Stevius "Caesar" Blockius
Stevius "Caesar" Blockius, more commonly referred to as just "Stevius" was an Averonian colonist, Arithian politician, and Roman dictator, most memorable in his founding of the Roman Civilization and creation of a western Averonian culture. Stevius was noted for his neutrality, ambition, and skillfull negotiative tactics, and with a legacy of virtue and value he is continuously celebrated by the nations of Arith and the descendants of Rome. His successor, Stevius Blockius II (Draconius) rules over the "Imperatoria Invicta Provincia" (Imperial Province of Invicta), and the older territories of Rome under the stewardship of the Holy Solarian Empire, and emperor Melevor II.
| Caesar of Rome, Stevius Blockius | |
|---|---|
 An effigy of Stevius Blockius in the Temple of Romulus, Invictus | |
| Born | Some time in the early First Age to an unknown Averonian colony |
| Died | Sometime in the late First Age |
| Resting place | Kais Kogong |
| Monuments | The effigy of Stevius Blockius, Rome (Invictus) |
| Residence | Capitol Villa, Rome (Invictus |
| Nationality | Roman and or Averonian |
| Notable work | The Roman Collection |
| Net worth | Approx. $20,000 in the First Age |
| Height | Approx. 6 ft |
| Title | Caesar of Rome |
| Successor | Stevius Blockius II; "Draconius" |
| Opponent(s) | Hargreevs of Ashina, Fred Book of Redwood, Tamagoth, taxes, etc. |
| Spouse(s) | Unspecified Kogongi woman |
| Children | Draconius and 2 others (unknown) |
| Honours | Founder of Rome and present day Invictus |
Biography
Birth and Early life
Stevius Blockius I was born some time in the early First Age, a nomad of Eastern Arith in the territories of Averon and Mausia, where his plebeian father, Romulus, married the daughter of a nobleman (either Averon or Mausia; disputed). It is said that they married in secret, bearing a mixed-blood child: Stevius. Upon being discovered, Romulus was put to death by beheading. According to legend, the nobleman proclaimed "this filthy blood will not be mixed with mine" before unsheathing his sword and executing Romulus. In the hopes of saving her son, the mother left her child in the hands of a local blacksmith before casting herself into the sea. With no other family, the child was raised under the blacksmith, who taught Stevius well in the art of the blade. By the age of 18, Stevius had grown tall and strong, a young man well versed as a warrior in mind and body.
It was on the eve of a
Rome
Stevius Blockius I first appeared in the Alathran history books some time in the First Age. He was an Averonian colonist who, on June 10th, 2021, founded the then frontier town of Rome in southern Arith. Rome's community grew, its territory expanding likewise, and with time and political disposition Stevius gained the title of "Caesar."
In what is considered his first true conflict as Caesar, Stevius fought with Hargreevs of Ashina considering the questionable actions of Roman citizen Scratus. Stevius successfully negotiated the situation following the incident.
Early on in Rome's founding, Stevius befriended a fellow opportunistic colonist: Fred Book. He and a fellow opportunist by the name of CoolGummyBear would found the nearby town of Redwood, and after raising a militia demanded that Stevius dissolve the Empire and surrender Rome. Stevius refused, and soon after met with the chancellor of the F.C.A. with undisclosed results. Rome and Redwood settled on diplomatic terms.
Stevius led a succesful campaign against the northern fortress of Amkensfort, annexing the territory. Unbeknownst to Stevius, Redwood citizen Tamagoth set fire to much of Rome's historic district, starting the Great Fire of Rome.
The Fall of Rome
The Roman Civilization fell to economic depression in the mid to late First Age. Rome was sacked and burned by various assailants, and Stevius Blockius fled the continent of Arith fearing political persecution. Stevius was granted asylum in Kais Kogong where he married the daughter of a swordsmith. She granted him three sons of the same name; Stevius Blockius II, but gave them each names of their own: Thelonius, Acadius, and Draconius. Thelonius became a banker, Acadius a mercenary, and Draconius went on to found the New Republic of Rome and the city state of Invictus. Draconius continues to rule over the territories of his father.
Legacy
Caesar Stevius Blockius not only founded the Roman Civilization, but in doing so colonized an otherwise uninhabited region of southern Arith, resulting in the creation of various other civilizations such as Redwood and the Encavia Empire.