I prefer the version of this that came a bit later, when you had multiple people claiming to be Pope. And of course, the first official act of each Pope was to excommunicate the other Popes.
Honestly, it would be amazing if that happened again in the modern age. Imagine if, when Pope Francis kicks the bucket, there’s like three guys running around Italy, each wearing the Pope hat and claiming to be the real Pope. Especially in this day and age when the Pope has so little actual power, it would be downright hilarious.
POPE FIGHT!!!
Add another dude in France running around in a pope hat and claiming that he is, in fact, the real pope.
Everyone excommunicating each other, of course.
“I am Spartacus!” , but with generals instead of slaves and the emperor instead of Spartacus.
People. What a bunch of bastards.
My favorite part is when Septimius Severus and his rivals just butcher some eight legions worth of experienced troops because they wanted to rumble over the imperial title. Good going, makes the empire very secure
Meanwhile at the headquarters of the praetorian cohort:
Good news everyone! The emperor is dead, let’s prepare an auction!
