old man of that young they all were the old man of that young they all were the old man of that group is Caligula who was all of 25 when group is Caligula who was all of 25 when group is Caligula who was all of 25 when he came to power in fact when you go he came to power in fact when you go he came to power in fact when you go back through the roles there are back through the roles there are back through the roles there are basically no examples of a Roman leader basically no examples of a Roman leader basically no examples of a Roman leader under the age of 30 being anything but a under the age of 30 being anything but a under the age of 30 being anything but a train wreck the exception that proves train wreck the exception that proves train wreck the exception that proves the rule was of course skipio Africanus the rule was of course skipio Africanus the rule was of course skipio Africanus and he appears to have used up almost and he appears to have used up almost and he appears to have used up almost all the wisdom and talent the gods had all the wisdom and talent the gods had all the wisdom and talent the gods had ever planned on granting the under 30

ever planned on granting the under 30 ever planned on granting the under 30 set in 222 though Alexander Seas set in 222 though Alexander Seas set in 222 though Alexander Seas ascending to the throne the age of 13 ascending to the throne the age of 13 ascending to the throne the age of 13 broke this string of underage train broke this string of underage train broke this string of underage train wrecks somehow he managed to scrape wrecks somehow he managed to scrape wrecks somehow he managed to scrape together whatever leftover residue of together whatever leftover residue of together whatever leftover residue of youthful confidence CIO had not sucked youthful confidence CIO had not sucked youthful confidence CIO had not sucked up for himself and he used it to rule up for himself and he used it to rule up for himself and he used it to rule the Empire with something approaching the Empire with something approaching the Empire with something approaching wisdom for more than a wisdom for more than a wisdom for more than a decade probably the biggest determining decade probably the biggest determining decade probably the biggest determining factor in Alexander not becoming a factor in Alexander not becoming a factor in Alexander not becoming a horrible train wreck was his mother a horrible train wreck was his mother a horrible train wreck was his mother a fact that I'm sure will make every fact that I'm sure will make every fact that I'm sure will make every mother out there nod their head in mother out there nod their head in mother out there nod their head in agreement and make every teenager out agreement and make every teenager out agreement and make every teenager out there roll their eyes in annoyance but there roll their eyes in annoyance but there roll their eyes in annoyance but guys it's true guys it's true guys it's true as different as Alexander was from his as different as Alexander was from his as different as Alexander was from his cousin so too was his mother Julia Mia cousin so too was his mother Julia Mia cousin so too was his mother Julia Mia different from her different from her different from her sister Julia Mia loved her son and sister Julia Mia loved her son and sister Julia Mia loved her son and wanted him to be happy but was not so wanted him to be happy but was not so wanted him to be happy but was not so indulgent that she just let him do indulgent that she just let him do indulgent that she just let him do whatever he whatever he whatever he wanted she took very seriously the fact wanted she took very seriously the fact wanted she took very seriously the fact that as Emperor Alexander had very that as Emperor Alexander had very that as Emperor Alexander had very serious serious serious responsibilities she had seen up close responsibilities she had seen up close responsibilities she had seen up close the corrupting power of well power and the corrupting power of well power and the corrupting power of well power and so did her best to Shield her son from a so did her best to Shield her son from a so did her best to Shield her son from a its worst its worst its worst effects as we will see Julia Mia was no effects as we will see Julia Mia was no effects as we will see Julia Mia was no saint and her own faults would become a saint and her own faults would become a saint and her own faults would become a big problem for the regime but she was big problem for the regime but she was big problem for the regime but she was smart enough to know that her son would smart enough to know that her son would smart enough to know that her son would never last in power if he was allowed to never last in power if he was allowed to never last in power if he was allowed to give himself over to the pleasures of give himself over to the pleasures of give himself over to the pleasures of power while abdicating the power while abdicating the power while abdicating the responsibilities and of course standing

responsibilities and of course standing responsibilities and of course standing over Julia M's shoulder the whole time over Julia M's shoulder the whole time over Julia M's shoulder the whole time making sure that she did right by her making sure that she did right by her making sure that she did right by her son was her mother Julia Misa who would son was her mother Julia Misa who would son was her mother Julia Misa who would be damned if she was going to let some be damned if she was going to let some be damned if she was going to let some hormonal teenager blow the deal for her hormonal teenager blow the deal for her hormonal teenager blow the deal for her a second time at 13 Alexander had neither The time at 13 Alexander had neither The Experience nor the education to run the Experience nor the education to run the Experience nor the education to run the government all by government all by government all by himself even with his mother and himself even with his mother and himself even with his mother and grandmother pulling the strings there grandmother pulling the strings there grandmother pulling the strings there were simply not yet enough innate were simply not yet enough innate were simply not yet enough innate Authority emanating from the boy to hold Authority emanating from the boy to hold Authority emanating from the boy to hold the regime together so Julia Mia went the regime together so Julia Mia went the regime together so Julia Mia went out a Colin on the most influential out a Colin on the most influential out a Colin on the most influential families in Rome and quickly organized a families in Rome and quickly organized a families in Rome and quickly organized a governing Council composed of six governing Council composed of six governing Council composed of six widely respected widely respected widely respected Senators this had the effect not only of Senators this had the effect not only of Senators this had the effect not only of granting the new regime access to wisdom granting the new regime access to wisdom granting the new regime access to wisdom and experience they would not have been and experience they would not have been and experience they would not have been able to conjure on their own but more able to conjure on their own but more able to conjure on their own but more importantly it had the effect of importantly it had the effect of importantly it had the effect of co-opting the co-opting the co-opting the Senate bringing these 16 Senators into Senate bringing these 16 Senators into Senate bringing these 16 Senators into the Imperial fold meant cooling a the Imperial fold meant cooling a the Imperial fold meant cooling a potential hot bed of sedition and buying potential hot bed of sedition and buying potential hot bed of sedition and buying Alexander time to get on his feet but Alexander time to get on his feet but Alexander time to get on his feet but and this is where the Severn really and this is where the Severn really and this is where the Severn really played it smart the governing council played it smart the governing council played it smart the governing council did not become just some Blue Ribbon did not become just some Blue Ribbon did not become just some Blue Ribbon photo op they were given real actual photo op they were given real actual photo op they were given real actual Authority and every day debated and Authority and every day debated and Authority and every day debated and resolved the real issues facing the resolved the real issues facing the resolved the real issues facing the Empire Alexander sat at their head and Empire Alexander sat at their head and Empire Alexander sat at their head and as Emperor he had the final say in as Emperor he had the final say in as Emperor he had the final say in everything but the men of the council everything but the men of the council everything but the men of the council were not only listened to they were

were not only listened to they were were not only listened to they were usually deferred usually deferred usually deferred to the Senators on the council acquitted to the Senators on the council acquitted to the Senators on the council acquitted themselves admirably and Alexander was themselves admirably and Alexander was themselves admirably and Alexander was able to sort of ride his advisor good able to sort of ride his advisor good able to sort of ride his advisor good sense all the way to legitimacy sense all the way to legitimacy sense all the way to legitimacy City he was lucky to have among their City he was lucky to have among their City he was lucky to have among their number two men of note who helped steer number two men of note who helped steer number two men of note who helped steer the ship of State wisely during these the ship of State wisely during these the ship of State wisely during these early years first the great jurist neus early years first the great jurist neus early years first the great jurist neus demidas anus opis who we know today as demidas anus opis who we know today as demidas anus opis who we know today as opan and the historian casis Dio whose opan and the historian casis Dio whose opan and the historian casis Dio whose 80 volume History of Rome has provided a 80 volume History of Rome has provided a 80 volume History of Rome has provided a lot of the material that your humble lot of the material that your humble lot of the material that your humble podcast is based upon especially these podcast is based upon especially these podcast is based upon especially these last few episodes I'll deal with Cash's do a bit more in a I'll deal with Cash's do a bit more in a second but right now I want to focus on second but right now I want to focus on second but right now I want to focus on opan who was the predominant force opan who was the predominant force opan who was the predominant force during Alexander's first year in during Alexander's first year in during Alexander's first year in office he had been born around 170 and office he had been born around 170 and office he had been born around 170 and had risen quickly up the political ranks had risen quickly up the political ranks had risen quickly up the political ranks until he became a member of Septimus until he became a member of Septimus until he became a member of Septimus sas's Advisory board he remained a sas's Advisory board he remained a sas's Advisory board he remained a high-ranking imperial official after high-ranking imperial official after high-ranking imperial official after seas' death and somehow managed to seas' death and somehow managed to seas' death and somehow managed to emerge from kacal's regime with his emerge from kacal's regime with his emerge from kacal's regime with his reputation in reputation in reputation in intact in fact his reputation was so intact in fact his reputation was so intact in fact his reputation was so intact that when elois took power opan intact that when elois took power opan intact that when elois took power opan was banished from Rome for fear that he was banished from Rome for fear that he was banished from Rome for fear that he would prove to be a pain in the New would prove to be a pain in the New would prove to be a pain in the New Emperor's far less virtuous Emperor's far less virtuous Emperor's far less virtuous backside with El's death opan was backside with El's death opan was backside with El's death opan was immediately recalled by Julia Mia to immediately recalled by Julia Mia to immediately recalled by Julia Mia to serve on the council she was putting

serve on the council she was putting serve on the council she was putting together to run the government for her together to run the government for her together to run the government for her son upon his return opan was named son upon his return opan was named son upon his return opan was named petorian prefect and tasked most petorian prefect and tasked most petorian prefect and tasked most especially with untangling the knot of especially with untangling the knot of especially with untangling the knot of corruption and vice that had infected corruption and vice that had infected corruption and vice that had infected both the Army and the Imperial bureaucracy well above and beyond his bureaucracy well above and beyond his distinguished political career though distinguished political career though distinguished political career though opan is best known as a legal scholar of opan is best known as a legal scholar of opan is best known as a legal scholar of the first order throughout his life he the first order throughout his life he the first order throughout his life he wrote endless commentaries on the laws wrote endless commentaries on the laws wrote endless commentaries on the laws of the Empire and his work was so highly of the Empire and his work was so highly of the Empire and his work was so highly regarded that when Justinian was regarded that when Justinian was regarded that when Justinian was compiling his definitive body of civil compiling his definitive body of civil compiling his definitive body of civil law the writings of opan represented a law the writings of opan represented a law the writings of opan represented a full third of Justinian's digest the full third of Justinian's digest the full third of Justinian's digest the companion book to his more formal companion book to his more formal companion book to his more formal Justinian Code which compiled Justinian Code which compiled Justinian Code which compiled authoritative legal opinions and gave authoritative legal opinions and gave authoritative legal opinions and gave them the force of them the force of them the force of law but despite the esteem within which law but despite the esteem within which law but despite the esteem within which he was held by Emperors he wound up he was held by Emperors he wound up he was held by Emperors he wound up despised by the petorian guard and despised by the petorian guard and despised by the petorian guard and unfortunately was about to meet his unfortunately was about to meet his unfortunately was about to meet his mortal end the first order of business for the end the first order of business for the council was to reverse the complete council was to reverse the complete council was to reverse the complete takeover of r Rome by the sun god known takeover of r Rome by the sun god known takeover of r Rome by the sun god known as El gabal or Soul Invictus and as El gabal or Soul Invictus and as El gabal or Soul Invictus and reinstate traditional Roman reinstate traditional Roman reinstate traditional Roman religion as we will see down the road religion as we will see down the road religion as we will see down the road this did not mean banishing the sun cult this did not mean banishing the sun cult this did not mean banishing the sun cult completely it just meant that any completely it just meant that any completely it just meant that any temples expropriated by elois or return temples expropriated by elois or return temples expropriated by elois or return to their original deities indeed the to their original deities indeed the to their original deities indeed the worship of soulen victus remained worship of soulen victus remained worship of soulen victus remained popular and as previously noted during

popular and as previously noted during popular and as previously noted during the history of Rome Christmas special the history of Rome Christmas special the history of Rome Christmas special the popularity of the Feast of the the popularity of the Feast of the the popularity of the Feast of the unconquered sun perhaps played a role in unconquered sun perhaps played a role in unconquered sun perhaps played a role in the Christian decision to celebrate the the Christian decision to celebrate the the Christian decision to celebrate the birth of Christ on December the birth of Christ on December the birth of Christ on December the 25th once the council got Rome right 25th once the council got Rome right 25th once the council got Rome right with the gods they then went through the with the gods they then went through the with the gods they then went through the roles of the bureaucracy and reviewed roles of the bureaucracy and reviewed roles of the bureaucracy and reviewed every single man elos had appointed every single man elos had appointed every single man elos had appointed during his four years in power those during his four years in power those during his four years in power those found to be unqualified or corrupt which found to be unqualified or corrupt which found to be unqualified or corrupt which is to say practically all of them were is to say practically all of them were is to say practically all of them were immediately purged and replaced by men immediately purged and replaced by men immediately purged and replaced by men of far greater of far greater of far greater Merit before Alexander's first year in Merit before Alexander's first year in Merit before Alexander's first year in office was up the Romans were back to office was up the Romans were back to office was up the Romans were back to performing the religious ceremonies they performing the religious ceremonies they performing the religious ceremonies they had always performed and the government had always performed and the government had always performed and the government was back in the hands of men who knew was back in the hands of men who knew was back in the hands of men who knew what they were doing following the initial obvious doing following the initial obvious moves to strip away the layers of moves to strip away the layers of moves to strip away the layers of albus's Legacy the council then set albus's Legacy the council then set albus's Legacy the council then set about instituting more ambitious reforms about instituting more ambitious reforms about instituting more ambitious reforms because they were not just dealing with because they were not just dealing with because they were not just dealing with the tainted Legacy of elagabalus they the tainted Legacy of elagabalus they the tainted Legacy of elagabalus they were also dealing with the tainted were also dealing with the tainted were also dealing with the tainted Legacy of Legacy of Legacy of caraca carala you'll recall had had caraca carala you'll recall had had caraca carala you'll recall had had declared everyone in the Empire a declared everyone in the Empire a declared everyone in the Empire a citizen so they would all qualify for citizen so they would all qualify for citizen so they would all qualify for taxes that his mere subjects they had taxes that his mere subjects they had taxes that his mere subjects they had been Exempted been Exempted been Exempted from this had put an enormous financial from this had put an enormous financial from this had put an enormous financial burden on the provinces and was slowly burden on the provinces and was slowly burden on the provinces and was slowly eating away at their local eating away at their local eating away at their local economies the big problem was that money economies the big problem was that money economies the big problem was that money that should have stayed at home was that should have stayed at home was that should have stayed at home was being shipped to Rome local being shipped to Rome local being shipped to Rome local municipalities were having a hard time municipalities were having a hard time municipalities were having a hard time raising revenue and local Merchants were

raising revenue and local Merchants were raising revenue and local Merchants were having a hard time finding anyone who having a hard time finding anyone who having a hard time finding anyone who could afford their goods and services could afford their goods and services could afford their goods and services and it's not like the money headed to and it's not like the money headed to and it's not like the money headed to Rome was being sent back in the form of Rome was being sent back in the form of Rome was being sent back in the form of Imperial reinvestment no it was just Imperial reinvestment no it was just Imperial reinvestment no it was just Landing in the emperor's pocket and God Landing in the emperor's pocket and God Landing in the emperor's pocket and God knows what he was doing with knows what he was doing with knows what he was doing with it so soon after the governing Council it so soon after the governing Council it so soon after the governing Council was formed they initiated a mass cut of was formed they initiated a mass cut of was formed they initiated a mass cut of the insanely High tax rate that had been the insanely High tax rate that had been the insanely High tax rate that had been levied on the levied on the levied on the provinces they balanced this reduction provinces they balanced this reduction provinces they balanced this reduction in Imperial Revenue by simply cutting in Imperial Revenue by simply cutting in Imperial Revenue by simply cutting back on all that lavish God knows what back on all that lavish God knows what back on all that lavish God knows what that carala and El goas had been up to but their spending cuts while but their spending cuts while well-intentioned struck a nerve that was well-intentioned struck a nerve that was well-intentioned struck a nerve that was dangerous to strike the dangerous to strike the dangerous to strike the Army the troops had been taught to Army the troops had been taught to Army the troops had been taught to expect salaries and donativo Ander and his governing Council donativo Ander and his governing Council attempted to realign military spending attempted to realign military spending attempted to realign military spending and fiscal reality well let's just say and fiscal reality well let's just say and fiscal reality well let's just say that the average Soldier didn't care that the average Soldier didn't care that the average Soldier didn't care much about fiscal realities he just knew much about fiscal realities he just knew much about fiscal realities he just knew that some skin Flint back in Rome was that some skin Flint back in Rome was that some skin Flint back in Rome was holding out on holding out on holding out on him the Army had been corrupted him the Army had been corrupted him the Army had been corrupted completely by the unsustainable excesses completely by the unsustainable excesses completely by the unsustainable excesses of previous Emperors and now that of previous Emperors and now that of previous Emperors and now that someone who could tally up a debit someone who could tally up a debit someone who could tally up a debit column and a credit column and then column and a credit column and then column and a credit column and then compare the two was in charge the Army compare the two was in charge the Army compare the two was in charge the Army was in for a rude was in for a rude was in for a rude awakening but actually what happened was awakening but actually what happened was awakening but actually what happened was more like the governing Council was in more like the governing Council was in more like the governing Council was in for a rude awakening when they for a rude awakening when they for a rude awakening when they discovered what happened when they tried

discovered what happened when they tried discovered what happened when they tried to reduce Soldier pay the pushback claimed its first victim in the pushback claimed its first victim in 223 just a year after Alexander took 223 just a year after Alexander took 223 just a year after Alexander took office despite opi's merits or perhaps office despite opi's merits or perhaps office despite opi's merits or perhaps because of them the vorian guard quickly because of them the vorian guard quickly because of them the vorian guard quickly came to hate him for his annoying came to hate him for his annoying came to hate him for his annoying combination of frugality and discipline combination of frugality and discipline combination of frugality and discipline and after a year of watching their and after a year of watching their and after a year of watching their privileges whittel away the rank and privileges whittel away the rank and privileges whittel away the rank and file of the Guard finally file of the Guard finally file of the Guard finally snapped we don't know what the last snapped we don't know what the last snapped we don't know what the last straw was but in early 223 there is no straw was but in early 223 there is no straw was but in early 223 there is no other way to put this other way to put this other way to put this the pretorians went the pretorians went the pretorians went berserk for 3 Days Rome was engulfed by berserk for 3 Days Rome was engulfed by berserk for 3 Days Rome was engulfed by riots between the pretorians who riots between the pretorians who riots between the pretorians who clamored violently for the head of opion clamored violently for the head of opion clamored violently for the head of opion and the general population who loved him and the general population who loved him and the general population who loved him and attempted to defend him from the and attempted to defend him from the and attempted to defend him from the much better armed petorian much better armed petorian much better armed petorian cohorts finally though the civilian mobs cohorts finally though the civilian mobs cohorts finally though the civilian mobs were broken up on the third day and were broken up on the third day and were broken up on the third day and opion was left opion was left opion was left exposed he managed to make it to the exposed he managed to make it to the exposed he managed to make it to the Imperial Palace but despite the int Imperial Palace but despite the int Imperial Palace but despite the int treaties of Alexander the soldiers treaties of Alexander the soldiers treaties of Alexander the soldiers murdered opion right there at the feet murdered opion right there at the feet murdered opion right there at the feet of the young of the young of the young Emperor their blood lust saded the guard Emperor their blood lust saded the guard Emperor their blood lust saded the guard returned to their camp and calm returned returned to their camp and calm returned returned to their camp and calm returned to the to the to the city unfortunately for Alexander though city unfortunately for Alexander though city unfortunately for Alexander though and much to his embarrassment there was and much to his embarrassment there was and much to his embarrassment there was little he could do about the riots or little he could do about the riots or little he could do about the riots or the murder if he tried to come down on the murder if he tried to come down on the murder if he tried to come down on the pretorians right away they would the pretorians right away they would the pretorians right away they would just kill him as they had elois and find just kill him as they had elois and find just kill him as they had elois and find someone new To Rule The someone new To Rule The someone new To Rule The Empire though he was popular with the

Empire though he was popular with the Empire though he was popular with the guard he was not po enough and he knew guard he was not po enough and he knew guard he was not po enough and he knew it so he had to endure the humiliation it so he had to endure the humiliation it so he had to endure the humiliation of watching his own bodyguards disobey of watching his own bodyguards disobey of watching his own bodyguards disobey direct orders beat and kill innocent direct orders beat and kill innocent direct orders beat and kill innocent civilians and then murder his chief civilians and then murder his chief civilians and then murder his chief adviser right in front of adviser right in front of adviser right in front of him he identified the leaders of the him he identified the leaders of the him he identified the leaders of the Insurrection though and in time he Insurrection though and in time he Insurrection though and in time he promoted them away from Rome to promoted them away from Rome to promoted them away from Rome to positions in the provinces where they positions in the provinces where they positions in the provinces where they were duly punished for their past crimes once opan was disposed of though crimes once opan was disposed of though the guard seemed to return to their the guard seemed to return to their the guard seemed to return to their senses and Alexander's regime appeared senses and Alexander's regime appeared senses and Alexander's regime appeared safe for the time being but they were safe for the time being but they were safe for the time being but they were soon dealt another blow and in 224 Julia soon dealt another blow and in 224 Julia soon dealt another blow and in 224 Julia Misa The Guiding Light of the Severn Misa The Guiding Light of the Severn Misa The Guiding Light of the Severn comeback died leaving Alexander without comeback died leaving Alexander without comeback died leaving Alexander without his most cunning adviser and leave his his most cunning adviser and leave his his most cunning adviser and leave his mother in sole charge of Alexander's mother in sole charge of Alexander's mother in sole charge of Alexander's emerging emerging emerging character in guiding her son she took character in guiding her son she took character in guiding her son she took the most direct route she could think of the most direct route she could think of the most direct route she could think of and physically limited the young and physically limited the young and physically limited the young Emperor's access to those whom she did Emperor's access to those whom she did Emperor's access to those whom she did not approve not approve not approve of the scants who always wind up of the scants who always wind up of the scants who always wind up circling power like flies around garbage circling power like flies around garbage circling power like flies around garbage were kept out of the palace and were kept out of the palace and were kept out of the palace and Alexander was only allowed to spend time Alexander was only allowed to spend time Alexander was only allowed to spend time with teachers and senators and advisers with teachers and senators and advisers with teachers and senators and advisers who had been pre-screened by who had been pre-screened by who had been pre-screened by Julia also well aware that Idle Hands Julia also well aware that Idle Hands Julia also well aware that Idle Hands Are The Devil's play thing she refused Are The Devil's play thing she refused Are The Devil's play thing she refused to allow Alexander to Simply lay about to allow Alexander to Simply lay about to allow Alexander to Simply lay about in The Palace all day instead she forced in The Palace all day instead she forced in The Palace all day instead she forced him not necessarily against his will as

him not necessarily against his will as him not necessarily against his will as it is difficult to distinguish his will it is difficult to distinguish his will it is difficult to distinguish his will from his mothers at this point to go from his mothers at this point to go from his mothers at this point to go down to the Forum and preside over the down to the Forum and preside over the down to the Forum and preside over the daily legal daily legal daily legal trials as Emperor he was expected to be trials as Emperor he was expected to be trials as Emperor he was expected to be the Supreme Judicial Authority in the the Supreme Judicial Authority in the the Supreme Judicial Authority in the Empire and he needed to get himself Empire and he needed to get himself Empire and he needed to get himself acquainted with the rigors of doing a acquainted with the rigors of doing a acquainted with the rigors of doing a good job at it naturally he was advised good job at it naturally he was advised good job at it naturally he was advised by expert lawyers when making his by expert lawyers when making his by expert lawyers when making his decisions at first but in time he decisions at first but in time he decisions at first but in time he learned how to be an impartial judge and learned how to be an impartial judge and learned how to be an impartial judge and throughout his Reign he always paid throughout his Reign he always paid throughout his Reign he always paid careful attention to his duties as the careful attention to his duties as the careful attention to his duties as the final arbitrator of Justice 224 ad is also notable for Justice 224 ad is also notable for another significant development in the another significant development in the another significant development in the history of Rome and for that matter the history of Rome and for that matter the history of Rome and for that matter the history of the world the collapse of the history of the world the collapse of the history of the world the collapse of the parthan Empire and the rise of the parthan Empire and the rise of the parthan Empire and the rise of the cids for 400 years the parthian Empire cids for 400 years the parthian Empire cids for 400 years the parthian Empire had successfully ruled the remains of had successfully ruled the remains of had successfully ruled the remains of the old Persian Empire and when it was the old Persian Empire and when it was the old Persian Empire and when it was United it was more than a m for their United it was more than a m for their United it was more than a m for their neighbor to the neighbor to the neighbor to the west but their devolved governmental west but their devolved governmental west but their devolved governmental structure and highly contested dynastic structure and highly contested dynastic structure and highly contested dynastic struggles meant that more often than not struggles meant that more often than not struggles meant that more often than not the parthan empire was not the parthan empire was not the parthan empire was not United in the early 200s ad a royal United in the early 200s ad a royal United in the early 200s ad a royal family down in the southwest of the family down in the southwest of the family down in the southwest of the Empire that is they were among the Kings Empire that is they were among the Kings Empire that is they were among the Kings who the parthan king of kings ruled who the parthan king of kings ruled who the parthan king of kings ruled began to get ambitious about their began to get ambitious about their began to get ambitious about their fortunes they mused out other fortunes they mused out other fortunes they mused out other aristocratic families and pretty soon aristocratic families and pretty soon aristocratic families and pretty soon were the dominant power in the

were the dominant power in the were the dominant power in the region with the parthan royal family region with the parthan royal family region with the parthan royal family engaged in yet another dynastic struggle engaged in yet another dynastic struggle engaged in yet another dynastic struggle back in the eastern half of the Empire back in the eastern half of the Empire back in the eastern half of the Empire the eldest son of this family a man the eldest son of this family a man the eldest son of this family a man named sharur established an almost named sharur established an almost named sharur established an almost completely autonomous Kingdom near the completely autonomous Kingdom near the completely autonomous Kingdom near the Red Red Red Sea after a dynastic struggle of their Sea after a dynastic struggle of their Sea after a dynastic struggle of their own brought his brother artier to power own brought his brother artier to power own brought his brother artier to power the new king forced neighboring the new king forced neighboring the new king forced neighboring provinces to swear falty to him and his provinces to swear falty to him and his provinces to swear falty to him and his family now that he was operating across family now that he was operating across family now that he was operating across borders the parthan king finally took borders the parthan king finally took borders the parthan king finally took notice of what was going on and sent one notice of what was going on and sent one notice of what was going on and sent one of the neighboring Governors to crush of the neighboring Governors to crush of the neighboring Governors to crush artier but arir won the battle handily artier but arir won the battle handily artier but arir won the battle handily so the parthian king decided he needed so the parthian king decided he needed so the parthian king decided he needed to go put this upstart in his place and to go put this upstart in his place and to go put this upstart in his place and personally LED an army to do just that personally LED an army to do just that personally LED an army to do just that but in the ensuing battle artier not but in the ensuing battle artier not but in the ensuing battle artier not only crushed the parthan Army but killed only crushed the parthan Army but killed only crushed the parthan Army but killed the king in the the king in the the king in the process in 224 artier entered Tesson and process in 224 artier entered Tesson and process in 224 artier entered Tesson and had himself crowned King of Kings with Archer's Victory the parthan Kings with Archer's Victory the parthan Empire as it had been known Came Empire as it had been known Came Empire as it had been known Came Crashing Down replaced by what we call Crashing Down replaced by what we call Crashing Down replaced by what we call today the sanid Empire the name sanid today the sanid Empire the name sanid today the sanid Empire the name sanid likely derives from the name of arar's likely derives from the name of arar's likely derives from the name of arar's Grandfather who was the one who Grandfather who was the one who Grandfather who was the one who initiated the Ambitions of the initiated the Ambitions of the initiated the Ambitions of the family for the next 400 years the cids family for the next 400 years the cids family for the next 400 years the cids would rule an Empire that at its height would rule an Empire that at its height would rule an Empire that at its height would extend from Egypt to India and would extend from Egypt to India and would extend from Egypt to India and from Saudi Arabia to

from Saudi Arabia to from Saudi Arabia to Russia we will have much more to say Russia we will have much more to say Russia we will have much more to say about the sanin as we move forward so about the sanin as we move forward so about the sanin as we move forward so for now I'll stick with the particular for now I'll stick with the particular for now I'll stick with the particular machinations of its first king artier not unlike vosis who kicked off a artier not unlike vosis who kicked off a war with Rome in the 160s ad because he war with Rome in the 160s ad because he war with Rome in the 160s ad because he took his string of domestic victories as took his string of domestic victories as took his string of domestic victories as proof that he was proof that he was proof that he was indestructible artier was similarly indestructible artier was similarly indestructible artier was similarly convinced of his own irresistibility convinced of his own irresistibility convinced of his own irresistibility following his crowning as the new king following his crowning as the new king following his crowning as the new king of kings he marched around the old of kings he marched around the old of kings he marched around the old dominions of the parthians and dominions of the parthians and dominions of the parthians and established his own far more centralized established his own far more centralized established his own far more centralized Authority by 230 he felt secure enough Authority by 230 he felt secure enough Authority by 230 he felt secure enough at home to begin looking beyond the at home to begin looking beyond the at home to begin looking beyond the froner no one would ever accuse artier froner no one would ever accuse artier froner no one would ever accuse artier of thinking small and when he surveyed of thinking small and when he surveyed of thinking small and when he surveyed his new country he believed that what his new country he believed that what his new country he believed that what was really his Birthright was all the was really his Birthright was all the was really his Birthright was all the territory that had once encompassed old territory that had once encompassed old territory that had once encompassed old Persia this meant Syria and Egypt and Persia this meant Syria and Egypt and Persia this meant Syria and Egypt and really everything possessed by Rome as really everything possessed by Rome as really everything possessed by Rome as far west as the far west as the far west as the helison so yeah he believed helison so yeah he believed helison so yeah he believed big but I'll come back to artier and his big but I'll come back to artier and his big but I'll come back to artier and his coming invasion of Rome next week and coming invasion of Rome next week and coming invasion of Rome next week and for now we'll get back to Alexander as for now we'll get back to Alexander as for now we'll get back to Alexander as he tried to hold his own empire together in 225 probably figuring that together in 225 probably figuring that it was never too soon to begin producing it was never too soon to begin producing it was never too soon to begin producing legitimate heirs Julia Mia arranged for legitimate heirs Julia Mia arranged for legitimate heirs Julia Mia arranged for her now 16-year-old son to marry the

her now 16-year-old son to marry the her now 16-year-old son to marry the daughter of a prominent daughter of a prominent daughter of a prominent Senator but soon after the wedding Julia Senator but soon after the wedding Julia Senator but soon after the wedding Julia discovered something horrible Alexander discovered something horrible Alexander discovered something horrible Alexander actually liked his wife and wanted to actually liked his wife and wanted to actually liked his wife and wanted to spend time with her this of course cut spend time with her this of course cut spend time with her this of course cut into Julia's own time with the emperor into Julia's own time with the emperor into Julia's own time with the emperor and was no doubt all kinds of and was no doubt all kinds of and was no doubt all kinds of threatening to her position as the threatening to her position as the threatening to her position as the preeminent woman in Alexander's preeminent woman in Alexander's preeminent woman in Alexander's life so in 226 or 227 Julia made a move life so in 226 or 227 Julia made a move life so in 226 or 227 Julia made a move to restore balance to the to restore balance to the to restore balance to the universe first Alexander's father-in-law universe first Alexander's father-in-law universe first Alexander's father-in-law was accused of trying to turn the was accused of trying to turn the was accused of trying to turn the pretorians against the young Emperor and pretorians against the young Emperor and pretorians against the young Emperor and for this crime he was executed whether for this crime he was executed whether for this crime he was executed whether or not he actually did what they say he or not he actually did what they say he or not he actually did what they say he did is still an open question and then did is still an open question and then did is still an open question and then second in the aftermath of the Scandal second in the aftermath of the Scandal second in the aftermath of the Scandal Alexander's wife was exiled to Alexander's wife was exiled to Alexander's wife was exiled to Libya the emperor was heartbroken but he Libya the emperor was heartbroken but he Libya the emperor was heartbroken but he refused to go against his mother's refused to go against his mother's refused to go against his mother's wishes wishes wishes this inability to stand up to his mother this inability to stand up to his mother this inability to stand up to his mother was the downside of Alexander's was the downside of Alexander's was the downside of Alexander's naturally mild naturally mild naturally mild temperament this temperament was mostly temperament this temperament was mostly temperament this temperament was mostly great for the Empire he never great for the Empire he never great for the Empire he never slaughtered people at the drop of a hat slaughtered people at the drop of a hat slaughtered people at the drop of a hat or plundered Estates whenever the fancy or plundered Estates whenever the fancy or plundered Estates whenever the fancy struck or started Wars for no reason but struck or started Wars for no reason but struck or started Wars for no reason but he also could never bring himself to he also could never bring himself to he also could never bring himself to challenge his mother even when she began challenge his mother even when she began challenge his mother even when she began to become a liability for these reasons the reign of liability for these reasons the reign of Alexander as good as it was in Alexander as good as it was in Alexander as good as it was in comparison to his predecessors was not comparison to his predecessors was not comparison to his predecessors was not all

all all roses though the dark storm cloud still roses though the dark storm cloud still roses though the dark storm cloud still seemed to be biting their time they were seemed to be biting their time they were seemed to be biting their time they were also constantly swirling and shifting also constantly swirling and shifting also constantly swirling and shifting and generally making everyone and generally making everyone and generally making everyone nervous Alexander's move to try to nervous Alexander's move to try to nervous Alexander's move to try to correct the exorbitant pay of the correct the exorbitant pay of the correct the exorbitant pay of the soldiers was a source of constant soldiers was a source of constant soldiers was a source of constant concern as uprisings and mutinies broke concern as uprisings and mutinies broke concern as uprisings and mutinies broke out to the tune of at least a couple of out to the tune of at least a couple of out to the tune of at least a couple of rebellions a rebellions a rebellions a year these in were kept local and year these in were kept local and year these in were kept local and isolated and put down one by one as soon isolated and put down one by one as soon isolated and put down one by one as soon as they cropped up but there was as they cropped up but there was as they cropped up but there was definitely something to worry about in definitely something to worry about in definitely something to worry about in the pattern of often violent the pattern of often violent the pattern of often violent disobedience in disobedience in disobedience in legiance making matters worse was the legiance making matters worse was the legiance making matters worse was the fact that the pretorians were not exempt fact that the pretorians were not exempt fact that the pretorians were not exempt from Mutiny as they had already so amply from Mutiny as they had already so amply from Mutiny as they had already so amply demonstrated when they rioted against demonstrated when they rioted against demonstrated when they rioted against opan so the Imperial family had to opan so the Imperial family had to opan so the Imperial family had to remain on guard not just against remain on guard not just against remain on guard not just against Insurrection in the provinces but also Insurrection in the provinces but also Insurrection in the provinces but also insurrection ction in their own insurrection ction in their own insurrection ction in their own backyard this fear took down the second backyard this fear took down the second backyard this fear took down the second great member of Alexander's governing great member of Alexander's governing great member of Alexander's governing Council in 229 when Cash's Dio was Council in 229 when Cash's Dio was Council in 229 when Cash's Dio was exiled from Rome following threats by exiled from Rome following threats by exiled from Rome following threats by the pretorians that they had grown tired the pretorians that they had grown tired the pretorians that they had grown tired of the sarcastic of the sarcastic of the sarcastic historian Dio had been born in 155 in historian Dio had been born in 155 in historian Dio had been born in 155 in bethenia into a wealthy family and after bethenia into a wealthy family and after bethenia into a wealthy family and after enrolling as a senator during the reign enrolling as a senator during the reign enrolling as a senator during the reign of communist he served in a variety of of communist he served in a variety of of communist he served in a variety of administrative posts during the reign of administrative posts during the reign of administrative posts during the reign of septimia SE Paris he became so trusted septimia SE Paris he became so trusted septimia SE Paris he became so trusted by the emperor that his political career by the emperor that his political career by the emperor that his political career was CA by stin as the governor of both

was CA by stin as the governor of both was CA by stin as the governor of both Africa and panonia two of the most Africa and panonia two of the most Africa and panonia two of the most important provinces in the important provinces in the important provinces in the Empire after sas's death Doo seems Empire after sas's death Doo seems Empire after sas's death Doo seems mostly to have retired from public life mostly to have retired from public life mostly to have retired from public life and spent the bulk of his time and spent the bulk of his time and spent the bulk of his time completing an 80 volume History of completing an 80 volume History of completing an 80 volume History of Rome written in Greek the history begins Rome written in Greek the history begins Rome written in Greek the history begins with the arrival of anas in Italy and with the arrival of anas in Italy and with the arrival of anas in Italy and went right up to the present day that is went right up to the present day that is went right up to the present day that is the reign of alexand the reign of alexand the reign of alexand the only fragments remain of the the only fragments remain of the the only fragments remain of the Monumental work today the history by Monumental work today the history by Monumental work today the history by cashes Dio is one of the most important cashes Dio is one of the most important cashes Dio is one of the most important resources we have in piecing together resources we have in piecing together resources we have in piecing together the story of the Roman the story of the Roman the story of the Roman Empire when Alexander and with him some Empire when Alexander and with him some Empire when Alexander and with him some semblance of Sanity came to power Dio semblance of Sanity came to power Dio semblance of Sanity came to power Dio returned to public life to serve on returned to public life to serve on returned to public life to serve on Alexander's Council and it is said that Alexander's Council and it is said that Alexander's Council and it is said that he was held in particular esteem by the he was held in particular esteem by the he was held in particular esteem by the young young young emperor that esteem is what made it so emperor that esteem is what made it so emperor that esteem is what made it so difficult for Alexander to react to the difficult for Alexander to react to the difficult for Alexander to react to the latest threats emanating from the latest threats emanating from the latest threats emanating from the petorian petorian petorian camp the guard did not like Dio and they camp the guard did not like Dio and they camp the guard did not like Dio and they wanted him gone but at first Alexander wanted him gone but at first Alexander wanted him gone but at first Alexander tried to Buck them and back his favorite tried to Buck them and back his favorite tried to Buck them and back his favorite historian to demonstrate his loyalty he historian to demonstrate his loyalty he historian to demonstrate his loyalty he and Dio shared a consulship in and Dio shared a consulship in and Dio shared a consulship in 229 but that only inflamed the guard 229 but that only inflamed the guard 229 but that only inflamed the guard even even even further facing a bloody coup or further facing a bloody coup or further facing a bloody coup or abandoning his friend Alexander was abandoning his friend Alexander was abandoning his friend Alexander was forced to choose the latter forced to choose the latter forced to choose the latter following their shared consulship cashes following their shared consulship cashes following their shared consulship cashes diao was sent back home to binia where diao was sent back home to binia where diao was sent back home to binia where he died soon

after but Alexander would not have long after but Alexander would not have long to mourn for his dead to mourn for his dead to mourn for his dead advisor in 230 ad word came of a advisor in 230 ad word came of a advisor in 230 ad word came of a shocking development in the East the new shocking development in the East the new shocking development in the East the new king of Parthia wait is it even still king of Parthia wait is it even still king of Parthia wait is it even still partha anymore had suddenly decided that partha anymore had suddenly decided that partha anymore had suddenly decided that he was going to invade Roman he was going to invade Roman he was going to invade Roman territory he had gathered a massive arm territory he had gathered a massive arm territory he had gathered a massive arm on the banks of the Tigers and was on the banks of the Tigers and was on the banks of the Tigers and was making periodic raids into the Empire making periodic raids into the Empire making periodic raids into the Empire and this wasn't smalltime banditry and this wasn't smalltime banditry and this wasn't smalltime banditry either by the looks of things the new either by the looks of things the new either by the looks of things the new monarch of the East was planning monarch of the East was planning monarch of the East was planning something something something huge next week Alexander will get his huge next week Alexander will get his huge next week Alexander will get his first taste of war after the young first taste of war after the young first taste of war after the young Emperor fails to settle things Emperor fails to settle things Emperor fails to settle things peacefully he will need to muster an peacefully he will need to muster an peacefully he will need to muster an army to take on the most serious foreign army to take on the most serious foreign army to take on the most serious foreign threat to the Empire since the days of threat to the Empire since the days of threat to the Empire since the days of the marom manic coalition but before we go this week I want to let but before we go this week I want to let you all in on something that the history you all in on something that the history you all in on something that the history of Rome has been working on for the last of Rome has been working on for the last of Rome has been working on for the last few months that is so close to being few months that is so close to being few months that is so close to being finalized that I'm going to go ahead and finalized that I'm going to go ahead and finalized that I'm going to go ahead and reveal its existence now a little bit in reveal its existence now a little bit in reveal its existence now a little bit in advance of a formal announcement that advance of a formal announcement that advance of a formal announcement that I'll be making very soon no it's not a I'll be making very soon no it's not a I'll be making very soon no it's not a book not yet but how about this an book not yet but how about this an book not yet but how about this an official History of Rome Roman history official History of Rome Roman history official History of Rome Roman history tour all I'm going to say about it right tour all I'm going to say about it right tour all I'm going to say about it right now is that if you've ever thought about now is that if you've ever thought about now is that if you've ever thought about wanting to plan a Roman history theme wanting to plan a Roman history theme wanting to plan a Roman history theme vacation and we're thinking maybe May vacation and we're thinking maybe May vacation and we're thinking maybe May 2011 sounded like a good time to go well 2011 sounded like a good time to go well 2011 sounded like a good time to go well then you should hold off for a minute on then you should hold off for a minute on then you should hold off for a minute on booking tickets until you have a chance

booking tickets until you have a chance booking tickets until you have a chance to check out the details of the official to check out the details of the official to check out the details of the official History of Rome Roman history History of Rome Roman history History of Rome Roman history tour those details will be coming tour those details will be coming tour those details will be coming shortly and I can't tell you how excited shortly and I can't tell you how excited shortly and I can't tell you how excited I am about it because with a little luck I am about it because with a little luck I am about it because with a little luck I'll see you in Rome I'll see you in Rome I'll see you in Rome [Music]