Greco-Roman atmosphere with TL 3 possible?

[Astromancer]

Even where Medieval Europe was clearly technologically advanced on the Roman Empire, poorer organisation and less stable societies created a very different mood. Just look at Roman villas in isolated areas of the Empire. The building are open and meant for pleasure. These building weren't for people who were afraid for their safety.

In Medieval Europe, even townhouses were built to withstand attack. People lacked security.

Merchants who traveled merely to other places within one kingdom took risks that Romans traveling from one end of the Empire to the other could safely ignore. From the time Caesar cleared the Mediterranean of pirates until the fall of Western Rome was the longest period the Mediterranean has been without pirate period. It will be centuries before we beat Rome's record.

The whole mood and way of life was different between the Middle Ages and the height of Roman power.

[AlexanderHowl]

One thing to remember though is that Europe was wealthier during the High Medieval Period than during the Roman Era. It possessed higher populations, better industry, better agriculture, etc. Areas in Eastern and Northern Europe that were TL1 during the Roman Era went from TL1 to TL3 in just a few hundred years.

[DanHoward]

Rome had more aspects of TL3 than not (some aspects were TL4 or even TL5) so there isn't much you really have to change.

[David Johnston2]

Atmospheric elements:

1. City states with Republican governmental forms as well ones with kings and aristocratic oligarchies.

2. Gladiatorial arenas.

3. Slave markets.

4. Polytheistic religion

4. Crested helmets for soldiers.

5. Philosophers

6. Nobles who have titles like "archon" or just "lord" instead of barons and dukes.

7. A big empire to the east.

[The Colonel]

Isn't this basically the setting for most of the Conan stories?

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by The Colonel

Isn't this basically the setting for most of the Conan stories?

Pretty much. Which makes it best in life.

[Dalillama]

Originally Posted by Michele

You have lots of very good answers and suggestions already, but I'd add: emphasis on city-state politics. Have them as a tangle of competing powers, including not just the old noble families but also the merchant upstarts. Have complex laws for regulating the competition through elections, favor networks, politically motivated trials etc.

And accreted shells of custom that aren't law, but might as well be for most purposes

[Astromancer]

I'll need to post a link later when I'm not on a cell phone but remember Cataphracts. Cataphracts were Roman heavy cavalry. They weren't really much like knights even if they wore full armor, used lances, and their horses used heavy barding.

Roman armies were more disciplined and professional than any subsequent European armies before the Early Modern period. This made attacking them with pre-gunpowder cavalries very hard. Also the available horses weren't anywhere as large and strong as medieval warhorses. This greatly slowed Cataphracts in battle.

This cataphracts were scouts and had several other RPG freindly roles that make them great for RPGers. They were more likely to be mercenaries that traveled from employer to employer. A seriously useful trait for a PC group. They were known to be superstitious and had reputations for witchcraft. That tidbit makes cataphracts great for playing con artist slash rogues or apprentice mages looking for employment. After all, an apprentice who is also a mounted warrior is more useful.

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Astromancer

I'll need to post a link later when I'm not on a cell phone but remember Cataphracts. Cataphracts were Roman heavy cavalry. They weren't really much like knights even if they wore full armor, used lances, and their horses used heavy barding.

Some cataphracts were exactly like medieval knights. When the Parthians took over the Persian Nesaean stud for their heavy cavalry, they also reorganised their nobility "feudal-style" so that it had the wealth, land, and training time required for supplying these units. By the time the Parthians started breeding them, the Nesaean horse was actually bigger than the horses that were typically used by Medieval knights. The largest ones were around 16 hands tall. It was well-built, with a heavy chest, barrel, and haunches. Selective breeding meant that it still retained a degree of speed and agility, while careful diet and training improved endurance.

[Proteus]

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

"Doge" might have the same roots as "Duke" but would sound unfamiliar to players.

The original is dux, much like rex for "king."

And, of course, you'll have an imperator ruling over an imperium, rather than an emperor overseeing an empire.