Servius Magnus Makesinus

Servius Magnus Makesinus (June 1st, 143 - June 18th, 221 AIC) was one of the most important iurists of the Archadian Empire, serving through most of his life as Praefectus Iudiciarii, or the minister for law, under Emperor Optimus Garantius XVII. He is, even to this day, regarded as the creator of the modern Archadian state, and is often cited as the most influential Archadian philosopher.

Early Life

Servius Magnus Makesinus was born the son of a famous general Marcus and Lucia Sempronia Tullia.

Political Career

Under Garantius XVI

In 170 AIC, Servius was appointed as Procurator Iustitiae Archadiae Superior, the High Judge of proconsular province Archadia Superior. Three years later, he was the youngest person ever to be appointed Propraetor Iuris, High Judge of the Empire. Many believed, both at the time and after the fact, that these accomplishments so young were only achieved due to his close relationship with the Emperor Garantius XVI and his son Optimus.

In 174 AIC, Servius tutored Optimus, then 19, teaching him philosophy and law.

In 178 AIC, having served 5 years as Propraetor Iuris, Servius resigned, as was customary. However, to use his experience in Tribunal Iuris, the Emperor appointed him Praefectus Iudiciarii, Emperor's representative for justice. Servius remained in this position until his death, even though his duties changed a lot after the reforms of Emperor Garantius XVII.

Under Garantius XVII

After the ascension of Optimus Garantius XVII to the Winged Lions Throne, Servius Magnus Makesinus was tasked with evaluating the state administration and to propose reform where it was needed. Thus began the monumental work Bonus Status, named after its first sentence, “Bonus status rei publicae suprema lege esto". [A good state of administration must be the highest law.]. In this book, Servius describes the many negatives of the contemporary system and proposed a large reform that would affect almost every part of the Empire. Bonus Status was finished after 6 years of writing, in the year 189 AIC.

Soon after, the Emperor began enacting these reforms, beginning with abolishing the office of Procurator pro Administrando, who was responsible for Imperial administration, and giving his field to Praefectus Iudiciarii, held by Servius Magnus Makesinus. Therefore, Servius was in charge of implementing all his suggested reforms. These reforms were generally well received by the public, combatting nepotism and corruption.

Servius was fond of Princess Basilia. He introduced the princess to his nephew, Gnaeus Magnus Makesinus, and the two were close friends.

In 212 AIC, a plan was devised where Servius would lead an attack on Turiana from the undefended flank whilst a diversionary attack was led from Praxidea. This was not carried out with the emperor preferring to negotiate instead.

In 215 AIC, whilst the province of Lorem Ipsum was in revolt and the Emperor was negotating talks with Turiana, Servius Magnus Makesinus was left in charge of the Empire, planning alliances with Haram and talks with Nosamo.

Imperial Spring, Civil War, and decline

During the Imperial Spring, Servius Magnus Makesinus was effectively in command of the Archadian Empire, with the death of Emperor Optimus Garantius XVII in 216 AIC. He controversially instigated a revolt of the Curia against the Emperor's heir, his nephew Archadius, which saw him stripped of his absolute power. This created a schism between the Imperial and Curial loyalists, leading to a brief civil war in 220 AIC. The war ended in the victory of Curia and the end of House Garantius in its male line, as emperor Archadius Garantius XVIII was executed, which many believe was ordered by Servius Makesinus himself. However, he did not savour this victory for long, as tradition holds that he died later on the same day, apparently punished by gods.

In 221 AIC, Servius Magnus Makesinus, now showing signs of his advanced age, was stripped of hi positions of Archon Supremus and Praefectus Iudiciarii and imprisoned in the palace. Fearing a coup, Familia Makesini fled the city. Two days lady, Legio II, supporting Servius, clashed with Legio I whilst freeing the demoted. The Emperor's brother and heir, Lepidus, was killed during the fighting, whilst the Emperor himself fled. The city soon surrendered to Servius, who had the Emperor arrested and charged with high treason.

Servius grew more weak and ill with every passing day, requiring a doctor constantly by his side. Though some say he had no part in it, he attended the execution of the Emperor, and died 5 hours after the regicide by heart attack. His last words were said to be "Forgive me, Garantius. Forgive me, my friend".

Writings

Servius' first written piece was Iusta Imperia Sunto, writte in 170 AIC, a comparative study of royal and imperial administration which brought him widespread fame and started his career in justice.

In philosophy and law, Makesinus is mostly known for his work Bonus Status Rei Publicae, a philosophical and legal work describing a perfect state. The work served as the basis for Imperial Administration all the way to the fall of the Empire, and is even nowadays cited as the primary source of Archadian law.

Personal Life

Servius Magnus Makesinus married Claudia Verra Antonia in 173 AIC. They had four children: Julia, Lucretia, Quintus, and Gaius. After losing his two daughters to circumstance and otherwise disinheriting his sons, Servius choose Gnaeus Magnus Makesinus to be the heir of Familia Makesini.

Servius likely did not love his wife. He spoke of a happy and stable marriage deriving from "Commitment, self-sacrifice, friendship. If you add love as a bonus, so be it. But love itself? Chaos, ignorance, dark thoughts."