Emperor Julius Dicorus
Princeps and Autocrat of the Rasenna Julius Hostus Amellianus (a.k.a. Dicorus)
Son of Emperor Hostus Amellianus Montanus, victor of Charora, and a revered and celebrated emperor of the Rasenna.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
In sculpture, Dicorus' likeness would inspire future styles of imperial display as he was a picture of youthful vigor and athleticism even in some of his later years. Dicorus was the son of a soldier and a career soldier himself, as such he displayed hallmarks of military sturdiness that came to later be lost after his son Aurakios as the imperial men of his family entrenched themselves in the palace and became soft by the comparison of their progenitors Amellian and Dicorus.
Facial Features
Dicorus' facial features would famously be emulated in sculpting imperial busts, particularly those of his dynasty who sought to emulate his likeness in their own displays. He remained clean-shaven for his entire life, a throwback to the early days of the Principate under Marian and Nervus.
Identifying Characteristics
In busts, Dicorus is often seen displaying his grass crown, a display of his military victories, and a cause for his epithet of "Decorated".
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Emperor Julius the "Decorated", born with a glorious future and a seemingly preordained destiny to one day dawn the imperial red and lead his people in trying times. First, he was the son of a provincial governor and esteemed commander, his father Amellian was known for his stern attitude and level-headed temperament, something Julius inherited as Amellian took his son on campaign with him into the Galukian highlands from an early age. Julius grew up in the rugged camps of campaign and as such grew a fondness for military life and comradery with his father's men who would eventually transfer that respect and loyalty onto Julius who they had literally served and fought alongside. It was on the field that Julius would prove himself and against a worthy foe in the mountainous Galukian tribes of the northwest who Julius' father would famously crush, annexing their territory fully into the empire during the last few years of Emperor Gratius' reign.
As he and his family had ties to the area, Amellian was appointed emergency military governor of the area for some time by Opellian, Gratius' cousin and successor in 750 B.E. Amellian served loyally for 8 years until word came that Opellian had been violently overthrown by the usurper Caelius and the empire had been thrown into chaos by the simultaneous Great Revolt in nearby Areul under Caius Macsen who now styled himself Emperor of the Areuls.
Amellian notably took his time assembling his forces who had recently put down a revolt by the native Galukians in the west, Julius himself was at the provincial capital of Aesis assembling troops and preparing to march east. Before setting out, word came that Macsen had soundly defeated forces sent to put down his revolt at Vurbose and then more dramatically at Pontelonga. This made Amellian decide to attack Macsen first before then moving on to the capital and overthrowing Caelius. Amellian and his forces, with Julius in command of the Broad Striped Cohort, a double-strength portion of the 1st legion and composed of Amellian's most veteran troops and of men whom Julius had fought with since he first entered service in the army. Bypassing the frontier and entering Areul, Amellian marched into the heartland of the region and put it to the torch, forcing Macsen to withdraw from Lakia to stop him.
It would be at Ligonum that the two forces would face off and where Amellian and his son would triumph, forcing Macsen to retreat back to his capital, buying Amellian time to march on Rasca and depose Caelius and assume the imperial title. Amellian then promoted his son to lead the rest of the war against Macsen while he strengthened his position in the capital. Now Julius would face off against a still threatening Macsen at Charora where he was outnumbered by the reinforced Macsen but soundly defeated him, capturing the rebel leader and his family.
After the great victory at Charora, Julius returned to Rasca in triumph with the rebellion crush and the leader in chains alongside his family. It would be here that Julius would earn himself the cognomen of Dicorus, or "The Decorated" for his elaborate regalia and where he would earn himself the Grass Crown, an enormous military and civic honor by his father. Dicorus himself would close the gates of the temple of Manus, signaling the end of warfare in the empire as well as overseeing the execution of Macsen and the house arrest of his wife and daughters.
In Rasennan detailings after, Dicorus' triumph is often portrayed as among the most splendid in the history of the empire and was the first triumph awarded to a commander who was not the emperor since coincidentally, Kotta's triumph at the conclusion of the wars in Areul. The enormous prestige won by Dicorus propelled him through the symbolic Officiate Honoreum as he was elected Suffete, alongside his father, for the year 735 B.E. For the remainder of his father's reign, Dicorus would be the liaison between the Curia and the Princeps which would establish good relations with the members of the house when Dicorus succeeded his father to the imperial throne in the year 730 B.E.
As he assumed the title of Princeps, Dicorus began his rule with an energy and dedication that his father simply had not had, he immediately put funds into public building and infrastructure projects that culminated in the construction of the Montania aqueduct that would act as a major source of fresh water for centuries before it came into disrepair during the reign of Emperor Macerian who scrapped it. Also constructed was the Amellia Imperatoria, the imperial tomb of the Amelliai where Dicorus interred his late father and where he and his successors would be buried until his descendant Arrius became the last emperor buried there. In the meantime, Dicorus' energy was towards more than civic matters as he also began campaigning west, finally conquering the entirety of the Galukian peninsula, bringing it firmly into the imperial fold. From this success, Dicorus crossed the Rhor and subdued a vast assortment of Herodi tribes who temporarily came under the suzerainty of the empire. Dicorus would appoint various clan reiks in the region but many would be overthrown or assassinated in the following years. Holding another triumph for these conquests, Dicorus' subjects were dismayed that the dual triumphs of emperor Dicorus paled in comparison to his earlier entry into the city after Charora which was commented on by the historian Maurinus Lucanor,
As Dicorus settled into his reign, he married the influential former widow, Aetia Stratiacus, the sister of the influential general Georgios Stratiacus who would influence the military reforms Dicorus would later champion. From his wife Aetia, Dicorus would have two children, first his daughter who was also named Aetia, and his son Aurakios who would later succeed him after a series of regencies.
The figures overseeing the empire after Dicorus would become regents due to their influence as captains of the "Tagma" or literally "the regimentals" who were the professional units of the new imperial army. The Tagma came about due to the military reforms of Dicorus who followed off their implementation under the reign of his father Amellian, who promoted traditional parade units as his personal retinue to ensure his bodyguards were staunchly loyal to the new regime. Dicorus also implemented reforms on provincial governors turning many of them into "Domestics" leaders of provincial troops who became a part of the thematic troops as provinces became "themes" meant to be semi-autonomous regions based around border defense and supplying levy troops to support the tagma. These reforms were done out of necessity as Dicorus had learned first hand that the old republican system had become outdated and a dangerous threat to imperial authority as his own father had demonstrated. Each Domestic was a part of an imperial college that routinely met before the emperor, or a trusted advisor who oversaw it. The meeting of the Domestics was meant to gauge their loyalty to the administration and also as a census on the state of the empire via the Domestic's assessment of their theme.
Dicorus also would be given special acclaim for his building projects in the capital, his construction of the first proper imperial palace atop the Laterian hill is attested in multiple accounts by later historians as is his construction of the "Rubrum Aula" or Red Court, the residence of the imperial family and where his son Aurakios was born and who was often given the epithet "Rubrum Natus" or "the Red Born". By the time his son was born, Dicorus was nearly fifty years old and had quickly deteriorated due to a neurological illness that sapped him of his famous energy, confining him to his palace atop the Laterian. By the time the emperor turned forty-nine, he was at death's door and organized his succession by nominating his young son to succeed him with an official regency council headed by his brother-in-law Georgios Stratiacus and his wife Aetia serving until he came of age. In his last days, Dicorus seemed to still be anxious about the future of his family and is said to have been walking around the palace aided by Georgios who he is said to have confessed
"Shall I find no comfort in the afterlife? For even there I fear I will worry for the future of my progeny".
To the surprise of many, Dicorus' firmly laid out succession plans and his popularity would pay dividends as his son Aurakios would successfully succeed his departed father after a string of regents beginning with the short term of his uncle Georgios Stratiacus and ending with the retirement of Cyrelius Kalarios and the assuming of power by Aurakios by 698 B.E.
As he and his family had ties to the area, Amellian was appointed emergency military governor of the area for some time by Opellian, Gratius' cousin and successor in 750 B.E. Amellian served loyally for 8 years until word came that Opellian had been violently overthrown by the usurper Caelius and the empire had been thrown into chaos by the simultaneous Great Revolt in nearby Areul under Caius Macsen who now styled himself Emperor of the Areuls.
Amellian notably took his time assembling his forces who had recently put down a revolt by the native Galukians in the west, Julius himself was at the provincial capital of Aesis assembling troops and preparing to march east. Before setting out, word came that Macsen had soundly defeated forces sent to put down his revolt at Vurbose and then more dramatically at Pontelonga. This made Amellian decide to attack Macsen first before then moving on to the capital and overthrowing Caelius. Amellian and his forces, with Julius in command of the Broad Striped Cohort, a double-strength portion of the 1st legion and composed of Amellian's most veteran troops and of men whom Julius had fought with since he first entered service in the army. Bypassing the frontier and entering Areul, Amellian marched into the heartland of the region and put it to the torch, forcing Macsen to withdraw from Lakia to stop him.
It would be at Ligonum that the two forces would face off and where Amellian and his son would triumph, forcing Macsen to retreat back to his capital, buying Amellian time to march on Rasca and depose Caelius and assume the imperial title. Amellian then promoted his son to lead the rest of the war against Macsen while he strengthened his position in the capital. Now Julius would face off against a still threatening Macsen at Charora where he was outnumbered by the reinforced Macsen but soundly defeated him, capturing the rebel leader and his family.
After the great victory at Charora, Julius returned to Rasca in triumph with the rebellion crush and the leader in chains alongside his family. It would be here that Julius would earn himself the cognomen of Dicorus, or "The Decorated" for his elaborate regalia and where he would earn himself the Grass Crown, an enormous military and civic honor by his father. Dicorus himself would close the gates of the temple of Manus, signaling the end of warfare in the empire as well as overseeing the execution of Macsen and the house arrest of his wife and daughters.
In Rasennan detailings after, Dicorus' triumph is often portrayed as among the most splendid in the history of the empire and was the first triumph awarded to a commander who was not the emperor since coincidentally, Kotta's triumph at the conclusion of the wars in Areul. The enormous prestige won by Dicorus propelled him through the symbolic Officiate Honoreum as he was elected Suffete, alongside his father, for the year 735 B.E. For the remainder of his father's reign, Dicorus would be the liaison between the Curia and the Princeps which would establish good relations with the members of the house when Dicorus succeeded his father to the imperial throne in the year 730 B.E.
As he assumed the title of Princeps, Dicorus began his rule with an energy and dedication that his father simply had not had, he immediately put funds into public building and infrastructure projects that culminated in the construction of the Montania aqueduct that would act as a major source of fresh water for centuries before it came into disrepair during the reign of Emperor Macerian who scrapped it. Also constructed was the Amellia Imperatoria, the imperial tomb of the Amelliai where Dicorus interred his late father and where he and his successors would be buried until his descendant Arrius became the last emperor buried there. In the meantime, Dicorus' energy was towards more than civic matters as he also began campaigning west, finally conquering the entirety of the Galukian peninsula, bringing it firmly into the imperial fold. From this success, Dicorus crossed the Rhor and subdued a vast assortment of Herodi tribes who temporarily came under the suzerainty of the empire. Dicorus would appoint various clan reiks in the region but many would be overthrown or assassinated in the following years. Holding another triumph for these conquests, Dicorus' subjects were dismayed that the dual triumphs of emperor Dicorus paled in comparison to his earlier entry into the city after Charora which was commented on by the historian Maurinus Lucanor,
"As the Princeps rode through the street, all had on their minds that this splendor was disappointing to those old enough. It was as if a shepherd called his lit lantern the sun".
As Dicorus settled into his reign, he married the influential former widow, Aetia Stratiacus, the sister of the influential general Georgios Stratiacus who would influence the military reforms Dicorus would later champion. From his wife Aetia, Dicorus would have two children, first his daughter who was also named Aetia, and his son Aurakios who would later succeed him after a series of regencies.
The figures overseeing the empire after Dicorus would become regents due to their influence as captains of the "Tagma" or literally "the regimentals" who were the professional units of the new imperial army. The Tagma came about due to the military reforms of Dicorus who followed off their implementation under the reign of his father Amellian, who promoted traditional parade units as his personal retinue to ensure his bodyguards were staunchly loyal to the new regime. Dicorus also implemented reforms on provincial governors turning many of them into "Domestics" leaders of provincial troops who became a part of the thematic troops as provinces became "themes" meant to be semi-autonomous regions based around border defense and supplying levy troops to support the tagma. These reforms were done out of necessity as Dicorus had learned first hand that the old republican system had become outdated and a dangerous threat to imperial authority as his own father had demonstrated. Each Domestic was a part of an imperial college that routinely met before the emperor, or a trusted advisor who oversaw it. The meeting of the Domestics was meant to gauge their loyalty to the administration and also as a census on the state of the empire via the Domestic's assessment of their theme.
Dicorus also would be given special acclaim for his building projects in the capital, his construction of the first proper imperial palace atop the Laterian hill is attested in multiple accounts by later historians as is his construction of the "Rubrum Aula" or Red Court, the residence of the imperial family and where his son Aurakios was born and who was often given the epithet "Rubrum Natus" or "the Red Born". By the time his son was born, Dicorus was nearly fifty years old and had quickly deteriorated due to a neurological illness that sapped him of his famous energy, confining him to his palace atop the Laterian. By the time the emperor turned forty-nine, he was at death's door and organized his succession by nominating his young son to succeed him with an official regency council headed by his brother-in-law Georgios Stratiacus and his wife Aetia serving until he came of age. In his last days, Dicorus seemed to still be anxious about the future of his family and is said to have been walking around the palace aided by Georgios who he is said to have confessed
"Shall I find no comfort in the afterlife? For even there I fear I will worry for the future of my progeny".
Education
Given a provincial education in Calacium in the academy there
Employment
Member of the Stiratai under his father during campaigns into central and western Galukia
senior Legate of his father's legions during his overthrow of Caelius and war against Macsen
Emperor of the Rasenna and successor of his father
senior Legate of his father's legions during his overthrow of Caelius and war against Macsen
Emperor of the Rasenna and successor of his father
Accomplishments & Achievements
Accompanied his father in victories against the Galukians
Fought and commanded troops at the Battle of Ligonum
Soundly defeated Caius Macsen at the Battle of Charora, ending the Great Revolt of Macsen
Threw a grand triumph to celebrate his victory
Numerous civil and military reforms that greatly benefitted the empire
Conquests against the Galukians and the Herodi
Fought and commanded troops at the Battle of Ligonum
Soundly defeated Caius Macsen at the Battle of Charora, ending the Great Revolt of Macsen
Threw a grand triumph to celebrate his victory
Numerous civil and military reforms that greatly benefitted the empire
Conquests against the Galukians and the Herodi
Intellectual Characteristics
Logical
Open Minded
Dedicated
Open Minded
Dedicated
Morality & Philosophy
Serve the people and the nobility, and they will serve you.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Establish his family as a truly ruling imperial dynasty
Secure the borders and the success of the empire both civically, socially, and militarily.
Secure the borders and the success of the empire both civically, socially, and militarily.
Virtues & Personality perks
Generous
Energetic
Vigorous
Stable
Energetic
Vigorous
Stable
Vices & Personality flaws
Extravagant
High Minded
Cautious
High Minded
Cautious
Social
Contacts & Relations
Emperor and brother in law of Georgios Stratiacus
Emperor of Herus Tzimikus Monomachus
Emperor of Cyrelius "The Pale Death" Kalarios
Emperor of Herus Tzimikus Monomachus
Emperor of Cyrelius "The Pale Death" Kalarios
Family Ties
Son of Hostus Amellianus Montanus and Octalia Ineria
Father of Aetia Amellia and Aurakios
Grandfather of Emperor Adienus
Great Grandfather of Emperor Alexius
Great Great Grandfather of Emperor Arrius
Father of Aetia Amellia and Aurakios
Grandfather of Emperor Adienus
Great Grandfather of Emperor Alexius
Great Great Grandfather of Emperor Arrius
Religious Views
Dicorus' piety to the gods can best be summarized by his public displays when engaging the Rasennan pantheon. His closing of the doors of the temple of Manus gave him a display of piety that put him in the good graces of the more religious of his subjects.
Social Aptitude
Every graceful and patient, Dicorus typified what was expected of a Princeps of the Rasenna and set an example that would be followed by every successive generation leading to the days of the Dominate.
Relationships
Current Location
Ethnicity
Other Ethnicities/Cultures
Date of Birth
23rd of Aulza
Date of Death
10th of Larza
Life
766 B.E
717 B.E
49 years old
Circumstances of Birth
Son of Amellianus Montanus and Octalia Ineria
Circumstances of Death
Died of a neurological illness at the age of 49
Birthplace
Born in the Galukian city of Calarium at his family's estate
Spouses
Aetia Stratiacus
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark Brown
Hair
Long, Flowing, Dark Brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tan
Height
6'2
Weight
200 lbs
Quotes & Catchphrases
"I am what you will be"- Supposed final words of the emperor to his young son Aurakios
Belief/Deity
Manus and the Pantheon of the Rasenna
Aligned Organization
Comments