Great stuffSome feedback:
- If Antonius is to marry Octavian's OTL bride, then you mean Pompeius' aunt-in-law, not sister-in-law. She was the sister of Lucius Scribonius Libo (consul 34BC) and Marcus Livius Drusus Libo (he seems to have adopted his nephew, causing some confusion online) and already married twice to consulars, with (at least) three children: Cornelius Marcellinus, Cornelius Scipio and Cornelia ?Scipionis.
- I reckon Scribonia an unlikely match for Antonius. OTL Octavian betrothed Marcellus to Pompeia, daughter of Sextus. Here Antyllus could take his place, freeing Antonius up to make a more profitable marriage with either Octavia or Atia (her aunt, niece of the Dictator and wife of Octavian's step-brother Philippus).
- Agrippa only married above himself because of Octavian's need for a junior colleague he could trust. By that time he had already married the daughter of Atticus, consolidated his dignity, been consul and connected himself by marriage to the Domus Augusta (Tiberius' first wife was his daughter Vipsania). Octavia was far too valuable a consort to be wasted on a new man whose patron had just exited the stage - especially when Octavia's son Marcellus was potentially of great value.
- Appuleius had no legal relation to Octavian, so I would imagine him to be a very unlikely Caesar. To begin with, biologically only the son of a half-sister, and on the non-Julian side of the family. Lacking a will naming or adopting an heir, Octavian's inheritance would be divided among his heirs:
1. His wife, Clodia Pulchra: if married in manu she would have rights similar to a daughter (see Augustus' posthumous adoption of Livia Drusilla)
2. Quintus Pedius (first cousin)
3. Pinarius Scarpus (first cousin once removed)
4. Claudius Marcellus (first cousin twice removed)
Of which Pedius and Scarpus are political non-entities and Marcellus a mere child. In case of a will, which would be very likely (although Antonius might well be able to surpress or conceal one should it exist), Marcellus would be the most likely heir (given their biological relationship). Octavia, and possibly their half-sister, would benefit from a will, but without one would be too distant to inherit (women only inheriting in direct relation: mother, daughter, sister).
As the son of a Julia Caesaris and kinsman of Caesar Octavianus, I could very well see Antonius, now undisputed leader of the Caesarean party, adopting use of Caesar as his own cognomen (he didn't have one - his brother used Pietas when it became politically useful to do so). He could also very easily secure a praetor's decree (bonorum possessio etc) adjudging Caesar Octavianus' name and fortune in his favor in the absence of a will. Marrying Octavia and adopting Marcellus might make things a lot easier too.
Thanks for the input, this is of great value. I'll certainly make the necessary adjustments (I was way off apparently lol). It seems like Agrippa's status as a new man at this point won't effect him much if I read that correctly? Though I believe he didn't hold the consulship until 37, though I could be wrong.
This really cleared up a lot of gray areas in my knowledge, thanks.
edit: could Agrippa adopt Clodia Pulchra?
Excellent update! It seems Antonius is, thus far, still failing and doing similar moves as OTL. I also like the references to Sextus' growing more politically savvy (something he lack massively OTL.) I hope we'll see more of him soon?
Hmm, I did not know that. This will help a lot.Great update. One thing to note is that, despite Octavian's propaganda, Antony's eastern policy was quite sound and not dissimilar to Pompey before him. He reorganized the East into five major client kingdoms: Amyntas, Polemon and Archelaus (Asia Minor as far east as Armenia), Herod (Judaea + vicinty) and Cleopatra (Egypt, Cilicia Trachea, Cyprus and Coele-Syria). Cleopatra had already gained Cyprus from Caesar; Cilicia Trachea and Coele-Syria were additions on level with the vast domains the other four princes received from Antony. It seems like Cleopatra's role was to replenish Antony's fleet, using Cilician timber and Phoenician sailors/workmanship, while the other Kings were to provide military aid against the Parthians. It was a business relationship like any other, made even more interesting due to her Seleucid blood and quasi-divine status, which promoted/strengthened/heightened his own growing Imperial cult (he was first declared the New Dionysus at Ephesus, after Philippi; he was then deified by the Athenians with Octavia, and then throughout all of Asia). He presented himself as the New Dionysus, conqueror of all Asia as far as India (limit of the Parthian empire) and she as Cleopatra Thea Neotera, the New Cleopatra Thea, after her aunt who ruled Syria for quite some time.
Hmmm, Scribonia would make an interesting match, tying him to Pompey.You're welcomeAgrippa's status as a new man wasn't a complete impediment to future success, but I think Octavia would be too lofty a match for him at this point. By the time he married Julia Caesaris in 21BC everyone else was either dead, in exile or out of favor; Augustus was only just beginning to rehabilitate the new generation of patricians at the time and it was the perfect opportunity to adlect Agrippa into the line of succession/eliminate him as a potential rival.
I think the most likely would be for Agrippa to make a very good marriage connecting him to the others, but not Octavia. Options would include Scribonia, Clodia Pulchra (Antony's step-daughter), Antonia (Antony's eldest daughter, betrothed to Lepidus the younger since 44BC), Junia Tertulla (widow of Cassius, rumoured bastard of Caesar, sister-in-law of Lepidus) or Atia (Julius Caesar's niece and cousin of Sextus Pompeius).
(Note: Atius Balbus, who married Julius Caesar's sister Julia, was the first cousin of Pompey the Great. Their daughters Atia and consequently Octavian and Octavia were therefore propinqui of Sextus Pompey, an often overlooked relationship).
Agrippa could adopt her but I don't think it would do much good. For one, her inheritance would be money/property, not the name of Caesar. For second, she herself, now free of husband and without a father, wouldn't have any good reason to submit herself to some stranger's authority. I think marriage would be a more reasonable alliance (both with Octavian's memory and with the living Antony) than trying to adopt her.
In fairness Sextus made some grievous errors OTL, primarily by not following up his victories, but he was politically savvy to the last. At the time Octavian was unpopular at Rome, while the people rioted in Sextus' favor when the image of Neptune wasn't brought out (he claimed to be Neptune's son). While Octavian and Antony were just flirting with the idea of Imperial cults Sextus was already proudly claiming divine parentage, wearing a sea-green cloak and thanking his divine father Neptune for his victories. He was also the first of the three to really use talented freedmen significantly in his administration. He was well liked in Rome and supported by a wealth of nobility who fled to be at his side (including Livia Drusilla's brother and husband). Even when he fled his name was enough to rally men to his banner.
We will certainly be seeing a lot more of him soon.Excellent update! It seems Antonius is, thus far, still failing and doing similar moves as OTL. I also like the references to Sextus' growing more politically savvy (something he lack massively OTL.) I hope we'll see more of him soon?
Anyway, keep it up!
I didn't know he claimed himself as the son of Neptune, that's gonna help me clear up a few things in the future. And yeah, I plan on having the importance of freedmen within Pompey's inner circle and administration having a positive effect.
In fairness Sextus made some grievous errors OTL, primarily by not following up his victories, but he was politically savvy to the last. At the time Octavian was unpopular at Rome, while the people rioted in Sextus' favor when the image of Neptune wasn't brought out (he claimed to be Neptune's son). While Octavian and Antony were just flirting with the idea of Imperial cults Sextus was already proudly claiming divine parentage, wearing a sea-green cloak and thanking his divine father Neptune for his victories. He was also the first of the three to really use talented freedmen significantly in his administration. He was well liked in Rome and supported by a wealth of nobility who fled to be at his side (including Livia Drusilla's brother and husband). Even when he fled his name was enough to rally men to his banner.
He did, and the triumvirs were so worried at his popularity in Rome that they excluded Neptune from the games they had in 40 (cf. http://books.google.com.br/books?id...#v=onepage&q=pompeius sea green cloak&f=false).
Certainly my good sir.I'm liking this timeline. Keep it coming
Things are defiantly going up for Pompeius-i don't think theirs any significant opposition now to stop him in the west now that Agrippa is aligned to his cause through marriage-and why am i getting a sense of huge foreboding for Marcus Antonius....... (so long as he gets to fight Sextus at sea, i'll be happy though-that would be a fight of epic pretension.)
Anyway, great TL!
Will the Parthians also capitalize on Antonius' apparent inactivity? He's lost almost half of his force, and is looking west now.
Perhaps they could cross the Euphrates while he's back in Egypt crying and cursing, since their field army remains untouched this far...
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).
I am fond of Agrippa as well. Glad you are enjoying this TL.The marriage is a tiny bit high for his station, but in Rome of the Very Late Republican Period military might trumped all.
BTW - Marcus V. Agrippa has been a hero of mine since the Johnson Administration so I am rooting for him to ultimately come pit on top. From all I have read/seen of him Agrippa was the best person of them all...meaning the only one who wasn't evil.
HoC