The war against the coalition had ended in a hard-fought victory for Napoleon. France stood supreme over Europe, its technological might unmatched, its enemies either crushed or forced into uneasy peace agreements. Yet, even in victory, new threats began to rise from the ashes of the old world.
In Italy, a new force emerged—one that sought not just independence but domination. Inspired by the legends of their ancestors, a group of powerful generals, senators, and scholars staged a coup against the existing government in Rome. Their goal was nothing less than the full restoration of the Roman Empire.
The Birth of the Neo-Roman Empire
Led by the ambitious and charismatic General Vittorio Severus, the coup was swift and decisive. The old rulers were cast aside, and a new regime was declared—the Neo-Roman Empire. Severus crowned himself Imperator, claiming direct succession from the Caesars of old. With the backing of the Italian nobility and a fanatical populace eager to reclaim past glory, the new empire wasted no time consolidating power.
The newly-formed empire quickly absorbed the remnants of the Papal States, Naples, and various Italian city-states, uniting them under one banner. Roman symbolism returned in full force—legions were reformed, Latin was reintroduced in official documents, and Severus himself took on the title "Augustus."
The Rivalry Begins
At first, Napoleon viewed the rise of the Neo-Roman Empire with cautious intrigue. He had always admired Rome, and a strong Italy could serve as an ally in maintaining stability in Europe. However, as reports arrived of their militarization, expansionist rhetoric, and ambitions that stretched beyond Italy, Napoleon realized that a new challenger had appeared.
Severus, unlike the kings and emperors Napoleon had previously faced, was not merely a monarch clinging to power. He was a revolutionary in his own right, seeking to reshape the world in his image, just as Napoleon had done. He did not see France as a partner but as an obstacle—one that would eventually have to be removed.
A Clash of Visions
France and the Neo-Roman Empire began to drift toward inevitable conflict. The Romans sought to expand their influence over the Mediterranean, clashing with French-controlled territories. Trade routes were disrupted, diplomatic ties strained, and border skirmishes became frequent.
Napoleon understood that Severus was not a man who could be reasoned with. He was driven by an unshakable belief in the destiny of Rome—a belief that would not tolerate any rival power in Europe. The peace Napoleon had fought so hard to achieve was now at risk once more.
As the legions of the Neo-Roman Empire marched across Italy, and their war machines—fueled by stolen French technology—began to take shape, Napoleon knew that this was only the beginning. The greatest battle of his reign was yet to come.
The Roman Eagle had risen once more, and its talons were set on Europe.