Severus Slips: A Power Vacuum Stirs Rome's Mighty Heart

By Gossipia Gladiatrix

February 4, 211 A.D.

As the saying goes, when the cat's away, the mice will play. And by Zeus, Severus, our beloved emperor might just have let the cat out of the bag and left the cheese unattended.

Let's get to the point, amici mei (that's my friends, for the less linguistically inclined among us). Yesterday, we bade goodbye to Emperor Severus, a man who had the audacity to don the purple despite his North African origins. But now, with his untimely demise, Rome's mighty heart is stirred, not out of grief, mind you, but due to the gaping hole that's been left in the power structure.

Now, I'm no Sibylline oracle, but I've got this gut feeling that Severus' two sons, Caracalla and Geta, are already oiling their gladiuses, readying to tango in Rome's grand Colosseum of power.

While Caracalla may be older and currently enjoying the favor of Severus' Praetorian Guard, let’s not forget that Geta has his own legion of loyalists. And honestly, wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air to have an emperor who doesn't see every problem as a nail because his only tool is a hammer? Or, in our Roman case, gladius?

The problem isn't just the power vacuum; it's the potential for bloody conflict. We've all seen what happens when power is up for grabs in this city. It's like a gladiator's games, but with more backstabbing and less entertainment.

I propose something radical (yes, Brutus, I can hear you gasping from here). What if -- and hear me out -- what if we, the people of Rome, had a say in our next leader?

I know, I know. It's an idea as outlandish as Nero’s singing career, but bear with me. What if we could elect someone who truly represents the interests of all Romans - the patricians, the plebeians, and the enslaved? What if we could cast our ballots for the individual who aligns with our values and goals, and not just someone burdened by the weight of a familial crown?

Ancient Rome is the cradle of civilization, and we can't let it turn into a playground for power-hungry princes. Let's stir not just Rome's mighty heart, but its mighty mind and spirit. Because if we don't, we might be left with a leader who thinks the solution to every problem is a sharper sword or a bigger army.

In the end, it’s up to us, Romans, to decide whether we want Rome to be remembered as an