Heir of Aurelian

Frank sat in the library of his university, surrounded by various people, all of which were studying for their classes. He himself was looking into some particular information about the Western Roman Empire shortly before its collapse.

The book outlined the failures of Honorius, a man so incompetent he sat back and watched as Rome burned in the background. The only hint of care he had about the event was the moment he was informed.

Not because he was concerned about the ancient capital being ransacked by a bunch of barbarians, but because he thought his pet chicken was killed. Upon reading this anecdote, Frank sneered in disdain before muttering his thoughts about the man.

“What a fucking dumbass…”

A pretty girl who sat nearby heard this comment and gazed over towards Frank, interested in what he was researching. Before he even realized it, the young woman was staring over his shoulder before commenting on the passage.

“Honorius, huh? Yeah, you’re right about that. He was a fucking dumbass, for sure. Luckily, after Rome was sacked, he found a competent co-emperor in Flavius Constantius. Otherwise, he would have been fucked. It’s just a shame that the idiot’s sister Galla Placidia was taken captive by Alaric and married against her will to his brother-in-law.

Poor girl, imagine being that young, and being sold off to some Barbarian King as a literal sex slave. Luckily for her, the old bastard died a few years later, and the girl was returned to her family. Of course, she was immediately married off again to one of Honorius’ greatest generals.”_.

Frank looked up from his book and gazed upon the pretty face that was speaking to him. The girl had obviously dyed blonde hair and hazel eyes as she smiled towards him. Naturally, he was compelled to introduce himself in that moment, which he did by extending his hand in friendship.

“Hey, I’m Frank, Frank Caruso. Are you also a fan of history?”

The young woman happily shook his hand before shaking her head and admitting to her guilt.

“Isabella Russo, and no, I am not a fan of history. However, my elder brother is a major Romaboo and has drilled his dissertation into my head. So I know a thing or two about Rome, especially in the late antiquity period.”

Frank smiled and offered a seat to the young woman as a gesture.

“Well, why don’t you sit down and enlighten me on your knowledge?”

Isabella smiled and took Frank’s offer where she lectured him on the period he was researching for many hours. After suffering through it, Marcellus woke up in his bed with a cold sweat. By now he was accustomed to these dreams, and simply went about his day, where he bathed, ate his breakfast and got to work.

During this time, there was one thing that was bothering him, and that was how close this dream was to his current year. He could extrapolate from his previous dream that the end of the Western Roman Empire was near. Since the girl in his dream had such high opinions of Constantius, he immediately dispatched a letter to find the man, and bring him before him.

Hours passed and Marcellus read from the letter that Sigefrida had given him earlier in the day. Primus had secured the allegiance of the Hibernian high king, and Ordius had stomped out the remnants of the Franks in Gaul. In their place, the Suebi had taken their lands, and now acted as a bulwark against an invasion of the larger Frankish society.  Though he had yet to hear news of Primus’ victory in Britannia against the Picts, he was in a pleasant mood.

After reading this letter, the Palace Guard brought before him a man. Surprisingly, this Flavius Constantius was within the city of Ravenna and was currently an officer within Marcellus’ army. In Marcellus’ past life, this man was instrumental in putting down Constantine III’s rebellion, and ruled as co-emperor after marrying Honorius’ sister Placidia.

However, that fate had changed in this world due to the existence of Titus Claudius Marcellus, and now Constantius was just another promising General who found himself under the new Emperor’s control after his successful rebellion.

In the months since Marcellus had reunited the borders of the Western Roman Empire, he found himself lacking in Provincial Governors. Under the new regime, military commanders were selected as Imperial Legates to act as the supreme authority over the many dioceses of Western Rome. Answering only to the Emperor himself. The system was a rigid military dictatorship, where the civilian sector now answered to their militant counterparts.

In fact, Marcellus had replaced the titles of Augustus and Caesar, and instead used the term Imperator as his reigning title. Imperator being one of the many titles that past Emperors held. Why did he select this title as his primary one?

Because it was a military title granted to Emperors, and since the Military was now the governing body of Rome, at least temporarily; Marcellus felt it was most fitting to be used under his new order.  Constantius was in Marcellus’ office for a single reason, and thus Marcellus wore a proud expression as he gave the man his new position.

“Flavius Constantius, I have heard tales about your feats in the field, and the loyalty that you showed the previous emperor. I’m amazed that you weren’t in Ravenna acting as the leader of its defense when I laid siege to it. I must say, I had doubts at first about the loyalty of you and much of the surviving old guard. However, I am willing to give you a chance to prove yourself. What would you say if I were to name you the Legatus of Hispania?”

It shocked Constantius to hear that Marcellus was giving him such a lofty position. He had done little to prove himself in his time within the new regime. Even in the Pyrenees, his army was not one to deal a major blow to Constantine III and his rebel forces. Despite his previous loyalties, and his lack of credentials, Marcellus had given him a very powerful position. He was a bit confused about why this was the case. Thus, he did not hesitate to voice his doubts.

“Why me though? Why would you make me the leader of Hispania?”

Marcellus sat back in his chair and thought about why he was naming this man to be the ruler of Hispania in his stead. The truth was, he had a dream the previous night about Constantius, and how under his reign he was able to keep the Empire from completely collapsing, post Honorius’ fuckup with the goths. It was because history remembered him so kindly that Marcellus had decided to take a chance upon him. Naturally, he could not say this and immediately came up with an excuse on the spot.

“Why you ask? The reason is simple, though the local forces in Hispania have turned against their former master Tasius. They fought for some time as loyalists to the Theodosian Dynasty. Going so far as to resist the rule of Constantine without any support from Italia. There is not much left of Honorius’ old army, and those who remain in service have seen themselves assimilated into the new order.

What I need now is someone with name recognition to lead the new legions, and assimilate the old loyalist armies into a force who is completely subservient to the new Emperor. I can convince those who are still on the fence of fighting for me with your leadership.”

It surprised Constantius to see that Marcellus had thought so far ahead. The truth was, he was not exactly fond of Marcellus. Primarily because he was a usurper. Though Honorius wasn’t a great emperor, he was the rightful heir to the Western Roman throne. Marcellus had disrupted the bloodline, and in doing so seated himself on the throne.

If it weren’t for the fact that Marcellus and his military dictatorship were the only thing keeping the Western Roman Empire from collapsing, then Constantius would never fight for him. However, he was a man of little talents outside of military leadership, and because of this, he joined Marcellus’ army begrudgingly. Primarily because he lacked the ability to flee to the East and fight for them.

The truth was that until recently the Eastern Roman Empire needed a competent military leader to fight against Marcellus, but its regent would never allow a Theodosian loyalist to take the position, especially not after the death of Frugi. Thus, Constantius was left with one option, and he accepted the position.

“Very well, I swear on my life that I will do my best to bring order to Hispania, and integrate the loyalist forces into your Army.”

Marcellus smiled and nodded his head when he heard this. It’s not that he was unaware of Constantius’ feelings, but he desperately needed capable men beneath his rule, and in this day and age, they were a rarity.

With the inclusion of Constantius among his Imperial Legates Marcellus now had the Diocese of Hispania, Africae, Italia, Gaullarium, and Britania led by competent men. All that remained was the Diocese of Viennensis, which was in southern Gaul.

He decided that he would give the Diocese of Gaullarium to the Suebi Warlord Asarulfo, and place Ordius in charge of the Diocese of Viennensis. This way he did not have to search for another untested leader whom he could only place his faith with due to an uncertain dream.

Having come to this conclusion, the Marcellus Empire was now undergoing a restoration. The barbarian tribes were being expelled from Rome’s borders, and the foederati were minding their place, living in lands given to them by the Emperor.

It would not be long before the harvest came around, and the food surplus grew to new heights. When that happened, the faith of the people would be in Marcellus’ hands, and the Patricians who conspired against him would have a hard time gaining their support in rebellion.