As the deafening roar of the jubilant crowd filled the streets of Rome, Julius Caesar brought his grand victory parade to a close, basking in the glory of thousands cheering his name. Banners fluttered in the summer breeze, golden laurels shimmered in the sun, and rose petals rained down from balconies, showering the triumphant general as he passed. But while the city celebrated, deep within the heart of the Roman Empire—inside the august Senate Castle—a very different scene was unfolding.
Tucked away within the palatial complex, far from the gaze of the jubilant masses, lay an opulent chamber. It was not the main Senate hall, but a grand room all the same—far more extravagant than the others, adorned with towering marble columns, detailed mosaics depicting the triumphs of old emperors, and golden chandeliers that cast a warm glow upon the frescoed ceiling. This room was reserved not for senators, but for an unusual gathering—one that Rome had never seen before.
