02: Ancient Rome (50 BC)

Caesar! Caesar! Caesar! The unanimous cheers of the prominent thirteenth legion are overwhelming, as the man himself, Gaius Julius Caesar, arrogantly takes in the rightful applause. Over the last eight years, the general has conquered the whole of Gaul and defeated every barbarian in the cold lands north of the Rubicon. And as I'm standing here, roaring our generals name in the midst of 3000 brave war veterans, I still find it all unreal.

As every man in the empire is called up for military duty by the age of eighteen, I always knew the day was coming; however, I never felt prepared. I remember the day prior to my birthday, finishing the daily work on my fathers crops home in Southern Hispania, just outside Cordoba. My mother cried as I rode away towards my probable death, fighting for a city I had never seen. I was to fight in the conquest of Gaul, a war in its final stage. Upon arrival we were given helmets, tunics, armors, spears, swords, shields, daggers and sandals. And suddenly, there I was standing, as a scared newbie in the frontlines (the newest recruits were put first in line, as a "buffer" for the veterans, editor) of the Roman army.

I return from my daydreaming as the cheering ends and Caesar raises his voice in a speech to his loyal minions. Apparently, he is not perceived as the same successful hero back in Rome. He speaks of Rome, a city which does not love its people, but is ruled by corrupt aristocrates. He believes the power should lie with the true leaders, the soldiers protecting the Empire. The whole legion is firing up, inspired by our general. He finally requests us joining him in restoring Rome to its people, to which our response is a resounding and unanimous YES.I am currently not sure what this means. However, the talk of the more experienced amongst us is civil war. A bloody one. Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant.