Maximus Drakonus

Pronunciation: MAX-ih-muhs + dra-KO-nuhs

Occurrences: 9

First Reference: 3rd Endowment 20:15

For Kronus would break in pieces the traditions of ages past, desiring himself to give unto the First Woman, a name of her own, whereby others might know her; for in six hundred years had no woman been given a name within the empire; being first forbidden by the founder of the empire, Maximus Drakonus.

See: Drakonia, Emperor, First Power, First Track, First World, Olivia Spadania, Rome

Summary: Founder of the Drakonian Empire, Maximus Drakonus rose to power as a Caesar who led a successful revolt against Rome, to the become the first Emperor of Drakonia. Soon after the founding of the empire, Drakonus was betrayed by his mistress, Olivia Spadania, whose deception enabled Rome to regain the island fortress of Petragia (AZC — Olivia Spadania). This brazen act of disloyalty led Drakonus to establish laws which would protect the empire from ever again suffering from the treachery of a woman. As a result, all women of the empire were stripped of their names and clothing, and forced into sexual slavery and servitude. The brutal and repressive customs instigated by Maximus Drakonus remained unchallenged for more than 600 years (3:20:15), until the days of Maximillius Drakonus (the 42nd emperor of Drakonia) and the rise of Kronus Maximillius [*].

Azrael’s Commentary — Olivia Spadania

Niece to the Roman Emperor, Marius. Banished from Rome at the age of nineteen for intrigue and for offending the Emperor’s wife. She was sent into exile to the Spanish province of Madrid. In Spain, Olivia was involved in a series of scandals and was again exiled and sent as far away from Rome as possible. Arriving in the capital of Trajenium (near modern-day Baltimore, Maryland) she became a sudden celebrity. Known for her beauty and intelligence, Olivia was wined and dined by the leading nobility of the day. While attending a party given in her honor, she met the newly appointed Caesar of Trajenium. His name was Drakonus and Olivia began a torrid sexual affair with him.

Years later, when Drakonus revolted against Rome, Olivia tried to play to both sides of the conflict. She encouraged and supported Drakonus privately and in public, while secretly she fed information to Rome on the plans and designs of her lover. Yet despite this, Roman generals proved unable to defeat Drakonus in battle. His genius for war and his fierceness in battle eventually caused Roman forces to withdraw to Londinium. Drakonus was crowned Emperor and the Drakonian empire was born.

In an outrageous act of betrayal, Olivia betrayed the defensive plans of Petragia; and in a surprising move, Rome regained the island fortress. In an unguarded moment, Olivia betrayed herself by secretly boasting of her complicity in the defeat to friends. When she realized that she, herself, might be betrayed, she bought passage on a cargo ship. It was her belief that she would be richly rewarded by her uncle (Emperor Marius) for proving her loyalty to Rome in the return of Petragia. However, the captain of the cargo ship reported her intentions to the Stazzi, and as she was boarding the ship in the dead of night, she was arrested and brought before Drakonus.

Under severe torture, Olivia out of pure spite, revealed that many of the wives of the nobility had supported her efforts in aiding Roman forces. The infuriated Drakonus ordered the death of Olivia as well as all the wives of the nobility. Hundreds of women were executed in the cruelest manner, and shortly after, Drakonus ordered that no woman should ever be placed in a position of betraying the empire again. As a result, all women were stripped of all rights and privileges, forbidden the wearing of clothing and forced into sexual slavery and servitude. The horribly mutilated body of Olivia was returned to Rome on a cargo ship.

Azrael’s Commentary - Trajenium

[...] Trajenium was the imperial home of the Emperor. It was first chosen to be the capital by the father of the empire: Maximus Drakonus. The Emperor’s palace was a massive fortress made of black marble which was situated in the center of a 500 acre parkland. Trajenium was both a busy naval port and shipping center. Not only was Trajenium the home port to a large submarine fleet, but it was also the home base to one of the largest air force posts in the world.

The city itself was well planned and possessed broad avenues and streets for the single most purpose of moving military equipment and men from one part of the city to the next. In the early days of Trajenium, during the terrible reign of Maximus Drakonus, the city was surrounded by a vast stone wall made of black basalt. But by the time of Kronus, this wall had been dismantled to allow the city to enlarge its borders. [...]

Notes/References:

[*] “In the year 738 of the Drakonian calendar, Maximillius Drakonus was crowned the 42nd Emperor at the age of twenty-five.” (AZC — Maximillius Drakonus)

Now the Emperor spoke to Kronus, saying: “Know you not, Kronus, how the place and status of women was determined from the beginning?

For in the founding of the empire did Maximus Drakonus, First Lord and Emperor of all this realm, did himself strip the woman Olivia; and because of her betrayal was every woman made to live poor and wretched lives;

Being stripped of name and place, being in their flesh both cut and branded as though they were cattle which we did breed through rape and plunder; being made to walk about in constant shame and fear, being themselves naked and unadorned.

How then shall I undo such traditions as the first of mighty Emperors did himself establish through firm command? By what means shall I be advantaged in doing this thing of which you ask?”

3rd Endowment 26:40-43

Maximillius Drakonus

Maxus Drokoni