GM NOTE: This scenario reflects the game style, ranks, and practices of the "Old Roman Legion" and may not accurately represent the history of the current game's storyline. Consult with a GM before referencing any component of this scenario.

Antoninus Maxus approached the temple with dread in his heart. The chore
before him would not be easy, but he had to do it for the good of Rome. It would
take all the skill and diplomacy he could muster. The job was so important, he
was handling it himself. He re-read the scroll. A copy had been delivered a week
ago to each Priest.

---------------------------------------

Hail all gloried and honored oracles and priests of Rome:

The Empire is in a dire situation, fighting on three fronts. We must put down
the rebellions quickly, and I feel the best way to do this is to borrow 30 mil c
from the temple funds. We would use this money to properly outfit our Armies, to
put down the rebellions, bringing further glory to the gods!!! I know this will
make it difficult for you to run your temples, but all of Rome must pull
together and tighten our belts during these troubled times. Your temporary
sacrifice would be setting a great example for all of Rome. If you could agree
to temporarily run your temples with less funds, we would all owe you a huge
debt of gratitude. We also need you to soothe and comfort the people during this
strife. We need to present a united front against those that would seek to cause
trouble in the Empire. I most interested in the thoughts and opinions of the
clergy...please discuss all problems you have with me in the future. I would
like to hear from all of you more often! Thank you

~Emperor Antoninus Maxus

---------------------------------------



Though there was immense shock and outrage among the people, the Priests decided
they could not go against the Emperor. The money was seized and put into the
imperial treasury.

---------------------------------------



Saturnalia, 76bc. Roman forces on the move. The last two years of the campaign
in Gaul saw a steady string of battles turn into more and more skirmishes and
fewer all out battles. In the south, Hispania was in a similar state and nearing
capitulation. Leaders from Hispania and Gaul knew that now the Roman war machine
was on top of them and if they continued to resist there would be a penalty
similar to that of Carthage.



Reports from the war were beginning to put cheer into the hearts of the Romans
as now it finally seemed that Gaul would fall under the Roman foot. Turpillius
had left no stone unturned, and he attacked not the usual cities and fortresses,
but he sought out the Gallic armies and continued to batter and thrash them. He
often commented, "I will not slaughter those that could serve Rome, but their
capacity for resistance of Rome will be ended". By the end of Saturnalia,
Antoninus received what he had been waiting for since the beginning of the war
some three years earlier. Gaul and Hispania would negotiate a peace on Rome's
terms, but with several demands for lasting peace.



Gaul would formally surrender every province and its independence to Rome, as
would Hispania. They would both become Provincial status. There would be no
occupation phase. They would begin paying tribute immediately. Rome would spend
no less than 10,000,000c yearly for a period to re-develop the infrastructure
and industry in the nations. They would give up their militias and armies and
put all men under auxiliary command in Roman armies. They would agree to change
their official languages to Latin and accept Roman schools and hospitals.



Antoninus agreed immediately. Crassus nor Pertinax Veno would have ever given
such terms. Antoninus knew that peace even at the cost of pleasing the defeated
was worth it. They would be agreeing to Roman culture, language, and authority
and that was all Antoninus needed. Governors would be needed (YES PC GOVERNORS!)
for these two provinces. They were so large and the problems would be infinite
for the early going.

---------------------------



Antoninus had raided the temples, given vast money to the armies, and now had
the first complete Roman success since Carthage. The west was finally completely
under Roman command. His methods often defied tradition, and the will of the
people, but he had succeeded.



Publius Marius Rufo despised the actions of the Emperor. He and several other
patricians plotted a vicious attack on the Emperors life shortly before
Turpillius Castus would return home for the triumph. 16 mercenaries and
Patricians stormed into the Imperial Palace in bright daylight. During the day,
the guards often nodded off always assuming any real attack would come at night.
By the time Claudius Servo had rallied the Praetorians, the attackers had
already breached into the Palace itself.



In the ensuing fighting, Claudius Servo was killed. The Emperor was preserved.
The nineteen men were all killed in the fight by the Praetorians as punishment
for killing Claudius. The Emperor thought nothing of it, though he was shaken.
Others, though, who were more keen, realized the real target of the attackers
was Antoninus, but whomever was behind them wanted Servo dead. With the
attackers all killed...it would be impossible to find out who that was...



Rome enjoys a most uneasy, though total, peace.





-------------------------------------

A. Marius Julianus, Turpillius Castus, Baerana Sabaco, Postumus Varro, Julius
Dio, and many many others.