Aurelius Mattheus Fortis was born on September 20, 63 B.C. in Rome Italy. His father was Gaius Aurelius Fortis, a powerful Roman Senator. His mother was Aurora. Mattheus was an only child. Mattheus had an enjoyable childhood, and in his adolescence, he would sit in on Senate meetings and watch his father debate tirelessly with the other Senators. His father prepared him to eventually take his place as a Senator. A few days after Mattheus turned 20 years old, his father died, and he immediately took his father's place in the Senate. Within just two years time, he rose to prominence and soon became close friends with the Emperor, who eventually named him successor. At 27, Mattheus became the new Emperor of an ever-growing Roman Empire.