alternatehistory.com

Yes, if you can from the title this is yet another Roman Empire AH :). Mind you this is my first timeline so I'm still working the kinks and details out on the later bits, but either way here is the first part:

Imperium Sine Fine: Empire Without End

March 2, 177 AD, the Roman City of Vindobona

The day was bright and clear, not a cloud in the magnificent blue sky. The mountain peaks gleamed like pointers to the heavens, their snow capped peaks glistening under the crystal sun. Within the shadows of the daily market --bustling as always—walked Marcus Nonius Macrinus. There were places to go and people to see, and the common folk could not get in his way, as one later learned after being pushed out of the way by his large armoured covered body. Nothing kept the Emperor waiting when he requested your presence.


It wasn’t much of a walk to the Emperor’s temporary home –mansion—in Vindobona, seeming as he had only recently arrived, not to mention the fact the nobility was not as ‘rounded’ as those located down south. I wonder what he wants from me today, thought Macrinus silently to himself, just barely avoiding running into a girl carrying a large bag of various trinkets. It is not every day I am recalled from my post in Asia.

The crowds bustle and voice increased almost tenfold as Macrinus entered the main market, with everything from souvenir shops to food stores to the public bath all drawing attention from the large throng of people going about their daily business. Birds overhead eagerly eyed the cats and dogs that roamed free among the citizens, searching for the occasional handout or looking for that special someone to pay attention to them. Under the marble columned Roman houses conversations could be heard, the daily bustle of life that has gone uninterrupted for almost 200 years. Standing guard besides the house Macrinus was to enter stood 6 Praetorian guards, still as ever and appearing as cool, dull, lumbering masses under the shadows of the roof overhang.


His steps slowly became audible among the organized chaos as he walked up the stairs, careful to avoid the cat that sprang from cover to chase a scared mouse. Hope it gets away from that damned cat, trying to trip me like that, Macrinus thought to himself, walking up to the where the Praetorian guards were stirring.


“What is your business here solider?” barked the first guard, the shortest of the six. “Can you not see that the Emperor is very sick and has requested no visitors?” The sneer in his voice put no dent into Macrinus.


“I am general Marcus Nonius Macrinus and I have been requested by our Emperor Marcus Aurelius to visit him today”, Macrinus loudly spoke, stopping the short guard in his tracks and drawing the attention of the other five. “If you do not believe me you are free to ask the Emperor yourself, unless of course you feel you are exempt from his ‘no visitors’ clause”.


“No, no, you are expected”, stammered the shortest guard, barely hiding his white face. Insulting an officer of higher rank was not something someone did likely, even for the Emperor’s personal guard. “Please, follow Julius here”—his hand pointing to the guard standing by the door. “He will show you to the Emperor’s room”. The guard quickly backed out the way as the guard Julius started to open the door.


“No hard feelings meant my general”, the short guard quietly said, bowing his head down in shame as Macrinus walked swiftly by. “The Emperor has just been acting...strange since Commodus arrived here from Rome and has kept himself almost constantly alone in his room. He has specifically asked us to keep away all visitors until you have met with him”.


“Do not worry soldier, you were only doing your job”, Macrinus spoke to the guard before passing through door. Though I still wonder why he wants me of all people. I thought Marcus Aurelius was happy enough with me serving as the proconsul in Asia for the time being.


The tiled floor echoed the guard’s and the general’s footsteps as they passed through the house to what Macrinus guessed was the rear of the home. Potted plants lined the red walls, with the occasional picture gleaming under the light that entered through the open air windows. No door was open between the main entrance and the one at the far end of the hallway. Must be only the Emperor who inhabits this house at the moment, thought Macrinus to himself.


A quick knock on the door by Julius resulted in its creaking open by another guard behind it. Sitting in the bed beside the window sat the Emperor Aurelius, writing in what appeared to Macrinus to a large book.


“Ah my dear general Macrinus”, said Aurelius proudly, looking up from his writing in a most eager way. “Please, please come sit down, we have much to discuss”. With a wave of his hand Julius and the other guard quietly exited the room, closing the door behind them.


“Now Macrinus you are probably wondering why I have called you away from Asia to see me here”, Aurelius said, closing his book and leaning over towards Macrinus. “I know your sense of curiosity and how it’s eating you from the inside out right now”.


“My Emperor, you have only the smallest idea”, replied Macrinus. “I was just to begin creating some new farms in order to bring several more communities back into the tax line. We have been running a very tight ship back there, barely getting tax money out of the people”.


“Yes, yes I know general”, Aurelius dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. “Tell me, how much have you heard in terms of news in Rome?”

“Not much, I confess. Except for the occasional tidbit that reaches my ears I have not heard a thing”. Macrinus scrunched his face. “Does this have to do with the senate by any chance?”


“Not the senate, my dear Macrinus”, Aurelius said. “It has to do with my son, Commodus”. His head began to sag. “Ever since he arrived here from Rome I cannot seem to shake it from my mind. These feelings of...hesitation I have over him. It is like the gods have cursed me, in my dying hour, to worry over the heir to my throne”. Aurelius’ hands covered his eyes. “I do not even know if my decision I am making here today is the right one for the empire anymore”.


“My Emperor, what decision?” Macrinus asked, puzzled. “Why would you be concerned over the heir when he has proved himself already 3 years under your caring and watchful wing?”


Aurelius laughed out loud, a cackling cough that raised the hairs on the back of Macrinus’ neck. “Commodus may have my blood, but he does not have my mind, Macrinus. He is not caring or competent; he is arrogant and naive. When an emperor should put the empire above all else, to gain the respect of the people and their love, all he cares for is to get the empire to devote themselves to him, to put himself above the very creation he is to serve for. There is no sincerity in Commodus, nothing but a desire to gain power and have all else bow before him. My dear Macrinus, he even lacks the political experience! What am I supposed to choose, an Emperor by blood or an Emperor through ability?”


Macrinus backed up, shocked at this statement. “My Emperor, I do not know. I am in your service as long as you need me. I am not here to make the decisions but to carry them through for the glory of Rome”.


“Macrinus, you have spoken like a true Roman, if only the gods could truly hear you know, they would shine on you for a thousand ages”. Aurelius stood up, swaying slightly before he put a hand onto the general’s right shoulder. “Macrinus, Rome cannot ever be lead by an inexperienced Emperor, it would lead to nothing but ruin. An Emperor who leads through arrogance over selflessness is doomed to bring about the annihilation of the very foundations upon which our empire has been founded! Because of this I have a favour to request of you, a wish from a dying man to his one true son”.


“My Emperor, I am forever in your service”, Macrinus replied stoutly.


“Macrinus, I am asking you to become the new Emperor of Rome after my passing”, Aurelius said, looking into his eyes. “You have been by my side since I have become Emperor; you have the undying support of the legions through your victories in the east, and could command the senate in times of crisis. You know the challenges that face Rome and how the cutting of one string can lead to the unravelling of the whole robe. Will you lead Rome into her future after I am gone, for me?”


Macrinus felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him, as if the very ground he was standing on would come up and swallow him at any minute. “Aurelius, why me though? What about Commodus? Is there not anyone else who could take on this task?”


“My dear Macrinus, Commodus will heed the decision of his father, he was raised better than a child of the streets, for all my failures ignored”, Aurelius said, grasping Macrinus’ shoulder with his feeble strength. “You are the only one I trust to sit in my throne, to face Rome’s challenges with a cool head. Will you rise to the challenge, Macrinus, and become the son I have always wanted to have?”


Macrinus rocked back and forth for a few seconds, deep in thought before standing tall, the muscles rippling as his pose became hard as stone under Aurelius’ gentle hand. “My Emperor, I will”.



The POD as said above is Marcus Aurelius handing power to one of his advisors and friends instead of his son Commodus (yes i know its sort of a Gladiator rip-off :p)


My knowledge is quite general on all things Roman, so if there are any mistakes in the story please let me know (along with my story writing skills).


Any feedback is greatly welcome, as I hope to include as much information as I can into this TL. Thanks in advance guys, hope you like it.
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