IMPERIVM ROMANVM NAME - The Roman Empire OFFICIAL NAME - IMPERIVM ROMANVM MOTTO - SENATVS ET POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS GOVERNMENT TYPE - Absolute Imperial Monarchy HEAD OF THE STATE - Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Octavius Julius Augustus (Short: Caesar Augustus / Emperor Augustus) REFERENCE TITLE - His Imperial Majesty the Caesar CAPITAL - Rome CURRENCY - Denarius (Plural - Denarii) LANGUAGE - Classical Latin RELIGION - Roman Paganism CULTURE - Classical Roman Culture NATIONAL ANTHEM - LINK NATIONAL FLAG - LINK COLOUR - Red (166, 15, 15) HISTORYThe founding of Rome is clad in myths, but evidence dictates that it has been founded by Aeneas, who was fleeing from Troy along with many other people. It was seven villages on seven hills that constantly warred with each other until Romulus and Remus, the former being the first King of Rome and united the seven villages into a single city named on his honour. After some kings, who turned out to be Etruscan tyrants, the Romans revolted against them and formed a Republic. This new government was also rampant with corruption and bribery. Romans again suffered, and then revolted against them and chose Gaius Octavius, a great-nephew of the greatest Roman general in history Gaius Julius Caesar, to be the new Imperator and gave him the titles of Caesar and Augustus. MAP CLAIMS DIPLOMACY ALLIANCES - Spoiler Alert, click show to read: - None Till Yet - TRADE AGREEMENTS - Spoiler Alert, click show to read: - Egypt (Warrior Cat) WARS - Spoiler Alert, click show to read: - Republic of Syracusae (Pyrrhus the Molossian) - Despotate of Illyria (The Kybrothillian) And now, a very important thing. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR A DIPLOMAT When a diplomat arrives in the Eternal City of Seven Hills, he will have to show his passport papers at the gates, and will be checked for arms or other suspicious items. He will also need to tell the reason of visit to the COMES PORTA (Gate's officer/Count of the Gate). After that, he is free to enter the city. His escorts will be allowed to keep their weapons. The city of Rome is huge, so the foreigners might have to take the help of local guides, although they can be found anywhere in the city. The first thing a diplomat would need to do once inside the city is to reach FORVM ROMANVM, where the main diplomacy office is situated. There are also embassies in nearby districts. Once at diplomacy office, the diplomat will need to present his documents to the main officer. Written diplomacy is necessary, and the document needs to be signed by the Head of the State, and the de-facto leader (if any), of the faction from which the diplomat arrives. The officer will take the document, and the diplomat will be provided luxurious quarters for living in Rome until the matter is completed. The document will then be delivered to the CVRIA, where the Senate and His Imperial Majesty hold assemblies and meeting. The document will be presented before the Senate, and will be discussed and debated upon. Once an outcome is decided, a copy of the diplomatic document will be made, a new document will be prepared with the outcome and it will be signed by His Imperial Majesty and sealed by the senate, along with a copy of this one as well. Once it is done, the diplomat will be called and both documents will be handed over to him. He can then continue touring the city for as much duration as he wants, or depart back if he wishes. Alternatively, a diplomat can request meeting with His Imperial Majesty himself. To do this, he will need to approach the Imperial Palace. He will be approached by a Senator, who will guide him in the palace. His personal escort and their horses (if any) will be left in the Imperial Palace Barracks and Stables respectively. He will be allowed to take up to five unarmed aides with him. The diplomat will be guided to the Imperial Throne Room where His Imperial Majesty and his personal advisory will be present. The diplomat is required to bow to His Imperial Majesty. From then on, they will can start discussing and conduct diplomacy.
Richard of York arrives by sea, and after showing the Royal Seal of King Edward to the gate guard and handing over his sword, makes his way to the Imperial palace to request an audience with the Roman Emperor.
The Gate guards barely manage stop Richard of York when he was taking a turn on the road, destined for the Imperial Palace. The officer of the guard bows politely but quickly, and speaks - "Please sir, this route is currently very dangerous. The rebels have surrounded the Imperial Palace and blocked all the routes. We have managed to free Esquilinae and Coelius districts, and His Imperial Majesty is currently in Castra Praetoria. Here is your sword sir, just in case we encounter any rebels. And we have also brought a horse for you. We will escort you to him safely, please come with us sir." The guards lead him across beautiful but deserted streets, countless houses, fountains and parks. They ride alongside the inner walls and halt as soon as a rebel patrol is heard passing. Once the Castra Praetoria comes in view, they quickly ride up to the gates, closely protecting Richard. The huge portcullis opens and they ride in. Praetorians are sitting, some tending to the wounded and some keeping a watch over the walls. His Imperial Majesty is sitting fully armed and wearing a heavy purple cloak over his armour. He smiles when he sees the English diplomat. The guards behind him bow in unison.
Richard smiles, embarrassed, when he realised Rome was ridden with rebels. He took his sword back gladly, and carefully accompanied the Romans through the city; being careful not to make any noise. He admires the scenery before being led to the impressive Castra Praetoria, dismounting before entering to see the emperor. Richard bows reverently after handing his sword back over to the guards, before rising, and speaking in a loud and clear voice - albeit in quite heavily accented and broken Latin. Your Imperial Majesty. I am Richard, Duke of York, and I have come on behalf of my Brother, Edward of England, to establish trade rights with the noble Romans.
His Imperial Majesty smiles and gives a light nod. The guards place Richard's sword on a cushion nearby, and then Caesar signals them back to their posts at the outer gates. All the advisors stand up as a mark of respect, and then His Imperial Majesty speaks in his divine-sounding voice - "Have a seat, honourable Englishman. We are sorry that we could not provide you with a more suitable and comfortable accommodation due to these dark times. We hope your journey had been good. What do you wish to discuss with us?" And then at the Emperor's command, a tray of ice-water, basket of fruits and berries and strawberry sherbet is brought for Richard.
Richard gladly takes a seat, before taking a glass of water and some fruits, savouring the exploding taste before replying to the emperor. I have come to discuss the opening of trade between our two great nations with your majesty.
His Imperial Majesty stays silent for some time, looking at the evening sky that is filled with calm and beautiful singing of the birds. Then with a slight smile he says - "So it is agreed! The trade between the Romans and honourable Englishmen will make both of us prosper." Then he calls a guard who comes and kneels immediately, and to him he says - "Asinius, take a horse and immediately ride to the Imperial Record Room. Bring here our seal, two Papyrii and the writing equipment. Go, and return within an hour." The guard again bows low, and leaves. The soldier returns in half an hour. An advisor writes up the document twice, and the Emperor puts a seal in both of them. Then a senator brings the documents to Richard, and with a bow, speaks - "Please sir, we request your signatures for the finalization of the treaty."
Richard nods wordlessly; silently affixing his signature as well as affixing the royal seal of England onto the document.
The senator bows and delicately takes the paper away. It is handed over to the guard, who is ordered to ride fast and return it into the Imperial Records House. Now, the Emperor turns to Richard - "It is nearly night now, honourable guest, and it will be unsafe to travel at night with these rebels patrolling around. We have arranged a luxurious Villa Rustica for you outside the city, complete with 20 servants to serve you, residences for your aides, stables for your horses and more. The scenery there is also very good, since it is a lakeside villa. Five hundred elite Praetorian Guards have been dispatched to keep you safe around the villa, and five hundred more are assigned your bodyguards that will accompany you to the villa or anywhere you wish, as you are our honourable national guest." Saying that, His Imperial Majesty now orders a grand silk-laden table to brought forward, and everyone is invited to dine with him.
Richard bows reverently, then turns to follow the roman emperor to the table for the meal.
A grand wooden chair, clad in precious silk and velvet, is placed for Richard at one end of the table, and one for Caesar on the other. The table is heavy with all kinds of rare fruits and delicious vegetables. The courtiers, senators and others sit at the sidelines of the long table, and everyone is guided to their respective seats. Casks of fine Roman wine are brought by the servants, and there are three servers standing around. Once everyone is seated, a senator holds a glass of wine and says - "For the good health of our dear guest, Sir Richard!" and everyone including Caesar raise their glasses and repeat the words in unison, and then drink.
Richard smiles, and shakes his head. He speaks loudly to be heard amongst the rest of the senators who are present. Nay, good Romans, I shall drink to the health of my gracious host; the Caesar and Rome! He raises his glass and drinks amidst the cheers coming from those present.
There is another round of cheers from the senators for their honourable guest, as the emperor smiles. Suddenly a horse-rider rides into the Castra Praetoria and dismounts, and runs towards the table. He kneels on the dirt near the emperor, almost breathless with joy and excitement. He bows very low and nearly stumbles, and then speaks while still bowing - "Your-Your Imperial Majesty! Thanks to the noble deed you did by leading the glorious charge of the Prae....Praetorians, the rebels have been dispersed by the merely the sight of your noble form! The rebels were rounded up on the Tiber island where they await their fates. The path to the Imperi-Imperial palace is....huh...clear. It is now safe for Your Imperial Majesty and the honourable Imperial Household to shift back to the palace." The Emperor looks at him with a strange fiendish delight, and then says - "Calm down, soldier, steady. We will do so once we have dined with our guest." The soldier shivers, then bows low and leaves. The Emperor now turns to Richard "Dear guest, since the city and the Imperial Palace is now free, there is no need for any Villa Rustica. We would like to arrange a grand and luxurious room in the Imperial Palace itself, if you wish it." They continue to dine until they are all full, and afterwards carriages are brought for Richard and his aides, and the Imperial Household. Caesar, as per his usual habit, rides at the front in a personal chariot. The party reaches the Imperial Palace where all the arrangements are already made. A grand room is given to Richard, with 30 servants and guards. The room is clad in marble, linen, silk and velvet with gold-plated walls. There are delicate carvings everywhere, and the room is full of masterworks of art and furnitures. There is a grand and cozy bed, and a window that looks over the calm of the Eternal City of Seven Hills. The night passes, and everyone is invited to take breakfast. After then, the Emperor invites Richard for a conversation.
Richard enjoys the rooms immensely, and ensures to get a good night sleep as well as a luxurious hot bath before putting on his most regal clothes; befitting his status as the Duke of York, as well as a cloak embroidered with the coat of arms of the house Plantagenet. Richard then joins the others for the breakfast, fulfilling his appetite, before excusing himself to see the emperor.
The Emperor greets him, clad in his white linen Toga with purple-gold border and leaflet crown, and then offers him a seat. After ordering a servant to bring some cool ice-water, he says - "Dear guest, you have done us a great honour by visiting us. We have prepared some gifts for your honourable King. Before you depart, we request you to take this cask of wine with you, as a personal gift from us to the King." A servant brings forth a plate, with a gold and diamond laden glass cask full of beautiful-looking red wine. The Emperor turns to Richard again - "This is the a marvel, a piece of royal and finest quality wine ever brewed in the world of men. It is true masterwork of Roman skills, and only available to a very lucky person, as only a few such casks were created. As a mark of friendship, we would like to gift this to your King." And then he hands it over to Richard. Then another of the rare wine casks was brought. Caesar again looks at Richard directly - "Since you are our honourable national guest, and also hold the high and prestigious title of Duke of York, we think that it is our duty and honour to present such a marvel to you." He also hands the second cask to him.
Richard bows his head in respect, and gently takes the gifts and passes them to his nearby squire, before turning back to the Emperor. Your Majesty, England is most grateful for your generous gifts to our King. I have my own gifts to present to you, as well.
