Gaius Horatius

Gaius Horatius is an Imperial statesman. He has served the Imperial court as High Chancellor, directing the efforts of the Elder Council, since 3E 292.

[Subject to change; might be a bit disjointed right now].

Character
Gaius Horatius is a charismatic man of wit, with little dryness to betray his rather academic past. Though quick words and cleverness are not novel in the Elder Council, or indeed the upper echelons of urban society, the High Chancellor has been noted in particular for his speech. It was said that he slew a man by words alone when he was tasked with retaking the forts of Alessia and Variela. His speech has at times caused him trouble also. In his castigations of Uriel V and his invasion of Akavir, Gaius all but exiled himself as a political pariah avoiding official expulsion.

He is tall, though not especially so, and of lordly features. He has a thinness leaning towards strange, amplified by his height. Though age has troubled him somewhat, he continues to live a relatively active life. His hair he keeps short, his beard he keeps long; both now white as Bruman snow.

In his dress, he is simple in extravagance and complicated in layers. Long robes of black, red, blue, or white, garb his figure and do some to cover his particular slenderness. Atop these robes, he wears a combination of coats, shawls, and capes. He is always hatted, donning a signature piece.

Approach and Growth of Power
The approach of Gaius Horatius to his High Chancellorship has been one of seeming contradictions. Holding firmly to his philosophy of Three Authorities and Two Powers, he has worked to balance the individuals and institutions of the Empire. This policy, marked by a succession of growths and declines in influence for those in power over the realm, has brought about a state of relative harmony and order. Horatius restored much of the Emperor’s (that is, the Empress Dowager’s) implied control only to sever what remained of the imperial family’s tangible influence over the Elder Council. This everchanging balance has rendered many of his former allies enemies and many of his former enemies allies.

In this chaotic harmony, the High Chancellor has advanced his own family a great deal. Though he would not consider himself a nepotist or one particularly dedicated to familial legacy over imperial prosperity, it cannot be denied that the Horatius family holds more influence now perhaps than it has for decades if not centuries. Despite withholding, delaying, or even rejecting familial appointments, his political career has seen the appointment of one son to the Elder Council and a second to leadership in an imperial legion. Furthermore, he secured for his cousin Regulus Aelius the office of Imperial Tutor and for his many adopted children positions across the realm.

By these careful appointments prior to and since becoming High Chancellor, Gaius has secured influence in many of the major parts and institutions of the Empire. He directs the Elder Council as High Chancellor, holds intimate access to the Emperor by his cousin, and can expect to command the loyalty of at least one legion.

The Provinces of the Empire
Concerning the Imperial Provinces, Horatius has maintained the traditional policy of Cyrodiilic dominance. Cyrodiil, as the heartland of the Empire, is afforded greater boons than the other provinces. This he does with a cautious speed, or what he himself described as aggressive subtlety. In practice, this policy features the fragmentation of traditionally powerful structures across the Empire. Where kings rule, Imperial officials look to govern at their side. Despite this, Gaius maintains that he does not consider the Empire to be Cyrodiilic - rather, Tamrielic. In a letter to the officials of High Rock, he likened the relationship between Cyrodiil and other provinces to that of a capital and the rest of a kingdom.

In every province, a process of imperialisation is encouraged. For example, while the division of Morrowind between the Great Houses lends itself well to the aforementioned practice of fragmentation, the High Chancellor continues to maintain the longstanding alliance with House Hlaalu - the most imperial, or at least the most outwardly pro-imperial, Dunmer power.

The Three Authorities and the Two Powers
In his career as Elder Councillor and High Chancellor, Gaius Horatius has developed a particular philosophy of and approach to governance. He holds that there are three authorities and two powers in the realm, defining these as Imperial family, Elder Council, High Chancellor and Civilian, Military. These divisions are by no means a unique or otherwise spectacular discovery - it is Horatius’ approach that can be described as distinct.

A firm proponent of the principles of harmony and unity, Gaius has throughout political life worked to balance these three authorities and two powers. This work is on the surface contradictory and self-reversing, where power may be as quickly given to the Emperor as it is taken away. This constant flux risks lending itself to chaos and disorder but has largely proven successful.

It is Horatius’ belief that the Empire may only prosper when each of these authorities and powers is in equilibrium. A powerful Emperor and a weak Elder Council would lead to failure just as a powerful High Chancellor and weak Emperor would. For this reason, he has pursued policies that both strengthen and weaken each of these sections, at times keeping even his own influence in check. In this way, it would be apt to describe him as an undivided supporter of the Empire over any of its constituent powers.

His critics posit that such an equilibrium leads only to stagnation, for an Emperor or High Chancellor unable to act at the cost of the other is rendered powerless to do anything at all. A military given unmoving boundaries is made weak and likewise civilian officials made subordinate to many masters will inevitably become ineffective.

Early Life and Education
Travelling by boat from her family home in the Cheydinhal country, Aurelia gave birth to Gaius in rather strange circumstances on the Niben. He was born under the sign of the Lord and named for his late father, a general killed by rebels in the Jeral Mountains. It was boasted then by Marcus Junius, Aurelia’s uncle and a prominent Elder Councillor, that his great-nephew was a son to all the Empire, born on no particular part of it.

With pensions for his father’s long military service and the aid of his mother’s political family, Gaius did not want for much as a boy. He was certainly not the richest in Cheydinhal or the capital, but he never faced the threat of any poverty. Even as a child, however, he became acutely aware of the poor. Whether by the bridges of Cheydinhal or in the Temple District of the Imperial City, the poor were always in sight.

Gaius’ early education largely involved shadowing his great-uncle, thrusting him into the politics of the Empire from a very young age. He was taught to read and write, to count and calculate, and even to ride horses. No doubt linked to his peculiar birthplace, he was fond of swimming or otherwise traversing the rivers by boat.

Septimus Catallus, the master of Arcadian College and a descendant of its founder, recommended to Aurelia that she send her son to the college. With his mother’s assent, Gaius left for the County of Skingrad to join the school. There, he lived with distant relatives for a time before finding board at the college. Horatius began a proper study of Imperial law and philosophy, instilling in him academic qualities. Tests were frequent and he was required to memorise voluminous texts in order to remain a student.

Horatius completed his study at the Arcadian College in his twentieth year. He soon made applications to join the Imperial University, supported by his great-uncle Marcus Junius. Once matriculated into the university, he committed himself to a series of aggressive and taxing classes. These were rather difficult years for Gaius who refused almost on principle to engage in the frivolity often found in students.

Graduating finally in 3E 258 after eight years of study, Gaius sought employment as a lawyer.

Early Career
Horatius’ career as a lawyer was brief and largely uneventful. Learned in the law and an effective orator, he found some success and enjoyed for the first time a totally independent income. During this time, he became increasingly well-acquainted with the statesmen of the city by both attending and hosting gatherings. In one such soirée, he met Constantinus Triarius - an Elder Councillor of particular significance.

After three years of rather uninspiring work, and with the opening of an Elder Council seat by way of its occupant’s death, Gaius looked to enter into civil office. The leap from semi-obscure lawyer to Elder Councillor was a great one that certainly could not have been made without the backing of his great-uncle and the web of political favours the Junius family had procured. Officially recommended by Marcus Junius, Gaius was appointed to the Elder Council by Emperor Cephorus II in 3E 261.

The order of the day had for some years been the Camoran invasion. The Usurper, by then already master over Valenwood, threatened to seize the Empire itself. The Imperial Provinces grew isolated and divided. By sea, access to and from the Summerset Isles was hampered. Hammerfell was cut in twain and High Rock’s survival was not a sure thing. Bankruptcy loomed also, for much had been spent on failed mercenary companies, and the Imperial court itself was in disarray.

Threats closer to the capital also presented themselves. In 3E 263, mutinies took place throughout the Nibenay Valley in both the west and the east. Forts along the Niben were captured, commanding officers murdered, and the cities of Bravil and Leyawiin both came into difficulty. This rebellion was no concerted effort but rather a series of local coups. At this hour however, when all the realm was threatened by fresh collapse into disunity, the insurrections were most serious.

The Elder Council discussed at great length what was to be done. The Imperial legions were altogether absent, guarding the western borders of Cyrodiil against the Camoran invasion or stationed in those Imperial provinces that remained free to suppress potential secession. The militias of Skingrad and Kvatch were already broken at the borders of Valenwood, while those of Bravil and Leyawiin proved divided and ineffective. It seemed at first as though all was lost and a number of influential Elder Councillors argued in favour of some treaty with the rebels. Gaius, though only a member of the Elder Council for two years and junior to these colleagues of his, launched a tirade of criticisms and denunciations. To offer bribes of wealth and rank to mutineers was doubly foolish. Not only would this destroy imperial authority and influence in the region, it would also act to encourage future rebellion.

Debates finally ceasing, it was decided that a section of the capital’s guard be taken down the west banks of the Niben to reclaim what had been lost. Once the route to Bravil was secure, this force could cross the bay to restore order to the east. The capital could not be deprived of its captains: a junior officer would lead this force alongside an Elder Councillor. Though he possessed no military experience, Gaius’ name was put forward by those he earlier attacked in a clear move to dismiss him from the capital.

To the surprise of his new opponents, Horatius voluntarily accepted this mission. He left the capital with a paltry unit, taking the river in contrary to his co-commander’s desire to march along the western shores of the Rumare and the Niben.

Timeline
3E 230 — Gaius is born on the water.


 * Travelling to the Imperial City by the Niben, Gaius’ mother gives birth to him on the ship.
 * He is born in First Seed under the sign of the Lord.

3E 244 — Gaius joins the Arcadian College (aged 14).


 * Joining distant relations in the County of Skingrad, he enters the Arcadian College as a pupil.

3E 250 — Gaius matriculates to the Imperial University (aged 20).

3E 258 — Gaius graduates from the Imperial University (aged 28).

3E 261 — Gaius is made an Elder Councillor (aged 31).

3E 263 — Gaius defeats the rebels of the Nibenay Valley, becoming Protector of the Niben (aged 33).


 * He restores order to the valley, seizing the forts Alessia and Variela.
 * He is appointed Protector of the Niben by Emperor Cephorus II.

3E 265 — Gaius is sent to Bravil and there appointed Court Tutor (aged 35).

3E 269 — Gaius assumes regency in Bravil by appointment of the Emperor (aged 39).

3E 270 — Gaius is appointed Inspector of the Niben (aged 40).


 * He begins the construction of Fort Severus, a castle sitting on the shores of the Niben.
 * The project is named for his maternal grandfather.

3E 272 — Gaius defeats an attempted coup in Bravil (aged 42).

3E 273 — Gaius completes the construction of Fort Severus (aged 43).


 * He thereafter stations and trains a small guard in the castle.

3E 285 — Gaius’ rule as regent in Bravil ends (aged 55).


 * After securing annuity and office, he leaves the County of Bravil.

3E 288 — Gaius opposes Uriel V’s invasion of Akavir (aged 58).


 * His strong opposition sets him at odds with the Emperor and much of the Elder Council.
 * Evading potential expulsion, Gaius leaves the Imperial City for the Nibenay Valley.

3E 292 — Gaius is appointed High Chancellor (aged 62).

Quotes by Gaius Horatius

 *  'Curse this endeavour to sell imperial court and imperial soul for a year of peace and a hundred of war.' ~ In response to proponents of a treaty with mutineers in 3E 263.
 *  'I have searched this Empire for spirit in this war and have not found it; as Akavir failed in her invasion, so shall Tamriel. This Emperor is neither his Great Ancestor nor a divine unto himself.' ~ Concerning Uriel V's invasion of Akavir.
 *  'To consider Emperor or High Chancellor potentate over the realm is erroneous. The Empire is potentate over all, its law is supreme, and no one man may overturn its authority.' ~ Concerning authority in the Empire.

Quotes about Gaius Horatius

 *  'A son to all the Empire, born on no particular part of it.' ~ Elder Councillor Marcus Junius, concerning the birth of his great-nephew Gaius Horatius.