Flag of the Federal Union of Rome
While the upheaval of 1869 was horrific in Northern Europe, perhaps due to the dark nature of the Celtic and Germanic mythos, the Mediterranean was relatively peaceful. Portals were localized on the sites of the ancient pillars of the classical age: Rome, Athens, Alexandria, Constantinople, and Carthage. Surprisingly enough, the newly united Kingdom of Italy was the first to exploit the new opportunity. While the French, Prussians, and Austrians were dealing with their wild monsters, the Italians only faced the relatively more rational creatures of the recorded Hellenistic mythos. Using treaties, clever diplomacy, and trade, the Italians pushed their way into this new Elysium, exploring the land and seizing the Elysium end of the portals in Constantinople, Alexandria, Athens, and the site of Carthage.
This new colonial domain named Novus Roma catapulted Italy into the ranks of the great powers, outpacing France and Germany while standing on equal footing with the British. History still took its course and Italy joined the Central Powers shortly before the outbreak of the Great War,(caused by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the recently turned
dhampir Gavrilo Princip). While the Italians and the Roman Colonial Troops acquitted themselves admirably, seizing much of Southern France, Iberia, the Balkans, and Asia Minor though they were prevented from marching into the Levant by Colonial Rakshasas. The war ended in a stalemate, with the British propping up Northern France, and splitting up Germany and Austria with the Russians while Italy took the Mediterranean.
After the war, a charismatic veteran, styling himself as Il Duce began a meteoric rise to power, focusing Italy's place in the sun. This fascistic movement quickly took power and began a program of forced assimilation in the occupied territory and militarizing heavily to seize the rest of Europe from the Entente powers. The tactics were brutal, killing all opposition and setting up reeducation camps for the rebellious. These political swings did not make much headway into Novus Roma, with a strong republican tradition already established and a firm democratic governing body refusing to accede to the demands of the higher government in Old Rome. The fascists soon grew bolder and began directly intervening in colonial affairs, extraditing political opponents and slowly consolidating their hold. they did not take into account the separate national identity that had formed, influenced by immigrants from around the Mediterranean, from Gibraltar to Antioch. The kangaroo trial and prompt execution of Roman Leader Scipio Maximus was the final spark, that lit the fires of the Roman war of independence.
Italian troops initially held the upper hand, advancing deep into Roman territory and seizing important population centers. The Roman Army which was largely disbanded after the great war was quickly mobilized, drawing millions of volunteers backed by a grizzled veteran core. Using strategic retreats and fabian tactics to lure the Italian army in, the Romans executed a brilliant operation, seizing all the portal sites in a coordinated attack and destroying nearly all the infrastructure between the two worlds. Faun special forces with Harpy Air support and
centaur stormtroopers devastated the unsupplied and encircled Italians, pushing them out of Novus Roma entirely.
With its professional army effectively wiped out, the burgeoning Italian empire collapsed into itself, with the occupied territories rising in open revolt and declaring independence. Adopting the new Pax Romana doctrine, the newly independent state of Novus Roma mounted an expedition into Italy, driving into Rome and finally dismantling the fascist regime. The constitution was reinstated and referendums were held across the empire to restore order and stability. With the exception of Southern France, nearly all the territories declared independence, with many former colonies setting up democratic governments for the first time. The
Colonial State of Novus Roma itself was officially reformed into the
Federal Union of Rome, drawing on old republican traditions and unified culture to forge a modern state.
Today, Rome stands as the leader of the free world, head of the Latin League in the Mediterranean and a founding member of the Free Alliance, occupying a major seat along with the North American Federation, the Indian Union, Brahmaputra, the Republic of Tir-na-nOg, and the Uku-Kay-Hanan Pacha. The flag is based on both the roman standard and the flag of the kingdom of Italy. The shield of the Arms of Savoy represents the stalwart defense and commitment of the people of Novus Roma to republican ideals. The Roman Aquila represents the unity of the Roman culture and the union of disparate immigrants and citizens who have chosen Rome as their home. The two golden stripes represent the two-sided portal that both links and separates the two worlds.