It's definitely a source of inspiration. Rome as it's been presented in modern storytelling is a great example of an imperialist empire collapsing in on itself because of corruption on every front. Because Maxima and Almerac is so rooted in barbarism and sex, but is also a highly advanced civilization that has conquered many before it, they fit the mold best without breaking it. Obviously it's not one-to-one, I don't think Almerac is in decline. It's working. I speak of them giving in to decadent behavior but that's more because that's probably how we'd view any civilization that's more open about sex and using it openly to advance their empire even at the top level (their Queen).
If they're just space Romans like Star Trek, that's boring, but it's a good touchstone to base Almerac on to further develop them. I think the really important thing is to take the parts that enhance Almerac or make it feel unique while ignoring the stuff that would be less interesting (such as Tzigone referring to using those traits as an excuse for why Almerac is failing). If it's on the brink of collapse, frankly, it's just a morality play. It's when that system's actually working that watching a revolution burn it down and rebuild something greater (or possibly screwing everything up forever) is interesting.
If I had my way, the conflict would very much be between Max and her daughter and what to do with Almerac (which as I've noted, I'd morph into an empire seated on the planet Almerac rather than just one planet). Make it complicated and offer lots of positive outcomes that stem from their rule instead of just "look at how corrupt everything is, of course it sucks, bring on democracy!" That's too easy and far too boring to read about. Hell, it's more or less what Orlando did recently. They go to Almerac, reveal it began with a lesbian relationship and suddenly everyone's cool and going to vote blue. They changed that entire planet in one or two issues. What? It's what KSD did over in Aquaman (and I love her run), she made Atlantis a democracy because who doesn't want a government that has to answer to its people? Look, I believe entirely in democracy, but it's kind of reductive to look at an infinite expanse of space and think that our culture is the best and only one. That our impulses are the only right way to look at it. That we have the only way that works. Colu is interesting because they're a computer planet and specifically
do not operate as we do.
I like that there are some fantasy cultures that are monarchies and run benevolently just like I enjoy seeing awful ones overthrown. Be additive. Make the universe larger, not smaller. Make Almerac a very complicated place where just turning it into a democracy overnight wouldn't work. If an entire alien civilization can be changed by one retcon to their history then their thousand years of customs and culture meant nothing and therefore the people are vapid drones. It's just not interesting.
Almerac should be a problematic place you want to read more about and hope they can make it better. There's a reason the other touchstone I use is Game of Thrones, a world of mostly awful people but you want to see some of the ones who
can make it better get their shit together and save their world and oh shit season eight. Well never mind.