AHC: Egyptian Paganism Survives

Wolf_brother: "which causes Egyptian paganism to survive in the Egyptian mainstream until at least the year 1500"

That requires it to be, if not dominant, very significant. Just existing isn't the same as being in the mainstream.

I'm not so sure about that. Bahá'í, Neopaganism, Rastafarianism, etc. are all well within the mainstream based on their (increasing) numbers and acceptance of differing religious faiths in most of the West, but you wouldn't call any of them dominant.
 
I'm not so sure about that. Bahá'í, Neopaganism, Rastafarianism, etc. are all well within the mainstream based on their (increasing) numbers and acceptance of differing religious faiths in most of the West, but you wouldn't call any of them dominant.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mainstream

1. the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend: the mainstream of American culture.


(2. refers to rivers)
3. belonging to or characteristic of a principal, dominant, or widely accepted group, movement, style, etc.: mainstream Republicans; a mainstream artist.
(seems the most appropriate definition for "in the mainstream", as it allows for being "a" part rather than being exclusive)

I hate being a pendant, but...they're pretty far from "principal or dominant" or even "widely accepted".
 
firstly, you must propose a POD which causes Egyptian paganism to survive in the Egyptian mainstream until at least the year 1500;

Oh, silly you, with your fun little questions. Warning, if you're gonna read this, I may make errors. A lot. Anyways, self pity and pointless warnings aside, let's get on with the main issue. I plan to have two P.O.Ds here. The first one is an entire prevention of the civil war between Octavian and Antony. The second one is Livia's conversion to the Cult of Isis.

secondly, you must post a summarized line of time;

32 B.C. - War is declared on Cleopatra and Antony aids her instantly. The Senate strips him of his powers and labeled him as enemy and traitor to the Roman people. But a few nights later, a guard loyal to Octavian's side, defects and tries to assassinate Cleopatra and Antony. He fails, leading to Antony going through a purging of the people to root out potential traitors.

31 B.C. - With the purges full on their way, a lot of native people find themselves fleeing the executioners, towards the West. Many settle near Latium, especially in the poorer districts of Rome. The Cult of Isis begins an increased growth inside Rome.

Later the year Octavian invades Greece in mid-summer. Antonius, having aimed his sight at potential traitors, isn't properly prepared. The battle of near Actium is a crushing defeat for Antonius' forces. Based on reports of both Egyptian refugees and scout reports, Octavian takes a gamble and attacks by land, gaining a strong advantage over the badly assembled troops of his enemy.

Deciding to cut the snake's head off, he has his fleets block all entrances, crushing the enemy forces. Antonius commits suicide. When the news reaches Cleopatra, she too takes her own life. With his foes finally defeated, Octavian now marches on towards Egypt.

30 B.C. - The Cult of Isis is spreading through the rest of Italy. It proves to be constantly growing amongst the poorest of civilizations, though it manages to creep its way up to higher classes. Livia, Octavian's wife, finds herself intrigued by the religion, taking an increased interest.

29 B.C. - Octavian, having secured his lands, starts writing new laws, laying the foundations for the future empire. The Cult of Isis still spreads.

28 B.C. - Livia officially she announces she wishes to be part of the Cult of Isis, forcing Octavian to reconsider his stand against it (He was opposed in OTL due to his rivalry with Antonius and Cleopatra. Now, with a shortened war, lessening his dislike, and his own wife officially converting, he can reconsider easily)

27 B.C. - Octavian is officially named Augustus. Following the example of the First Citizen's wife, many of the upper-class women start considering conversion as well. The Cult spreads throughout the rest of Europe.


So yeah, basically this is a very short "timeline", but what I want to change by this is the following:
- The Cult of Isis faces less persecutions in the Empire.
- Due to the masses, it's the Cult of Isis that's promoted, not Mithras.
- An earlier spread throughout Europe helps secure its holdings.
- Having both poor and rich in the Cult also makes it easier to last.

Don't misunderstand me though. Despite the changes so far, I still have the feeling Christianity would rise, albeit in a very different form than the one we are familiar with. It would pretty much butterfly the rise of Islam away, though we might see an united Arabia anyways any time in the future.

Whether this lasts till 1500 A.D. or not, I don't know, but it should be a stable start. Feel free to correct my mistakes.

thirdly, you must best the mighty gryphon on the field of combat, using only a mobile USB drive and a can of 7up! (this last part is optional)

Yeah, no, I'll use my external hard drive and a bottle of Dr. Pepper. :D
 
The challenge consists of these component parts; firstly, you must propose a POD which causes Egyptian paganism to survive in the Egyptian mainstream until at least the year 1500; secondly, you must post a summarized line of time; thirdly, you must best the mighty gryphon on the field of combat, using only a mobile USB drive and a can of 7up! (this last part is optional)

Amen to that.
 
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