Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

Later that evening, away from the formalities of the court and the watchful eyes of his advisors, Julius summoned the three southern envoys to a private audience.

Not in the Throne Room of Romanus, but in a smaller chamber — a quiet council hall adorned only with a few maps, a simple fireplace for warmth, and a long, polished table.

This was not an emperor's hall.

This was a strategist's war room.

And Julius, though clad in a simple dark tunic now rather than imperial robes, commanded the space no less than if he had worn his crown.

The three envoys entered respectfully, but less burdened by ceremonial pretense than earlier.

Here, honesty would reign.

Julius gestured to the seats arrayed before the low table.

"Sit,"

he said.

They did.

Once they were settled, Julius leaned forward, folding his hands lightly before him.

"You spoke words of loyalty today,"

he said, voice calm but sharp with intent.

"But I would hear the truth behind them. Not the words meant for the court."

He met each of their gazes in turn — the broad-shouldered Argosian, the wiry Macedonian elder, the sun-worn Arcadian.

"Tell me. Why now? Why not months ago, when first we pacified Greecia?"

A heavy silence hung in the air.

The three men exchanged brief glances before the Macedonian — the oldest of the trio — spoke first.

"Sire,"

he said, voice low but steady,

"Greecia is not one nation. It never was."

He sighed, the lines of age and burden deepening across his face.

"Even under your wise occupation, our old rivalries festered. Athens... Sparta... The old city-states plotted in the shadows, whispering of rebellion, dreaming of restoring their 'independence'."

The Arcadian representative spat lightly to the side, as if the very taste of the thought offended him.

"The Athenians are the worst,"

he said gruffly.

"While we toiled to rebuild, they schemed. Stirring discontent among the farmers, spreading rumors that Romanus only wished to enslave us — that the Empire would bleed our sons and salt our fields."

He shook his head.

"They spoke of 'liberation.' But it was nothing more than naked ambition cloaked in pretty words."

Julius absorbed the words silently, his expression unreadable.

"And the Spartans?"

he asked, already suspecting the answer but needing to hear it confirmed.

This time, the Argosian envoy answered, his jaw clenched in frustration.

"Sparta did not scheme like Athens. No. They acted."

He looked Julius directly in the eye, voice darkening.

"They turned your occupation into oppression. They set themselves as lords over the villages. Forced tributes. Demanded conscripts beyond what your edicts allowed. Executed those who dared complain. To the common folk, the line between Romanus and Spartan blurred — and not in your favor."

The Macedonian leaned forward urgently.

"It was not your legions who earned our people's hatred, Caesar. It was theirs. The Spartans wore your authority like a stolen cloak."

He paused, letting the words sink in.

"And the people were beginning to believe it."

~

Julius exhaled slowly, his fingertips drumming lightly on the wood of the table.

Athens stirring rebellion with poisoned words.

Sparta crushing loyalty under mailed fists.

Both different threats — but equally dangerous.

Divide and conquer.

Even now, the ancient cities played the same old games, hoping that Rome's strength would wither from within rather than facing it openly.

A slow smile crept onto Julius's lips — not one of amusement, but of cold understanding.

"They seek to turn my own people against me,"

he said softly.

The Argosian bowed his head slightly.

"Yes, Caesar. They fear you because they know they cannot beat you openly."

The Arcadian added, voice grim:

"And if they succeed in sowing enough unrest... they hope your legions will bleed themselves dry putting down constant revolts."

The Macedonian spread his hands.

"This is why we came. To sever the old ties before they could tighten into chains again."

He met Julius's gaze squarely.

"We want Romanus order. Not Athenian anarchy. Not Spartan tyranny. Romanus."

~

Julius sat back, considering.

Their reasoning made sense — more than sense.

It was a declaration of political survival.

They had seen the true danger: not the legions in their streets, but the rot in their own countrymen's hearts.

And they had chosen to cast their lot fully with Romanus, before that rot consumed them all.

A wise choice.

One he would reward.

And exploit.

~

"You have chosen well,"

Julius said finally, voice low but carrying absolute authority.

"And you will be rewarded."

He leaned forward, eyes like burning coals.

"The governors I appoint to your lands will be Roman by law — but native by blood when possible. Your people will not see foreign kings, but brothers risen from their own soil."

The three envoys looked up sharply — clearly surprised.

Julius smiled faintly.

"Athens and Sparta seek to divide us. We will answer by uniting more strongly than ever, as each of your nations become territories of the greater Greecian province of our Romanus Empire."

He stood then, the flickering brazier casting long shadows across the chamber.

"And as for Athens,"

he said, voice growing colder,

"and Sparta..."

He let the words hang in the air like a sword suspended by a thread.

"They will be dealt with, sooner enough if they continue trying to subvert our will."

First with politics.

Then, if needed, with blood and iron.

~

Julius stepped around the table, resting a hand briefly on the shoulder of each envoy.

"Return to your cities. Begin preparations for full integration. Roman laws. Roman taxes. Roman defenses."

He smiled slightly.

"And Roman rights."

The three men bowed deeply — no longer out of fear or diplomacy.

But out of something else.

Loyalty.

Hope.

Faith.

As they departed the chamber, Julius turned back toward the brazier, watching the flames dance.

In the flickering firelight, he saw the future taking shape.

A future built not just on conquest.

But on choice.

On unity.

And soon...

Even the Athenians and Spartans would have to choose.

Or be left in the ashes of history.