The Anarchy (The Romans Abide)

The Anarchy is a historical term used to describe a period of political instability and civil war within the Roman Empire in the aftermath of the assassination of Emperor Germanicus (also known as Caligula).

Following the princeps murder on January 24, 794, by conspirators composed primarily of Roman Noblemen and Senators, Consul Sentius Saturninus assumed the position of head of state in the capital, guiding the senate to power on the back of a military comprised of both Auxiliaries and Praetorian Guardsmen.

However, few generals/proconsuls/governors accepted the senates usurpation of power in the imperial capital, and in lieu of a clear successor to the principate, some began to push their claim; weather it was artificial or not. These pretenders were;
 * Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus - Son of Caligula's brother-in-law Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus;
 * Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo - Caligula's brother-in-law through the emperor's marriage to Corbulo's half-sister Milonia Caesonia;
 * Aulus Plautius - Distant relative to Caligula's first wife Plautia Urgulanilla and military governor of the province of Pannonia;
 * Publius Petronius - Caligula's appointed governor of Syria, and husband of Aulus Plautius' sister, Plauta Plautius.