History: Scollio was originally a soldier in a distant outpost of the emperor Caligula. Caligula sent them to investigate a falling star in Africa, which turned out to be a crashed starship. All other members of his troop were instantly slain by energy released from the ship's single occupant. Scollio, however, had hidden and ambushed the alien, killing it with a swift jab of his sword. Realizing he had discovered a weapon which could give him dominion over the Roman Empire itself, Scollio donned the alien's robes and amulet. When he tried on the helmet, his mind was set afire with images and thoughts beyond human comprehension. It is unknown whether he was rendered insensate for hours, days, centuries, or even milennia. When he recovered, he used his new power to raise a tower as his kingdom. He captured and controlled the natives of a nearby tribe to serve as his subjects, then recreated a new Rome. He took a new name Gaius Tiberius Augustus Agrippa from the three greatest emperors of Rome, as well as its greatest general.

When the race of Inhumans moved their city of Attilan to the moon, the energy used in the moving drew the attention of the government organization SHIELD I. In following the movement of the energy blip, they encountered an even more powerful source of energy, Scollio and his armor, on the border of Wakanda. Not having any authority in the African nation, SHIELD leader Nick Fury requested that the Fantastic Four investigate the energy source. The Fantastic Four, along with Frankie Raye, at that time known as the Human Torch III, traveled to Wakanda where they were joined by an undercover T'Challa, the Black Panther, in investigating the Black Tower.

The Fantastic Four allowed Scollio's soldiers to capture them and bring them to the Tower, confident that they could escape after they had learned what they needed. However, Scollio quickly stripped them of their powers and rendered them unconscious. He explained his origins to Sue Richards, the Invisible Girl, as well as his plans to make her his bride. When she refused he caused Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm to face each other in his gladiatorial arena in a fight to the death unless she would submit to him. Believing his helmet to be the source of his power, she tore it from his head, only to have him collapse, an empty suit of armor after the energy escaped from it.

All of Scollio's changes fell apart with his destruction. His subjects rapidly aged and died, the Fantastic Four regained their powers and wills, and the entire city of New Rome and everything in it was destroyed in a powerful explosion.

Comments: Created by John Byrne.

Scollio only called himself the Emperor of New Rome. He should probably be under Gaius Tiberius Augustus Agrippa, but it seemed too unwieldy. The Emperor seemed appropriate and easier to work with.

It seems possible that Scollio's armor and helmet were not destroyed in the blast, and that they could be worn by another. It also seems possible that his mind or spirit could have imprinted on them to allow him to control whoever donned the armor. Or not.

images: (without ads)

Last updated: 08/02/02

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Back to Characters