Roman Empire

*"It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life."*

## Overview

Romans wish to conquer or convert as many people to the Roman way of life. They are accepting of many things from each land and are open to new innovations. Their way of life is a mix of many cultures, influences, and religions. Architecture, painting, sculpture, laws, and literature are growing to a higher level. Rome is a trading nation which wishes to keep military control and protection over a wide range of people.

### Social Hierarchy

* **Patricians**: Patricians make up the ruling class. Basically, the Patricians are the aristocracy – one has to be born a Patrician – or rise to the legion rank of Tibunus Lacticlavius or Legatus for the chance to join the social rank of Patrician.
* **Equites**: Equites are Plebeians who have served a minimum ten year term in the legion or retired from the legion with the rank of Primus Pilus or higher. They enjoy full citizenship, are allowed to marry whoever they wish, could have a voice in politics, open and run business, and even given access to free higher education.
* **Plebeians**: Plebeians are strictly second-class citizens. Who are forbidden to marry Patricians or having a voice in politics. They make up the a majority of the working-class.
* **Freedmen**: Freedmen are slaves who manage to buy their freedom or whose owners have set them free. The freedman (or woman) then become a client of their former owner, relying on his or her patronage. Freed slaves are granted citizenship but cannot hold political office. Any children of freed slaves, however, are given full rights as citizens and thus join the Plebeian social class. Freedmen can work any job they are qualified for but often continue in whatever duties they had performed for their former master when a slave.
* **Slaves**: Slaves are the lowest class in society without most rights and considered property of the master. The quality of life as a Roman slave is varied according to one’s master and one’s job. Life in the mines or in building roads is considerably more difficult than skilled artisan-slaves who work for craftsmen or served their masters as tutors or musicians. Even so, no matter how easy a slave’s responsibilities might seem, they are still subject to the whims of their master who could have them beaten, for any reason. The only thing a slave is guaranteed was one meal a day with water three times a day minimum.

### Legion Hierarchy

* **Legatus**:
* **Tibunus Lacticlavius**:
* **Tribuni Angusticlavii**:
* **Praefectus Castrorum**:
* **Primus Pilus**:
* **Centurion**:
* **Optio**:

### Imperial Laws

1. No individual outside of the ruling council may raise an army without prior permission from said council, as this will be seen as an act of sedition.
2. No army can march within 24 miles of Belum, as this will be seen as an act of war and will also be tried under the 1st law.
3. No group of individuals may assemble with the intent to protest or riot within the city of Rome or Belum, doing so will be seen as an act of treason.
4. The penalty for disobeying a direct order from the emperor (or higher ranking legionnaire if currently enlisted) is considered treason and punishable by slavery/exile and branding and stripped of any and all social status, legion ranking, property, and any other possessions.
5. (A). Any slave may request to join the legion and serve a ten year term to earn the rank of Plebeian or Equite if they go for a second ten year term in the legion. However under their first term if they attempt to abandon their post they will be found and publicly executed.
6. Any free man or above attempts to abandon their post they will be found and put into slavery with out the possibility of reprieve though imperial law 5 so even the cowardly may be used to better serve the empire.

## Places and People

### **Settlements:**

* Rome
* Belum
* Celeia
* Vindinium

### Other Notable Individuals

* Lenfio the Lich (Male wizard)
* Frankelass the Death Knight (Male Fighter)