It is June of the seventh consular year of the emperor Titus Vespasianus and his brother Caesar Domitianus (79 CE), and Pompeii is a prospering seaside town in the Roman Empire. Although the empire suffered its first civil war barely a decade ago, Pompeii remained untouched by the fighting, and has become a wealthy corner of southern Italy. However, troubles loom over this idyllic location.

Topic one: Celebration of the Emperor

The emperor Titus has just ascended the throne to rule the Roman world. While young Titus is loved by many, ruling in the same wise and humble manner as his father Vespasian, rumors circle that his brother Domitian is hungry for power, and seeks to turn the position of emperor into one of absolute, divine power. The specific limits of the emperor’s power were only outlined a decade ago in the Lex de imperio Vespasiani, and many fear that Domitian seeks to turn back the clock to the tyranny of Nero. With the emperor and his family set to visit Pompeii in October to celebrate the festival of the Augustalia, the city must quickly prepare for their arrival and celebrations, and what they can do to influence the future of the empire.

topic two: Tremors under Vesuvius

In the year of Marius and Gallus (62 CE), a massive earthquake struck the city of Pompeii, destroying buildings and killing many. The event has left a lasting scar in the city, with many afraid of a repeat event, fears which have grown worse in recent months as minor earthquakes have shaken the region. If further natural disasters strike the region and devastate the town, the city must be ready to evacuate its population safely from any danger, and to rebuild after calamity. However, the strength of the recent quakes is troubling: should the level of disaster escalate, the heavens themselves could descend on Pompeii and destroy the town forever…