Postumus: Call of the West v2

As some of you may know, my first timeline about Postumus has ended. This is because I was not happy with the style of writing I was going with, and I recently discovered more about the man, whose full name is M. Cassianus Latinius Postumus. I all of my naivete, I only used online sources for writing the TL.

Now, I’ve consulted the Historia Augusta and other primary sources that have given me much more insight into Postumus’s life (including his age and birth year). I decided that in order to give this lesser-known hero some justice, I would re-start my TL, but this time with an earlier start date, maps, and pictures.

I’m also standing by my schedule this time. Expect an update every 3 days. Without any further adieu, here is Postumus: Call of the West v2!

268 A.D, The City of Mediolanum

M. Cassianus Latinius Postumus was a humble man. He insisted on not properly invading Italy and taking Rome for himself. No, the west called to him, the west was his concern. However, when a situation presents itself, Postumus understood that it must be taken. In the year 268 A.D, Postumus accepted the pleas of the General Aureolus for joining the Empire of Gaul. It was promptly occupied by Postumus’s army. Fearing for the safety of Rome itself, Gallienus sat down with the two leaders to discuss the future of all parties involved.

That’s why we now see the Emperor of the Gauls, Postumus, General of Mediolanum, Aureolus, and the Roman Emperor himself, Gallienus. Despite the prestige that came with the title, Gallienus was not in a good position to argue or make serious demands. Battle ready Gallic legions were on Italia’s doorstep, ready to make a strike for Rome. Ironically, the man who would save Rome for Gallienus was Postumus.

“I’ve never wanted us to be enemies, Gallienus,” Postumus said, “I want you to realize that.”

“What do you want from me?” Gallienus said dryly.

“What do I want?” Postumus asked, “It’s what we all want. Peace between our Empires.”

“And what does this “peace” entail for us?”

“It means an immediate changing of rule. I have no wish for Mediolanum or the surrounding lands.”

Gallienus looked at him, shocked by the sudden gift. General Aureolus was shocked even more so- he risked certain death for coming out for Postumus, and this is how he gets repaid?

Postumus continued by saying “We cannot be fighting each other. We are the last two bastions of civilisation in this world.”

Aureolus interjected. “What of Odaenathus in the east?”

Gallienus laughed. “That Arab? He styles himself as a King of Kings- I doubt that he will forever stay loyal.”

“Exactly! Postumus said, “And that is exactly why we cannot be at each other’s throats.”

“So, what is are your terms for the ceasefire?” Gallienus said.

“You retain Mediolanum and its hinterland. Aureolus comes with me, and my army can make free passage back to Gaul. Our two realms do not wage war against each other, but rather on barbarians.”

“If those are your demands,” stated Gallienus, “then I will accept. Good luck against the enemies of Rome.”

“As to you.”

And with that, we see the mightiest powers in the west stop fighting each other and entering a state of peace. Postumus, Aureolus, and the Gallic army return home.

Meanwhile, Gallienus makes the journey back to Rome. He is happy at the ceasefire and Posthumus’s sudden generosity, but fears that it may just be a front for a more sinister plan. Alas, he cannot worry about it now- the Roman Empire needed time to recover.



The Roman world in 265. The Gallic Empire is in Green, The Roman Empire in Red, Kingdom of Palmyra in yellow (Ruled in the name of Rome, of course), Germanic tribes in blue, and the Sassanid Empire in pink.

268 A.D

Postumus and his legions were marching back to Colonia Agrippina to report the news back to the Gallic senate. The army was not too pleased with the outcome of the ceasefire, having hoped to plunder and sack cities. But the army would deal with this- at least they were going to be fighting barbarians instead of their fellow Romans.

At this time, the Gallic Empire was arguably the strongest in the west- the economy was strong, with the coins issued by Postumus being of superior quality and value to that in Rome. Gallic coffers were also well supplied, with silver mines in Hispania regularly producing more raw materials for the Empire. Lastly, it was very, very well protected. Threats from inward would never come to fruition, as Postumus was loved, respected, and admired by the people, save from a chosen few.


A coin minted by Postumus. It was well-made and had a good value.




Gallic culture was very much "Roman" in that the cities were of Roman design, and included aqueducts, baths, theaters, and all the necessities of Roman life.
The inhabitants of the Empire all considered themselves Romans, much to the chagrin of the Citizens of the Roman Empire proper, ruled from the city of Rome itself. These people referred to inhabitants of the Gallic Empire as "Gallo-Romans" or, in more extreme circles, just "Gauls."


Economy wise, the Gallic Empire was doing well. The only point of contention within it was with how money was used in foreign policy. Marauding barbarians were often paid off, and on certain occasions barbarian peasants were brought into areas previously raided in an effort to bring farmland back into the economy.


The army of the Gallic Empire trained, practiced, and fought in the style of a Roman Legion. At this time, it was mainly a defensive force, utilizing the strategy of "Defense in Depth" which meant the usage of a highly mobile army that is concentrated behind the frontier, able to reinforce areas that come under attack. The soldiers themselves preferred to be on the defensive anyway, with the Senate, the people, and Postumus himself considering that protecting the heartland of the Empire the first priority. Offensives would have to be very well calculated affairs designed to take minimal casualties.

11 Legions were present in the Gallic Empire in 268 A.D. (Legions represented as black dots)

268 A.D

Gallienus on horseback


The Roman Empire has seen better days, but things were not terrible- the borders were being secured, the mint was relatively stable and the economy was certainly going well enough.

Gallienus was focused on rebuilding the Roman Empire from within, soon going to work on changing laws, taxes, and whatever needed to be done in order to account for the loss of the western provinces. The two Empires still traded freely, but Rome saw a huge decline of tax revenue. In addition, Gallienus lost a great amount of Imperial prestige for his ceasefire with Postumus.

Despite the practicality of the peace, it shows a sign of weakness to the Roman aristocracy. However, it does not concern Gallienus- the people still see him as a keen defender of Rome.

On his return to Rome, he is hailed by the people as a “The Great Peacemaker.” He would be commonly referred to as "Gallienus Pacificator" for his actions. With his western front secured, he could now address reforms of the economy, taxes, and military. No military invasions were planned- the defense and well-being of the Empire took priority. Barbarians still prowled the borders of the Empire, which would soon feel the full force of the "Great Migration" of the Steppe peoples from central Asia. The Romans did not know it now, but this was the relative calm before the storm.

The culture of Rome has remained similar to what it was in years past. In the city of Rome, games were held in the name of the Emperor, art and music flourished, and to the Romans, things were good.

However, a heavy veil of fear subtlety surrounds the populace- the borders have been secured, but the fact that so many invasions by foreign barbarians and rebellions by other Romans gave the Roman populace a reason to fear the future- but there was hope in the darkness of the future with Gallienus at the helm of the Empire.

A Roman musical group.



Roman Legions in 268 A.D

Update

Hello readers! I'm just letting you know that I'm going to be posting an update on Thursday the 25th covering the Kingdom of Palmyra.

Afterwards, I'm making a sizable update that may or may not include a war

This might take me off schedule a little bit, because I'm also going and editing the past posts a little bit. No more huge images!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question.

Palmyra

268 A.D

Palmyra, named so because of the multitude of palm trees, was prospering in all sense of the word. Odaenathus had made a very formidable Kingdom for himself, continually waging successful invasions of the Sassanid Empire, reaching their capital of Ctesiphon not once, but twice. These military escapades gave Palmyrene traders and merchants free rule in the gulf of Persia, which has been instrumental in the Palmyrene economy.

Odeanathus’s success has not only been in Persia, however. In 268 he routed marauding Goths in Cappadocia, gaining the love and respect of the people there. As time went on, tales of his exploits circulated amongst the people of the east, seeing him as the true defender of Rome, as opposed to Gallienus, who has been unseen in the east.

Queen Zenobia of Palmyra


Palmyrene culture is a heavy mixture of Roman and local eastern cultures. This cultural blend effects the Kingdom as a whole, with Semitic language being more publicly available and usable. Like the Gallic Empire, there is no overwhelming authority to be “Roman” in every sense of the word. Also like the Gallic Empire, the effective release from the Roman Empire means that local cultures can take up supreme residence. The court of Palmyra is filled with natives to the area, and its citizens make up the army.

The Palmyrene army has been heavily subject to change over the years of its defacto independence from Rome. This has lead to a “synergy” of Roman strategy and tactics and a more eastern army core. Like many eastern nations, that core would be cavalry- heavily armored cavalry referred to as “Cataphracts.” They are heavily armored and always ready to go toe to toe with any other cavalry, whether it be Sassanid or Roman.

Palmyrene cataphract



His Imperial ambitions are currently unknown. However, he has complete power in the near east and no one, not even the Sassanid Empire, would want to meet him in battle. Odaenathus is the King of Kings, and the east is his.

268 A.D

Ever since the death of Khosrov II of Armenia, Armenia in its entirety was controlled by Sassanid Persia. No longer would things be this way. Tired of constantly being controlled by non-Armenians, the people has risen up against their Sassanid conquerors, demanding that Armenia be for the Armenians.

However, they cannot do it alone- revolts, even large scale ones, cannot dissuade Sassanid persia. Help would have to come, whether from Rome or from Palmyra.

However, both nations are indisposed. In the west, Gallienus and his top general, Valerius Claudius, have been fighting the Goths, the likes of which who began an invasion of Greece and Thrace. The invasion is one of the largest in recent Roman history, with an initial series of raids with 500 ships from the Heruli, only to explode into an invasion of thousands of ships also led by the Heruli, although supplemented by Goths, Gepids, and Peucini.

The second invasion force numbers in not in thousands, but hundreds of Thousands.

Barbarian Cavalry


At the same time, Odaenathus, fresh off of his victories in Cappadocia, uses his new found prestige to draw soldiers from other eastern provinces and promptly annexes the former Roman territory of Nabatea, a land once controlled by the Emperor Trajan. Odaenathus, as the “Reformer of the Whole east” is easily able to draw supplies and manpower from other regions there- the only person higher up than him is Gallienus himself. With Odaenathus having so much power, none challenge him or speak up. That is, except for his wife, Zenobia. Immediately after hearing of the Armenian revolts, orders the mobilization of an invasion force. Most of the Palmyrene army is with Odaenathus in Nabatea, but it does not concern her- what concerns her is the safety and well-being of Palmyra.

The east on June 10th, 268 A.D. Black lines represent areas raided by barbarians, purple dots are Armenian Rebellions.



It was certainly in Roman interests to assist the Armenians, but interests at the time were in different. Help would have to come later. Shapur II is certainly not going to let a “rabble of dirty peasants” as he would call it ruin his territorial gains in Armenia. He gathers host of 5,000 Sassanid cataphracts and heads off to quickly put down the revolt.

A Sassanid Cataphract



Meanwhile, Postumus and the Gallic Empire as a whole enjoy a needed time of peace and security. It was in this year that Postumus married a Briton-Roman noblewoman named Apirka Lutatia Flacilla. They are married June 10th, 268.

The only military action taken by Postumus is the re-fortification of a Roman military base on an island to the west of Britannia, an island named Hibernia. Long ago, the famed Emperor Marcus Aurelius maintained a fortification there, only to be abandoned under Commodus, his heir. To demonstrate the Gallic Empire’s presence, it is refortified and governed by Aureolus, a new addition to the Gallic army from the Roman one.

The western world on June 10th, 268 A.D

Update

Shameless self-bump.

Update will be coming on 10/6/2014

ByzantineMan said:

Shameless self-bump.

Update will be coming on 10/6/2014

Click to expand...

Updates in the past? Whatever next?

I kid but perhaps you could put 6/Oct/2014 for us Europeans who use Day-Month-Year dates...