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Imperial Palace, Rome
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Honorius lay ill in bed surrounded by many loyal friends and Romans of rank who had come and gone in the past weeks. All worried for the man they so dearly love and serve. Among them is the Consul Publius Varro who entered the room followed by a Praetorian guard in the late afternoon.

"Hail Imperator", he paused and looked concernedly at Honorius and Ula his wife and the others who also stood in the room. "I heard you were not well my lord". He knelt beside the bed. "How are you?"

Honorius, through his tired old eyes looked back at the young Consul, who he had always known to be a loyal and honourable man despite recent events. Reaching out his aged hand he grabs hold of his shoulder. "Publius ", he said in a hoarse whisper. "I am dying".

Publius looked at him in shock. "But ... is there nothing the doctors and healers in the temple can do for you?"

Honorius gave a weak smile, which was disrupted by a wheezing cough. "They have brought me this far... now.... I can see my mother, father and my former great forefathers beckoning me to join them".

"Emperor you have served Rome well ... my dear friend. I am proud to have served you. Is there anything else I can do?"

"You have made a fine contribution to Rome Consul. You have brought your family honour and greatness. My wish is for you to continue serving the new Emperor as well as you have served me."

"I shall. I'd like to say It is an honour to have known you". Publius pressed his hand. "Rest assured you shall not be forgotten by one and all".

"May the gods smile apon you Publius and give you a long, prosperous and rewarding time in this realm as they have to me ".

"Thank you, my Emperor. If there is something I can do for you or your family, please let me know. I am, as always, at your service."

"My son will soon be of the age to join the masses of men who make Rome great. I do not know if he will follow in my footsteps in the Army or make his own elsewhere. I only ask that.... that..." Honorius began to cough and gasp for air but recovered... "If he serves as a politician that you guide him. My family has the greatest of respect for you and all members of your family. On my departure I do believe Sarius Julianus will take the position of families head. He is a good man of old Roman values".

Publius nodded but did not look convinced. Honorius continued speaking unable to discern this.

"I know the good relationship between our two families will continue on as time itself."

"One can only hope so. I cannot help but feel that a part of the spirit of your family will pass along with you. Let us hope your son will continue on as you have." Honorius gave a slight tired nod.

"I'll let you rest now. Please send for me if you have need of me." Publius walked up to a doctor. "Do all you can." He bowed to Honorius and left hurriedly, his face sorrowful.

Honorius watched him disappear as his mind drifted and memories of his life came back to him in fragmented flashes. He remembered his life as a boy. An uncle on a wheat farm in Campania had raised him after his parents' accidental deaths. He remembered his short failed marriage to Alyias Livia Nervae and the civil war which took him away from his wife and in to the Legion XII.


He saw the faces of the many great men he had served with such as the Praetor Daia who died of a mysterious illness after a historic victory over Rome's Eastern Enemies . The friends who had passed away long before him like the General Castor Servo and General Piso whom he learned much from while spending almost a decade as an Officer with them in Legion II. Ah... Legion II. It had became Honorius's favourite legion, and his son Romulus had trained with. He thought of the great man Otho Vitellius who served as Secondo Legatus of Rome for many years.

Though Otho had many enemies over the years, although he had trusted and been kind to Honorius. That same kindness would now be returned to Justius, Otho's son.

As Honorius's mind continued to wander he recalled many of the other secrets in his life that were unknown to all others. Those secrets would now die with him.

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Rome, Latium at the same time
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General Florianus Julianus rode through the streets of Rome on his white mare, heading for the Imperial Palace. Behind him followed a troop of bodyguards from his Legion’s cavalry unit; Ala Florianus Julianus. The mood in the city was grim.

Recently the popular Consul Varro had been under house arrest much to the dismay of the City's citizens.Rumours had spread throughout the Empire that Honorius was ill and that he might not live passed the end of the year. More disturbing rumours followed that Secondo Legatus Sarius Julianus and other advisors were running the Empire now, because the Emperor was too ill to perform his duties.

Florianus knew this rumour was loosely factual. Before he had left to join Prima Justius Vitellius and the Army of the East, the Emperor had already become progressively weaker. On several occasions. Florianus had even thought that his old age was making him go mad! Arriving at the steps to the Imperial Palace, the young aristocrat and his cavalrymen dismounted, before being greeted by one of the Secondo’s officers and almost two dozen Praetorians. They had been expecting the arrival of the General and his escorts. Stableboys took the reigns of the horses and led them away. Leaving the cavalrymen behind with a detachment of Praetorian Guardsmen to entertain them, Florianus and the surpervising officer headed up the stairs into the Imperial Palace. As he entered the Consul Varro appeared. Both men gave each other a nod of brief acknowledgement and continued on their respective ways.

Florianus and the officer entered the palace. Waiting inside for Florianus was his uncle and cousin to the emperor, Secundo Tacitus Sarius Julianus. Sarius noticed the general's melancholy mood.

He smiled weakly. "Do not worry," Sarius told his nephew. "You have made it. Honorius will be pleased to see you."


The words provided little comfort. Sarius threw his arm around Florianus' shoulder. "Come."

Together they entered the emperor's chamber, leaning on each other for support.

As Florianus and Sarius entered the room, Ula and Honorius’ son greeted them. Both were pleased to see them but appeared as if their hearts had been torn out. Many others were also present including servants, doctors, a priest and other family members.

All were silent as they watched the old man whose chest barely rose as he slowly and painfully drew in air. "How is Uncle Honorius?" asked Florianus.


Ula shook her head and was able to utter the words."Not good".


Florianus moved over to where his Uncle lay. Kneeling down he kissed Honorius on the forehead. "Uncle Honorius I am here."


Honorius slowly opened his eyes but everything appear blurred. His lips quivered with effort as he struggled to form words, which come out slurred. "Florianus my boy. I've waited for you to arrive. You have been dearly missed."


Seeing his dear Uncle who had been like a loving father to him in this state was like a knife being turned over and over in his side. Florianus tried to remain composed. Honorius continued to speak.


"Florianus, look after Ula and my boy Romulus. And keep our family great."


Having said this, Honorius' eyes closed and the life within him expired like a lamp starved of oil.


Florianus broke down and cried bitter tears of sorrow. Sarius stood silently in the corner, his open eyes glazed with tears. Ula, who had come close as well fell to her knees and throws herself across his still warm body weeping bitterly while Romulus, overcome with emotion, turned and ran out of the room leaving the wailing of many behind him. As he stood outside in the palace gardens, unsure as to what he should do, the eternal sun disappeared behind the horizon in the West and the shadows of a moonless night consumed the City of Rome.

Thus it was that the man, who was born in 37bc and to most Romans seemed to have always existed, departed for the after life. He left behind a memory of a man who rose from humble beginnings, reaching the greatest heights by nothing more than the will to serve the Roman people and bring honour to his family.

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By: Sarius Honorius Julianus, Acedus Florianus Julianus, Flavius
Publius Varro, Tacitus Sarius Julianus, others, GMs

AD 38