Rome

Rome, the first country, is among the largest and most powerful countries in the world. However they are incredibly fractured. They have legions of centurions with strong discipline marching throughout the world in the name of generals more than their true leaders, and are very patriotic. They speak Latin, and their realm is covered with red and gold. They started on a peninsula called Italia. They care not for why they conquer. They care not for if those they conquer are truly the barbarians they decry them as. All they care for is Rome, and Creatitism.

## History

### Foundation

Romulus and Remus awoke in the staging. Remus went to the east and made Byzantium. Romulus made Roma, and from Roma made Rome. Rome started out as a kingdom with Romulus its first king, and it defeated many of the strange neighboring tribes. King Romulus and Remus worked together in many occasions and together there strong minds were able to form foundations that would stand for ages on.

### Kingdom

As a Kingdom they mostly focused on expanding, against the tribes like the Gauls. Here was the great Boi War. A war against the massive Boi Tribe. Rome was victorious, leading to a new age of conquering. This lead to conquering the base of Italia. Conquering the base of Italia was very beneficial to Rome in the long run. When Romulus died it slowed down and the kingdom began to change.

#### Mediterranean Alliance

Byzantium and Rome forged the Mediterranean alliance, seeking to control the Mediterranean together. A alliance of trade and soldiers, this union greatly benefited them. It turned Sicily into a trading hub. It was formed by King Titus of Rome and Basileus Constantin 1 of Byzantium.

A union of these two powerful empires was a important event for the world as well. For the fact that two empires could work together was a odd one to the strange reaches of the non Mediterranean world. Or, for some of the more savage places and tribes that two great empires such as these could exist.

### Republic

After the Rebellion of Lyracuse, they became a republic of senators. Generally this is seen as a great time, but early in it was plagued by the Carthagian Wars. In two long deadly wars with Carthage, they lost many Roman lives, and Roma itself was almost sacked in the Siege of Roma by Hannibal Balca. They retaliated with Scipio Africanus and beat Carthage, razing it to the ground. The survivors went to form Nova Carthago. The cruel destruction of Carthage led to civil unrest.

The Republic began bright but quickly began to be corrupt. A expansive system of influential people grew a twisted web of ambition and deception. The Republic has many minor civil wars take place, but none really shook it. It is the longest period in Rome thus far.

#### Fall of the Republic

Julius Caesar was a general who saw through the lies of the senate and there corruption, and decided he would be better. Through conquering he gained respect. Through political machinations he formed the triumvirate. A secret gathering of him, the richest man in Rome, Crassus, and another general, Pompey. They schemed for greater power until Crassus was killed in battle with Barbarians. Pompey and Ceasar knee things were about to change.

The senate whispered to Pompey until they convinced him to work against Ceasar. And he did until finally he ordered Ceasar to put down his arms and return his army figuring Gauls to Rome. After pacifying the Gauls, he marched to Rome with his army...and didn’t stop. He took Rome. A civil war began. Pompey moved to allied Egypt to continue his plans while Julius was winning. The war went until assassins killed Pompey and took his signet ring. These assassins cage to Ceasar expecting a reward. Ceasar stabbed them on the spot. For all he was, Pompey was Caesar’s friend. And he had died a dishonorable death.

Ceasar now had all of Rome. He arranged a crowning ceremony by the pope himself. But when the pope went to crown him...he took the crown, and crowned himself. He proclaimed himself chosen by god. This caused some unrest and resistance from the papacy and his people but it didn’t stop him. Julius Caesar had began the Roman Empire. And then he had a child. The future Augustus Hector Ceasar. Augustus Julius Caesar left one day. It was unknown if by murder or some other means. But now, the 25 year old Hector was the Augustus. And Carthage wouldn’t have a empire on there border.

### Age of Empire

#### Orthodox Ascendant

The Byzantines became Orthodox over there Catholic roots. This caused a divide between the two causing diplomatic problems starting when they stayed out of the civil war. Some radicals even talk of dissolving the alliance over many issues lately. Two rival empires surely cannot stay allies for long, even brothers may turn against each other to continue there rise to power. Viccio of Rome and Kalexios of Byzantine were the heads of the parties trying to get the alliance dissolved for there respective nations.

#### Carthage War

Vicily, a island off the coast of Italia, and a neighbor to Sicily was half ruled by Romans and half ruled by the naval and trade empire of Carthage. Carthage invaded Vicily, blockading it’s sea and forcing the Roman cities to surrender completely by surprise. Vicily was lost and a surprise was was spring. Romans had begun to strangle the trade of Carthage and the men of Carthage had begun to grumble. And with two Mediterranean empires it was about time.

The Romans responded by starting to send a army to them through Hispania. The Augustus himself stayed in Rome to overview the campaign from afar. They are vastly superior in land but there navy is lacking. Thus in the harbors of Italia a navy is built to rival that of Carthage, but it is at the cost of much resources and gold. It will take a while for it to rival the technology and might of the fleet of Carthage. But Roman spirit carries on.

## Military

They have a powerful and famous military for pioneering many modern military sciences. The tower shield and the Gladius are Roman inventions and famed for the Legionnaires that wield them. They are formed into Legions and divided from there into such things as cohorts. The military has different sub divisions for different aspects of warfare such as siege warfare.

Use of tower shields and Gladius opens up many possible tactics. Closing in on the Emmy and decimating then with Gladius under the defense of a shield is a good one, or they can with great discipline assume a turtle formation, a complete wall of shields protecting them from all but the most powerful ranged weaponry. Discipline is a very important part of the Roman Army. It holds them together.

## Culture

They love order, and justice. There culture is heavily influenced by Creatitism. They believe Rome is destined to rule the world, and rule alone. They believe in Romans divine right to rule. This leads to conquest and propaganda against there enemies to label them as barbarians. Now, though they have a rocky history with it they are devout Catholics and servants of Creatism.

Patricians are the high society and Plebians the lowest. It is getting a little better under the Emperor but not much. Plebians will do the hardest of labor, much like serfs in other nations. However it is possible for a Plebian to one day become a patrician through hard work and labor, and a strong stream of luck. Roman culture is built around strength, and conquest. Romans don’t care if war is right. They think it must be a gift to be conquered by Rome. Sometimes they will volunteer to fight in there legendary coliseums. Rome doesn’t take much personally. Yes they’ll conquer you, but they take war in good fun. Plus most of the places they conquer aren’t very good places anyways.

## Environment

Italia is a peninsula. It has nice beaches and other features native to peninsulas in the Mediterranean. But to the north of it is the Alps, a shield protecting the land in front of the Peninsula. A large mountain chain completely owned by them in addition to the one going through Italia. The alps, now that they are cleared of enemies are a mighty defense due to the cold weather and rough terrain. Military bases have been set up there for training and Easy defense.

## Ruler

Augustus Hector Ceasar is what many would consider to be the perfect Roman. Devour, convinced in the power of Rome, a good warrior, and with strong morals. He is the son of a controversial figure and thus many eyes look on him for guidance and out of fear. Or out of hope that things will get better. He aims to expand Rome, and first get rid of the Carthage invaders. He stays at Roma, building a fleet and planning a counter attack to strike back into the heart of Carthage.