The Western Roman empire in 370 AD is in shambles. The East... is less shambled, but is not particularly hot either.

As Emperor of Rome, millions are counting on you to change what seems to them like fate.

How would you save Rome? What would your policies be? And remember the possibility of coup, intrigue, and interference by Eastern Roman leaders.

Depends which emperor you're talking about. Of course, these "what ifs" are easy because of hindsight. The following list is political/military only; I'm in a rush.

If I was Theodesius the Great, make sure Honorius never becomes Emperor.

If I was Honorius, promptly remove myself.

If I was Joannes, accept the validity of Valentinian's claims as emperor and abdicate. Joannes probably would have been a good emperor but the Eastern Empire's winning this one.

The only other key figure is Valentinian, who for a good part of his reign was too young to rule by himself. If I was him, I would have

*Remove my mother from the regency immediately and try to not piss off Boniface
*Tried to keep a close relationship with the Eastern Empire, instead of letting each half go their own way. Keep some sort of military alliance in place.
*Attempt to broker a deal between the Visigoths and the Vandals, assigning them definate parts of Iberia.
*Keep Boniface in North Africa as long as any Germanic group remains a threat; only when everything is peaceful should he be removed.
*Slit Honoria's throat.
*Not murder Aetius.

By the time you get to Petronius Maximus, things are out of control and there's not much you can do. Military assistance from the Eastern Empire is not sufficient to save you; there's nothing much better either. I suppose finding a way to depose (preferably murder) Ricimer would be helpful, though not by much; keeping Aegidius in line would be useful too.

Finally, Julius Nepos should kiss the ass off the Roman Senate in order to gain some support, and keep the hell away from Orestes.

Like I said, these are obvious moves thanks to hindsight.

Would giving the Vandals and Visigoths land satiate their hunger for expansion?

No.

That never works. Not with the british colonists/Americans, not with Hitler, and not with anyone.

This post has been edited by Telum: Dec 30 2005, 04:21 AM

I agree.

I know that giving the Huns and Goths gold only made them more agressive.