After Actium: Two Caesars Are Not Enough
- Thread starter Velasco
- Start date
Chapter XVII: The State of Affairs in the West, 25-23 BC
Whilst Vipsanian warred in the East, his western colleagues Publicola and Crassus were similarly entertained in their respective spheres of influence.
In Spain, Quintus Pedius Publicola sustained continued defeats at the hand of the Astur and Cantabri warriors. Largely due to his incompetence, Roman forts at Petavonium and Segisano were sacked and set afire by the barbarians, who grew bolder with each passing season. He was briefly assisted in his efforts by Crassus Scythicus, Imperator Occidentalis, with whose aid he was able to advance further than before. Their joint campaign saw the conquest of considerable swathes of Cantabrian territory, consolidated by the construction of the stronghold at Aracillum and the construction of a port on the Bay Of Biscay, Portus Victoriae. The campaign stalled after Crassus' departure; though Cantabria was not lost, Publicola remained unable to make any significant inroads into Asturia.
Emperor of the West and Secundus Crassus Scythicus was forced to withdraw with his legions back to Gaul in order to handle a revolt of the Terini and Morini tribes, who were supported by the Suebi, who crossed the Rhine in their support. The revolt was easily put down, after which Crassus set about expanding fortifications along the Rhine and strengthening Roman rule in Gaul. His government was effective, particularly after he divided the province of Gallia Comata ("Long-haired Gaul") into the smaller provinces of Gallia Aquitania, Gallia Lugdunensis, Gallia Belgica and Germania Inferior. Each province was overseen by a legate, who reported directly to Crassus and ruled with the assistance of a concilia, all of which included local notables - many of whom adopted Roman ways. In 24BC he undertook a small-scale invasion of Britain in support of his client-king Tincomarus of the Atrebates, who had been displaced from his throne by a rival contender.
In the absence of Vipsanian, Publicola and Crassus became firm friends and entered into alliance with each other. As things stood, Vipsanian was Princeps, the first of the Republic, with Crassus as his Secundus (second most important in the Republic) and Publicola by default Tertius, though no such title had been given him. The clear hierarchy within the triumvirate broke with the precedent of equality set by the two previous triumvirs and sat ill with the two junior triumvirates, who desired equality in rank with Vipsanian. They celebrated their alliance by exchanging wives: Publicola married Vipsania Polla, Vipsanian's sister, whilst Crassus married Livia Drusilla, Augustus' widow. Publicola's only daughter Livia Valeria was also betrothed to Marcus Licinius Crassus, Crassus' eldest son; after the boy's death later that year she was betrothed to his brother Vipsanius Licinius Crassus. By these marriages the two western triumvirs threatened to create a new Imperial house, in which the Julio-Vipsanians played but a peripheral part.
Vipsanian returned from the East in 24BC, entering Rome in triumph for his victories in Taurica and Parthia. The death of Calpurnia had abated tensions between himself and Caesarion, who had gone forth to receive him in Greece and accompany him back to Rome. Vipsanian learnt from Caesarion of the alliance between Crassus and Publicola, which he immediately perceived as a challenge to his supremacy. Caesarion further ingratiated himself with the Empeor by turning over Vipsanian's young wife, the Empress Julia Caesaris, who had fled to him for security after becoming pregnant by her adultery with Sextus Appuleius, the Pontifex Maximus. Caesarion interceded on the young Empress' behalf with the infuriated Vipsanian, who wished to put both the young girl and her unborn child to death, as was his right as paterfamilias. Caesarion laid all blame at Appuleius' door and successfully obtained his request; thankfully for all involved, Vipsanian had renewed hopes of cultivating in Caesarion so steadfast a friend and ally as he had been to Augustus. He promised to Caesarion the hand of his sister Vipsania Polla, as soon as she could be removed from Publicola's side, as well as the office of Pontifex Maximus, which they found already vacant by the time of their arrival in Rome, thanks to the terrified Appuleius' suicide.
Divorced and removed as Empress, Julia Caesaris was exiled to Samos, where she gave birth to a daughter, Julia Appuleia. Her mother Scribonia was given leave to accompany her. There was talk of Vipsanian marrying Caesarion's sister Cleopatra Selene, but Caesarion was able to dissuade him from the union, on the grounds of the great distrust still borne by the Roman people towards the Ptolemaic house. Caesarion instead suggested the distinguished Clodia Pulchra, first wife of Octavian Augustus (before his marriage to Scribonia) and uterine half-sister of his close friend Antyllus. Vipsanian liked the suggestion and promptly took Clodia for wife.
About this time, Caesarion asked to be reinstated as King in Egypt, with either Vipsanian's sister or daughter as his Queen. Vipsanian considered the matter, but his distrust of Caesarion - and what he might do with the vast resources the Egyptian throne provided - put this talk to an end. Still, Vipsanian continued with Caesarion's enrichment, formally investing him as Pontifex Maximus and circumventing the usual regulations of the cursus honorum promoting him from quaestor to Aedile.
As their five year term drew to an end, Vipsanian had no desire to renew the terms of his triumvirate with Crassus and Publicola. Crassus had grown immensely rich, more powerful than ever, and together they posed a viable challenge to his supremacy. Vipsanian wished to elevate his brother Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa to the triumvirate, as well as the Cicero Minor, who had served him well as consul. His son-in-law Marcellus was to replace Caesarion as aedile; Caesarion in turn replacing Cicero as consul, alongside the more experienced Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus, who had already served as consul before. First, however, he had Publicola and Crassus to deal with.
In Spain, Quintus Pedius Publicola sustained continued defeats at the hand of the Astur and Cantabri warriors. Largely due to his incompetence, Roman forts at Petavonium and Segisano were sacked and set afire by the barbarians, who grew bolder with each passing season. He was briefly assisted in his efforts by Crassus Scythicus, Imperator Occidentalis, with whose aid he was able to advance further than before. Their joint campaign saw the conquest of considerable swathes of Cantabrian territory, consolidated by the construction of the stronghold at Aracillum and the construction of a port on the Bay Of Biscay, Portus Victoriae. The campaign stalled after Crassus' departure; though Cantabria was not lost, Publicola remained unable to make any significant inroads into Asturia.
Emperor of the West and Secundus Crassus Scythicus was forced to withdraw with his legions back to Gaul in order to handle a revolt of the Terini and Morini tribes, who were supported by the Suebi, who crossed the Rhine in their support. The revolt was easily put down, after which Crassus set about expanding fortifications along the Rhine and strengthening Roman rule in Gaul. His government was effective, particularly after he divided the province of Gallia Comata ("Long-haired Gaul") into the smaller provinces of Gallia Aquitania, Gallia Lugdunensis, Gallia Belgica and Germania Inferior. Each province was overseen by a legate, who reported directly to Crassus and ruled with the assistance of a concilia, all of which included local notables - many of whom adopted Roman ways. In 24BC he undertook a small-scale invasion of Britain in support of his client-king Tincomarus of the Atrebates, who had been displaced from his throne by a rival contender.
In the absence of Vipsanian, Publicola and Crassus became firm friends and entered into alliance with each other. As things stood, Vipsanian was Princeps, the first of the Republic, with Crassus as his Secundus (second most important in the Republic) and Publicola by default Tertius, though no such title had been given him. The clear hierarchy within the triumvirate broke with the precedent of equality set by the two previous triumvirs and sat ill with the two junior triumvirates, who desired equality in rank with Vipsanian. They celebrated their alliance by exchanging wives: Publicola married Vipsania Polla, Vipsanian's sister, whilst Crassus married Livia Drusilla, Augustus' widow. Publicola's only daughter Livia Valeria was also betrothed to Marcus Licinius Crassus, Crassus' eldest son; after the boy's death later that year she was betrothed to his brother Vipsanius Licinius Crassus. By these marriages the two western triumvirs threatened to create a new Imperial house, in which the Julio-Vipsanians played but a peripheral part.
Vipsanian returned from the East in 24BC, entering Rome in triumph for his victories in Taurica and Parthia. The death of Calpurnia had abated tensions between himself and Caesarion, who had gone forth to receive him in Greece and accompany him back to Rome. Vipsanian learnt from Caesarion of the alliance between Crassus and Publicola, which he immediately perceived as a challenge to his supremacy. Caesarion further ingratiated himself with the Empeor by turning over Vipsanian's young wife, the Empress Julia Caesaris, who had fled to him for security after becoming pregnant by her adultery with Sextus Appuleius, the Pontifex Maximus. Caesarion interceded on the young Empress' behalf with the infuriated Vipsanian, who wished to put both the young girl and her unborn child to death, as was his right as paterfamilias. Caesarion laid all blame at Appuleius' door and successfully obtained his request; thankfully for all involved, Vipsanian had renewed hopes of cultivating in Caesarion so steadfast a friend and ally as he had been to Augustus. He promised to Caesarion the hand of his sister Vipsania Polla, as soon as she could be removed from Publicola's side, as well as the office of Pontifex Maximus, which they found already vacant by the time of their arrival in Rome, thanks to the terrified Appuleius' suicide.
Divorced and removed as Empress, Julia Caesaris was exiled to Samos, where she gave birth to a daughter, Julia Appuleia. Her mother Scribonia was given leave to accompany her. There was talk of Vipsanian marrying Caesarion's sister Cleopatra Selene, but Caesarion was able to dissuade him from the union, on the grounds of the great distrust still borne by the Roman people towards the Ptolemaic house. Caesarion instead suggested the distinguished Clodia Pulchra, first wife of Octavian Augustus (before his marriage to Scribonia) and uterine half-sister of his close friend Antyllus. Vipsanian liked the suggestion and promptly took Clodia for wife.
About this time, Caesarion asked to be reinstated as King in Egypt, with either Vipsanian's sister or daughter as his Queen. Vipsanian considered the matter, but his distrust of Caesarion - and what he might do with the vast resources the Egyptian throne provided - put this talk to an end. Still, Vipsanian continued with Caesarion's enrichment, formally investing him as Pontifex Maximus and circumventing the usual regulations of the cursus honorum promoting him from quaestor to Aedile.
As their five year term drew to an end, Vipsanian had no desire to renew the terms of his triumvirate with Crassus and Publicola. Crassus had grown immensely rich, more powerful than ever, and together they posed a viable challenge to his supremacy. Vipsanian wished to elevate his brother Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa to the triumvirate, as well as the Cicero Minor, who had served him well as consul. His son-in-law Marcellus was to replace Caesarion as aedile; Caesarion in turn replacing Cicero as consul, alongside the more experienced Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus, who had already served as consul before. First, however, he had Publicola and Crassus to deal with.
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Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It's disappointing to post and not get any feedback...I know some people are reading but if no one says nothing, it becomes very hard for me to continue to maintain a healthy balance between storyline and plausibility.
I'm reading it but I'm just not sure what to say, I don't have much time to make a coherent response. Granted, I'm probably one of the people who really SHOULD be giving you feedback since I study Roman history for Certamen. But I'm not an expert. I'll try to give you some good feedback soon.
I think dealing with the other two triumvirs will prove problematic, especially since they're pretty tightly allied to each other via dynastic marriage.
Agrippa's got the military skills, but Crassus and company have the cash. Not sure who'll come out on top.
Agrippa's got the military skills, but Crassus and company have the cash. Not sure who'll come out on top.
Thanks
Thank you.
I'm excited about developing the transition from Republic to Empire and want it to be as plausible and coherent as possible, given the alternative circumstances introduced (no Augustus, continued triumvirate, Caesarion, etc), so ofc feedback is essential to that.Exactly. Vipsanian's campaign in Parthia was hardly the big success he had envisioned, the great military victory he needed to badly upstage Publicola. Vipsanian's legions have suffered heavy losses and endured some heavy marches from Greece to Moesia, Moesia to Parthia, then to Crimea, and now back west, whilst Publicola and Crassus' troops have been stationed comfortably in the same locations for the past five years.
That said, it's important to take into account the potential influence of Vipsanian's sister Vipsania Polla. Crassus is her baby-father and Publicola her current husband, so she of all people would be wanting the triumvirate to remain unchanged.
Chapter XVIII: Greco-Buddhism And the Greco-Buddhists´
Buddhist Indo-Greek court
Buddhist Indo-Greek court
Relations between China and their Indo-Scythian allies had soured when the Indo-Scythian ruler Spalahores executed Chinese envoys at his court. After his death, his son Spaladagames sent an envoy to China with gifts, ostensibly desiring the restoration of the alliance. The Chinese general Wen-Chung, commander of the border area in western Gansu, accompanied the escort back. Along the way Wen-Chung uncovered a plot by Spaladagames to put himself to death. In alliance with the Kushan chief Miaos and the Indo-Greek prince Hermaeus he attacked Spaladagames, who was defeated. Hermaeus received the Chinese seal and ribbon of investiture and was set up as King in Kabul. With Chinese and Kushan help Hermaeus expanded his realm which came to incorporate also the north-western Punjab, Taxila and Gandhara. Hermaeus also continued his father's policy of allying with the traditional rivals of the Eucratid house, the Euthydemids, marrying their princess Kalliope.
Greco-Buddhist depiction of the god Panciki and his consort Hariti, stylised as Tyche
Hermaeus later quarreled with the Chinese himself, putting to death some of their envoys. Attempts at reconciliation were rebuffed and he was left to his own devices when attacked by Spalirises, son of Spaladagames. Hermaeus had initially retained his alliance with Miaos, chief of the Kushan Yueh-Chi, and given him his daughter Thais in marriage. By the time of Spalirises' attack, however, Miaos had reached his own understanding with the Saka and refrained from intervention. Hermaeus was only spared by the sudden death of Spalirises, after which he was made a pageant king by the Yueh-chi, dieing shortly thereafter (29BC). His son, Hermaeus II, inherited a vastly diminished territory, and was forced to share rule with his cousin, Hyrcodes, son of Miaos and Thais.
Budda and his protector, the composite Herakles-Vajrapani
Both Kings practiced a Hellenistic form of Buddhism, associating Vajrapani, the protector and guide of Buddha, who came to symbolise Buddha's power, with the Greek hero Heracles. Heracles was a favoured deity of the Bactrian Kings, who inherited him from Alexander the Great, who both claimed descent from him and saw in him a type of himself, a divinely-sired superhuman who achieved great feats. Their chief female deity was a composite of the Greek Tyche and Buddhist-convert Hariti, who above all symbolised the syncretism of Greek, Iranian and Indian belief. Hermaeus and Hyrcodes adopted the title Maharajasa Dharmika (lit. "King of the Dharma") and featured on their coins the Buddhist symbol of the eight-spoked wheel, associated with the Greek symbols of victory, either the palm of victory, or the victory wreath handed over by the goddess Nike.
Greco-Buddhist depiction of the god Panciki and his consort Hariti, stylised as Tyche
Hermaeus later quarreled with the Chinese himself, putting to death some of their envoys. Attempts at reconciliation were rebuffed and he was left to his own devices when attacked by Spalirises, son of Spaladagames. Hermaeus had initially retained his alliance with Miaos, chief of the Kushan Yueh-Chi, and given him his daughter Thais in marriage. By the time of Spalirises' attack, however, Miaos had reached his own understanding with the Saka and refrained from intervention. Hermaeus was only spared by the sudden death of Spalirises, after which he was made a pageant king by the Yueh-chi, dieing shortly thereafter (29BC). His son, Hermaeus II, inherited a vastly diminished territory, and was forced to share rule with his cousin, Hyrcodes, son of Miaos and Thais.
Budda and his protector, the composite Herakles-Vajrapani
Both Kings practiced a Hellenistic form of Buddhism, associating Vajrapani, the protector and guide of Buddha, who came to symbolise Buddha's power, with the Greek hero Heracles. Heracles was a favoured deity of the Bactrian Kings, who inherited him from Alexander the Great, who both claimed descent from him and saw in him a type of himself, a divinely-sired superhuman who achieved great feats. Their chief female deity was a composite of the Greek Tyche and Buddhist-convert Hariti, who above all symbolised the syncretism of Greek, Iranian and Indian belief. Hermaeus and Hyrcodes adopted the title Maharajasa Dharmika (lit. "King of the Dharma") and featured on their coins the Buddhist symbol of the eight-spoked wheel, associated with the Greek symbols of victory, either the palm of victory, or the victory wreath handed over by the goddess Nike.
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Chapter XIX: These Three Kings of Parthia
Phraates IV, Rhodaspes and Mithridates IV
Phraates IV, Rhodaspes and Mithridates IV
Having obtained the desired rapprochement with the Romans, Phraates IV turned his attentions to internal matters. As always first and formeost in his thoughts was the safety of his crown and the succession to it. The death of his eldest sons at Damascus had left him without a clear heir and successor. The Arsacid succession was preferably, but not necessarily, determined along the lines of primogeniture, with preference given to sons born to wives of the royal blood. The King named his successor, though the Megistanes and Senate had a considerable say in the confirmation, ascension and deposition of monarchs.
By his chief sister-wife Olenieire, Phraates had sired five children, three sons: Vonones, Saraspades and Rhodaspes, and two daughters, Cassandane and Palmide. Of these, Vonones and Saraspades perished at Damascus and Rhodaspes was, in 24BC, not yet of marriageable age. Cassandane had married her brother Vonones and Palmide was given to Darius, King of Media Antropatene.
By another sister, Baseirta, Phraates had sired another son, Phraanes (also perished at Damascus) and a daughter, Ocha. By his niece, Bistheibanaps, he had a son, Cerospades, and two daughters, Sayarsis and Sisygambis. His fourth official wife was a princess by the name Cleopatra, not to be confused with the Egyptian Queen. She was the daughter of Seleucus, son of the Parthian princess Rhodogune and Demetrius II, who had been raised in Parthia and became a Parthian prince after his father shamelessly abandoned Rhodogune and her children. By this Cleopatra he had two daughters, Parmys and Laodike, and two young sons, Pharasmanes and Mnasciras.
Phraates also had various other lesser wives - several daughters of Mithridates III and various concubines of various ethnicities, the daughters of allied and subject chiefs and princes. By these he had yet other children, counted illegitimate, and amongst whom there was no son of reasonable age.
When Cleopatra VII Tryphaena had first came into Parthia at the side of Oxyartes Suren, Phraates had put away his three wives - Olienieire, Bistheibanaps and Cleopatra (Baseirta being already deceased) - to take her as his sole wife and queen. He subsequently divorced her and sent her away to the far-flung city of Bactria, which she ruled alongside his son Saraspades. Paranoid to the utmost and distrustful of all, Phraates took his daughter Sayarsis as his queen, not trusting any other to share his bed and intimacy. In this way he officialized the great power and influence she already had at court.
Despite Sayarsis' protests, Phraates followed up the Roman campaign with another purge of the royal clan. Having obtained the custody of two adolescent sons of his slain rival Tiridates, he had the two thrown into a flaming hot furnace. Similar fates befell sixty other more remotely related noblemen of the royal clan, their children and wives. Among their number was Monaeses, who Phraates had previously pardoned and pledged to treat kindly. When the Kings of Adiabene and Arbela escaped from the cages in which he had put them, he blamed his adolescent son Ceraspades. The teenage boy was publicly castrated and maimed before being stoned to death.
Perhaps it had escaped Phraates' deranged mind completely, but young Ceraspades was the beloved full-brother of his Queen Sayarsis. Distraught, Sayarsis convoked what she could of the Megistanes; with their support, she deigned to depose her father, avenge her brethren and take a husband with which to continue the royal line.
Catching wind of the conspiracy, Phraates fled to Seistan to seek the aid of the Suren Oxyartes. He found Oxyartes embroidled in his own personal dynastic conflicts and so made haste to Bactria, where he put himself at the mercy of the Queen Cleopatra VII. He was now convinced that the Magi had tricked him and that he had lost the throne by putting her away; she was Isis, Nanaya, the Queen of Heaven - how could sharing her bed be a bad omen? If not marry her himself, at very least he could not allow any other prince to marry her, Goddess incarnate and daughter of Alexander, for then they would certainly put him and the Arsacid line aside and establish a new house.
Stranded without allies in Bactria, Cleopatra welcomed Phraates and the small army he had with him with open arms. From Bactria he called upon his Dahae allies, requesting their aid against his rebellious daughter and nobles. The Dahae chiefs pledged their support - not so much out of the love they bore Phraates, but out of newfound devotion to Cleopatra. Cleopatra's son Alexander was highly popular with the Dahae, amongst whom he had spent the previous years and whose ways he had adopted in his manners and dress. The Dahan chiefs had heard from Alexander of how his mother was called Queen of Heaven and worshipped as Isis by the Romans and Greeks alike, and from the courtiers of Phraates of how even the magi had accorded her certain divine status. When an embassy of their seers and chiefs sought Phraates out in Bactria, they were in awe of the great Queen and worshipped her as their goddess Nanaya incarnate. Nanaya, the warlike Queen of Heaven known for her sensuality and voluptuousness, was easy to equate with Cleopatra, who possessed all of the same qualities and who further ingratiated herself with the Parthians by her great hatred of the Romans.
Phraates called upon Suren to annoint and crown Alexander as crown prince, and married the youth to his daughter Cassandane, widow of the previous crown prince Vonones. To Alexander were given certain privileges reserved for the king alone, such as the right to sleep on a bed made of pure gold, and the youth was invested with the province of Hyrcania to rule.
The Magi crown Rhodaspes as King
Spurred on by Sayarsis and offended by their King's actions, the Megistanes officially deposed Phraates and elected to the throne the boy Rhodaspes. Word from Phraates that he now divorced Sayarsis - effected prior to the date of his deposition - was conveniently ignored. In the absence of Suren, the chief Magus crowned the boy Rhodaspes himself. Sayarsis remained as Queen and automatically transferred her matrimony from Phraates to Rhodaspes. She was given unprecedented powers as Queen and presented as divine herself, in order to present a rival cult to that of Cleopatra as Nanaya.
Unfortunately, Sayarsis' overtures of cooperation to her brother-in-law Darius of Media Antropatene were misunderstood, or more likely, ignored. Taking advantage of the chaos enveloping Parthia, he invaded from the north, bringing to heel the Kings of Osrhoene and Armenia and adopting the title, King of Kings. He was, after all, closely related to the Arsacids and descended - as they did, or pretended to do so - through the male line from the old Achaeminid house.
Darius met with little opposition, going so far as to expell Sayarsis and Rhodaspes and take Ctesiphon. The royal couple and a rump court fled to the ever-receptive court of Kamnaskires IV of Elam. His Mesopotamian conquest was short-lived: back in Media his brother Ariobarzanes II had usurped the throne, whilst in Babylon two Jewish brothers Anilai and Asinai established themselves as independent rulers. The two soundly defeated the force Darius sent against them, contributing to that King's hasty retreat back to Antropatene. He left behind in Ctesiphon his son, Mithridates IV, as nominal King of Parthia, though in reality the boy's partisans controlled but a small strip of Mesopotamia.
Eager to play King-maker, Kamnaskires IV of Elam threw Rhodaspes in jail and attempted to force Sayarsis into a marriage with himself. The Parthian Queen fled, hoping for a positive reception in Ctesiphon, but she was sorely disappointed upon her arrival: Anilai and Asinai had taken the city and held the young Mithridates IV captive. As a Dahae army crossed the desert from Hyrcania against them, Anilai and Asinai forced the conversion of Sayarsis and Mithridates to the Jewish faith, along with the King of Adiabene who was also in their power.
By his chief sister-wife Olenieire, Phraates had sired five children, three sons: Vonones, Saraspades and Rhodaspes, and two daughters, Cassandane and Palmide. Of these, Vonones and Saraspades perished at Damascus and Rhodaspes was, in 24BC, not yet of marriageable age. Cassandane had married her brother Vonones and Palmide was given to Darius, King of Media Antropatene.
By another sister, Baseirta, Phraates had sired another son, Phraanes (also perished at Damascus) and a daughter, Ocha. By his niece, Bistheibanaps, he had a son, Cerospades, and two daughters, Sayarsis and Sisygambis. His fourth official wife was a princess by the name Cleopatra, not to be confused with the Egyptian Queen. She was the daughter of Seleucus, son of the Parthian princess Rhodogune and Demetrius II, who had been raised in Parthia and became a Parthian prince after his father shamelessly abandoned Rhodogune and her children. By this Cleopatra he had two daughters, Parmys and Laodike, and two young sons, Pharasmanes and Mnasciras.
Phraates also had various other lesser wives - several daughters of Mithridates III and various concubines of various ethnicities, the daughters of allied and subject chiefs and princes. By these he had yet other children, counted illegitimate, and amongst whom there was no son of reasonable age.
When Cleopatra VII Tryphaena had first came into Parthia at the side of Oxyartes Suren, Phraates had put away his three wives - Olienieire, Bistheibanaps and Cleopatra (Baseirta being already deceased) - to take her as his sole wife and queen. He subsequently divorced her and sent her away to the far-flung city of Bactria, which she ruled alongside his son Saraspades. Paranoid to the utmost and distrustful of all, Phraates took his daughter Sayarsis as his queen, not trusting any other to share his bed and intimacy. In this way he officialized the great power and influence she already had at court.
Despite Sayarsis' protests, Phraates followed up the Roman campaign with another purge of the royal clan. Having obtained the custody of two adolescent sons of his slain rival Tiridates, he had the two thrown into a flaming hot furnace. Similar fates befell sixty other more remotely related noblemen of the royal clan, their children and wives. Among their number was Monaeses, who Phraates had previously pardoned and pledged to treat kindly. When the Kings of Adiabene and Arbela escaped from the cages in which he had put them, he blamed his adolescent son Ceraspades. The teenage boy was publicly castrated and maimed before being stoned to death.
Perhaps it had escaped Phraates' deranged mind completely, but young Ceraspades was the beloved full-brother of his Queen Sayarsis. Distraught, Sayarsis convoked what she could of the Megistanes; with their support, she deigned to depose her father, avenge her brethren and take a husband with which to continue the royal line.
Catching wind of the conspiracy, Phraates fled to Seistan to seek the aid of the Suren Oxyartes. He found Oxyartes embroidled in his own personal dynastic conflicts and so made haste to Bactria, where he put himself at the mercy of the Queen Cleopatra VII. He was now convinced that the Magi had tricked him and that he had lost the throne by putting her away; she was Isis, Nanaya, the Queen of Heaven - how could sharing her bed be a bad omen? If not marry her himself, at very least he could not allow any other prince to marry her, Goddess incarnate and daughter of Alexander, for then they would certainly put him and the Arsacid line aside and establish a new house.
Stranded without allies in Bactria, Cleopatra welcomed Phraates and the small army he had with him with open arms. From Bactria he called upon his Dahae allies, requesting their aid against his rebellious daughter and nobles. The Dahae chiefs pledged their support - not so much out of the love they bore Phraates, but out of newfound devotion to Cleopatra. Cleopatra's son Alexander was highly popular with the Dahae, amongst whom he had spent the previous years and whose ways he had adopted in his manners and dress. The Dahan chiefs had heard from Alexander of how his mother was called Queen of Heaven and worshipped as Isis by the Romans and Greeks alike, and from the courtiers of Phraates of how even the magi had accorded her certain divine status. When an embassy of their seers and chiefs sought Phraates out in Bactria, they were in awe of the great Queen and worshipped her as their goddess Nanaya incarnate. Nanaya, the warlike Queen of Heaven known for her sensuality and voluptuousness, was easy to equate with Cleopatra, who possessed all of the same qualities and who further ingratiated herself with the Parthians by her great hatred of the Romans.
Phraates called upon Suren to annoint and crown Alexander as crown prince, and married the youth to his daughter Cassandane, widow of the previous crown prince Vonones. To Alexander were given certain privileges reserved for the king alone, such as the right to sleep on a bed made of pure gold, and the youth was invested with the province of Hyrcania to rule.
The Magi crown Rhodaspes as King
Spurred on by Sayarsis and offended by their King's actions, the Megistanes officially deposed Phraates and elected to the throne the boy Rhodaspes. Word from Phraates that he now divorced Sayarsis - effected prior to the date of his deposition - was conveniently ignored. In the absence of Suren, the chief Magus crowned the boy Rhodaspes himself. Sayarsis remained as Queen and automatically transferred her matrimony from Phraates to Rhodaspes. She was given unprecedented powers as Queen and presented as divine herself, in order to present a rival cult to that of Cleopatra as Nanaya.
Unfortunately, Sayarsis' overtures of cooperation to her brother-in-law Darius of Media Antropatene were misunderstood, or more likely, ignored. Taking advantage of the chaos enveloping Parthia, he invaded from the north, bringing to heel the Kings of Osrhoene and Armenia and adopting the title, King of Kings. He was, after all, closely related to the Arsacids and descended - as they did, or pretended to do so - through the male line from the old Achaeminid house.
Darius met with little opposition, going so far as to expell Sayarsis and Rhodaspes and take Ctesiphon. The royal couple and a rump court fled to the ever-receptive court of Kamnaskires IV of Elam. His Mesopotamian conquest was short-lived: back in Media his brother Ariobarzanes II had usurped the throne, whilst in Babylon two Jewish brothers Anilai and Asinai established themselves as independent rulers. The two soundly defeated the force Darius sent against them, contributing to that King's hasty retreat back to Antropatene. He left behind in Ctesiphon his son, Mithridates IV, as nominal King of Parthia, though in reality the boy's partisans controlled but a small strip of Mesopotamia.
Eager to play King-maker, Kamnaskires IV of Elam threw Rhodaspes in jail and attempted to force Sayarsis into a marriage with himself. The Parthian Queen fled, hoping for a positive reception in Ctesiphon, but she was sorely disappointed upon her arrival: Anilai and Asinai had taken the city and held the young Mithridates IV captive. As a Dahae army crossed the desert from Hyrcania against them, Anilai and Asinai forced the conversion of Sayarsis and Mithridates to the Jewish faith, along with the King of Adiabene who was also in their power.
And an incipient Jewish theocracy in Mesopotamia and a butt-load of royal incest!
All right, the Julia scandal erupted early and was dealt with decisively (although Samos has to be better than Pandateria). And Iullus Antonius, rather than becoming worm food due to his association with Julia, is Caesarion's boyfriend - still a perilous position, but one that could bring him high honors if Caesarion survives.
This scandal won't help Vipsanian. In OTL, it was the heir apparent who was getting cuckolded; here, it's the emperor. Even though he dealt with the problem once he found out, I imagine the other two triumvirs will use the scandal to make him seem less manly (less triumvirile?) and sow doubt about whether someone who doesn't even know what's going on in his own house can lead the Republic. They might not do anything overt, but a whispering campaign could still do Vipsanian a lot of damage.
Haha! It's actually pretty historical, although it seems the Chinese didn't contribute with many actual troops and avoided involvement in Bactria and the Hindukush for a while afterwards.
I'm not sure how theocratic these Jews will be
Anilai and Asinai are historical, as was the conversion of the royal family of Adiabene to Judaism, although OTL both happened a generation or so later. As for the incest, brother-sister marriage was quite popular, at various times, with most of the Eastern monarchies. If the King presents himself as Divine or quasi-divine, he needs an appropriate consort. Pagan beliefs often focus on female deities just as much as male deities, so the Goddess-consort-sister-Queen is just as important a part as the God-incarnate-brother-King. On the other hand, the Parthians freaked when Phraates V married his mother, but that may have been because she was a Roman slave girl, and not because of the incest per se.
The names of Phraates IV's wives are all historical, but their parents are all (OTL) unknown. Personally I found it most interesting that he had a wife called Cleopatra - a good indication that the Parthian Kings weren't above marrying Greek ladies. This needs to win a Turtledove!
Thanks
I think at this point Caesarion is a bomb just ticking away. He's in the unprecedented position of being divine in every relation: the son of the deified Julius Caesar and "New Isis" Cleopatra of Egypt, brother of the deified Augustus and widower of the deified Calpurnia. His main issue, I reckon, is timing: if he acts too rashly, he can bring about his own destruction. But then leaving it too late to make a grab for power is no good either. I think it's a good show of Caesarion's influence and popularity that at this time of crisis Vipsanian is impelled (forced?) to appease him.
For the mean time, Iullus Antonius is in a fantastic position. He's Caesarion's beloved, his brother Antyllus is Caesarion's closest friend, and his half-sister Clodia Pulchra just became Empress. The Crassus/Publicola/Livia Drusilla alliance has pushed Vipsanian in the direction of the new generation of Julio-Caesarians and Antonines. Provided at least Vipsanian or Caesarion survive this next round, Antyllus and Iullus have very bright political futures ahead of them.
And yeah, things aren't looking so great for ol' Vippy.
Okay, forcible conversion is not necessarily a trait of theocracy. Charlemagne forced the defeated Saxons to convert and his was a feudal monarchy/neo-Roman imperium, not a theocratic regime.
Here's a very rough (my first!) current map of the Parthian Empire.
Phraates IV controls what I've labelled Parthia, rival-king Artabanus controls what I've labelled Hyrcania. Kamnaskires VI will take Susa and set up Rhodaspes as another rival-king, whilst Anilai and Asinai have Mithridates IV and Sayarsis as puppets in Babylon.
Phraates IV controls what I've labelled Parthia, rival-king Artabanus controls what I've labelled Hyrcania. Kamnaskires VI will take Susa and set up Rhodaspes as another rival-king, whilst Anilai and Asinai have Mithridates IV and Sayarsis as puppets in Babylon.
Chapter XX: The Parthian War of Succession, Part I
Phraates IV, with his army and Dahan allies, had established himself at Ectabana, one of the capitals of the realm and his own summer residence. The great city lay to the north-east of and was a short march away from Ctesiphon on the Tigris. On Suren's advice, Phraates held his position and did not seek out a full frontal confrontation with the forces of Asinai and Alinai. Mesopotamia was in chaos and it was likely that the two brother's usurpation of power would soon be toppled by the revolts which had broken out in Seleucia and other cities. As Asinai and Alinai weakened their forces putting down revolts and enforcing their rule, Phraates would only grow stronger.
Suren was also eager to safeguard their armies from posterior attack. When the King Ardashir II of Persis was not forthcoming with his support and men, Suren set out against him with the bulk of the combined Dahae/Surena/Parthian army, removing Ardashir from the throne and setting the more pliable Vahshir I in his place.
It was at Ectabana that Phraates received warmly his kinsman Artabanus, an Arsacid prince who was chief of the Parni among the Dahae. Artabanus had been born of a concubine given by Phraates, newly named crown prince, to the chief Ardawan, whose son he officially was (though he was quite happy to pertain to a more proximate connection to Phraates when the occassion suited). Whatever their degree of kinship, Phraates had reaffirmed his ties with the Parni Dahae by giving Artabanus his illegitimate daughter Nisea in marriage.
Artabanus' late arrival was due to the past year, during which he and his clansmen had removed to the north, amongst the Saka, with whom they had gone raiding in Sarmatia. The happy family reunion was soon dulled by Artabanus' vehement opposition to the nomination of Alexander Helios as crown prince. What care could Artabanus have for the crown prince, unless he cherished hopes of obtaining the throne for himself? His suspicions thus aroused, Phraates took the opportunity presented by Artabanus' departure for a short hunting trip and slaughtered that man's entire family - going so far as to run through his own daughter Nisea, pregnant with Artabanus' child.
Warned of the fate that awaited him in Ectabana, Artabanus withdrew with haste to Hyrcania, where he declared himself King and assumed the Imperial title, King of Kings. The vast majority of Dahae chiefs - many of whom were allied to Artabanus by blood or marriage, for he had been most judicious in his choice of brides - threw in their lot with him, stealing away from Ectabana to Hyrcania. Only those chiefs who were in some way opposed to Artabanus, or devoid of any personal associations with the Parni, decided to endure Phraates' insanity and remain in Ectabana. Some of those in league with Artabanus slew Suren and the rest of Phraates' chief army commanders on the road back from Persis, depriving Phraates of his most capable generals.
In Ctesiphon, Asinai and Anilai had realised that the forced conversion of the populace was too mammoth a task to effect in such difficult, uncertain times. Many of their men were lost in putting down a revolt raised in Seleucia, a Greek city which greatly antecipated the ascension of the half-Greek Alexander Helios to the Parthian throne. Revolts broke out in other cities, where the Greek and native populations found cause for quarell with the Jewish communities (which naturally enjoyed the brothers' special protection). The brothers were compelled to adopt a slacker policy with the Greeks and other pagans, whilst enforcing a tighter control on their correligionists and countrymen.
As Suren antecipated, there was no shortage of problems for the brothers. Kamnaskires VI of Elymais had decided to keep at the game of King-maker, bringing forth the boy Rhodaspes and once again having him proclaimed King of Parthia. On this pretext, the Elamites seized Susiana with the city of Susa, one of the three capitals of Phraates IV's empire.
Suren was also eager to safeguard their armies from posterior attack. When the King Ardashir II of Persis was not forthcoming with his support and men, Suren set out against him with the bulk of the combined Dahae/Surena/Parthian army, removing Ardashir from the throne and setting the more pliable Vahshir I in his place.
It was at Ectabana that Phraates received warmly his kinsman Artabanus, an Arsacid prince who was chief of the Parni among the Dahae. Artabanus had been born of a concubine given by Phraates, newly named crown prince, to the chief Ardawan, whose son he officially was (though he was quite happy to pertain to a more proximate connection to Phraates when the occassion suited). Whatever their degree of kinship, Phraates had reaffirmed his ties with the Parni Dahae by giving Artabanus his illegitimate daughter Nisea in marriage.
Artabanus' late arrival was due to the past year, during which he and his clansmen had removed to the north, amongst the Saka, with whom they had gone raiding in Sarmatia. The happy family reunion was soon dulled by Artabanus' vehement opposition to the nomination of Alexander Helios as crown prince. What care could Artabanus have for the crown prince, unless he cherished hopes of obtaining the throne for himself? His suspicions thus aroused, Phraates took the opportunity presented by Artabanus' departure for a short hunting trip and slaughtered that man's entire family - going so far as to run through his own daughter Nisea, pregnant with Artabanus' child.
Warned of the fate that awaited him in Ectabana, Artabanus withdrew with haste to Hyrcania, where he declared himself King and assumed the Imperial title, King of Kings. The vast majority of Dahae chiefs - many of whom were allied to Artabanus by blood or marriage, for he had been most judicious in his choice of brides - threw in their lot with him, stealing away from Ectabana to Hyrcania. Only those chiefs who were in some way opposed to Artabanus, or devoid of any personal associations with the Parni, decided to endure Phraates' insanity and remain in Ectabana. Some of those in league with Artabanus slew Suren and the rest of Phraates' chief army commanders on the road back from Persis, depriving Phraates of his most capable generals.
In Ctesiphon, Asinai and Anilai had realised that the forced conversion of the populace was too mammoth a task to effect in such difficult, uncertain times. Many of their men were lost in putting down a revolt raised in Seleucia, a Greek city which greatly antecipated the ascension of the half-Greek Alexander Helios to the Parthian throne. Revolts broke out in other cities, where the Greek and native populations found cause for quarell with the Jewish communities (which naturally enjoyed the brothers' special protection). The brothers were compelled to adopt a slacker policy with the Greeks and other pagans, whilst enforcing a tighter control on their correligionists and countrymen.
As Suren antecipated, there was no shortage of problems for the brothers. Kamnaskires VI of Elymais had decided to keep at the game of King-maker, bringing forth the boy Rhodaspes and once again having him proclaimed King of Parthia. On this pretext, the Elamites seized Susiana with the city of Susa, one of the three capitals of Phraates IV's empire.
Chapter XXI: The Treaty of Placentia
Coin of Augustus Vipsanian, commemorating his victory at Actium. Apollo Citharoedus of Actium standing on reverse
Coin of Augustus Vipsanian, commemorating his victory at Actium. Apollo Citharoedus of Actium standing on reverse
Upon his arrival in Rome, the Emperor Vipsanian sent word to Crassus Scythicus, Imperator Occidentalis, and Quintus Pedius Publicola, Imperator Hispaniae, inviting them for a conference to determine the future of the Republic. All three desired a neutral meeting ground away from the pressures of Rome; they eventually settled on the use of Placentia, in Aemilia, which was of easy access to all.
Neither Crassus and Publicola wished to face war with Vipsanian, who carried the name Caesar and was known to be a far superior military commander. Their hope, however, was to force him to relinquish the title Princeps and have them both named Augustus also. Vipsanian, for his part, had wanted them both removed and would have been willing to go to war, were his forces not so depleted by the recent warring in the East. However, by the time he arrived in Placentia, the political climate had changed. The sudden chaos in Parthia provided a chance for greater military glory and territorial expansion which he was not willing to pass up.
At Placentia, Vipsanian opened by declaring his great love and esteem for his two colleagues, who he now had as brothers, by virtue of their successive marriages to his sister Vipsania. He also declared his desire to adopt Crassus and Publicola as his sons and co-heirs, he having no son of his own to succeed him. In this way the prestigious name of Caesar would devolve to them, and their heirs. As the two easily discerned, Vipsanian's motives were entirely political: by this adoption he would become, to all intents and purposes, their legal father, with the paterpotestas (power of the father), over them and all their children. In this capacity he would be in a position to limit and veto all of their actions and ensure his continued seniority.
Accordingly, they returned his declarations of love and esteem, but turned down his proposal, thinking it both too great an honour and not wishing to bring to extinction their own families of birth. They did, however, advance the alternate of them both being named, as he had, Augustus, and in this way enjoying like auctoritas and imperium as he did. This, Vipsanian reasoned, was impossible, for he could not give away that which he had not granted, but had received at the hands of the Senate. Needless to say, the Senate could be counted to not cause offence to Vipsanian by naming his two rivals Augustus also. They proceeded to request a redistribution of provinces, also protesting at the special prerogatives Vipsanian had received, which allowed him to treat conquered territories as his own personal property. Publicola wanted authority over Sicily, Mauretania and Africa, whilst Crassus wanted his authority expanded into Gallia Cisalpina, Sardinia and Dalmatia. Italy, Macedonia, Cyrenaica and Egypt would be placed under the direct authority of the Senate, presided over by two Consuls appointed not by Vipsanian, but by the common accord of all three triumvirs. In this way Vipsanian would be left the Asian provinces, and be at a great disadvantage in any war against his colleagues, who would surrounded Italy and enjoy easy access to Rome.
Vipsanian refused, on the grounds that such a redistribution would be injurious to the wants and needs of the Republic. He offered, however, to relinquish the command of Macedonia to his brother Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa, and that of Sicily and Africa to Cicero Minor, who would serve as his legates in those territories. All three consented to the nomination of Messalla Corvinus as one of the consuls, but Publicola and Crassus objected to Caesarion, on account of his young age and relative inexperience. They were made to give way to Caesarion's nomination by Livia Drusilla, who was swayed by Vipsanian's offer to advance the career of her son Tiberius Claudius Nero. Tiberius was to serve as military tribune, accompanying him back East, and receiving a daughter of Octavia as wife upon his return. Her other son Drusus was to receive similar advancement in due time. Finally, Publicola was to enjoy in Cantabria and Asturia, and Crassus in Britannia and Germania, the same privileges of personal ownership that Vipsanian enjoyed over conquered territory in Moesia, Egypt, Armenia and Taurica.
The terms thusly agreed upon, the treaty was signed and ratified, and the triumvirate extended for a smaller term of three years.
Back in Rome, the room roared with laughter as Scaeva mocked and mimicked the cuckold Emperor. He was joined by Iullus Antonius, with the pretty Aurelia Cotta playing the part of the incontinent young Empress who got herself pregnant with the Pontiff whilst her husband was away making love on the Euphrates with the Parthian King. Caesarion smiled, but said nothing, not wishing to become too publicly associated with the consistent denigration of Vipsanian's reputation he was privately engineering.
It was not long before the sniggers of the Senatorial class became the talk of all Rome - how could a man unable to rule his own wife, rule so vast an Empire?
Neither Crassus and Publicola wished to face war with Vipsanian, who carried the name Caesar and was known to be a far superior military commander. Their hope, however, was to force him to relinquish the title Princeps and have them both named Augustus also. Vipsanian, for his part, had wanted them both removed and would have been willing to go to war, were his forces not so depleted by the recent warring in the East. However, by the time he arrived in Placentia, the political climate had changed. The sudden chaos in Parthia provided a chance for greater military glory and territorial expansion which he was not willing to pass up.
At Placentia, Vipsanian opened by declaring his great love and esteem for his two colleagues, who he now had as brothers, by virtue of their successive marriages to his sister Vipsania. He also declared his desire to adopt Crassus and Publicola as his sons and co-heirs, he having no son of his own to succeed him. In this way the prestigious name of Caesar would devolve to them, and their heirs. As the two easily discerned, Vipsanian's motives were entirely political: by this adoption he would become, to all intents and purposes, their legal father, with the paterpotestas (power of the father), over them and all their children. In this capacity he would be in a position to limit and veto all of their actions and ensure his continued seniority.
Accordingly, they returned his declarations of love and esteem, but turned down his proposal, thinking it both too great an honour and not wishing to bring to extinction their own families of birth. They did, however, advance the alternate of them both being named, as he had, Augustus, and in this way enjoying like auctoritas and imperium as he did. This, Vipsanian reasoned, was impossible, for he could not give away that which he had not granted, but had received at the hands of the Senate. Needless to say, the Senate could be counted to not cause offence to Vipsanian by naming his two rivals Augustus also. They proceeded to request a redistribution of provinces, also protesting at the special prerogatives Vipsanian had received, which allowed him to treat conquered territories as his own personal property. Publicola wanted authority over Sicily, Mauretania and Africa, whilst Crassus wanted his authority expanded into Gallia Cisalpina, Sardinia and Dalmatia. Italy, Macedonia, Cyrenaica and Egypt would be placed under the direct authority of the Senate, presided over by two Consuls appointed not by Vipsanian, but by the common accord of all three triumvirs. In this way Vipsanian would be left the Asian provinces, and be at a great disadvantage in any war against his colleagues, who would surrounded Italy and enjoy easy access to Rome.
Vipsanian refused, on the grounds that such a redistribution would be injurious to the wants and needs of the Republic. He offered, however, to relinquish the command of Macedonia to his brother Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa, and that of Sicily and Africa to Cicero Minor, who would serve as his legates in those territories. All three consented to the nomination of Messalla Corvinus as one of the consuls, but Publicola and Crassus objected to Caesarion, on account of his young age and relative inexperience. They were made to give way to Caesarion's nomination by Livia Drusilla, who was swayed by Vipsanian's offer to advance the career of her son Tiberius Claudius Nero. Tiberius was to serve as military tribune, accompanying him back East, and receiving a daughter of Octavia as wife upon his return. Her other son Drusus was to receive similar advancement in due time. Finally, Publicola was to enjoy in Cantabria and Asturia, and Crassus in Britannia and Germania, the same privileges of personal ownership that Vipsanian enjoyed over conquered territory in Moesia, Egypt, Armenia and Taurica.
The terms thusly agreed upon, the treaty was signed and ratified, and the triumvirate extended for a smaller term of three years.
Back in Rome, the room roared with laughter as Scaeva mocked and mimicked the cuckold Emperor. He was joined by Iullus Antonius, with the pretty Aurelia Cotta playing the part of the incontinent young Empress who got herself pregnant with the Pontiff whilst her husband was away making love on the Euphrates with the Parthian King. Caesarion smiled, but said nothing, not wishing to become too publicly associated with the consistent denigration of Vipsanian's reputation he was privately engineering.
It was not long before the sniggers of the Senatorial class became the talk of all Rome - how could a man unable to rule his own wife, rule so vast an Empire?
Map of Roman East, 23BC
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