Aratenik was a Romulan who served as Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire some time before the ascension of Dralath. Among the decorations of his offices in the Central Court was a display of weapons. He was assasinated by an ambitious underling with one of these weapons, so ever since Romulan Security has ensured that the weapons on display were drained of charge and/or had the edges of their blades dulled. (TOS novel: Vulcan's Heart)