Julius Caesar Twine

Julius Caesar By: B.A.J. [[Start Twine Game->Intro Passage]] [[View Bibliography->Bibliography Page]]

You are Julius Caesar, the greatest Roman general and politician to ever walk the face of the earth. Born to an aristocratic yet meager family in 102 B.C, you have gradually risen through the ranks as a soldier and citizen to earn terms as both Praetor and Co-Consul of Rome. With newfound influence, you have struck strategic alliances with two of the most persuasive men in the nation, Crassus and Pompey, and after gaining power in Rome, you have decided to turn abroad and expand Roman influence throughout the world. The current year is 49 B.C, and your vast conquests throughout Gaul over the past years have established your unstoppable military might and presence as the sole leader of a colossal force of war-hardened soldiers. Although you have maintained domination internationally, the senate back in Rome, headed by your ally-turned-nemesis Pompey, has begun to fear your solitary power and plans to diminish your prestigious rank. On January 10th, you receive an official demand from the senate ordering to immediately and non-violently return to Rome. You cannot give into the Senate's demands, as it would result in an immediate forfeit of military authority and even a possible risk of execution. Shall you take an aggressive approach, crossing the Rubicon into Italy and directly attacking Pompey, or shall you use your naval might to flank Pompey through the coast of Sicily? [[Attack Pompey directly by crossing the Rubicon->H Cross Rubicon]] [[Flank Pompey by sailing to the coast of Sicily->CF Flank to Sicily]]

Works Cited: "Caesar, Gaius Julius." In Ancient Greece and Rome: An Encyclopedia for Students, edited by Carroll Moulton. Vol. 1. New York City, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998. Accessed November 7, 2019. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2897200077/GVRL?u=cinc13591&sid=GVRL&xid=cc6a98eb. "Caesar, Julius." In Biographies, edited by Judson Knight and Stacy A. McConnell. Vol. 3 of Ancient Civilizations Reference Library. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2000. Accessed November 7, 2019. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2587200046/GVRL?u=cinc13591&sid=GVRL&xid=728e3fdb. Knight, Judson. "Gaius Julius Caesar." In Science and It's Times. Edited by Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer. Vol. 1. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2001. Accessed November 7, 2019. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3408500037/GVRL?u=cinc13591&sid=GVRL&xid=227c2a6c. "Leisure, Recreation, and Daily Life: Overview." In Roman Republic and Empire, edited by John T. Kirby. Vol. 3 of World Eras. N.p.: Gale, 2001. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3034800166/GVRL?u=cinc13591&sid=GVRL&xid=1dd85717.

(either: "You have failed in your efforts to flank Pompey's forces and have been defeated narrowly in the southern city of Palermo. You are forced to return to Rome in shame, lucky to still be alive after your capture. You now face another difficult choice: shall you accept the shame of bitter defeat, living as a private citizen and slowly regaining influence, or shall you risk it all by attempting a desperate military coup against Pompey? [[Accept defeat and live as a private citizen->CF Private Citizen]] [[Attempt a final coup against Pompey->CF Final Coup]]", "You have succeeded in your efforts to flank Pompey's forces! You have defeated Pompey in Palermo, and he has fled to Greece. While temporarily weakened from his defeat, he still maintains numerous loyal legions in Spain that will not yield peacefully. Shall you chase directly after Pompey in Greece, or shall you venture to Spain first to defeat his loyal legions? [[Chase directly after Pompey in Greece->H Chase Pompey in Greece]] [[Attack Pompey's legions in Spain->H Attack Spanish Legions]]")

You have chosen to cross the Rubicon directly into Italy and have arrived at the city of Perugia, north of Rome. In response to your aggressive maneuver, the senate has decided to militarize immediately, and Pompey has assembled an army to face off against your forces. Here you are faced with another choice; shall you march into Rome, taking the fight to Pompey, or shall you set up defenses in Perugia, allowing Pompey to attack you? [[Attack Pompey by marching into Rome->H March to Rome]] [[Set up defenses at Perugia->CF Defend at Perugia]]

You have succeeded in your invasion of Rome and have defeated Pompey's forces! Pompey himself has fled to Greece in a weakened state; however, he still maintains numerous loyal legions in Spain that will not yield peacefully. Shall you chase directly after Pompey in Greece, or shall you venture to Spain first to defeat his loyal legions? [[Chase directly after Pompey in Greece->H Chase Pompey in Greece]] [[Attack Pompey's legions in Spain->H Attack Spanish Legions]]

You have accepted defeat against Pompey, and have chosen to live as a private citizen. Over time, you slowly gain back the trust of the Roman people, and eventually find yourself back in a position of great power and influence. You are urged to run for Consul one final time, but are unsure of the endeavor in your old age and poor health. Shall you run for Consul, hoping your regained popularity can carry you to victory, or shall you peacefully retire and spend your final days in the beautiful Italian countryside? [[Run for Consul one final time->CF Consul Again]] [[Retire to the Italian countryside->CF Retire]]

You have chosen to chase after Pompey in Greece and attack his forces in the city of Pharsalus. You are triumphant in battle and defeat Pompey once more! Somehow, he evades your capture once more and flees to Egypt. At this point, he has practically no army and is no longer a significant threat. However, he still may regain influence in the future if he remains alive. Shall you kill Pompey once and for all, or give up the hunt, stopping in Egypt and helping Cleopatra VII win her own war? [[Track down & kill Pompey in Egypt->CF Kill Pompey in Egypt]] [[Ignore Pompey, helping Cleopatra VII instead->H Help Cleopatra]]

(either: "You have chosen to attack Pompey's legions in Spain, but are unsuccessful in your conquest, greatly underestimating his army's strength and grit. In the city of Toletum, Pompey's men take you prisoner, but are unsure exactly what to do with you. You remain in their confinement for two weeks, until Pompey himself arrives. He speaks to you, offering your safety under one condition: you must tolerate the shame of defeat and return to Rome as a private citizen. Shall you accept this shameful deal, or reject it, risking possible execution? [[Return to Rome in shame as a private citizen->CF Private Citizen]] [[Reject the deal, risking execution->CF Reject Deal]]", "You have chosen to attack Pompey's legions in Spain and are successful in your conquest! Weakened even further, Pompey still remains in Greece and will not submit to your military might. There only remains one final task - you must track down and finally defeat Pompey! [[Travel to Greece to find Pompey->H Chase Pompey in Greece]]")

You have succeeded in your defense of the city of Perugia and have defeated Pompey's forces! Pompey himself has fled to Greece in a weakened state; however, he still maintains numerous loyal legions in Spain that will not yield peacefully. Shall you chase directly after Pompey in Greece, or shall you venture to Spain first to defeat his loyal legions? [[Chase directly after Pompey in Greece->H Chase Pompey in Greece]] [[Attack Pompey's legions in Spain->H Attack Spanish Legions]]

You have chosen to attempt an audacious coup against Pompey just days after he defeated your army in Palermo. To begin, you manage to escape from his guards and hide in Rome, stealthily speaking with senate members opposed to Pompey about building up a new military force. Eventually, a prominent member of the senate agrees to secretly meet with you, potentially offering his personal army to aid you in your efforts. As you reach the covert meeting point, however, there is something gravely wrong. You see Pompey waiting, along with his fierce army. You've been betrayed! Before you can retreat, Pompey's men capture you and bring you to him. Disgusted by your constant power grabs, Pompey makes the decision to execute you on the spot. You scream out, begging for mercy, but it is too late.

You have chosen to run for consul one final time, and rely on your newfound support and popularity to narrowly beat out fierce competition. You have successfully won the consulship! As consul, you relive your glorious days of the past by commanding the Roman army and serving as a crucial figure in the senate. As your prosperous and eventful term comes to an end, your health begins to rapidly decline, and during your final month as consul, you suffer from a surprise heart attack. You die proudly, having regained dignity from past defeats and earned prestige as a true Roman leader.

You have chosen not to run for consul one final time, and instead have chosen to retire to the Italian countryside. Moving to the city of Venusia, you spend your days peacefully and serenely. Your extensive wealth allows you to live in a luxurious house, and you spend your days tending to gardens and enriching yourself in ancient literature. Although you may have failed in your past military endeavors, you still feel satisfied and fulfilled at the end of your life. One calm summer day, you fall into a deep sleep and your life ends.

You have chosen to reject Pompey's deal - he takes one look at you and begins to shake in anger. He screams, cursing you for refusing to swallow your pride and return home. Pompey immediately storms away, leaving you alone and deeply concerned. You stay in containment for three more days, completely isolated and unaware of your fate. At last, a guard approaches and takes you from your cell, bringing you to Pompey himself. Before you can even speak, a swift swing of his sword brings you to your knees. Two more jabs complete the job - you fall unconscious and die at the hands of your executioner, the great Pompey.

You have chosen to give up your hunt for Pompey, helping Cleopatra VII instead. With your added military might, Cleopatra is able to handily defeat her enemies and maintain her Egyptian reign. You and Cleopatra enter a romance, and have a child together named Caesarion. Meanwhile, Pompey is killed by Egyptians, and you ensure your title as the most powerful man in the Roman Empire!

You have chosen to continue to hunt down Pompey into Egypt. Finally, after chasing him across the entirety of the world and defeating him numerous times in battle, you come face to face with Pompey himself. Barely maintaining an army, he is easily defeated and in a vicious swipe of your sword, you end your enemy's life. You have succeeded in killing Pompey, and have triumphed against your greatest adversaries!