AHC: Emperor Domitius Alexander of North Africa-Sardinia

AHC: Emperor Domitius Alexander of North Africa-Sardinia


220px-Follis-Domitius_Alexander-carthage_RIC_68.jpg


I recently came upon the interesting figure of Emperor Domitius Alexander who ruled North Africa and Sardinia between 308-311. Other than the short wiki bio, I do have one book on this period that mentions him briefly. It seems he was allied to Constantine in his war against Maxentius in Italy. He had a pretty strong navy that allowed him to take Sardinia and block grain shipments from Egypt. However his land army was weak and was said to have relied on Berber conscripts. Ultimately Alexander was defeated by an invading army loyal to Maxentius at Carthage. He then fled to Cirta where he was captured and killed.

Your challenge is for Alexander's empire to survive as a break off state. What does Alexander need to do differently? What events outside Alexander's control need to come about?
 
Empires in North Africa have always had trouble recruiting large armies (Hannibal's army was largely Spanish and Celtic), from Carthage's mercenary troubles to Lepidus to Gordian I, there's just not a ton of poor farmers willing to sign up to fight in foreign wars, so in order to survive, I'd say Licinius or Galerius would have to make an effort to support him to undermine Constantine/Maxentius with troops or supplies
 
Empires in North Africa have always had trouble recruiting large armies (Hannibal's army was largely Spanish and Celtic), from Carthage's mercenary troubles to Lepidus to Gordian I, there's just not a ton of poor farmers willing to sign up to fight in foreign wars
I don't agree here. In my opinion it is not a problem of farmers willing to serve ( that is problem for the entire empire and not for a single province, with emperor resorting to conscription) but rather a problem of the presence of a professional army. During turbulent periods, generals could resort to the armies of Gaul, Britain, Pannonia, Syria ecc. while an "African" emperor had to create from scratch an army due to the military situation of Africa: rather small army with little experience of fighting. Hence most "African" emperor were not a serious military threat, more an economical one thanks to the control of grain supplies.
 
I don't agree here. In my opinion it is not a problem of farmers willing to serve ( that is problem for the entire empire and not for a single province, with emperor resorting to conscription) but rather a problem of the presence of a professional army. During turbulent periods, generals could resort to the armies of Gaul, Britain, Pannonia, Syria ecc. while an "African" emperor had to create from scratch an army due to the military situation of Africa: rather small army with little experience of fighting. Hence most "African" emperor were not a serious military threat, more an economical one thanks to the control of grain supplies.

Fair enough. It doesn't help that there was never more than one legion in Africa IIRC
 
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