Step 1.
Have Alexander Severus rampage through Persia during their Parthian-Sassanian civil war. Annex central Mesopotamia, balkanise the rest and make sure it stays that way.
Step 2.
Reform currency and military to lessen hyperinflation and disloyalty
Step 3.
Create advisory body to rival the Senate, made up of representatives of the local assemblies of the major cities (hopefully this would grow into a sort of parliament down the line)
Step 4.
Conquer Germania up to the Elbe. 3rd-Century pre-Crisis is perfect for this, as Germania is neither as backwards as in the 1st Century, nor as militarily powerful relative to Roman strength as in the 5th. Thus, any local tribes outside of Roman borders by the time of the great migration (so everyone except Goths and steppe peoples) would still be too primitive in their social structures to pose a significant threat
Step 5.
Conquer Scotland and Ireland. Enslave everyone. Immensely expensive in the short term, this eliminates the need to keep a substantial military presence on the isles ready to revolt at the drop of a hat.
Step 6.
??????
Step 7.
Profit !
Have Alexander Severus rampage through Persia during their Parthian-Sassanian civil war. Annex central Mesopotamia, balkanise the rest and make sure it stays that way.
Step 2.
Reform currency and military to lessen hyperinflation and disloyalty
Step 3.
Create advisory body to rival the Senate, made up of representatives of the local assemblies of the major cities (hopefully this would grow into a sort of parliament down the line)
Step 4.
Conquer Germania up to the Elbe. 3rd-Century pre-Crisis is perfect for this, as Germania is neither as backwards as in the 1st Century, nor as militarily powerful relative to Roman strength as in the 5th. Thus, any local tribes outside of Roman borders by the time of the great migration (so everyone except Goths and steppe peoples) would still be too primitive in their social structures to pose a significant threat
Step 5.
Conquer Scotland and Ireland. Enslave everyone. Immensely expensive in the short term, this eliminates the need to keep a substantial military presence on the isles ready to revolt at the drop of a hat.
Step 6.
??????
Step 7.
Profit !