Chapter 261: Succession Structure 2

Chapter 261: Succession Structure 2

< 261.Succession Structure 2 >

The preparation for the establishment of the military academy had been underway since before Marcus took power.

Rome had traditionally sent the children of the senators and nobles to the army after they became adults to gain experience.

They could be considered as future reserve officers.

Even though the military system had changed from conscription to recruitment, this tradition remained.

Marcus thought it was very encouraging that the future senators had military experience.

Since a considerable number of adult men went to the battlefield, it would cause serious problems if the leaders had no military service.

But he also roughly anticipated that there would be various problems if they continued with the current method.

The reason was simple.

Rome would soon be unable to train officers through real combat as before.

Even though the Roman army had a relatively systematic structure in ancient times, it still had clear limits.

Right after the Punic War ended, Rome easily defeated the eastern dynasties with its enormous power.

But as there were no more enemies, the quality of the legion declined in just a few decades.

The decline of the yeoman farmers and the overall level of the soldiers were also causes, but the incompetence of the commanders was undeniable.

If geniuses like Sulla or Marius had not appeared, Rome might not have been able to properly deal with the barbarians who came down from the north.

Therefore, a means to maintain the level of the commanders who would lead the legion at a certain level or higher was needed.

The quality of the soldiers could be improved by repeating systematic training within the legion.

So, setting up an institution that could train commanders professionally was a priority.

The Senate also actively agreed with Marcuss argument.

The citizens had no reason to oppose it either.

As soon as Marcus got permission from the Senate, he immediately established a formal military academy in Rome and its eastern provinces.

He also faithfully reflected Romes tradition that nobles had to serve in the military.

Young people who wanted to enter the Senate had to apply to the army and serve as ordinary soldiers or complete basic training at the military academy.

No one could refute that those who would become leaders of society should set an example.

It was natural for anyone who wanted to build a political career in Rome to apply to the army anyway, so there was no backlash.

Isnt it easier? Rather than being sent to a distant legion and rolling around, you just have to complete your education at a military academy near Rome.

Now that I think about it, youre right. Maybe Marcus is trying to look after our situation.

But doesnt that mean that the education is harder?

Thats better. That means our Roman armys level can be maintained steadily.

Marcuss reason for educating future young senators at the military academy was not just for them.

The superficial reason was that social leaders should set an example, but his real intention was elsewhere.

As long as commanders were actively trained at the military academy, most of the future military leaders would be graduates of the military academy.

And Marcus was the president of the military academy.

He intended to pass this position on to his family members for generations.

In other words, Marcus was both the leader of the legion and the head of the institution that trained officers.Rêạd new chapters on no/v/e/lbin(.)com

It meant that he could legally control Romes military power.

Marcus looked around with a pleased expression at his first batch of cadets who would be his starting point for his plan.

If he tried to force Trajanuss hand here, there was a risk of a purge or an intensification of palace intrigue.

The problem was how to control the military power, but if he attached Agrippa to Sophia and handed over the entire military academy to her, the problem would be solved.

Marcus intended to give Agrippa an image similar to a knight who protects the queen.

However, there were some problems that had to be solved in order to do so.

Caesar sharply questioned him about that point.

What about Trajanus? He must think he will be the heir. Have you thought of a way to appease him? And even though you have a son, giving power to your daughter is against the common sense of Rome. Have you thought of a process that can convince them?

Marcus answered without hesitation.

Ive talked to Trajanus a long time ago. He was anxious from the old days that he couldnt do what I did, and he had a strong tendency to depend on his smarter sister. You dont have to worry about him.

He would rather help Agrippa take over the military power. And I dont intend to make Sophia an empress directly. There are still some uncertainties, so I have to start working from now on.

Sophia is not an empress? Didnt you just say you would make her your successor?

Sophia will not be an empress

He continued with a smile of triumph.

She will be a goddess.

For a moment, Caesar opened his eyes wide and then nodded with a smile as if he understood everything.

Youre going to make her divine. I think its a good idea. Proceed with it right away.

It was very common propaganda in ancient times that rulers inherited the blood of gods.

In Judaism, they were anointed by God; in Egypt, they were incarnations of the sun god; in China, they were sons of heaven; and even Roman emperors in original history called themselves gods.

Of course, people in ancient times were not fools either. They would laugh at them if they said they were gods without any evidence.

Even Roman emperors in original history had few people who sincerely thought they were gods.

In this respect, Marcus was in a much more advantageous position than others.

He had hardly ever said that he was related to gods until now.

But there were too many achievements that could not be achieved without Gods touch, and people around him praised him as Gods apostle.

He was the one who received wisdom from Ceres, goddess of earth; he was blessed by Tethys, goddess of water; he accomplished the feats of Mars, god of war, and so on. He had so many titles with the names of gods that it was embarrassing.

Moreover, Caesar was officially the highest priest of Rome, who was the representative of God.

The woman born from the union of these two families had a tremendous persuasive power to the Romans as the incarnation of a goddess.

Marcus only taught his wife and daughter the essence of modern makeup.

He gathered all kinds of natural materials available at that time and succeeded in making cosmetics and makeup techniques that made their beauty shine more after many trials and errors.

They were women who were already famous for their beauty.

With silk clothes and refined makeup techniques that contained all his knowledge and wisdom, and eye-catching jewelry, his wife and daughter were no exaggeration to say that they were goddesses who descended to the world in this era.

When they showed up at official events, people lined up to see the faces of the goddesses once, filling the streets of Rome.

Sometimes he thought they were more popular than him.

But there was one person who knew his mind.

It was Julia, who thought her son would inherit the family.

She was worried that there might be unnecessary trouble in the house, and she noticed Marcuss intention at once.

On a quiet night when the night was deep, she formally asked Marcus for an explanation.

I think you need to tell me something convincing. Whats going on right now? Are you thinking of Sophia as your successor instead of Trajanus?

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