Is Rome Worth One Good Man's Life?-A Roman TL

The interesting question about this alternate history with the great republican Cicero is:
- what were Ciceroes thoughts about the weaknesses of the republic?
- did he recognize the structural deficits of the roman society, which leaded to the paralysation and desintegration of the republic?
- how would he try to reform the republic?
- is a working and stable roman republic possible at all, under the given circumstances in the 1st century BC and how could a republic cover the needs of an empire?

In order to answer these questions we need an insight dicussion about roman society, constitution, political duties/processes and civil/military administration. I doubt, Cicero or anybody else would have been able, to reconstitute the republic. But perhaps this is not your goal at all and at the end, it makes no difference, if Cicero dies or not.
 
- is a working and stable roman republic possible at all, under the given circumstances in the 1st century BC and how could a republic cover the needs of an empire?
Sure. Augustus's principate is just that.
In order to answer these questions we need an insight dicussion about roman society, constitution, political duties/processes and civil/military administration. I doubt, Cicero or anybody else would have been able, to reconstitute the republic. But perhaps this is not your goal at all and at the end, it makes no difference, if Cicero dies or not.
The republic isn't going to survive I can assure you of that. Cicero will have an impact, if a slight one though.
 
Sorry guys, I have been feeling like crap the past couple days, and wasn't in the mood to type up what I have written. Plus I had a lot of homeword (two projects due :noexpression:). Anyway, spring break started today, so expect an update some time over the weekend.
 
Chapter III: The Roman Civil War Part II: The Hero of Philippi

Antonius was in an increasingly desperate situation. A legion already had to be sent to Achaea to scavenge for food and supplies. To keep morale high, he had to award every soldier 5,000 denarii, and every centurion 25,000. Backed into a corner, he tried to reach out to the Liberatore camp and seek a truce.

Brutus and Cassius were split on accepting a truce with Antonius. Brutus pointed out that Antonius was a spent force, and Octavian, the reason they were here right now in the first place, was dead. There was no need to continue to war. Cassius refused to budge. He could not let Brutus squander yet another opportunity at doing away with Antonius once and for all. They held all the advantages and could let starvation do the work for them, while they could supply themselves with impunity. Brutus backed down, and the Liberatores refused to come to terms.

Antonius was resigned now to attempt pulling off the impossible, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Along with Agrippa, he drew up a plan relying on an enormous gamble. He would focus the bulk of his forces on Brutus, while Agrippa distracted and occupied Cassius long enough so he could hopefully achieve a breakthrough in Brutus’s lines. His reasoning for placing the pressure on Brutus was obvious-he had much less military experience than Cassius and was more prone to making a mistake and cracking under pressure. The gamble was, Brutus occupied a very strong defensive position, possible even stronger than Cassius’s. Agrippa would be placed under tremendous pressure himself, and could easily get overrun if things went wrong. Regardless, it was their only chance at victory.

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Second Battle of Philippi


Antonius launched a full frontal assault on Brutus’s forces on October 22nd, initiating the second battle of Philippi. It seemed like a suicidal move, and perhaps it was. At the same time, Agrippa and Cassius came into contact on the same ground as the first battle. Agrippa used every trick he knew to fend off Cassius. He was by far the superior commander, and it was showing. Even so, Cassius seemed to be slowly gaining the upper hand.

Meanwhile, Antonius’s forces were beginning to waver. Recognizing the situation as now or never, Antonius threw everything left at Brutus. He himself charged straight into the thick of battle, inspiring his soldiers. Seeing their general fight alongside them encouraged Antonius’s soldiers, and they regrouped and fought with renewed tenacity. Both sides fought tooth and nail for every inch, as the battle raged as a virtual stalemate for some time. Then, finally, Antonius achieved a breakthrough.

Slow to react, Brutus’s inexperience cost him dearly. By the time he was able to reinforce the breach, Antonius’s men had already capitalized on the opportunity. The reinforcements sent to plug the gap were driven back in ferocious hand to hand combat, and Brutus’s lines began wavering. His men began to panic, and some began to flee. This caused more confusion amongst the ranks, and it wasn’t long before it turned into a disaster and a full blown rout, with Antonius’s men chasing in eager pursuit. Brutus himself was killed in the chaos, slain by an unknown legionary. Though it is sometime told that Antonius himself killed him.

On the other side, Agrippa had done exceptionally well. Cassius was unable to achieve much success, and the two sides had fought to a standstill. As the dust cleared, and the battle drew to a close, Cassius realized the full extent of the disaster. Word reached him that Brutus had been slain and his whole army decimated. Demoralized, he returned to camp with his army. Utterlying the line, “Paenitet me Brutus”[1] Gaius Cassius Longinus fell on his sword.


[1] "I am sorry Brutus" in regret of overruling Brutus's push for peace and instead pushing to continue the war.
 
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Good update. Then Octavian is dead and Mark Antony still win the war against the so called Liberatores? Very interesting TL...
 
Good update. Then Octavian is dead and Mark Antony still win the war against the so called Liberatores? Very interesting TL...

The whole was isn't over. There's still Pompeius but Antony is gonna deal with that shortly... Though let's just say that doesn't mean it's gonna be the end of Pompeius. Quite the opposite actually. ;)

This is rather interesting, Monsieur Renard.

I look forward to seeing where you're taking this one. :cool:

Thanks. :D
 
The whole was isn't over. There's still Pompeius but Antony is gonna deal with that shortly... Though let's just say that doesn't mean it's gonna be the end of Pompeius. Quite the opposite actually. ;)



Thanks. :D
Pompeius was maybe an allies of the Liberatores but was not one of the killers of Caesar...
 
Chapter IV: The Roman Civil War Part III: Lepidus’s Struggle

In the wake of his victory, Antonius showed clemency to those who had sided with the Liberatores. The most notable of the men to surrender to him and join his camp, were Lucius Calpurnius Bibulus and Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. Some preferred to fall on their sword than to surrender to Antonius, while still others managed to escape to Sicily, where Pompeius represented the last republican stronghold.

Wanting to focus on suring up the east, Antonius sent Agrippa with 40,000 men, back to Italy. The 40,000 soldiers had been promised they would receive rich and fertile land around 18 a major cities on the Italian peninsula. This was a massive problem, and Antonius had essentially placed all the burden on the shoulders of Marcus Lepidus for solving it. Obviously, this would require widespread displacement of the currenty inhabitants of the areas, and would cause a serious social upheaval. Furthermore, the soldiers were increasingly dissatisfied with what they were getting, never believing they were receiving enough. Many were displaced, and received no compensation.

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Coin featuring the triumvir, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus

Hatred against Lepidus was at a fervor pitch in Italy. In their eyes, he had done nothing to help the Roman people, and had only made their situation more unbearable. Antonius had successfully campaigned in Macedonia, and had defeated the rebels there. All the while, Lepidus sat idly in Italy while Pompeius strangled Rome and the peninsula with his control of the seas from his Sicilian base. Lepidus was forced into dealing with Pompeius on his own, while Antonius stayed in the east.

Sextus had been given two crucial years to prepare for this confrontation. Characteristically, he put none of it to waste. Sicily was turned into an island fortress, protected by Pompeius’s built up powerful navy with crack Sicilian marines. To compliment the navy, Sextus was able to recruit a sizeable army, making him a potent enemy, capable of going on the offensive if the opportunity was right. During this time, he forged a strong bond with Cicero who became firmly entrenched in Sicily, with no intention of leaving, even in the unlikely event that he were to be pardoned.

Lepidus by contrast was little match to Pompeius’s military skill. This was somewhat compensated by Agrippa’s talent, but Lepidus, who did not like the upstart military mind, was too stubborn and reluctant to give him any serious command. In consequence, Lepidus’s attempted invasion of Sicily in 40 BC was a humiliating disaster. His makeshift navy stood no chance against Pompeius’s experienced and highly trained fleet. In a series of naval skirmishes, Pompeius easily defeated any attempt by Lepidus to gain an advantage.

Even more humiliating to Lepidus, was the loss of Sardinia. The freedman Menus, a highly talented commander in Pompeius’s navy, had managed to capture the important island from Marcus Lurius. Lurius had tried to fend off Menas to the best of his ability with what little he had at his disposal, and was successful initially. Menas managed to turn the tables, and decisively defeated him, forcing Lurius to abandon the island to the Pompeiians. By 39 BC, Lepidus was in serious jeopardy, as Italy was on the verge of mutiny.




 
Chapter V: The Roman Civil War Part IV: A New Balance of Power


In the aftermath of Philippi, Antonius marched east to secure his control over the areas Brutus and Cassius had once controlled themselves. He managed to secure the loyalties of provincial governors and client kings alike (they had little choice unless they wanted to be crushed). Asia Minor received harsh punishment, being plundered, along with the other eastern provinces, for disloyalty, despite Brutus and Cassius having had looted the provinces themselves. It was in Tarsus where me met the charming Cleopatra VII, initially summoning her to see where her loyalties lay, but quickly falling into an affair with the Ptolemaic queen. He traveled to Egypt with Cleopatra, and while Lepidus was struggling to remain in control of Italy, Antonius spent the winter of 41-40 BC there, producing twin children in his affair.

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Bust of Cleopatra VII

He could not however, indulge in his idleness and pleasures for long. Quintus Labienus, the son of the talented Titus Labienus, had been sent by Brutus and Cassius prior to Philippi to the Parthian court attempt to garner support for their cause. With the western half of the Roman empire in turmoil, and the east relatively unstable with Antonius content to remain in Egypt, the King of Parthia, Orodes, saw a golden opportunity.

Organizing a joint invasion lead by his son Pacorus and Quintus Labienus, the Parthians began a lightning invasion of Roman territory. Syria and Palestine was quickly overrun by Pacorus, and Labienus quickly overran much of Asia Minor save for the coast. Pacorus overthrew the Hasmonean King, Hyrcanus II, replacing him with his nephew, Antigonus. Antonius finally decided to spring into action. When he reached Tyre, he realized the seriousness of the situation was worse than expected. He also received disturbing news from the west of Lepidus's failures and Italy's near mutinous state. Instead of focusing on Parthia however, he turned his attention west, leaving
Ventidius Bassus in command in the east.

Antonius immediately recognized Lepidus as a dangerous and useless liability at this point. Fearing a full scale revolt if Lepidus was left in power, in 39 BC Antonius reached out to Pompeius and Agrippa without even consenting the practically powerless Lepidus. Eager to get back to fighting Parthia, Antonius made a surprising move. The three men met at Capri in the Bay of Naples, where an agreement was reached that tipped everything on its head. They agreed to form a Third Triumvirate, lasting 5 years. Agrippa was to replace Lepidus in Italy, and gain Ciscalpine Gaul. Antonius was granted all of the east, along with Transalpine Gaul. Pompeius was the big winner- He was granted recognition of his control over Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, and in addition, was given Africa and Spain. In one swoop, he had went from outlaw, to essentially, having legal control of the entire western Mediterranean.

To cement this newly forged alliance, Antonius and Pompeius agreed to betroth his daughter, Pompeia, to Antonius's son, Antyllus. Antonius himself took Octavia as a wife. There was worry over the Senate's potential reaction to Agrippa being in control of Italy, but they banked on the "anybody but Lepidus" feeling in Rome at the time allowing them to accept his newfound power. Once their deal was finalized, the triumvirs sent an ultimatum to Lepidus- He was either to surrender now, and go into forced retirement and exile, or be crushed by the new triumvirate. Understanding he no longer had any relevancy, and doubting he would stay in power much longer anyway if the Roman mob had anything to say about it, Lepidus had no choice but to accept, and retired to an estate in southern Italy, living out the remainder of his life peacefully.

There was one thing left on Antonius's to do list before he rushed back east. Formerly without a cognomen and now the undisputed leader of the Caesarion faction, he took the name of "Caesar" for himself. He also proceeded to adopt the young Marcellus, cementing his claim of being Caesar's heir. With that done, he headed back east. A new balance of power had finally been reached. The Roman people could do nothing more but hope that this time, it lasted.



 
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Now that Octavian is dead who does Caesar's name go to? I assume it is still a matter of great prestige and power.

Appuleius most likely.


What do you guys think of what I did with Agrippa? I don't know how plausible getting him in that position as kind of the third man between Antony and Pompey. Is the marriage plausible? Or would he betroth or marry someone else? (now is the time I really need Velasco lol).
 
Chapter VI: The War in the East Part I: A Reverse of Fortunes


How quickly and unhesitatingly Antonius had moved to start a third triumvirate with a man who had just been his enemy, and a new man who’s credentials consisted of being a good friend and righthand man of Octavian but little more, is a testament to how eager he was to get back to the east to fight Parthia. He needed to make sure the west was stable and wasn’t going to be a trouble spot while he picked up where Bassus left off. The consequences were something he could deal with at a later date.

Meawhile, Bassus had went above and beyond expectations. He managed to raise 11 legions, introducing some new modifications to better combat the Parthian army. The Roman shield, which was easily pierced by Parthian arrows, was strengthened to offer better protection. This accompanied an increased use of the testudo formation to defend against the missiles. The overlapped shields provided a strong defense against armor piercing arrows.


The most important innovation was a change in doctrine, lending increased emphasis on archery. Almost every unit was bolstered with auxiliaries using the Parthian composite bow. There was a revival of the use of the sling, which although very inaccurate on its own, proved to be effective when used en masse. In addition, stones and rocks showered on horses tended to upset them.

Ventidius Bassus immediately set out to confront Labienus in 39. He made sure to send his cavalry out ahead to occupy all the mountain passes bordering Asia Minor, in an attempt to cut him off from Parthia. Using his keen eye, he was determined to fight the battle on his terms and on favorable ground. Placing himself on a steep and sloping hill overlooking the mountain pass that the Parthians would have to go through to return home back east, making it so they would have to charge uphill over broken terrain.


Labienus launched a dawn attack, sending his Parthian archers charging up first, meeting a massive wall of Roman arrows and rocks. Due to the broken and uneven terrain, the Parthian archers were unable to effectively return fire, as they were too busy managing their horses through through the terrain. As the Parthians committed themselves to their uphill charge, the Romans, who had been holding their fire, unleashed a mass, unified volley of rocks, spears, and arrows, devastating the unarmored horse archers.

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Parthian Cataphract​

Now the Parthians brought in their heavily armored cataphract cavalry. Although deadly effective on flat, even terrain, they were rendered inneffective on the steep, broken ground of the battlefield. Swarmed by the Romans, the cataphracts were slaughtered, and Ventidius’s victory was complete. To escape capture, Labienus had to concoct a hasty disguise and fled, barely managing to escape, eventually returning back to Parthia.

Pacorus meanwhile, made the mistake of crossing much further downstream than the usual fording location. This gave Bassus precious time march into Syria and fortify the town of Gindrosa. On June 9th, 38 BC-the anniversary of Crassus’s death at Carrhae-, seeing no opposition, the Parthians advanced on Gindrosa, confident it was undefended. The Romans waited until Pacorus came into range, and then poured out of the gates, much to the shock and dismay of the Parthian soldiers. Relying on their catapphracts, the horses were unable to maneuver on the disadvantageous terrain, and the Parthians were thrown back across the river, taking horrendous losses, Pacorus being one of them.

The Parthians had been effectively crushed, and Rome had finally got her long awaited revenge for Carrhae. Bassus paraded Pacorus’s head across Syria as proof that they were now liberated. Possibly at the orders of Antonius, he consolidated and did not push across the Euphrates in pursuit of the Parthian forces.
 
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