Following the Gallic Sack twenty odd years before, Rome had pulled herself together both domestically and externally by 366 BC. Territory lost by disaffection after the disaster had largely been recovered and the crippling running battle between the Orders had resulted in an acceptable compromise contained in the Licinio-Sextian legislation of 367. This had needed a hard fought battle to achieve, over a year of governmental anarchy having to be endured until these Laws were finally agreed.

They were worth waiting for however. The system of electing tribunes of the soldiers with consular power had been abandoned and the Consulship restored, together with three new administrative offices in the form of a single Praetor for judicial business and two Patrician Curule Aediles to help the two existing Plebeian ones. Most importantly of all, Plebeians were now allowed to hold one of the annual Consulships.

Rome controlled part of the nearby Latin plain and the rich and extensive territory of Veii across the Tiber. She was allied to the Latin League who provided two Legions to add to her own. Not all the Latin towns were members of the League and there might well have been discontent rumbling beneath the surface, but on the face of it Rome presented a united front to her many potential enemies.

To the northwest stretched Etruria with its sophisticated and powerful cities in their loose cultural League. To the north lay the Umbrians and Sabine country, still unconquered. To the east and southeast were the hill peoples of the Aequi, Hernici and Volsci, a perpetual threat to the Latins in the plain. Further afield lay the agricultural lands of Campania and the Greek city of Neapolis, whilst in the vast inland mountains lurked the mysterious Samnites, an unknown quantity.

In the real world Rome controlled all of these and more by 290. Can you do better?

If you would like to have a try please read the Current Rules in the Rules thread, and then have a look at the "How to Play" post in the same thread. Having done that, and decided on the character you would like, please contact the umpire Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.