alternatehistory.com

I was having a discussion with e of pi about hair-brained schemes when, between the two of us, we came up with one of our own, and I must warn you all, it's a doozy:

Atlantropa (or Panropa) was a project devised by German architect Herman Sorgel in the 1920s IOTL. It involved damming several of the major waterways of the Mediterranean basin to provide vast amounts of hydroelectric power for industrial Europe, along with reclaimed land for the highly territorial populations of the era. It achieved some degree of popularity at the beginning of the Great Depression, before it faded only to again pick up some currency during the height of the "United Europe" mania of the post-war period. Even assuming that a project of such grand scale is technologically feasible, it never would have happened in the 20th century for geopolitical reasons - only if the entire Mediterranean basin were under the control of a single power could such a thing be politically achievable. As we all know, that situation has only happened once in recorded history. Fortunately, that one time, the civilization in question was known for their engineering prowess (especially with regards to water), their fondness for public works projects, their large and hungry population, and their willingness to do most anything for the good of Senatus Populusque Romanus.

Which is why the thread is in this forum. Consider this the ultimate evolution of the "steampunk industrial Rome" scenarios - not only does Rome survive, not only does she industrialize, but she maintains control of the entire Med basin, and develops her engineering technology to the level where such an advanced project is within her grasp, and that she has the political will to make it happen. Can the Romans assert the ultimate control over mare nostrum?
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