Rome, 18X-21X CE. Within the Eternal City, a royal woman sits on the Imperial Throne. She goes by many names: Mother of Rome, Nurturer of the Empire, August Piety, et cetera. Whenever she appears in the Colosseum or on the streets of the metropolis city with her Praetorian Guards, she’s hailed with popular fervor by the people. And her name is Valentina Livia Augusta, Empress of Rome.

It cannot be stressed enough how popular and loved she is; from the patricians and aristocrats, to the plebeians who get by with their livelihoods. And it doesn’t matter where you are within the Empire, be it in the semi-uncharted lands of Britannia to the scorching hot sandy dunes of the Middle East.

Today, a series of gladiatorial games are in set after a recent Roman victory against the Parthian Empire. The crowd not only cheered in excitement of the gladiators preparing for their fight to the death, but also from the sight of their beloved Empress from her imperial booth. After the gladiators put up a vicious fight in the gladiatorial game, the Empress stands up from her seat and makes her decision. The audience watches with anticipation. She then makes her gesture; Thumb pointing down—meaning swords down or spare. The crowd cheers, for they too, share her opinion.

The gladiatorial games continue, while the Empress watches on with amusement. She remembers, from her young days, the story about a daring gladiator who had the guts to ignite a revolt against the Romans back in their Republic days. She giggles at the thought, knowing that with her political and military prodigy, she would’ve put down that infamous historical revolt faster than Crassus or Pompey.