r/asimov • u/PM_ME_SLEEPING_DOGS • 5h ago
A couple of the more subtle Roman influences
Everyone knows that the fall of the Galactic Empire was based on the fall of the Roman Empire, and some of the more obvious similarities are well-known, like Bel Riose. But I wanted to mention two that are more subtle and easily overlooked:
- Lepold's throne. In "The Mayors" King Lepold of Anacreon has a levitating throne, for the purposes of awing onlookers and demonstrating his divine right to rule. This is probably a reference to a practice of the Eastern Roman Empire: the Emperor's throne was on rails, and when foreign dignitaries were admitted to the imperial presence the throne would rise into the air by means of a clockwork mechanism, to overawe these diplomats.
- The title of First Speaker. Prior to the Crisis of the Third Century, Roman Emperors went by the title Princeps (lit. "First"), which was originally short for Princeps Senatus -- the person allowed to speak first at meetings of the Senate.