Poor and doubting Virgil whose "imperium sine fine" is present in the Empire now, and is not merely an ideal in hindsight! From northern Gallia and western Hispania to the ancient Aegyptus to the south Rome rules with authority and lasting strength. Now in my last days I reflect how I obtained my power, and who I owe thanks for my current position.
I suppose my father would be one to thank, for his blood alone at least. His death came when I was but a child, and so I do not recall any of his features except those in the mirror.
My mother and step father -Lucius Marcius Philippus- are next, I suppose. They are long dead by now, but they never truly did anything to educate me besides give me a place to dwell.
For the truth of the matter is the single most influential person in my past and in whose debt I am in is Julia Caesaris. Uncle Julius' sister essentially raised me, and in my advancing age I wonder what she thought of me. For now I have many children adopted and otherwise all of whom I am extremely fond of. Was I as difficulty? Did I fight with such indignation to get my way? I thank her for all I am in this life of glory and conquest.
Her death and my accompany speech marked a transition in my life, I was twelve, and on the verge of adolescent. Aunty must have taught me some sense, four year later I donned the toga and joined the Pontiffs. A year after that I was charge with the administration of the Greek Games! As I sit contemplating my past deeds of war I believe associating with the bureaucracy in those early years was the most difficult!
I asked Tiberius just the other day "there comes a moment in a man's life when he remembers all the men he has killed, all the suffering, and all the chaos and feels nothing but sorrow. The same man however remembers also the pride, the taste of victory, and sheer joy for all he has done. Is the man happy?"
As a the good, smart, witty son that he is, he answered, "I say that man is happy, father."
Curious I asked his reasoning, he thought for a moment then said, "that man is not dead."
I laughed and congratulated him, for at that point he felt life a mere boy once again!
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