Hadrian's Consolidation - reboot

[Shogun]

Persepolis, Parthian kingdom, october 247

Vahram I, son of Ardeshir II, shahanshah, looked at his assembled generals. The master of the Parthian Empire had only gained the throne the year before, after the natural death of his father and the close of a 16 years rule. Beside the usual small lords’ revolt, quickly crushed, none had challenged his rule : the fact he had no brother alive had helped maintaining the peace.

Persepolis had been restored as the imperial capital by his father, the mostly abandoned city gaining a new splendor in a bid to confirm the legitimacy of the dynasty by anchoring it to the memory of the great kings of olden times.

This meant that the meeting took place in the new Apadna, built on the remains of the old one burned by the greek conqueror Alexander. The great hall of audiences had been rebuilt in the style of the old one, using the existing remains as a guide.

Sculptures had been restored where necessary, new columns carved out of stone, gilt and wooden elements added where appropriate to make it one of the most impressive building of the known world, a wonder not even the Romans had in their Palatium.

All over the empire the work done in Persepolis had inspired a return to the art of olden times. Many monuments had been restored, other had been erected in the olden style at the same time as the population boomed, as if some wanted to compensate the depopulation which had happened during the time of troubles.

At the heart of the Apadna building building, the throne of Vahram was the center of all attentions. And today Vahram’s attention was focused on his commander’s Horzid’s words…

“Yes we can. With the limited goals we have set, and keeping a to a prudent strategy that prevents any overextension and ensure timely concentration of force against isolated components of the Romans’ forces, I’m confident that we can force the return of Mesopotamia to us. But to achieve this we must take great care not to lose ourselves in the mountains of the North, and we have to insure the swiftness of our armies or their communication networks will let them coordinate a quick response. Our goal must be the destruction of two legions with their auxiliaries, or they will be able to crush us : the IV Scythica at Ctésiphon and the VI Ferrata at Bosra must be destroyed at all cost or our armies will shatter ! But the large contingent of Scythians we have managed to recruit should balance their cavalry’s power and allow us to triumph over them, Ahura Mazda willing.”

Interesting -so the Persians could get away with a sort of surprise blitzkrieg that takes not only Mesopotamia but also the Roman province of Syria, placing the great naval port of Alexandria at risk, which could impel the Romans to either move to or create a new naval base at what is now a sleepy fishing village at the mouth of the Bosporus even after the Persians are pushed back. Certainly much more defensible and less exposed to any future Persian invasion once all is said and done.

 

[Timmy811]

Interesting -so the Persians could get away with a sort of surprise blitzkrieg that takes not only Mesopotamia but also the Roman province of Syria, placing the great naval port of Alexandria at risk, which could impel the Romans to either move to or create a new naval base at what is now a sleepy fishing village at the mouth of the Bosporus even after the Persians are pushed back. Certainly much more defensible and less exposed to any future Persian invasion once all is said and done.

They think they can do it.

They really haven't shown us why we should take that seriously.

 

[Krishna123]

Roman siege methods are currently the best in the world, with a late medieval level of techniques (exclusive gunpowder) and, more importantly, every legion has a cadre of engineers trained in siege techniques and has the legionaries often train in aspects of siege warfare, with a special emphasis on artillery (they use bolt throwers and TTL brachiae, ie trebuchets https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trébuchet) and, by now, have also developed mangoneaux (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangonneau), Chinese inspiration playing a role here alongside the local mechanical developements.

The question here is not what level of quality the Roman siege ability was at, rather what abilities has this reborn Persian army has?
The Romans as per OTL would have founded Colonia in Mesopotamia which given the location would have to be fortified, then you would have the existing urban centers that under the Roman would have been altered both ethnically and physically. A cavalry dominated Persian army would have to catch the legions/auxiliaries outside their no doubt heavily fortified extensive home bases early in the conflict to score the victory the general in the update is describing. Otherwise you get a series of sieges of everything ranging from post offices (combined fortified tavern, rest stop and no doubt tied into the communication network as where else would you locate one but on-top of your existing communication network) to border forts. Many of these could be swarmed by basic infantry (though at high cost hence low quality units would be used up rather quickly) while this was taking place the grand attack to retake their EMPIRE could not really take place if they did not achieve this 'clearing of their lines of communication' the thousands of veterans (and their kids) reserves militias and plain legionary garrisons along with the communities that the local supply troops to the Romans locally would eat you up.
When Rome gets into gear they will sweep them into the foothills of the Hindu Kush!!!! seriously though these guys are screwed without massive treachery clearing the field for them before or just as they invade!! update.............. missing my fix lol

 

[Hecatee]

The question here is not what level of quality the Roman siege ability was at, rather what abilities has this reborn Persian army has?
The Romans as per OTL would have founded Colonia in Mesopotamia which given the location would have to be fortified, then you would have the existing urban centers that under the Roman would have been altered both ethnically and physically. A cavalry dominated Persian army would have to catch the legions/auxiliaries outside their no doubt heavily fortified extensive home bases early in the conflict to score the victory the general in the update is describing. Otherwise you get a series of sieges of everything ranging from post offices (combined fortified tavern, rest stop and no doubt tied into the communication network as where else would you locate one but on-top of your existing communication network) to border forts. Many of these could be swarmed by basic infantry (though at high cost hence low quality units would be used up rather quickly) while this was taking place the grand attack to retake their EMPIRE could not really take place if they did not achieve this 'clearing of their lines of communication' the thousands of veterans (and their kids) reserves militias and plain legionary garrisons along with the communities that the local supply troops to the Romans locally would eat you up.
When Rome gets into gear they will sweep them into the foothills of the Hindu Kush!!!! seriously though these guys are screwed without massive treachery clearing the field for them before or just as they invade!! update.............. missing my fix lol

Haha fear not, the fix is back in Europe after two weeks in Japan, I'm on the last leg of my flight back home (namely Frankfurt to Brussel), I might even have some time tomorrow for a short update

In the meantime you can spend some time roamong the empire on my Flickr gallery (first few hundreds pictures of Japan are also online at https://flickr.com/photos/bryaxis/albums )

 

[EmperorOfTheNorthSea]

Hmm while this TL is ver Rome-centric but it would be nice to see the Persians have their moment of glory, maybe even seizing the Alexandrian fleet and wrecking havoc across the Med before Rome uses its full might to bear.

Also in the spirit of being in Japan, given the Romans have sailed to China several times could a few enterprising Merchants seek to find a secondary source of Silk (ie korea, japan, SE Asia in general) to bypass the exhorting prices of the Han state monopoly?

Also maybe more into the Javanese spice trade? Maybe a proto-Swahili coast? Maybe more posts from non-roman points of view?

Just trying to think of how the TL can continue before writer's block sets in.

 

[Timmy811]

Hmm while this TL is ver Rome-centric but it would be nice to see the Persians have their moment of glory, maybe even seizing the Alexandrian fleet and wrecking havoc across the Med before Rome uses its full might to bear.

Also in the spirit of being in Japan, given the Romans have sailed to China several times could a few enterprising Merchants seek to find a secondary source of Silk (ie korea, japan, SE Asia in general) to bypass the exhorting prices of the Han state monopoly?

Also maybe more into the Javanese spice trade? Maybe a proto-Swahili coast? Maybe more posts from non-roman points of view?

Just trying to think of how the TL can continue before writer's block sets in.

It would make more sense for them to expand eastward into India. After all power generally expands naturally in weaker directions. Surely the Kushan empire would make an easier target than a Rome in its prime.

Japan is transitioning from the neolithic to the iron age at this point. Korea and Vietnam would be more worthwhile at this point.

 

[Shogun]

It would make more sense for them to expand eastward into India. After all power generally expands naturally in weaker directions. Surely the Kushan empire would make an easier target than a Rome in its prime.

Japan is transitioning from the neolithic to the iron age at this point. Korea and Vietnam would be more worthwhile at this point.

And let's not forget the Mekong Delta city-states that comprised Funan.

 

[Hecatee]

House of David, island of Qeshm, December 247


The House of David had evolved since the time its original owner had built it. What had been the simple dwelling of a Jewish trader had evolved to become the fortified palace of a dynasty of very wealthy traders, center of a thriving community proudly showing its origins and dominating the Indian Ocean trade, with free access to the palaces from Arabia Felix to Taprobane.

The rooms were covered in precious carpets and furnitures made of precious indian woods inlaid with pieces of tortoise shell or nacre or golden filigree. Seven branched chandeliers figured prominently on the decorations, as did the letter dalet, both the first letter of the family’s name and that of the word “door”, which particularly suited merchants bringing the riches of the world to the door of those not owning them...

On this day the main decisions makers of the family were reunited in the main room of the palace for a difficult decision. Their agents had told them of the Parthian plans to invade the Roman lands, and they now needed to decide whether or not to warn the Romans. The war would not be good for the family, as it would disrupt the fluvial trade network, rerouting the trade from India toward the erythrean sea. Parthian victory could also bring back the land trade, bypassing the sea trade that made the family’s fortune.

But another group argued that they owed the Romans nothing but hate and enmity for the exile. Those were often traders concentrating on the African trade, trying never to come into contact with the Romans and letting their cousins and brothers do the trading with the empire. A disproportionately high number of them also went into the priesthood, keeping the faith of Israël alive.

Some argued that the Romans most likely already knew, others that they should edge their bet in order to switch to the victor. But then a servant entered the room. A roman warship was in the haven and an officer had come off the gangplank carrying an urgent message…

Soon the man, a centurion, was introduced in the room and offered bunno drink and small food, which the man accepted. The men around the centurion asked him some innocuous questions about where he had come from, and were surprised to learn he had come all the way from Alexandria on a fast liburnia rowed all the way from Alexandria through the canal and down the coast of Arabia Felix.

This urgency alone was enough to make the merchants uneasy, but forms had to be respected. When the man had drunk his cup they asked him what message he was bearing. When they heard it they were shocked... Clearly the Empire knew already and was on the warpath !

 

[Ramontxo]

Please don't wait too much for the next post, what a cliffhanger...

 

[Joriz Castillo]

Sounds like either they had spies in the Parthian ranks or they spotted their army and had sent signals already.

 

[Hecatee]

Also note there are more than 2 months (in fact closer to 3) between the two events...

Yes Rome has spies, and they knew something was in the wind, then the meeting we saw took place, news came after a few days, 2 to 3 weeks for news to get to the roman border, and then plans are set in motion even before news arrives in Rome...

 

[Derek Pullem]

Also note there are more than 2 months (in fact closer to 3) between the two events...

Yes Rome has spies, and they knew something was in the wind, then the meeting we saw took place, news came after a few days, 2 to 3 weeks for news to get to the roman border, and then plans are set in motion even before news arrives in Rome...

Roman communications must be terrifying to their enemies (if their enemies even understand what is being done!?). A bit like a Roman version of Enigma in terms of its impact on war fighting.

 

[Hecatee]

Roman communications must be terrifying to their enemies (if their enemies even understand what is being done!?). A bit like a Roman version of Enigma in terms of its impact on war fighting.

The full potential of the roman communication network is not well understood by the Parthian leadership, only the top roman merchants (upper equestrian class level) and the top military and civil servant level (senatorial rank or equestrian level civil or military servants/officers)

 

[Guaro]

Always Amazing as usual!

 

[Hecatee]

Babylon, Mesopotamia, February 248


Publius Albinus Longus contemplated the land around him with a smile on his face. Standing at the top of one of the former temples of the city, he had a commanding view of his surrounding, helped by his bispector which extended the range of his view by a considerable margin. Everywhere the walls of the city had been repaired and reinforced, both the huge interior walls and the secondary, slightly less powerful, eastern exterior walls.

A new western exterior wall had also been erected, and large moats dug to protect both of the exterior walls. The legionary fortress built on the western shore next to the former royal gate had also been reinforced, a fortress inside the city, and the complex of the Etemenanki had been turned into another internal fortress, its ziggurat being turned into the main command center of the city’s defense and a number of grain storage buildings being built inside the precinct.

The size of the defended area meant it could take some time to move reinforcements from place to place, and a number of temporary bridges had been built to facilitate movement between the two shores, their entrances fortified by powerful gates with towers. Taking one side of the river would not mean the death of the city...

Of course such a large place needed a large garrison, and most of the III Gallica legion and its supports had been forward deployed to the provincial capital, usually protected by a single auxiliary cohors milliaria. Now almost eight thousand men were based inside the city while the attached cavalry roamed the countryside as scouts, with orders to regroup north toward Singara once the enemy proved too numerous.

Many civilians had been conscripted in order to complete the work, helped by the full forces of the legion and two auxiliary units, while all the food from the area had been stored inside the city and the peasants of the neighboring areas relocated inside the new walls with their animals : the orders had been to leave as little as possible to any parthian raiding party to make any siege more difficult. Similar measures were being taken in Ctesiphon, Bosra and as far as Antiocheia Mygdonia, creating a network of fortresses to channel the enemy penetration.

The strategy, as far as the legatus was aware, was to let the barbarians get far into roman territory, where they’d meet strong elements from Syria and elsewhere which would push them back toward the river where the mesopotamian forces reinforced by troops come by sea around Arabia Felix would make a blocking force and allow for the crushing of the enemy.

The plan further called for a maximum effort to draw the invasion as far south as possible, in order to prevent the survival of any scythian mercenary said to be marching along the Parthians. Steppe barbarians had been a plague for decades, either attacking the allied kingdom in the Caucasus area or probing the Bosphorean kingdom’s defenses, when they were not raiding the roman border of the Tysia river… It was high time they were dealt some crushing blow, and this war might well be the opportunity for such a decisive hit.

 

[Alessandro]

Oh yesss!!! Here we see the strategy of the Roman empire, and its beautiful in it's semplicity Let the enemy come to you, while taking away everything that can be taken and then while the enemy is deep into your territory strike back and kill them all!!! Muhahaha!!!

 

[RomanCenturion22]

Sounds to me like the Romans are almost trying a defense in depth, both on the city level and on the national

 

[Joriz Castillo]

Looks like someone must have read Sun Tzu's Art of War

 

[Hecatee]

Looks like someone must have read Sun Tzu's Art of War

Well there are contact with China. And a permanent imperial headquarter in Rome. And a local strategic theater headquarter. And very professional tactical staffs. Also the Romans know (and have known for some time) that their Mesopotamian border is too large to defend effectively against a power as strong as a revived Parthian empire, so they rely on a kind of comitatense/limitanei strategy, pushed toward it by the fact they have a much more powerful cavalry able to hold its own against any Parthian force and the memory of the past defeats of infantry (Carrhae, etc.) by the Parthian heavy infantry.

 

[EmperorOfTheNorthSea]

Looks like someone must have read Sun Tzu's Art of War

Honestly that book is a bit overrated from an ancient point of view and many of the so called "wise" quotes from it would be glaringly obvious to any competent military commander; "know your enemy and know yourself" of course, no one goes into a battle without knowing the enemies usual tactics, composition, and strategies they used in the past because that's how Carrhae happened.

Though part of me suspects the book was mainly to teach the absolute basics to weak aristocrats who got their positions from nepotism or other connections. Romans would probably read the book and laugh at it.