Heir of Aurelian

Days had passed since Marcellus ascended to the Throne, and in this time he had been busy drafting a plan of national defense against the many enemies he had created. While Marcellus was busy enacting emergency measures to stabilize the realm. The surviving senators had gathered in the sacred halls of the Roman Senate to discuss their next move.

Among the dozens of men gathered, one was an elderly man who had served in the Senate for many years. His name was Albinius, and he gathered the men before him to resist the rule of this new self proclaimed Emperor. Now that the Empire was in chaos, it was time to restore the former powers of the Senate, or so he thought. Thus, he spoke with passion about his vision to the other senators.

“General Marcellus has marched his armies into Ravenna, and slaughtered the Emperor and those who are loyal to him. He has an army of six thousand Romans and thirty thousand Goths at his back. However, he does not have the support of the Patrician clans, or the plebeians, for that matter.

What I suggest is simple. The moment Marcellus stands before us and demands we pass an act of legislation, we stand united against him. Show him we, the Senate, hold the power in Rome, and that he is merely our puppet. After all, he may control the armies, but it is we who control the coin that pays them. When placed in a position of payment, or loyalty, naturally the men who follow him will shift to our side!”

Another senator was quick to object to Albinius’ decision.

“Marcellus has proven himself a capable commander, who is loyal to Rome itself. We do not need to threaten to turn his men against him. We just need to show him that his interests should align with ours. If he understands Rome is better off under our rule, he will surely give up his power. Your actions will force his soldiers to choose between their general and payment. Such a thing will only end bloody for all of us!”_.

Despite this, Albinius and the other senators were unconvinced. Instead, the elderly Senator made an assumption based upon Marcellus’ current actions and coerced those who remained undecided to his side.

“Marcellus has the intention to declare himself a dictator, and use his power to restore Rome to its former glory or his perceived notion of such a thing. He will not see reason, as he believes the path to salvation is through tyranny! If we do not make our stand here, then the Empire is doomed!”

It was at that moment that a certain sound interrupted the secret meeting. It was the sound of a slow clap, followed by a familiar voice.

“Very good Albinius! It seems you have seen through my intentions. Now that you all know of what I have planned, I suggest you cooperate with me. After all, it is in the best interests of Rome and all its citizens to serve its new emperor!

My first act as emperor is to declare mandatory conscription of all able-bodied men aged sixteen to twenty. They shall serve in my army for a minimum of four years. You don’t have a problem with this, do you? After all, we need soldiers if we are to defend what little ground we have left!”

The Senators gazed at the origin of the voice and witnessed Marcellus descending into the Senate Chamber. Alongside him was the legion of men he had trained at Castra Regina. As for the forces who once comprised Primus’ limitanei, they were busy undergoing training.

The Senators spoke among themselves as Marcellus’ forces slowly surrounded them. Those who were previously undecided were now wavering in their newfound convictions. Ultimately, Albinius was the one to act defiant as he chastised Marcellus for his intrusion in the Senate.

“You may hold the title of Emperor Marcellus, but you are not a dictator! You do not have permission to come into these chambers while we are discussing matters of State. Nor do you have the right to compel us to follow your orders!

Soldiers of Rome, I will remind you that though your loyalties are to the Emperor, it is we in the Senate who pay you. I suggest you keep that in mind before you do anything that you will regret. The Senate has decided, and we feel it is best, that power resides in the hands of elected officials, rather than a usurper!”

Marcellus gazed at his soldiers, who did not waver upon the mention of payment. Instead, they stood firm as they awaited the orders of their emperor. Upon seeing this fierce loyalty, Marcellus smirked arrogantly before asking the entire Senate where their loyalties lay.

“Do you all feel this way?”

The overwhelming majority of the senators nodded their heads while grumbling, as for the rest they remained silent in fear of retaliation from their fellow senators. After witnessing Marcellus so boldly declare his intentions of assuming power, even those who were on the fence before now found themselves defiant.

Upon seeing that the Senate’s decision to resist him was unanimous, Marcellus sighed heavily before snapping his fingers. In the next moment, the legions who stood by his side formed a shieldwall surrounding the senators and unsheathed their blades. The Senators reacted with panic, just as Marcellus had expected them to, with Albinius’ cursing the mad man who proclaimed himself Emperor.

“What do you think you are doing? Do you really believe you can intimidate us into obeying your whims!?!”

In response to this, Marcellus merely chuckled as she shook his head. Did these fools really think this was an act of intimidation? This was their execution. He toyed with the senators for a little while before giving the command to end their miserable lives.

“Albinius, you are mistaken. I do not seek to intimidate you and your fellow senators into obeying my whims. I seek to exterminate you all! There is no need for a senate filled with corruption. Whatever gods you may hold in your hearts, I suggest you pray for their mercy, for you shall receive none from me!”

After saying this, Marcellus snapped his fingers and his soldiers immediately thrust their blades into the bodies of the unarmored senators. Screams of agony filled the air as blood spilled into the halls of the Senate. Marcellus gazed upon the blighted scene with disdain. One by one the Senators fell to the blades of Marcellus’ legion until finally only Albinius remained. The man had his stomach punctured and was bleeding out on the floor as he cursed at the new emperor.

“You fucking madman! Do you really think you can rule Rome without a Senate? The people won’t stand for it!”

Marcellus unsheathed his blade as he walked over to Albinius with a sneer on his face. His words would remain in the minds of those who acted as a witness for years to come.

“It is because of you christian fools that the Empire now finds itself on the edge of extinction. Had you allowed the Altar of Victory to remain, none of this would have happened!”

After saying this, Marcellus swung his sword down towards the Senator’s neck, decapitating him on the spot. Having done so, he wiped the blood which coated his blade onto the man’s tunic before sheathing it.

Ordius gazed at Marcellus in disbelief. Did this man really just condemn Christianity in the halls of the senate? Marcellus glanced at Ordius with an expression that stated his mindset. He did not care in the slightest about his antagonistic remarks towards the Christian religion and instead issued orders to the soldiers beneath his command.

“The corruption that has plagued the senate for centuries has now been purged. As of this moment, I, Emperor Titus Claudius Marcellus, declare myself the sole authority in Rome, and hereby order the conscription of all able-bodied males age sixteen to twenty into my Army.

As for the Senate, I hereby announce its disbandment until a time where Rome is stable and prosperous. When the senate finally returns, so too will the Altar of Victory to its rightful place. Are there any objections?”

The soldiers beneath Marcellus’ command shook their heads in response to this question. Though the vast majority of them were Christian, and Marcellus’ declaration of restoring the Altar of Victory was sacrilege, they did not dare rebel against him. After all, the thirty thousand Goths at his back would clearly turn against them should they put their fath in God above the Glory of Rome.

With the Senate purged, Marcellus returned to the Palace. Despite the conscription of his forces, he would need many months to train and equip these new soldiers for war. In this time, his enemies would realize his circumstances and march against him. Thus, the need to join forces with Alaric was still paramount. Nothing had changed. Rome was still at the brink of annihilation, and only by making a deal with the devil could it save itself.