1. The Beginning of the Roman Empire
Rome has twice played a huge part in world history; firstly with the Roman Empire, and secondly with the Renaissance. While we explored the latter in AC: Brotherhood, we have never experienced one of the greatest empires the world has ever known. Some may be put off by the idea of another visit to Italy, but, as the name suggests, the Roman Empire spread far outside of the modern day Italian boundaries. At its height under Emperor Trajan, the empire controlled every city-state surrounding the Mediterranean, reached as far north as Hadrians Wall and had swallowed up at least half of mainland Europe. This means any prospective game would not be limited to Italy, but would be free to bring-to-life areas like Gaul, Cappadocia or Alexandria. One idea would be to use the story of the assassination of Caesar and Octavians rise to becoming the first Roman Emperor. On the Ides of March in 44 BC Caesar was brutally assassinated by envious senators. His nephew Octavian became his heir, built his own army, mainly made up of soldiers loyal to Caesar, and, following a short war, joined forces with Mark Anthony. The Second Triumvirate (Octavian, Anthony and Lepidus) did what the first could not: they gave themselves ultimate power. They quickly sent 28 legions to face Brutus and Cassius, two of the most famous assassins, but, after the legions defeated their armies in two battles, they committed suicide. Anthony and Octavian split the empire between themselves. The following years were marked by rebellions, executions and alliances, as the former republic acclimatising to the new ruling system. During a short war with Pompeius cracks began to appear in the Triumvirate, with Lepidus failing in a bid to outmanoeuvre Octavian in Sicily, putting an end to his political career, and the empire basically being split between Octavian in the west and Anthony in the east. In late 32 BC, the senate officially revoked Anthonys powers and declared war on Cleopatras Egypt. Octavian, along with his talented general, Marcus Agrippa, quickly defeated Anthony and Cleopatra, who famously committed suicide when on the run. Less than five years later, Octavian, was became Romes first official emperor, taking the name Augustus. This time period shows the republic becoming an empire, numerous wars, power struggles, assassinations, suicides and alliances everything youd want from an Assassins Creed story.
Are there any locations youd like to see as future Assassins Creed settings? Do you agree with my choices? Let us know in the comments section below.