![]() ![]() Romulus murdered Remus for jumping over the walls of the city, and then named himself King and renamed the city in his own honour. But now, perhaps, with Rome surrounded by enemies within and without, there is a chance to secure ultimate power, to become the new Imperators of a Roman Republic that extends throughout the known world… Faction Introduction: The House of Scipii The city of Rome had a violent foundation, one that mirrors much of the political and military infighting that happens between the great families of Rome. ![]() The Brutii would not have expectations of power, however, if they had not been able to deliver the political and military skills that Rome requires. This is why they now have control of southern Italy. These are people who have always been important within the social hierarchy, people who would expect to have authority as a matter of course. They are counted among the old families of Rome, those related by blood, marriage or adoption to the founders. Membership of the patrician class is what sets the Brutii apart from the other Roman factions. And that's power politics played out to the bitter end. Lucius Junius Brutus even had his own sons executed for plotting to restore the Tarquins to power. Casting aside his idiot persona, he became one of the first praetors, a ruling office of the patrician class established before the consulship. Lucius Junius Brutus pretended to be an idiot for years to avoid being killed by Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin), the last king of Rome, and then managed to lead his people in expelling the hated king after the rape of Lucrece. The founding of the Republic of Rome involves them closely, as they have been at the heart of the Republic for centuries and can even claim to the 'Father of the Republic' in the family. The Brutii know all about Roman politics. Since this time, the Romans have kept fine traditions of warfare and high-stakes (or even murderous) politics. Viewed in a certain light, much of subsequent Roman history can be seen as a continuation of these aggressive ways. The founding of Rome also involves violence and murder. Legend has it, for example, that the Romans can trace their ancestry back to Aeneas, the hero who escaped from the sack of Troy. Faction Introduction: The House of Brutii The founding of Rome is shrouded in legend. Success there can be translated into political power in Rome itself, as the mob always loves winners. The Julii have a commanding position in northern Italy that means they will be in vanguard of any struggle against barbarians. Which approach will lead to great power within Rome has still to be decided. This populist attitude to the common people puts the Julii at odds with the other great families. The Senate and the patrician classes need the plebeians to at least go along with their actions. The rule of Rome may lie with the Senate for now, but the Julii know that the people also have a say in government. The Julii have had to adjust to the realities of politics and power, and have cultivated their popularity with the common people. With the loss of position and status in the past, the other powerful factions of Rome look down (if only ever so slightly) on these 'new men' of Rome. The family's fortunes have declined and then risen over the centuries, so much so that they may almost be considered vaguely parvenu: upstarts newly arrived to wealth, power and authority. They are a patrician family but one whose star has not always been in the ascendant. The Fates have not always been kind to the Julii. The Romans, including the Julii family, are people for whom politics and war are all or nothing affairs. These heroic times demanded harsh, decisive action, and this is a tradition that the often-conservative Romans have maintained to this day. The legends of the city's founding are important, and the powerful patrician families are directly descended from the first followers of Romulus. You've spent the last few months reading about the enemies of Rome now let's take a look at the three Roman factions themselves.įaction Introduction: The House of Julii Rome is a place where tradition and history count for much. Fittingly, we've saved the best for last. Today we bring you the final in our series of faction features for Activision and Creative Assembly's Rome: Total War.
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