Last of the Romans S1

*Here Rome Stands*

Emperor Majorian, unwilling to let the Roman Empire collapse, marches north to face the Visigothic king Theodoric II in Septimania. Marching with Majorian are Nepotianus, his comes et magister utriusque militiae (count and master of both forces), and Aegidius, a general who served with him under Flavius Aetius. Together they crush Theodoric's army at Arelate.

Aegidius, commanding the right flank in the battle, distinguishes himself by maneuvering some of his infantry to the side of Visigothic left, enveloping their left flank. Meanwhile, he sends his cavalry, commanded by his son Syagrius, to smash into the rear of the Visigothic lines. Theodoric II flees the field with his remaining troops, abandoning Arelate and the rest Septimania to the Romans.

After the battle, Majorian sends Nepotianus north to take Lugdunum back from the Burgundians while he and Aegidius ride West to Aquitania to deal with Theodoric. Syagrius, eager for glory, goes with Nepotianus. Majorian and Aegidius force Theodoric to hand over his holdings in Hispania to the Romans and return to being a federate tribe. Though obviously unhappy with state of affairs, Theodoric remains a gracious host to the Romans and holds a feast for them. He also appoints Sunieric to lead the Visigothic forces to aid the Romans in their reconquest of Hispania.

During the feast, Majorian and Aegidius regale their Visigothic hosts about the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, where Flavius Aetius and Theodoric I defeated Attila the Hun, at the cost of the latter's life. Aegidius, having drank a bit more than he should have, brings up the important role Thorismund, son of Theodoric I, played in the battle, saying that he was a just and honorable king who was taken before his time. Theodoric II, who became king by killing his brother Thorismund, is quite obviously enraged by this and sharply comments that he commanded part of the infantry that held strong against the Hunnic onslaught. Majorian kicks Aegidius under the table to shut him up and Theodoric II retires for the evening. Euric, Theodoric IIs younger brother, tries to salvage the evening though to little avail.

The next day, Majorian and Aegidius begin their ride back to Arelate. Majorian chides Aegidius for his actions at the feast and tells them that he will need to learn more tact when he becomes Magister Militum per Gallias. Aegidius asks what he means, with Majorian handing him a letter detailing his new position as military governor of Gaul. Aegidius thanks Majorian profusely, but Majorian says that the best way to thank him would be to rule well in Gaul.

They make their way to Lugdunum, linking up with Nepotianus who has just taken the city. Majorian forces the Burgundian king Gunderic to pay a massive indemnity to Rome and then expels him and his family from the city. While in the city, Majorian also meets with Sidonius Apollinaris, a prominent bishop and scholar who was married to the daughter of Emperor Avitus, the emperor Majorian deposed when he took power. Though initially suspicious of him for obvious reasons, Majorian quickly comes to respect the bishop. Majorian leaves a few legions with Aegidius and then marches south with Nepotianus towards Hispania, taking Syagrius with him.

















*Aegidius in Gaul*

Aegidius arrives triumphantly in Noviodunum, the people cheering as his soldiers march through the city towards the forum. He ends his parade on the steps of the old temple of Jupiter, the centerpiece of any Roman forum and address the crowd. Addressing the crowd, he goes over some of the laws that Majorian has passed (all back taxes cancelled, revival of the defensor civitatis who protects plebians from being oppressed and over taxed, laws that prevent government and church officials from seizing property, laws that protect the inheritance of widows and children, forcible ordination into the clergy made illegal, adulterers to be deported and their property confiscated, and the return of the right to bear arms). The commoners are rightfully excited by this news, cheering and yelling "Ave Majorian" over and over.

Ending his speech, Aegidius asks a nearby official where he can find Agrippinus, the official pointing him to a nearby domus. Aegidius signals for some of his men to follow him, and he goes to confront the former magister militum of Gaul. His men tear through the house, sending slaves and minor officials scurrying away, eventually finding Agrippinus hiding in a back room. Aegidius's men drag Agrippinus before him, where he is accused of treason, adultery, and several other crimes by Aegidius and told that he will face trial for these crimes in Rome. Agrippinus tries to defend himself, but a soldier smacks him in the back of the head with the pommel of his spatha and drags him away. Aegidius sends another soldier to fetch his wife, Serena, and their daughter, Aurelia.



Lugdunum seige may have ended peacefully irl. Perhaps the return of Majorian and Aegidius led to that

Aegidius was cut off and trapped at Arelate, and it seems he broke out and was then reinforced by the rest of the Romans. Saint Martin was there too.





*Aegdius in Gaul*

Arriving in Noviodunum (Soissons)
Meeting Comes Paulus of Angers
Meeting the Frankish King Childeric I
Meeting the Alan King Sangiban
Fighting the Bagaudae

*Spainish Legions*

Sunieric and Syagrius become friends



Later eps of S1

Bishop Sidonius Apollinaris remained in Lugdunum until about 470, after which he was elected as the bishop of Averna (Clermont). He was imprisoned after the Visigoths captured the town in 474 as he had led the defense of the city, but was released by King Euric soon afterwards and continued on as a bishop