On January 29th, Romans inducted Ulysses Nardo as Legate, marking a new era for the army. Let us take a look at what led to his return and what he has planned for the future.
Designed by Dino
Founded in October 2006 by Explorer7777, the Romans of Club Penguin have long been among the community’s oldest armies. They are most famously known for their imperialistic foreign policy and internal hierarchy. Though with early setbacks, the army was soon reunited by Djgtjvgyhxgy in 2007 and persisted through various iterations and revivals over the years.
A recent romans event
They officially returned in June 2025 after a multi-year hiatus following their 2020 shutdown. Upon their revival alongside Djgtjvgyhxgy, Zaidmai, Smurf & Ulysses Nardo, who all joined as leaders. However, following internal conflict, Nardo left and spent time in the Water Vikings, serving in the High Command. Nardo has a long history of dominance in the community, being inducted as a Small/Medium legend in 2017. Throughout 2018, Nardo led and subsequently served as an advisor for the army, demonstrating his loyalty to the army throughout 2020. Assisting the army with both Monstah and Bull Hour as they took the mantle as co-owners. On January 29, advisor Smurf officially announced Nardo’s return to the army, joining as the position of legate. Now leading with Znation and Csani, the army dawns upon a new era.
Smurf announces Nardo’s return to leadership
Club Penguin Armies reached out to Ulysses Nardo for an exclusive interview about the future of Romans.
What are your short-term and long-term goals for the future?
In the short term, I aim to strengthen staff motivation and performance by clarifying expectations and fostering a sense of ownership in our work. I also want to optimize event coordination to build more enthusiasm and draw more participants, while designing experiences that are fun and interactive for all. Long term, my goal is to guide Romans to its rightful place among the major armies by establishing a culture of excellence and collaboration that endures beyond any individual leadership term.
Have there been any challenges so far in leading Romans, and how have you handled them?
So far, it’s been smooth sailing. Of course, I make it a point to stay attentive to any issues or concerns that arise and to take them seriously (something I’ve learned is crucial from past experience in armies where that wasn’t always the case) but overall, things have been running well
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
I want Romans to leave a mark as a progressive, forward-looking army, one that challenges the status quo rather than settling for the familiar. I hope to see it reach new heights, not just in size or achievements, but in the quality of engagement and experience it offers its members. I want participation to feel genuinely fun and immersive, creating an environment that stands apart from armies that came before it. Equally important, I want Romans to be a place where every voice is valued, where ideas and concerns are carefully considered even when their merit isn’t immediately clear. The legacy I aim to leave is an army that reflects both the progress I’ve championed and the people who make it possible.
What do you think needs to be changed or improved so Romans can last?
I think one area that needs improvement is how decisions are sometimes guided more by what looks legitimate or familiar than by what actually produces the best outcomes. Armies can drift into prioritizing tradition, pedigree, or symbolic continuity over functional effectiveness, and when that happens, good judgement gets conflated with titles or past roles instead of insight. That approach narrows the pool of voices involved, reinforces existing blind spots, and makes it harder to adapt when circumstances change. Shifting toward decisions that are more clearly grounded in purpose and evidence, rather than optics or inherited norms, will strengthen both effectiveness and trust in the long term.
Undoubtedly, Ulysses and his team are willing to put in the effort to improve the Roman army and make a lasting impression on the community. How long do you think this will last? Do you think they will reach Major status?
Lucifer
Senior Reporter
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Writer, 3IC for Help Force, Zesty Club Penguin Addict, Father, Gym Freak.