The Inspiration Behind the World in Gemini: Alhena

Ever since sixth grade, I knew I wanted to publish a fantasy novel. Of course, now that I am older, I am finally realizing just how much work goes into writing a fantasy novel. The world-building itself is a project on its own. Then, you have the plot and the characters and the settings and-and-and.

It’s a lot.

Which is why a huge part of it comes down to inspiration. Without any inspiration, I probably would have quit writing before I even began! Everyone is inspired by something, and there are many things that have inspired me as I write Gemini: Alhena. One of them being the Roman imperial family from the early Roman empire days. In case you don’t know, I am a huge ancient history geek (and yes, I did read the Percy Jackson series). I love learning about ancient history so much that I got my bachelor’s in Ancient and Early Modern History and Politics. Which is how I came across the Roman imperial families, where blood means nothing except the blood that is being spilled. We have a son trying to kill his mother, a brother successfully killing his brother, an uncle who was probably in on the poisoning of his nephew, and so many other cases of infighting, in-killing, and inbreeding.

One particular family drama that drew my attention was the drama surrounding Emperor Caligula’s family. Specifically, his parents. To catch you up, Emperor Caligula is the one who was known to be mad and inclined to very bizarre behavior. You might also know him as the guy who declared war on the sea and even took his army to the shore to “fight” and collect “spoils of war.” Though historians generally agree that particular tale is most likely embellished and exaggerated, it is a good example of just how crazy Emperor Caligula was considered to be.

Despite Emperor Caligula’s reputation, his parents (Germanicus Caesar and Agrippina the Elder) were actually very well-loved in Rome during their lifetimes. They were basically Rome’s power couple, which made them a threat to Emperor Tiberius’ rule. With Emperor Augustus being deified after his death, any member of his family can claim to have “divine blood.” Except, that is, his stepsons (Emperor Tiberius and Drusus) who were the children of his wife, Livia Augusta, from a previous marriage. Agrippina the Elder, however, was the daughter of Julia the Elder, daughter of Emperor Augustus from a previous marriage. As for Germanicus Caesar, while he was the son of Drusus, he was also the son of Antonia the Younger who was the daughter of Octavia Minor, the sister of Emperor Augustus. Both Agrippina the Elder and Germanicus Caesar could (and have in Agrippina’s case) claim to have “divine blood,” making them powerful political figures in Rome. So much so, in fact, that Emperor Tiberius had Germanicus stationed in the East to keep him from creating any powerful alliances in Rome.

While in the East, Germanicus had a dispute with a governor of the province of Syria. When Germanicus’ health began to decline, he claimed to be poisoned by the Syrian governor. His premature death remains a historical mystery to this day since no one really knows for sure if he was poisoned or simply contracted a disease. Either way, Germanicus Julius Caesar, Rome’s most beloved general and successor to Emperor Tiberius, died leaving behind his wife, Agrippina the Elder, and their six children.

Agrippina the Elder moved back to Rome with her children after burying her husband where she famously clashed with Emperor Tiberius, most likely suspecting him of being in on the poisoning of her husband. This was a popular theory among the Romans at the time who were still bloodthirsty for justice for the death of Germanicus. Eventually, a political faction began to form with the intention of placing one of the sons of Agrippina the Elder on the throne. This political party became known as Partes Agrippinae, perhaps one of the first and probably only Roman political party named after a woman.

Things came to a head, however, when Emperor Tiberius charged Agrippina and two of her three sons with treason and had them exiled from Rome. It was during their exile that all three died at different times. Only Caligula and his three sisters remained of their family.

The drama and political intrigue surrounding this family inspired the royal family drama that we will see in Gemini: Alhena. But, is it power and ego that sets the stage for our royal family drama? Or is it something darker? Find out in Gemini: Alhena coming this winter!