Drusus Departed: Empire's Loss, Plebs' Gain?

Written by Gossipia Gladiatrix, 4th of Junius, 9 BC.

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Oh, Romans! Hold onto your togas, because the world as we know it has shifted on its axis. Drusus Julius Caesar, stepson of our beloved Augustus, has said adios to us and, in the process, left a gaping hole in our political landscape. Will it be Empire's loss or Plebs' gain? Gather around the forum, my friends, because we’re about to dissect this political beast.

First off, let's remember the man. Drusus, by Jupiter's beard, was not your typical Roman senator. The man was a rockstar patrician, the kind that has laurel wreaths thrown at him while walking the streets of Rome. Yet, even with all his popularity, Drusus held a unique sympathy for the Plebeian class. A rarity, indeed, in the marble halls of the Senate.

His death, as tragic as it may be (here's looking at you, mourning patricians), may very well be a turning point for the common folk. The plebs, my dear readers, who often get the short end of the fasces in our beloved Empire, might just benefit from the vacuum left in the wake of Drusus' departure.

With Drusus gone, the Senate is now akin to a chariot race without its star auriga. It’s anyone’s game now! This could be the opportunity for the Plebeian class to rise and demand better representation. The political scales, often tilted in favor of the patricians, are up for grabs. So plebs, how about we band together and tip those scales to our favor? Let's make this tragic event a catalyst for change, a chance to rewrite our own destinies.

Now, before the patricians start clutching their pearls (or technically, their bulla praetexta), let's remember that a more inclusive Senate, one that represents ALL Romans, can only strengthen our Empire. A dash of plebeian pragmatism might just be the perfect antidote to patrician pomposity.

In closing, Drusus' departure may be a loss for the Empire, but it doesn't have to mean chaos and disorder. Instead, let’s treat it as a wake-up call from the gods that change is not only imminent, but necessary. Let's rise from the ashes like the phoenix, stronger and more united. After all, we are Romans and we're known to turn adversity into a bloody good victory.

Here's to a more dynamic, inclusive Empire. A toast to Drusus! His departure might just be the Plebs' gain after all.