Michael Hesse Page |1

Roman Imperial Succession Crisis

The Crisis
Rome began as a kingdom and emerged around 8th Century B.C. From its birth, Roman society was inherently violent and expansionist. The Kings of Roman were eventually forced out and the families involved became the Patricians, and all subsequent Patrician families had to trace their lineage back to these original families. Roman society emphasizes tradition over all else; things which are new and which do not have a clear historical link are viewed suspiciously and without trust Christians for example, were not persecuted until it became clear that they were not Jews, who had a clear ancient existence and thus were not persecuted. Although the Romans did not like things which were new, they were extremely syncretic, whenever a culture was conquered, their gods and pantheon were added to the existing Roman pantheon and the people allowed to continue to practice their religion. Romans were historically the best engineers and architects that the ancient world knew the phrase All Roads to Rome best embodies this fact. Romans were the best administrators that existed at this time, and quickly adopted technologies and designs which were superior, immediately beginning to innovate and build upon new developments. Their experiences against other powerful countries such as Greece and Carthage allowed them to learn many different war styles and tactics as well as to gain new insights into philosophy, religion, administration, imperialism, etc. Roman soldiers were among the best soldiers of the Ancient World, and following the Marian Reforms in 103 BC, the Roman army became unquestionably the most powerful of the Ancient World. The last important ideology of the Romans was the Patronage System was a distinct relationship in which a patron provided for and protected his clients. In return, a client was expected to offer services to the patron as needed. The goal of all Romans was to be the most powerful and thus gain the most clients. Romans used murder, extortion, bribery, espionage, intrigue, sex and many other means to gain power and influence although these of course were condemned. Ultimately, Everything is Acceptable and The End Justifies the Means. This crisis is an alternate history and consequently names which are assigned are not necessarily the actual people who held the offices at this time historically. No research is required as events are different and information will be provided as necessary. However, knowing how the Roman military, state, and culture operate is encouraged. Emphasis for this committee should be on your position, ie Consul, Qaestor, Proconsul, etc. rather than on an individual such as Cicero. A brief background of Roman society is provided below. The committee begins with the death of Augustus Caesar, 5 years into his reign as Emperor, with no clear cut successor. Since the Romans have already faced Civil War, you must avoid a Civil War at all costs. You will attempt to resolve all the various domestic issues that

Michael Hesse Page |2 would arise after an emperors death. Your first choice is to choose whether to continue with an Imperial model, in which case you must elect an Emperor from one person in the committee and this emperor would then have all the powers that go along with being an emperor aka Supreme Head of State. He would immediately indicate who his heir would be from someone in the committee and should he die, that person would become Emperor and then the new Emperor would immediately appoint his heir, and so on. The alternate choice is to return to the Republican model, in which case the Senate would rule the Roman Empire and the powers of the Emperor would be divided among the committee to be used through committee directives, except where indicated by portfolio powers. The Committee will be faced with economic, political, religious, social, and various other domestic incidents to force them to work to resolve these issues. As we are representing Rome, each delegate will be reminded that murder, intrigue, sex, persecution, etc. is acceptable to advance their agenda in order to increase their power. Consequently, delegates can expect to die and be replaced by promoted individuals from their departments. New individuals may lose access to some ongoing plans but may retain certain aspects of their crises plans. Be as creative as possible, as long as you have a plan and can justify it, then I will consider it. This is Rome, which means you will never have a crisis full of more undermining, backstabbing, sabotage, extortion, framing, etc. so get creative and prepare to weaken and destroy your rivals through any means necessary. Good Luck and Have Fun! Also feel free to send me (Michael Hesse) any questions you have, no matter how small and I will happily respond. This will be a crisis-heavy committee so dont be afraid to ask me about your portfolio powers before or during the Crisis as some may not be as obvious as others.

Signups are at http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/lfbge

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Positions
1) First Consul 2) Second Consul 3) Pontifex Maximus 4) Qaestor 5) Head of Praetorian Guard 6) Praetor 7) Censors 8) Aedile 9) Tribune 10) Proconsul of Gaul 11) Procurator of Gaul 12) Proconsul of Iberia 13) Procurator of Iberia 14) Proconsul of Italy 15) Proconsul of Greece and Asia Minor 16) Procurator of Greece and Asia Minor 17) Owner of Roman Coliseums 18) Roman Merchant Representative 19) Chief Augur 20) Plebian Representative 21) Equites Representative 22) Patrician Representative

Position Descriptions
1) Consuls highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire Only Consuls and Proconsuls can raise armies he consuls had the right of summons and arrest, which was limited only by the right of appeal from their judgment. This power of punishment even extended to inferior magistrates.

Michael Hesse Page |4 Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague However, after the establishment of the Empire, the consuls were merely a figurative representative of Romes republican heritage and held very little power and authority, with the Emperor acting as the supreme leader. the chief diplomat of the Roman state. Before any foreign ambassadors reached the Senate, they met with the consuls commanders-in-chief of all Roman legions Had power within all of the empire whereas the Proconsuls have the power only within their specific area Pontifex Maximus Head of Roman Religion High priest Main duty is to maintain Pax Deorum Peace of the Gods His functions were partly sacrificial or ritualistic but most important was in the administration of the divine law Duties: 1. The regulation of all expiatory ceremonials needed as a result of pestilence, lightning, etc. 2. The consecration of all temples and other sacred places and objects dedicated to the gods. 3. The regulation of the calendar; both astronomically and in detailed application to the public life of the state. 4. The administration of the law relating to burials and buryingplaces, and the worship of the Manes or dead ancestors. 5. The superintendence of all marriages by conferratio, i.e. originally of all legal patrician marriages. 6. The administration of the law of adoption and of testamentary succession. 7. The regulation of the public morals, and fining and punishing offending parties. Qaestor Lowest ranking politician of the Magistrates (high-level government administrators who rule Rome) Responsibility for the Treasury Praetorian Guard Personal Guard of the Emperor Stationed in Rome; only military force allowed inside Rome itself VERY dubious loyalty Praetor Head of judicial system 1. Urban Praetor decided cases in which citizens were parties

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Michael Hesse Page |5 2. Peregrine Praetor decided cases between foreigners Principal duty of Praetors was the production of the public games

5) Censor Officer who was responsible for maintaining the census, supervising public morality and overseeing certain aspects of the governments finances 6) Aedile Responsible for the maintenance of public buildings and regulation of public festivals Also had powers to enforce public order 7) Tribune Tribunes had the power to convene the Plebeian Council and to act as its president, which also gave them the right to propose legislation before it. They were sacrosanct, in the sense that any assault on their person was prohibited. They had the power to veto actions taken by magistrates, and specifically to intervene legally on behalf of plebeians. The tribune could also summon the Senate and lay proposals before it. The tribune's power, however, was only in effect while he was within Rome. His ability to veto did not affect regional governors. 8) Owner of Roman Colliseums Self explanatory 9) Augur Priest and official -- main role was to interpret the will of the gods by studying the flight of birds the ceremony and function of the augur was central to ANY major undertaking in Roman society public or private including matters of war, commerce, and religion This act was refered to as taking the auspices 10) Procurator A fiscal procurator worked alongside the proconsul(imperial governor) of his province but was not subordinate to him, reporting directly to the emperor. The procurator, with his own staff and agents, was in charge of the province's financial affairs.[1] This included 1. the collection of taxes, especially the land tax (tributum soli), poll tax (tributum capitis) and the portorium, an imperial duty on the carriage of goods on public highways; 2. collection of rents on land belonging to imperial estates;

Michael Hesse Page |6 3. management of mines; 4. the distribution of pay to public servants (mostly in the military). 11) Proconsul Governor of a province The governor headed the civil and judicial administration of the province and was the commander-in-chief of all military units deployed there For simplicity in this committee, the Proconsuls who do not have Procurators will gain their portfolio powers 12) Representative of Roman Merchant Self explanatory 13) Plebians General body of free, land-owning Roman citizens (as distinguished freom slaves) 14) Equites Lower of the 2 aristocratic orders hereditary caste that monopolized political power during pre-Republic and early Republic 15) Patricians Higher of the 2 aristocratic orders originally refereed to a group of elite families who could trace their lineage back to the families which threw out the Roman Kings later grew to include high political families

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