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New post and map are on the way.After Actium: Two Caesars Are Not Enough
- Thread starter Velasco
- Start date
Glad you guys like
New post and map are on the way.Chapter LXXII: Rhodes And Beyond
The port of Rhodes
The port of Rhodes
Antyllus had been dumbfounded by the lack of support for his cause and by the sudden reappearance of Caesarion on the scene. When his delegations seeking amnesty or negotiation were turned down, he knew his only chance at success lay in cutting Caesarion off from Crassus and picking off his opponents piecemeal. By boarding ship and darting across the sea to Rhodes, Caesarion placed himself completely outside Antyllus’ reach. Antyllus, whose forces were completely land-based, was forced to rethink his strategy and begin retreating east; further progress into Palestine risked the loss of his supply lines to Crassus at his rear, while retreating north and meeting Crassus in Cilicia would lay him open to combined assault at the amassed troops of Rome.
Caesarion was received in Rhodes by his daughter Julia Calpurnia, now a young woman of 21. She had matured into a true matrona, her stern silence and beautiful countenance permanently exuding the high dignity of her birth and connections. Married off at a young age, she had shown herself fertile and competent in all wifely duties, shrewdly administering her husband's estate during his absences and at times accompanying him on campaign. With her was her step-brother-husband Tiberius Claudius Nero and all of their children. Tiberius had retired to the small island the previous year to wallow in depressive stupor, overwhelmed by his mother’s obtuse manner and tired of the ever-shifting sands of Imperial politics. Julia Calpurnia, at that time visiting the court of her half-sister Demetria, Queen of Thrace, had joined him from Abdera shortly thereafter.
His melancholia aside, Tiberius was highly esteemed by all, not least Caesarion, to whom he had famously pledged the eastern legions in 19BC. Without Tiberius, Caesarion would not have won the civil conflicts following Vipsanian's capture at Nisibis. The betrayal of Antyllus in the East and return of Vipsanian to Rome lay the Empire open once more to all manner of internal and external disorder and strife, threatening above all the very life and welfare of Caesarion and his house. Caesarion was in desperate need of a strong, trustworthy ally, impeccably Roman and qualified. Tiberius was all those things, as well as the senior male member of the Imperial house (besides Caesarion) with extensive military and political experience. His military accomplishments had won him renown and his distinguished pedigree marked him for great political office.
Rousing his step-son from his depressive state, Caesarion exhorted Tiberius to go ahead of him to Rome, to pacify the city, secure the Senate and prevent civil war.Caesarion wanted a renewal of his extraordinary magisterial powers, which were set to expire; at the same time, he did not want to return to Rome while civil war loomed on the horizon. He also wanted to block Vipsanian's return to power by any means possible. By degrees he was able to convince Tiberius to enter into a league with him.
At length the two arrived at an agreement. Caesarion adopted Tiberius, henceforth Tiberius Julius Caesar, and gave his son Ptolemy to Tiberius in turn. Naming convention would have affixed Claudianus at the end of Tiberius' name, so as to evidence his biological origin, and Caesarion's own praenomen at the start. Tiberius, however, maintained his own praenomen and did not use the adoptive cognomen, so famously used by Octavian and Vipsanian in recent times. Caesarion and Tiberius were eager to stress that, unlike those two, his membership in the Imperial family came not by some legal fiction, but by blood - albeit primarily that of his wife and children.[1] Caesarion was thus provided with a capable, adult heir, while guaranteeing the future succession of his own bloodline in the second generation. In this way Tiberius was from then on empowered, in Caesarion's absence, to act and speak on his behalf and wield all of his auctoritas in both the city and Senate.
By virtue of this concord Tiberius’ own biological sons Drusus and Tiberillus also received the lofty name of their celebrated maternal ancestors, the Julii Caesares.[2] Like their father neither affixed the name of their old gens to their new name.
Bust of Tiberius Julius Caesar
Proceeding to Cilicia, Caesarion joined his generals Crassus Scythicus and Marcus Livius Drusus Libo. Victorious in Thrace, Calpurnius Piso also rode forth to their encounter. Together they moved across the difficult terrain of Asia Minor with some difficulty, encouraging Caesarion to split his forces into two. Advancing with the smaller force, he continued the pursuit of Antyllus into Cappadocia.
Caesarion's opposition to Antyllus had eroded support for the Antonine cause; those who continued to support him only did so out of fear, either of Antyllus or of what would befall them if Caesarion triumphed. When Antyllus continued to withdraw east, his supporters abandoned the city of Eusebia at the Argaeus, which Caesarion promptly took and used as a base for his operations. As Antyllus crossed the Halys in direction of Nikopolis, Caesarion sent word throughout the East, promising full amnesty to all who had supported and abetted Antyllus so long as they now abandoned the rebel and declared for Caesarion.
Accordingly, Queen Eupatra of Armenia refused Antyllus passage through her kingdom; the mercenaries with him deserted back to her and his own men defected en masse to Caesarion. He sent delegation after delegation seeking peace, to no avail. He wished to flee to the Bosporan Kingdom, but the disputed succession there made it a less than enticing destination and what remained of his retinue declined. Beset by enemies on all sides and without a fleet to speak of, it was not even feasible to undertake such a journey. He therefore decided to retreat to Media, where he might find refuge at the court of (a presumably indebted) Alexander Helios. Alexander Helios, however, was indifferent to his brother's entreaties, not wanting to give cause of offence to Caesarion and his Romans. In all likelihood the vengeful Alexander quite relished the opportunity to watch his brother - who had so hastily dumped his cause not so long ago - be terrorized on all sides.
Cornered, Antyllus and his tired, starving men were engaged by Caesarion's assembled force. Only the sudden oncoming of nightfall averted a full out massacre. Stranded and destitute, Antyllus realized death was imminent and committed suicide after a final attempt at receiving a pardon – in exchange for Caesarion’s son Isidorus – failed. Certainly he did not wish to suffer the pains and humiliation of betrayal, defeat, imprisonment, torture and execution which were now sure to follow. His corpse and the young tribunes Isidorus, Picenus and Aesopus[3] were then conveyed together with the other survivors by Queen Eupatra of Armenia and King Polemon of Pontus - said to have provided Antyllus with the required sword - to King Mithridates of Commagene, who received them and escorted them all into Caesarion's camp.
Glad for peace, Caesarion spared both Polemon and Eupatra's lives before setting off back west.
Antyllus, would-be Imperator Augustus & King of Kings, runs himself through with a sword
__________________________________________________________________________________Caesarion was received in Rhodes by his daughter Julia Calpurnia, now a young woman of 21. She had matured into a true matrona, her stern silence and beautiful countenance permanently exuding the high dignity of her birth and connections. Married off at a young age, she had shown herself fertile and competent in all wifely duties, shrewdly administering her husband's estate during his absences and at times accompanying him on campaign. With her was her step-brother-husband Tiberius Claudius Nero and all of their children. Tiberius had retired to the small island the previous year to wallow in depressive stupor, overwhelmed by his mother’s obtuse manner and tired of the ever-shifting sands of Imperial politics. Julia Calpurnia, at that time visiting the court of her half-sister Demetria, Queen of Thrace, had joined him from Abdera shortly thereafter.
His melancholia aside, Tiberius was highly esteemed by all, not least Caesarion, to whom he had famously pledged the eastern legions in 19BC. Without Tiberius, Caesarion would not have won the civil conflicts following Vipsanian's capture at Nisibis. The betrayal of Antyllus in the East and return of Vipsanian to Rome lay the Empire open once more to all manner of internal and external disorder and strife, threatening above all the very life and welfare of Caesarion and his house. Caesarion was in desperate need of a strong, trustworthy ally, impeccably Roman and qualified. Tiberius was all those things, as well as the senior male member of the Imperial house (besides Caesarion) with extensive military and political experience. His military accomplishments had won him renown and his distinguished pedigree marked him for great political office.
Rousing his step-son from his depressive state, Caesarion exhorted Tiberius to go ahead of him to Rome, to pacify the city, secure the Senate and prevent civil war.Caesarion wanted a renewal of his extraordinary magisterial powers, which were set to expire; at the same time, he did not want to return to Rome while civil war loomed on the horizon. He also wanted to block Vipsanian's return to power by any means possible. By degrees he was able to convince Tiberius to enter into a league with him.
At length the two arrived at an agreement. Caesarion adopted Tiberius, henceforth Tiberius Julius Caesar, and gave his son Ptolemy to Tiberius in turn. Naming convention would have affixed Claudianus at the end of Tiberius' name, so as to evidence his biological origin, and Caesarion's own praenomen at the start. Tiberius, however, maintained his own praenomen and did not use the adoptive cognomen, so famously used by Octavian and Vipsanian in recent times. Caesarion and Tiberius were eager to stress that, unlike those two, his membership in the Imperial family came not by some legal fiction, but by blood - albeit primarily that of his wife and children.[1] Caesarion was thus provided with a capable, adult heir, while guaranteeing the future succession of his own bloodline in the second generation. In this way Tiberius was from then on empowered, in Caesarion's absence, to act and speak on his behalf and wield all of his auctoritas in both the city and Senate.
By virtue of this concord Tiberius’ own biological sons Drusus and Tiberillus also received the lofty name of their celebrated maternal ancestors, the Julii Caesares.[2] Like their father neither affixed the name of their old gens to their new name.
Bust of Tiberius Julius Caesar
Proceeding to Cilicia, Caesarion joined his generals Crassus Scythicus and Marcus Livius Drusus Libo. Victorious in Thrace, Calpurnius Piso also rode forth to their encounter. Together they moved across the difficult terrain of Asia Minor with some difficulty, encouraging Caesarion to split his forces into two. Advancing with the smaller force, he continued the pursuit of Antyllus into Cappadocia.
Caesarion's opposition to Antyllus had eroded support for the Antonine cause; those who continued to support him only did so out of fear, either of Antyllus or of what would befall them if Caesarion triumphed. When Antyllus continued to withdraw east, his supporters abandoned the city of Eusebia at the Argaeus, which Caesarion promptly took and used as a base for his operations. As Antyllus crossed the Halys in direction of Nikopolis, Caesarion sent word throughout the East, promising full amnesty to all who had supported and abetted Antyllus so long as they now abandoned the rebel and declared for Caesarion.
Accordingly, Queen Eupatra of Armenia refused Antyllus passage through her kingdom; the mercenaries with him deserted back to her and his own men defected en masse to Caesarion. He sent delegation after delegation seeking peace, to no avail. He wished to flee to the Bosporan Kingdom, but the disputed succession there made it a less than enticing destination and what remained of his retinue declined. Beset by enemies on all sides and without a fleet to speak of, it was not even feasible to undertake such a journey. He therefore decided to retreat to Media, where he might find refuge at the court of (a presumably indebted) Alexander Helios. Alexander Helios, however, was indifferent to his brother's entreaties, not wanting to give cause of offence to Caesarion and his Romans. In all likelihood the vengeful Alexander quite relished the opportunity to watch his brother - who had so hastily dumped his cause not so long ago - be terrorized on all sides.
Cornered, Antyllus and his tired, starving men were engaged by Caesarion's assembled force. Only the sudden oncoming of nightfall averted a full out massacre. Stranded and destitute, Antyllus realized death was imminent and committed suicide after a final attempt at receiving a pardon – in exchange for Caesarion’s son Isidorus – failed. Certainly he did not wish to suffer the pains and humiliation of betrayal, defeat, imprisonment, torture and execution which were now sure to follow. His corpse and the young tribunes Isidorus, Picenus and Aesopus[3] were then conveyed together with the other survivors by Queen Eupatra of Armenia and King Polemon of Pontus - said to have provided Antyllus with the required sword - to King Mithridates of Commagene, who received them and escorted them all into Caesarion's camp.
Glad for peace, Caesarion spared both Polemon and Eupatra's lives before setting off back west.
Antyllus, would-be Imperator Augustus & King of Kings, runs himself through with a sword
Notes:
[1] It seems likely Livia Drusilla was the great-granddaughter of Grania, a first cousin of the divine Julius (Julius Caesar the dictator). She was therefore the cousin of both Octavian (3rd, once removed) and Caesarion (2nd, twice removed).
[2] Drusus is the son of Tiberius and Claudia Marcella Minor, great-great-niece of the divine Julius. Tiberillus is Tiberius' eldest son by Julia Calpurnia Caesaris.
[3] Picenus is the eldest son of Iullus Antonius, brother of Antyllus. Aesopus is Licinius Claudius Aesopus, Antyllus' step-son. Together with Isidorus and Crispus (who ended up in Egypt with aunt-wife Kleopatra Selene) these boys accompanied Antyllus east to serve him as tribunes.
So ends the Antonine'sbid for the throne. All that's left is Vipsanian and Caesarion is home free, for the moment at least..... So we might still see an Emperor Tiberius, maybe he'll actually govern instead of delegating to the Praetorian Prefect.
So we might still see an Emperor Tiberius, maybe he'll actually govern instead of delegating to the Praetorian Prefect.
So Antyllus dies with a whimper rather than a bang, and Tiberius is elevated to Caesarship, although I assume that Caesarion will still want a natural son to succeed him. I guess the question now is whether Caesarion will cut a deal with Vipsanian or fight to the finish.
Hmmm. Given this latest civil war so soon after the last one, are the Roman people starting to think of Caesarion's monarchy as a continuation of the late Republic's instability? Without the Augustan peace, I'm not sure how legitimate the idea of monarchy will be - given Caesarion's overwhelming force, the Romans will have to acquiesce in it for now, but if their hearts aren't in it, his chosen successor may have a lot of trouble. I think I mentioned at one point that this timeline may skip the Principate and head straight for the Dominate (with an intermediate kinda-sorta-monarchial-republican phase), and given that Caesarion's preferred means of securing civil peace and the legitimacy of the succession might be to enhance his family's standing as gods, I'm wondering about that again.
Hmmm. Given this latest civil war so soon after the last one, are the Roman people starting to think of Caesarion's monarchy as a continuation of the late Republic's instability? Without the Augustan peace, I'm not sure how legitimate the idea of monarchy will be - given Caesarion's overwhelming force, the Romans will have to acquiesce in it for now, but if their hearts aren't in it, his chosen successor may have a lot of trouble. I think I mentioned at one point that this timeline may skip the Principate and head straight for the Dominate (with an intermediate kinda-sorta-monarchial-republican phase), and given that Caesarion's preferred means of securing civil peace and the legitimacy of the succession might be to enhance his family's standing as gods, I'm wondering about that again.
Ah, I felt it was well deserved, but that's just me
So ends the Antonine'sbid for the throne. All that's left is Vipsanian and Caesarion is home free, for the moment at least.....
All that's left is Vipsanian, Caesarion and widespread unrest throughout the provinces. And yep...so far the Praetorians don't even exist ITTL (although something somewhat similar will come into being in due time)
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As always you hit various nails right on the head. I don't want to give too much away... ultimately, this present conflict has served to show there can only be one Caesar Augustus. As long as Vipsanian and Caesarion are both running around, neither will be content. I would imagine Caesarion's royal birth would incline him primarily towards a hereditary succession, however, it seems that in Hellenistic thinking a man who married into the royal family became of royal rank and shared in the family's rule/glory. As such, the position of Tiberius as an adoptive son, step-son and son-in-law wouldn't be all that inferior to one of Caesarion's own natural children.
I tend to think of this alt-TL in cycles. Everyone always says the premature death of Octavian would lead to another cycle of destabilizing civil wars, involving Agrippa versus any number of foes...(it's easy to see Marcellus, Tiberius and Caesarion emerging as potential rivals to Agrippa once they start entering adult hood). The fear of incurring an end like Julius Caesar's has lead to repeated (and abortive) attempts at some semi-constitutional share of rule: Vipsanian's triumvirate and Caesarion's comitatus (the tetrarchy with three junior members and one Augustus). These arrangements have all failed and now here we are, a larger and richer Empire being torn apart by internal rivalries and disputes. I think it's safe to say no one is looking for another triumvirate or tetrarchy anytime soon. If the Republic was falling apart before it transitioned into the OTL Principate, the death of Octavian and almost constant rounds of warfare since then have exposed the inadequacy of the Republican model even further ITTL.
Unlike Octavian, Caesarion isn't as bound exclusively to Roman ideals and heritage, so there's no need for the OTL charade of restoring good old Roman values and such (except where it might serve official policy). So yeah, I think right now we're at that sticky intermediate kinda-sorta-monarchial-republican phase and not even I am 100% sure how things will shape up on the other side. Right now peace is the #1 priority, an Augusta Pax-like peace is a necessity if some modicum of order is going to be restored. Without peace, commerce stalls, the economy is weakened, lawlessness proliferates, clients break off...basically, even more shit would hit the metaphorical storm than has so far.
Chapter LXXIII: Rome Reconciled?
Livia Drusilla
Livia Drusilla
As her husband and sons were often abroad, Livia Drusilla had long exercised a somewhat extra-official role as the representative of their combined interests in Rome, a role which took even greater proportions following Vipsanian’s return to Rome and public life. His return almost immediately divided the loyalties of all of Rome’s élite, in a schism which was played out primarily in Senatorial politics. Part of the Senate remained in Rome, elected Vipsanian as consul in place of the disgraced Iullus Antonius and legitimized the private army he had recruited as two new legions. These men recognized Vipsanian as the legitimate pater familias of the Julii Caesares and heir to all of the auctoritas and clientele of Octavian, his adoptive father. The rest of the Senate, loyal to Caesarion, denounced Vipsanian as a tyrant and his private army as an illegal tool of coercion. Identifying themselves with the interests of the common people they adopted the name “Populares” and fled north with the consul Drusus Claudius Nero.
Livia did not proceed to Mediolanum; securing the loyalty of the Ravennan fleet, she sailed on Brundisium, where she was welcomed with open arms. She eagerly exploited the popularity of her family to recruit a private army of her own, with which she might check Vipsanian's own levies and divert his attention southward while the Populares amassed their troops in the north. At Neapolis a force sent by Livia to secure that city was met by some of Vipsanian’s men, resulting in their mutual decimation; the remnants of Livia’s men emerged victorious thanks only to the intervention of the townspeople. Further north Laenas advanced with his armies from Raetia while Drusus had already abandoned everything east of the Rhine and prepared to march south into Italy with as many troops as the German limes could spare.
It was thus from a position of relative advantage that Livia Drusilla sought to broker a peace between Vipsanian and the Populares. Though Vipsanian had the larger navy and army, the imminent arrival of Drusus was certain to leave him greatly outnumbered on land. Popular opinion was on the side of Caesarion’s partisans and Vipsanian was now universally suspected of dishonest ambitions. Vipsanian was enough of a tactician to know when to withdraw: if he did not back down, he was almost certainly headed for destruction. Better for him to show himself innocent of all tyranny, bring about a workable compromise and then avail himself of Caesarion’s place in the affections of the Roman Senate and people. Livia on the other hand wished to avoid civil disorder and bloodshed until her husband could return and resume command of affairs. It was also her hope to draw Vipsanian out from Rome. Rival consuls and senates were in no one’s best interests at a time when civil disorder was rampant in the East and unprecedented revolt was breaking out in neighboring Illyricum. Vipsanian especially had no wish to be seen as maleficent or as the cause of dissension within the Republic.
The reunited Senate
By common agreement the rival navies were called back and the Populares returned to Rome. Both sides then relinquished command of their armies and navies to the reconciled Senate. The supply of grain and the policing of the Mediterranean and Adriatic began to revert to a semblance of normality. Livia Drusilla also returned to Rome. Laenas, acting at Livia's bidding, resigned his consulate, allowing Vipsanian to be elected as Drusus consular colleague. He was compensated with the novel honor of “proconsul classis et praefectus annonae” (proconsul of the fleet & prefect of provisions), commanding the Misene fleet and with significant power both in Rome and at sea.
The Senate then turned to the most pressing matters at hand - the government of the provinces and the quelling of the Illyrian revolt. Caesarion, the obvious choice, was far away; besides him there were still the ambitions and partisans of Vipsanian, Tiberius and Drusus to cater to. The Senate readily perceived an opportunity to reassert its primacy and deigned to put in place a division of power reminiscent of Caesarion’s tetrachial Comitatus. Spain, North Africa and all of the Mediterranean islands were placed under the Senate’s immediate control, ostensibly to prevent any one general or magistrate exploiting control of Rome’s grain supply. Caesarion’s powers would be renewed, supreme only in the East; the remaining provinces would be shared between Vipsanian and Drusus with six legions each: Vipsanian taking Gaul and Germania and Drusus taking the rebellious provinces in Illyricum.
Though Vipsanian gladly welcomed this settlement, hopes of it being brought into effect were quickly dashed. In effecting the truce, Livia had taken for granted the cooperation of her son Drusus. Drusus, however, did not wish to suffer Vipsanian as a colleague. Refusing the offered command and provinces, he laid claim to the extraordinary powers previously awarded him by the Popular Senate's consultum ultimum. At lightning speed he advanced south with his army, sparking fears that the legions in Italy would universally defect to him and at leave the Senate at his mercy.
His position was strengthened further by the arrival in Brundisium of his brother Tiberius, now Tiberius Julius Caesar. Tiberius, himself an augur, invoked augural law by which the auspices of a general - which were the basis for his military power - were linked with the campaign until its conclusion, more specifically the return to the city and the crossing of the pomerium. As such, the imperium maius bestowed by the Senate upon Caesarion would therefore remain in effect until Caesarion had accomplished his campaign and returned to the city. To infringe upon Caesarion’s imperium was to do so against the auspices - an unthinkable move at such tumultuous times. Acting as Caesarion’s representative, Tiberius followed his brother in rejecting the Senate's proposal and standing his ground.
Arriving in Italy, Drusus proceeded to Rome accompanied by only a small retinue and his lictors. Having convened with Tiberius, Drusus learnt from him news of the East and word from Caesarion. (At this time Caesarion was still marching against Antyllus). Drusus' duty as consul was to preserve at any cost the safety of the Roman people; the safety of the people was the supreme law (suprema lex) for a consul, justifying even the most extreme and extraordinary measures. With this in mind, he sprang into action. He found a ready ally in Lucius Pinarius Scarpus, a respected general and a great-nephew of the divine Julius. Drusus and Scarpus bribed and manipulated the young Vipsanius Licinius Crassus, Vipsanian's nephew, who had been inflamed against his uncle following the latter's truce with Livia - a truce which had dashed his own hopes of glory and exaltation. With Vipsanius' help Scarpus entered Vipsanian's residence and confined him there, allowing Drusus precious time to politically castrate this most dangerous rival once and for all.
Roman censor
In his capacity as consul Drusus convoked the Centuriate Assembly in the Campus for the election of two censors - an office which had lapsed for some 59 years. The Centuriate Assembly was a democratic body of soldiers, with electoral, judicial and legislative powers. Drusus, with his martial prowess and notorious panache, was rapturously received by the Assembly and able to command its respect and complaisance with ease. He requested the election of censors so that a census could be taken, the Senate's roll updated and a lustrum (a sacrifice for expiation and purification of the Roman people) offered. The elected censors were, naturally, his favored nominees: Paullus Fabius Maximus, of a family famed for its support of the people, and Tiberius himself. When the censors proceeded to read the list of Senators, Tiberius purposely left out Vipsanian's name - effectively removing him from the Senate - on the grounds that he held the priest hood of Rex Sacrorum, which could not be held in conjunction with public office. Thanks to this political coup, Vipsanian was removed as consul, leaving Drusus without a colleague.
The Centuriate Assembly proceeded to pass a lex de imperio endowing Drusus with imperium as sole consul, and enabling him at the same time to name a dictator[1]. This he promptly did, though the controversial title of dictator was replaced by the more amenable and ancient one of praetor maximus. The choice naturally fell upon Caesarion, though Drusus also took the unusual step of also naming the magister equitum ("master of the horse" - acting dictator in the dictator's absence), namely his own brother Tiberius, until such a time as Caesarion could either accept or decline the offered role and accept or dispense Tiberius. In consideration of the recent and ongoing upheavals throughout the Republic and the need for urgent military and political action, Drusus' actions were well received and in keeping with precedent.
Livia did not proceed to Mediolanum; securing the loyalty of the Ravennan fleet, she sailed on Brundisium, where she was welcomed with open arms. She eagerly exploited the popularity of her family to recruit a private army of her own, with which she might check Vipsanian's own levies and divert his attention southward while the Populares amassed their troops in the north. At Neapolis a force sent by Livia to secure that city was met by some of Vipsanian’s men, resulting in their mutual decimation; the remnants of Livia’s men emerged victorious thanks only to the intervention of the townspeople. Further north Laenas advanced with his armies from Raetia while Drusus had already abandoned everything east of the Rhine and prepared to march south into Italy with as many troops as the German limes could spare.
It was thus from a position of relative advantage that Livia Drusilla sought to broker a peace between Vipsanian and the Populares. Though Vipsanian had the larger navy and army, the imminent arrival of Drusus was certain to leave him greatly outnumbered on land. Popular opinion was on the side of Caesarion’s partisans and Vipsanian was now universally suspected of dishonest ambitions. Vipsanian was enough of a tactician to know when to withdraw: if he did not back down, he was almost certainly headed for destruction. Better for him to show himself innocent of all tyranny, bring about a workable compromise and then avail himself of Caesarion’s place in the affections of the Roman Senate and people. Livia on the other hand wished to avoid civil disorder and bloodshed until her husband could return and resume command of affairs. It was also her hope to draw Vipsanian out from Rome. Rival consuls and senates were in no one’s best interests at a time when civil disorder was rampant in the East and unprecedented revolt was breaking out in neighboring Illyricum. Vipsanian especially had no wish to be seen as maleficent or as the cause of dissension within the Republic.
The reunited Senate
By common agreement the rival navies were called back and the Populares returned to Rome. Both sides then relinquished command of their armies and navies to the reconciled Senate. The supply of grain and the policing of the Mediterranean and Adriatic began to revert to a semblance of normality. Livia Drusilla also returned to Rome. Laenas, acting at Livia's bidding, resigned his consulate, allowing Vipsanian to be elected as Drusus consular colleague. He was compensated with the novel honor of “proconsul classis et praefectus annonae” (proconsul of the fleet & prefect of provisions), commanding the Misene fleet and with significant power both in Rome and at sea.
The Senate then turned to the most pressing matters at hand - the government of the provinces and the quelling of the Illyrian revolt. Caesarion, the obvious choice, was far away; besides him there were still the ambitions and partisans of Vipsanian, Tiberius and Drusus to cater to. The Senate readily perceived an opportunity to reassert its primacy and deigned to put in place a division of power reminiscent of Caesarion’s tetrachial Comitatus. Spain, North Africa and all of the Mediterranean islands were placed under the Senate’s immediate control, ostensibly to prevent any one general or magistrate exploiting control of Rome’s grain supply. Caesarion’s powers would be renewed, supreme only in the East; the remaining provinces would be shared between Vipsanian and Drusus with six legions each: Vipsanian taking Gaul and Germania and Drusus taking the rebellious provinces in Illyricum.
Though Vipsanian gladly welcomed this settlement, hopes of it being brought into effect were quickly dashed. In effecting the truce, Livia had taken for granted the cooperation of her son Drusus. Drusus, however, did not wish to suffer Vipsanian as a colleague. Refusing the offered command and provinces, he laid claim to the extraordinary powers previously awarded him by the Popular Senate's consultum ultimum. At lightning speed he advanced south with his army, sparking fears that the legions in Italy would universally defect to him and at leave the Senate at his mercy.
His position was strengthened further by the arrival in Brundisium of his brother Tiberius, now Tiberius Julius Caesar. Tiberius, himself an augur, invoked augural law by which the auspices of a general - which were the basis for his military power - were linked with the campaign until its conclusion, more specifically the return to the city and the crossing of the pomerium. As such, the imperium maius bestowed by the Senate upon Caesarion would therefore remain in effect until Caesarion had accomplished his campaign and returned to the city. To infringe upon Caesarion’s imperium was to do so against the auspices - an unthinkable move at such tumultuous times. Acting as Caesarion’s representative, Tiberius followed his brother in rejecting the Senate's proposal and standing his ground.
Arriving in Italy, Drusus proceeded to Rome accompanied by only a small retinue and his lictors. Having convened with Tiberius, Drusus learnt from him news of the East and word from Caesarion. (At this time Caesarion was still marching against Antyllus). Drusus' duty as consul was to preserve at any cost the safety of the Roman people; the safety of the people was the supreme law (suprema lex) for a consul, justifying even the most extreme and extraordinary measures. With this in mind, he sprang into action. He found a ready ally in Lucius Pinarius Scarpus, a respected general and a great-nephew of the divine Julius. Drusus and Scarpus bribed and manipulated the young Vipsanius Licinius Crassus, Vipsanian's nephew, who had been inflamed against his uncle following the latter's truce with Livia - a truce which had dashed his own hopes of glory and exaltation. With Vipsanius' help Scarpus entered Vipsanian's residence and confined him there, allowing Drusus precious time to politically castrate this most dangerous rival once and for all.
Roman censor
In his capacity as consul Drusus convoked the Centuriate Assembly in the Campus for the election of two censors - an office which had lapsed for some 59 years. The Centuriate Assembly was a democratic body of soldiers, with electoral, judicial and legislative powers. Drusus, with his martial prowess and notorious panache, was rapturously received by the Assembly and able to command its respect and complaisance with ease. He requested the election of censors so that a census could be taken, the Senate's roll updated and a lustrum (a sacrifice for expiation and purification of the Roman people) offered. The elected censors were, naturally, his favored nominees: Paullus Fabius Maximus, of a family famed for its support of the people, and Tiberius himself. When the censors proceeded to read the list of Senators, Tiberius purposely left out Vipsanian's name - effectively removing him from the Senate - on the grounds that he held the priest hood of Rex Sacrorum, which could not be held in conjunction with public office. Thanks to this political coup, Vipsanian was removed as consul, leaving Drusus without a colleague.
The Centuriate Assembly proceeded to pass a lex de imperio endowing Drusus with imperium as sole consul, and enabling him at the same time to name a dictator[1]. This he promptly did, though the controversial title of dictator was replaced by the more amenable and ancient one of praetor maximus. The choice naturally fell upon Caesarion, though Drusus also took the unusual step of also naming the magister equitum ("master of the horse" - acting dictator in the dictator's absence), namely his own brother Tiberius, until such a time as Caesarion could either accept or decline the offered role and accept or dispense Tiberius. In consideration of the recent and ongoing upheavals throughout the Republic and the need for urgent military and political action, Drusus' actions were well received and in keeping with precedent.
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Notes:
[1] The consul(s) usually named a dictator at the behest of the Senate, although at times at the behest - or even choice - of the people. The Roman Constitution was flexible and adapted to immediate necessities - in 49BC the praetor Aemilius Lepidus named Caesar dictator with special dispensation (in the form of a lex) from the People. On isolated occasions dictators were also named by a consular tribune (426BC) and by an interrex (81BC).
I love all the political manoeuvrings I've never read of the Praetor Maximus, what does that title mean?
I've never read of the Praetor Maximus, what does that title mean?I love all the political manoeuvrings
It seems to have been a role similar to that of dictator in early Roman history - possibly starting out as an auxiliary office under the Roman Kings, rotating among the patricians annually and (following the fall of the monarchy) possessing the greatest imperium. As an annual magistracy it may later have been doubled and become the two equal consuls.
A woman recruiting a private army....never heard of this in ancient times, but then what do i know
A woman recruiting a private army....never heard of this in ancient times, but then what do i know
Fulvia Flacca Bambula
A woman recruiting a private army....never heard of this in ancient times, but then what do i know
Cleopatra herself during the civil war with her brother
I guess the first lesson here, for kids who want to build empires at home, is that It's Hard to Avoid Triumvirates. Livia brokers a Caesarion-Vipsanian-Drusus triumvirate, which Drusus rejects, only to set up a de facto Caesarion-Drusus-Tiberius triumvirate. And we all know how stable triumvirates are.
Which leads to the second lesson: The Big Guy Needs to Stay Home. In OTL, Augustus took and kept supreme power by staying in Rome and sending other people to fight for him, which meant that he was always able to squash any dissension in the capital. Caesarion, on the other hand, is off playing Alexander in Arabia, meaning that Drusus is running Rome, which could be hazardous to his health if Drusus starts developing Vipsanian-like ambitions.
Someone - maybe Livia, more likely Cleopatra - needs to tell Caesarion that it's time to grow up and start ruling his empire, and that doesn't just mean the eastern part.
Which leads to the second lesson: The Big Guy Needs to Stay Home. In OTL, Augustus took and kept supreme power by staying in Rome and sending other people to fight for him, which meant that he was always able to squash any dissension in the capital. Caesarion, on the other hand, is off playing Alexander in Arabia, meaning that Drusus is running Rome, which could be hazardous to his health if Drusus starts developing Vipsanian-like ambitions.
Someone - maybe Livia, more likely Cleopatra - needs to tell Caesarion that it's time to grow up and start ruling his empire, and that doesn't just mean the eastern part.
For me is very unlikely who Drusus or Tiberius can become problems for Caesarion who is their step-father (and also father-in-law and adoptive father of Tiberius) and remember who Augustus OTL stay at home not because he need to govern the city but because he was not a good general and know it very well
I concur, Drusus and Tiberius would expect that all they really need to do is wait their turn and their step-father will see them right...their mother will see to it if need be.
Hero of Canton
Oh yes
I remember another Ptolemaic queen who fled to Cyprus, seized command of the troops there and then went to Syria, gave the troops to the Syrian King as a dowry and became his queen Caesarion does need to be told that, but I can tell you now that he won't be
Neither Cleopatra nor Livia have significant control over him and I'm not sure either of them (for their private reasons) wouldn't prefer to have Caesarion playing Alexander instead of Caesarion playing OTL Octavian. True. Drusus and Tiberius are both dependent on Caesarion and quite happy to play second fiddle to him. Unlike the Antonines they don't have a famous father whose name can drum up support for them.
In all honesty in my mind Caesarion isn't even particularly exceptionally talented as a general. The implosion of Parthia allowed him to do well there and the compliance of Shaqilat (as opposed to the OTL treachery of the Nabataeans) allowed him to do well in Arabia.
Exactly