Peplum

Set against the backdrop of the declining Roman Empire, *Peplum* follows Bravus, a former slave who has risen to become an advisor to the tyrannical Emperor Maximus. Torn between a demanding professional life and a chaotic family situation, Bravus faces a difficult daily struggle. At work, he must constantly manage crises to slow the empire's accelerating decline under Maximus, a leader described as incompetent, disorganized, cruel, capricious, and narcissistic. At home, he contends with his son Caius, who has recently converted to Christianity; his wife Octavia, who does not conform to traditional Roman social norms; and his daughter Lydia, who is sassy and assimilates too quickly into the new order. *Peplum* explores the challenges of avoiding burnout in a society in decline, drawing parallels that may not be coincidental to contemporary issues.