City Infrastructure

Rome is a marvel of engineering. Aqueducts like the Aqua Appia and Aqua Marcia bring fresh water from distant springs, feeding public fountains, baths, and private homes. The Cloaca Maxima, a massive sewer system, keeps the city clean—or as clean as a city of a million souls can be. Paved roads, like the Via Appia, connect Rome to its provinces, while bridges like the Pons Aemilius span the Tiber, linking the city’s two halves. Insulae, multi-story apartment blocks, house the masses, while the elite live in sprawling domus with courtyards and frescoes.

Social Classes

Roman society is a rigid hierarchy. At the top are the Patricians, noble families like the Julii and Claudii, who dominate politics and religion. Below them are the Plebeians, the working class—farmers, artisans, and merchants—who make up the bulk of the population. Non-citizens, including Peregrini (foreigners), Liberti (freed slaves), and Servi (slaves), occupy the lower rungs, their rights and freedoms limited by their status. Social mobility is possible but rare, often requiring wealth, military success, or the favor of the gods.

Religion in Rome

The gods are ever-present in Roman life. Jupiter, king of the gods, watches over the city from his temple on the Capitoline Hill, while Juno protects marriage and family. Mars, god of war, inspires the legions, and Minerva, goddess of wisdom, guides artisans and scholars. Public festivals, sacrifices, and omens are part of daily life, and priests like the Pontifex Maximus interpret the will of the gods. Superstition runs deep—beware the Ides of March, for the gods’ favor can be fickle.

Roman Law

Roman law is the foundation of the empire’s order. The Twelve Tables, etched in bronze, codify the rights of citizens, from property disputes to criminal penalties. Magistrates like praetors and quaestors enforce the law, while the emperor holds ultimate authority. Crimes like theft or treason are harshly punished—slaves may face crucifixion, while citizens might be exiled. The law also governs contracts, marriage, and inheritance, ensuring the stability of Roman society.

The Twelve Caesars

From Julius Caesar to Nero, the Twelve Caesars have shaped Rome’s destiny. Julius Caesar’s ambition led to his assassination on the Ides of March, 44 BC, sparking civil war. Augustus, the first emperor, brought peace with the Pax Romana, while Tiberius ruled with suspicion and cruelty. Caligula’s madness and Nero’s tyranny tested the empire’s resilience, yet their reigns also saw great works of art and architecture. Each emperor’s legacy offers opportunities—and dangers—for your character.

The Senate

The Senate, housed in the Curia Julia, is a body of 300 to 600 Patricians who advise the emperor and pass decrees. Senators, often former magistrates, wield immense influence, controlling finances, foreign policy, and military appointments. But the Senate is also a den of intrigue—alliances shift, bribes change hands, and a single speech can sway the fate of a province. As a player, you might rise to the rank of senator, navigating this treacherous political landscape.

Political Power

Power in Rome is a delicate balance. The emperor holds supreme authority, but his rule depends on the loyalty of the Senate, the army, and the people. The Praetorian Guard, an elite force tasked with protecting the emperor, can make or break a reign—many emperors have fallen to their blades. Governors in the provinces wield local power, often acting as mini-emperors, while ambitious senators plot to expand their influence. Political power is a game of alliances, betrayal, and spectacle.

The Roman Army

The Roman Army is the empire’s iron fist. Legions, each 5,000 men strong, are disciplined and versatile, equipped with gladius swords, pilum javelins, and scutum shields. Centurions lead with iron resolve, while auxiliaries—non-citizen troops—provide cavalry and archers. The army builds roads, forts, and aqueducts when not fighting, but its true purpose is conquest. From the forests of Germania to the deserts of Syria, the legions ensure Rome’s dominance—and offer players a path to glory.

Art and Culture

Roman art reflects the empire’s grandeur. Mosaics adorn villa floors, depicting gods and heroes, while frescoes in Pompeii capture daily life. Statues of emperors and gods, carved in marble, line the forums, and triumphal arches like the Arch of Titus celebrate military victories. Literature flourishes—Virgil’s Aeneid glorifies Rome’s origins, while Ovid’s Metamorphoses explores myth. Theater, often comedic, entertains the masses, though the elite prefer poetry recitals in their salons.

Economy and Currency

Rome’s economy is vast and complex. The denarius, a silver coin, is the backbone of trade, alongside the sestertius and as. Grain from Aegyptus, wine from Hispania, and silk from Asia flow into the city, while Roman goods—pottery, glass, and weapons—are exported across the empire. Merchants thrive in the markets of Trajan, but inflation and corruption threaten stability. Slaves, a key part of the economy, work in mines, farms, and households, their labor fueling Rome’s wealth.