Final answer:
The historical context involves strategy and conflict between Gauls and Rome, including Maternus's cunning plans against Commodus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a historical situation wherein Maternus, a figure associated with Gaul, tried to employ strategy to defeat Rome during the rule of Commodus. From the provided texts, there is a depiction of various attempts and tactics used to resist or overcome Roman power, including Maternus’s plan to use guile and cunning during a festival celebrating the Magna Mater. However, there is no specific mention of Maternus's father or a clear context from the references to craft a definitive answer to the question as it is phrased. The historical context does suggest ambitious and sometimes deceitful strategies used among the Romans and their enemies, such as the Gauls.
Historical accounts, such as the capture and burning of Rome by the Gauls and their eventual defeat by Camillus, highlight the ongoing struggles and conflicts between Rome and the Gaulish tribes. The complexities of warfare during ancient times included psychological warfare, subterfuge, and the incorporation of conquered peoples into the Roman state, demonstrating the intricacies of Roman military and political strategy.