Status Updates From The Storm Before the Storm:...

The Cimbris: we just want a peaceful land to settle in. We're actually not interested in Rome.
The Romans: so what we're hearing is that u want to invade us.

Roman legions playing a game of cat and mouse with an Algerian king in the Atlas mountains and the desert is straight out of Astérix, love it, 10/10.

I find the little foreshadowings so cute. "Hmmm this decision to have a professional army loyal to its general and not the Senate and people of Rome SURE will have consequences in the future wink wink"

Ah I see that bribing senators so you can continue to massacre people is a time-honored tradition.

Chagrined that politicians nowadays don't use "my dead brother who was murdered by this city came to me in a dream to tell me I definitely am fated to have this role" as an argument to run for office.

Doing this one as an audiobook as tribute to podcaster turned NYT best selling author Mike Duncan

They kept sending armies against the Sicilian revolt so basically the Senate was just feeding Praetors to Sicilian rebels.

For when those in power act cruelly and wickedly, the character of their subjects is inflamed to reckless action...if they are denied the kindness which they deserve, they revolt against the men who act like cruel despots.

Diodorus

(quoted at the beginning of Chapter 2)