410 AD. Vandals are in spain, driving out the romans, destroying cities, killing civilians. Constantine has usurped Gaul, taking the legions of the Rhine frontier with him. The Goth's rampage around northern Italy after having sacked Rome, and there are barely and Legions left to stop them. Something must be done. A strong emperor will be able to drive out the invaders, but there is no strong emperor. Honorius is merely a boy. It is up to his generals, Constantius among many others, to fix the sordid state of affairs the Empire is in. Decadance and inflation in Italy, Africa and the remainders of spain make tax difficult. The treasury is in debt, and important and rich men are hiring there own Bucelarii out to the state to make up for the sorry amount of soldiers rome has left. Foederati are led by untrustworthy commanders, barbarians who are not to be trusted. They used to say that the man who controls rome, rules the World. Could you make this happen again?
So being a Roman would be mandatory right? Or at least part of the Empire in some way. Can't be Vandals for example...?
No. You have to be a roman or barbarian born roman.
Barbarian born roman.. What You mean I presume is a barbarian taken by the Romans and put in the army Auxilarry. Otherwise there is no high place for you in Rome.
Only nominally. There were plenty of characters in history who were considered barbarians and became powerful in Rome. It's like being bastard born in feudalism; you just have to more assertive and forceful. (Hey... that's kind of like a pun. )
Yeah. Being a Foederati can be useful. You generally have cheaper but more men than the Romans, so you usually become quite a powerful political figure to be feared. You can probably be able to become power behind the throne quite easily.
