An Other Messiah

Gah! I sincerely apologize to everyone who was even remotely interested in this TL. It's shameful how I neglected it for so long. But I promise more updates very soon, probably this weekend! (I hope.)

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24 BC

-Octavian can no longer ignore the undeclared war, declares war on Dacia. He successfully defeats Burebista’s surprised army in Pannonia and Moesia, and crosses the Danube into the western areas of Dacia itself.

-After his victories, the Senate lavishes him with titles, including dictator for life.

-In late February a week after the invasion, Phraates acts on Dacia and Parthia’s secret alliance.

-Parthian forces flood into Egypt, Thrace, and Moesia, taking Octavian by surprise. Octavian begins to panic, realizing how foolish he was in thinking that just because there were no outward signs of friendship between Dacia and Parthia that meant they were not allies, and orders most legions in Egypt to counter the Parthians by invading Sinai Peninsula.

-Troubled by lack of water and unfamiliar Parthian tactics, the Romans eventually succumb. However, Octavian manages to defend Egypt for the next three months, and fights a successful war in Dacia, but with help of Cleopatra and Antony, Burebista manages to fend Rome off. However, Rome is troubled by its northern front with Parthia.

-By the end of the year, Dacia and Parthian forces have pushed the tired Romans out of Thrace and much of Moesia. Dacian and Parthian generals meet up to devise a strategy to coordinate their forces.

-On October 25, Parthia’s army reaches the eastern edge of the Nile Delta and takes advantage of whatever farms they can get their hands on.

-Dan ends his hermitage in June and sets off for Jerusalem again to teach his newly-found ideas that he believes God wants him to spread.

-In parts of northern Gaul, some tribes discuss the possibility of joining together to fight Rome. No alliance emerges because of petty infighting and tribal rivalry until next February.

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And as usual, I hope that this section is easy to understand and that it doesn't contradict itself or anything I previously posted. Tell me if there are any flaws or mistakes I made!:D

And even though the common-ness of the name in that time and place has been questioned, I'm keeping the prophet Dan's name as Dan. And just to give you bit of info on the other person "running for Messiah", his name is Isaac, and the Pharisees will support him. The Sadducees will lean towards Isaac, but not support either Dan or him much.
 
This is turning out very nicely. It should be interesting once the two prophets' messages begin to spread in competition.

And I especially like the Parthian-wank. :D
 
Next part. Tell me if there's anything wrong/contradictory, blah blah blah, as usual. Oh, and the_lyniezian, although Dan is obviously not Jesus, I think that theologically speaking, in this TL, if you support him as messiah, you can see that God is delivering many of the same messages that Jesus delivered through Dan. This will become especially apparent later on.

23 BC - Part I

-Two figures rise to importance in Israel in late January, both claiming to be messiah. One, named Isaac, was a former Pharisee-in-training who was forced into the Parthian army five years earlier and escaped just seven months earlier. He has radical new ideas about the future of the People of God and is supported by many Pharisees. He wants to expel foreign powers from Judea and establish a new, strong Israel. He says that if the people of Israel have total faith and put total trust in God, they will succeed in winning independence and driving out Satan forever. He urges humility and confidence in the power of God.

-The other, named Dan, is not supported by any particular group of people, and arrived in Jerusalem a couple months after Isaac. His ideas are even more radical – he claims that anyone can gain entry into God’s chosen people and that God’s love favors no one people, and that he even cares for the Persians and Romans. To the disapproval of many, he also rejects the idea of Satan as the cause of sin, and encourages people to live simple, modest lives. He urges humility and confidence in the power of God. Most of all, Dan says God wants people to live at peace with their neighbors.

-Bosporus breaks its alliance with Rome in mid-January and all Roman soldiers stationed there are executed. Parthia guarantee total independence for Bosporus in return for helping defeat Rome.

-On February 16, a Celtic Confederation forms in northeastern Gaul. They begin attacking Roman garrisons and forts. Dacia cooperates with the Celtic Confederation to ferment rebellion in Gaul and northern Hispania. The two nations channel money to rebel leaders in the region.
 
This is turning out very nicely. It should be interesting once the two prophets' messages begin to spread in competition.

And I especially like the Parthian-wank. :D

Oh, sorry for double posting, but: I never really intended it to be Parthian-wank, it just came out that way. :(

You think you know what a Parthian-wank is? You ain't even seen the beginning of it!
 
23 BC Part II

EDIT: -Far away in the Kingdom of the Yadavas, the civil war has been resolved, with Yayati emerging as victor against the restorationist forces. He then installs himself as High King of the Yadavas, and intends to maintain his good relations with Parthia.

-The war has now been going on for a year, and Rome is losing. The Celtic Confederation has been a great help to Dacia and Parthia, and parts of Hispania and southern Gaul are rebelling, with the leaders hoping that this will be the last time any Celt will ever have to rebel against Rome.

-Rome has been almost completely pushed out Moesia by March, controlling only the southwest, and Dacia has regained all land Rome captured on their side of the Danube, and are now advancing on Dalmatia and Pannonia.

-Bosporus attacks Rome’s ally of Caucasian Albania in late March, which has been causing trouble for Parthia. Caucasian Albania, after having its miserable, hastily-built Black Sea navy routed by that of Bosporus and having most of its western land captured after Bosporan forces gain support of neighboring tribes, signs a truce with Bosporus and agrees to become a joint protectorate of the kingdom and Parthia.

-Rumors spread in Rome around the last week of March that one of the reasons why Rome is doing so poorly defending against its enemies is because Octavian is ill and his sickness is interfering with his mental capacities. While anonymous Roman officials confirm that Octavian is, in fact, ill, it is still open to question whether he is completely mentally sound.

-The rumors do not help Octavian’s reputation, whose popularity has been declining for several months. His illness also raises fears about the question of succession, and if he plans on creating a true monarchy.

-Starting from March, Octavian begins to support the prophet Isaac in Israel. He secretly funds a trip of conversion for Isaac around Israel. After Parthian officials realize that Isaac has been getting funds from somewhere, they begin to back Dan. When Isaac’s speeches become increasingly violent and nationalistic, the Jewish-Parthian governor of Judea begins to try to restrict Isaac.

-On April 1, the Parthian navy launches a daring naval attack on Italia. The ships approach the city of Hydrumtum (modern Otranro). A blockade is planned…

Next update: The Presi - I mean, Messianic Debate! Isaac and Dan face off in an argument of Theological proportions! Who shall win? And how does the attack on Hydruntum go? Come back next week, I mean day, as in Saturday or Sunday, for an experience you'll never forget!

:D
 
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Aaaaaand a map, at the end of March, 23 BC:



Just to clear things up, the Tocharians, while in theory fully independent, still are allied to and are somewhat influenced by Parthia. Parthia still controls the border zone with the Chinese protectorates.
 
Hi.
Interesting concept.
I read somewhere, of all the people who claimed to be the Messiah, only one of them was said to be a descendant of King David.
(Guess which one...:D)
I thought that might be significant.
What research are you doing for this?
 
Hi.
Interesting concept.
I read somewhere, of all the people who claimed to be the Messiah, only one of them was said to be a descendant of King David.
(Guess which one...:D)
I thought that might be significant.
What research are you doing for this?

Oh, I did some research for the POD and to get a bit familliar with Parthia and Dacia...and a bit of research about Jesus for certain, mostly upcoming parts. And I probably would have had to do a bit more research on Jewish history if I hadn't just a couple months ago finished reading a book on the history of the Bible and early Jewish history. At this point, I'm starting to make a few things up, since the POD was a couple decades ago...I completely made up Dan, Isaac, and an upcoming figure...

And speaking of the messiah being a descendant of King David, you'd think that almost everyone in Judea was decended from King David, with him living so long ago...and with his son having sooooooooo many wives and, I assume, children.:D

And to everyone who cares, I'm working on the "Messianic Debates". I hope to have it up by this evening.
 
THE


MESSIANIC DEBATE


OF THE PROPHETS


DAN and ISAAC


AS PRESENTED BY


“MAHARAJAH”


A woman ran along the winding streets and alleys of Jerusalem, not wanting to be late. She ducked under a crumbling archway, avoided a donkey-drawn cart. She then emerged into a large, open square, jammed with buzzing, excited human bodies. Over the numerous heads obscuring her view, she could see a man talking loudly, calling out to the crowd.
Was it the messiah?
Her cousin, Elizabeth, told her that she heard he would be speaking here today.
“The Kingdom of Israel…will be…
She could not hear what the man was saying. She began to make her way through the horde of people gathered around him.
“Excuse me…pardon me…excuse me…Oh! I’m so sorry!” She said as she squeezed through, accidentally knocking a man down.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going! You’re not the only one trying to hear!” The man angrily said to her.
She paused, looking at the man. He looked familiar. She gasped.
“Oh! Oh – you’re the carpenter’s boy! I remember you! And just to think – to think…that once our parents wanted us…well, you know…”
The man stared at her for a moment, puzzled. Then a smile of recognition lit up his face.
“Ah! I remember now! We were betrothed! All the boys made fun of you – the bitter one, was that what they called you? No, no... Oh! It was! ‘As righteous as a saint, a bitter as… as… well, it’s nice seeing you.”
“And you, too.”
“Here, go on ahead. I’ll make room.”
“Thank you,” the woman replied. Her thoughts turned to her memories of her youth…growing up in Nazareth, and those horrible, horrible, lawless years when the Roman governor had no power, when bandits roamed the countryside. She remembered how she fled to Jerusalem, to be safe behind its walls, just three months before the Persian invasion. Many, many Jews, Samaritans, Arabs, and Romans alike had fled to the cities during those dangerous years.
The woman managed to make her way to the front of the crowd.

“When the Kingdom is restored, all of Israel shall be rewarded! Take up arms, brothers and sisters, and be brave! Have the courage to be just, to follow my lead!...” Isaac continued ranting. He was flanked by three suspiciously Latin-looking men. All that allowed him to be seen above the crowd was a single wooden crate that he was standing on.
“Soon it shall be time!” he cried, and most of the crowd cheered.
But at that moment, another figure pushed his way through the crowd. He grabbed another crate and stood up on it, and called out:
“Do not listen to these lies that this man tells you! He seeks to lead you away from God, to incite violence and hate!”
Someone in the crowd yelled, “The true messiah!” Others looked disgusted at the second man, whose name was Dan.
Isaac turned to Dan:
“Be gone! You are a fool, a pawn of Satan! I seek not hate, but justice! And purity! And virtue! Courage!”
Dan shot back, “Do you blame all your woes on Satan? Do you explain away every sin? Why can’t you take responsibility for your mistakes?”
“The people of Israel – uh, need not, um, explain away their mistakes! We are perfect and good, tempted only by the Devil! Satan fears us!”
“That does not answer what I said! Is the belief in a Satan who tries to deliver us from God heresy, akin to the Dualism of Zarathustra that you so keenly rant against?”
“Dan, you merely try to trick me! Satan or not, what truly matters is that the people of Israel are chosen! When the time comes, we shall rule again!”
“Isaac, I believe you are the fool now! The time for Israel to rule is now! God has sent me with his message, and it is this: Now it is time to be compassionate, to be merciful, to be respectful, to be humble, to love! That is how Israel shall rule – in a world-wide kingdom of peace! All shall join us, they only need to worship the one God and to love their neighbor!”
“Do you think that the nations shall join us because we are weak and peaceful? They envy us, they want to destroy us! They are jealous of our status under God! The only way we can rule is through faith and power! And when we are just and righteous, we shall have that power! The time draws near, I say! Sinners! All sinners among this horde of people repent! For the time is coming. And when the time comes, you shall be punished if you have not yet repented!”
Dan paused for a moment. Then he spoke:
“The time is now, I say, and the sinners shall not be punished. God shall lift them up, and give them a new chance to serve him! The time has come, I say, for all, Jew or gentile to obey the greatest commandment: You shall love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself. All who obey that commandment are among the people of God.”
Just as Dan finished speaking, two things happened: An arrow whizzed by, missing Isaac’s face by an inch. And, second, someone threw a rock at Dan. Panic ensued, and the crowd dispersed, including the two messiahs.


-​


Far, far, away a few miles off the coast of Hydruntum, on April second, 23 BC:​

Things were not looking good for the Parthian-Dacian attack force. They had already nearly lost a ship to bad weather, and now a large roman fleet was approaching. The blockade might not happen if they didn't do some good strategizing.​

The general leading the fleet decided on an unconventional strategy. They would get as close to the Roman ships as possible, board them, and try to set as many on fire as they could. They Dacian-Persian force was too small to withstand an attch by the larger Roman fleet.​


The next day, April third: The attack was relatively successful. The plan had to be changed to be a bit more conventional, because some of the capttains of the ships found it a bit too crazy, but they managedto pick off five out of seventeen Roman ships - and three out of their ten. They had also managed to capture three Roman ships. The Romans had captured one of theirs.​

Reinforcements were arriving for Dacia and Parthia, and probably for the Romans. The blockade had to be set up immediately.​

So, throughout mid-April, the city of Hydruntum was blockaded. It hurt Roman trade, and some Dacian soldiers went on shore to try to cut off trade with the mainland. Conditions were not good in Hydruntum during the blockade, and many people contracted the plague from the cramped and dirty conditions. It may also have been caused by the fact that some people resorted to eating rats. When a party of poeple left the city for the countryside, the disease spread across Italia, ravaging cities and the countryside alike.​

However, by April 18, the Parthian and Dacian fleet could no longer withstand the Roman attacks, even with constant reinforcements arriving. The fleet retreated, the soldiers disheartened and discouraged.​

Even though many ships were "wasted" during the blockade, some damage had been done. an important trading city had been cut off from the outside world, depriving parts of Italy from important goods. But most importantly, much of Italy had been damaged by plague, further weakening Rome.​


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Ugh. I feel that this was a flop. I should really not use narrative style to relate my TL. What does my audience think? Any comments? I'll be putting in a normal installment soon, part III of 23 BC.​
 
Well, I plan to start posting on this again, but maybe I'll make a new thread for it, just to start fresh...I'll be putting up some updates in the next, um, while, hopefully, so if anybody does actually care about this miserable TL anymore, I hope you're happy.

Also, just to warn everybody, in the next couple pages something that might be termed a "Parthian-wank" will be appearing. Yes, I know, it already is kind of one, but it will get worse before it gets better.
 
Well, I plan to start posting on this again, but maybe I'll make a new thread for it, just to start fresh...I'll be putting up some updates in the next, um, while, hopefully, so if anybody does actually care about this miserable TL anymore, I hope you're happy.

Also, just to warn everybody, in the next couple pages something that might be termed a "Parthian-wank" will be appearing. Yes, I know, it already is kind of one, but it will get worse before it gets better.
I did not realize that this TL had been gone for so long. Man, time flies...
Sorry for missing the last update.

But I don't know why you are adverse to a Persian state doing well... :confused: My favorite kind of wank is a Persian wank (*checks for Freudian slips*). Hope to see more of this.
 
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