The World
The world of the Germanicus Trilogy is portrayed as being stagnant and technologically backwards compared to our timeline, a fact that Germanicus blames on the archaic imperial system of government. With a force of slave-laborers, Rome never industrialized, limiting the extent to which it can modernize. This means that technology advances only through necessity. One of the themes of the novel is the extent to which Rome has stagnated; the imperial system and government has remained virtually untouched for two thousand years. This becomes prevalent in the war against the Aztecae, during which Roman galleys, still reliant on naval boarding, are decisively defeated by the Aztec fleet that utilizes true battleships. This conflict provokes a major naval reorganization and the development of the first Roman battleships.Major Powers
Roman Empire
Although inefficient and lethargic, Rome is the foremost power across Europe, and its territories extend into Africa and across the Atlantic to the Novo Provinces inSerican Empire
Little is known about the Serican Empire. They conquered Nihonia (Aztecan Empire
The Aztecan Empire (previously called the Mexicae Empire) was, at one point, the dominant power in the Americas, taking tribute from much of Central America and demanding thousands of sacrifices. Ultimately, the bloodthirsty nature of the Empire destroys it, as many of the oppressed tribes join the Roman legions in sacking Tenochtitlan. After the Empire is dismantled, it became the Roman province of Novo Brittania, under the rule of Procurator Khalid of Anatolia. *Leader: Nominally Emperor Maxtla, administrated by Lord Tizoc (''New Barbarians''), Procurator Khalid (''Cry Republic'')Books
{{In-universe, section, May 2009, date=October 2009Procurator
Procurator introduces audiences to the main character of the series, Germanicus Julius Agricola (later Germanicus Julius Agricola Caesar, then finally Germanicus Julius Agricola Aztecus Caesar). He is described as a military veteran nearing retirement, and is installed as the procurator of the province of Anatolia. Germanicus fights against an uprising, supported by stories about the mental ability of "massing" by the ''zaims'' of Anatolia. Ultimately, a coup is revealed that kills Emperor Fabius, and most of the royal family. As the closest relative, Germanicus becomes Emperor and returns to Rome. Whether the power of "massing" exists or not is left vague by the novel.New Barbarians
The Novo Provinces in Mexico and the Aztec Empire have been at an uneasy peace for some time, when, in preparation for a One-Reed Year, Emperor Maxtla launches war against the Roman colonies. As Emperor, Germanicus heads to the New World in order to command the Roman troops through the war. After being defeated in the Aztec Sea by Serican (Chinese) supported Aztec vessels, he arrives in the Novo Provinces with Tora, a captured Nihonian. Despite urgings from Rome, and from a native woman, Alope, Germanicus decides to not attack the central Aztec Empire, instead to simply push them out of the Novo Provinces. In order to force his hand, Alope surrenders herself to the Aztecs, so that she would be sacrificed. Germanicus, realising that both Epizelus and Alope are in danger continues to push the Aztecs back, until only Tenochtitlan remains. With help from Tora, he fords Lake Texcoco with sand-galleys, and sacks Tenochtitlan, only to discover that Alope has already been killed.Cry Republic
Having returned from the Siege of Tenochtitlan, Germanicus starts trying to restore the power of the senate, in preparation for stepping down as Emperor and restoring the Roman Republic. However, Decimus Antonius Nepos decides to play on the fears of the senators and enacts a swift coup. Germanicus is rescued with the help of sewer-dwellers by Rolf and Tora, who then take him to safety. The three then go their separate ways; Germanicus looking for supporters or respite in Anatolia, Tora to the Serican (Chinese) Empire in the East, and Rolf returning to his native Germania. Rolf, convinced that without Germanicus, the Roman Empire doesn't deserve to continue, leads the GermanCharacters
Germanicus
Germanicus is a military veteran who is planning to retire at the beginning of Procurator. However, when Emperor Fabius is killed, he himself is forced to become Emperor. Germanicus, although experienced, is somewhat of an idealist, dedicated to restoring the Roman Republic. Through ''New Barbarians'', he plans to restore some provinces to senatorial control, and realizes that he may need to abandon the New World colonies through the turbulence as Rome makes the transition. When he is betrayed by Nepos, he becomes jaded and remarks that the name "Julius": "means nothing any more". However, supported by the Anatolian Mara, he gathers support and tries to take back the Empire. Germanicus' eventual fate is left unknown, though it is implied that he feels some respect towards the Anatolian/ Jewish god (the last line of the series remarks that: "Caesar had knelt"). At the end of the series, Germanicus is surrounded by a loyal army of Jews and Anatolians, and Nepos' army is routed, leading rise to the possibility that he may try to take back Rome.Rolf
A German soldier and legionary, Rolf is extremely loyal to Germanicus, fighting alongside him in Anatolia, against the Aztecs, and finally in his name against Nepos' empire. He finds himself torn between his German heritage and his Roman training. He admires Germanicus, and sees Roman soldiers as being courageous, unlike many other Goths but holds contempt for the Roman patricians. Rolf's fate at the closing of the series is likewise unknown. He is scarred by a flamethrower wielded by Nepos, but his German soldiers believe that the wound is not fatal. Whether he remains as German ''Herzog'' or not is completely unknown.Tora
From Serican-occupied Nihonia, Tora is a military engineer and a scientist. He refers to himself as a follower of ''Yinshaya'': a "total submission to reason". Tora is irritated by the fact that Rome has little understanding of technology: pretty much all modern technology was invented by former Emperor Fabius or the Greek Ptolemaeus. He develops aMinor characters
Decimus Antonius Nepos
Formerly Germanicus'Colonel Crispa
A Scandian colonel whom Germanicus falls in love with briefly in ''Procurator''. She uses this to manipulate the native Anatolians into revolting against the empire as part of a plot to kill Fabius. Crispa is killed by Rolf on Germanicus' orders.Alope
A Native American, Alope tries to use the Romans to destroy Maxtla's Empire and the Aztec domination of her people, the Indee. Knowing Germanicus' infatuation, she lures him to Tenochtitlan, but is killed on the sacrificial altar before the city is taken.Mara
An Anatolian whom Germanicus meets when he flees to Anatolia. She looks after him, and joins with him when he gathers support to take back Rome. By the end of the series, Mara develops respect for Germanicus, but despite his feelings for her, still sees him as a pagan, and tells him that a union between them is impossible.Epizelus
A Greek physician, Epizelus is Germanicus' personal physician in ''Procurator'', becoming the chief scientific aide to him in ''New Barbarians''. However, he is replaced by Tora in ''Cry Republic'' after leaving to recover from his ordeal with the Aztecs.Joshua Bar Joseph
Although never appearing in any of the three books, and now long dead,Fabius
Emperor Fabius is often mentioned during ''Procurator'', as well as his numerous accomplishments; such as the sand-galley and the ''index'' (compass). Many soldiers announce themselves by saying "Hail Fabius" throughout ''Procurator''. Fabius is portrayed as being less idealistic and more politically skilled than Germanicus, pointing out that he "survived twenty years on the Palatine" before his wife murdered him, whilst Germanicus didn't manage two. When Germanicus is ready to give up all hope in Anatolia, he sees a vision of Fabius who advises him to call for manumission to take back his empire.Technology
Most modern technology was invented by the partnership of Emperor Fabius and Ptolemaeus or by Tora. Most technology is either named for old Roman equipment or, in the case of moving vehicles, the Roman seagoing galley.Niter Pieces
Niter powder has very similar properties to gunpowder. It is used to fuel both handheld weapons and larger artillery.''Pilum''
The ''pilum'' is a''Ballista''
A large artillery gun powered by niter powder, ballista are named for the ancient Roman siege bolt thrower.Vehicles
Rail-Galley
The equivalent of a train, rail-galleys are used to transport men and equipment across the vast Roman E