After Actium: Two Caesars Are Not Enough

Thank you.

Yes, Antigonos the One-eyed: And the Creation of the Hellenistic State is a book, and it available upon Google Books, so you should be able to read the relevant chapter for free.

The Ptolemaic synods are mentioned rather often in the religious chapters of History of the Ptolemaic Empire by Günther Hölbl, which can also be previewed upon Google Books. Incidentally, one of these synods promulgated a new calender which incorporated leap years before the Julian calender was created, in the Decree of Canopus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree_of_Canopus
 
Velasco:

Just finished reading your updates, I have to say you've got me hooked. Hats off to you!

Keep it coming!
 
Everyone's asking so many learned questions! The answers are very interesting. Who is this Atticus you mentioned in Greece? Is it Cicero's Atticus? But 5 BC is a bit too late for him to be around, so it's probably his son or just a distant relative. Shame the POD happened after the Proscriptions; I'd love to see how Cicero felt about the turn affairs took. But it's all for the best, I suppose - I'd hate to rob him of the only disaster he faced as a man. :p Speaking of the Tulii Cicerones, how's Marcus the Younger faring ITTL? I'm sure you mentioned Horace and Virgil, but I can't recall and I certainly can't be bothered to go looking :)D), so would you mind mentioning what happened to them?
 
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Thank you.

Yes, Antigonos the One-eyed: And the Creation of the Hellenistic State is a book, and it available upon Google Books, so you should be able to read the relevant chapter for free.

The Ptolemaic synods are mentioned rather often in the religious chapters of History of the Ptolemaic Empire by Günther Hölbl, which can also be previewed upon Google Books. Incidentally, one of these synods promulgated a new calender which incorporated leap years before the Julian calender was created, in the Decree of Canopus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree_of_Canopus

Fantastic! I'll try to get on it tomorrow.

I'd read about the Canopus decree - if I'm not mistaken Julius Caesar briefly attempted to (or considered) implementing the superior Ptolemaic calendar in Rome prior to his assassination?

Velasco:

Just finished reading your updates, I have to say you've got me hooked. Hats off to you!

Keep it coming!

Thank you! Keep reading there's plenty more to come :D

Everyone's asking so many learned questions! The answers are very interesting. Who is this Atticus you mentioned in Greece? Is it Cicero's Atticus? But 5 BC is a bit too late for him to be around, so it's probably his son or just a distant relative. Shame the POD happened after the Proscriptions; I'd love to see how Cicero felt about the turn affairs took. But it's all for the best, I suppose - I'd hate to rob him of the only disaster he faced as a man. :p Speaking of the Tulii Cicerones, how's Marcus the Younger faring ITTL? I'm sure you mentioned Horace and Virgil, but I can't recall and I certainly can't be bothered to go looking :)D), so would you mind mentioning what happened to them?

He's the son of Cicero's friend Atticus. OTL not much is known about him. His sister Caecilia Pomponia Attica was the first wife of Agrippa (TTL's Vipsanian). Here he has a daughter of the same name who was Caesarion's second wife.

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a suffect consul in 30BC and consul in 28BC. Vipsanian wanted to elevate him to the triumvirate but was blocked by the other two triumvirs, he was compensated with the government of Sicily and Africa (23BC). He sided with Publicola during the civil war and attempted to attack Cyrene (loyal to Caesarion) in 19BC, but was forced back. He refused the alliance Messalla Corvinus offered him after Publicola was assassinated. Corvinus attack him and his guard at Apollonia in Sicily, after which he was able to escape to Italy and throw in his lot with Caesarion. After that he hasn't played any major role besides being a senator and augur, but he's still around.

I've generally ignored personages such as Horace and Virgil but they're there doing there thing in the background. :p Generally speaking political manoeuvring and dynastic politics are more enticing to me than the arts.

I guess U haven't got a chance to answer my questions yet:(.

Check the last page ;)

Thanks for all the info and the great questions, keep 'em coming guys!
 
Chapter LXXXIII: Kings of the East

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Following the joint campaign with Caesarion in Arabia, the founder of the Neo-Bactrian empire Sapadbizes crossed over the Persian Gulf to the court of King Arsakes of Parthia with a small entourage. The bulk of his army crossed over into Gedrosia, but he was secure enough in his position to not require a grand escort. Together Sapadbizes and Caesarion sought to monopolize the highly lucrative east-west trade from Europe to the Far East. The campaign in south Arabia, a collaboration of unprecedented scale, had the sole intent of opening up an alternative route east-west, just as Roman infiltration into Albania and Bactrian settlement on the eastern Caspian shore would open an alternative route in the north. Above all else the success of their endeavor depended on cutting out the Parthian middle men who had traditionally levied tolls on merchants going east-west. To that end both were committed to the fomentation of civil war and dissension in Parthia as long as possible.

The young king Arsakes received Sapadbizes well. He had come to Sapadbizes' court an infant and spent his early years there. When he displaced his half-brother Alexander Helios on the throne, he had maintained Sapadbizes' sister Machene (one of Alexander Helios' wives) in her royal dignity. Her son, Antonios, was one of two nephews Arsakes had adopted as his heirs when he ascended the throne, alongside the crown prince Seleucus (Alexander Seleukos). The birth of Arsakes' own biological sons might have imperiled the safety of these boys, were it not for his overwhelming desire to obtain Sapadbizes' alliance against Alexander Helios, who still contested his reign in Media.

Rather fortuitously (or was it by design?) Sapadbizes arrived at the most crucial of moments. Alexander Helios had of late obtained the upper hand in the brotherly dispute, encroaching upon Arsakes' territory in Elam and threatening to finally displace him entirely from the throne. Arsakes (or his councilors, rather) had long sought foreign assistance for his rule. To that end they had actively sought the approval and friendship of Rome, though they were ultimately unsuccessful: following Alexander Helios’ refusal of aid to the usurping Antyllus, Caesarion formally recognized him as a rex socius et amicus populi Romani, a friend and ally of Rome (6BC). By the time that final slam of the door came, however, Arsakes had gotten the alliance he so desperately needed elsewhere.

By the terms of their alliance, the Megas Basileus ('Great King') Arsakes recognized Sapadbizes as Megas Basileus ton Basileion ('Great King of Kings'), a title reserved only for the greatest and most successful Parthian monarchs. Together they constituted a joint monarchy with Sapadbizes as the senior partner and Arsakes as his adopted heir. Coinage bearing both of their semblances was commissioned. Sapadbizes pledged to provide Arsakes the desperately needed military assistance against Alexander Helios and a company of war elephants. He further pledged to restore some of the Parthian lands he had seized in past times[1] and to give his sole daughter to Arsakes for wife. Finally he transferred to Arsakes the recently acquired ports in Arabia, in return for which Arsakes allowed him to extend his direct authority into Hyrcania.

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Both Sapadbizes and Arsakes considered themselves heirs to the Imperial legacy of the great kings of the east - the Achaemenids, Seleucids and Arsacids. Arsakes possessed a direct link to this legacy, descending from these kings through both of his parents, while Sapadbizes was connected only by marriage[2]. On the other hand, Sapadbizes ruled over a true empire, holding sway over numerous client kings, while Arsakes ruled over a smaller domain and did not command the allegiance of sub-kings as Sapadbizes did. Their alliance legitimized both of their positions in the face of outside opposition, as well as providing for a clearly recognized, legitimate succession - an immediate necessity for Sapadbizes, who had no sons of his own.

The alliance allowed for greater exchange between Parthia and the Greco-Indo-Bactrian empire of Sapadbizes. Arsakes' hold on government was still far too precarious for him to enforce any meaningful levying of tolls on Bactrian merchants, though in fact most now preferred routes through Arabia, across the Caspian or up the Persian Gulf to Roman-held Tylos and then up through Roman Mesopotamia, evading his realm altogether. Even so the guarantee of peace - at least on his eastern frontier - was highly beneficial. As part of the commerce which did nevertheless occur Sapadbizes began officially sponsoring Zoroastrianism in his realm, identifying his divine patron Nanaya[3] with the Zoroastrian lady of the waters. Thus Sapadbizes refined the rather rudimentary cult of his divine mistress by attaching to it Zoroastrian teaching and ritual and the figure Oromades (Ahura Mazda) as her consort[4]. The generally zealous Arsakes not only overlooked these innovations, but also held off on the persecution of Buddhists - a sect detested by Sapadbizes but comprising an even growing number of his subjects.

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King and Zeus-Oromasdes-Sarapo

His ambitions thus satiated, Sapadbizes regressed to Chorasmia, where he conducted a campaign against the Scythians to his north. By this point Sapadbizes had removed the other 'kings' among his people (the Yuezhi), relegating them to inferior status and placing his own clansmen as yabgu, that is, heads and chiefs over them. His daughter Cleopatra Thais came forth to receive him into the realm. Though still in the first flower of youth she already exercised royal power in her father's absence, to the point of over-ruling male relatives and receiving tribute and homage in her own right. The client kings who previously attended on Sapadbizes now attended on her; like her mother, she was variously referred to as the Queen or Daughter of Heaven. Sapadbizes' present wife, a princess of Chorasmia, was her second and junior in all things.

Back west Arsakes went to lengths to avoid conflict with Alexander Helios, his own hands tied while he waited for the promised help to realize. Meanwhile Alexander penetrated further east than before, taking both Esfahan and Rhagae. Custody of the crown prince Alexander Seleukos and a hefty tribute bought Alexander Helios off temporarily, allowing time for the promised reinforcements to arrive from Bactria and India. Upon their arrival Arsakes was finally able to reverse his policy and launch a full-scale invasion of Media. He met with initial success and was aided by internal rebellions and the support of Alexander’s disaffected queen Iotapa, who had been repudiated in favor of Alexander’s favorite bride Amoghabuta. Though the former queen did not long outlive this last act of defiance, Arsakes made significant inroads, his force of elephants decimating his brother's forces and recapturing Esfahan. These military successes marked Arsakes' full majority and his emancipation from the magi who had been his custodians and councilors to this point.

Emboldened by these exploits, he regressed to Estakhr for the winter, where his hitherto demure demeanor gave way to an excessive Zoroastrian piety and cruelty worthy of his most brutal ancestors. The persecution and slaughtering of Jews led to generalized unrest and the start of a mass exodus of Jews from Persia. Arsakes gleefully looted these subjects in order to maintain his troops and embellish his fire temples.

The following year (4BC) he was back in Esfahan, from where he attempted to take back Rhagae (the Europos of the Seleucids). Forced to retreat, he set loose his troops on Juhudistan (Yahudiyya), a Jewish settlement adjoining Gay, the Gabae of the Greeks; together the two communities comprised the city of Esfahan. When he fell through a window in his royal palace to an agonizing death, the Jewish people far and wide publicly rejoiced at the providential intervention of their God.

Arsakes' death caused an immediate crisis. The Megistanes, the royal council of magi, hurriedly sought to make peace with Alexander Helios by offering him the crown. Unfortunately for those desirous of peace Arsakes' sister-wife Dareia thwarted, or at least delayed, such plans by orchestrating a palace coup and disposing of her rival Irtasduna and the latter's son Tiridates. She named herself King and co-regent for her own son, the infant Phraates V, henceforth better known as Phraatakes ('the Little Phraates')[5]. The princess Cleopatra Thais had at this time come forth with a grand retinue to Phra (Propasta) in Aria, where she was then awaiting an escort to bring her across to Esfahan - informed of her half-brother's death and the plot of her half-sister to capture her, she stole away immediately to the safety of her father's court.

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Dareia Tryphaena Thea Ouraniae, Queen of Parthia
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Notes:

[1] Chorasmia, Dihistan (the land of the Dahae) and easternmost parts of Parthia proper and Aria.

[2] Sapadbizes was the son of Hyrcodes, a son of Heraios (a semi-Hellenized Yuezhi prince) and Thais, a Greco-Bactrian princess. Through Thais he was able to claim some vague, unspecified kinship with the Seleucids. Her father Amyntas, Indo-Greek King of Alexandria in Paropamisadae, provided a more certain (but far less glorious) descent from the satraps put in place by Alexander the Great and the early Seleucids.

[3] An Iranian goddess identified by the Greeks with Artemis. Also identified with Inana, Ishtar, Diana, etc. As Aredvi Sura Anahita she was integrated into the Zoroastrian pantheon as the spiritual guardian of the waters, "the life-increasing, herd-increasing, fold-increasing, who makes prosperity for all countries". She was also a heavenly goddess associated with healing, wisdom and fertility.

[4] The uncreated god of Zoroastrianism.

[5] My take on OTL's Queen Thea Musa (Thermusa), an obscure girl given by Augustus to Phraates (Farhad) IV to seal peace between Rome and Parthia. She later slew her husband and married their son, Phraataces, minting coins as Musa, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΣΣΕΣ ΘΕΑ ΟΥΡΑΝΙΑΣ (queen, goddess in heaven). Prior to her more than one Parthian queen ruled as 'king' in co-regency with immature heirs.
 
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Wow! So the Parthian Civil war starts up again:D. I wonder who's going to end up inheriting the Greco-Indo-Bactrian Empire? So Sapadbizes is going to get involved in the Civil war but will Ceasarion join in as well or no? Also is Sapadbizes still married to Cleopatra or are they permanently separated?
 
Wow! So the Parthian Civil war starts up again:D. I wonder who's going to end up inheriting the Greco-Indo-Bactrian Empire? So Sapadbizes is going to get involved in the Civil war but will Ceasarion join in as well or no? Also is Sapadbizes still married to Cleopatra or are they permanently separated?

Sapadbizes' marriage to Cleopatra was one of mutual convenience. The presence of their daughter (who plays a central role at the Bactrian court as the quasi-divine, Hathoric Queen of Heaven) and his recognition by Arsakes (as well as his military successes) have since then afforded him the legitimacy he initially derived from her. I think it's fair to say the geographical distance has rendered their union null, which isn't to say it can't be picked up again if convenient. The succession is a sticky matter, especially given the disparate cultures and traditions of the many people he reigns over.

Sapadbizes and Caesarion both have a vested interest in ensuring Parthian/Persian politics development according to their plans. How much/how far they can effectively intervene is tied up in a lot of variables though.

I love the update, especially the ending!

Awesome, glad you like :D Next update coming up.
 
Chapter LXXXIV: Pharaoh and Emperor

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Caesarion running before Min in his Sed Festival

Following the celebration of their first Sed Festival the Emperor Caesarion and his mother Queen Cleopatra VII remained a while in Memphis, where they participated in the celebrations accompanying the consecration of a new Apis bull. Thereafter they sailed up the Nile to the Thebaid, a journey undertaken in slightly over a week, but very rarely undertaken by recent Pharaohs.

At Thebes Caesarion paid homage to Min, the ichtyphallic god of procreation, for granting him sons. Associated with Amon, Min played a central figure in Pharaonic ritual - a fact which would have been most recently impressed upon Caesarion by the Sed festival. From the royal palace Caesarion and Cleopatra proceeded aboard palanquins (carrying chairs) to the temple of Amon-Min, where they burned incense and poured libations before that god. In a second, grander procession they set off from the temple sanctuary, the god being carried on poles on the shoulders of shaven-headed priests adorned in white linen. Other priests carried ensigns of the gods and images of royal ancestors. Behind them a white bull, considered to be the god incarnate, was led by a rope. The god’s statue was then placed on a platform carried by shaven-headed priests in white linen. Min was always sculpted standing so as to make his huge penis all the more visible. Behind the bull walked Caesarion and Cleopatra, the image of the god following them, and behind that further groups of priests carrying bundles of lettuce (the long-leaved ‘Lactuca sativa’) a plant whose milky sap, symbolic of Min’s semen, was deemed sacred and regarded throughout the ancient world as having opiate and aphrodisiac qualities. The procession was accompanied by the chanting of hymns in honor of the god. Arriving at the public area, two priests holding a linen curtain hid the statue of Min from view with other priests chanted hymn. Cleopatra then appeared with the white bull and together with Caesarion worshiped their royal ancestors. The end of the journey was a nearby field, where Min was set down on his throne, called ‘the staircase’, under a canopy. Sacrifices were made and offerings brought to the god. The chief act of this ceremony now took place: Caesarion symbolically reaping the first ears of emmer wheat and presenting them to the god. At this point the Pharaoh would have ritual intercourse with his Queen; here Caesarion and Cleopatra merely withdrew to a tent for a time. They then presided over games held in the god's honor, in which naked youths climbed a huge pole for Min. The Caesar Isidorus, no doubt aided by the opiate effects of the holy lettuce, was victorious, to his father's evident delight. The ceremony ended with the release of four sparrows to the four cardinal points of the compass, to carry news of Min’s festival and the prosperity of the king to all parts of Egypt. [1]

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From Thebes the Imperial party at last made its way to Alexandria. Caesarion and Cleopatra were the first royal couple to actively tour the land, especially outside of the Delta, in several generations - Caesarion was also the first Pharaoh in a long, long time, to proceed as far south as Kush. Likewise Isidorus and the basilissa Berenike were the first royal heirs to venture so brazenly into the midst of the people in aeons. These measures more than mitigated the resentment felt towards the demi-Roman regime; after all, as he so fervently reminded them, Caesarion was still their Pharaoh. Indeed, the first Pharaoh to truly fulfill his role reigning over the known world, imposing order over the nations, crushing all enemies before him and bringing justice and prosperity to all.

In Alexandria Caesarion did little of note, besides granting Roman citizenship to his natural son - henceforth Ptolemaeus Julius Horogenes[2]. Harmose-Meryese, henceforth better known as Horogenes, was constituted supervisor of the Imperial cult in Egypt[3]. As a further mark of Imperial favour, to both, Horogenes married a sister of the novus homo Aelius Marrulinus. Caesarion paid visits to the Sema and to the new temple being constructed in honor of the Caesarian triad. Enrolling Isidorus in the ephebi of that city, he entrusted him to the care of Cleopatra, departing with the rest of his party for Rome. Livia Valeria, intended bride of Isidorus, went with him, her obnoxious manner having alienated the populace everywhere she went.

Hots on their heels ran the news of the death of King Arsakes of Parthia and the winds of war blowing over the whole east.

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Notes:
[1] Adapted quotes from “A Mind Of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis”, “Temple of the Cosmos: The Ancient Egyptian Experience of the Sacred” by Jeremy Naydler and “Egyptian Mythology, A to Z” by Pat Remler.

[2] Horogenes - “born of Horus” - the Greek equivalent to Harmose (“born of Horus”)

[3] The Imperial cult being the combined veneration of Roma (deified Rome), Jupiter Julius (the divine Julius) and Caesar Augustus (the sacrosanct living Emperor).
 
Ah, Nanaya/Nana!

She's an interesting goddess; she was the chief deity in Bactria for a long period, but the origins of her seem to be Mesopotamian. Along with references to temples of Bel, it seems that Bactria had quite a few elements of Mesopotamian religion alongside Iranian, we're still only just discovering it.

I wonder if this period in the Roman Empire's history is going to be known as the Julio-Ptolemies :p
 
These measures more than mitigated the resentment felt towards the demi-Roman regime; after all, as he so fervently reminded them, Caesarion was still their Pharaoh. Indeed, the first Pharaoh to truly fulfill his role reigning over the known world, imposing order over the nations, crushing all enemies before him and bringing justice and prosperity to all.

This makes sense - Egyptians were tolerant enough of foreign rulers, provided that those rulers adopted Egyptian ways and did what pharaohs were supposed to do. Caesarion is doing that in spades - he's following the Egyptian ritual very publicly, and presenting a fully Egyptian face to the people when touring that part of his realm. And I assume that he and Cleo have made very sure that the people know that he's the first all-conquering pharaoh - both of them are master propagandists, and I doubt they'd let the opportunity go to waste.

I still wonder how all this Egyptianizing is playing in Rome, although with the more-or-less formal division of the empire, the Romans may tolerate it as long as he puts his toga back on when he returns to the west.

And the Min festival... very cool. I'd really like to see some temples and ritual games dedicated to Min in Rome, preferably right next to the Isis cult.
 
Very informative update. I find all the Egyptian rituals fascinating. Is it just me or does it seem like 2/3rds of religious rituals back then had something to do with sex:D!? Religion would be a lot more interesting if we still had rituals and ceremonies like that! So is Isidorus being associated as royal Heir in Egypt? Or is he just participating because he's Ceasarion's oldest living son? I can already see a problem with his fiance, Livia Valeria, alienating the non-Romans of the east if she keeps acting obnoxious. Can't wait to see how the Parthian Civil War gos.
 
Ah, Nanaya/Nana!

She's an interesting goddess; she was the chief deity in Bactria for a long period, but the origins of her seem to be Mesopotamian. Along with references to temples of Bel, it seems that Bactria had quite a few elements of Mesopotamian religion alongside Iranian, we're still only just discovering it.

I wonder if this period in the Roman Empire's history is going to be known as the Julio-Ptolemies :p

The religious atmosphere in Bactria is quite remarkable - perhaps one of the most diverse pantheons ever - from the Greco-Egyptian 'Sarapo' to an assortment of Indian, Greek, Iranian and Mesopotamian entities. Here we've had Cleopatra promoting the region's Hellenization (even if briefly, but with lasting effect on Sapadbizes and his court) and the alliance with Arsakes (even if also brief) allowing for a greater exchange with Zoroastrianism.

And er, I'm not quite sure..the Julio-Claudian-Ptolemies, the monarchy, the Empire...I'm hoping hindsight will make nomenclature easier :p

You're doing well. I have nothing to say except those two updates are impressive! :D

Thanks! The continuing support means a lot.

This makes sense - Egyptians were tolerant enough of foreign rulers, provided that those rulers adopted Egyptian ways and did what pharaohs were supposed to do. Caesarion is doing that in spades - he's following the Egyptian ritual very publicly, and presenting a fully Egyptian face to the people when touring that part of his realm. And I assume that he and Cleo have made very sure that the people know that he's the first all-conquering pharaoh - both of them are master propagandists, and I doubt they'd let the opportunity go to waste.

I still wonder how all this Egyptianizing is playing in Rome, although with the more-or-less formal division of the empire, the Romans may tolerate it as long as he puts his toga back on when he returns to the west.

And the Min festival... very cool. I'd really like to see some temples and ritual games dedicated to Min in Rome, preferably right next to the Isis cult.

Thank you! If it hadn't been for your TL I'd have been quite ignorant of Min's awesomeness. Historically Augustus was quite happy to allow the priests to regard him as Pharaoh and was depicted in full Pharaonic garb, while at the same time foregoing actual coronation ceremonies. Then again he treated Egypt as his private property and his birthday was marked as a royal birthday. A Goldilocks type settlement. Caesarion is far more blatant, but then again he has another couple of decades of civil war behind him making his Principate (or quasi-monarchy) a far more attractive prospect even to the Roman elite. That said, he's only doing the same as his Ptolemy ancestors: Egyptian only when convenient, on occasion, quickly reverting to Macedonian (or in Caesarion's case, Roman) dress and mannerism once the occasion has past.

Very informative update. I find all the Egyptian rituals fascinating. Is it just me or does it seem like 2/3rds of religious rituals back then had something to do with sex:D!? Religion would be a lot more interesting if we still had rituals and ceremonies like that! So is Isidorus being associated as royal Heir in Egypt? Or is he just participating because he's Ceasarion's oldest living son? I can already see a problem with his fiance, Livia Valeria, alienating the non-Romans of the east if she keeps acting obnoxious. Can't wait to see how the Parthian Civil War gos.

Thank you, and me too. A lot of it, yes :D Let's just be glad Caesarion and Cleopatra didn't go through with the ritual intercourse. Isidorus isn't officially associated on the throne but it is telling that he's spending a year in Alexandria before embarking on the military service necessary to further promotion within the cursus honorum. He's also been named perpetual prefect of Egypt, a grant of imperium given him by Caesarion before the Arabian campaign, intended to ensure he'd have a semi-legitimate power base in the East if worst came to worst. (Remembering of course that prefects ITTL are Imperial legates taking care of a client kingdom's military, foreign affairs, etc, while the client monarch takes care of 'unimportant' internal matters). (Also remembering that in Egyptian thought whoever was in power was considered Pharaoh and a legitimate consort for the Queen - see Caesar, Mark Antony, etc).

I love the update and I hope Isidorus cuts down his intended's ego a bit!

Thanks! Livia Valeria...well, she's supposed to be an "Octavia", bringing together her husband and brother, but in reality the combination of her father Publicola (the dictator) and mother's personalities and ambitions. What remains to be seen is if she'll be as savvy as her mother.
 
Chapter LXXXV: Rome Sweet Rome

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The eponymous consuls for 4BCE were L. Volusius Saturninus and P. Claudius Pulcher, both of them creatures of Tiberius and Drusus. Volusius was an old man and of unexceptional pedigree, save for the illustrious claim to the brothers' benefaction he derived through his mother - none other than Claudia Neronis, their aunt. Claudius Pulcher was the step-son of Mark Antony; a dissolute lifestyle and embarrassing obsession with a whore (on whom he squandered much of his fortune) sullied his name until the ascendance of Antyllus, his half-brother, saw his sister Clodia Pulchra become the third wife of the Emperor Vipsanian. By the time of the Games of Caesar he was well regarded enough to adopt the eldest son of Tiberius, who had been removed from the gens Claudia by virtue of Tiberius' adoption.

The Emperor Caesarion's arrival in Rome coincided with the abatement of a brief epidemic which had stalled military preparations along the Rhineland and carried off a number of notables. Among the casualties were his own former wife, Julia Caesaris, his former companion Iullus Antonius (who had changed his name to Iullus Sempronius Tuditanus Antonianus), the aged King Artavasdes[1] and his grandson Mithridates 'IV'[2], the Arab sheiks Sabos (of the Minae), Homam (of Himyar) and Gisalchus (of Hadramut)[3], a number of priestesses of Roma and two of Caesarion's foremost generals and brothers-in-law, Calpurnius Piso and Drusus Libo.

The sixty four year old Octavia also passed following Caesarion's arrival, dying of a long-running ailment instead of the epidemic. Briefly her foster son, Caesarion had always held her in the highest regard and called her sister. While his Imperial favor was no doubt a boon to her and her family, Caesarion also benefited considerably from the association. Through her daughters and their multiple marriages Caesarion connected himself to the Roman elite, drawing the greatest statesmen, their families and clients into his orbit and thusly annexing their support and prestige to his cause. Not even the failed conspiracy of her son Marcellus, who was aided by his brothers-in-law, caused lasting damage: her daughters merely receiving new husbands in their stead. While Octavian's reluctant decision to make him one of his heirs, condicio nominus ferendi[4], might have permitted him to imitate Octavian's precedent and present himself as the latter's son (and therefore Octavia's nephew), Caesarion from the outset stressed his own biological tie to the Divine Julius himself, to the exclusion of Octavian. He nevertheless opted to rehabilitate Octavia in public discourse always referring to her as his sister; in a stricter sense she was his soror patruelis[5], a degree of propinquity significant enough to still establish culturally and politically binding affinity between the Emperor and the men who married her daughters.

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Octavia Minor, the Emperor's soror patruelis

As she lay on her deathbed Caesarion remained at her side - in place of the son he had deprived her of, perhaps. During those final days the Emperor arranged four betrothals tying their two lineages together: his sons Gaius and Aurelius to her granddaughters Livilla and Sentia Saturnina, and her grandsons Germanicus and Domitius to his own granddaughters Calpurnilla and Cleopatra[6]. Judicious unions which had, no doubt, already been contemplated for some time.

Octavia’s death was honored by a mandated day of mourning throughout the Empire. She was given a public, state funeral. The Emperor delivered the main funeral oration himself and laid her body in state at the Temple of the Divine Julius, honoring her as ‘soror patruelis Augusti’. Her son-in-law Drusus delivered a laudatio from the rostra at the west end of the forum. Assisted by the Emperor and Tiberius, her three sons-in-law bore her body to the field of Mars: namely Drusus, Marcus Appuleius (also her nephew) and Gaius Porcius Cato[7]. The reigning consuls resigned, so that Octavia might be honored, both with three consular sons-in-law and being buried by the most noble men of the Republic. She was buried in the Imperial mausoleum, where Caesar Ptolemy and a stillborn child of Tiberius also rested. Finally, Caesarion ordered the erection of the Gate of Octavia and the Porticus Octaviae in her honor, as well as a number of statues and busts.

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Porticus Octaviae, erected in Octavia's honor after her death

In reality Octavia's death had provided Caesarion with a much-needed opportunity to reaffirm his romanitas and his connection with the elite. The recent excursion east had resulted in a certain backlash back home - perhaps initiated by those excluded from the festivities, or perhaps just the work of tongue-wagging patriots. In the Senate there was a general call to remove the image of Isis of the Romans from the temple of Roma to the temple of Isis and Serapis. Quieter voices desired the complete separation of the cults of Isis and Roma; that the Flaminica Isialis and Navigium Isidis , the female high priesthood and festival named after Isis should be replaced with a (male) high priesthood and festival exclusively for Roma. Livia Drusilla's occasional disputes with the Vestals did not endear her to the populace as Flaminica Isialis; the Navigium was popular with sailors and the rabble but had not been celebrated in Rome for some years now. Though popular individually, Caesarion's intended conflation of Isis and Roma had not been allowed to take root with his constant forays abroad and Livia Drusilla's callous ways.

The situation was made worse by pamphlets and rabid gossip mocking the Emperor and Caesar Isidorus as Lactuca and Lactucinus, for the magical lettuce so enthusiastically handled in the feasts of Egyptian Pan. An Imperial delator Memmius brought charges against Tullius Cicero for inventing this nicknames, speaking ill of the Emperor and of treason; as all delatores, the bankrupt Memmius no doubt sought to benefit from the fourth part of Cicero's fortune if a guilty verdict ensued. The ensuing trial brought the city to a halt, Cicero's dignity and nobility mobilizing the support of many. When Appuleius and Cato resigned as consuls, Cicero refused to stand for election; his supporters dominated the Comitia Centuriata and passed a lex electing his son, Tullius Candidus, despite the latter's unconstitutionally young age. Memmius was heckled and forced to flee while Caesarion - elected as the other consul - found himself unwilling (or unable) to oppose the assembly. The situation worsened when it transpired that Livia Valeria was behind the nicknames; even worse was the suspicion that her fellow jokers were also her lovers, among whose names were cited Aurelius Cotta Maximus (son of the traitor Corvinus) and Quinctilius Varus (implicated in Marcellus’ conspiracy of 14BC). Cicero's circumspection and discretion averted too public a scandal, but the suspicion raised encouraged others to capitalize on the situation. Most notable of these was Antonia, sister of Livia Valeria’s late husband Antyllus. This woman blamed Livia Valeria for the murder of the elder sons of Antyllus had been shortly disposed of following his rebellion, leaving the infant son of Livia Valeria as sole heir. While no doubt Livia Valeria’s actions (if indeed they were hers) had been sanctioned by the Emperor, Antonia was able to compel Scribonius Curio and the consular Claudius Pulcher (Antyllus’ uterine brothers and uncles to the slain boys) to bring charges of treason against Livia Valeria and a list of alleged lovers.

Livia Drusilla was said to be in a panic, fearing Caesarion would set her aside; she was by now fifty-four. Caesarians likewise feared a plot against the Emperor’s life lest he destroy Livia Drusilla and her children.

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Livia Drusilla, the aged Empress
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Notes:

[1] King of Media Atropatene and later King of Sophene. The father of Ariobarzanes and Darius, who contested the Atropatene throne, and Iotapa I, the wife in turn of Mithridates III of Commagene and Alexander Helios. Artavasdes himself was briefly united with Cleopatra following Actium and later brought to Rome by Caesarion.

[2] The son of Darius of Media Atropatene, son of Artavasdes, and a daughter of Phraates IV, he was a puppet king during the Parthian civil war during the 20s; later brought to Rome and educated in the Imperial household.

[3] Of the Arabian kings or chiefs captured by Caesarion during the Arabian campaign only Ilasarus of the Rhamanitae survived the epidemic.

[4] The leaving of an inheritance to an heir on the condition that he continue the testator's name. On this basis Octavian presented himself as the son of Caesar, though in reality it did not amount to an actual adoption and he was forced to have a comitia curiata pass a lex adopting him 'again'. OTL Livia Drusilla was thus benefited after Octavian's death. Here the low-born Agrippa was eager to use Caesarion, Caesar's only actual biological son, to his own ends.

[5] The Romans were prone to call their cousins of the first degree brothers and sisters. A cousin through the father’s side was a patruelis.

[6] Gaius and Aurelius were the sons of Caesarion and Julia Caesaris, Octavia’s niece. Livilla and Germanicus were the children of Drusus and Antonia Minor, Octavia’s daughter. Calpurnilla and Cleopatra were the children of Tiberius and Julia Calpurnia, Caesarion’s daughter. Sentia and Domitius Ahenobarbus were the children of Antonia Major by different marriages. These prospective marriages therefore brought together the lineages of Octavian, Mark Antony, Caesar and Livia.

[7] His competent participation in the later stages of the suppression of the Illyrian revolt had generally obfuscated the shame of his initial defeat and loss of a standard, though not enough for him to serve as consul (until this point).
 
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Cool update. So there is public backlash from the Eastern Expedition, I was afraid of that. I was also afraid that Livia Valeria would start stuff, but I didn't expect it so soon.

Couple of Nitpicks/Questions. You put the number 7 twice and the one next to soror patruelis Augusti doesn't go with it. I think you meant to have the second 7 be 8 but there needs to be a link for soror patruelis Augusti. Also why is Livia Drusilla afriad of being divorced if Livia Valeria is behind the nicknames?
 
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