Rome Roman Republic Banner The banner of Rome depicts a gold eagle, wings outstretched, grasping lightning bolts in its talons. This symbolizes Jupiter, God of the Sky and King of the Gods. The eagle is framed by a gold laurel wreath, representing victory, and both the eagle and wreath are placed above the letters SPQR which stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus (Senate and People of Rome). Capital Situated between the Palatinate and Capitoline hills, the Roman Forum, or city plaza, at the center of the city of Rome is where politicians give speeches and where citizens vote. One of the buildings surrounding the Forum is the Curia, or senate house, where the Roman Senate meets to discuss policy. Rome expanded into a great city by the year 266 BC (Turn 7). It boasts over 500 thousand people, large temples, sprawling baths, towering basilicas (law courts), and spacious arenas. To commemorate the completion of this massive construction project, the Senate passed an edict, the Edict of Eternal Vigilance over the Eternal City, which established the powerful Praetorian Guard. These guards patrol the stone walls of Rome, making it difficult for an enemy to conquer the capital or for an enemy spy to infiltrate the city. The Praetorians also serve as the extremely trustworthy personal bodyguards for Rome’s magistrates, making assassinations unlikely. The people appreciate the zero-percent crime rate in the capital city enforced by the Praetorians and are unlikely to get riled up in revolt. Government The government of Rome is a republic consisting of a senate, three assemblies, and seven magistracies. The assemblies of citizens include the Centuriate, Tribal, and Plebeian assemblies, which pass laws and elect the magistrates. The Senate, composed of 300 of Rome’s wealthiest citizens, debate policy issues and give advice to the magistrates. The magistrates include: one pontifex maximus, one censor, two consuls, praetors, two aediles, one quaestor, and ten tribunes. The Pontifex Maximus is the high priest of the state religion. The Censor conducts the annual census and appoints senators. The Consuls lead Rome’s armies and fleets. The Praetors serve as chief judges and commanders of the Praetorian Guard. They can also lead armies and be appointed governors of provinces. The Aediles oversee building projects and festivals. The Quaestor oversees the treasury and the collection of taxes. The Tribunes oversee the assemblies, propose laws, and can veto any actions of the magistrates. Faction Leader(s): Consul Gaius Aurelius Cotta, and Consul Quintus Fabius Maximus Gaius Aurelius Cotta (on the left), born in 285 BC, and Quintus Fabius Maximus (on the right), born in 280 BC, were both elected Consul in 245 BC. They are both men of honor, passion, and ambition. Economy The economy of Rome revolves around the production of agricultural goods, like wine and olive oil; the extraction of metal and stone, like iron and marble; and the buying and selling of slaves to provide labor as well as gladiators. Large construction projects like aqueducts, paved roads, and arenas also drive the economy. Official Currency: the Denarius, a silver coin Culture Roman culture fixates on honor and virtue as every Roman strives to be a good citizen and a True Roman. Courage, discipline, self-sacrifice, duty, and frugality are all highly praised. Every citizen competes to out-do each other in contributing to the public good. For male citizens, serving in the military is deemed the highest form of contributing to the public good and every commander is obsessed with achieving victory and bringing glory to Rome. For female citizens, bearing many children is the highest form of this public good and every mother is obsessed with running an efficient household (or business or government ministry). All Romans are fanatical about politics and many citizens constantly campaign to get elected to the various offices of the republic. Military experience and giving birth lend themselves well to one’s political ambitions. Official Language(s): Latin Official Religion(s): Roman Polytheism Military Roman infantry are very well-disciplined due to grizzled officers called centurions, and they fight in square formations called maniples. Armament: bronze helmets with red crests or plumes, large rectangular wood shields, bronze cuirasses (for officers and triarii), iron chainmail, iron swords, iron-tipped javelins, iron-tipped spears, iron-tipped lances, and ballistas Land units: velites (javelin-throwing skirmishers), hastati (light swordsmen), principes (heavy swordsmen), triarii (heavy spearmen), and equites (light lancer horsemen) Naval units: biremes (missile galleys), triremes (ramming galleys), and quadriremes (boarding galleys featuring a boarding ramp) Legions: Legio I Latium, Legio II Campania, Legio III Umbria, Legio IV Apulia, Legio V Liguria, Legio VI Samnium, Legio VII Bruttium, and Legio VIII Illyria Roman naval presence: Tyrrhenian Sea (fleet built in 270 BC), Ionian Sea (large fleet built in 256 BC), Adriatic Sea (fleet built in 255 BC), and Balearic Sea (fleet built in 253 BC) Roman fortifications: Tarentum at Apulia (fort built in 250 BC), the Wall at Alpes Maritimae (construction put on hold) History The Collapse was a period from 274 to 272 BC in which every government was overthrown and every empire collapsed. People were overcome by some madness, but in 271 BC it passed away and states began to re-establish themselves. The Romans re-established a republic, but with a few significant changes. The magistrates were elected for 5 year terms instead of 1 year terms, and were limited to 3 terms. Women were deemed equal citizens with men and could become senators, but weren’t allowed to be soldiers or military commanders. Female citizens could be elected as Quaestors, the Censor, Aediles, and the Pontifex Maximus, but not Tribunes, Praetors, or Consuls. The first elections were held in 270 BC. Diplomacy Relations – Friendly: Boii (ally), Pergamon (ally), and Parthia (ally) Good: Iceni Neutral: Egypt, Carthage (non-aggression, 253 to 233 BC), Suebi, Baktria, Pontus, Scythia, Aorsoi, and Getae Bad: Epirus, Athens, Arverni, and Gallaeci Hostile: Macedon (war), and Seleucid Empire Ave, traveler, and welcome to the Eternal City! Rest a moment and you’ll be granted an audience by the Senate or one of the Consuls to hear what you have to say to the Senate and People of Rome.
