I am Marcvs Clavdivs Falx, centurion of the Legion, gladiator, and a former pontifex to Mars.

 

I · TARRACO

I was born in DCCCLXXI in Tarraco to a patrician family, a branch of Gens Claudia. I was named after Marcus Claudius Marcellus, a famous Consul and General of a cousin branch of our clan. My family descends from Appius Claudius Centho, who was praetor of Hispania Citerior more than three hundred years ago. My ambitious grandfather Publius Claudius Furius wanted me to become a praetor too, or some other high rank in the Empire, but I preferred the life of adventures and fun instead of the politics, and company of real men from the plebs instead of the tight formal etiquette my snobbish grandfather was imposing, so I went away to seek my own life.

II · BARCINO

Barcino, a smaller town on the noth of the Capital Tarraco, was my home for a while, before I followed my call for adventure. I love it very much and still consider it my hometown, although I was not born there. My father, Caius Claudius Fuscus, also running away from his imperative father, established himself in Barcino and joined the local outlaws, as did my brother Drusus Claudius Falx (Drusus and I share the Falx cognomen; we were nicknamed for a weapon typical in our homeland). 
They fight for making the northeastern part of Hispania Tarraconensis a province on its own within the Empire, and not only a mere region.  I could have joined them too in their cause, but I prefered to see the world, so I left Barcino as well.

III · PROVINCIAE

I have travelled all around the Empire, visited fascinating cities and landscapes, learned other dialects, had many adventures, met many interesting people and befriended and loved many men. I tranisted Hispania, Lusitania, Gallia, Britannia, Rhaetia, Noricum, Pannonia, Illyricum, Achaea, Thracia, and travelled even beyond the Limes, into Germania and the barbaric and cold (but so fascinating!) lands of the far North. On one of my travels beyond the Limes, into Parthia, I even met warriors from the far East, men from a mysterious archipelago of Wa, beyond the great Han Empire, where the Sun rises. I learned a lot from them and I still keep the swords ('katanas') they gave me as gift as one of my most precious treasures.
Finally I arrived to Italia and after a short period of wandering around its northern regions, I decided to stay in the Capital.

IV · ROMANVM

My final destination is the Capital of the Empire of Romanum, where I met amazing men and found the best place to stay. I have rented a small appartment for a start, in the insulae behind the Temple of Jupiter. It was small, but I did not need more at that time. Besides, I still preferred the life of plebs than resuming the patrician lifestile I ran away from. Maybe someday when I am older I will need more comfort and maybe I'll have a luxurious villa of my own (as my posh grandfather would like me to), who knows. Also, while I was training in martial arts, I preferred to save my earnings for weapons and equipment, and not waste them on useless furniture or superfluous decorations. After all, frugality is a virtue.

V · GLADIATORES

I love the good bonds between men here, and always enjoy a good fight, so I joined the Gladiators of Romanum as an auctoratus - a free citizen who fights for the fun of it (unlike the slave gladiators who fight for their master or the prisoners who are forced to fight). Since there was no official Ludus in Romanum when I arrived, I was coached by some of the finest warriors privately. With time, I progressed, and I even won a championship and was honoured to win the title of Champion of Romanum and wear it for eight months.

VI · LEGIO

I joined the Romanum Legion as well, not many months after my arrival to the City. Legion trainings are both instructive and fun. Besides improving our martial skills, we enjoy the good camaraderie and great friendships arise from the complicity on the battlefields. The Legion protects the Empire and ensures the Pax Romana, our most precious achievement. We successfully imprisoned (and duefully punished) all the Egyptian rebels who were threatening it. We also reconquered the Prison when the Outlaws took it from our control, freed the kidnapped Senators, etc. We constantly keep patrol and guard in the City and recently we started to train men from faraway Provinces. 

VII · TEMPLUM MARTIS

Mars has called me into service far before I thought I was ready. I would have expected to first become a better warrior, but He saw the devotion in me and inspired His Holiness the Pontifex Maximus to bestow upon me the honour and the duties of Flamen Martialis. My first ceremony was the Armilustrium, the purification of weapons. I did my best to be a good servant to Mars and convey His will to keep the best martial ethics and high morals of our troops.
In order to build a home for Mars I went to the best University of Architecture and Crafts in the known world, and after a due time I have finished the Temple. Building is a passion and an addiction.

VIII · FAMILIAE

I have often been asked to join some of the other great Houses of Romanvm. I was grateful for each and every one of the invitations but I had to decline because Gens Claudia is my place with my brother and whatever cousins we may have.
Also, I am too young to have grown up kids and I am too old to need a father.
Besides, I don't have paternal instincts. I prefer brotherhoods of equal men, like soldiers, sailors or gladiators, bromances and fellowship, friendships of equals, brothers in arms.

 
On the other hand, and as I've mentioned already above, I escaped the overwhelming control and ambitions of my grandfather already, so I do like and cherish my freedom. I won't run into the authority of another patriarch.
And, after all, in spite of who and what my family are (including the Claudii Nerones, the branch of our clan who gave a couple of nasty emperors a hundred years ago), I am still a Claudius and I can't and won't change that.