Roman History 16 - Domitian To Trajan 80 - 117 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 75 the Forgotten Rome episode 75 the Forgotten Rome episode 75 the Forgotten son first of all sorry for last week's son first of all sorry for last week's son first of all sorry for last week's um Cliffhanger ending somehow the Final um Cliffhanger ending somehow the Final um Cliffhanger ending somehow the Final Cut got truncated when I wasn't looking Cut got truncated when I wasn't looking Cut got truncated when I wasn't looking luckily or maddeningly or something it luckily or maddeningly or something it luckily or maddeningly or something it only dropped the last eight words so for only dropped the last eight words so for only dropped the last eight words so for those of you who haven't gone back and those of you who haven't gone back and those of you who haven't gone back and downloaded the corrected version which downloaded the corrected version which downloaded the corrected version which is posted by the way I'll just go ahead is posted by the way I'll just go ahead is posted by the way I'll just go ahead and spoil the ending senatorial and spoil the ending senatorial and spoil the ending senatorial historians were doing their best to historians were doing their best to historians were doing their best to confine demission to the dust bin of confine demission to the dust bin of confine demission to the dust bin of History then the music plays that was History then the music plays that was History then the music plays that was all that was left um sorry about all that was left um sorry about all that was left um sorry about that but as much as the Senate tried to that but as much as the Senate tried to that but as much as the Senate tried to literally Purge demission from the literally Purge demission from the literally Purge demission from the collective Consciousness passing an collective Consciousness passing an collective Consciousness passing an edict damning his memory just days after edict damning his memory just days after edict damning his memory just days after the emperor was assassinated and then the emperor was assassinated and then the emperor was assassinated and then proceeding to expunge his name from proceeding to expunge his name from proceeding to expunge his name from public records and monuments demission public records and monuments demission public records and monuments demission reigned for too long and had too much of reigned for too long and had too much of reigned for too long and had too much of an impact to simply be ignored so an impact to simply be ignored so an impact to simply be ignored so failing to erase his memory completely failing to erase his memory completely failing to erase his memory completely sympathetic historians of senatorial sympathetic historians of senatorial sympathetic historians of senatorial rank ran a fairly uniform smear campaign rank ran a fairly uniform smear campaign rank ran a fairly uniform smear campaign against him that was picked up and against him that was picked up and against him that was picked up and promulgated by later Church Scholars who promulgated by later Church Scholars who promulgated by later Church Scholars who further identified the evil demission as further identified the evil demission as further identified the evil demission as an early prosecutor of an early prosecutor of an early prosecutor of Christians so for the better part of Christians so for the better part of Christians so for the better part of 1800 years the perception that demission 1800 years the perception that demission 1800 years the perception that demission was one of the worst EMP Emperors in was one of the worst EMP Emperors in was one of the worst EMP Emperors in Roman history Roman history Roman history persisted but in the 20th century his persisted but in the 20th century his persisted but in the 20th century his memory has been rehabilitated some most memory has been rehabilitated some most memory has been rehabilitated some most notably by Brian Jones's the emperor do notably by Brian Jones's the emperor do notably by Brian Jones's the emperor do Mission and he is now understood to be

Mission and he is now understood to be Mission and he is now understood to be an undeniably autocratic ruler but one an undeniably autocratic ruler but one an undeniably autocratic ruler but one who was far more effective and rational who was far more effective and rational who was far more effective and rational than early sources give him credit for Titus flavius demissis was born on for Titus flavius demissis was born on October 2451 ad the youngest son of the October 2451 ad the youngest son of the October 2451 ad the youngest son of the year's newly elected Cil year's newly elected Cil year's newly elected Cil Vespasian for the first few years the Vespasian for the first few years the Vespasian for the first few years the flavian nuclear family was strong and flavian nuclear family was strong and flavian nuclear family was strong and stable Vespasian withdrew from public stable Vespasian withdrew from public stable Vespasian withdrew from public life following the rise of agripina and life following the rise of agripina and life following the rise of agripina and was around to supervise the upbringing was around to supervise the upbringing was around to supervise the upbringing of his three children Titus who was 12 of his three children Titus who was 12 of his three children Titus who was 12 years demission senior Daughter years demission senior Daughter years demission senior Daughter domitilla 6 years older and demission domitilla 6 years older and demission domitilla 6 years older and demission himself but as was sometimes typical in himself but as was sometimes typical in himself but as was sometimes typical in Roman families while vespaon took a keen Roman families while vespaon took a keen Roman families while vespaon took a keen interest in his eldest son's education interest in his eldest son's education interest in his eldest son's education and a keen interest in finding his and a keen interest in finding his and a keen interest in finding his daughter husband he did not take much daughter husband he did not take much daughter husband he did not take much interest at all in his youngest son not interest at all in his youngest son not interest at all in his youngest son not that demission did not receive a First that demission did not receive a First that demission did not receive a First Rate education just that by the time he Rate education just that by the time he Rate education just that by the time he was born Titus was almost an adult and was born Titus was almost an adult and was born Titus was almost an adult and Vespasian naturally looked at the older Vespasian naturally looked at the older Vespasian naturally looked at the older boy as the bearer of his legacy boy as the bearer of his legacy boy as the bearer of his legacy demission unfortunately became little demission unfortunately became little demission unfortunately became little more than an afterthought in his more than an afterthought in his more than an afterthought in his father's father's father's eyes Titus was shipped off to Germania eyes Titus was shipped off to Germania eyes Titus was shipped off to Germania to begin his public career when to begin his public career when to begin his public career when demission was seven and a few years demission was seven and a few years demission was seven and a few years later V paan accepted a governorship in later V paan accepted a governorship in later V paan accepted a governorship in North Africa leaving the 12-year-old North Africa leaving the 12-year-old North Africa leaving the 12-year-old demission at home with his mother and demission at home with his mother and demission at home with his mother and sister and he naturally grew much closer sister and he naturally grew much closer sister and he naturally grew much closer to them than the two men to whom he is to them than the two men to whom he is to them than the two men to whom he is historically connected but by the time

historically connected but by the time historically connected but by the time his father and brother left for Judea his father and brother left for Judea his father and brother left for Judea in' 66 ad both women were dead the in' 66 ad both women were dead the in' 66 ad both women were dead the causes of death are unknown but they causes of death are unknown but they causes of death are unknown but they left the 15-year-old demission virtually left the 15-year-old demission virtually left the 15-year-old demission virtually alone in the world and during this alone in the world and during this alone in the world and during this period he developed a penchant for period he developed a penchant for period he developed a penchant for Solitude a very un roman-like trait that Solitude a very un roman-like trait that Solitude a very un roman-like trait that would be ably pointed out by his enemies would be ably pointed out by his enemies would be ably pointed out by his enemies as they ticked off all the things that as they ticked off all the things that as they ticked off all the things that made the monster demission such an made the monster demission such an made the monster demission such an Abomination where's demission someone Abomination where's demission someone Abomination where's demission someone would ask alone in the palace would come would ask alone in the palace would come would ask alone in the palace would come the witty reply with not even a fly of the witty reply with not even a fly of the witty reply with not even a fly of course this joke worked doubly well course this joke worked doubly well course this joke worked doubly well because it was rumored that demission because it was rumored that demission because it was rumored that demission likeed to sit around and stab flies with likeed to sit around and stab flies with likeed to sit around and stab flies with a pen knife but that is neither here nor a pen knife but that is neither here nor a pen knife but that is neither here nor there the virtually orphan demission was there the virtually orphan demission was there the virtually orphan demission was handed off to vespasian's brother flavus handed off to vespasian's brother flavus handed off to vespasian's brother flavus sabinus and he was still living in his sabinus and he was still living in his sabinus and he was still living in his uncle's home when the events of 68 and uncle's home when the events of 68 and uncle's home when the events of 68 and 69 ad swept across the 69 ad swept across the 69 ad swept across the Empire when it comes to contrasting the Empire when it comes to contrasting the Empire when it comes to contrasting the roots of the generous and positive roots of the generous and positive roots of the generous and positive Reigns of Vespasian and Titus with the Reigns of Vespasian and Titus with the Reigns of Vespasian and Titus with the jealous and negative reign of demission jealous and negative reign of demission jealous and negative reign of demission one can look obviously to the one can look obviously to the one can look obviously to the circumstances of his upbringing and the circumstances of his upbringing and the circumstances of his upbringing and the humiliating slights he would receive humiliating slights he would receive humiliating slights he would receive under the reign of his father and one under the reign of his father and one under the reign of his father and one would be right to do so but there is would be right to do so but there is would be right to do so but there is another little thing that no doubt another little thing that no doubt another little thing that no doubt colored the mission's whole worldview he colored the mission's whole worldview he colored the mission's whole worldview he was actually physically present in Rome was actually physically present in Rome was actually physically present in Rome during the last mad days of Nero then during the last mad days of Nero then during the last mad days of Nero then the massacres that greeted the arrival the massacres that greeted the arrival the massacres that greeted the arrival of galba then the violent coup of galba then the violent coup of galba then the violent coup orchestrated by oo then the occupation orchestrated by oo then the occupation orchestrated by oo then the occupation of the City by vitellius as Ryan Legions

of the City by vitellius as Ryan Legions of the City by vitellius as Ryan Legions and then finally the sacking of Rome by and then finally the sacking of Rome by and then finally the sacking of Rome by Antonius his army not only did he endure Antonius his army not only did he endure Antonius his army not only did he endure the paranoia of being related to a the paranoia of being related to a the paranoia of being related to a prominent politician at a time when prominent politician at a time when prominent politician at a time when standing out was likely to get you standing out was likely to get you standing out was likely to get you purged by the capricious Nero or the purged by the capricious Nero or the purged by the capricious Nero or the scheming pedagogues but he also saw up scheming pedagogues but he also saw up scheming pedagogues but he also saw up close and personal just how readily the close and personal just how readily the close and personal just how readily the Senate swung with the political Breeze Senate swung with the political Breeze Senate swung with the political Breeze and how much that political Breeze was and how much that political Breeze was and how much that political Breeze was blown by blown by blown by violence every time some usurper got the violence every time some usurper got the violence every time some usurper got the upper hand the Senate was right there to upper hand the Senate was right there to upper hand the Senate was right there to retroactively justify their most heinous retroactively justify their most heinous retroactively justify their most heinous crimes one minute they were praising you crimes one minute they were praising you crimes one minute they were praising you to the Stars the next they were hailing to the Stars the next they were hailing to the Stars the next they were hailing your assassins as state your assassins as state your assassins as state Heroes the Senate as a body had many Heroes the Senate as a body had many Heroes the Senate as a body had many characteristics but loyalty to the characteristics but loyalty to the characteristics but loyalty to the sitting emperor was clearly not one of sitting emperor was clearly not one of sitting emperor was clearly not one of them and it was a lesson the mission them and it was a lesson the mission them and it was a lesson the mission would not soon would not soon would not soon forget he spent his latter teenage years forget he spent his latter teenage years forget he spent his latter teenage years surrounded by backstabbers plotters and surrounded by backstabbers plotters and surrounded by backstabbers plotters and the Senators who enabled them it should the Senators who enabled them it should the Senators who enabled them it should come as no surprise then that in come as no surprise then that in come as no surprise then that in contrast to his laidback father and contrast to his laidback father and contrast to his laidback father and brother Emperor demission would rule brother Emperor demission would rule brother Emperor demission would rule with a strong and Vigilant hand and do with a strong and Vigilant hand and do with a strong and Vigilant hand and do everything he could to enfeeble the everything he could to enfeeble the everything he could to enfeeble the Senate who he knew full well would turn Senate who he knew full well would turn Senate who he knew full well would turn on him the minute he looked on him the minute he looked on him the minute he looked away ironically of course this this away ironically of course this this away ironically of course this this paranoid disposition would become a paranoid disposition would become a paranoid disposition would become a self-fulfilling prophecy and the flavian self-fulfilling prophecy and the flavian self-fulfilling prophecy and the flavian most worried about assassination would most worried about assassination would most worried about assassination would be the only one to die a violent death be the only one to die a violent death be the only one to die a violent death life's funny that life's funny that life's funny that way as the son of a prominent neonian

way as the son of a prominent neonian way as the son of a prominent neonian General demission had lived into 69 ad General demission had lived into 69 ad General demission had lived into 69 ad as a sort of unofficial political as a sort of unofficial political as a sort of unofficial political hostage but when Vespasian launched his hostage but when Vespasian launched his hostage but when Vespasian launched his own bid for the throne the Target on De own bid for the throne the Target on De own bid for the throne the Target on De mission's back threatened to overwhelm mission's back threatened to overwhelm mission's back threatened to overwhelm the young the young the young man by the time V I arrived in the city man by the time V I arrived in the city man by the time V I arrived in the city vespasian's Eastern Revolt was well vespasian's Eastern Revolt was well vespasian's Eastern Revolt was well underway and the valians were quick to underway and the valians were quick to underway and the valians were quick to locate their rival's youngest son and locate their rival's youngest son and locate their rival's youngest son and place him under house place him under house place him under house arrest vellus hoped that by keeping arrest vellus hoped that by keeping arrest vellus hoped that by keeping demission hostage vaspian would think demission hostage vaspian would think demission hostage vaspian would think twice about his plans but of course twice about his plans but of course twice about his plans but of course Antonius is aggressive invasion of Italy Antonius is aggressive invasion of Italy Antonius is aggressive invasion of Italy took the decision out of vespasian's took the decision out of vespasian's took the decision out of vespasian's hands completely though whether he would hands completely though whether he would hands completely though whether he would have let bellus' threats to harm have let bellus' threats to harm have let bellus' threats to harm demission deter him is still an open demission deter him is still an open demission deter him is still an open question when vitellius attempted to question when vitellius attempted to question when vitellius attempted to abdicate the throne demission was freed abdicate the throne demission was freed abdicate the throne demission was freed from his confinement and accompanied his from his confinement and accompanied his from his confinement and accompanied his uncle sabinus as the latter marched to uncle sabinus as the latter marched to uncle sabinus as the latter marched to The Forum to deliver a message on The Forum to deliver a message on The Forum to deliver a message on vespasian's vespasian's vespasian's behalf this meant that demission was behalf this meant that demission was behalf this meant that demission was with his uncle when the flavian with his uncle when the flavian with his uncle when the flavian Entourage ran into the still defiant Entourage ran into the still defiant Entourage ran into the still defiant valians and fought in the ensuing street valians and fought in the ensuing street valians and fought in the ensuing street fight that drove the flavians up onto fight that drove the flavians up onto fight that drove the flavians up onto the capital line the capital line the capital line hill when it was clear that the hill when it was clear that the hill when it was clear that the impromptu Siege was not going to end impromptu Siege was not going to end impromptu Siege was not going to end well demission was snuck off the hill well demission was snuck off the hill well demission was snuck off the hill dressed as an adherent of the cult of dressed as an adherent of the cult of dressed as an adherent of the cult of Isis he slipped into a passing religious Isis he slipped into a passing religious Isis he slipped into a passing religious procession and escaped the fate of his procession and escaped the fate of his procession and escaped the fate of his less fortunate less fortunate less fortunate Uncle when Antonius Army smashed their Uncle when Antonius Army smashed their Uncle when Antonius Army smashed their way into Rome a few days later demission way into Rome a few days later demission way into Rome a few days later demission was liberated from his hiding place and

was liberated from his hiding place and was liberated from his hiding place and hailed as Caesar by the triumphant hailed as Caesar by the triumphant hailed as Caesar by the triumphant flavian troops who carried the flavian troops who carried the flavian troops who carried the 18-year-old on a shield to his father's 18-year-old on a shield to his father's 18-year-old on a shield to his father's house suddenly the boy who had always house suddenly the boy who had always house suddenly the boy who had always been relegated to the background found been relegated to the background found been relegated to the background found himself standing right smack dab in the himself standing right smack dab in the himself standing right smack dab in the middle of everything middle of everything middle of everything but his time in the Limelight was but his time in the Limelight was but his time in the Limelight was shortlived when muus arrived in the city shortlived when muus arrived in the city shortlived when muus arrived in the city he quickly co-opted to Mission and he quickly co-opted to Mission and he quickly co-opted to Mission and relegated the boy to a closely guarded relegated the boy to a closely guarded relegated the boy to a closely guarded ceremonial ceremonial ceremonial position as the son of vpan he had position as the son of vpan he had position as the son of vpan he had enormous value and was assigned the task enormous value and was assigned the task enormous value and was assigned the task of representing his father's interests of representing his father's interests of representing his father's interests in the Senate but he was kept away from in the Senate but he was kept away from in the Senate but he was kept away from real power and any flavian supporter who real power and any flavian supporter who real power and any flavian supporter who seemed inclined to back to Mission over seemed inclined to back to Mission over seemed inclined to back to Mission over muis was rapidly promoted away to muis was rapidly promoted away to muis was rapidly promoted away to positions in the provinces positions in the provinces positions in the provinces while he waited for his father to arrive while he waited for his father to arrive while he waited for his father to arrive demission dutifully attended sessions of demission dutifully attended sessions of demission dutifully attended sessions of the Senate and spoke on his father's the Senate and spoke on his father's the Senate and spoke on his father's behalf and it was very likely that behalf and it was very likely that behalf and it was very likely that during these formative months that the during these formative months that the during these formative months that the future Emperor de mission's disdained future Emperor de mission's disdained future Emperor de mission's disdained for the body cemented for the body cemented for the body cemented itself there was no escaping the fact itself there was no escaping the fact itself there was no escaping the fact that the senate had no real Authority that the senate had no real Authority that the senate had no real Authority and seemed driven by nothing so much as and seemed driven by nothing so much as and seemed driven by nothing so much as the vanity of old the vanity of old the vanity of old men demission endured their endless men demission endured their endless men demission endured their endless speeches all the while longing to get speeches all the while longing to get speeches all the while longing to get out of this sideshow and on to the main stage like most young men of his age and stage like most young men of his age and ambition demission craved the ambition demission craved the ambition demission craved the opportunity to prove himself in the opportunity to prove himself in the opportunity to prove himself in the field of battle he had tried to talk his field of battle he had tried to talk his field of battle he had tried to talk his father into taking him to Judea at the father into taking him to Judea at the father into taking him to Judea at the outset of the Jewish Revolt but this

outset of the Jewish Revolt but this outset of the Jewish Revolt but this request was dismissed out of hand he was request was dismissed out of hand he was request was dismissed out of hand he was far too young and would only get in the far too young and would only get in the far too young and would only get in the way by the time he was old enough to way by the time he was old enough to way by the time he was old enough to join the legions in his own right the join the legions in his own right the join the legions in his own right the whole empire was turned upside down and whole empire was turned upside down and whole empire was turned upside down and demission was forced to sit on the side demission was forced to sit on the side demission was forced to sit on the side lines while the rest of his family lines while the rest of his family lines while the rest of his family bathed themselves in military bathed themselves in military bathed themselves in military Glory with his father now Emperor Glory with his father now Emperor Glory with his father now Emperor demission was sure to be granted a demission was sure to be granted a demission was sure to be granted a position somewhere in the legions if not position somewhere in the legions if not position somewhere in the legions if not a command then at least something close a command then at least something close a command then at least something close to to to it The Batavian Revolt offered the it The Batavian Revolt offered the it The Batavian Revolt offered the perfect opportunity and demission jumped perfect opportunity and demission jumped perfect opportunity and demission jumped at the chance to join muis as the at the chance to join muis as the at the chance to join muis as the Imperial administrator raised Imperial administrator raised Imperial administrator raised reinforcements to lead North to crush reinforcements to lead North to crush reinforcements to lead North to crush the the the rebellion muus was hesitant to put the rebellion muus was hesitant to put the rebellion muus was hesitant to put the boy in charge of troops not just because boy in charge of troops not just because boy in charge of troops not just because he was totally inexperienced but also he was totally inexperienced but also he was totally inexperienced but also because he would become a dangerous because he would become a dangerous because he would become a dangerous rival for the Army's rival for the Army's rival for the Army's loyalty fortunately for muis and loyalty fortunately for muis and loyalty fortunately for muis and unfortunately for demission the Revolt unfortunately for demission the Revolt unfortunately for demission the Revolt was put down before the armies from Rome was put down before the armies from Rome was put down before the armies from Rome got anywhere near the front lines and got anywhere near the front lines and got anywhere near the front lines and the unfulfilled demission was returned the unfulfilled demission was returned the unfulfilled demission was returned to to to Rome sensing that muis did not perhaps Rome sensing that muis did not perhaps Rome sensing that muis did not perhaps have his best interest at heart have his best interest at heart have his best interest at heart demission wrote a letter directly to the demission wrote a letter directly to the demission wrote a letter directly to the commander of the r Legions who just so commander of the r Legions who just so commander of the r Legions who just so happened to be his uncle-in-law as happened to be his uncle-in-law as happened to be his uncle-in-law as asking for a command but his uncle asking for a command but his uncle asking for a command but his uncle essentially ignored the essentially ignored the essentially ignored the request when Vespasian arrived in Rome request when Vespasian arrived in Rome request when Vespasian arrived in Rome later that year demission then was still later that year demission then was still later that year demission then was still stuck shut out of political power and stuck shut out of political power and stuck shut out of political power and denied a military denied a military denied a military post the young man may have hoped that post the young man may have hoped that post the young man may have hoped that the arrival of his father would correct

the arrival of his father would correct the arrival of his father would correct this situation but it was Apparent from this situation but it was Apparent from this situation but it was Apparent from the get-go that Vespasian had no the get-go that Vespasian had no the get-go that Vespasian had no interest in raising the mission out of interest in raising the mission out of interest in raising the mission out of his glum irrelevancy his glum irrelevancy his glum irrelevancy despite being one of only two sons despite being one of only two sons despite being one of only two sons demission was treated with remarkable demission was treated with remarkable demission was treated with remarkable indifference by thepan who like always indifference by thepan who like always indifference by thepan who like always seemed to Only Have Eyes For Titus in seemed to Only Have Eyes For Titus in seemed to Only Have Eyes For Titus in fact when Titus returned from the East fact when Titus returned from the East fact when Titus returned from the East and vaspian granted his eldest son a and vaspian granted his eldest son a and vaspian granted his eldest son a Triumph demission was forced to trail Triumph demission was forced to trail Triumph demission was forced to trail behind the Vanguard led by his father behind the Vanguard led by his father behind the Vanguard led by his father and brother relegated to the spot and brother relegated to the spot and brother relegated to the spot reserved for other family reserved for other family reserved for other family members this would prove to be demission members this would prove to be demission members this would prove to be demission lot in life for the remainder of his lot in life for the remainder of his lot in life for the remainder of his father's decade in office where Titus father's decade in office where Titus father's decade in office where Titus was granted near k equal status with was granted near k equal status with was granted near k equal status with Vespasian demission was assigned only Vespasian demission was assigned only Vespasian demission was assigned only ceremonial ceremonial ceremonial positions aside from being trotted out positions aside from being trotted out positions aside from being trotted out every once in a while to preside over every once in a while to preside over every once in a while to preside over some archaic ceremony or another some archaic ceremony or another some archaic ceremony or another demission faded completely from public demission faded completely from public demission faded completely from public view he spent most of his time in the view he spent most of his time in the view he spent most of his time in the Imperial Palace reading and writing and Imperial Palace reading and writing and Imperial Palace reading and writing and generally resigning himself to the life generally resigning himself to the life generally resigning himself to the life of obscure scholarship that he seemed of obscure scholarship that he seemed of obscure scholarship that he seemed destined destined destined for in fact if it hadn't have been for for in fact if it hadn't have been for for in fact if it hadn't have been for the influence of Titus demission likely the influence of Titus demission likely the influence of Titus demission likely would not have been allowed any would not have been allowed any would not have been allowed any practical governmental experience at all practical governmental experience at all practical governmental experience at all before attaining the throne for himself before attaining the throne for himself before attaining the throne for himself in 81 in 81 in 81 ad though he had never been close to his ad though he had never been close to his ad though he had never been close to his so much younger brother Titus seemed at so much younger brother Titus seemed at so much younger brother Titus seemed at least aware of D mission's least aware of D mission's least aware of D mission's existence not to get off on too much of existence not to get off on too much of existence not to get off on too much of a tangent but by the time of the

a tangent but by the time of the a tangent but by the time of the Imperial period consulships still Imperial period consulships still Imperial period consulships still existed but they were no longer the existed but they were no longer the existed but they were no longer the yearly Affairs that they had been during yearly Affairs that they had been during yearly Affairs that they had been during the Republican era in order to satisfy the Republican era in order to satisfy the Republican era in order to satisfy the many grasping Elites who all the many grasping Elites who all the many grasping Elites who all clamored to add console to their list of clamored to add console to their list of clamored to add console to their list of public accomplishments the consul ship public accomplishments the consul ship public accomplishments the consul ship turned into an office held for months turned into an office held for months turned into an office held for months and sometimes even days the most and sometimes even days the most and sometimes even days the most prestigious slot was to begin the year prestigious slot was to begin the year prestigious slot was to begin the year in office as the Roman dating system in office as the Roman dating system in office as the Roman dating system still named the years after the consul's still named the years after the consul's still named the years after the consul's in office on January the 1st these men in office on January the 1st these men in office on January the 1st these men were called the consul's ordinary ey and were called the consul's ordinary ey and were called the consul's ordinary ey and once they had served for a few months once they had served for a few months once they had served for a few months they often resigned in favor of new they often resigned in favor of new they often resigned in favor of new candidates who were known as suffk candidates who were known as suffk candidates who were known as suffk consuls consuls consuls vpan assigned Titus to seven ordinary vpan assigned Titus to seven ordinary vpan assigned Titus to seven ordinary eye consulships during his time in eye consulships during his time in eye consulships during his time in office while granting to Mission only office while granting to Mission only office while granting to Mission only one but aware that his brother needed one but aware that his brother needed one but aware that his brother needed much more practical experience than this much more practical experience than this much more practical experience than this Titus ensured that when he resigned from Titus ensured that when he resigned from Titus ensured that when he resigned from his consulships that demission took over his consulships that demission took over his consulships that demission took over as suat Consul bringing his younger as suat Consul bringing his younger as suat Consul bringing his younger brother's total to a less prestigious brother's total to a less prestigious brother's total to a less prestigious but still respectable six but still respectable six but still respectable six consulships I think the main difference consulships I think the main difference consulships I think the main difference between Vespasian and titus's attitude between Vespasian and titus's attitude between Vespasian and titus's attitude towards the mission is that the former towards the mission is that the former towards the mission is that the former was an old man who felt that the issue was an old man who felt that the issue was an old man who felt that the issue of succession was a done deal and Beyond of succession was a done deal and Beyond of succession was a done deal and Beyond Titus he didn't really have to worry Titus he didn't really have to worry Titus he didn't really have to worry about it while the much younger and about it while the much younger and about it while the much younger and sonless Titus still had to consider the sonless Titus still had to consider the sonless Titus still had to consider the possibility that demission would Dawn possibility that demission would Dawn possibility that demission would Dawn the purple one the purple one the purple one day while demission got absolutely

day while demission got absolutely day while demission got absolutely nowhere with his father when it came to nowhere with his father when it came to nowhere with his father when it came to career advancement he was able to get career advancement he was able to get career advancement he was able to get his way when it came to his private life his way when it came to his private life his way when it came to his private life he warded off plot hatched by Vespasian he warded off plot hatched by Vespasian he warded off plot hatched by Vespasian to marry him off to titus's daughter to to marry him off to titus's daughter to to marry him off to titus's daughter to ensure the purity of the Dynasty and in ensure the purity of the Dynasty and in ensure the purity of the Dynasty and in 70 AD he married the woman he loved deia 70 AD he married the woman he loved deia 70 AD he married the woman he loved deia longia the match may not have been the longia the match may not have been the longia the match may not have been the one Vespasian wanted but politically it one Vespasian wanted but politically it one Vespasian wanted but politically it was an excellent pairing ddia was the was an excellent pairing ddia was the was an excellent pairing ddia was the youngest daughter of the great General youngest daughter of the great General youngest daughter of the great General corbulo who had spent his life in corbulo who had spent his life in corbulo who had spent his life in service to the Empire and had been service to the Empire and had been service to the Empire and had been rewarded by Nero with an order to commit rewarded by Nero with an order to commit rewarded by Nero with an order to commit suicide suicide suicide connecting the flavians to this great connecting the flavians to this great connecting the flavians to this great senatorial family raised the profile of senatorial family raised the profile of senatorial family raised the profile of both and established the flavians as a both and established the flavians as a both and established the flavians as a family of anti-os and signaling to those family of anti-os and signaling to those family of anti-os and signaling to those who had previously opposed the Imperial who had previously opposed the Imperial who had previously opposed the Imperial regimes of the past that they could find regimes of the past that they could find regimes of the past that they could find a home in this new a home in this new a home in this new Dynasty beyond the political upside the Dynasty beyond the political upside the Dynasty beyond the political upside the marriage seemed to be a happy one and marriage seemed to be a happy one and marriage seemed to be a happy one and despite a brief hiccup shortly after despite a brief hiccup shortly after despite a brief hiccup shortly after demission became emperor the two demission became emperor the two demission became emperor the two remained devoted to each other for the remained devoted to each other for the remained devoted to each other for the rest of their lives just as he had hoped the arrival of vpan just as he had hoped the arrival of vpan in Rome would deliver him from powerless in Rome would deliver him from powerless in Rome would deliver him from powerless obscurity demission held out similar obscurity demission held out similar obscurity demission held out similar hopes when his brother ascended to the hopes when his brother ascended to the hopes when his brother ascended to the throne in 79 throne in 79 throne in 79 ad but just as before demission was ad but just as before demission was ad but just as before demission was disappointed this time the snub was more disappointed this time the snub was more disappointed this time the snub was more acutely felt as Titus had specifically acutely felt as Titus had specifically acutely felt as Titus had specifically promised him a greater role in promised him a greater role in promised him a greater role in government once he became

government once he became government once he became emperor now in titus's defense it may emperor now in titus's defense it may emperor now in titus's defense it may have been that he was fully planning on have been that he was fully planning on have been that he was fully planning on following through with his promise and following through with his promise and following through with his promise and died before he could take any concrete died before he could take any concrete died before he could take any concrete steps but for the two years he reigned steps but for the two years he reigned steps but for the two years he reigned the mission's status changed very the mission's status changed very the mission's status changed very little it is at this point in the story little it is at this point in the story little it is at this point in the story that the ancient historians really start that the ancient historians really start that the ancient historians really start to get their digs in on the man they so to get their digs in on the man they so to get their digs in on the man they so love to hate casting to Mission as an love to hate casting to Mission as an love to hate casting to Mission as an undisciplined and scheming CAD who did undisciplined and scheming CAD who did undisciplined and scheming CAD who did everything in his limited power to everything in his limited power to everything in his limited power to undermine his handsome and wonderful undermine his handsome and wonderful undermine his handsome and wonderful brother swet anus even paints a scene in brother swet anus even paints a scene in brother swet anus even paints a scene in which Titus after discovering that which Titus after discovering that which Titus after discovering that demission has been plotting against his demission has been plotting against his demission has been plotting against his life yet again confronts his brother and life yet again confronts his brother and life yet again confronts his brother and pleads with him to remain an honorable pleads with him to remain an honorable pleads with him to remain an honorable partner reminding him that at this point partner reminding him that at this point partner reminding him that at this point he is titus's chosen successor so there he is titus's chosen successor so there he is titus's chosen successor so there was no need for Shifty violence following the sudden death of violence following the sudden death of Emperor Titus rumors were dutifully Emperor Titus rumors were dutifully Emperor Titus rumors were dutifully handed around that demission had a hand handed around that demission had a hand handed around that demission had a hand in the tragedy and even if he hadn't in the tragedy and even if he hadn't in the tragedy and even if he hadn't killed his brother he certainly proved killed his brother he certainly proved killed his brother he certainly proved himself to be Unworthy of the flavian himself to be Unworthy of the flavian himself to be Unworthy of the flavian name and his conduct immediately name and his conduct immediately name and his conduct immediately following his brother's fatal following his brother's fatal following his brother's fatal illness rather than taking the time to illness rather than taking the time to illness rather than taking the time to mourn his brother properly demission mourn his brother properly demission mourn his brother properly demission instead left the corpse behind and instead left the corpse behind and instead left the corpse behind and hurried to the petorian camp to have hurried to the petorian camp to have hurried to the petorian camp to have himself hailed himself hailed himself hailed Emperor however it really happened and Emperor however it really happened and Emperor however it really happened and however much he really felt the loss of however much he really felt the loss of however much he really felt the loss of his older brother it is true that on his older brother it is true that on his older brother it is true that on September the 14th 81 ad just a day September the 14th 81 ad just a day September the 14th 81 ad just a day after Titus died demission called a after Titus died demission called a after Titus died demission called a session of the Senate and was confirmed

session of the Senate and was confirmed session of the Senate and was confirmed as Augustus the Forgotten son of esaan as Augustus the Forgotten son of esaan as Augustus the Forgotten son of esaan was now master of the Roman Empire as I've mentioned demission Empire as I've mentioned demission arrived in office with a very different arrived in office with a very different arrived in office with a very different idea about how to wield power than any idea about how to wield power than any idea about how to wield power than any of his of his of his predecessors the juli claudians even the predecessors the juli claudians even the predecessors the juli claudians even the craziest of them had always followed in craziest of them had always followed in craziest of them had always followed in augustus's footsteps and pretended that augustus's footsteps and pretended that augustus's footsteps and pretended that the mechanisms of the Old Republic still the mechanisms of the Old Republic still the mechanisms of the Old Republic still had power Vespasian and Titus had both had power Vespasian and Titus had both had power Vespasian and Titus had both continued this tradition not seeing any continued this tradition not seeing any continued this tradition not seeing any reason to upset a political apple cart reason to upset a political apple cart reason to upset a political apple cart that had so recently been set that had so recently been set that had so recently been set right but demission had no use for this right but demission had no use for this right but demission had no use for this play acting his experience had taught play acting his experience had taught play acting his experience had taught him that the Senate was an ineffective him that the Senate was an ineffective him that the Senate was an ineffective partner at best and a dangerous threat partner at best and a dangerous threat partner at best and a dangerous threat to the Imperial peace at to the Imperial peace at to the Imperial peace at worst the Republic had been dead for worst the Republic had been dead for worst the Republic had been dead for more than a century there was no use more than a century there was no use more than a century there was no use pretending pretending pretending otherwise all that Rome required was an otherwise all that Rome required was an otherwise all that Rome required was an enlightened desperate to guide the ship enlightened desperate to guide the ship enlightened desperate to guide the ship of State wisely and plating the Senate of State wisely and plating the Senate of State wisely and plating the Senate was an unnecessary and inefficient was an unnecessary and inefficient was an unnecessary and inefficient distraction from the kind of enlightened distraction from the kind of enlightened distraction from the kind of enlightened despotism the Empire needed to despotism the Empire needed to despotism the Empire needed to flourish not lacking in ambition or ego flourish not lacking in ambition or ego flourish not lacking in ambition or ego demission decided to model his new demission decided to model his new demission decided to model his new Administration on no less a figure than Administration on no less a figure than Administration on no less a figure than the greatest enlightened desperate of the greatest enlightened desperate of the greatest enlightened desperate of them all the Divine them all the Divine them all the Divine Augustus but though de mission's Augustus but though de mission's Augustus but though de mission's policies would prove themselves to be policies would prove themselves to be policies would prove themselves to be clearly Augustine in both scope and clearly Augustine in both scope and clearly Augustine in both scope and quality in the end he completely missed quality in the end he completely missed quality in the end he completely missed the Insight that had made Augustus so

the Insight that had made Augustus so the Insight that had made Augustus so successful rather than public public LLY successful rather than public public LLY successful rather than public public LLY castrating the Senate the first emperor castrating the Senate the first emperor castrating the Senate the first emperor had obsessively maintained the charade had obsessively maintained the charade had obsessively maintained the charade of democracy knowing full well that of democracy knowing full well that of democracy knowing full well that giving a little publicly meant getting a giving a little publicly meant getting a giving a little publicly meant getting a lot lot lot privately in contrast demission dragged privately in contrast demission dragged privately in contrast demission dragged the ugly realities of Imperial rule the ugly realities of Imperial rule the ugly realities of Imperial rule right out into the open and very loudly right out into the open and very loudly right out into the open and very loudly concentrated all power in the Imperial concentrated all power in the Imperial concentrated all power in the Imperial Palace refusing to even pay lip service Palace refusing to even pay lip service Palace refusing to even pay lip service to the self-important windbags down in to the self-important windbags down in to the self-important windbags down in the Senate the Senate the Senate house where Augustus had sted him self house where Augustus had sted him self house where Augustus had sted him self as princeps merely your first citizen as princeps merely your first citizen as princeps merely your first citizen demission preferred demission your lord demission preferred demission your lord demission preferred demission your lord and and and God one could argue that the God one could argue that the God one could argue that the unsentimental administration set up by unsentimental administration set up by unsentimental administration set up by demission was more efficient than the demission was more efficient than the demission was more efficient than the touchy fely charade of Augustus but what touchy fely charade of Augustus but what touchy fely charade of Augustus but what one cannot argue is that when Augustus one cannot argue is that when Augustus one cannot argue is that when Augustus died they made him a God and his name died they made him a God and his name died they made him a God and his name became synonymous with supreme authority became synonymous with supreme authority became synonymous with supreme authority whereas when demission died they toppled whereas when demission died they toppled whereas when demission died they toppled his statues and Damned his name his statues and Damned his name his statues and Damned his name but despite his ultimately fatal but despite his ultimately fatal but despite his ultimately fatal unwillingness to playact in every other unwillingness to playact in every other unwillingness to playact in every other way the mission sought to emulate Rome's way the mission sought to emulate Rome's way the mission sought to emulate Rome's first and greatest emperor in the first and greatest emperor in the first and greatest emperor in the breadth of his interest and the depths breadth of his interest and the depths breadth of his interest and the depths of his management demission sought to of his management demission sought to of his management demission sought to usher in nothing less than an Augustine Renaissance first up on his list of Renaissance first up on his list of things to do was to reaffirm the Divine things to do was to reaffirm the Divine things to do was to reaffirm the Divine status of the status of the status of the Caesars the recent Civil Wars had Caesars the recent Civil Wars had Caesars the recent Civil Wars had perhaps given some the idea that Dawning

perhaps given some the idea that Dawning perhaps given some the idea that Dawning the purple was simply a matter of the purple was simply a matter of the purple was simply a matter of controlling the strongest army or the controlling the strongest army or the controlling the strongest army or the sneakiest sneakiest sneakiest Assassins demission wanted to remind Assassins demission wanted to remind Assassins demission wanted to remind everyone that the imperial dynasties everyone that the imperial dynasties everyone that the imperial dynasties were divinely ordained and that the past were divinely ordained and that the past were divinely ordained and that the past Emperors were nothing less than Gods Emperors were nothing less than Gods Emperors were nothing less than Gods themselves if you're thinking about themselves if you're thinking about themselves if you're thinking about making a bid for the throne just ask making a bid for the throne just ask making a bid for the throne just ask yourself are you a God or are you yourself are you a God or are you yourself are you a God or are you descended from a God if not then you'd descended from a God if not then you'd descended from a God if not then you'd better just pack it up right better just pack it up right better just pack it up right now so his first official Act is Emperor now so his first official Act is Emperor now so his first official Act is Emperor was to push through an edict deifying was to push through an edict deifying was to push through an edict deifying his deceased brother Titus to join his his deceased brother Titus to join his his deceased brother Titus to join his already deified already deified already deified father but unlike titus's push to have father but unlike titus's push to have father but unlike titus's push to have Vespasian deified demission refused to Vespasian deified demission refused to Vespasian deified demission refused to submit himself to the plotting of the submit himself to the plotting of the submit himself to the plotting of the Senate who had only approved godhood for Senate who had only approved godhood for Senate who had only approved godhood for vpan 6 months after the latter's vpan 6 months after the latter's vpan 6 months after the latter's death demission had no patience for such death demission had no patience for such death demission had no patience for such stalling and simply declared the stalling and simply declared the stalling and simply declared the Divinity of his brother without waiting Divinity of his brother without waiting Divinity of his brother without waiting for senatorial for senatorial for senatorial approval this total abandonment of approval this total abandonment of approval this total abandonment of protocol was the opening Salvo in De protocol was the opening Salvo in De protocol was the opening Salvo in De mission's running war on the obsolete mission's running war on the obsolete mission's running war on the obsolete institution the new emperor then set to institution the new emperor then set to institution the new emperor then set to work closely tying himself not to the work closely tying himself not to the work closely tying himself not to the Senate but to the Senate but to the Senate but to the gods he finished the rebuild of the gods he finished the rebuild of the gods he finished the rebuild of the Temple of Jupiter adding Splendid Temple of Jupiter adding Splendid Temple of Jupiter adding Splendid flourishes that were sure to please the flourishes that were sure to please the flourishes that were sure to please the king of the Gods and then set to work king of the Gods and then set to work king of the Gods and then set to work building a lesser Shrine to Jupiter the building a lesser Shrine to Jupiter the building a lesser Shrine to Jupiter the protector in the home that he had hidden protector in the home that he had hidden protector in the home that he had hidden himself in during the final dark days of himself in during the final dark days of himself in during the final dark days of vitus's Reign vitus's Reign vitus's Reign capping off this initial flurry of

capping off this initial flurry of capping off this initial flurry of religious Monument Building demission religious Monument Building demission religious Monument Building demission completed the Temple of Vespasian and completed the Temple of Vespasian and completed the Temple of Vespasian and Titus where the people of Rome would be Titus where the people of Rome would be Titus where the people of Rome would be encouraged to actively worship his encouraged to actively worship his encouraged to actively worship his deceased and now Divine father and deceased and now Divine father and deceased and now Divine father and brother the mission's point was clear brother the mission's point was clear brother the mission's point was clear the emperor was not the first among the emperor was not the first among the emperor was not the first among equals he was nothing less than the equals he was nothing less than the equals he was nothing less than the God's appointed representative on Earth with the gods firmly in his corner Earth with the gods firmly in his corner then set about reorganizing how the then set about reorganizing how the then set about reorganizing how the state went about its Daily state went about its Daily state went about its Daily Business he unceremoniously stripped the Business he unceremoniously stripped the Business he unceremoniously stripped the Senate of all practical Authority and Senate of all practical Authority and Senate of all practical Authority and ensured that they were cut out of the ensured that they were cut out of the ensured that they were cut out of the decision-making process decision-making process decision-making process completely no more debates no more completely no more debates no more completely no more debates no more delays no more humoring long irrelevant delays no more humoring long irrelevant delays no more humoring long irrelevant Elites if the emperor wanted something Elites if the emperor wanted something Elites if the emperor wanted something done he was just going to order it done done he was just going to order it done done he was just going to order it done and that was that the Senate was shocked and that was that the Senate was shocked and that was that the Senate was shocked that the new emperor refused them even that the new emperor refused them even that the new emperor refused them even the slightest con consideration and they the slightest con consideration and they the slightest con consideration and they quickly grew to despise him this was quickly grew to despise him this was quickly grew to despise him this was fine with the mission as he really fine with the mission as he really fine with the mission as he really didn't care what they thought he had an didn't care what they thought he had an didn't care what they thought he had an Empire to run and tiptoeing around the Empire to run and tiptoeing around the Empire to run and tiptoeing around the sensitivities of Rich old men was not sensitivities of Rich old men was not sensitivities of Rich old men was not how he planned to spend his how he planned to spend his how he planned to spend his days but as much as this embittered the days but as much as this embittered the days but as much as this embittered the elites the common people loved it elites the common people loved it elites the common people loved it because though demission was every bit because though demission was every bit because though demission was every bit the dictatorial autocrat he seemed the dictatorial autocrat he seemed the dictatorial autocrat he seemed focused on weeding out corruption and focused on weeding out corruption and focused on weeding out corruption and streamlining the tax code and making streamlining the tax code and making streamlining the tax code and making things Fair not wallowing in his own things Fair not wallowing in his own things Fair not wallowing in his own Hedonism the corrupt upper classes had

Hedonism the corrupt upper classes had Hedonism the corrupt upper classes had been growing fat for years while the been growing fat for years while the been growing fat for years while the Emperors had turned a blind eye now it Emperors had turned a blind eye now it Emperors had turned a blind eye now it seemed the bill was finally coming seemed the bill was finally coming seemed the bill was finally coming due but this is not to say that due but this is not to say that due but this is not to say that demission was some fire breathing demission was some fire breathing demission was some fire breathing populist like Julius Caesar had been he populist like Julius Caesar had been he populist like Julius Caesar had been he was not on a crusade for social justice was not on a crusade for social justice was not on a crusade for social justice he just saw the nobility as far more of he just saw the nobility as far more of he just saw the nobility as far more of a hindrance than a help when it came to a hindrance than a help when it came to a hindrance than a help when it came to administrative work and so he cut them administrative work and so he cut them administrative work and so he cut them loose loose loose what the mission was looking for was what the mission was looking for was what the mission was looking for was hard-working loyal conscientious and hard-working loyal conscientious and hard-working loyal conscientious and honest administrators to help him govern honest administrators to help him govern honest administrators to help him govern and the senatorial class did not seem and the senatorial class did not seem and the senatorial class did not seem particularly well stocked with any of particularly well stocked with any of particularly well stocked with any of these these these types sweeping aside the old order types sweeping aside the old order types sweeping aside the old order demission instead elevated men of the demission instead elevated men of the demission instead elevated men of the lower ranking equestrian class to lower ranking equestrian class to lower ranking equestrian class to positions they never would have been positions they never would have been positions they never would have been considered for in another considered for in another considered for in another Administration this not only filled the Administration this not only filled the Administration this not only filled the government with men of Merit it also government with men of Merit it also government with men of Merit it also filled the government with men intensely filled the government with men intensely filled the government with men intensely loyal to demission to whom they owed loyal to demission to whom they owed loyal to demission to whom they owed their jobs their lives and their their jobs their lives and their their jobs their lives and their careers the New Emperor's Zeal for careers the New Emperor's Zeal for careers the New Emperor's Zeal for assing the hereditary politics of the assing the hereditary politics of the assing the hereditary politics of the past even extended to his own past even extended to his own past even extended to his own family breaking with every Imperial family breaking with every Imperial family breaking with every Imperial tradition in the book demission tradition in the book demission tradition in the book demission abandoned nepotism refusing to fill key abandoned nepotism refusing to fill key abandoned nepotism refusing to fill key positions with family members just positions with family members just positions with family members just because they were family members if they because they were family members if they because they were family members if they could do the job then they could have could do the job then they could have could do the job then they could have the job but being a relative of the the job but being a relative of the the job but being a relative of the emperor was no longer a free pass despite his lack of experience and

pass despite his lack of experience and the low regard his own father seems to the low regard his own father seems to the low regard his own father seems to have held him in demission was in fact have held him in demission was in fact have held him in demission was in fact turning out to be a bold and Innovative turning out to be a bold and Innovative turning out to be a bold and Innovative Emperor eventually of course his Emperor eventually of course his Emperor eventually of course his flagrant disregard for elite opinion flagrant disregard for elite opinion flagrant disregard for elite opinion would come back to haunt him but for the would come back to haunt him but for the would come back to haunt him but for the time being Emperor demission was time being Emperor demission was time being Emperor demission was successfully Reinventing the office he successfully Reinventing the office he successfully Reinventing the office he held through his reforms including his held through his reforms including his held through his reforms including his decision to declare himself censor and decision to declare himself censor and decision to declare himself censor and perpet U it so he could control the perpet U it so he could control the perpet U it so he could control the senatorial roles and expel members who senatorial roles and expel members who senatorial roles and expel members who opposed him the seat of power in the opposed him the seat of power in the opposed him the seat of power in the empire was now no longer Rome empire was now no longer Rome empire was now no longer Rome itself demission famously moved around itself demission famously moved around itself demission famously moved around more than any other Emperor s Augustus more than any other Emperor s Augustus more than any other Emperor s Augustus and wherever he went he brought the and wherever he went he brought the and wherever he went he brought the Imperial Court with Imperial Court with Imperial Court with him this subtle shift was a big deal in him this subtle shift was a big deal in him this subtle shift was a big deal in the politics of the Empire when tiberias the politics of the Empire when tiberias the politics of the Empire when tiberias had absented himself to Capri the had absented himself to Capri the had absented himself to Capri the politics of the time required him to politics of the time required him to politics of the time required him to rely on a man in in Rome to run the rely on a man in in Rome to run the rely on a man in in Rome to run the government it was understood that while government it was understood that while government it was understood that while the emperor may have left Rome was still the emperor may have left Rome was still the emperor may have left Rome was still where the action was by contrast when where the action was by contrast when where the action was by contrast when demission absented himself to Gaul or to demission absented himself to Gaul or to demission absented himself to Gaul or to AUM or to moesia it was understood the AUM or to moesia it was understood the AUM or to moesia it was understood the power went with him next time we'll get more into what him next time we'll get more into what demission did with all the power he was demission did with all the power he was demission did with all the power he was so jealously hoarding and why he was so jealously hoarding and why he was so jealously hoarding and why he was traveling the Empire more than any traveling the Empire more than any traveling the Empire more than any Emperor since Augustus Emperor since Augustus Emperor since Augustus there will be no episode next week as it there will be no episode next week as it there will be no episode next week as it is Thanksgiving here in the United is Thanksgiving here in the United is Thanksgiving here in the United States but we'll be back in two weeks

States but we'll be back in two weeks States but we'll be back in two weeks ready to dive headlong into D mission's ready to dive headlong into D mission's ready to dive headlong into D mission's Everlasting quest for military glory and Everlasting quest for military glory and Everlasting quest for military glory and his ever annoying need to control every his ever annoying need to control every his ever annoying need to control every little detail of Roman Life little detail of Roman Life little detail of Roman Life [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 76 mock episode 76 mock episode 76 mock [Music] [Music] [Music] triumphs last time we traced to missions triumphs last time we traced to missions triumphs last time we traced to missions rise to power from forgotten rise to power from forgotten rise to power from forgotten afterthought to emperor of the Roman afterthought to emperor of the Roman afterthought to emperor of the Roman Empire unlike his brother demission rise Empire unlike his brother demission rise Empire unlike his brother demission rise had no planned Arc there was no gentle had no planned Arc there was no gentle had no planned Arc there was no gentle addition of responsibility no subtle addition of responsibility no subtle addition of responsibility no subtle raising of the volume when it came to raising of the volume when it came to raising of the volume when it came to demission one minute there was silence demission one minute there was silence demission one minute there was silence the next the amp was cranked to 10 the next the amp was cranked to 10 the next the amp was cranked to 10 Imperial non- entity to Master of the Imperial non- entity to Master of the Imperial non- entity to Master of the world in just the blink of an world in just the blink of an world in just the blink of an eye his sudden inheritance of the throne eye his sudden inheritance of the throne eye his sudden inheritance of the throne shocked everyone as the citizens of the shocked everyone as the citizens of the shocked everyone as the citizens of the empire were just was getting settled in empire were just was getting settled in empire were just was getting settled in to the nice long reign of Titus and to the nice long reign of Titus and to the nice long reign of Titus and there was fear all around that the there was fear all around that the there was fear all around that the 30-year-old demission would not be up to 30-year-old demission would not be up to 30-year-old demission would not be up to the

the the task but this fear was generally task but this fear was generally task but this fear was generally unfounded and demission would prove both unfounded and demission would prove both unfounded and demission would prove both intellectually and politically that he intellectually and politically that he intellectually and politically that he had what it took to be had what it took to be had what it took to be Emperor even though his blunt dismissal Emperor even though his blunt dismissal Emperor even though his blunt dismissal of the Senate eventually led to of the Senate eventually led to of the Senate eventually led to assassination for 15 years demission assassination for 15 years demission assassination for 15 years demission ruled effectively in the manner he saw ruled effectively in the manner he saw ruled effectively in the manner he saw fit and efficiently got done what he fit and efficiently got done what he fit and efficiently got done what he thought needed to be done the reign of thought needed to be done the reign of thought needed to be done the reign of De De De is not to be sneezed at or ignored or is not to be sneezed at or ignored or is not to be sneezed at or ignored or ridiculed though neither is it to be ridiculed though neither is it to be ridiculed though neither is it to be embraced as the second coming of embraced as the second coming of embraced as the second coming of Augustus as demission would have liked Augustus as demission would have liked Augustus as demission would have liked us to believe and in many ways he set us to believe and in many ways he set us to believe and in many ways he set the stage for the coming Century of the stage for the coming Century of the stage for the coming Century of Brilliance for the Empire suetonius once Brilliance for the Empire suetonius once Brilliance for the Empire suetonius once commented that the depravity of the last commented that the depravity of the last commented that the depravity of the last flavian practically negated the good of flavian practically negated the good of flavian practically negated the good of the first two but this is the first two but this is the first two but this is propaganda demission was harsher and propaganda demission was harsher and propaganda demission was harsher and colder than his brother and father but colder than his brother and father but colder than his brother and father but he was as astute and capable a man as he was as astute and capable a man as he was as astute and capable a man as that they and in the end the whole of that they and in the end the whole of that they and in the end the whole of the flavian dynasty should be remembered the flavian dynasty should be remembered the flavian dynasty should be remembered for their successful stewardship of the Empire demission opened his reign as I Empire demission opened his reign as I said last time with a flurry of Pious said last time with a flurry of Pious said last time with a flurry of Pious construction projects completing the construction projects completing the construction projects completing the Temple of Jupiter and unveiling a temple Temple of Jupiter and unveiling a temple Temple of Jupiter and unveiling a temple for his now Divine relatives Titus and for his now Divine relatives Titus and for his now Divine relatives Titus and Vespasian but he did not plan to stop at Vespasian but he did not plan to stop at Vespasian but he did not plan to stop at a few temples the city of Rome had been a few temples the city of Rome had been a few temples the city of Rome had been ravaged by War and natural disaster most ravaged by War and natural disaster most ravaged by War and natural disaster most recently suffering from The Great Fire recently suffering from The Great Fire recently suffering from The Great Fire of AD ad and demission saw an of AD ad and demission saw an of AD ad and demission saw an opportunity to kick off his planned opportunity to kick off his planned opportunity to kick off his planned Augustin Renaissance in style the first

Augustin Renaissance in style the first Augustin Renaissance in style the first emperor had famously inherited a city of emperor had famously inherited a city of emperor had famously inherited a city of brick and left at a city of marble brick and left at a city of marble brick and left at a city of marble demission was inheriting a City of Ashes demission was inheriting a City of Ashes demission was inheriting a City of Ashes and he planned to leave it a city of and he planned to leave it a city of and he planned to leave it a city of well buildings and stuff something well buildings and stuff something well buildings and stuff something functional anyway and that didn't turn functional anyway and that didn't turn functional anyway and that didn't turn out nearly as poetic as I hoped when I out nearly as poetic as I hoped when I out nearly as poetic as I hoped when I started that started that started that sentence over the course of the next few sentence over the course of the next few sentence over the course of the next few years he would direct the completion of years he would direct the completion of years he would direct the completion of some 50 new buildings restoring the some 50 new buildings restoring the some 50 new buildings restoring the architectural Dignity of Rome which had architectural Dignity of Rome which had architectural Dignity of Rome which had been in steep decline since the reign of been in steep decline since the reign of been in steep decline since the reign of Nero among his many projects was the Nero among his many projects was the Nero among his many projects was the Arch of Titus which was completed soon Arch of Titus which was completed soon Arch of Titus which was completed soon after his brother's death the great Arch after his brother's death the great Arch after his brother's death the great Arch which still stands today and is a can't which still stands today and is a can't which still stands today and is a can't miss on any trip to Rome ostensibly miss on any trip to Rome ostensibly miss on any trip to Rome ostensibly commemorates titus's victory in Judea commemorates titus's victory in Judea commemorates titus's victory in Judea but mostly its job was to remind but mostly its job was to remind but mostly its job was to remind everyone of the Divine almost everyone of the Divine almost everyone of the Divine almost mythological status of the flavians mythological status of the flavians mythological status of the flavians whether or not the Romans saw it as whether or not the Romans saw it as whether or not the Romans saw it as anything more than outside anything more than outside anything more than outside self-aggrandisement is an open question self-aggrandisement is an open question self-aggrandisement is an open question but the grand permanence of the but the grand permanence of the but the grand permanence of the structure certainly convinced later structure certainly convinced later structure certainly convinced later ambitious men that a massive Arch was a ambitious men that a massive Arch was a ambitious men that a massive Arch was a prettyy sweet way to celebrate one's own prettyy sweet way to celebrate one's own prettyy sweet way to celebrate one's own Eternal Eternal Eternal awesomeness Napoleon certainly had the awesomeness Napoleon certainly had the awesomeness Napoleon certainly had the Arch of Titus in mind when he ordered Arch of Titus in mind when he ordered Arch of Titus in mind when he ordered the Arctic Triumph built after his own the Arctic Triumph built after his own the Arctic Triumph built after his own great victory at osterlitz in 1806 all of these public building 1806 all of these public building projects helped stimulate an economy projects helped stimulate an economy projects helped stimulate an economy that had been drifting aimlessly for that had been drifting aimlessly for that had been drifting aimlessly for years but of course they were not going years but of course they were not going years but of course they were not going to pay for themselves so having undercut to pay for themselves so having undercut to pay for themselves so having undercut the Roman Elite politically demission

the Roman Elite politically demission the Roman Elite politically demission next targeted them economically and let next targeted them economically and let next targeted them economically and let his newly reformed and ruthlessly his newly reformed and ruthlessly his newly reformed and ruthlessly efficient bureaucracy loose on their efficient bureaucracy loose on their efficient bureaucracy loose on their bank bank bank accounts he strengthened and extended accounts he strengthened and extended accounts he strengthened and extended Imperial taxes and in the years to come Imperial taxes and in the years to come Imperial taxes and in the years to come would eventually resort to outright would eventually resort to outright would eventually resort to outright confiscation to help pay for his confiscation to help pay for his confiscation to help pay for his projects and of course the various projects and of course the various projects and of course the various military campaigns he initiated with military campaigns he initiated with military campaigns he initiated with which will get to in a which will get to in a which will get to in a bit now if he were another man demission bit now if he were another man demission bit now if he were another man demission would have paid for everything without would have paid for everything without would have paid for everything without resorting to excessive taxation Emperors resorting to excessive taxation Emperors resorting to excessive taxation Emperors in the past had simply borrowed what in the past had simply borrowed what in the past had simply borrowed what they needed without regard for how they they needed without regard for how they they needed without regard for how they were going to pay it back besides if the were going to pay it back besides if the were going to pay it back besides if the creditors did come calling an emperor creditors did come calling an emperor creditors did come calling an emperor could simply devalue the coins he minted could simply devalue the coins he minted could simply devalue the coins he minted until he had enough nominal chunks of until he had enough nominal chunks of until he had enough nominal chunks of worthless metal to pay the specific worthless metal to pay the specific worthless metal to pay the specific amount that everyone amount that everyone amount that everyone demanded demission had no interest in demanded demission had no interest in demanded demission had no interest in inflating his way into solvency though inflating his way into solvency though inflating his way into solvency though and taking the opposite tack he actually and taking the opposite tack he actually and taking the opposite tack he actually returned the silver ratio in a dinari returned the silver ratio in a dinari returned the silver ratio in a dinari back to the Augustine level of back to the Augustine level of back to the Augustine level of 12% Roman currency was the standard in 12% Roman currency was the standard in 12% Roman currency was the standard in the Mediterranean at the time and the Mediterranean at the time and the Mediterranean at the time and demission felt that it reflected badly demission felt that it reflected badly demission felt that it reflected badly on the emperor to have the coins he on the emperor to have the coins he on the emperor to have the coins he minted regarded as worthless jokes but minted regarded as worthless jokes but minted regarded as worthless jokes but of course with less circulating currency of course with less circulating currency of course with less circulating currency to work with demission was forced to to work with demission was forced to to work with demission was forced to demand more from his demand more from his demand more from his subjects the Roman economy on balance subjects the Roman economy on balance subjects the Roman economy on balance benefited from De mission's FIS policies benefited from De mission's FIS policies benefited from De mission's FIS policies but they certainly did not help his but they certainly did not help his but they certainly did not help his popularity popularity popularity any helping his popularity even less any helping his popularity even less any helping his popularity even less than his tax policies was his hopeless than his tax policies was his hopeless than his tax policies was his hopeless quest to return the Romans to their

quest to return the Romans to their quest to return the Romans to their traditional conservative Family traditional conservative Family traditional conservative Family Values legislating sex and morals had Values legislating sex and morals had Values legislating sex and morals had been hard enough for Augustus a century been hard enough for Augustus a century been hard enough for Augustus a century earlier but Dem mission's attempt to earlier but Dem mission's attempt to earlier but Dem mission's attempt to revive these least successful policies revive these least successful policies revive these least successful policies of the first emperor turned out to be an of the first emperor turned out to be an of the first emperor turned out to be an even more terrible idea but the mission even more terrible idea but the mission even more terrible idea but the mission seemed dead set on Reviving all things seemed dead set on Reviving all things seemed dead set on Reviving all things Justin even if it meant bringing back Justin even if it meant bringing back Justin even if it meant bringing back the much derided Lex the much derided Lex the much derided Lex Julia in 85 ad demission named himself Julia in 85 ad demission named himself Julia in 85 ad demission named himself censor in perpetuity which gave him censor in perpetuity which gave him censor in perpetuity which gave him authority to legislate public authority to legislate public authority to legislate public morality adultery once again became a morality adultery once again became a morality adultery once again became a banish offense and consorting with the banish offense and consorting with the banish offense and consorting with the Vestal virgins became a capital crime an Vestal virgins became a capital crime an Vestal virgins became a capital crime an equestrian found himself stricken from equestrian found himself stricken from equestrian found himself stricken from the juror pool for remarrying an ex-wife the juror pool for remarrying an ex-wife the juror pool for remarrying an ex-wife and a senator was expelled from the body and a senator was expelled from the body and a senator was expelled from the body for acting on stage which was even worse for acting on stage which was even worse for acting on stage which was even worse than Pro prostitution so far as than Pro prostitution so far as than Pro prostitution so far as demission was demission was demission was concerned all of this turned out to be concerned all of this turned out to be concerned all of this turned out to be little more than spitting into a little more than spitting into a little more than spitting into a hurricane and demission earned himself hurricane and demission earned himself hurricane and demission earned himself nothing but scorn for his trouble the nothing but scorn for his trouble the nothing but scorn for his trouble the old ways were dead threatening to old ways were dead threatening to old ways were dead threatening to execute people for cheating on their execute people for cheating on their execute people for cheating on their wives was not going to change that but wives was not going to change that but wives was not going to change that but demission forged on and his efforts at demission forged on and his efforts at demission forged on and his efforts at reestablishing some semblance of public reestablishing some semblance of public reestablishing some semblance of public morality was not a total Fool's morality was not a total Fool's morality was not a total Fool's errand the emperor also used his errand the emperor also used his errand the emperor also used his authority as censor to punish officials authority as censor to punish officials authority as censor to punish officials for bribery and Corruption two real for bribery and Corruption two real for bribery and Corruption two real offenses with real consequences that had offenses with real consequences that had offenses with real consequences that had been overlooked for years even by his been overlooked for years even by his been overlooked for years even by his own own own father there was as they say a new father there was as they say a new father there was as they say a new sheriff in town and even though he

sheriff in town and even though he sheriff in town and even though he kicked up a lot of dust and made a lot kicked up a lot of dust and made a lot kicked up a lot of dust and made a lot of enemies over ultimately irrelevant of enemies over ultimately irrelevant of enemies over ultimately irrelevant sexual stuff the government was never sexual stuff the government was never sexual stuff the government was never again as clean or honest in its again as clean or honest in its again as clean or honest in its dealings the funny thing about all of dealings the funny thing about all of dealings the funny thing about all of this is that demission kept stepping on this is that demission kept stepping on this is that demission kept stepping on the same toes over and over again it the same toes over and over again it the same toes over and over again it seems like anytime he had the seems like anytime he had the seems like anytime he had the opportunity to stick it to the nobility opportunity to stick it to the nobility opportunity to stick it to the nobility he jumped at the chance I'm not sure he jumped at the chance I'm not sure he jumped at the chance I'm not sure what the Senate did to elicit such what the Senate did to elicit such what the Senate did to elicit such contempt from the emperor I speculated contempt from the emperor I speculated contempt from the emperor I speculated about some stuff last time but he really about some stuff last time but he really about some stuff last time but he really really had it in for them so much so really had it in for them so much so really had it in for them so much so that it doesn't even seem like a matter that it doesn't even seem like a matter that it doesn't even seem like a matter of stepping on a few toes more like the of stepping on a few toes more like the of stepping on a few toes more like the mission was walking right up to them and mission was walking right up to them and mission was walking right up to them and stomping down on their feet repeatedly stomping down on their feet repeatedly stomping down on their feet repeatedly he cut them out of the political process he cut them out of the political process he cut them out of the political process gouged them financially policed their gouged them financially policed their gouged them financially policed their bedrooms and shut down their lucrative bedrooms and shut down their lucrative bedrooms and shut down their lucrative Kickbacks in the end I'm not sure why Kickbacks in the end I'm not sure why Kickbacks in the end I'm not sure why demission hated the Senate so much but I demission hated the Senate so much but I demission hated the Senate so much but I have no doubts about why they hated him have no doubts about why they hated him have no doubts about why they hated him so much he even declared a limit to the so much he even declared a limit to the so much he even declared a limit to the amount of arable Italian land that could amount of arable Italian land that could amount of arable Italian land that could be used for Vineyards so to top be used for Vineyards so to top be used for Vineyards so to top everything off demission was also everything off demission was also everything off demission was also cutting down the booze Supply is it any cutting down the booze Supply is it any cutting down the booze Supply is it any Wonder then that he was finally stabbed Wonder then that he was finally stabbed Wonder then that he was finally stabbed to to to death beyond the aristocracy who death beyond the aristocracy who death beyond the aristocracy who uniformly hated him demission was uniformly hated him demission was uniformly hated him demission was alternatively feared and liked and alternatively feared and liked and alternatively feared and liked and disdained and respected depending on who disdained and respected depending on who disdained and respected depending on who you talk to but there was one segment of you talk to but there was one segment of you talk to but there was one segment of the population who really loved the man the population who really loved the man the population who really loved the man Rank and file Rank and file Rank and file Soldiers the officers couldn't stand a

Soldiers the officers couldn't stand a Soldiers the officers couldn't stand a mission of course for all the reasons mission of course for all the reasons mission of course for all the reasons I've mentioned and all the reasons I'll I've mentioned and all the reasons I'll I've mentioned and all the reasons I'll get too shortly but the common legionary get too shortly but the common legionary get too shortly but the common legionary loved him why the great discrepancy loved him why the great discrepancy loved him why the great discrepancy because shortly after taking office the because shortly after taking office the because shortly after taking office the mission issued a blanket pay raise for mission issued a blanket pay raise for mission issued a blanket pay raise for his soldiers and it wasn't some cost of his soldiers and it wasn't some cost of his soldiers and it wasn't some cost of living increase either no the common living increase either no the common living increase either no the common soldiers saw their paychecks increase by soldiers saw their paychecks increase by soldiers saw their paychecks increase by fully onethird a mind-blowing sum that fully onethird a mind-blowing sum that fully onethird a mind-blowing sum that earned admission their undying devotion earned admission their undying devotion earned admission their undying devotion for the rest of his for the rest of his for the rest of his Reign the elites could clamor for his Reign the elites could clamor for his Reign the elites could clamor for his head as much as they wanted but after head as much as they wanted but after head as much as they wanted but after the payr they were going to have a hell the payr they were going to have a hell the payr they were going to have a hell of a time convincing their soldiers to of a time convincing their soldiers to of a time convincing their soldiers to revolt you want me to fight who the guy revolt you want me to fight who the guy revolt you want me to fight who the guy who just gave me a 33% bump no I think who just gave me a 33% bump no I think who just gave me a 33% bump no I think I'm good I'm good I'm good thanks the rais caused amission to thanks the rais caused amission to thanks the rais caused amission to backtrack on his fiscal policy sum and backtrack on his fiscal policy sum and backtrack on his fiscal policy sum and he was forced to slightly devalue his he was forced to slightly devalue his he was forced to slightly devalue his coins after having so recently revalued coins after having so recently revalued coins after having so recently revalued them but the compromise was a sound one them but the compromise was a sound one them but the compromise was a sound one and demission never really had to worry and demission never really had to worry and demission never really had to worry about the whole Army rising up against about the whole Army rising up against about the whole Army rising up against him there was a brief Revolt of two him there was a brief Revolt of two him there was a brief Revolt of two Legions in 89 ad which we'll get to next Legions in 89 ad which we'll get to next Legions in 89 ad which we'll get to next week but it was an isolated case and was week but it was an isolated case and was week but it was an isolated case and was quickly crushed by the intensely loyal quickly crushed by the intensely loyal quickly crushed by the intensely loyal armies that surrounded the malcon armies that surrounded the malcon armies that surrounded the malcon tents the pay raise for the soldiers did tents the pay raise for the soldiers did tents the pay raise for the soldiers did not come out of no nowhere though it was not come out of no nowhere though it was not come out of no nowhere though it was part and parcel of the triumphal part and parcel of the triumphal part and parcel of the triumphal celebration following demission smashing celebration following demission smashing celebration following demission smashing Victory against the chatty in 83 Victory against the chatty in 83 Victory against the chatty in 83 ad the fierce Germanic tribe had ad the fierce Germanic tribe had ad the fierce Germanic tribe had suddenly risen up in revolt against Rome

suddenly risen up in revolt against Rome suddenly risen up in revolt against Rome right around the time demission decided right around the time demission decided right around the time demission decided that it was high time he cemented his that it was high time he cemented his that it was high time he cemented his reputation as a great leader with an reputation as a great leader with an reputation as a great leader with an impressive military impressive military impressive military Victory it was actually pretty Victory it was actually pretty Victory it was actually pretty convenient how it all worked out convenient how it all worked out convenient how it all worked out demission just happened to be in chatty demission just happened to be in chatty demission just happened to be in chatty territory conducting a census with a new territory conducting a census with a new territory conducting a census with a new Legion he had recently formed when for Legion he had recently formed when for Legion he had recently formed when for no reason and in start contrast to years no reason and in start contrast to years no reason and in start contrast to years of peaceful coexistence the dastardly of peaceful coexistence the dastardly of peaceful coexistence the dastardly chat he attacked forcing demission to chat he attacked forcing demission to chat he attacked forcing demission to defend the honor of the House of Caesar defend the honor of the House of Caesar defend the honor of the House of Caesar and the Majesty of Rome etc etc etc and the Majesty of Rome etc etc etc and the Majesty of Rome etc etc etc convenient yes that's one word for convenient yes that's one word for convenient yes that's one word for it demission marched around for a year it demission marched around for a year it demission marched around for a year building roads and fortifications in building roads and fortifications in building roads and fortifications in chatty territory decided that with chatty territory decided that with chatty territory decided that with winter coming it was high time he winter coming it was high time he winter coming it was high time he declared Victory and left so he declared declared Victory and left so he declared declared Victory and left so he declared Victory and left Victory and left Victory and left he returned to Rome to celebrate the he returned to Rome to celebrate the he returned to Rome to celebrate the Triumph he had been craving all his life Triumph he had been craving all his life Triumph he had been craving all his life no one who knew anything about anything no one who knew anything about anything no one who knew anything about anything believed a mission had actually done believed a mission had actually done believed a mission had actually done anything to earn the Triumph he threw anything to earn the Triumph he threw anything to earn the Triumph he threw for himself he had what skirmished with for himself he had what skirmished with for himself he had what skirmished with some random tribe and built some roads some random tribe and built some roads some random tribe and built some roads and now was calling himself and now was calling himself and now was calling himself germanicus but the people loved it germanicus but the people loved it germanicus but the people loved it triumphs mean games and banquets and triumphs mean games and banquets and triumphs mean games and banquets and generous handouts so they cheered their generous handouts so they cheered their generous handouts so they cheered their conquering Emperor as he marched into conquering Emperor as he marched into conquering Emperor as he marched into the city at the head of his great parade the city at the head of his great parade the city at the head of his great parade to cheerfully basked in the glow of his to cheerfully basked in the glow of his to cheerfully basked in the glow of his adoring subjects never again would he be adoring subjects never again would he be adoring subjects never again would he be relegated to the back with the other relegated to the back with the other relegated to the back with the other family members this was de mission's family members this was de mission's family members this was de mission's time time time now meanwhile tacitus representing the now meanwhile tacitus representing the now meanwhile tacitus representing the views of the aristocracy dismissed the

views of the aristocracy dismissed the views of the aristocracy dismissed the whole display as a mock whole display as a mock whole display as a mock Triumph realer mock demission capped his Triumph realer mock demission capped his Triumph realer mock demission capped his Celebration by announcing a pay raise Celebration by announcing a pay raise Celebration by announcing a pay raise for his brave soldiers that at least was for his brave soldiers that at least was for his brave soldiers that at least was real real real enough one possible side consequence of enough one possible side consequence of enough one possible side consequence of D mission's mock Triumph was that D mission's mock Triumph was that D mission's mock Triumph was that Agricola and yes thank you for the Agricola and yes thank you for the Agricola and yes thank you for the pronunciation correction it is Agricola pronunciation correction it is Agricola pronunciation correction it is Agricola not Agricola which yeah I agree sounds not Agricola which yeah I agree sounds not Agricola which yeah I agree sounds like some kind of terrible hippie soda like some kind of terrible hippie soda like some kind of terrible hippie soda so I'm sorry about that anyway Agricola so I'm sorry about that anyway Agricola so I'm sorry about that anyway Agricola was possibly recalled from his post in was possibly recalled from his post in was possibly recalled from his post in Britannia because his real military Britannia because his real military Britannia because his real military success on the island cast a missions success on the island cast a missions success on the island cast a missions victory in a pretty pathetic light not victory in a pretty pathetic light not victory in a pretty pathetic light not long after de mission's parade long after de mission's parade long after de mission's parade Messengers delivered the news that Messengers delivered the news that Messengers delivered the news that Agricola had defeated the combined Agricola had defeated the combined Agricola had defeated the combined Caledonian Army of some 30,000 troops Caledonian Army of some 30,000 troops Caledonian Army of some 30,000 troops and stood poised to capture the entire and stood poised to capture the entire and stood poised to capture the entire Island there is no consensus about Island there is no consensus about Island there is no consensus about whether agricolo was recalled out of whether agricolo was recalled out of whether agricolo was recalled out of jealousy or whether it was more like a jealousy or whether it was more like a jealousy or whether it was more like a reward for 7even years cold hard service reward for 7even years cold hard service reward for 7even years cold hard service in the north but one way or the other in the north but one way or the other in the north but one way or the other agricolo was back in Rome in 85 ad and agricolo was back in Rome in 85 ad and agricolo was back in Rome in 85 ad and effectively retired from public effectively retired from public effectively retired from public life his had been one of the more life his had been one of the more life his had been one of the more successful careers of the first century successful careers of the first century successful careers of the first century and he very nearly captured the whole of and he very nearly captured the whole of and he very nearly captured the whole of for the Romans his work would be left for the Romans his work would be left for the Romans his work would be left permanently incomplete though as the permanently incomplete though as the permanently incomplete though as the legions he had led were soon transferred legions he had led were soon transferred legions he had led were soon transferred to the danu to help fight the growing to the danu to help fight the growing to the danu to help fight the growing daian Menace which unlike the chatty daian Menace which unlike the chatty daian Menace which unlike the chatty Menace was all too Menace was all too Menace was all too real the daian lived in the Carpathian

real the daian lived in the Carpathian real the daian lived in the Carpathian Mountains on the far side of the danu Mountains on the far side of the danu Mountains on the far side of the danu and had been stirring up trouble for and had been stirring up trouble for and had been stirring up trouble for years for the first time in his life years for the first time in his life years for the first time in his life demission was about to deal with a real demission was about to deal with a real demission was about to deal with a real existential threat to the existential threat to the existential threat to the Empire his response to the crisis off a Empire his response to the crisis off a Empire his response to the crisis off a window into how the emperor really felt window into how the emperor really felt window into how the emperor really felt about war defense and Imperial about war defense and Imperial about war defense and Imperial Security whether he handled the Security whether he handled the Security whether he handled the situation properly is a matter of situation properly is a matter of situation properly is a matter of ongoing debate but there is no doubt ongoing debate but there is no doubt ongoing debate but there is no doubt that the hawkish aristocracy already that the hawkish aristocracy already that the hawkish aristocracy already chafing under demission your lord and chafing under demission your lord and chafing under demission your lord and God were appalled by his handling of the God were appalled by his handling of the God were appalled by his handling of the dayon dayon dayon situation the thing about demission is situation the thing about demission is situation the thing about demission is that he took augustus's injunction about that he took augustus's injunction about that he took augustus's injunction about further Conquest seriously and really further Conquest seriously and really further Conquest seriously and really believed that the primary function of believed that the primary function of believed that the primary function of the legions was now Frontier defense he the legions was now Frontier defense he the legions was now Frontier defense he didn't want to invade Germania he didn't didn't want to invade Germania he didn't didn't want to invade Germania he didn't want to conquer daia he didn't want want to conquer daia he didn't want want to conquer daia he didn't want anything to do with Scotland he anything to do with Scotland he anything to do with Scotland he considered these efforts to be expensive considered these efforts to be expensive considered these efforts to be expensive boondoggles that would stretch the boondoggles that would stretch the boondoggles that would stretch the legions too thin cost blood and treasure legions too thin cost blood and treasure legions too thin cost blood and treasure Rome couldn't afford and ultimately Rome couldn't afford and ultimately Rome couldn't afford and ultimately leave the Empire weaker and more leave the Empire weaker and more leave the Empire weaker and more vulnerable for the vulnerable for the vulnerable for the trouble when it came to military Affairs trouble when it came to military Affairs trouble when it came to military Affairs the great legacy of demission was not the great legacy of demission was not the great legacy of demission was not some new territory added to the Empire some new territory added to the Empire some new territory added to the Empire or some great foreign enemy destroyed or some great foreign enemy destroyed or some great foreign enemy destroyed but rather the expansion and but rather the expansion and but rather the expansion and strengthening of the lies germanicus the strengthening of the lies germanicus the strengthening of the lies germanicus the frontier fortification Network along the frontier fortification Network along the frontier fortification Network along the rine in danu rivers that kept the rine in danu rivers that kept the rine in danu rivers that kept the northern Empire safe from northern Empire safe from northern Empire safe from Invasion eventually stretching to nearly Invasion eventually stretching to nearly Invasion eventually stretching to nearly 350 Mi the fortification Network grew to

350 Mi the fortification Network grew to 350 Mi the fortification Network grew to include 60 permanent Forts and some 900 include 60 permanent Forts and some 900 include 60 permanent Forts and some 900 watchtowers demission would neither watchtowers demission would neither watchtowers demission would neither begin the project nor complete it but he begin the project nor complete it but he begin the project nor complete it but he was committed to it wholeheartedly and was committed to it wholeheartedly and was committed to it wholeheartedly and poured money and Manpower power into the poured money and Manpower power into the poured money and Manpower power into the effort the key line the LI germanicus effort the key line the LI germanicus effort the key line the LI germanicus cut was between the upper rine and the cut was between the upper rine and the cut was between the upper rine and the upper danu while the two great Rivers upper danu while the two great Rivers upper danu while the two great Rivers offered a natural defense on their own offered a natural defense on their own offered a natural defense on their own against unpacified tribes the stretch of against unpacified tribes the stretch of against unpacified tribes the stretch of land between the headwaters of each was land between the headwaters of each was land between the headwaters of each was a dangerous weak point for the Empire a dangerous weak point for the Empire a dangerous weak point for the Empire and demission aimed to close that Gap and demission aimed to close that Gap and demission aimed to close that Gap once and for once and for once and for all though his work would finally be all though his work would finally be all though his work would finally be completed by hadrien the time and effort completed by hadrien the time and effort completed by hadrien the time and effort to Mission expended was critical and to Mission expended was critical and to Mission expended was critical and helped pave the way for a century and a helped pave the way for a century and a helped pave the way for a century and a half of security along the northern half of security along the northern half of security along the northern border but while Dem mission's efforts border but while Dem mission's efforts border but while Dem mission's efforts were critical they were also were critical they were also were critical they were also criticized high-ranking military criticized high-ranking military criticized high-ranking military officials and their civilian officials and their civilian officials and their civilian counterparts believed a mission far too counterparts believed a mission far too counterparts believed a mission far too passive in his military strategy if the passive in his military strategy if the passive in his military strategy if the empire was to be safe it needed to empire was to be safe it needed to empire was to be safe it needed to defeat its enemies not build a wall to defeat its enemies not build a wall to defeat its enemies not build a wall to keep them out the fight needed to be keep them out the fight needed to be keep them out the fight needed to be taken to the source it was no good to taken to the source it was no good to taken to the source it was no good to Simply sit back until it was too late Simply sit back until it was too late Simply sit back until it was too late what good was a watchtower if it only what good was a watchtower if it only what good was a watchtower if it only alerted Rome to an invasion Force too alerted Rome to an invasion Force too alerted Rome to an invasion Force too strong to repel nent alliances between strong to repel nent alliances between strong to repel nent alliances between Barbarian tribes needed to be nipped in Barbarian tribes needed to be nipped in Barbarian tribes needed to be nipped in the bud before they grew into something the bud before they grew into something the bud before they grew into something truly dangerous soldiers were trained to truly dangerous soldiers were trained to truly dangerous soldiers were trained to fight not sit on walls staring into fight not sit on walls staring into fight not sit on walls staring into space it was

space it was space it was unnatural the contrast in style came to unnatural the contrast in style came to unnatural the contrast in style came to a head in daia where each side could a head in daia where each side could a head in daia where each side could reasonably claim the actions of the reasonably claim the actions of the reasonably claim the actions of the other detrimental to Imperial Security ever since since the year of Security ever since since the year of the four Emperors the tribes beyond the the four Emperors the tribes beyond the the four Emperors the tribes beyond the northern frontiers of the danu had grown northern frontiers of the danu had grown northern frontiers of the danu had grown more and more bold the Roman World more and more bold the Roman World more and more bold the Roman World seemed too preoccupied to care about seemed too preoccupied to care about seemed too preoccupied to care about their raids into imperial territory and their raids into imperial territory and their raids into imperial territory and with each passing year the tribes with each passing year the tribes with each passing year the tribes including the formidable daans acted including the formidable daans acted including the formidable daans acted with increasing with increasing with increasing impunity they finally crossed the line impunity they finally crossed the line impunity they finally crossed the line and got Rome's attention in either 84 or and got Rome's attention in either 84 or and got Rome's attention in either 84 or 85 ad when a daian army invaded moesia 85 ad when a daian army invaded moesia 85 ad when a daian army invaded moesia and killed the Imperial Governor hot on and killed the Imperial Governor hot on and killed the Imperial Governor hot on the heels of his great victory over the the heels of his great victory over the the heels of his great victory over the chatty demission personally led a force chatty demission personally led a force chatty demission personally led a force to moisa to deal with the unacceptable to moisa to deal with the unacceptable to moisa to deal with the unacceptable affront to Rome's affront to Rome's affront to Rome's honor further signaling how seriously honor further signaling how seriously honor further signaling how seriously and how personally demission was taking and how personally demission was taking and how personally demission was taking the situation his army included members the situation his army included members the situation his army included members of the petorian guard and was led by his of the petorian guard and was led by his of the petorian guard and was led by his petorian prefect Cornelius petorian prefect Cornelius petorian prefect Cornelius fuscus the Roman reinforcements were fuscus the Roman reinforcements were fuscus the Roman reinforcements were able to easily drive off the daans who able to easily drive off the daans who able to easily drive off the daans who were not about to tangle with an were not about to tangle with an were not about to tangle with an Imperial Army Guided by the emperor Imperial Army Guided by the emperor Imperial Army Guided by the emperor himself by the winter 85 the daans were himself by the winter 85 the daans were himself by the winter 85 the daans were cleared out of Roman territory and de cleared out of Roman territory and de cleared out of Roman territory and de Mission returned to Rome to celebrate Mission returned to Rome to celebrate Mission returned to Rome to celebrate his second his second his second Triumph though there was still not much Triumph though there was still not much Triumph though there was still not much to celebrate this Triumph at least had a to celebrate this Triumph at least had a to celebrate this Triumph at least had a ring of truth to it and demission was ring of truth to it and demission was ring of truth to it and demission was quite pleased with himself for how well quite pleased with himself for how well quite pleased with himself for how well his military career was shaping up but

his military career was shaping up but his military career was shaping up but this second Triumph proved to be even this second Triumph proved to be even this second Triumph proved to be even more of a mockery than the first the more of a mockery than the first the more of a mockery than the first the daans were not defeated by a long shot daans were not defeated by a long shot daans were not defeated by a long shot and when Cornelius fuscus on his own and when Cornelius fuscus on his own and when Cornelius fuscus on his own initiative crossed the danu to mop up initiative crossed the danu to mop up initiative crossed the danu to mop up the remaining combatants he led his the remaining combatants he led his the remaining combatants he led his Legions to one of their worst defeats Legions to one of their worst defeats Legions to one of their worst defeats since the catastrophe in the tberg since the catastrophe in the tberg since the catastrophe in the tberg forest in 86 ad fuscus LED elements of forest in 86 ad fuscus LED elements of forest in 86 ad fuscus LED elements of four Legions plus auxiliaries into daian four Legions plus auxiliaries into daian four Legions plus auxiliaries into daian territory expecting Little Resistance territory expecting Little Resistance territory expecting Little Resistance from the splintered and feuding local from the splintered and feuding local from the splintered and feuding local tribes except that the daans weren't tribes except that the daans weren't tribes except that the daans weren't splintered and feuding at all they had splintered and feuding at all they had splintered and feuding at all they had been United by a king who was to become been United by a king who was to become been United by a king who was to become known to the Romans as deis which known to the Romans as deis which known to the Romans as deis which translates roughly as he with the translates roughly as he with the translates roughly as he with the strength of 10 strength of 10 strength of 10 men dbis saw the Romans coming from a men dbis saw the Romans coming from a men dbis saw the Romans coming from a mile away and set an ambush at the mile away and set an ambush at the mile away and set an ambush at the narrow pass of narrow pass of narrow pass of tapy fuscus blundered right into the tapy fuscus blundered right into the tapy fuscus blundered right into the Trap he watched in horror as the entire Trap he watched in horror as the entire Trap he watched in horror as the entire fifth Legion was cornered and massacred fifth Legion was cornered and massacred fifth Legion was cornered and massacred and then watched in humiliation as the and then watched in humiliation as the and then watched in humiliation as the legionary standard of the petorian Guard legionary standard of the petorian Guard legionary standard of the petorian Guard was captured and hauled off by the was captured and hauled off by the was captured and hauled off by the enemy luckily for fuscus he did not have enemy luckily for fuscus he did not have enemy luckily for fuscus he did not have to live with the humiliation for long as to live with the humiliation for long as to live with the humiliation for long as he himself was soon killed in the he himself was soon killed in the he himself was soon killed in the fighting back in Rome the Triumph fighting back in Rome the Triumph fighting back in Rome the Triumph demission had celebrated now seemed like demission had celebrated now seemed like demission had celebrated now seemed like a cruel a cruel a cruel joke he quickly returned to moesia to joke he quickly returned to moesia to joke he quickly returned to moesia to oversee the reinforcement of the oversee the reinforcement of the oversee the reinforcement of the province he divided the territory into province he divided the territory into province he divided the territory into two administrative districts and two administrative districts and two administrative districts and transferred three Legions to boost the

transferred three Legions to boost the transferred three Legions to boost the defenses along the defenses along the defenses along the danu though he was convinced now more danu though he was convinced now more danu though he was convinced now more than ever that the legions work best as than ever that the legions work best as than ever that the legions work best as a defensive Force rather than conquering a defensive Force rather than conquering a defensive Force rather than conquering adventurers the mission understood that adventurers the mission understood that adventurers the mission understood that the annihilation of a legion and the the annihilation of a legion and the the annihilation of a legion and the capture of a standard the petorian guard capture of a standard the petorian guard capture of a standard the petorian guard standard nonetheless could not go standard nonetheless could not go standard nonetheless could not go unanswered in both 87 and 88 the Romans unanswered in both 87 and 88 the Romans unanswered in both 87 and 88 the Romans crossed the danu to campaign against crossed the danu to campaign against crossed the danu to campaign against aalis though this time they marched with aalis though this time they marched with aalis though this time they marched with far greater care than had been shown by far greater care than had been shown by far greater care than had been shown by fuscus in 88 the daans and Romans once fuscus in 88 the daans and Romans once fuscus in 88 the daans and Romans once again found themselves facing off at again found themselves facing off at again found themselves facing off at tappy though this time the Romans did tappy though this time the Romans did tappy though this time the Romans did not stumble blindly into any traps and not stumble blindly into any traps and not stumble blindly into any traps and to Tois was soundly to Tois was soundly to Tois was soundly beaten all would seem to be well for beaten all would seem to be well for beaten all would seem to be well for demission and the Romans their honor was demission and the Romans their honor was demission and the Romans their honor was restored and the enemy beaten but restored and the enemy beaten but restored and the enemy beaten but unfortunately for demission events unfortunately for demission events unfortunately for demission events elsewhere conspired to turn his victory elsewhere conspired to turn his victory elsewhere conspired to turn his victory into a bleeding into a bleeding into a bleeding soar on January 1st 89 ad Lucius soar on January 1st 89 ad Lucius soar on January 1st 89 ad Lucius Antonius saturnus the governor of upper Antonius saturnus the governor of upper Antonius saturnus the governor of upper Germania had had enough of demission and Germania had had enough of demission and Germania had had enough of demission and led his two Legions in led his two Legions in led his two Legions in Revolt with this sudden crisis on the Revolt with this sudden crisis on the Revolt with this sudden crisis on the rine demission was forced to conclude a rine demission was forced to conclude a rine demission was forced to conclude a hasty treaty with the kbis that formally hasty treaty with the kbis that formally hasty treaty with the kbis that formally recognized daia as a client Kingdom of recognized daia as a client Kingdom of recognized daia as a client Kingdom of Rome to ensure that there would be no Rome to ensure that there would be no Rome to ensure that there would be no trouble after he left demission accepted trouble after he left demission accepted trouble after he left demission accepted a controversial provision that sent a controversial provision that sent a controversial provision that sent money and Artisans to De keis in money and Artisans to De keis in money and Artisans to De keis in exchange for exchange for exchange for peace the money and men would be used by peace the money and men would be used by peace the money and men would be used by the daian king to bolster his own

the daian king to bolster his own the daian king to bolster his own defenses and properly equip his growing defenses and properly equip his growing defenses and properly equip his growing Army the mission's treaty had the effect Army the mission's treaty had the effect Army the mission's treaty had the effect of transforming Roman tax dollars into of transforming Roman tax dollars into of transforming Roman tax dollars into to daian swords and putting Romans to to daian swords and putting Romans to to daian swords and putting Romans to work building walls that later Romans work building walls that later Romans work building walls that later Romans would die trying to would die trying to would die trying to climb the officer core was already climb the officer core was already climb the officer core was already grumbling about Dem mission's cowardly grumbling about Dem mission's cowardly grumbling about Dem mission's cowardly obsession with roads and watchtowers but obsession with roads and watchtowers but obsession with roads and watchtowers but for him to pay off an enemy like that for him to pay off an enemy like that for him to pay off an enemy like that was borderline dereliction of Duty and was borderline dereliction of Duty and was borderline dereliction of Duty and they had a point when trun decided to they had a point when trun decided to they had a point when trun decided to eventually Crush de keis once and for eventually Crush de keis once and for eventually Crush de keis once and for all he found the task far more arduous all he found the task far more arduous all he found the task far more arduous than it should have been because of all than it should have been because of all than it should have been because of all the enemy fortifications built built the enemy fortifications built built the enemy fortifications built built with Roman money for the record deis did with Roman money for the record deis did with Roman money for the record deis did control lucrative gold mines that bought control lucrative gold mines that bought control lucrative gold mines that bought and paid for most of his army lucrative and paid for most of his army lucrative and paid for most of his army lucrative gold mines that had far more to do with gold mines that had far more to do with gold mines that had far more to do with Tran's decision to invade than abstract Tran's decision to invade than abstract Tran's decision to invade than abstract Notions of Defending Roman Honor by the Notions of Defending Roman Honor by the Notions of Defending Roman Honor by the way but still the Optics of demission way but still the Optics of demission way but still the Optics of demission treaty were terrible and the deal with treaty were terrible and the deal with treaty were terrible and the deal with the keist soon became a political wound the keist soon became a political wound the keist soon became a political wound that refused to heal next week we'll start with the heal next week we'll start with the Revolt of saturnus which would prove to Revolt of saturnus which would prove to Revolt of saturnus which would prove to be a turning point in D mission's be a turning point in D mission's be a turning point in D mission's Reign prior to the uprising demission Reign prior to the uprising demission Reign prior to the uprising demission was harsh but fair in his use of was harsh but fair in his use of was harsh but fair in his use of Imperial power but afterwards the Imperial power but afterwards the Imperial power but afterwards the emperor would become far more paranoid emperor would become far more paranoid emperor would become far more paranoid and far more and far more and far more cruel though in the end he would execute cruel though in the end he would execute cruel though in the end he would execute for treason no more men than the lovable for treason no more men than the lovable for treason no more men than the lovable huggable Uncle Claudius the last years huggable Uncle Claudius the last years huggable Uncle Claudius the last years of D mission's Reign would nonetheless

of D mission's Reign would nonetheless of D mission's Reign would nonetheless go down in history as a reign of go down in history as a reign of go down in history as a reign of terror eventually a conspiracy of Court terror eventually a conspiracy of Court terror eventually a conspiracy of Court officials would determine that they had officials would determine that they had officials would determine that they had better kill the emperor before he killed better kill the emperor before he killed better kill the emperor before he killed them and on September 1896 ad the them and on September 1896 ad the them and on September 1896 ad the mission finally met the violent end that mission finally met the violent end that mission finally met the violent end that he had always suspected would be his to he had always suspected would be his to he had always suspected would be his to meet meet meet [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 77 what time is Rome episode 77 what time is Rome episode 77 what time is it D mission's autocratic Reign was it D mission's autocratic Reign was it D mission's autocratic Reign was approaching the decade Mark when it approaching the decade Mark when it approaching the decade Mark when it finally ran into some serious blowback finally ran into some serious blowback finally ran into some serious blowback there had been mumblings and grumblings there had been mumblings and grumblings there had been mumblings and grumblings from day one but thus far his loyal from day one but thus far his loyal from day one but thus far his loyal bureaucracy and his loyal troops had bureaucracy and his loyal troops had bureaucracy and his loyal troops had forestalled any major attempts at forestalled any major attempts at forestalled any major attempts at Revolution or Revolution or Revolution or coup but on January 1st '89 AD exactly coup but on January 1st '89 AD exactly coup but on January 1st '89 AD exactly 20 years after vitus's Revolt along the 20 years after vitus's Revolt along the 20 years after vitus's Revolt along the rine two Legions stationed in Upper rine two Legions stationed in Upper rine two Legions stationed in Upper Germany led by their provincial Governor Germany led by their provincial Governor Germany led by their provincial Governor Lucius Antonius saturninus refused to Lucius Antonius saturninus refused to Lucius Antonius saturninus refused to renew their oath to the mission and the

renew their oath to the mission and the renew their oath to the mission and the Roman World once again stood on the Roman World once again stood on the Roman World once again stood on the brink of Civil War no one had forgotten brink of Civil War no one had forgotten brink of Civil War no one had forgotten the war of 69 ad and from the outside the war of 69 ad and from the outside the war of 69 ad and from the outside saturninus Revolt looked eerily similar saturninus Revolt looked eerily similar saturninus Revolt looked eerily similar to the vitalian Rebellion hadn't kinaa to the vitalian Rebellion hadn't kinaa to the vitalian Rebellion hadn't kinaa LED two Legions on the upper rine in LED two Legions on the upper rine in LED two Legions on the upper rine in Revolt and hadn't that spark been Revolt and hadn't that spark been Revolt and hadn't that spark been carried down the river until the whole carried down the river until the whole carried down the river until the whole of the r Legions stood opposed to the of the r Legions stood opposed to the of the r Legions stood opposed to the legal emperor in Rome and hadn't that legal emperor in Rome and hadn't that legal emperor in Rome and hadn't that led to self-destruction on a scale not led to self-destruction on a scale not led to self-destruction on a scale not seen since the days of Octavian and seen since the days of Octavian and seen since the days of Octavian and Anthony yes he had yes it had and yes it Anthony yes he had yes it had and yes it Anthony yes he had yes it had and yes it did but this time things would turn out did but this time things would turn out did but this time things would turn out differently partly due to the widespread differently partly due to the widespread differently partly due to the widespread loyalty demission had earned from the loyalty demission had earned from the loyalty demission had earned from the legions in contrast to the bitter hatred legions in contrast to the bitter hatred legions in contrast to the bitter hatred they had directed at galba but also they had directed at galba but also they had directed at galba but also partly due to a heaping shovel full of partly due to a heaping shovel full of partly due to a heaping shovel full of luck had there not been an early thaw luck had there not been an early thaw luck had there not been an early thaw who knows what would have who knows what would have who knows what would have happened unfortunately we're never going happened unfortunately we're never going happened unfortunately we're never going to know the full story behind Saturn's to know the full story behind Saturn's to know the full story behind Saturn's Rebellion but it seems that the governor Rebellion but it seems that the governor Rebellion but it seems that the governor had been planning his Revolt for some had been planning his Revolt for some had been planning his Revolt for some time and had probably made contact with time and had probably made contact with time and had probably made contact with like-minded Senators back in Rome we're like-minded Senators back in Rome we're like-minded Senators back in Rome we're never going to know because once the never going to know because once the never going to know because once the uprising was put down by lepus Maximus uprising was put down by lepus Maximus uprising was put down by lepus Maximus the governor of lower Germany who was the governor of lower Germany who was the governor of lower Germany who was first on the scene the Victorious first on the scene the Victorious first on the scene the Victorious Governor burned all of saternus Governor burned all of saternus Governor burned all of saternus Correspondence before demission Correspondence before demission Correspondence before demission arrived it is likely that the letters arrived it is likely that the letters arrived it is likely that the letters implicated all of saturninus fellow implicated all of saturninus fellow implicated all of saturninus fellow Travelers and Maximus having done his Travelers and Maximus having done his Travelers and Maximus having done his duty and put down the Revolt had no wish duty and put down the Revolt had no wish duty and put down the Revolt had no wish for the aftermath to turn into a blood

for the aftermath to turn into a blood for the aftermath to turn into a blood bath all that we really know is that bath all that we really know is that bath all that we really know is that saturninus had made some kind of deal saturninus had made some kind of deal saturninus had made some kind of deal with the chatty with the chatty with the chatty the same chatty demission had used as the same chatty demission had used as the same chatty demission had used as his triumphal prop 6 years earlier and his triumphal prop 6 years earlier and his triumphal prop 6 years earlier and the two Legions under saturninus direct the two Legions under saturninus direct the two Legions under saturninus direct command were supposed to be reinforced command were supposed to be reinforced command were supposed to be reinforced by a strong Germanic Army to help them by a strong Germanic Army to help them by a strong Germanic Army to help them make their stand against a make their stand against a make their stand against a mission the emperor responded quickly to mission the emperor responded quickly to mission the emperor responded quickly to the crisis ordering Maximus to take all the crisis ordering Maximus to take all the crisis ordering Maximus to take all action necessary to quell the Revolt action necessary to quell the Revolt action necessary to quell the Revolt while he himself led a contingent of while he himself led a contingent of while he himself led a contingent of pretorians North to deal with the pretorians North to deal with the pretorians North to deal with the situation to help ensure Victory situation to help ensure Victory situation to help ensure Victory demission also ordered a legion from demission also ordered a legion from demission also ordered a legion from Spain to march in on the double the Spain to march in on the double the Spain to march in on the double the legion arrived well after the danger had legion arrived well after the danger had legion arrived well after the danger had passed but the unblinking Loyalty of the passed but the unblinking Loyalty of the passed but the unblinking Loyalty of the legion's commander a one Mr Marcus opius legion's commander a one Mr Marcus opius legion's commander a one Mr Marcus opius tronis earned the commander the tronis earned the commander the tronis earned the commander the Gratitude of demission who put the man Gratitude of demission who put the man Gratitude of demission who put the man history knows as trun on the fast track history knows as trun on the fast track history knows as trun on the fast track to his own date with Imperial Destiny to his own date with Imperial Destiny to his own date with Imperial Destiny saturninus Army was on the Roman side of saturninus Army was on the Roman side of saturninus Army was on the Roman side of the rine perhaps stuck on Perpetual the rine perhaps stuck on Perpetual the rine perhaps stuck on Perpetual Watchtower Duty which may have helped Watchtower Duty which may have helped Watchtower Duty which may have helped spurn the Restless governor and his plan spurn the Restless governor and his plan spurn the Restless governor and his plan was for the chatty to cross the Frozen was for the chatty to cross the Frozen was for the chatty to cross the Frozen rind before the rest of the Roman world rind before the rest of the Roman world rind before the rest of the Roman world had a chance to had a chance to had a chance to react but the luck of the flavians react but the luck of the flavians react but the luck of the flavians returned with a Vengeance and in the returned with a Vengeance and in the returned with a Vengeance and in the middle of January an unheard of early middle of January an unheard of early middle of January an unheard of early thaw turned the stable and thoroughly thaw turned the stable and thoroughly thaw turned the stable and thoroughly Frozen Ry River back into a rushing Frozen Ry River back into a rushing Frozen Ry River back into a rushing torrent The chatty were trapped on the torrent The chatty were trapped on the torrent The chatty were trapped on the far side and saturninus was suddenly far side and saturninus was suddenly far side and saturninus was suddenly left to face the full brunt of Imperial left to face the full brunt of Imperial left to face the full brunt of Imperial reprisal with only two Legions at his reprisal with only two Legions at his reprisal with only two Legions at his back just 24 days after the Revolt began

back just 24 days after the Revolt began back just 24 days after the Revolt began saturninus and his Legions surrendered saturninus and his Legions surrendered saturninus and his Legions surrendered to to to Maximus as I said Maximus took the Maximus as I said Maximus took the Maximus as I said Maximus took the treasonous governor of upper Germany treasonous governor of upper Germany treasonous governor of upper Germany into custody and then proceeded to burn into custody and then proceeded to burn into custody and then proceeded to burn the paper trail that had led to the the paper trail that had led to the the paper trail that had led to the uprising who knows what friends uprising who knows what friends uprising who knows what friends relatives Associates or otherwise relatives Associates or otherwise relatives Associates or otherwise Maximus was protecting but he certainly Maximus was protecting but he certainly Maximus was protecting but he certainly did history no favor by destroying all did history no favor by destroying all did history no favor by destroying all the evidence the Revolt then is left as the evidence the Revolt then is left as the evidence the Revolt then is left as a known but not very well understood a known but not very well understood a known but not very well understood crisis saturninus and his officers were crisis saturninus and his officers were crisis saturninus and his officers were executed and the two were rebellious executed and the two were rebellious executed and the two were rebellious Legions were sent to the front along the Legions were sent to the front along the Legions were sent to the front along the danu Maximus was awarded the danu Maximus was awarded the danu Maximus was awarded the governorship of Syria and Tran was governorship of Syria and Tran was governorship of Syria and Tran was elevated to a cilip in 91 followed by elevated to a cilip in 91 followed by elevated to a cilip in 91 followed by key appointments to governorships in key appointments to governorships in key appointments to governorships in moesia and along the rine I think we all moesia and along the rine I think we all moesia and along the rine I think we all know where his star is know where his star is know where his star is headed the year after the Revolt headed the year after the Revolt headed the year after the Revolt demission decided to serve a term as demission decided to serve a term as demission decided to serve a term as conso himself and as his colleag he made conso himself and as his colleag he made conso himself and as his colleag he made the surprising choice of an influential the surprising choice of an influential the surprising choice of an influential but quietly so man named Marcus k cus but quietly so man named Marcus k cus but quietly so man named Marcus k cus nerva obviously serving as the celor nerva obviously serving as the celor nerva obviously serving as the celor colleague of an emperor was incredibly colleague of an emperor was incredibly colleague of an emperor was incredibly prestigious and not lightly awarded so prestigious and not lightly awarded so prestigious and not lightly awarded so Scholars have been left to wonder what Scholars have been left to wonder what Scholars have been left to wonder what nerva did to earn such an nerva did to earn such an nerva did to earn such an honor some have speculated that he may honor some have speculated that he may honor some have speculated that he may have had a hand in uncovering saturninus have had a hand in uncovering saturninus have had a hand in uncovering saturninus his plot buying the emperor valuable his plot buying the emperor valuable his plot buying the emperor valuable reaction time after all nurva had been reaction time after all nurva had been reaction time after all nurva had been instrumental in uncovering the ponan instrumental in uncovering the ponan instrumental in uncovering the ponan conspiracy against Nero the generation conspiracy against Nero the generation conspiracy against Nero the generation before so maybe the old hand had once

before so maybe the old hand had once before so maybe the old hand had once again put his ear to the ground and again put his ear to the ground and again put his ear to the ground and delivered the Imperial house from delivered the Imperial house from delivered the Imperial house from ruin this probably relies too much on ruin this probably relies too much on ruin this probably relies too much on his role in uncovering the earlier his role in uncovering the earlier his role in uncovering the earlier conspiracy in its attempt to say that conspiracy in its attempt to say that conspiracy in its attempt to say that the consul ship was a reward for the consul ship was a reward for the consul ship was a reward for uncovering the latter conspiracy and uncovering the latter conspiracy and uncovering the latter conspiracy and really we may need to look no further really we may need to look no further really we may need to look no further than nerva uncanny ability to survive than nerva uncanny ability to survive than nerva uncanny ability to survive regime change to explain what he was regime change to explain what he was regime change to explain what he was doing at so prominent a doing at so prominent a doing at so prominent a position it takes a man of rare position it takes a man of rare position it takes a man of rare political skill to survive such political skill to survive such political skill to survive such turbulent times unharmed is it really so turbulent times unharmed is it really so turbulent times unharmed is it really so remarkable that he would one day find remarkable that he would one day find remarkable that he would one day find himself the Cel or colleague of an himself the Cel or colleague of an himself the Cel or colleague of an emperor or that one day he would simply emperor or that one day he would simply emperor or that one day he would simply find himself find himself find himself Emperor Marcus nerva was born November Emperor Marcus nerva was born November Emperor Marcus nerva was born November 83 ad into an Italian family that had 83 ad into an Italian family that had 83 ad into an Italian family that had risen to prominence as the principate risen to prominence as the principate risen to prominence as the principate was taking shape his family was not was taking shape his family was not was taking shape his family was not Elite Roman nobility but more and more Elite Roman nobility but more and more Elite Roman nobility but more and more such distinctions were becoming such distinctions were becoming such distinctions were becoming irrelevant vespasian's family was not irrelevant vespasian's family was not irrelevant vespasian's family was not from Rome proper either and soon enough from Rome proper either and soon enough from Rome proper either and soon enough the Empire would see its first the Empire would see its first the Empire would see its first provincial emperor in the aforementioned provincial emperor in the aforementioned provincial emperor in the aforementioned Tran nura's grandfather had been a Tran nura's grandfather had been a Tran nura's grandfather had been a friend of Tiberius and accompanied the friend of Tiberius and accompanied the friend of Tiberius and accompanied the emperor to cpri while his father had emperor to cpri while his father had emperor to cpri while his father had risen to the rank of console under risen to the rank of console under risen to the rank of console under Caligula nerva himself ued the Caligula nerva himself ued the Caligula nerva himself ued the conventional curses honor him and seems conventional curses honor him and seems conventional curses honor him and seems to have had no interest in a military to have had no interest in a military to have had no interest in a military career content instead to wield behind career content instead to wield behind career content instead to wield behind the scenes political influence as an the scenes political influence as an the scenes political influence as an adviser to the Emperor of his own day adviser to the Emperor of his own day adviser to the Emperor of his own day Nero in this capacity he earned Nero's Nero in this capacity he earned Nero's Nero in this capacity he earned Nero's Eternal gratitude for the Cal role he

Eternal gratitude for the Cal role he Eternal gratitude for the Cal role he played in uncovering the ponan played in uncovering the ponan played in uncovering the ponan conspiracy and the emperor rewarded him conspiracy and the emperor rewarded him conspiracy and the emperor rewarded him with unprecedented triumphal regalia an with unprecedented triumphal regalia an with unprecedented triumphal regalia an honor usually reserved for military honor usually reserved for military honor usually reserved for military victories while skillfully navigating victories while skillfully navigating victories while skillfully navigating his way around Nero's Imperial Court his way around Nero's Imperial Court his way around Nero's Imperial Court nerva at some point ran into Vespasian nerva at some point ran into Vespasian nerva at some point ran into Vespasian and the two struck up a and the two struck up a and the two struck up a friendship when Nero committed suicide I friendship when Nero committed suicide I friendship when Nero committed suicide I think any reasonable bookmaker would think any reasonable bookmaker would think any reasonable bookmaker would have put nerva down as a staunch have put nerva down as a staunch have put nerva down as a staunch oian Not only was his sister married to oian Not only was his sister married to oian Not only was his sister married to oo's brother but most of Nero's Court oo's brother but most of Nero's Court oo's brother but most of Nero's Court wound up in oo's corner anyway during wound up in oo's corner anyway during wound up in oo's corner anyway during the Civil Wars and nerva was certainly a the Civil Wars and nerva was certainly a the Civil Wars and nerva was certainly a member of Nero's member of Nero's member of Nero's court but nerva ignored these obvious court but nerva ignored these obvious court but nerva ignored these obvious loyalties and decided early to back loyalties and decided early to back loyalties and decided early to back Vespasian should the latter heed the Vespasian should the latter heed the Vespasian should the latter heed the calls to enter the calls to enter the calls to enter the ring this friendship and support allowed ring this friendship and support allowed ring this friendship and support allowed nerva to become one of the few members nerva to become one of the few members nerva to become one of the few members of Nero's Inner Circle to transition to of Nero's Inner Circle to transition to of Nero's Inner Circle to transition to the Inner Circle of the flavians which the Inner Circle of the flavians which the Inner Circle of the flavians which he did so in fine Style by being named a he did so in fine Style by being named a he did so in fine Style by being named a console ordinaria in 71 ad and that's console ordinaria in 71 ad and that's console ordinaria in 71 ad and that's the prestigious one remember that the prestigious one remember that the prestigious one remember that Vespasian usually reserved for members Vespasian usually reserved for members Vespasian usually reserved for members of his own family nerva spent the next of his own family nerva spent the next of his own family nerva spent the next two decades attached at the hip to the two decades attached at the hip to the two decades attached at the hip to the flavian court acting as a historically flavian court acting as a historically flavian court acting as a historically undocumented but still powerful member undocumented but still powerful member undocumented but still powerful member of the of the of the regime indeed after his consulship in 71 regime indeed after his consulship in 71 regime indeed after his consulship in 71 he doesn't really pop up again until 90 he doesn't really pop up again until 90 he doesn't really pop up again until 90 ad when he is suddenly awarded the honor ad when he is suddenly awarded the honor ad when he is suddenly awarded the honor of serving as Dem missions colleague in of serving as Dem missions colleague in of serving as Dem missions colleague in the the the consulship we'll probably never know consulship we'll probably never know consulship we'll probably never know what role if any nerva played in

what role if any nerva played in what role if any nerva played in uncovering saturninus Rebellion or uncovering saturninus Rebellion or uncovering saturninus Rebellion or whether it had anything to do with the whether it had anything to do with the whether it had anything to do with the Consular appointment it could be that Consular appointment it could be that Consular appointment it could be that after the failed Uprising demission after the failed Uprising demission after the failed Uprising demission wanted to reassert firm control over the wanted to reassert firm control over the wanted to reassert firm control over the Empire and took as his partner the only Empire and took as his partner the only Empire and took as his partner the only man he could trust without man he could trust without man he could trust without reservation a man who had served as an reservation a man who had served as an reservation a man who had served as an advisor and Mentor since the mission's advisor and Mentor since the mission's advisor and Mentor since the mission's lonely days in Rome after being left lonely days in Rome after being left lonely days in Rome after being left behind when his father and brother went behind when his father and brother went behind when his father and brother went to fight the Jewish war after the Rebellion demission more war after the Rebellion demission more than ever needed to surround himself than ever needed to surround himself than ever needed to surround himself with men he could trust after all with men he could trust after all with men he could trust after all Maximus had taken it upon himself to Maximus had taken it upon himself to Maximus had taken it upon himself to burn all the evidence in saturninus his burn all the evidence in saturninus his burn all the evidence in saturninus his tent before the emperor and his agents tent before the emperor and his agents tent before the emperor and his agents could look at it who knows what names could look at it who knows what names could look at it who knows what names would have popped up as additional would have popped up as additional would have popped up as additional conspirators or fellow Travelers or conspirators or fellow Travelers or conspirators or fellow Travelers or officially neutral but secret nod officially neutral but secret nod officially neutral but secret nod winkers as is so often the case after winkers as is so often the case after winkers as is so often the case after failed assassinations or coups or failed assassinations or coups or failed assassinations or coups or rebellions demission couldn't help but rebellions demission couldn't help but rebellions demission couldn't help but grow more paranoid and suspicious grow more paranoid and suspicious grow more paranoid and suspicious which members of that senatorial which members of that senatorial which members of that senatorial delegation are plotting to kill me which delegation are plotting to kill me which delegation are plotting to kill me which of my provincial Governors are secretly of my provincial Governors are secretly of my provincial Governors are secretly building anti-imperial alliances how building anti-imperial alliances how building anti-imperial alliances how many of my slaves would stab me to death many of my slaves would stab me to death many of my slaves would stab me to death to earn their to earn their to earn their freedom distrustful by Nature the freedom distrustful by Nature the freedom distrustful by Nature the mission's paranoia accelerated through mission's paranoia accelerated through mission's paranoia accelerated through the 90s the 90s the 90s ad he was not blind to what was ad he was not blind to what was ad he was not blind to what was happening to him though nor was he blind happening to him though nor was he blind happening to him though nor was he blind to the Public's perception that their to the Public's perception that their to the Public's perception that their Emperor was jumping at more Shadows Emperor was jumping at more Shadows Emperor was jumping at more Shadows lately and with harsher lately and with harsher lately and with harsher consequences the problem as admission consequences the problem as admission consequences the problem as admission sought was not that he was paranoid for

sought was not that he was paranoid for sought was not that he was paranoid for no reason but that he had every rational no reason but that he had every rational no reason but that he had every rational right to be paranoid because right to be paranoid because right to be paranoid because conspiracies did exist against his life conspiracies did exist against his life conspiracies did exist against his life that needed to be that needed to be that needed to be uncovered suetonius reports that uncovered suetonius reports that uncovered suetonius reports that demission lamented angrily That No One demission lamented angrily That No One demission lamented angrily That No One Believes In murder a secret plots Believes In murder a secret plots Believes In murder a secret plots against the emperor unless the emperor against the emperor unless the emperor against the emperor unless the emperor turns up turns up turns up dead demission was caught in a trap and dead demission was caught in a trap and dead demission was caught in a trap and he knew it stay vigilant and be accused he knew it stay vigilant and be accused he knew it stay vigilant and be accused of paranoid tyranny or lighten up and of paranoid tyranny or lighten up and of paranoid tyranny or lighten up and die a prudent Survivor the mission die a prudent Survivor the mission die a prudent Survivor the mission decided he could live with the former if decided he could live with the former if decided he could live with the former if it meant that he would it meant that he would it meant that he would live after the events of ' 89 ad then live after the events of ' 89 ad then live after the events of ' 89 ad then there was a sharp uptick in trees and there was a sharp uptick in trees and there was a sharp uptick in trees and trials the old Imperial weapon of Last trials the old Imperial weapon of Last trials the old Imperial weapon of Last Resort that had been abandoned by his Resort that had been abandoned by his Resort that had been abandoned by his father and officially outlawed by his father and officially outlawed by his father and officially outlawed by his brother it would be neat and clean to brother it would be neat and clean to brother it would be neat and clean to say that the Revolt caused the mission say that the Revolt caused the mission say that the Revolt caused the mission to revive the practice but over the to revive the practice but over the to revive the practice but over the course of his Reign he had already course of his Reign he had already course of his Reign he had already killed a handful of senators for killed a handful of senators for killed a handful of senators for treasonous activities and his decidedly treasonous activities and his decidedly treasonous activities and his decidedly rea actionary take on Free Speech had rea actionary take on Free Speech had rea actionary take on Free Speech had dramatically increased the scope of what dramatically increased the scope of what dramatically increased the scope of what would be considered treasonous would be considered treasonous would be considered treasonous activities this is why we can only say activities this is why we can only say activities this is why we can only say that the '90s ad saw demission paranoia that the '90s ad saw demission paranoia that the '90s ad saw demission paranoia increase rather than say that the '90s increase rather than say that the '90s increase rather than say that the '90s ad is when it ad is when it ad is when it began in The Last 5 Years of his Reign began in The Last 5 Years of his Reign began in The Last 5 Years of his Reign though demission killed about 20 men of though demission killed about 20 men of though demission killed about 20 men of senatorial Rank and confiscated the senatorial Rank and confiscated the senatorial Rank and confiscated the property of dozens property of dozens property of dozens more banishments and executions came more banishments and executions came more banishments and executions came with disturbing regularity and it was with disturbing regularity and it was with disturbing regularity and it was during this time that de mission's during this time that de mission's during this time that de mission's reputation as a bloodthirsty Tyrant was

reputation as a bloodthirsty Tyrant was reputation as a bloodthirsty Tyrant was really really really cemented to a man the Senate feared and cemented to a man the Senate feared and cemented to a man the Senate feared and loathed him some were afraid of being loathed him some were afraid of being loathed him some were afraid of being falsely accused or being deliberately falsely accused or being deliberately falsely accused or being deliberately set up by personal enemies While others set up by personal enemies While others set up by personal enemies While others were afraid that their very real were afraid that their very real were afraid that their very real attempts to overthrow the emperor were attempts to overthrow the emperor were attempts to overthrow the emperor were going to be discovered demission going to be discovered demission going to be discovered demission meanwhile was stuck trying to sort meanwhile was stuck trying to sort meanwhile was stuck trying to sort through rumors inuendo and vague shreds through rumors inuendo and vague shreds through rumors inuendo and vague shreds of evidence convinced that every day of evidence convinced that every day of evidence convinced that every day might be his last if he didn't get to might be his last if he didn't get to might be his last if he didn't get to them before they got to him it was them before they got to him it was them before they got to him it was simply put a bad time all around for simply put a bad time all around for simply put a bad time all around for everyone in 96 ad demission finally everyone in 96 ad demission finally everyone in 96 ad demission finally struck too close to home and his own struck too close to home and his own struck too close to home and his own Court officials turned against him Court officials turned against him Court officials turned against him determining that none of them were safe determining that none of them were safe determining that none of them were safe as long as demission remained as long as demission remained as long as demission remained alive supposedly this last plot was alive supposedly this last plot was alive supposedly this last plot was hatched after demission executed one of hatched after demission executed one of hatched after demission executed one of Nero's old freedmen who had Once Upon a Nero's old freedmen who had Once Upon a Nero's old freedmen who had Once Upon a Time helped Nero escape the palace and Time helped Nero escape the palace and Time helped Nero escape the palace and then help help the outlaw Emperor commit then help help the outlaw Emperor commit then help help the outlaw Emperor commit suicide citing the crime of not doing suicide citing the crime of not doing suicide citing the crime of not doing enough to protect his former Master enough to protect his former Master enough to protect his former Master demission had the Freedman killed even demission had the Freedman killed even demission had the Freedman killed even though the man had been serving as an though the man had been serving as an though the man had been serving as an imperial secretary for years the imperial secretary for years the imperial secretary for years the convoluted rationale and cross loyalties convoluted rationale and cross loyalties convoluted rationale and cross loyalties in the story cast doubt on how much of in the story cast doubt on how much of in the story cast doubt on how much of this version of events is true whether this version of events is true whether this version of events is true whether or not the man actually returned to or not the man actually returned to or not the man actually returned to Imperial Service for example or really Imperial Service for example or really Imperial Service for example or really whether demission had him killed at all whether demission had him killed at all whether demission had him killed at all but his alleged death is cited by but his alleged death is cited by but his alleged death is cited by suetonius as the Catalyst for demission suetonius as the Catalyst for demission suetonius as the Catalyst for demission Chamberlain pareus to organize an

Chamberlain pareus to organize an Chamberlain pareus to organize an assassination in 96 assassination in 96 assassination in 96 ad most of who knew what remains pure ad most of who knew what remains pure ad most of who knew what remains pure speculation but the three men we know speculation but the three men we know speculation but the three men we know for sure that were in on the plot were for sure that were in on the plot were for sure that were in on the plot were parthenius himself his fredman Maximus parthenius himself his fredman Maximus parthenius himself his fredman Maximus and an attendant to one of De mission's and an attendant to one of De mission's and an attendant to one of De mission's nieces named nieces named nieces named stefanus Maximus was to be the Inside stefanus Maximus was to be the Inside stefanus Maximus was to be the Inside Man in The Palace making sure that the Man in The Palace making sure that the Man in The Palace making sure that the right doors were locked and the right right doors were locked and the right right doors were locked and the right doors were unlocked and making sure that doors were unlocked and making sure that doors were unlocked and making sure that on the day of the deed the sword on the day of the deed the sword on the day of the deed the sword demission kept under his bed would be demission kept under his bed would be demission kept under his bed would be removed stefanus was to be the actual removed stefanus was to be the actual removed stefanus was to be the actual assassination and in preparation for his assassination and in preparation for his assassination and in preparation for his attack he faked an arm injury so attack he faked an arm injury so attack he faked an arm injury so everyone would get used to seeing him everyone would get used to seeing him everyone would get used to seeing him around with his arm in a around with his arm in a around with his arm in a sling with his presence in the palace sling with his presence in the palace sling with his presence in the palace never suspicious as he was in the direct never suspicious as he was in the direct never suspicious as he was in the direct employ of the Imperial family and his employ of the Imperial family and his employ of the Imperial family and his injured arm now old news to the injured arm now old news to the injured arm now old news to the pretorians watching over the emperor pretorians watching over the emperor pretorians watching over the emperor stefanus was able to then hide a dagger stefanus was able to then hide a dagger stefanus was able to then hide a dagger in the bandages and come and go as in the bandages and come and go as in the bandages and come and go as pleased the legend then goes that pleased the legend then goes that pleased the legend then goes that demission had long been particularly demission had long been particularly demission had long been particularly agitated around noon time as an agitated around noon time as an agitated around noon time as an astrologer had once told him that that astrologer had once told him that that astrologer had once told him that that was the time of day that he was destined was the time of day that he was destined was the time of day that he was destined to die so he was in the habit of to die so he was in the habit of to die so he was in the habit of constantly asking what time it was until constantly asking what time it was until constantly asking what time it was until the hour of his demise passed so he the hour of his demise passed so he the hour of his demise passed so he could relax and go about his business could relax and go about his business could relax and go about his business without the fear of death hanging over without the fear of death hanging over without the fear of death hanging over his head but on September 18 one of his his head but on September 18 one of his his head but on September 18 one of his servants who was in on the plot lied to servants who was in on the plot lied to servants who was in on the plot lied to the Emperor and told him it was well the Emperor and told him it was well the Emperor and told him it was well past noon when it was in fact just past noon when it was in fact just past noon when it was in fact just reaching that

reaching that reaching that hour content that he was going to live hour content that he was going to live hour content that he was going to live at least one more day demission let down at least one more day demission let down at least one more day demission let down his guard and retired to his personal his guard and retired to his personal his guard and retired to his personal quarters to sign some quarters to sign some quarters to sign some paperwork when stefanus arrived and paperwork when stefanus arrived and paperwork when stefanus arrived and demanded an audience with the emperor demanded an audience with the emperor demanded an audience with the emperor claiming that he had uncovered a plot claiming that he had uncovered a plot claiming that he had uncovered a plot against the emperor's life demission let against the emperor's life demission let against the emperor's life demission let the boy in to hear what he had to say the boy in to hear what he had to say the boy in to hear what he had to say unaware that the plot stefanus was about unaware that the plot stefanus was about unaware that the plot stefanus was about to reveal was you know the one he was to reveal was you know the one he was to reveal was you know the one he was planning to execute right then and planning to execute right then and planning to execute right then and there once he was close enough to the there once he was close enough to the there once he was close enough to the emperor stefanus pulled the dagger out emperor stefanus pulled the dagger out emperor stefanus pulled the dagger out of his sling and stabbed a mission in of his sling and stabbed a mission in of his sling and stabbed a mission in the the the groin but demission was not going to be groin but demission was not going to be groin but demission was not going to be an easy kill and having survived the an easy kill and having survived the an easy kill and having survived the initial attack he managed to fend stfas initial attack he managed to fend stfas initial attack he managed to fend stfas off for several minutes before further off for several minutes before further off for several minutes before further accomplishes rushed in and overwhelmed accomplishes rushed in and overwhelmed accomplishes rushed in and overwhelmed the wounded the wounded the wounded Emperor sutus reports that at least four Emperor sutus reports that at least four Emperor sutus reports that at least four other men helped stefanus inflict seven other men helped stefanus inflict seven other men helped stefanus inflict seven fatal stab wounds on demission who fatal stab wounds on demission who fatal stab wounds on demission who finally collapsed on the floor dead at finally collapsed on the floor dead at finally collapsed on the floor dead at the age of the age of the age of 45 the conspirators then hauled the body 45 the conspirators then hauled the body 45 the conspirators then hauled the body off and had it cremated without off and had it cremated without off and had it cremated without ceremony the only concession the dead ceremony the only concession the dead ceremony the only concession the dead Emperor was afforded was that his ashes Emperor was afforded was that his ashes Emperor was afforded was that his ashes were eventually deposited in the flavian were eventually deposited in the flavian were eventually deposited in the flavian temple rather than simply being temple rather than simply being temple rather than simply being scattered to the Four scattered to the Four scattered to the Four Winds he had ruled the empire for 15 Winds he had ruled the empire for 15 Winds he had ruled the empire for 15 dictatorial but more or less successful dictatorial but more or less successful dictatorial but more or less successful years and would be remembered as a monster questions have long abounded monster questions have long abounded about who else was in on the final plan about who else was in on the final plan about who else was in on the final plan to kill to kill to kill demission cassus Dio implicates his wife demission cassus Dio implicates his wife demission cassus Dio implicates his wife Dom matilla and others have accused the

Dom matilla and others have accused the Dom matilla and others have accused the pretorians of purposeful apathy if not pretorians of purposeful apathy if not pretorians of purposeful apathy if not outright outright outright complicity further the Senate's sudden complicity further the Senate's sudden complicity further the Senate's sudden announcement the next day that nerva man announcement the next day that nerva man announcement the next day that nerva man of the political Shadows was their of the political Shadows was their of the political Shadows was their unanimous choice to serve as the next unanimous choice to serve as the next unanimous choice to serve as the next Emperor has raised more than a few Emperor has raised more than a few Emperor has raised more than a few ancient and modern eyebrows about his ancient and modern eyebrows about his ancient and modern eyebrows about his involvement in the involvement in the involvement in the plot I think we can safely say that in plot I think we can safely say that in plot I think we can safely say that in their conduct both before and after the their conduct both before and after the their conduct both before and after the assassination that doell and the rank assassination that doell and the rank assassination that doell and the rank and file pretorians probably knew and file pretorians probably knew and file pretorians probably knew nothing of the nothing of the nothing of the plot however one of the petorian plot however one of the petorian plot however one of the petorian prefects Titus petronus secundus was prefects Titus petronus secundus was prefects Titus petronus secundus was probably aware of what was unfolding and probably aware of what was unfolding and probably aware of what was unfolding and did nothing to prevent it but it also did nothing to prevent it but it also did nothing to prevent it but it also seemed that he did nothing to bring any seemed that he did nothing to bring any seemed that he did nothing to bring any of the Guardsmen under his command into of the Guardsmen under his command into of the Guardsmen under his command into his his his confidence nerv's involvement is far confidence nerv's involvement is far confidence nerv's involvement is far cloudier as he shied away from the cloudier as he shied away from the cloudier as he shied away from the public eye public eye public eye he was well connected enough to have he was well connected enough to have he was well connected enough to have eyes and ears everywhere so it seems eyes and ears everywhere so it seems eyes and ears everywhere so it seems reasonable that he may have known reasonable that he may have known reasonable that he may have known something and the speed with which he something and the speed with which he something and the speed with which he was confirmed as heir to the throne was confirmed as heir to the throne was confirmed as heir to the throne suggests that someone may have suggests that someone may have suggests that someone may have approached him directly about whether he approached him directly about whether he approached him directly about whether he would be willing to Dawn the purple but would be willing to Dawn the purple but would be willing to Dawn the purple but his years of loyalty not just to the his years of loyalty not just to the his years of loyalty not just to the flavians but to the Imperial house in flavians but to the Imperial house in flavians but to the Imperial house in general seemed to belly such general seemed to belly such general seemed to belly such suspicions but then again he did let all suspicions but then again he did let all suspicions but then again he did let all the conspirators go without so much as a the conspirators go without so much as a the conspirators go without so much as a slap on the wrist so who knows slap on the wrist so who knows slap on the wrist so who knows with nerva in place the Senate then let with nerva in place the Senate then let with nerva in place the Senate then let 15 years of simmering anger explode in a 15 years of simmering anger explode in a 15 years of simmering anger explode in a series of edicts officially damning to

series of edicts officially damning to series of edicts officially damning to mission's mission's mission's memory his name was taken off all the memory his name was taken off all the memory his name was taken off all the public monuments and buildings he had public monuments and buildings he had public monuments and buildings he had constructed over the years and statues constructed over the years and statues constructed over the years and statues or reliefs that bore his likeness were or reliefs that bore his likeness were or reliefs that bore his likeness were recarved to look like nerva the goal was recarved to look like nerva the goal was recarved to look like nerva the goal was to pretend as if demission never to pretend as if demission never to pretend as if demission never happened just as Augustus had once tried happened just as Augustus had once tried happened just as Augustus had once tried to pretend that Mark Antony had never to pretend that Mark Antony had never to pretend that Mark Antony had never happened but the law banishing demission happened but the law banishing demission happened but the law banishing demission from the collective memory worked no from the collective memory worked no from the collective memory worked no better than it had for Augustus and even better than it had for Augustus and even better than it had for Augustus and even in Rome itself it was difficult to keep in Rome itself it was difficult to keep in Rome itself it was difficult to keep everyone on the same revisionist everyone on the same revisionist everyone on the same revisionist page out in the province it was an utter page out in the province it was an utter page out in the province it was an utter impossibility and in the legions it was impossibility and in the legions it was impossibility and in the legions it was downright dangerous to even suggest it downright dangerous to even suggest it downright dangerous to even suggest it the rank and file still loved emission the rank and file still loved emission the rank and file still loved emission and they scream for blood when his and they scream for blood when his and they scream for blood when his murder was murder was murder was announced when the Assassins were let go announced when the Assassins were let go announced when the Assassins were let go they howled for vengeance and for the they howled for vengeance and for the they howled for vengeance and for the entirety of his brief brain nerva would entirety of his brief brain nerva would entirety of his brief brain nerva would have difficulty exerting any kind of have difficulty exerting any kind of have difficulty exerting any kind of real influence on the troops for having real influence on the troops for having real influence on the troops for having allowed such a allowed such a allowed such a betrayal next week things will get so betrayal next week things will get so betrayal next week things will get so bad for nerva that the pretorians will bad for nerva that the pretorians will bad for nerva that the pretorians will actually besiege the palace and take him actually besiege the palace and take him actually besiege the palace and take him hostage demanding among other things the hostage demanding among other things the hostage demanding among other things the literal heads of D mission's assassins as I've said a few times assassins as I've said a few times demission wanted to usher in nothing demission wanted to usher in nothing demission wanted to usher in nothing less than an Augustine Renaissance and less than an Augustine Renaissance and less than an Augustine Renaissance and during his time in office he certainly during his time in office he certainly during his time in office he certainly match the breadth and depth of the first match the breadth and depth of the first match the breadth and depth of the first Emperor's Emperor's Emperor's interests just as with Augustus the interests just as with Augustus the interests just as with Augustus the mission did not limit himself to war and mission did not limit himself to war and mission did not limit himself to war and politics to both of them the influence

politics to both of them the influence politics to both of them the influence of the princeps rightly extended into of the princeps rightly extended into of the princeps rightly extended into all aspects of Roman Life the economy all aspects of Roman Life the economy all aspects of Roman Life the economy culture the Arts morality and culture the Arts morality and culture the Arts morality and sexuality demission attempted to follow sexuality demission attempted to follow sexuality demission attempted to follow the blueprint laid down by Augustus the blueprint laid down by Augustus the blueprint laid down by Augustus after all it had worked out great the after all it had worked out great the after all it had worked out great the first time around but unfortunately he first time around but unfortunately he first time around but unfortunately he never did have the personal gravy toss never did have the personal gravy toss never did have the personal gravy toss to pull it to pull it to pull it off Romans of all Stripes had scoffed off Romans of all Stripes had scoffed off Romans of all Stripes had scoffed when Augustus tried to implement his when Augustus tried to implement his when Augustus tried to implement his conservative morality laws the reception conservative morality laws the reception conservative morality laws the reception when demission tried to revive them was when demission tried to revive them was when demission tried to revive them was a healthy belly a healthy belly a healthy belly laugh when Augustus put his foot down laugh when Augustus put his foot down laugh when Augustus put his foot down after the disaster in the tberg and after the disaster in the tberg and after the disaster in the tberg and declared an end to Roman expansion and a declared an end to Roman expansion and a declared an end to Roman expansion and a reorganization of the legions into a reorganization of the legions into a reorganization of the legions into a defensive Force his commanders obeyed defensive Force his commanders obeyed defensive Force his commanders obeyed augustus's military credentials were augustus's military credentials were augustus's military credentials were after all impeccable after all impeccable after all impeccable but when the more or less civilian but when the more or less civilian but when the more or less civilian demission hewed The Identical line he demission hewed The Identical line he demission hewed The Identical line he was accused of cowardice dereliction of was accused of cowardice dereliction of was accused of cowardice dereliction of Duty and Duty and Duty and worse he had done nothing to earn the worse he had done nothing to earn the worse he had done nothing to earn the respect of his officers and Generals respect of his officers and Generals respect of his officers and Generals openly vented their openly vented their openly vented their frustrations even though had the order frustrations even though had the order frustrations even though had the order come from Augustus they would have come from Augustus they would have come from Augustus they would have hopped to without hopped to without hopped to without question Augustus was able to do much question Augustus was able to do much question Augustus was able to do much because he was Augustus and de mission's because he was Augustus and de mission's because he was Augustus and de mission's difficulties stand as living proof of difficulties stand as living proof of difficulties stand as living proof of the first Emperor's unique the first Emperor's unique the first Emperor's unique talents the mission forever battled on talents the mission forever battled on talents the mission forever battled on but his Augustine Renaissance was doomed but his Augustine Renaissance was doomed but his Augustine Renaissance was doomed to failure as long as Augustus himself to failure as long as Augustus himself to failure as long as Augustus himself was not around to make it was not around to make it was not around to make it work next week we'll begin the smooth

work next week we'll begin the smooth work next week we'll begin the smooth transition from the flavian dynasty to transition from the flavian dynasty to transition from the flavian dynasty to the so-called nervin anonine Dynasty the so-called nervin anonine Dynasty the so-called nervin anonine Dynasty which will control Rome until the which will control Rome until the which will control Rome until the assassination of Commodus nearly a assassination of Commodus nearly a assassination of Commodus nearly a century century century hence this new Dynasty will be populated hence this new Dynasty will be populated hence this new Dynasty will be populated by the men Gibbon famously dubbed the by the men Gibbon famously dubbed the by the men Gibbon famously dubbed the five good Emperors and during their time five good Emperors and during their time five good Emperors and during their time on the throne the Empire will reach its on the throne the Empire will reach its on the throne the Empire will reach its peak culturally economically and peak culturally economically and peak culturally economically and geographically in addition to their own geographically in addition to their own geographically in addition to their own unique talents the five good Emperors unique talents the five good Emperors unique talents the five good Emperors are collectively remembered for the are collectively remembered for the are collectively remembered for the wisdom they showed in picking their wisdom they showed in picking their wisdom they showed in picking their successors rather than relying on their successors rather than relying on their successors rather than relying on their own possibly deficient biological Sons own possibly deficient biological Sons own possibly deficient biological Sons they chose to adopt men of Merit who they chose to adopt men of Merit who they chose to adopt men of Merit who would rule the Empire as well as they would rule the Empire as well as they would rule the Empire as well as they had the example they set in this regard had the example they set in this regard had the example they set in this regard is often lauded as basically the is often lauded as basically the is often lauded as basically the Pinnacle of enen politics and Noble Pinnacle of enen politics and Noble Pinnacle of enen politics and Noble sacrifice in the name of civic sacrifice in the name of civic sacrifice in the name of civic virtue the only problem with this is virtue the only problem with this is virtue the only problem with this is that until Marcus Aurelius none of the that until Marcus Aurelius none of the that until Marcus Aurelius none of the Emperors of the nervin anonine dynasty Emperors of the nervin anonine dynasty Emperors of the nervin anonine dynasty actually had biological Sons to pass actually had biological Sons to pass actually had biological Sons to pass power onto nerva had to adopt Tran who power onto nerva had to adopt Tran who power onto nerva had to adopt Tran who had to adopt hadrien who had to adopt had to adopt hadrien who had to adopt had to adopt hadrien who had to adopt Antonius pasus who had to adopt Marc Antonius pasus who had to adopt Marc Antonius pasus who had to adopt Marc aelius and Lucius Varys because between aelius and Lucius Varys because between aelius and Lucius Varys because between them there was not a biological sun to them there was not a biological sun to them there was not a biological sun to be be be found so while it was remarkable run of found so while it was remarkable run of found so while it was remarkable run of capable men and they all deserve credit capable men and they all deserve credit capable men and they all deserve credit for their eventual choices and heirs we for their eventual choices and heirs we for their eventual choices and heirs we should not pretend that they were should not pretend that they were should not pretend that they were purposely refusing to hand power to purposely refusing to hand power to purposely refusing to hand power to their biological their biological their biological heirs the first chance one of them had

heirs the first chance one of them had heirs the first chance one of them had to pass the throne on to a son took it to pass the throne on to a son took it to pass the throne on to a son took it and that decision is where Gibbon and that decision is where Gibbon and that decision is where Gibbon finally landed in his search for the finally landed in his search for the finally landed in his search for the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire the last thing I'll mention Empire the last thing I'll mention before I go is that I recently recorded before I go is that I recently recorded before I go is that I recently recorded a short interview about the history of a short interview about the history of a short interview about the history of Rome for BBC 5 radio's pods and blog Rome for BBC 5 radio's pods and blog Rome for BBC 5 radio's pods and blog series that should be airing this series that should be airing this series that should be airing this Tuesday night if you're interested I've Tuesday night if you're interested I've Tuesday night if you're interested I've posted a link to the interview at the posted a link to the interview at the posted a link to the interview at the historyof rome. typepad.com but you can historyof rome. typepad.com but you can historyof rome. typepad.com but you can also get the episode on iTunes by also get the episode on iTunes by also get the episode on iTunes by searching for pods and blogs I will note searching for pods and blogs I will note searching for pods and blogs I will note however that I haven't actually heard however that I haven't actually heard however that I haven't actually heard the Final Cut of the interview so if it the Final Cut of the interview so if it the Final Cut of the interview so if it turns out that I sound like a damn fool turns out that I sound like a damn fool turns out that I sound like a damn fool then I'm going to erase the link and then I'm going to erase the link and then I'm going to erase the link and deny the whole thing ever happened deny the whole thing ever happened deny the whole thing ever happened [Music] hello and wel welcome to the history of hello and wel welcome to the history of Rome episode 78 Imperial stop Rome episode 78 Imperial stop Rome episode 78 Imperial stop Gap the assassination of demission Gap the assassination of demission Gap the assassination of demission threatened to bring the flavian Dynasty threatened to bring the flavian Dynasty threatened to bring the flavian Dynasty full circle political chaos and its

full circle political chaos and its full circle political chaos and its Bosom Buddies violence destruction and Bosom Buddies violence destruction and Bosom Buddies violence destruction and death had brought the family to power 25 death had brought the family to power 25 death had brought the family to power 25 years before and now with no air to years before and now with no air to years before and now with no air to speak of the sudden murder of the speak of the sudden murder of the speak of the sudden murder of the emperor stood ready to open the door to emperor stood ready to open the door to emperor stood ready to open the door to another round of bitter Civil another round of bitter Civil another round of bitter Civil War but no one had forgotten in the War but no one had forgotten in the War but no one had forgotten in the horrors of' 68 and 69 ad least of all horrors of' 68 and 69 ad least of all horrors of' 68 and 69 ad least of all the Senate and the Elites in Rome moved the Senate and the Elites in Rome moved the Senate and the Elites in Rome moved quickly to find someone anyone to Rally quickly to find someone anyone to Rally quickly to find someone anyone to Rally behind before the provincial General behind before the provincial General behind before the provincial General started dreaming Imperial started dreaming Imperial started dreaming Imperial dreams but finding the perfect candidate dreams but finding the perfect candidate dreams but finding the perfect candidate would not be easy preferably he would be would not be easy preferably he would be would not be easy preferably he would be an ally of the flavians so it could be an ally of the flavians so it could be an ally of the flavians so it could be plausibly argued that the new emperor plausibly argued that the new emperor plausibly argued that the new emperor did not necessarily represent a break did not necessarily represent a break did not necessarily represent a break with the previous Dynasty he should also with the previous Dynasty he should also with the previous Dynasty he should also be an older man so that if in their be an older man so that if in their be an older man so that if in their haste to find a success or they picked a haste to find a success or they picked a haste to find a success or they picked a bad one at least they would not have to bad one at least they would not have to bad one at least they would not have to live with their mistake for long and if live with their mistake for long and if live with their mistake for long and if they could scr up a childless old man they could scr up a childless old man they could scr up a childless old man that would be best of all everyone that would be best of all everyone that would be best of all everyone agreed that finding an emperor now now agreed that finding an emperor now now agreed that finding an emperor now now now was the most important thing and now was the most important thing and now was the most important thing and that unanimity was needed to make the that unanimity was needed to make the that unanimity was needed to make the choice stick but unanimity now could be choice stick but unanimity now could be choice stick but unanimity now could be achieved best if every Senator could achieved best if every Senator could achieved best if every Senator could imagine that his own preferred candidate imagine that his own preferred candidate imagine that his own preferred candidate would eventually be adopted by whatever would eventually be adopted by whatever would eventually be adopted by whatever old childless man they brought in now old childless man they brought in now old childless man they brought in now finally since they had just chafed for a finally since they had just chafed for a finally since they had just chafed for a decade and a half under demission it decade and a half under demission it decade and a half under demission it would be best if they brought in a man would be best if they brought in a man would be best if they brought in a man without strong military credentials or without strong military credentials or without strong military credentials or an independent political base the Senate an independent political base the Senate an independent political base the Senate wanted back in the game and they weren't wanted back in the game and they weren't wanted back in the game and they weren't going to get back in if they brought in going to get back in if they brought in going to get back in if they brought in someone who could just go right back to

someone who could just go right back to someone who could just go right back to ignoring ignoring ignoring them all of these parameters were cross them all of these parameters were cross them all of these parameters were cross triangulated and the man whose name triangulated and the man whose name triangulated and the man whose name popped up was long time Imperial adviser popped up was long time Imperial adviser popped up was long time Imperial adviser Marcus Marcus Marcus nerva past 60 the staunch flavian was nerva past 60 the staunch flavian was nerva past 60 the staunch flavian was old enough not to to last too long on old enough not to to last too long on old enough not to to last too long on the throne had no Sons to pass power the throne had no Sons to pass power the throne had no Sons to pass power onto when he died had spent his life onto when he died had spent his life onto when he died had spent his life avoiding the political Limelight and had avoiding the political Limelight and had avoiding the political Limelight and had no military record to speak of he was no military record to speak of he was no military record to speak of he was the perfect stop Gap answer to the the perfect stop Gap answer to the the perfect stop Gap answer to the question of question of question of succession nerville would buy the succession nerville would buy the succession nerville would buy the political establishment time to work political establishment time to work political establishment time to work through their rivalries and alliances through their rivalries and alliances through their rivalries and alliances peacefully without needing to resort to peacefully without needing to resort to peacefully without needing to resort to violence nerva had never even hinted violence nerva had never even hinted violence nerva had never even hinted that he wanted the job but he too that he wanted the job but he too that he wanted the job but he too remembered the year of the four emperors remembered the year of the four emperors remembered the year of the four emperors within hours of De mission's death he within hours of De mission's death he within hours of De mission's death he accepted the Senate's Acclaim if it accepted the Senate's Acclaim if it accepted the Senate's Acclaim if it meant keeping the peace the man who had meant keeping the peace the man who had meant keeping the peace the man who had spent his life in the shadows was more spent his life in the shadows was more spent his life in the shadows was more than willing to step into the than willing to step into the than willing to step into the light at this point the Senate was quite light at this point the Senate was quite light at this point the Senate was quite pleased with itself they had just fired pleased with itself they had just fired pleased with itself they had just fired their first shot and a bid to emerge their first shot and a bid to emerge their first shot and a bid to emerge from the political Wilderness and it from the political Wilderness and it from the political Wilderness and it felt good since the dawn of the prinv it felt good since the dawn of the prinv it felt good since the dawn of the prinv it their role in the succession process had their role in the succession process had their role in the succession process had always been to rubber stamp decisions always been to rubber stamp decisions always been to rubber stamp decisions that had already been made whether by that had already been made whether by that had already been made whether by the previous Emperor the petorian guard the previous Emperor the petorian guard the previous Emperor the petorian guard or the legions in the or the legions in the or the legions in the field for the first time the Senate all field for the first time the Senate all field for the first time the Senate all on its own was choosing the man who on its own was choosing the man who on its own was choosing the man who would rule the would rule the would rule the Empire the reign of demission was Empire the reign of demission was Empire the reign of demission was unquestionably the nator of senatorial unquestionably the nator of senatorial unquestionably the nator of senatorial power and now that he was dead they

power and now that he was dead they power and now that he was dead they believed that they were rapidly believed that they were rapidly believed that they were rapidly approaching a new approaching a new approaching a new Zenith in his initial pronouncements Zenith in his initial pronouncements Zenith in his initial pronouncements nerva did not disappoint on this front nerva did not disappoint on this front nerva did not disappoint on this front he declared an end to treason trials and he declared an end to treason trials and he declared an end to treason trials and promised a blanket moratorium on exec promised a blanket moratorium on exec promised a blanket moratorium on exec utions of men of senatorial rank he utions of men of senatorial rank he utions of men of senatorial rank he freed to missions political prisoners freed to missions political prisoners freed to missions political prisoners returned confiscated property and returned confiscated property and returned confiscated property and recalled dozens from recalled dozens from recalled dozens from Exile having undone much of De mission's Exile having undone much of De mission's Exile having undone much of De mission's damage nerva then went further and vowed damage nerva then went further and vowed damage nerva then went further and vowed to bring the Senate back into the to bring the Senate back into the to bring the Senate back into the political fold they would no longer be a political fold they would no longer be a political fold they would no longer be a social club without purpose or social club without purpose or social club without purpose or responsibility nerva promised them responsibility nerva promised them responsibility nerva promised them active participation in his active participation in his active participation in his administration the Senate to say the administration the Senate to say the administration the Senate to say the least was flying high least was flying high least was flying high but all was not well in the Empire as a but all was not well in the Empire as a but all was not well in the Empire as a whole the senate had never been a good whole the senate had never been a good whole the senate had never been a good barometer of anything other than what barometer of anything other than what barometer of anything other than what extremely rich men in Rome thought about extremely rich men in Rome thought about extremely rich men in Rome thought about things it was a sure bet that if a man things it was a sure bet that if a man things it was a sure bet that if a man was the Senate's preferred candidate was the Senate's preferred candidate was the Senate's preferred candidate then he was going to run into then he was going to run into then he was going to run into difficulties difficulties difficulties elsewhere and indeed all the things that elsewhere and indeed all the things that elsewhere and indeed all the things that recommended nerva to the Senate caused recommended nerva to the Senate caused recommended nerva to the Senate caused him problems everywhere else during his him problems everywhere else during his him problems everywhere else during his 16 months in power being old and 16 months in power being old and 16 months in power being old and childless was not necessarily a problem childless was not necessarily a problem childless was not necessarily a problem but his total lack of military but his total lack of military but his total lack of military experience and and the fact that the experience and and the fact that the experience and and the fact that the public at large had no idea who the heck public at large had no idea who the heck public at large had no idea who the heck he was yeah those things were going to he was yeah those things were going to he was yeah those things were going to come back to haunt come back to haunt come back to haunt him political power is a zero sum game him political power is a zero sum game him political power is a zero sum game so while the senate gloried in having so while the senate gloried in having so while the senate gloried in having chosen demission successor the two other chosen demission successor the two other chosen demission successor the two other institutions that had grown accustomed

institutions that had grown accustomed institutions that had grown accustomed to having the final word on such matters to having the final word on such matters to having the final word on such matters the petorian guard and the provincial the petorian guard and the provincial the petorian guard and the provincial Legions developed quick and healthy Legions developed quick and healthy Legions developed quick and healthy grudges at having been left out of the grudges at having been left out of the grudges at having been left out of the process nerva then exacerbated the situ process nerva then exacerbated the situ process nerva then exacerbated the situ situation by letting demission Killers situation by letting demission Killers situation by letting demission Killers Go free a move that the Senate applauded Go free a move that the Senate applauded Go free a move that the Senate applauded but the troops but the troops but the troops hated when demission loyal soldiers hated when demission loyal soldiers hated when demission loyal soldiers heard the news that the only punishment heard the news that the only punishment heard the news that the only punishment handed out was the dismissal of secundus handed out was the dismissal of secundus handed out was the dismissal of secundus as petorian prefect they couldn't as petorian prefect they couldn't as petorian prefect they couldn't believe their ears nerva attempted to believe their ears nerva attempted to believe their ears nerva attempted to Plate them with a generous donative upon Plate them with a generous donative upon Plate them with a generous donative upon ascending to the throne issued to both ascending to the throne issued to both ascending to the throne issued to both the pretorians and the rank and file the pretorians and the rank and file the pretorians and the rank and file soldiers but it was not nearly enough to soldiers but it was not nearly enough to soldiers but it was not nearly enough to dampen their dampen their dampen their outrage here was some random probably outrage here was some random probably outrage here was some random probably corrupt puppet of the Senate thinking he corrupt puppet of the Senate thinking he corrupt puppet of the Senate thinking he can just murder our emperor and then can just murder our emperor and then can just murder our emperor and then drop a few coins around and make drop a few coins around and make drop a few coins around and make everything all better who the hell did everything all better who the hell did everything all better who the hell did this guy think he was does he even know this guy think he was does he even know this guy think he was does he even know which end of a sword to hold for the which end of a sword to hold for the which end of a sword to hold for the rest of his short Reign nurva would rest of his short Reign nurva would rest of his short Reign nurva would barely even try to exert influence over barely even try to exert influence over barely even try to exert influence over the legions and his relationship with the legions and his relationship with the legions and his relationship with the Army could never be described as the Army could never be described as the Army could never be described as anything better than strained the new emperor did somewhat strained the new emperor did somewhat better with the public at large but his better with the public at large but his better with the public at large but his quest for popularity led the empire into quest for popularity led the empire into quest for popularity led the empire into shaky Financial territory that would shaky Financial territory that would shaky Financial territory that would only really be resolved by the sound only really be resolved by the sound only really be resolved by the sound policies of Tran who was a firm believer policies of Tran who was a firm believer policies of Tran who was a firm believer in the seiz your neighbors massive gold in the seiz your neighbors massive gold in the seiz your neighbors massive gold and silver deposits to pay for and silver deposits to pay for and silver deposits to pay for everything School of everything School of everything School of Economics it wasn't that nervous started Economics it wasn't that nervous started Economics it wasn't that nervous started out as some delusional tax cut and spend

out as some delusional tax cut and spend out as some delusional tax cut and spend executive but eventually that's where executive but eventually that's where executive but eventually that's where his policies took him he wanted to ease his policies took him he wanted to ease his policies took him he wanted to ease the heavy tax burden demission had the heavy tax burden demission had the heavy tax burden demission had saddled the Empire with while saddled the Empire with while saddled the Empire with while simultaneously expanding social welfare simultaneously expanding social welfare simultaneously expanding social welfare program program program which yeah doesn't usually add up to which yeah doesn't usually add up to which yeah doesn't usually add up to fiscal fiscal fiscal success for a man who was not exactly success for a man who was not exactly success for a man who was not exactly known outside the halls of the Imperial known outside the halls of the Imperial known outside the halls of the Imperial Palace nerva was acutely aware of the Palace nerva was acutely aware of the Palace nerva was acutely aware of the need to generate some goodwi and fast need to generate some goodwi and fast need to generate some goodwi and fast and he kicked things off in fine Style and he kicked things off in fine Style and he kicked things off in fine Style by announcing a one-time bonus payment by announcing a one-time bonus payment by announcing a one-time bonus payment of 75 dinari per citizen to celebrate of 75 dinari per citizen to celebrate of 75 dinari per citizen to celebrate his Ascension to the his Ascension to the his Ascension to the throne he then went further and began throne he then went further and began throne he then went further and began using Imperial money and property to using Imperial money and property to using Imperial money and property to extend land grants to the poor and lower extend land grants to the poor and lower extend land grants to the poor and lower middle class middle class middle class class then over the course of his first class then over the course of his first class then over the course of his first year in office he tried to alleviate the year in office he tried to alleviate the year in office he tried to alleviate the heavy Financial burdens the mission had heavy Financial burdens the mission had heavy Financial burdens the mission had laid upon them all by exempting rich and laid upon them all by exempting rich and laid upon them all by exempting rich and poor alike from various tax schemes the poor alike from various tax schemes the poor alike from various tax schemes the mission had dreamed mission had dreamed mission had dreamed up everyone was starting to dig the new up everyone was starting to dig the new up everyone was starting to dig the new guy lower taxes and more stuff is guy lower taxes and more stuff is guy lower taxes and more stuff is definitely a recipe for political definitely a recipe for political definitely a recipe for political popularity and nerva was just getting popularity and nerva was just getting popularity and nerva was just getting started but the new emperor also started but the new emperor also started but the new emperor also understood that lower taxes and more understood that lower taxes and more understood that lower taxes and more stuff is not just ARR recipe for stuff is not just ARR recipe for stuff is not just ARR recipe for political succcess it is also a recipe political succcess it is also a recipe political succcess it is also a recipe for economic disaster and he at least for economic disaster and he at least for economic disaster and he at least tried to get some of his new programs to tried to get some of his new programs to tried to get some of his new programs to pay for pay for pay for themselves the program closest to his themselves the program closest to his themselves the program closest to his heart was a new stable welfare program heart was a new stable welfare program heart was a new stable welfare program for the poorest of the for the poorest of the for the poorest of the poor previous Emperors had issued free poor previous Emperors had issued free poor previous Emperors had issued free grain allotments but these programs were

grain allotments but these programs were grain allotments but these programs were started and stopped at will leaving a started and stopped at will leaving a started and stopped at will leaving a level of social insecurity that nerva level of social insecurity that nerva level of social insecurity that nerva wanted to end for wanted to end for wanted to end for good plus he figured if he could good plus he figured if he could good plus he figured if he could entrench his new Elementary system into entrench his new Elementary system into entrench his new Elementary system into the fabric of society then his legacy the fabric of society then his legacy the fabric of society then his legacy would be would be would be secured but after all the tax cutting secured but after all the tax cutting secured but after all the tax cutting the treasury was running low so nerva the treasury was running low so nerva the treasury was running low so nerva decided to get into the business of decided to get into the business of decided to get into the business of issuing loans for land purchases in issuing loans for land purchases in issuing loans for land purchases in Italy what does that have to do with a Italy what does that have to do with a Italy what does that have to do with a social welfare program well in addition social welfare program well in addition social welfare program well in addition to encouraging greater land ownership to encouraging greater land ownership to encouraging greater land ownership men who took out loans from the state men who took out loans from the state men who took out loans from the state were required to pay 5% interest were required to pay 5% interest were required to pay 5% interest directly back to their local directly back to their local directly back to their local municipalities payments that would municipalities payments that would municipalities payments that would underwrite nura's new welfare underwrite nura's new welfare underwrite nura's new welfare system but in the end nerva was adding system but in the end nerva was adding system but in the end nerva was adding too much to the debit Side Of The Ledger too much to the debit Side Of The Ledger too much to the debit Side Of The Ledger without making up for it on the credit without making up for it on the credit without making up for it on the credit side and within a year the fiscal side and within a year the fiscal side and within a year the fiscal situation looked Grim so nerva and the situation looked Grim so nerva and the situation looked Grim so nerva and the Senate turned to the politician's best Senate turned to the politician's best Senate turned to the politician's best friend for dealing with one's own policy friend for dealing with one's own policy friend for dealing with one's own policy blunders they formed a blue ribbon blunders they formed a blue ribbon blunders they formed a blue ribbon commission to study the problem and make commission to study the problem and make commission to study the problem and make recommendations but the commission recommendations but the commission recommendations but the commission turned out to be more than simply an turned out to be more than simply an turned out to be more than simply an instrument of public relations and it instrument of public relations and it instrument of public relations and it actually came back with some effective actually came back with some effective actually came back with some effective ways to cut costs and raise ways to cut costs and raise ways to cut costs and raise revenues for one thing they reported the revenues for one thing they reported the revenues for one thing they reported the mission had inaugurated Myriad games and mission had inaugurated Myriad games and mission had inaugurated Myriad games and banquets and festivals all designed to banquets and festivals all designed to banquets and festivals all designed to Foster Public Goodwill and show off the Foster Public Goodwill and show off the Foster Public Goodwill and show off the recently completed Coliseum and all its recently completed Coliseum and all its recently completed Coliseum and all its Glory he was able to pay for it all Glory he was able to pay for it all Glory he was able to pay for it all because he was taxing the Dickens out of because he was taxing the Dickens out of because he was taxing the Dickens out of everyone but when nerva shut down to

everyone but when nerva shut down to everyone but when nerva shut down to missions various revenue streams the missions various revenue streams the missions various revenue streams the games became a black hole for Imperial games became a black hole for Imperial games became a black hole for Imperial money the commission recommended money the commission recommended money the commission recommended severely limiting to mission's festival severely limiting to mission's festival severely limiting to mission's festival calendar down to the necessary religious calendar down to the necessary religious calendar down to the necessary religious observances and nerva immediately took observances and nerva immediately took observances and nerva immediately took their their their advice the commission also noted that in advice the commission also noted that in advice the commission also noted that in addition to the Mounds of Beed riches he addition to the Mounds of Beed riches he addition to the Mounds of Beed riches he hoarded in the palace demission had also hoarded in the palace demission had also hoarded in the palace demission had also been in the habit of building marvelous been in the habit of building marvelous been in the habit of building marvelous solid gold and silver statues of himself solid gold and silver statues of himself solid gold and silver statues of himself does the Empire really need gold statues does the Empire really need gold statues does the Empire really need gold statues of demission laying around or do you of demission laying around or do you of demission laying around or do you suppose we could melt them down and put suppose we could melt them down and put suppose we could melt them down and put all that gold and silver to better all that gold and silver to better all that gold and silver to better use turning the old statues into coins use turning the old statues into coins use turning the old statues into coins only got the emperor so far though so only got the emperor so far though so only got the emperor so far though so nurva then held public auctions to purge nurva then held public auctions to purge nurva then held public auctions to purge the Palace of demission the Palace of demission the Palace of demission treasure finally they raised enough treasure finally they raised enough treasure finally they raised enough money to get the Empire's financial money to get the Empire's financial money to get the Empire's financial situation back on track at least situation back on track at least situation back on track at least temporarily but of course canceling temporarily but of course canceling temporarily but of course canceling games and melting down statues are games and melting down statues are games and melting down statues are one-time only fixes which would have one-time only fixes which would have one-time only fixes which would have been a problem for nerva had he been in been a problem for nerva had he been in been a problem for nerva had he been in office any longer but by the time the office any longer but by the time the office any longer but by the time the bill came due again he was dead bill came due again he was dead bill came due again he was dead an economic crisis invented and resolved an economic crisis invented and resolved an economic crisis invented and resolved nurva breathed the sigh of nurva breathed the sigh of nurva breathed the sigh of relief it is easy to feel a bit sorry relief it is easy to feel a bit sorry relief it is easy to feel a bit sorry for the old man he had spent his life for the old man he had spent his life for the old man he had spent his life behind the scenes offering advice behind the scenes offering advice behind the scenes offering advice helping to find problems and running helping to find problems and running helping to find problems and running small meetings at no point had he been small meetings at no point had he been small meetings at no point had he been the man making the decisions or the man the man making the decisions or the man the man making the decisions or the man who had to deal with the political who had to deal with the political who had to deal with the political backlash when things went arai or the

backlash when things went arai or the backlash when things went arai or the man who was expected to control the herd man who was expected to control the herd man who was expected to control the herd of cats that was the Roman senate of cats that was the Roman senate of cats that was the Roman senate for example having promised the Senate for example having promised the Senate for example having promised the Senate that they were essentially exempt from that they were essentially exempt from that they were essentially exempt from political punishment he placed no political punishment he placed no political punishment he placed no restrictions on their own pursuit of restrictions on their own pursuit of restrictions on their own pursuit of political vendettas and the body quickly political vendettas and the body quickly political vendettas and the body quickly turned on itself in a Maelstrom of turned on itself in a Maelstrom of turned on itself in a Maelstrom of accusations and counter accusations over accusations and counter accusations over accusations and counter accusations over past past past offenses unwilling to come down hard on offenses unwilling to come down hard on offenses unwilling to come down hard on the one part of the political system who the one part of the political system who the one part of the political system who really supported him nerva allowed the really supported him nerva allowed the really supported him nerva allowed the Senate to run a muck prompting one Senate to run a muck prompting one Senate to run a muck prompting one member to observe that the tyranny of member to observe that the tyranny of member to observe that the tyranny of demission was perhaps Superior to the demission was perhaps Superior to the demission was perhaps Superior to the Anarchy of Anarchy of Anarchy of nerva the emperor simply did not have a nerva the emperor simply did not have a nerva the emperor simply did not have a firm executive mindset and soon everyone firm executive mindset and soon everyone firm executive mindset and soon everyone friends included came to see him as weak friends included came to see him as weak friends included came to see him as weak and and and ineffective he was at his Core Essence ineffective he was at his Core Essence ineffective he was at his Core Essence simply unsuited for the job of simply unsuited for the job of simply unsuited for the job of emperor when a coup masterminded by a emperor when a coup masterminded by a emperor when a coup masterminded by a senator named calpernius crus was senator named calpernius crus was senator named calpernius crus was exposed and nerva refused to execute the exposed and nerva refused to execute the exposed and nerva refused to execute the plotters it was not seen as a generous plotters it was not seen as a generous plotters it was not seen as a generous Act of forgiveness in the mold of Julius Act of forgiveness in the mold of Julius Act of forgiveness in the mold of Julius Caesar it was instead seen as the lame Caesar it was instead seen as the lame Caesar it was instead seen as the lame response of a weak man who refused to response of a weak man who refused to response of a weak man who refused to stand up even for stand up even for stand up even for himself for the pretorians who had been himself for the pretorians who had been himself for the pretorians who had been ticked off since nerva refused to ticked off since nerva refused to ticked off since nerva refused to properly punish the mission's Assassins properly punish the mission's Assassins properly punish the mission's Assassins the situation was fast becoming the situation was fast becoming the situation was fast becoming untenable in late 997 ad after just over untenable in late 997 ad after just over untenable in late 997 ad after just over a year in office old resentments were a year in office old resentments were a year in office old resentments were finally combined with enough new finally combined with enough new finally combined with enough new resentments to trigger Revolt among the

resentments to trigger Revolt among the resentments to trigger Revolt among the Guardsmen nurva had never been their Guardsmen nurva had never been their Guardsmen nurva had never been their choice and in the past last year he had choice and in the past last year he had choice and in the past last year he had done nothing to show them that he was done nothing to show them that he was done nothing to show them that he was anything but a spineless puppet of the anything but a spineless puppet of the anything but a spineless puppet of the Senate but they were not interested in Senate but they were not interested in Senate but they were not interested in hacking their Emperor to pieces at least hacking their Emperor to pieces at least hacking their Emperor to pieces at least not yet as he was obviously not a Madman not yet as he was obviously not a Madman not yet as he was obviously not a Madman like Caligula or like Caligula or like Caligula or Nero mostly they just wanted to remind Nero mostly they just wanted to remind Nero mostly they just wanted to remind him that the Senate may have placed him him that the Senate may have placed him him that the Senate may have placed him on the throne but the petorian kept him on the throne but the petorian kept him on the throne but the petorian kept him there it was important for nerva to there it was important for nerva to there it was important for nerva to understand that whoever said that the understand that whoever said that the understand that whoever said that the pen was mightier than the sword had pen was mightier than the sword had pen was mightier than the sword had clearly never been stabbed to death in clearly never been stabbed to death in clearly never been stabbed to death in the middle of the night so in October of the middle of the night so in October of the middle of the night so in October of 97 led by their new prefect casparius 97 led by their new prefect casparius 97 led by their new prefect casparius alanus the man appointed by nerva to alanus the man appointed by nerva to alanus the man appointed by nerva to replace the dismissed sandis the replace the dismissed sandis the replace the dismissed sandis the pretorians laid Siege to the Imperial pretorians laid Siege to the Imperial pretorians laid Siege to the Imperial Palace and quickly breaching the meager Palace and quickly breaching the meager Palace and quickly breaching the meager non- pretorian defenses took the emperor non- pretorian defenses took the emperor non- pretorian defenses took the emperor hostage nerva quickly gave in to their hostage nerva quickly gave in to their hostage nerva quickly gave in to their demand that demission Killers finally be demand that demission Killers finally be demand that demission Killers finally be brought to Justice and in short order brought to Justice and in short order brought to Justice and in short order parthenius secundus and the other parthenius secundus and the other parthenius secundus and the other conspirators were hunted down and conspirators were hunted down and conspirators were hunted down and executed executed executed the emperor also wound up publicly the emperor also wound up publicly the emperor also wound up publicly thanking the pretorians for reminding thanking the pretorians for reminding thanking the pretorians for reminding him of his duty which was a part of the him of his duty which was a part of the him of his duty which was a part of the deal that sent them back to their deal that sent them back to their deal that sent them back to their Barracks the details of what else they Barracks the details of what else they Barracks the details of what else they wanted is hard to figure but that was wanted is hard to figure but that was wanted is hard to figure but that was never the point the point was to remind never the point the point was to remind never the point the point was to remind the Emperor who was Alpha Dog in Rome it the Emperor who was Alpha Dog in Rome it the Emperor who was Alpha Dog in Rome it wasn't important what the pretorians wasn't important what the pretorians wasn't important what the pretorians demanded it was only important that the demanded it was only important that the demanded it was only important that the emperor

comply after this un settling ordeal comply after this un settling ordeal nerva knew that he needed to do nerva knew that he needed to do nerva knew that he needed to do something fast to salvage his decimated something fast to salvage his decimated something fast to salvage his decimated reputation not just for his own sake but reputation not just for his own sake but reputation not just for his own sake but for the whole for the whole for the whole empire he did not have the support of empire he did not have the support of empire he did not have the support of the legance and the pretorians had just the legance and the pretorians had just the legance and the pretorians had just publicly humiliated him his only real publicly humiliated him his only real publicly humiliated him his only real political allies were in the Senate and political allies were in the Senate and political allies were in the Senate and well nobody liked them well nobody liked them well nobody liked them anyway nerva knew that conditions like anyway nerva knew that conditions like anyway nerva knew that conditions like these can lead quickly to Civil War if these can lead quickly to Civil War if these can lead quickly to Civil War if they are not headed off at the they are not headed off at the they are not headed off at the pass up until now the old and childless pass up until now the old and childless pass up until now the old and childless nerva had been koi about who he planned nerva had been koi about who he planned nerva had been koi about who he planned to name as his to name as his to name as his successor he had been flirting with the successor he had been flirting with the successor he had been flirting with the idea of adopting as his air the governor idea of adopting as his air the governor idea of adopting as his air the governor of Syria but in the aftermath of The of Syria but in the aftermath of The of Syria but in the aftermath of The petorian Siege he changed course and petorian Siege he changed course and petorian Siege he changed course and suddenly announced to everyone's Delight suddenly announced to everyone's Delight suddenly announced to everyone's Delight the legance most of all that he was the legance most of all that he was the legance most of all that he was adopting as his Heir the most popular adopting as his Heir the most popular adopting as his Heir the most popular general of the day general of the day general of the day Tran immediately the political Waters Tran immediately the political Waters Tran immediately the political Waters that had been heating up to a full boil that had been heating up to a full boil that had been heating up to a full boil cooled any hint of open revolt alter cooled any hint of open revolt alter cooled any hint of open revolt alter Civil War disappeared almost Civil War disappeared almost Civil War disappeared almost overnight the only group put out by the overnight the only group put out by the overnight the only group put out by the choice of Tran was the Senate as they choice of Tran was the Senate as they choice of Tran was the Senate as they had hoped to be in the driver's seat on had hoped to be in the driver's seat on had hoped to be in the driver's seat on the issue of the issue of the issue of succession as I said every Senator had succession as I said every Senator had succession as I said every Senator had their favorite candidate and they were their favorite candidate and they were their favorite candidate and they were all getting ready for some good all getting ready for some good all getting ready for some good old-fashioned horse trading to get their old-fashioned horse trading to get their old-fashioned horse trading to get their preferred man in place when nerva up and preferred man in place when nerva up and preferred man in place when nerva up and killed the game before it ever got killed the game before it ever got killed the game before it ever got started in time though they would shed started in time though they would shed started in time though they would shed whatever resentment they had over being whatever resentment they had over being whatever resentment they had over being bypassed as Tran proved himself to be an bypassed as Tran proved himself to be an bypassed as Tran proved himself to be an Emperor as great as the Divine Augustus

himself the future Emperor Tran was born himself the future Emperor Tran was born in Spain in 53 ad near modern-day in Spain in 53 ad near modern-day in Spain in 53 ad near modern-day Seville this of course made him what no Seville this of course made him what no Seville this of course made him what no previous Emperor had ever been a previous Emperor had ever been a previous Emperor had ever been a provincial now it is a matter of some provincial now it is a matter of some provincial now it is a matter of some dispute whether Tran was technically a dispute whether Tran was technically a dispute whether Tran was technically a provincial or whether he was the member provincial or whether he was the member provincial or whether he was the member of a displaced Roman family that had of a displaced Roman family that had of a displaced Roman family that had moved into the region following Rome's moved into the region following Rome's moved into the region following Rome's envelopment of the Iberian envelopment of the Iberian envelopment of the Iberian Peninsula the argument boils down to Peninsula the argument boils down to Peninsula the argument boils down to whether you believe Tran's branch of the whether you believe Tran's branch of the whether you believe Tran's branch of the extended opan family was pure Italian or extended opan family was pure Italian or extended opan family was pure Italian or whether it had been native Spanish and whether it had been native Spanish and whether it had been native Spanish and adopted into the clan at some point in adopted into the clan at some point in adopted into the clan at some point in the past which yeah I'm not going to get the past which yeah I'm not going to get the past which yeah I'm not going to get bogged down in since it doesn't really bogged down in since it doesn't really bogged down in since it doesn't really matter how pure Tran's blood was when matter how pure Tran's blood was when matter how pure Tran's blood was when pointing out that he was the first pointing out that he was the first pointing out that he was the first provincial Emperor because every single provincial Emperor because every single provincial Emperor because every single citizen of the Empire Italian and citizen of the Empire Italian and citizen of the Empire Italian and provincial alike considered him provincial alike considered him provincial alike considered him provincial full stop provincial full stop provincial full stop his family Rose to prominence with the his family Rose to prominence with the his family Rose to prominence with the flavians and Tran's father was elevated flavians and Tran's father was elevated flavians and Tran's father was elevated to senatorial status following his loyal to senatorial status following his loyal to senatorial status following his loyal service to VES pacin and Titus during service to VES pacin and Titus during service to VES pacin and Titus during the Jewish the Jewish the Jewish War the high regard Vespasian had for War the high regard Vespasian had for War the high regard Vespasian had for Tran's father is amply demonstrated by Tran's father is amply demonstrated by Tran's father is amply demonstrated by the former's appointment in 76 ad to the the former's appointment in 76 ad to the the former's appointment in 76 ad to the governorship of governorship of governorship of Syria Tran accompanied his father and Syria Tran accompanied his father and Syria Tran accompanied his father and got his first taste of Public Service in got his first taste of Public Service in got his first taste of Public Service in military life serving as a Tribune in military life serving as a Tribune in military life serving as a Tribune in the Eastern the Eastern the Eastern Legions shortly after his stint in the Legions shortly after his stint in the Legions shortly after his stint in the Syrian Army young Tran was granted a Syrian Army young Tran was granted a Syrian Army young Tran was granted a quter ship and his rapid rise up the quter ship and his rapid rise up the quter ship and his rapid rise up the cursus honorum was

cursus honorum was cursus honorum was underway his public career well begun underway his public career well begun underway his public career well begun Tran then managed to marry a woman who Tran then managed to marry a woman who Tran then managed to marry a woman who would go down in history as one of the would go down in history as one of the would go down in history as one of the finest matrons in the whole long history finest matrons in the whole long history finest matrons in the whole long history of the Empire pompia of the Empire pompia of the Empire pompia plotina Roman writers typically cast plotina Roman writers typically cast plotina Roman writers typically cast their women either as reserved saintly their women either as reserved saintly their women either as reserved saintly mothers in the Cornelia African mold or mothers in the Cornelia African mold or mothers in the Cornelia African mold or as diabolical stepmothers in the Olivia as diabolical stepmothers in the Olivia as diabolical stepmothers in the Olivia agripino agripino agripino mold the difference in depiction mold the difference in depiction mold the difference in depiction unfortunately usually came down to how unfortunately usually came down to how unfortunately usually came down to how much power the woman in question wielded much power the woman in question wielded much power the woman in question wielded if the answer was a lot then you can bet if the answer was a lot then you can bet if the answer was a lot then you can bet she was going to be portrayed as a she was going to be portrayed as a she was going to be portrayed as a scheming probably murderous old scheming probably murderous old scheming probably murderous old witch pompia plotina however managed to witch pompia plotina however managed to witch pompia plotina however managed to avoid this fate and somehow got the old avoid this fate and somehow got the old avoid this fate and somehow got the old historians to fit the notion of a historians to fit the notion of a historians to fit the notion of a capable and influential woman having a capable and influential woman having a capable and influential woman having a positive impact on the world around her positive impact on the world around her positive impact on the world around her into their heads into their heads into their heads and that alone should prove what an and that alone should prove what an and that alone should prove what an impressive woman she actually was Tran became Prater in or around 85 was Tran became Prater in or around 85 ad and shortly thereafter found himself ad and shortly thereafter found himself ad and shortly thereafter found himself leading the seventh Legion stationed in leading the seventh Legion stationed in leading the seventh Legion stationed in Spain Tran was a natural leader and Spain Tran was a natural leader and Spain Tran was a natural leader and excelled at the Art of War and it was excelled at the Art of War and it was excelled at the Art of War and it was clear that his star was on the clear that his star was on the clear that his star was on the rise he had the kind of easygoing rise he had the kind of easygoing rise he had the kind of easygoing Authority that made men not just ready Authority that made men not just ready Authority that made men not just ready to serve but eager to serve he he had a to serve but eager to serve he he had a to serve but eager to serve he he had a relaxed familiar relationship with his relaxed familiar relationship with his relaxed familiar relationship with his troops that coupled with his policy of troops that coupled with his policy of troops that coupled with his policy of strict but fair discipline reminds you strict but fair discipline reminds you strict but fair discipline reminds you of no one so much as Julius

of no one so much as Julius of no one so much as Julius Caesar the young provincial General was Caesar the young provincial General was Caesar the young provincial General was fast becoming the most popular man in fast becoming the most popular man in fast becoming the most popular man in the Roman the Roman the Roman army coming to the aid of demission so army coming to the aid of demission so army coming to the aid of demission so readily during Satan's Revolt earned him readily during Satan's Revolt earned him readily during Satan's Revolt earned him de mission's gratitude and with his de mission's gratitude and with his de mission's gratitude and with his natural talents now joined with Imperial natural talents now joined with Imperial natural talents now joined with Imperial favor he was Off to the favor he was Off to the favor he was Off to the Races in 91 ad he served a term as Races in 91 ad he served a term as Races in 91 ad he served a term as Consul followed by key appointments as Consul followed by key appointments as Consul followed by key appointments as governor in moia and upper governor in moia and upper governor in moia and upper Germany as Governor he earned rave Germany as Governor he earned rave Germany as Governor he earned rave reviews not just for his military Acumen reviews not just for his military Acumen reviews not just for his military Acumen but for his administrative but for his administrative but for his administrative skills as a provincial himself he skills as a provincial himself he skills as a provincial himself he brought along with him none of the brought along with him none of the brought along with him none of the Arrogant disdain the boys raised on the Arrogant disdain the boys raised on the Arrogant disdain the boys raised on the Palatine Hill seemed to carry around Palatine Hill seemed to carry around Palatine Hill seemed to carry around with them as they arrived in wherever to with them as they arrived in wherever to with them as they arrived in wherever to serve their perfunctory Pro serve their perfunctory Pro serve their perfunctory Pro consulships as Emperor Tran brought this consulships as Emperor Tran brought this consulships as Emperor Tran brought this worldview with him full recognizing that worldview with him full recognizing that worldview with him full recognizing that the Empire he ruled was not a collection the Empire he ruled was not a collection the Empire he ruled was not a collection of faceless conquered people led by a of faceless conquered people led by a of faceless conquered people led by a divinely ordained Elite in Rome but divinely ordained Elite in Rome but divinely ordained Elite in Rome but rather a collection of unique and rather a collection of unique and rather a collection of unique and talented peoples who were all talented peoples who were all talented peoples who were all contributing to the greatness of the contributing to the greatness of the contributing to the greatness of the Empire to which they Empire to which they Empire to which they belonged it was a worldview that would belonged it was a worldview that would belonged it was a worldview that would serve Tran and the Roman Empire as a serve Tran and the Roman Empire as a serve Tran and the Roman Empire as a whole quite well through the mess of De mission's well through the mess of De mission's assassination and nerva Ascension Tran assassination and nerva Ascension Tran assassination and nerva Ascension Tran did his best to keep his troops in line did his best to keep his troops in line did his best to keep his troops in line and loyal to the legal Emperor but he and loyal to the legal Emperor but he and loyal to the legal Emperor but he was not oblivious to their unhappiness was not oblivious to their unhappiness was not oblivious to their unhappiness with the situation nor their whispered with the situation nor their whispered with the situation nor their whispered calls that perhaps he ought to be calls that perhaps he ought to be calls that perhaps he ought to be sitting on the throne instead of shifty

sitting on the throne instead of shifty sitting on the throne instead of shifty old old old nerva but before he had a chance to nerva but before he had a chance to nerva but before he had a chance to really be persuaded that he ought to you really be persuaded that he ought to you really be persuaded that he ought to you know take matters into his own hand the know take matters into his own hand the know take matters into his own hand the petorian Revolt made the whole question petorian Revolt made the whole question petorian Revolt made the whole question moot knowing full well that tran was the moot knowing full well that tran was the moot knowing full well that tran was the most popular man in the Army and that he most popular man in the Army and that he most popular man in the Army and that he needed the Army on his side if he hoped needed the Army on his side if he hoped needed the Army on his side if he hoped to remain on the throne nervous ly to remain on the throne nervous ly to remain on the throne nervous ly announced his intention to adopt trun announced his intention to adopt trun announced his intention to adopt trun and make him his and make him his and make him his Heir elevated to the consulship for 98 Heir elevated to the consulship for 98 Heir elevated to the consulship for 98 ad and given a full share of The ad and given a full share of The ad and given a full share of The Emperor's tribun Powers trun suddenly Emperor's tribun Powers trun suddenly Emperor's tribun Powers trun suddenly found himself not just Heir but found himself not just Heir but found himself not just Heir but practically practically practically co-emperor there's some speculation that co-emperor there's some speculation that co-emperor there's some speculation that with trun in place and well received with trun in place and well received with trun in place and well received that nerva was planning to abdicate the that nerva was planning to abdicate the that nerva was planning to abdicate the throne but we'll never know for sure throne but we'll never know for sure throne but we'll never know for sure because in January 98 ad nerva died of because in January 98 ad nerva died of because in January 98 ad nerva died of an illness at the age of 67 after just an illness at the age of 67 after just an illness at the age of 67 after just 16 months in 16 months in 16 months in office Tran was in Germany when nerva office Tran was in Germany when nerva office Tran was in Germany when nerva died and it is traditionally reported died and it is traditionally reported died and it is traditionally reported that it was young hadrien future Emperor that it was young hadrien future Emperor that it was young hadrien future Emperor himself who delivered the news that tran himself who delivered the news that tran himself who delivered the news that tran was now the sole emperor of the Roman Empire nura's reign had been brief and Empire nura's reign had been brief and stormy and in the end we should probably stormy and in the end we should probably stormy and in the end we should probably be talking about the four good Emperors be talking about the four good Emperors be talking about the four good Emperors rather than the five good Emperors but rather than the five good Emperors but rather than the five good Emperors but as a temporary stop Gap to fend off as a temporary stop Gap to fend off as a temporary stop Gap to fend off Civil War he did just fine his his Civil War he did just fine his his Civil War he did just fine his his Elementary system did entrench itself as Elementary system did entrench itself as Elementary system did entrench itself as a Cornerstone of the enlightened a Cornerstone of the enlightened a Cornerstone of the enlightened despotism that defined his successors despotism that defined his successors despotism that defined his successors and whatever damage his economic and whatever damage his economic and whatever damage his economic flailing did was short-lived as Tran

flailing did was short-lived as Tran flailing did was short-lived as Tran soon solved the Empire's money problems soon solved the Empire's money problems soon solved the Empire's money problems so nerva personal Legacy was a mixed bag so nerva personal Legacy was a mixed bag so nerva personal Legacy was a mixed bag that did some long-term good but no real that did some long-term good but no real that did some long-term good but no real long-term long-term long-term damage but of course he will always be damage but of course he will always be damage but of course he will always be remembered as one of the five good remembered as one of the five good remembered as one of the five good Emperors because his chosen Heir turned Emperors because his chosen Heir turned Emperors because his chosen Heir turned out to be trun who was consistently out to be trun who was consistently out to be trun who was consistently ranked either second or third depending ranked either second or third depending ranked either second or third depending on what you think of Constantine on the on what you think of Constantine on the on what you think of Constantine on the list of greatest Emperors of all list of greatest Emperors of all list of greatest Emperors of all time so nerva stuck the landing on the time so nerva stuck the landing on the time so nerva stuck the landing on the most critical decision of his Reign and most critical decision of his Reign and most critical decision of his Reign and for that alone we shouldn't kick him for that alone we shouldn't kick him for that alone we shouldn't kick him around too around too around too much when we come back we'll begin the much when we come back we'll begin the much when we come back we'll begin the reign of Tran who as I said is widely reign of Tran who as I said is widely reign of Tran who as I said is widely considered one of the best Emperors in considered one of the best Emperors in considered one of the best Emperors in Roman Roman Roman history a military man at heart he would history a military man at heart he would history a military man at heart he would leave augustus's injunction against leave augustus's injunction against leave augustus's injunction against further expansion in the dust and push further expansion in the dust and push further expansion in the dust and push the empire into hair to for unconquered the empire into hair to for unconquered the empire into hair to for unconquered territory bringing back with him riches territory bringing back with him riches territory bringing back with him riches that would fund a century of Roman that would fund a century of Roman that would fund a century of Roman Brilliance as a result of his campaigns Brilliance as a result of his campaigns Brilliance as a result of his campaigns practically every standard map of the practically every standard map of the practically every standard map of the Roman Empire you see today is labeled Roman Empire you see today is labeled Roman Empire you see today is labeled down in the corner Roman Empire at its down in the corner Roman Empire at its down in the corner Roman Empire at its greatest extent 117 ad or something like greatest extent 117 ad or something like greatest extent 117 ad or something like that that was Tran he was Rome at its that that was Tran he was Rome at its that that was Tran he was Rome at its greatest greatest greatest extent however I must tell you that trun extent however I must tell you that trun extent however I must tell you that trun will have to wait until after the New will have to wait until after the New will have to wait until after the New Year I'm taking two weeks off for the Year I'm taking two weeks off for the Year I'm taking two weeks off for the holidays but we'll be back on January 10 holidays but we'll be back on January 10 holidays but we'll be back on January 10 to begin the century Gibbon famously to begin the century Gibbon famously to begin the century Gibbon famously called the period when the condition of called the period when the condition of called the period when the condition of the human race was at its happiest and

the human race was at its happiest and the human race was at its happiest and most prosperous happy saturnalia most prosperous happy saturnalia most prosperous happy saturnalia [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 79 the dasan Rome episode 79 the dasan Rome episode 79 the dasan wars when nerva died in January of 98 ad wars when nerva died in January of 98 ad wars when nerva died in January of 98 ad news of his death generated as much risk news of his death generated as much risk news of his death generated as much risk belief as a dead sadness we know from belief as a dead sadness we know from belief as a dead sadness we know from last time that nerva was no egomaniacal last time that nerva was no egomaniacal last time that nerva was no egomaniacal despotic monster whose death was eagerly despotic monster whose death was eagerly despotic monster whose death was eagerly anticipated by friend and foe alike but anticipated by friend and foe alike but anticipated by friend and foe alike but neither was he seen as the best man for neither was he seen as the best man for neither was he seen as the best man for a very difficult job the best man a very difficult job the best man a very difficult job the best man everyone agreed was Tran and from the everyone agreed was Tran and from the everyone agreed was Tran and from the minute he had been adopted the Death minute he had been adopted the Death minute he had been adopted the Death Watch began on Watch began on Watch began on nerva the sooner the old Emperor died nerva the sooner the old Emperor died nerva the sooner the old Emperor died the sooner Imperial Authority would be the sooner Imperial Authority would be the sooner Imperial Authority would be back in the hands of a man who would back in the hands of a man who would back in the hands of a man who would know how to use it properly so so when know how to use it properly so so when know how to use it properly so so when nerva slipped his mortal coil just nerva slipped his mortal coil just nerva slipped his mortal coil just months after naming Tran air everyone months after naming Tran air everyone months after naming Tran air everyone agreed how nice it was that the old man agreed how nice it was that the old man agreed how nice it was that the old man had not dragged things out Rome would had not dragged things out Rome would had not dragged things out Rome would again be ruled by a proper emperor not a again be ruled by a proper emperor not a again be ruled by a proper emperor not a political fixer in over his

political fixer in over his political fixer in over his head the crazy thing about Tran is that head the crazy thing about Tran is that head the crazy thing about Tran is that in his almost 20 years in office he in his almost 20 years in office he in his almost 20 years in office he actually managed to exceed the high actually managed to exceed the high actually managed to exceed the high expectations everyone had for him and expectations everyone had for him and expectations everyone had for him and after his death every subsequent Emperor after his death every subsequent Emperor after his death every subsequent Emperor would Ascend to the throne blessed by would Ascend to the throne blessed by would Ascend to the throne blessed by the ceremonial prayer may he be iier the ceremonial prayer may he be iier the ceremonial prayer may he be iier than Augustus and better than than Augustus and better than than Augustus and better than trun there was no drama surrounding the trun there was no drama surrounding the trun there was no drama surrounding the succession as he had already been succession as he had already been succession as he had already been entrusted with most of the important entrusted with most of the important entrusted with most of the important powers that collectively made up powers that collectively made up powers that collectively made up official Imperial Authority in the few official Imperial Authority in the few official Imperial Authority in the few months between his adoption and nerv's months between his adoption and nerv's months between his adoption and nerv's death the two men resemble colleagues death the two men resemble colleagues death the two men resemble colleagues far more than they resemble present far more than they resemble present far more than they resemble present ruler and future Heir as I mentioned ruler and future Heir as I mentioned ruler and future Heir as I mentioned last time there is even some speculation last time there is even some speculation last time there is even some speculation that nerva was planning to abdicate the that nerva was planning to abdicate the that nerva was planning to abdicate the throne as soon as Tran was settled into throne as soon as Tran was settled into throne as soon as Tran was settled into his new position but died before he had his new position but died before he had his new position but died before he had the chance to some wanted Tran to take the chance to some wanted Tran to take the chance to some wanted Tran to take over completely right away but the over completely right away but the over completely right away but the general declined to even return to Rome general declined to even return to Rome general declined to even return to Rome during the brief time he and nerva during the brief time he and nerva during the brief time he and nerva shared shared shared power perhaps it was just that he was power perhaps it was just that he was power perhaps it was just that he was too busy monitoring the situation on the too busy monitoring the situation on the too busy monitoring the situation on the Rind but it could also be that he Rind but it could also be that he Rind but it could also be that he understood all too well that he would understood all too well that he would understood all too well that he would utterly overshadow nerva should he utterly overshadow nerva should he utterly overshadow nerva should he return to the capital and out of return to the capital and out of return to the capital and out of professional courtesy he stayed away to professional courtesy he stayed away to professional courtesy he stayed away to let nerva serve out his term with let nerva serve out his term with let nerva serve out his term with honor I would believe either explanation honor I would believe either explanation honor I would believe either explanation but his well-documented political but his well-documented political but his well-documented political humility and respect for the pride of humility and respect for the pride of humility and respect for the pride of proud men makes the latter an enticing proud men makes the latter an enticing proud men makes the latter an enticing conclusion but then again he would be conclusion but then again he would be conclusion but then again he would be emperor in his own right for more than a emperor in his own right for more than a emperor in his own right for more than a year before he finally did make his way year before he finally did make his way year before he finally did make his way to Rome so it could be that he really

to Rome so it could be that he really to Rome so it could be that he really was just too busy ensuring the security was just too busy ensuring the security was just too busy ensuring the security of the norgan border to come back to the of the norgan border to come back to the of the norgan border to come back to the capital for some speeches and religious capital for some speeches and religious capital for some speeches and religious ceremonies careful attention to the real ceremonies careful attention to the real ceremonies careful attention to the real responsibilities of office as opposed to responsibilities of office as opposed to responsibilities of office as opposed to the lavish trappings of power was the lavish trappings of power was the lavish trappings of power was another of Tran's character traits that another of Tran's character traits that another of Tran's character traits that endear him to everyone ancient medieval endear him to everyone ancient medieval endear him to everyone ancient medieval and modern and modern and modern alike like I said Traen spent most of alike like I said Traen spent most of alike like I said Traen spent most of his first year in office traveling the his first year in office traveling the his first year in office traveling the Empire's Frontier first along the rine Empire's Frontier first along the rine Empire's Frontier first along the rine and then the and then the and then the danu mostly satisfied with the defensive danu mostly satisfied with the defensive danu mostly satisfied with the defensive fortifications the mission had put in fortifications the mission had put in fortifications the mission had put in place Tran eventually arrived in moesia place Tran eventually arrived in moesia place Tran eventually arrived in moesia the province opposite the kingdom of the province opposite the kingdom of the province opposite the kingdom of daia where he paused studied and daia where he paused studied and daia where he paused studied and concluded that war north of the danu was concluded that war north of the danu was concluded that war north of the danu was inevitable inevitable inevitable as a career military man he was well as a career military man he was well as a career military man he was well aware of the theory among his peers at aware of the theory among his peers at aware of the theory among his peers at the peace treaty the mission had signed the peace treaty the mission had signed the peace treaty the mission had signed with dbis and now the new emperor was with dbis and now the new emperor was with dbis and now the new emperor was witnessing firsthand the fruits of that witnessing firsthand the fruits of that witnessing firsthand the fruits of that poison tree the money and material the poison tree the money and material the poison tree the money and material the mission had sent it to keis was supposed mission had sent it to keis was supposed mission had sent it to keis was supposed to be used to bolster the dacian Border to be used to bolster the dacian Border to be used to bolster the dacian Border facing away from Rome to help the new facing away from Rome to help the new facing away from Rome to help the new client King fulfill his responsibility client King fulfill his responsibility client King fulfill his responsibility as a buffer against the uncivilized as a buffer against the uncivilized as a buffer against the uncivilized tribes beyond the tribes beyond the tribes beyond the frontier but Tran Scouts reported back frontier but Tran Scouts reported back frontier but Tran Scouts reported back to him that keis had actually built a to him that keis had actually built a to him that keis had actually built a substantial fortification Network facing substantial fortification Network facing substantial fortification Network facing south towards the Roman south towards the Roman south towards the Roman provinces the implication of this provinces the implication of this provinces the implication of this fortification network was all too Clear fortification network was all too Clear fortification network was all too Clear DE keist was clearly anticipating future DE keist was clearly anticipating future DE keist was clearly anticipating future hostilities with Rome the only question

hostilities with Rome the only question hostilities with Rome the only question was when the next War would break was when the next War would break was when the next War would break out but Tran was a patient man while he out but Tran was a patient man while he out but Tran was a patient man while he immediately apprehended that he was at immediately apprehended that he was at immediately apprehended that he was at some point going to invade daia he knew some point going to invade daia he knew some point going to invade daia he knew that he couldn't just go flying off half that he couldn't just go flying off half that he couldn't just go flying off half C Ed while the situation in DEA was C Ed while the situation in DEA was C Ed while the situation in DEA was going to come to a head eventually it going to come to a head eventually it going to come to a head eventually it did not look ready to explode just yet did not look ready to explode just yet did not look ready to explode just yet undertaking an invasion on the scale he undertaking an invasion on the scale he undertaking an invasion on the scale he envisioned was going to take careful envisioned was going to take careful envisioned was going to take careful planning but most of all it was going to planning but most of all it was going to planning but most of all it was going to take a solidified political position at take a solidified political position at take a solidified political position at home he was popular now the new car home he was popular now the new car home he was popular now the new car smell still lingering in the air but smell still lingering in the air but smell still lingering in the air but Tran understood how quickly novelty can Tran understood how quickly novelty can Tran understood how quickly novelty can wear off without the support of the wear off without the support of the wear off without the support of the people and the Senate back home it was people and the Senate back home it was people and the Senate back home it was pure Folly to go off conquering pure Folly to go off conquering pure Folly to go off conquering abroad so bidding and until next time to abroad so bidding and until next time to abroad so bidding and until next time to the dean Kingdom he made his way back to the dean Kingdom he made his way back to the dean Kingdom he made his way back to Rome in 99 Rome in 99 Rome in 99 ad his arrival in the capital was as ad his arrival in the capital was as ad his arrival in the capital was as magnificent as any triumphal magnificent as any triumphal magnificent as any triumphal procession his return to Rome had been procession his return to Rome had been procession his return to Rome had been anticipated since nerva had named him anticipated since nerva had named him anticipated since nerva had named him air and the whole population of the city air and the whole population of the city air and the whole population of the city turned out to cheer their new turned out to cheer their new turned out to cheer their new emperor setting the tone for his Reign emperor setting the tone for his Reign emperor setting the tone for his Reign Tran did not ride in on a splendid Tran did not ride in on a splendid Tran did not ride in on a splendid Chariot or a top a great Ste deed Chariot or a top a great Ste deed Chariot or a top a great Ste deed instead he entered the city on foot and instead he entered the city on foot and instead he entered the city on foot and walked down the streets greeting his walked down the streets greeting his walked down the streets greeting his adoring adoring adoring subjects he continued in this Vin as he subjects he continued in this Vin as he subjects he continued in this Vin as he met with the Senate adopting a met with the Senate adopting a met with the Senate adopting a deferential tone and vowing to continue deferential tone and vowing to continue deferential tone and vowing to continue nervous policy that left men of nervous policy that left men of nervous policy that left men of senatorial rank free from the fear of

senatorial rank free from the fear of senatorial rank free from the fear of Imperial Imperial Imperial persecution the senate had been unhappy persecution the senate had been unhappy persecution the senate had been unhappy that they had had no say in the adoption that they had had no say in the adoption that they had had no say in the adoption of Tran and even more unhappy that he of Tran and even more unhappy that he of Tran and even more unhappy that he was a mere Spanish provincial but the was a mere Spanish provincial but the was a mere Spanish provincial but the New Emperor's demeanor disarmed even his New Emperor's demeanor disarmed even his New Emperor's demeanor disarmed even his most pessimistic critics in both word most pessimistic critics in both word most pessimistic critics in both word and deed Tran signaled that he was and deed Tran signaled that he was and deed Tran signaled that he was returning to the old Augustine model of returning to the old Augustine model of returning to the old Augustine model of the emperor's princeps merely the first the emperor's princeps merely the first the emperor's princeps merely the first among among among equals this went a long way towards equals this went a long way towards equals this went a long way towards assuaging the doubts of the aristocracy assuaging the doubts of the aristocracy assuaging the doubts of the aristocracy who quickly came to view trun as not who quickly came to view trun as not who quickly came to view trun as not only a man they could work with but also only a man they could work with but also only a man they could work with but also a man who would work with them indeed a man who would work with them indeed a man who would work with them indeed Tran wound up as a sort of ironic flip Tran wound up as a sort of ironic flip Tran wound up as a sort of ironic flip side to demission demission had sought side to demission demission had sought side to demission demission had sought to emulate all of a augustus's ends to emulate all of a augustus's ends to emulate all of a augustus's ends while ignoring the first Emperor's means while ignoring the first Emperor's means while ignoring the first Emperor's means Tran meanwhile emulated augustus's means Tran meanwhile emulated augustus's means Tran meanwhile emulated augustus's means while as we will soon see pursuing his while as we will soon see pursuing his while as we will soon see pursuing his own very different own very different own very different ends Tran spent the next two years in ends Tran spent the next two years in ends Tran spent the next two years in Rome solidifying his position always Rome solidifying his position always Rome solidifying his position always with one eye on daia but otherwise with one eye on daia but otherwise with one eye on daia but otherwise focused on ensuring political and focused on ensuring political and focused on ensuring political and economic peace across the Empire he now economic peace across the Empire he now economic peace across the Empire he now commanded to gain the support of the commanded to gain the support of the commanded to gain the support of the Senate he freed more of De mission's old Senate he freed more of De mission's old Senate he freed more of De mission's old political prisoners and return more political prisoners and return more political prisoners and return more confiscated property to the aristocratic confiscated property to the aristocratic confiscated property to the aristocratic victims of the last flavian victims of the last flavian victims of the last flavian regime to gain the support of the people regime to gain the support of the people regime to gain the support of the people he announced his intention to continue he announced his intention to continue he announced his intention to continue and extend nerv's Elementary system and and extend nerv's Elementary system and and extend nerv's Elementary system and then ensure that his stepfather would then ensure that his stepfather would then ensure that his stepfather would receive proper deification from the receive proper deification from the receive proper deification from the senate for the good work he had done in

senate for the good work he had done in senate for the good work he had done in service to the service to the service to the Empire he then set about systematically Empire he then set about systematically Empire he then set about systematically reducing the size and scope of the reducing the size and scope of the reducing the size and scope of the Imperial Imperial Imperial Court demission had built an executive Court demission had built an executive Court demission had built an executive branch that commanded and controlled the branch that commanded and controlled the branch that commanded and controlled the goings on of the whole empire Trent had goings on of the whole empire Trent had goings on of the whole empire Trent had no interest in acting as an omniscient no interest in acting as an omniscient no interest in acting as an omniscient Central Authority and let it be known Central Authority and let it be known Central Authority and let it be known that in the future he would rely on the that in the future he would rely on the that in the future he would rely on the sound Judgment of his provincial sound Judgment of his provincial sound Judgment of his provincial Governors to decide for themselves how Governors to decide for themselves how Governors to decide for themselves how to handle their to handle their to handle their territories he would issue orders on the territories he would issue orders on the territories he would issue orders on the most important or dangerous issues but most important or dangerous issues but most important or dangerous issues but other than that requests for other than that requests for other than that requests for instructions were usually returned with instructions were usually returned with instructions were usually returned with a note telling the governor politely to a note telling the governor politely to a note telling the governor politely to figure it out for figure it out for figure it out for himself Tran's bottom line was that you himself Tran's bottom line was that you himself Tran's bottom line was that you know the people andic Civic know the people andic Civic know the people andic Civic circumstances of your Province best and circumstances of your Province best and circumstances of your Province best and I have no intention of micromanaging you I have no intention of micromanaging you I have no intention of micromanaging you from from from Rome of course Tran had no intention of Rome of course Tran had no intention of Rome of course Tran had no intention of micromanaging from Rome because he micromanaging from Rome because he micromanaging from Rome because he planned to be busy with other more planned to be busy with other more planned to be busy with other more important things like for example the important things like for example the important things like for example the conquest of conquest of conquest of DEA the whole time he was busy DEA the whole time he was busy DEA the whole time he was busy solidifying his political position he solidifying his political position he solidifying his political position he was simultaneously focused on was simultaneously focused on was simultaneously focused on redeploying the legions to ensure the redeploying the legions to ensure the redeploying the legions to ensure the success of his planned success of his planned success of his planned campaign in addition to raising two two campaign in addition to raising two two campaign in addition to raising two two new Legions he reorganized who was new Legions he reorganized who was new Legions he reorganized who was stationed where to ensure that when he stationed where to ensure that when he stationed where to ensure that when he marched across the danu border security marched across the danu border security marched across the danu border security would not suffer because of the troops would not suffer because of the troops would not suffer because of the troops he had pulled away from their previous he had pulled away from their previous he had pulled away from their previous posts he also put his men to work posts he also put his men to work posts he also put his men to work expanding and strengthening the road expanding and strengthening the road expanding and strengthening the road network south of the danu to ensure the network south of the danu to ensure the network south of the danu to ensure the stability of his supply

stability of his supply stability of his supply lines there's an old Maxim that amateurs lines there's an old Maxim that amateurs lines there's an old Maxim that amateurs think about strategy while professionals think about strategy while professionals think about strategy while professionals think about logistics if this is true think about logistics if this is true think about logistics if this is true then Tran was a consumate professional then Tran was a consumate professional then Tran was a consumate professional his Wars in deia would become legendary his Wars in deia would become legendary his Wars in deia would become legendary not for the battle plans he drew up but not for the battle plans he drew up but not for the battle plans he drew up but for the engineering Feats he employed to for the engineering Feats he employed to for the engineering Feats he employed to make the campaigns possible not since make the campaigns possible not since make the campaigns possible not since Caesar had built his Bridges across the Caesar had built his Bridges across the Caesar had built his Bridges across the r had the ancient world seen military r had the ancient world seen military r had the ancient world seen military engineering the likes of which trun engineering the likes of which trun engineering the likes of which trun demanded leading the emperor's core of demanded leading the emperor's core of demanded leading the emperor's core of engineers was a key Lieutenant who would engineers was a key Lieutenant who would engineers was a key Lieutenant who would eventually go down as one of the eventually go down as one of the eventually go down as one of the greatest architects in history appal greatest architects in history appal greatest architects in history appal adoris of Damascus the Greek born native of Syria at some the Greek born native of Syria at some point came to the attention of Tran and point came to the attention of Tran and point came to the attention of Tran and when the latter became emperor he when the latter became emperor he when the latter became emperor he brought appal adoran as his Chief brought appal adoran as his Chief brought appal adoran as his Chief Architect Builder and Architect Builder and Architect Builder and sculptor over the course of his Reign if sculptor over the course of his Reign if sculptor over the course of his Reign if Tran needed something built a bridge a Tran needed something built a bridge a Tran needed something built a bridge a road a triumphal Arch a new for for Rome road a triumphal Arch a new for for Rome road a triumphal Arch a new for for Rome another triumphal Arch he always turned another triumphal Arch he always turned another triumphal Arch he always turned to appal adoris who fulfilled his to appal adoris who fulfilled his to appal adoris who fulfilled his Emperor's request with what would Emperor's request with what would Emperor's request with what would eventually become world famous vision eventually become world famous vision eventually become world famous vision and and and skill the stone bridge he would soon skill the stone bridge he would soon skill the stone bridge he would soon build across the danu would not only be build across the danu would not only be build across the danu would not only be the first permanent Bridge across that the first permanent Bridge across that the first permanent Bridge across that Great River but also stand as the Great River but also stand as the Great River but also stand as the longest bridge ever built by humans for longest bridge ever built by humans for longest bridge ever built by humans for over a thousand over a thousand over a thousand years but before he could display his years but before he could display his years but before he could display his skills he needed the opportunity to use skills he needed the opportunity to use skills he needed the opportunity to use them and in 101 trun was ready to create them and in 101 trun was ready to create them and in 101 trun was ready to create the opportunity they both needed to

the opportunity they both needed to the opportunity they both needed to achieve Everlasting achieve Everlasting achieve Everlasting Fame satisfied that the empire was in Fame satisfied that the empire was in Fame satisfied that the empire was in good working order and the legions were good working order and the legions were good working order and the legions were in place to prosecute and support his in place to prosecute and support his in place to prosecute and support his invasion of ASA Tran went to the Senate invasion of ASA Tran went to the Senate invasion of ASA Tran went to the Senate and asked for their permission to and asked for their permission to and asked for their permission to invade he didn't need to do this invade he didn't need to do this invade he didn't need to do this obviously but he thought it prudent and obviously but he thought it prudent and obviously but he thought it prudent and beneficial to let the Senate give their beneficial to let the Senate give their beneficial to let the Senate give their seal of approval to his seal of approval to his seal of approval to his plans gratified by the deference they plans gratified by the deference they plans gratified by the deference they had been shown thus far and the respect had been shown thus far and the respect had been shown thus far and the respect they were being shown now the Senate they were being shown now the Senate they were being shown now the Senate overwhelmingly supported Tran and gave overwhelmingly supported Tran and gave overwhelmingly supported Tran and gave him their firm blessing to go out a him their firm blessing to go out a him their firm blessing to go out a conquerant the emperor traveled to conquerant the emperor traveled to conquerant the emperor traveled to moesia to take personal command of the moesia to take personal command of the moesia to take personal command of the four lead strong Invasion force and in four lead strong Invasion force and in four lead strong Invasion force and in March 101 crossing a temporary but still March 101 crossing a temporary but still March 101 crossing a temporary but still impressive Bridge appal adoris had built impressive Bridge appal adoris had built impressive Bridge appal adoris had built across the danu he led his Legions into across the danu he led his Legions into across the danu he led his Legions into deia fully cognizant of the Trap deia fully cognizant of the Trap deia fully cognizant of the Trap Cornelius fuscus had blundered into by Cornelius fuscus had blundered into by Cornelius fuscus had blundered into by advancing too quickly Trent took his advancing too quickly Trent took his advancing too quickly Trent took his time moving North fully scouting and time moving North fully scouting and time moving North fully scouting and securing each territory before moving securing each territory before moving securing each territory before moving in dbis had been waiting for years for in dbis had been waiting for years for in dbis had been waiting for years for the Romans to invade and was eager to the Romans to invade and was eager to the Romans to invade and was eager to test out his new defensive Network test out his new defensive Network test out his new defensive Network if he could repel trun his Renown would if he could repel trun his Renown would if he could repel trun his Renown would grow and he would be able to possibly grow and he would be able to possibly grow and he would be able to possibly Cobble together a kingdom strong enough Cobble together a kingdom strong enough Cobble together a kingdom strong enough to stand against the Romans not just to stand against the Romans not just to stand against the Romans not just temporarily but temporarily but temporarily but forever Tran though was an altogether forever Tran though was an altogether forever Tran though was an altogether different animal from the mediocre different animal from the mediocre different animal from the mediocre generals to Mission had sent previously generals to Mission had sent previously generals to Mission had sent previously and rather than Eternal Renown dbis

and rather than Eternal Renown dbis and rather than Eternal Renown dbis would goone out in history as just would goone out in history as just would goone out in history as just another Barbarian King bested by the another Barbarian King bested by the another Barbarian King bested by the might of might of might of Rome the first phase of the war though Rome the first phase of the war though Rome the first phase of the war though went well for the dean in that it went well for the dean in that it went well for the dean in that it resulted in something of a resulted in something of a resulted in something of a stalemate once again a battle was fought stalemate once again a battle was fought stalemate once again a battle was fought at The Fortress guarding the pass at at The Fortress guarding the pass at at The Fortress guarding the pass at tapy a hard fought Affair that saw trun tapy a hard fought Affair that saw trun tapy a hard fought Affair that saw trun endure losses far in excess of anything endure losses far in excess of anything endure losses far in excess of anything he was he was he was expecting the Romans technically won the expecting the Romans technically won the expecting the Romans technically won the battle but only because the daans battle but only because the daans battle but only because the daans withdrew from the field after a sudden withdrew from the field after a sudden withdrew from the field after a sudden storm kicked up rather than because they storm kicked up rather than because they storm kicked up rather than because they were beaten were beaten were beaten militarily somewhat shocked at the cost militarily somewhat shocked at the cost militarily somewhat shocked at the cost of his pck victory Tran came down out of of his pck victory Tran came down out of of his pck victory Tran came down out of the mountains before winter began and the mountains before winter began and the mountains before winter began and with Drew to the Roman side of the danu with Drew to the Roman side of the danu with Drew to the Roman side of the danu to regroup this was going to be harder to regroup this was going to be harder to regroup this was going to be harder than he thought still doable but his men than he thought still doable but his men than he thought still doable but his men needed to rest and recuperate before needed to rest and recuperate before needed to rest and recuperate before they could be expected to finish the they could be expected to finish the they could be expected to finish the job over the winter of 101 102 though job over the winter of 101 102 though job over the winter of 101 102 though the Romans were unexpectedly called back the Romans were unexpectedly called back the Romans were unexpectedly called back into into into action believing that he had the Romans action believing that he had the Romans action believing that he had the Romans On The Run dbis decided to go on the On The Run dbis decided to go on the On The Run dbis decided to go on the offensive and he led his army across the offensive and he led his army across the offensive and he led his army across the Frozen danu to raid moisha and further Frozen danu to raid moisha and further Frozen danu to raid moisha and further demoralize The Battered Legions demoralize The Battered Legions demoralize The Battered Legions but deus's offensive got off to a rocky but deus's offensive got off to a rocky but deus's offensive got off to a rocky start when cracks in the ice swallowed a start when cracks in the ice swallowed a start when cracks in the ice swallowed a portion of his army before they had a portion of his army before they had a portion of his army before they had a chance to inflict any damage on the chance to inflict any damage on the chance to inflict any damage on the Romans at all now themselves demoralized Romans at all now themselves demoralized Romans at all now themselves demoralized the dacians were easily driven home by the dacians were easily driven home by the dacians were easily driven home by the quickly mobilized Roman the quickly mobilized Roman the quickly mobilized Roman response in the spring of 102 Tran was

response in the spring of 102 Tran was response in the spring of 102 Tran was determined to press all the way to the determined to press all the way to the determined to press all the way to the deian capital and remind to keis that he deian capital and remind to keis that he deian capital and remind to keis that he was no equal of the Roman was no equal of the Roman was no equal of the Roman Empire but after the previous Winter's f Empire but after the previous Winter's f Empire but after the previous Winter's f and the pretty obvious reality that trun and the pretty obvious reality that trun and the pretty obvious reality that trun meant serious business teis decided to meant serious business teis decided to meant serious business teis decided to take the wind out of Tran's Invasion by take the wind out of Tran's Invasion by take the wind out of Tran's Invasion by offering his offering his offering his surrender this year's fighting had only surrender this year's fighting had only surrender this year's fighting had only seen a few brief skirmishes but these seen a few brief skirmishes but these seen a few brief skirmishes but these were bloody and difficult Affairs and were bloody and difficult Affairs and were bloody and difficult Affairs and traan decided it may be in everyone's traan decided it may be in everyone's traan decided it may be in everyone's best interest for the Romans to accept best interest for the Romans to accept best interest for the Romans to accept ais's surrender and renegotiate the ais's surrender and renegotiate the ais's surrender and renegotiate the terms of the terms of the terms of the peace after all it was not the fact that peace after all it was not the fact that peace after all it was not the fact that deia remained independent that was the deia remained independent that was the deia remained independent that was the problem it was the fact that keis had problem it was the fact that keis had problem it was the fact that keis had remained hostile after officially remained hostile after officially remained hostile after officially accepting an alliance with accepting an alliance with accepting an alliance with Rome so Tran imposed far harsher terms Rome so Tran imposed far harsher terms Rome so Tran imposed far harsher terms than demission had outlined ordering to than demission had outlined ordering to than demission had outlined ordering to keis to seed a portion of his kingdom to keis to seed a portion of his kingdom to keis to seed a portion of his kingdom to Rome Tear Down the Walls of his various Rome Tear Down the Walls of his various Rome Tear Down the Walls of his various fortresses and dismantle the defensive fortresses and dismantle the defensive fortresses and dismantle the defensive war machines that line the mountain war machines that line the mountain war machines that line the mountain passes dbis made a great show of passes dbis made a great show of passes dbis made a great show of accepting the terms and it seemed at accepting the terms and it seemed at accepting the terms and it seemed at least for the moment that the deian least for the moment that the deian least for the moment that the deian question had been answered it was enough question had been answered it was enough question had been answered it was enough of an answer for Tran any anyway the of an answer for Tran any anyway the of an answer for Tran any anyway the emperor returned to Rome and celebrated emperor returned to Rome and celebrated emperor returned to Rome and celebrated a a a Triumph but after his experience with Triumph but after his experience with Triumph but after his experience with demission de keis viewed surrendering to demission de keis viewed surrendering to demission de keis viewed surrendering to the Romans as little more than a way to the Romans as little more than a way to the Romans as little more than a way to buy time and possibly scam money and buy time and possibly scam money and buy time and possibly scam money and material out of the material out of the material out of the Empire the Romans had left him alone to Empire the Romans had left him alone to Empire the Romans had left him alone to siphon funds for a decade before they siphon funds for a decade before they siphon funds for a decade before they caught wise to him before and the decian

caught wise to him before and the decian caught wise to him before and the decian King saw no reason why this latest King saw no reason why this latest King saw no reason why this latest surrender should be any surrender should be any surrender should be any different so he once again pledged to different so he once again pledged to different so he once again pledged to fortify the borders of deia facing away fortify the borders of deia facing away fortify the borders of deia facing away from the Romans if trun directed from the Romans if trun directed from the Romans if trun directed appropriate funds his appropriate funds his appropriate funds his way perhaps convinced that the chastised way perhaps convinced that the chastised way perhaps convinced that the chastised king had learned his lesson Tran sent king had learned his lesson Tran sent king had learned his lesson Tran sent along money and men to help cement the along money and men to help cement the along money and men to help cement the renewed alliance between Rome and renewed alliance between Rome and renewed alliance between Rome and daia but the emperor was not totally daia but the emperor was not totally daia but the emperor was not totally oblivious to the duplicity of dbis and oblivious to the duplicity of dbis and oblivious to the duplicity of dbis and in the years after his first campaign in in the years after his first campaign in in the years after his first campaign in deia he had appal adoris build a deia he had appal adoris build a deia he had appal adoris build a permanent Bridge across the danu in case permanent Bridge across the danu in case permanent Bridge across the danu in case the Romans needed to the Romans needed to the Romans needed to reinvade over 1100 M long 15 M wide and reinvade over 1100 M long 15 M wide and reinvade over 1100 M long 15 M wide and 19 M tall Tran's Bridge as it would come 19 M tall Tran's Bridge as it would come 19 M tall Tran's Bridge as it would come to be known was one of the most to be known was one of the most to be known was one of the most impressive engineering marbles of the impressive engineering marbles of the impressive engineering marbles of the ancient ancient ancient world guarded on both sides by fortified world guarded on both sides by fortified world guarded on both sides by fortified guard houses and perched a top 20 stone guard houses and perched a top 20 stone guard houses and perched a top 20 stone columns sunk into the riverbed the columns sunk into the riverbed the columns sunk into the riverbed the bridge would stand as a monument to bridge would stand as a monument to bridge would stand as a monument to Roman power for almost 200 years until Roman power for almost 200 years until Roman power for almost 200 years until the emperor reian demolished it as he the emperor reian demolished it as he the emperor reian demolished it as he attempted to resolidify the Empire attempted to resolidify the Empire attempted to resolidify the Empire during the dark days of the 3rd during the dark days of the 3rd during the dark days of the 3rd century traent no doubt hope the bridge century traent no doubt hope the bridge century traent no doubt hope the bridge would help deter some of deus's would help deter some of deus's would help deter some of deus's hostility in a you know we can come at hostility in a you know we can come at hostility in a you know we can come at you whenever we want so why don't you you whenever we want so why don't you you whenever we want so why don't you just chill out sort of way but the deian just chill out sort of way but the deian just chill out sort of way but the deian king proved as obstinate as ever and in king proved as obstinate as ever and in king proved as obstinate as ever and in 105 Tran once again Was preparing for 105 Tran once again Was preparing for 105 Tran once again Was preparing for war this time the problem was that dbis war this time the problem was that dbis war this time the problem was that dbis was inciting local tribes to invade

was inciting local tribes to invade was inciting local tribes to invade Roman territory and promising to support Roman territory and promising to support Roman territory and promising to support their efforts to undermine the Romans their efforts to undermine the Romans their efforts to undermine the Romans south of the south of the south of the danu Fed Up completely with the danu Fed Up completely with the danu Fed Up completely with the unrepentant King trun readed the legions unrepentant King trun readed the legions unrepentant King trun readed the legions for a second for a second for a second invasion this time he was not aiming for invasion this time he was not aiming for invasion this time he was not aiming for anything less than the complete anything less than the complete anything less than the complete destruction of dbis and the annexation destruction of dbis and the annexation destruction of dbis and the annexation of daia into the Empire as a conquered province in the spring of 106 Tran province in the spring of 106 Tran ordered three columns into DEA to ordered three columns into DEA to ordered three columns into DEA to overwhelm the overwhelm the overwhelm the kingdom the bulk of each of the three kingdom the bulk of each of the three kingdom the bulk of each of the three columns drove from different directions columns drove from different directions columns drove from different directions straight at the dean Capital but small straight at the dean Capital but small straight at the dean Capital but small detachments were fanned out across the detachments were fanned out across the detachments were fanned out across the country to to secure key points and country to to secure key points and country to to secure key points and generally smother any resistance that generally smother any resistance that generally smother any resistance that might pop up in the eventually occupied might pop up in the eventually occupied might pop up in the eventually occupied country trun LED one of the columns to country trun LED one of the columns to country trun LED one of the columns to the capital himself and once everyone the capital himself and once everyone the capital himself and once everyone arrived he ordered a full frontal arrived he ordered a full frontal arrived he ordered a full frontal assault on the assault on the assault on the city however even though dbis was facing city however even though dbis was facing city however even though dbis was facing down the Romans with a skeleton Defense down the Romans with a skeleton Defense down the Romans with a skeleton Defense Force the dacians held off the assault Force the dacians held off the assault Force the dacians held off the assault and the Romans were forced to break off and the Romans were forced to break off and the Romans were forced to break off the the the attack seeing that brute force would not attack seeing that brute force would not attack seeing that brute force would not work Tran turned to cunning work Tran turned to cunning work Tran turned to cunning noticing that the capital received all noticing that the capital received all noticing that the capital received all of its clean water from a network of of its clean water from a network of of its clean water from a network of Aqueduct pipes he sent his men around to Aqueduct pipes he sent his men around to Aqueduct pipes he sent his men around to destroy them all and cut the Das off destroy them all and cut the Das off destroy them all and cut the Das off from their from their from their water as soon as the water stopped water as soon as the water stopped water as soon as the water stopped flowing it was only a matter of time flowing it was only a matter of time flowing it was only a matter of time before the daan surrendered and soon before the daan surrendered and soon before the daan surrendered and soon enough they raised the white flag and enough they raised the white flag and enough they raised the white flag and allowed the Romans to enter the allowed the Romans to enter the allowed the Romans to enter the gates dbis and his family fled before

gates dbis and his family fled before gates dbis and his family fled before his Capital surrendered but were soon his Capital surrendered but were soon his Capital surrendered but were soon tracked by a Roman Cavalry unit and tracked by a Roman Cavalry unit and tracked by a Roman Cavalry unit and pinned down knowing what happened to pinned down knowing what happened to pinned down knowing what happened to captured enemies of Rome especially captured enemies of Rome especially captured enemies of Rome especially captured leaders deis committed suicide captured leaders deis committed suicide captured leaders deis committed suicide rather than fall into Roman rather than fall into Roman rather than fall into Roman hands his head was delivered to Tran and hands his head was delivered to Tran and hands his head was delivered to Tran and the emperor sent it back to Rome to be the emperor sent it back to Rome to be the emperor sent it back to Rome to be put on put on put on display he then ordered the dean Capital display he then ordered the dean Capital display he then ordered the dean Capital demolished and a new capital a Roman demolished and a new capital a Roman demolished and a new capital a Roman provincial capital built some 40 km provincial capital built some 40 km provincial capital built some 40 km away Deo was formerly annexed by the away Deo was formerly annexed by the away Deo was formerly annexed by the Romans and it became the last major Romans and it became the last major Romans and it became the last major Province added to the Province added to the Province added to the Empire Tran would of course add much Empire Tran would of course add much Empire Tran would of course add much more territory to the Empire before his more territory to the Empire before his more territory to the Empire before his death in 117 ad but hadrien would death in 117 ad but hadrien would death in 117 ad but hadrien would immediately abandon his predecessor's immediately abandon his predecessor's immediately abandon his predecessor's Eastern Eastern Eastern Conquest DEA though would remain the Conquest DEA though would remain the Conquest DEA though would remain the Empire until aurelian abandoned the Empire until aurelian abandoned the Empire until aurelian abandoned the territory in the 270s ad the conquest of daa was not just a ad the conquest of daa was not just a military feather ent's cap it would also military feather ent's cap it would also military feather ent's cap it would also prove to be a huge Boon to the Roman prove to be a huge Boon to the Roman prove to be a huge Boon to the Roman economy deia contained some of the best economy deia contained some of the best economy deia contained some of the best gold mines in the ancient world and for gold mines in the ancient world and for gold mines in the ancient world and for years the Romans would be able to rely years the Romans would be able to rely years the Romans would be able to rely on the steady stream of precious metal on the steady stream of precious metal on the steady stream of precious metal coming in from daa to fund all of their coming in from daa to fund all of their coming in from daa to fund all of their dreams Tran received a down payment on dreams Tran received a down payment on dreams Tran received a down payment on future riches when aaan General betrayed future riches when aaan General betrayed future riches when aaan General betrayed the location of deus's well stocked the location of deus's well stocked the location of deus's well stocked Treasure Treasure Treasure House when the emperor returned to Rome House when the emperor returned to Rome House when the emperor returned to Rome he carted back with him riches not seen he carted back with him riches not seen he carted back with him riches not seen since the day pompy returned from the since the day pompy returned from the since the day pompy returned from the East some 170 years before and in a

East some 170 years before and in a East some 170 years before and in a stroke the financial problems nerva had stroke the financial problems nerva had stroke the financial problems nerva had wrestled with were slayed wrestled with were slayed wrestled with were slayed there was now more than enough money not there was now more than enough money not there was now more than enough money not only to pay for all previously incurred only to pay for all previously incurred only to pay for all previously incurred expenses and promises but also to fund a expenses and promises but also to fund a expenses and promises but also to fund a whole host of new projects and with the whole host of new projects and with the whole host of new projects and with the help of appal adoris Tran would see that help of appal adoris Tran would see that help of appal adoris Tran would see that the money was put to good the money was put to good the money was put to good use the most famous product of the dean use the most famous product of the dean use the most famous product of the dean Treasure Trove was the new Forum complex Treasure Trove was the new Forum complex Treasure Trove was the new Forum complex Apple adoris designed and built to help Apple adoris designed and built to help Apple adoris designed and built to help alleviate the burden of Rome's alleviate the burden of Rome's alleviate the burden of Rome's overcrowded public overcrowded public overcrowded public spaces built just North the main Forum spaces built just North the main Forum spaces built just North the main Forum the massive new space which would become the massive new space which would become the massive new space which would become known as Tran's Forum required the known as Tran's Forum required the known as Tran's Forum required the leveling of parts of the quinal and leveling of parts of the quinal and leveling of parts of the quinal and capitaline Hills a huge undertaking in capitaline Hills a huge undertaking in capitaline Hills a huge undertaking in its own right that had been on the its own right that had been on the its own right that had been on the Imperial to-do list since the days of Imperial to-do list since the days of Imperial to-do list since the days of Augustus Tran's new Forum would be Augustus Tran's new Forum would be Augustus Tran's new Forum would be formally inaugurated in 112 ad greatly formally inaugurated in 112 ad greatly formally inaugurated in 112 ad greatly enhancing the day-to-day economic life enhancing the day-to-day economic life enhancing the day-to-day economic life of Rome the next year appal adoris would of Rome the next year appal adoris would of Rome the next year appal adoris would complete the most famous part of the complete the most famous part of the complete the most famous part of the most famous product of the daan Treasure most famous product of the daan Treasure most famous product of the daan Treasure Trove and in 113 Tran's column the Trove and in 113 Tran's column the Trove and in 113 Tran's column the triumphal sculpture commemorating Tran's triumphal sculpture commemorating Tran's triumphal sculpture commemorating Tran's victory was victory was victory was unveiled rising over 100 ft off the unveiled rising over 100 ft off the unveiled rising over 100 ft off the ground the freestanding column is ground the freestanding column is ground the freestanding column is wrapped 23 times by 600 ft of freeze wrapped 23 times by 600 ft of freeze wrapped 23 times by 600 ft of freeze sculpture telling the story of Tran's sculpture telling the story of Tran's sculpture telling the story of Tran's campaigns the column stands today in campaigns the column stands today in campaigns the column stands today in Rome and in addition to Simply being a Rome and in addition to Simply being a Rome and in addition to Simply being a Marvel to behold it also serves as a Marvel to behold it also serves as a Marvel to behold it also serves as a living record of Tran's activities in

living record of Tran's activities in living record of Tran's activities in daia indeed much of what we know about daia indeed much of what we know about daia indeed much of what we know about these wars and much of what you have these wars and much of what you have these wars and much of what you have just heard is directly source to the just heard is directly source to the just heard is directly source to the column with all the attendant caveats column with all the attendant caveats column with all the attendant caveats about the danger of rying too much on about the danger of rying too much on about the danger of rying too much on Imperial propaganda which the column Imperial propaganda which the column Imperial propaganda which the column most assuredly most assuredly most assuredly was had he simply stopped there daa was had he simply stopped there daa was had he simply stopped there daa conquered and the infrastructure of the conquered and the infrastructure of the conquered and the infrastructure of the Empire receiving a much needed upgrade Empire receiving a much needed upgrade Empire receiving a much needed upgrade trun would already be going down as one trun would already be going down as one trun would already be going down as one of the most successful Emperors in of the most successful Emperors in of the most successful Emperors in history but he was not done history but he was not done history but he was not done yet next week Trent will turn his yet next week Trent will turn his yet next week Trent will turn his attention to the East and really flip attention to the East and really flip attention to the East and really flip augustus's injunction against further augustus's injunction against further augustus's injunction against further expansion on its expansion on its expansion on its head though in the end his Conquest head though in the end his Conquest head though in the end his Conquest would prove fleeting Tran's campaigns in would prove fleeting Tran's campaigns in would prove fleeting Tran's campaigns in the East would give the Romans one last the East would give the Romans one last the East would give the Romans one last glorious adventure to cheer on before glorious adventure to cheer on before glorious adventure to cheer on before they settled in to their nice long slow they settled in to their nice long slow they settled in to their nice long slow decline decline decline [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 80 Optimus Rome episode 80 Optimus Rome episode 80 Optimus trun as I said at the end of last week's

trun as I said at the end of last week's trun as I said at the end of last week's episode had Tran died after his first episode had Tran died after his first episode had Tran died after his first decade in office he probably would have decade in office he probably would have decade in office he probably would have been viewed by history as a highly been viewed by history as a highly been viewed by history as a highly successful emperor when he took power successful emperor when he took power successful emperor when he took power the empire was still a bit hung over the empire was still a bit hung over the empire was still a bit hung over from the last paranoid days of demission from the last paranoid days of demission from the last paranoid days of demission and his predecessor nurva had done and his predecessor nurva had done and his predecessor nurva had done nothing to settle anyone's stomach or nothing to settle anyone's stomach or nothing to settle anyone's stomach or cure anyone's cure anyone's cure anyone's headache but the force of Tran's headache but the force of Tran's headache but the force of Tran's personality had calmed a growing personality had calmed a growing personality had calmed a growing political crisis that might have political crisis that might have political crisis that might have engulfed a lesser man a weaker Emperor engulfed a lesser man a weaker Emperor engulfed a lesser man a weaker Emperor might have invited ambitious generals to might have invited ambitious generals to might have invited ambitious generals to replay the tragic events that follow the replay the tragic events that follow the replay the tragic events that follow the collapse of the Julio claudian Dynasty collapse of the Julio claudian Dynasty collapse of the Julio claudian Dynasty in 68 ad but Tran was no weak Emperor in 68 ad but Tran was no weak Emperor in 68 ad but Tran was no weak Emperor and the collapse of the flavians was not and the collapse of the flavians was not and the collapse of the flavians was not accompanied by a destructive Civil War accompanied by a destructive Civil War accompanied by a destructive Civil War this feat by itself was an enormous this feat by itself was an enormous this feat by itself was an enormous accomplishment that is sometimes accomplishment that is sometimes accomplishment that is sometimes overlooked because it revolves around overlooked because it revolves around overlooked because it revolves around what didn't happen rather than what did what didn't happen rather than what did what didn't happen rather than what did happen it's easy to hold a Triumph for happen it's easy to hold a Triumph for happen it's easy to hold a Triumph for conquering DEA much harder to hold one conquering DEA much harder to hold one conquering DEA much harder to hold one for preventing a theoretical Civil for preventing a theoretical Civil for preventing a theoretical Civil War but of everything Tran did over the War but of everything Tran did over the War but of everything Tran did over the course of his Reign the simple fact of course of his Reign the simple fact of course of his Reign the simple fact of the stability he provided was at least the stability he provided was at least the stability he provided was at least as important as anything else he did if as important as anything else he did if as important as anything else he did if not more not more not more so when the Julio claudians collapsed so when the Julio claudians collapsed so when the Julio claudians collapsed there was War when the antonines there was War when the antonines there was War when the antonines collapsed there was War when the Sans collapsed there was War when the Sans collapsed there was War when the Sans collapsed the Empire almost fell apart collapsed the Empire almost fell apart collapsed the Empire almost fell apart but when the flavians collapsed there but when the flavians collapsed there but when the flavians collapsed there was trun and so there was was trun and so there was was trun and so there was peace Traen is remembered as a marshal peace Traen is remembered as a marshal peace Traen is remembered as a marshal Emperor because he opened his reign with Emperor because he opened his reign with Emperor because he opened his reign with successful campaigns in daa and closed

successful campaigns in daa and closed successful campaigns in daa and closed his with successful campaigns in his with successful campaigns in his with successful campaigns in Mesopotamia but when you crunch the Mesopotamia but when you crunch the Mesopotamia but when you crunch the numbers he spent the bulk of his time numbers he spent the bulk of his time numbers he spent the bulk of his time engaged in the mundane toils of Civilian engaged in the mundane toils of Civilian engaged in the mundane toils of Civilian Administration indeed for seven Administration indeed for seven Administration indeed for seven undisturbed years after he returned from undisturbed years after he returned from undisturbed years after he returned from DEA the great General ruled an Empire at DEA the great General ruled an Empire at DEA the great General ruled an Empire at peace so what does a vigorous Man of peace so what does a vigorous Man of peace so what does a vigorous Man of Action do when there are no Wars to Action do when there are no Wars to Action do when there are no Wars to fight apparently he does everything in fight apparently he does everything in fight apparently he does everything in his power to enhance the material lives his power to enhance the material lives his power to enhance the material lives of the citizens that he of the citizens that he of the citizens that he rules tra returned from DEA Laden with rules tra returned from DEA Laden with rules tra returned from DEA Laden with riches that he aimed to put to good use riches that he aimed to put to good use riches that he aimed to put to good use and apart from his precious triumphal and apart from his precious triumphal and apart from his precious triumphal arches of which there are more than a arches of which there are more than a arches of which there are more than a handful he directed all of that money handful he directed all of that money handful he directed all of that money directly into the infrastructure of the directly into the infrastructure of the directly into the infrastructure of the Empire I already mentioned the new form Empire I already mentioned the new form Empire I already mentioned the new form appal adoris built in Rome but a new appal adoris built in Rome but a new appal adoris built in Rome but a new Marketplace creatively called Tran's Marketplace creatively called Tran's Marketplace creatively called Tran's Marketplace was erected in the capital Marketplace was erected in the capital Marketplace was erected in the capital at the same time as well as an extensive at the same time as well as an extensive at the same time as well as an extensive bath complex creatively called the baths bath complex creatively called the baths bath complex creatively called the baths of trun that covered up the final of trun that covered up the final of trun that covered up the final remains of Nero's golden remains of Nero's golden remains of Nero's golden Palace elsewhere in Italy Trent had a Palace elsewhere in Italy Trent had a Palace elsewhere in Italy Trent had a new Harbor at OSA built to put an end new Harbor at OSA built to put an end new Harbor at OSA built to put an end once and for all to the silting issues once and for all to the silting issues once and for all to the silting issues that had plagued the port town for that had plagued the port town for that had plagued the port town for Generations he also built a new road Generations he also built a new road Generations he also built a new road from beneventum to pricum to provide an from beneventum to pricum to provide an from beneventum to pricum to provide an alternative to the winding and heavily alternative to the winding and heavily alternative to the winding and heavily trafficked appan trafficked appan trafficked appan way roads elsewhere in Italy and the way roads elsewhere in Italy and the way roads elsewhere in Italy and the provinces were expanded upgraded rebuilt provinces were expanded upgraded rebuilt provinces were expanded upgraded rebuilt and generally improved with appal adoris and generally improved with appal adoris and generally improved with appal adoris continuing to litter the European continuing to litter the European continuing to litter the European Countryside with Bridges across

Countryside with Bridges across Countryside with Bridges across previously impassible previously impassible previously impassible Rivers there's no doubt that this Rivers there's no doubt that this Rivers there's no doubt that this investment in the roads did much to investment in the roads did much to investment in the roads did much to ensure the longevity of the Empire as ensure the longevity of the Empire as ensure the longevity of the Empire as both internal communication and the both internal communication and the both internal communication and the movement of troops sped up movement of troops sped up movement of troops sped up considerably of course the Romans considerably of course the Romans considerably of course the Romans magnificent Road networks would magnificent Road networks would magnificent Road networks would eventually contribute to their undoing eventually contribute to their undoing eventually contribute to their undoing as it allowed Barbarian hordes to march as it allowed Barbarian hordes to march as it allowed Barbarian hordes to march from the Frontiers to the gates of Rome from the Frontiers to the gates of Rome from the Frontiers to the gates of Rome with alarming quickness but centuries with alarming quickness but centuries with alarming quickness but centuries would pass before that unfortunate would pass before that unfortunate would pass before that unfortunate consequence emerged so we ought not consequence emerged so we ought not consequence emerged so we ought not dwell on it now dwell on it now dwell on it now now trun was consumed not only with now trun was consumed not only with now trun was consumed not only with building projects but also General building projects but also General building projects but also General administrative duties though he administrative duties though he administrative duties though he delegated a great deal of responsibility delegated a great deal of responsibility delegated a great deal of responsibility to a grateful Senate and did his best to to a grateful Senate and did his best to to a grateful Senate and did his best to empower Governors to act on their own empower Governors to act on their own empower Governors to act on their own there was still an avalanche of urgent there was still an avalanche of urgent there was still an avalanche of urgent pressing emergency read first triple pressing emergency read first triple pressing emergency read first triple exclamation point business for the exclamation point business for the exclamation point business for the emperor to attend emperor to attend emperor to attend to to help us get a sense not only of to to help us get a sense not only of to to help us get a sense not only of Tran's personal managerial style but Tran's personal managerial style but Tran's personal managerial style but also the kind of action items that that also the kind of action items that that also the kind of action items that that passed through the emperor's inbox we passed through the emperor's inbox we passed through the emperor's inbox we are lucky to have at our disposal the are lucky to have at our disposal the are lucky to have at our disposal the letters of plen the younger a letters of plen the younger a letters of plen the younger a contemporarian friend of contemporarian friend of contemporarian friend of trun had not plenty been left childless trun had not plenty been left childless trun had not plenty been left childless he might never have been compelled to he might never have been compelled to he might never have been compelled to publish his correspondence so that he publish his correspondence so that he publish his correspondence so that he would be remembered by someone anyone would be remembered by someone anyone would be remembered by someone anyone out there but he was left childless so out there but he was left childless so out there but he was left childless so we get the benefit of reading through we get the benefit of reading through we get the benefit of reading through among other things real-time among other things real-time among other things real-time conversations between the emperor and a conversations between the emperor and a conversations between the emperor and a loyal provincial loyal provincial loyal provincial Governor I don't want to get off on too Governor I don't want to get off on too Governor I don't want to get off on too much of a tent but plenny really is an

much of a tent but plenny really is an much of a tent but plenny really is an interesting guy and since his letters interesting guy and since his letters interesting guy and since his letters fill in so much of the detail about fill in so much of the detail about fill in so much of the detail about daily life in early Imperial Rome detail daily life in early Imperial Rome detail daily life in early Imperial Rome detail that gets left out of the monument that gets left out of the monument that gets left out of the monument inscriptions and senatorial decrees he inscriptions and senatorial decrees he inscriptions and senatorial decrees he is worth pausing on for a is worth pausing on for a is worth pausing on for a moment born in 61 ad into the equestrian moment born in 61 ad into the equestrian moment born in 61 ad into the equestrian class Ply's father died when he was class Ply's father died when he was class Ply's father died when he was young and by an odd little twist of fate young and by an odd little twist of fate young and by an odd little twist of fate the younger Ply's education was put in the younger Ply's education was put in the younger Ply's education was put in the hands of virginius Rufus the same the hands of virginius Rufus the same the hands of virginius Rufus the same virginius Rufus who had refused to virginius Rufus who had refused to virginius Rufus who had refused to betray Nero at the beginning of the betray Nero at the beginning of the betray Nero at the beginning of the crisis of 6869 crisis of 6869 crisis of 6869 ad young plyy eventually traveled to ad young plyy eventually traveled to ad young plyy eventually traveled to Rome and continued his education and Rome and continued his education and Rome and continued his education and while there became close with his uncle while there became close with his uncle while there became close with his uncle the fame naturalist plenny the Elder the fame naturalist plenny the Elder the fame naturalist plenny the Elder when plen the Elder died during the when plen the Elder died during the when plen the Elder died during the eruption of Mount vvus his will eruption of Mount vvus his will eruption of Mount vvus his will stipulated that the younger plenty stipulated that the younger plenty stipulated that the younger plenty should inherit all of his Estates and be should inherit all of his Estates and be should inherit all of his Estates and be posthumously adopted into his posthumously adopted into his posthumously adopted into his family with his uncle's money backing family with his uncle's money backing family with his uncle's money backing him up plenty the younger then embarked him up plenty the younger then embarked him up plenty the younger then embarked on a highly successful trip up the on a highly successful trip up the on a highly successful trip up the curses honor him he served with curses honor him he served with curses honor him he served with distinction at every stop and eventually distinction at every stop and eventually distinction at every stop and eventually became a well-respected lawyer Senator became a well-respected lawyer Senator became a well-respected lawyer Senator and administrator who counted among his and administrator who counted among his and administrator who counted among his friends the historians tacitus and friends the historians tacitus and friends the historians tacitus and suetonius and of course the emperor suetonius and of course the emperor suetonius and of course the emperor Tran the emperor so trusted plenty that Tran the emperor so trusted plenty that Tran the emperor so trusted plenty that in 110 ad when the provincial government in 110 ad when the provincial government in 110 ad when the provincial government of bethenia pontis seemed to be falling of bethenia pontis seemed to be falling of bethenia pontis seemed to be falling apart Tran sent his friend plen to clean apart Tran sent his friend plen to clean apart Tran sent his friend plen to clean the situation the situation the situation up in the two years that followed plen up in the two years that followed plen up in the two years that followed plen and Tra and exchange letters that and Tra and exchange letters that and Tra and exchange letters that touched on all aspects of Imperial

touched on all aspects of Imperial touched on all aspects of Imperial Administration the correspondence Administration the correspondence Administration the correspondence provides a rare window into the Daily provides a rare window into the Daily provides a rare window into the Daily Grind of managing an Empire and Tran's Grind of managing an Empire and Tran's Grind of managing an Empire and Tran's philosophy of government which seems to philosophy of government which seems to philosophy of government which seems to be founded on moderation tradition and be founded on moderation tradition and be founded on moderation tradition and Common Common Common Sense among the Litany of topics Sense among the Litany of topics Sense among the Litany of topics discussed were whether soldiers should discussed were whether soldiers should discussed were whether soldiers should be used as prison guards no keep using be used as prison guards no keep using be used as prison guards no keep using the public slaves whether the emperor the public slaves whether the emperor the public slaves whether the emperor could send out some land surveyors no I could send out some land surveyors no I could send out some land surveyors no I can't afford to but I'm sure you'll be can't afford to but I'm sure you'll be can't afford to but I'm sure you'll be able to find Qualified provincials to able to find Qualified provincials to able to find Qualified provincials to help you out whether plenty could help you out whether plenty could help you out whether plenty could authorize the rebuilding of some public authorize the rebuilding of some public authorize the rebuilding of some public baths yes as long as no new taxes are baths yes as long as no new taxes are baths yes as long as no new taxes are levied and all other essential Services levied and all other essential Services levied and all other essential Services continue continue continue uninterrupted whether a Volunteer Fire uninterrupted whether a Volunteer Fire uninterrupted whether a Volunteer Fire Company could be chartered no whatever Company could be chartered no whatever Company could be chartered no whatever the public good associations like that the public good associations like that the public good associations like that always lead to political Discord how to always lead to political Discord how to always lead to political Discord how to handle criminals that had escaped handle criminals that had escaped handle criminals that had escaped punishment if their crime was less than punishment if their crime was less than punishment if their crime was less than 10 years ago round them up and put them 10 years ago round them up and put them 10 years ago round them up and put them to work in the mines if greater than 10 to work in the mines if greater than 10 to work in the mines if greater than 10 years ago put them to work as janitors years ago put them to work as janitors years ago put them to work as janitors in the public baths and of course there in the public baths and of course there in the public baths and of course there was the famous question of what to do was the famous question of what to do was the famous question of what to do about the about the about the Christians over the course of the last Christians over the course of the last Christians over the course of the last 50 years or so more and more adherence 50 years or so more and more adherence 50 years or so more and more adherence to this strange new cult had begun to this strange new cult had begun to this strange new cult had begun popping up all over the Eastern popping up all over the Eastern popping up all over the Eastern Empire professing a monotheism that Empire professing a monotheism that Empire professing a monotheism that forbade them from worshiping the forbade them from worshiping the forbade them from worshiping the accepted deities of the Roman world accepted deities of the Roman world accepted deities of the Roman world including the deified Emperors Governors including the deified Emperors Governors including the deified Emperors Governors across the empire were vexed over the across the empire were vexed over the across the empire were vexed over the question of just what to do with these question of just what to do with these question of just what to do with these people they seemed docile enough but people they seemed docile enough but people they seemed docile enough but then again they also seem to be actively

then again they also seem to be actively then again they also seem to be actively fermenting sedition against Imperial fermenting sedition against Imperial fermenting sedition against Imperial Authority plyy wrote to Tran for Authority plyy wrote to Tran for Authority plyy wrote to Tran for instructions after being handed some instructions after being handed some instructions after being handed some lists anonymously that named active lists anonymously that named active lists anonymously that named active Christians in Ply's Province the Christians in Ply's Province the Christians in Ply's Province the Christians were clearly violating Tran's Christians were clearly violating Tran's Christians were clearly violating Tran's injunction against the formation of injunction against the formation of injunction against the formation of independent political societies but how independent political societies but how independent political societies but how severely should they be severely should they be severely should they be punished Tran's reply was brief but to punished Tran's reply was brief but to punished Tran's reply was brief but to the point forget about the list he said the point forget about the list he said the point forget about the list he said relying on Anonymous informance is a relying on Anonymous informance is a relying on Anonymous informance is a slippery slope that leads to slippery slope that leads to slippery slope that leads to counterproductive counterproductive counterproductive tyranny if someone gets hauled into tyranny if someone gets hauled into tyranny if someone gets hauled into court because there is independent proof court because there is independent proof court because there is independent proof that they are a Christian then give them that they are a Christian then give them that they are a Christian then give them the chance to renounce their religion if the chance to renounce their religion if the chance to renounce their religion if they don't then punish them as you would they don't then punish them as you would they don't then punish them as you would any other seditious Troublemaker but if any other seditious Troublemaker but if any other seditious Troublemaker but if they do then let them go free no worse they do then let them go free no worse they do then let them go free no worse for the for the for the wear basically there is no point in wear basically there is no point in wear basically there is no point in actively persecuting the Christians but actively persecuting the Christians but actively persecuting the Christians but if they wind up on your doorstep if they wind up on your doorstep if they wind up on your doorstep unrepentant then punish unrepentant then punish unrepentant then punish away the question of what to do with the away the question of what to do with the away the question of what to do with the growing Society of Christians in the growing Society of Christians in the growing Society of Christians in the Empire would continue to befuddle Empire would continue to befuddle Empire would continue to befuddle Emperors for the next 200 odd years who Emperors for the next 200 odd years who Emperors for the next 200 odd years who alternatively ignored them embraced them alternatively ignored them embraced them alternatively ignored them embraced them or persecuted them until Constantine put or persecuted them until Constantine put or persecuted them until Constantine put the issue to rest and by that sign the issue to rest and by that sign the issue to rest and by that sign conquered Tran's time playing the part conquered Tran's time playing the part conquered Tran's time playing the part of enlightened desperate was a of enlightened desperate was a of enlightened desperate was a productive and beneficial time for the productive and beneficial time for the productive and beneficial time for the Empire and indeed he was quickly given Empire and indeed he was quickly given Empire and indeed he was quickly given the title Optimus or the best to add to the title Optimus or the best to add to the title Optimus or the best to add to his Litany of his Litany of his Litany of honorifics but the emperor had spent his

honorifics but the emperor had spent his honorifics but the emperor had spent his entire life under arms there was little entire life under arms there was little entire life under arms there was little chance he was going to pass the rest of chance he was going to pass the rest of chance he was going to pass the rest of his reign in peaceful his reign in peaceful his reign in peaceful Domesticity luckily for Tran in 113 ad Domesticity luckily for Tran in 113 ad Domesticity luckily for Tran in 113 ad event conspired to provide the old event conspired to provide the old event conspired to provide the old General with one last opportunity for General with one last opportunity for General with one last opportunity for military military military glory after the victories of corbulo glory after the victories of corbulo glory after the victories of corbulo during the reign of Nero ran Parthia had during the reign of Nero ran Parthia had during the reign of Nero ran Parthia had come to an understanding over the come to an understanding over the come to an understanding over the semi-independent ENT Kingdom of semi-independent ENT Kingdom of semi-independent ENT Kingdom of Armenia Parthia was allowed to pick who Armenia Parthia was allowed to pick who Armenia Parthia was allowed to pick who ruled the kingdom but Rome had to ratify ruled the kingdom but Rome had to ratify ruled the kingdom but Rome had to ratify the the the choice in 113 the parthians dutifully choice in 113 the parthians dutifully choice in 113 the parthians dutifully nominated a new king to fill the nominated a new king to fill the nominated a new king to fill the recently vacated throne but the choice recently vacated throne but the choice recently vacated throne but the choice the parthan king's own nephew was deemed the parthan king's own nephew was deemed the parthan king's own nephew was deemed unacceptable by Tran but the parthians unacceptable by Tran but the parthians unacceptable by Tran but the parthians decided to test the limits of Rome's decided to test the limits of Rome's decided to test the limits of Rome's disapproval and refused to remove the disapproval and refused to remove the disapproval and refused to remove the offending Monarch from the offending Monarch from the offending Monarch from the throne whether or not tran was waiting throne whether or not tran was waiting throne whether or not tran was waiting for some pretext any pretext to launch a for some pretext any pretext to launch a for some pretext any pretext to launch a campaign in the East or whether he was campaign in the East or whether he was campaign in the East or whether he was really and truly motivated to action by really and truly motivated to action by really and truly motivated to action by the question of Armenian succession is the question of Armenian succession is the question of Armenian succession is still an open question but the results still an open question but the results still an open question but the results were the same Tran headed east gathered were the same Tran headed east gathered were the same Tran headed east gathered up his Legions and invaded the kingdom up his Legions and invaded the kingdom up his Legions and invaded the kingdom of of of Armenia in 114 Tran easily dismantled Armenia in 114 Tran easily dismantled Armenia in 114 Tran easily dismantled The Armenian Defense Force and overthrew The Armenian Defense Force and overthrew The Armenian Defense Force and overthrew the offending Armenian King who would the offending Armenian King who would the offending Armenian King who would later die in Roman later die in Roman later die in Roman custody the emperor though had no plans custody the emperor though had no plans custody the emperor though had no plans to place his own puppet on the throne to place his own puppet on the throne to place his own puppet on the throne instead he declared his intention to instead he declared his intention to instead he declared his intention to formally Annex the kingdom and

formally Annex the kingdom and formally Annex the kingdom and reorganize it as a Roman reorganize it as a Roman reorganize it as a Roman province he spent the rest of the year province he spent the rest of the year province he spent the rest of the year overseeing the creation of the new overseeing the creation of the new overseeing the creation of the new province of Armenia and demanding the province of Armenia and demanding the province of Armenia and demanding the recognition of Roman Hemy from northern recognition of Roman Hemy from northern recognition of Roman Hemy from northern tribes who inhabited the Black Sea tribes who inhabited the Black Sea tribes who inhabited the Black Sea Coast had he stopped there we could Coast had he stopped there we could Coast had he stopped there we could probably state with confidence that tran probably state with confidence that tran probably state with confidence that tran had in fact been animated to action by had in fact been animated to action by had in fact been animated to action by little more than the unacceptable little more than the unacceptable little more than the unacceptable situation in Armenia situation in Armenia situation in Armenia but as soon as Armenia was annexed Trent but as soon as Armenia was annexed Trent but as soon as Armenia was annexed Trent immediately turned South and marched out immediately turned South and marched out immediately turned South and marched out on what was clearly now an open-ended on what was clearly now an open-ended on what was clearly now an open-ended war of war of war of Conquest in 115 Tran emerged from the Conquest in 115 Tran emerged from the Conquest in 115 Tran emerged from the mountains of Armenia into the deserts of mountains of Armenia into the deserts of mountains of Armenia into the deserts of Mesopotamia and launched himself against Mesopotamia and launched himself against Mesopotamia and launched himself against the parthan the parthan the parthan empire at the time the parthan kingdom empire at the time the parthan kingdom empire at the time the parthan kingdom was divided by internal political was divided by internal political was divided by internal political Discord which was one of the reasons the Discord which was one of the reasons the Discord which was one of the reasons the king had felt it necessary to place his king had felt it necessary to place his king had felt it necessary to place his nephew on the throne of Armenia in the nephew on the throne of Armenia in the nephew on the throne of Armenia in the first place and the the great Empire of first place and the the great Empire of first place and the the great Empire of the East was able to offer Little the East was able to offer Little the East was able to offer Little Resistance to trasan invading Resistance to trasan invading Resistance to trasan invading Legions by 116 the Romans already Legions by 116 the Romans already Legions by 116 the Romans already controlled enough territory to organize controlled enough territory to organize controlled enough territory to organize a new Province between the Tigris and a new Province between the Tigris and a new Province between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that tran dubbed Euphrates rivers that tran dubbed Euphrates rivers that tran dubbed Mesopotamia he then sent two Legions Mesopotamia he then sent two Legions Mesopotamia he then sent two Legions South to secure key cities with one South to secure key cities with one South to secure key cities with one eventually capturing the ancient city of eventually capturing the ancient city of eventually capturing the ancient city of Babylon Tran himself gathered a fleet Babylon Tran himself gathered a fleet Babylon Tran himself gathered a fleet and set sail with the rest of the and set sail with the rest of the and set sail with the rest of the legions down the Euphrates River after legions down the Euphrates River after legions down the Euphrates River after riding that River for a ways Tran riding that River for a ways Tran riding that River for a ways Tran ordered the fleet haul Overland to The ordered the fleet haul Overland to The ordered the fleet haul Overland to The Tigress where they would continue South Tigress where they would continue South Tigress where they would continue South on their way to capture saloia and the

on their way to capture saloia and the on their way to capture saloia and the parthan capital both of which lay on the parthan capital both of which lay on the parthan capital both of which lay on the Tigers encountering Little Resistance Tigers encountering Little Resistance Tigers encountering Little Resistance Tran seized the parthan capital and Tran seized the parthan capital and Tran seized the parthan capital and leaving behind a Garrison continued down leaving behind a Garrison continued down leaving behind a Garrison continued down the Tigers to the Persian Gulf where he the Tigers to the Persian Gulf where he the Tigers to the Persian Gulf where he sees the important port city of sees the important port city of sees the important port city of tarks in less than 2 years time trun had tarks in less than 2 years time trun had tarks in less than 2 years time trun had cut out a huge chunk of parthan cut out a huge chunk of parthan cut out a huge chunk of parthan territory and annexed it into to the territory and annexed it into to the territory and annexed it into to the Roman Roman Roman Empire his only regret expressed while Empire his only regret expressed while Empire his only regret expressed while standing at the shores of the Persian standing at the shores of the Persian standing at the shores of the Persian Gulf was that his Advanced age prevented Gulf was that his Advanced age prevented Gulf was that his Advanced age prevented him from following Alexander the Great him from following Alexander the Great him from following Alexander the Great all the way to India it seems that the emperor's India it seems that the emperor's original intention was to conquer the original intention was to conquer the original intention was to conquer the entire parthan Empire and Rule it entire parthan Empire and Rule it entire parthan Empire and Rule it directly from directly from directly from Rome but the swiftness of his victories Rome but the swiftness of his victories Rome but the swiftness of his victories hid the superficiality of Roman hid the superficiality of Roman hid the superficiality of Roman control no sooner had he reached the control no sooner had he reached the control no sooner had he reached the gulf than he was forced to turn around gulf than he was forced to turn around gulf than he was forced to turn around and deal with a parthan Insurrection led and deal with a parthan Insurrection led and deal with a parthan Insurrection led by another of thethan King's by another of thethan King's by another of thethan King's nephews though the legions were able to nephews though the legions were able to nephews though the legions were able to defeat the parthan Army further Revolt defeat the parthan Army further Revolt defeat the parthan Army further Revolt including a serious Jewish Uprising that including a serious Jewish Uprising that including a serious Jewish Uprising that was beginning to engulf the whole was beginning to engulf the whole was beginning to engulf the whole Southeastern quadrant of the Empire LED Southeastern quadrant of the Empire LED Southeastern quadrant of the Empire LED Tran to scale back his Tran to scale back his Tran to scale back his ambition rather than attempt direct rule ambition rather than attempt direct rule ambition rather than attempt direct rule of Parthia he decided to impose a puppet of Parthia he decided to impose a puppet of Parthia he decided to impose a puppet on the throne and make Parthia the on the throne and make Parthia the on the throne and make Parthia the greatest Roman client Kingdom of them greatest Roman client Kingdom of them greatest Roman client Kingdom of them all in 116 Tran was trying to root out all in 116 Tran was trying to root out all in 116 Tran was trying to root out the last holdout City in his new the last holdout City in his new the last holdout City in his new Mesopotamian Province when he suffered Mesopotamian Province when he suffered Mesopotamian Province when he suffered heat stroke under the strong Desert

heat stroke under the strong Desert heat stroke under the strong Desert Sun already plagued by supply issues Sun already plagued by supply issues Sun already plagued by supply issues caused by the spreading Jewish Revolt caused by the spreading Jewish Revolt caused by the spreading Jewish Revolt dran decided to withdraw from The Siege dran decided to withdraw from The Siege dran decided to withdraw from The Siege spread his troops out to quell the spread his troops out to quell the spread his troops out to quell the Revolt while he himself returned to Revolt while he himself returned to Revolt while he himself returned to Italy to recuperate from what was Italy to recuperate from what was Italy to recuperate from what was proving to be a physically trying campaign in 117 he began the long Trek campaign in 117 he began the long Trek Back to Rome but putting into port and Back to Rome but putting into port and Back to Rome but putting into port and cissa his body finally gave out and on cissa his body finally gave out and on cissa his body finally gave out and on August 9 117 ad the emperor Tran died August 9 117 ad the emperor Tran died August 9 117 ad the emperor Tran died one month shy of his 64th birthday he one month shy of his 64th birthday he one month shy of his 64th birthday he had ruled Rome for 19 glorious had ruled Rome for 19 glorious had ruled Rome for 19 glorious years now I know what you're possibly years now I know what you're possibly years now I know what you're possibly thinking at this point is that it here thinking at this point is that it here thinking at this point is that it here we are talking about a man who led Rome we are talking about a man who led Rome we are talking about a man who led Rome for longer than any Emperor since for longer than any Emperor since for longer than any Emperor since tiberias a man who's widely considered tiberias a man who's widely considered tiberias a man who's widely considered one of the two or three best emperor one of the two or three best emperor one of the two or three best emperor ever and all he gets is the better part ever and all he gets is the better part ever and all he gets is the better part of two of two of two episodes unfortunately the answer is yes episodes unfortunately the answer is yes episodes unfortunately the answer is yes that's all he is going to get the that's all he is going to get the that's all he is going to get the problem with Tran is that we run into problem with Tran is that we run into problem with Tran is that we run into aity of primary source accountings of aity of primary source accountings of aity of primary source accountings of his Reign plutar and tacitus and his Reign plutar and tacitus and his Reign plutar and tacitus and suetonius all lived in and around his suetonius all lived in and around his suetonius all lived in and around his Reign and prudently avoided commenting Reign and prudently avoided commenting Reign and prudently avoided commenting on the sitting Emperor so the key on the sitting Emperor so the key on the sitting Emperor so the key sources that we used for everything up sources that we used for everything up sources that we used for everything up to this point just sort of cut out to this point just sort of cut out to this point just sort of cut out around the reign of the flavians around the reign of the flavians around the reign of the flavians for trun we are left with Snippets from for trun we are left with Snippets from for trun we are left with Snippets from casassus Dio inscriptions from monuments casassus Dio inscriptions from monuments casassus Dio inscriptions from monuments coins and building projects like the coins and building projects like the coins and building projects like the triumphal column in Rome the letters he

triumphal column in Rome the letters he triumphal column in Rome the letters he exchanged with plenty and Scattered exchanged with plenty and Scattered exchanged with plenty and Scattered summaries from historians like Aurelius summaries from historians like Aurelius summaries from historians like Aurelius Victor who would not be born for Victor who would not be born for Victor who would not be born for centuries all in all it leaves us with a centuries all in all it leaves us with a centuries all in all it leaves us with a dissatisfying amount of information dissatisfying amount of information dissatisfying amount of information about an emperor who was so highly about an emperor who was so highly about an emperor who was so highly regarded and who was so important to the regarded and who was so important to the regarded and who was so important to the present and future greatness of the present and future greatness of the present and future greatness of the Empire but such as life life we will run Empire but such as life life we will run Empire but such as life life we will run into similar difficulties with hadrien into similar difficulties with hadrien into similar difficulties with hadrien and then hit bottom with antoninus Pas and then hit bottom with antoninus Pas and then hit bottom with antoninus Pas whose only existent biography is in the whose only existent biography is in the whose only existent biography is in the Augustine history a notoriously Augustine history a notoriously Augustine history a notoriously unreliable collection of Imperial unreliable collection of Imperial unreliable collection of Imperial biographies that we should probably just biographies that we should probably just biographies that we should probably just pretend doesn't exist at pretend doesn't exist at pretend doesn't exist at all but despite the lack of detail the all but despite the lack of detail the all but despite the lack of detail the broad sweeps of Tran's Legacy are well broad sweeps of Tran's Legacy are well broad sweeps of Tran's Legacy are well understood he was the first emperor to understood he was the first emperor to understood he was the first emperor to be drawn from the provinces rather than be drawn from the provinces rather than be drawn from the provinces rather than the Italian Peninsula a major Landmark the Italian Peninsula a major Landmark the Italian Peninsula a major Landmark that allowed men of Merit from across that allowed men of Merit from across that allowed men of Merit from across the Empire to believe that every door in the Empire to believe that every door in the Empire to believe that every door in the empire was open to them in time the empire was open to them in time the empire was open to them in time other Spaniards and syrians and other Spaniards and syrians and other Spaniards and syrians and Thracians and most famously a series of Thracians and most famously a series of Thracians and most famously a series of yans would come to Dawn the purple and yans would come to Dawn the purple and yans would come to Dawn the purple and rule the rule the rule the Empire had tran not been so successful Empire had tran not been so successful Empire had tran not been so successful in practically everything he set out to in practically everything he set out to in practically everything he set out to do it is possible that the Roman do it is possible that the Roman do it is possible that the Roman aristocracy would have Associated his aristocracy would have Associated his aristocracy would have Associated his failures with his provincial status and failures with his provincial status and failures with his provincial status and banished forever any other provincial banished forever any other provincial banished forever any other provincial from reigning from reigning from reigning shutting off a pipeline of talent that shutting off a pipeline of talent that shutting off a pipeline of talent that would in time save rather than destroy would in time save rather than destroy would in time save rather than destroy the Empire Tran was also the last of the Empire Tran was also the last of the great conquering Romans the outward

great conquering Romans the outward great conquering Romans the outward expansion of the Empire had been a expansion of the Empire had been a expansion of the Empire had been a defining feature of the Roman character defining feature of the Roman character defining feature of the Roman character for hundreds of years but in the last for hundreds of years but in the last for hundreds of years but in the last century it was a driving impulse that century it was a driving impulse that century it was a driving impulse that had been left to Wither on the had been left to Wither on the had been left to Wither on the vine Traen reintroduced the glory and vine Traen reintroduced the glory and vine Traen reintroduced the glory and riches and satisfaction that accompany riches and satisfaction that accompany riches and satisfaction that accompany foreign conquest and that for so long foreign conquest and that for so long foreign conquest and that for so long had been denied the Roman had been denied the Roman had been denied the Roman ego the province of DEA was an ego the province of DEA was an ego the province of DEA was an enormously valuable acquisition and enormously valuable acquisition and enormously valuable acquisition and though most everything he took in the though most everything he took in the though most everything he took in the East would be abandoned by his prudent East would be abandoned by his prudent East would be abandoned by his prudent successor the dispatches that came back successor the dispatches that came back successor the dispatches that came back to Rome detailing the capture of the to Rome detailing the capture of the to Rome detailing the capture of the parthan capital and the seizure of a parthan capital and the seizure of a parthan capital and the seizure of a port on the far-off Persian Gulf were port on the far-off Persian Gulf were port on the far-off Persian Gulf were reminiscent of Caesar's dispatches from reminiscent of Caesar's dispatches from reminiscent of Caesar's dispatches from Gaul and the people and Senate both Gaul and the people and Senate both Gaul and the people and Senate both reveled in the glory of it reveled in the glory of it reveled in the glory of it all in the coming centuries great all in the coming centuries great all in the coming centuries great generals would would come and go and generals would would come and go and generals would would come and go and great battles would be won and lost but great battles would be won and lost but great battles would be won and lost but it was all in the defense of what the it was all in the defense of what the it was all in the defense of what the Empire already was rather than in the Empire already was rather than in the Empire already was rather than in the pursuit of what it could pursuit of what it could pursuit of what it could be as I said at the beginning trun was be as I said at the beginning trun was be as I said at the beginning trun was Rome at its greatest extent and for that Rome at its greatest extent and for that Rome at its greatest extent and for that he would remain the Envy of every future he would remain the Envy of every future he would remain the Envy of every future Roman Roman Roman general then there is the Legacy he left general then there is the Legacy he left general then there is the Legacy he left administratively he came to power administratively he came to power administratively he came to power inheriting your lord and God demission inheriting your lord and God demission inheriting your lord and God demission centralized autocracy and left behind a centralized autocracy and left behind a centralized autocracy and left behind a substantially devolved principate that substantially devolved principate that substantially devolved principate that relied on the sound Judgment of relied on the sound Judgment of relied on the sound Judgment of provincial Governors and the input of provincial Governors and the input of provincial Governors and the input of the the the senate in all his letters with plenty he senate in all his letters with plenty he senate in all his letters with plenty he stressed over and over again that the stressed over and over again that the stressed over and over again that the guiding principle of all that they did

guiding principle of all that they did guiding principle of all that they did should be the welfare of the should be the welfare of the should be the welfare of the people ruling was not about living a people ruling was not about living a people ruling was not about living a lavish life or indulging egotistical lavish life or indulging egotistical lavish life or indulging egotistical power trips it was about guaranteeing power trips it was about guaranteeing power trips it was about guaranteeing that your subjects not only survive in a that your subjects not only survive in a that your subjects not only survive in a cold hard world but thrive in it these cold hard world but thrive in it these cold hard world but thrive in it these principles would guide the policies of principles would guide the policies of principles would guide the policies of his successors and Tran's model of his successors and Tran's model of his successors and Tran's model of enlightened despotism would see the enlightened despotism would see the enlightened despotism would see the empire reach its full potential in the empire reach its full potential in the empire reach its full potential in the decades to decades to decades to come in this though his legacy was all come in this though his legacy was all come in this though his legacy was all too fleeting and the inevitable slip too fleeting and the inevitable slip too fleeting and the inevitable slip from positive monarchy to negative from positive monarchy to negative from positive monarchy to negative tyranny came just 60 years tyranny came just 60 years tyranny came just 60 years later but for the next little while all later but for the next little while all later but for the next little while all would be well with the world thanks to would be well with the world thanks to would be well with the world thanks to the wise precedent Tran the wise precedent Tran the wise precedent Tran said his final Legacy though was his said his final Legacy though was his said his final Legacy though was his choice of choice of choice of successor just as nerva had balanced all successor just as nerva had balanced all successor just as nerva had balanced all of his missteps by bringing trun into of his missteps by bringing trun into of his missteps by bringing trun into the Imperial fold Tran himself would put the Imperial fold Tran himself would put the Imperial fold Tran himself would put the cherry on the top of an already the cherry on the top of an already the cherry on the top of an already brilliant career by naming his former brilliant career by naming his former brilliant career by naming his former Ward hadrien as Ward hadrien as Ward hadrien as Heir hadrien is on the short list of Heir hadrien is on the short list of Heir hadrien is on the short list of all-time greatest Emperors himself and all-time greatest Emperors himself and all-time greatest Emperors himself and the seamless transition from the one to the seamless transition from the one to the seamless transition from the one to the other turned the whole first third the other turned the whole first third the other turned the whole first third of the 2 Century into one bright shiny of the 2 Century into one bright shiny of the 2 Century into one bright shiny package but the the trick to this final package but the the trick to this final package but the the trick to this final Legacy is that trun may not have been Legacy is that trun may not have been Legacy is that trun may not have been the one behind it at the one behind it at the one behind it at all we'll get into the early years of all we'll get into the early years of all we'll get into the early years of the next Emperor's biography next week the next Emperor's biography next week the next Emperor's biography next week but for now let it suffice to say that but for now let it suffice to say that but for now let it suffice to say that tran and his wife pompia had been the

tran and his wife pompia had been the tran and his wife pompia had been the boy's Guardian after Hadrian's father boy's Guardian after Hadrian's father boy's Guardian after Hadrian's father died and pompia was enormously fond of died and pompia was enormously fond of died and pompia was enormously fond of him there is speculation bordering on him there is speculation bordering on him there is speculation bordering on confirmed fact that when Tran died in confirmed fact that when Tran died in confirmed fact that when Tran died in cissa in 117 he had not yet named an cissa in 117 he had not yet named an cissa in 117 he had not yet named an heir and that he may have intended power heir and that he may have intended power heir and that he may have intended power to transfer to one of the generals that to transfer to one of the generals that to transfer to one of the generals that he left in charge of the armies in the he left in charge of the armies in the he left in charge of the armies in the East when he made his way back to East when he made his way back to East when he made his way back to Rome pompia though had long lobbied for Rome pompia though had long lobbied for Rome pompia though had long lobbied for hadrien and when Tran died without hadrien and when Tran died without hadrien and when Tran died without leaving explicit instructions there is leaving explicit instructions there is leaving explicit instructions there is suspicion that she manufactured fake suspicion that she manufactured fake suspicion that she manufactured fake orders stipulating the dead Emperor's orders stipulating the dead Emperor's orders stipulating the dead Emperor's postumus adoption of her favorite postumus adoption of her favorite postumus adoption of her favorite hadrien well not quite as awesome as hadrien well not quite as awesome as hadrien well not quite as awesome as Edith Wilson's secret presidency pompo's Edith Wilson's secret presidency pompo's Edith Wilson's secret presidency pompo's clandestine plot to put hadrien on the clandestine plot to put hadrien on the clandestine plot to put hadrien on the throne throne throne was a plot that bore fruit for Rome for was a plot that bore fruit for Rome for was a plot that bore fruit for Rome for the next 20 years and cemented her own the next 20 years and cemented her own the next 20 years and cemented her own legacy as a woman of far-sighted legacy as a woman of far-sighted legacy as a woman of far-sighted wisdom next week we'll begin to unpack wisdom next week we'll begin to unpack wisdom next week we'll begin to unpack the fruits of pompus labors and the fruits of pompus labors and the fruits of pompus labors and introduce an emperor who embodied the introduce an emperor who embodied the introduce an emperor who embodied the virtues of a renaissance man equally virtues of a renaissance man equally virtues of a renaissance man equally skilled in war and poetry and philosophy skilled in war and poetry and philosophy skilled in war and poetry and philosophy and rhetoric and architecture and whose and rhetoric and architecture and whose and rhetoric and architecture and whose mind raced daily with ways to improve mind raced daily with ways to improve mind raced daily with ways to improve and refine everything that surrounded and refine everything that surrounded and refine everything that surrounded him it should come is no surprise then him it should come is no surprise then him it should come is no surprise then that the legacy of such a learned and that the legacy of such a learned and that the legacy of such a learned and impressive leader is generally hadrien impressive leader is generally hadrien impressive leader is generally hadrien yeah didn't he like build a wall or yeah didn't he like build a wall or yeah didn't he like build a wall or something something something [Music]