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

...Cleopatra was a consummate stateswoman and, above all, a survivor. She would not abandon Caesar Antonius willy-nilly. She would not risk her head for a few ships. Egypt didn't lack gold, with the lands and monopolies she obtained from Antony she was incredibly wealthy. As Octavian's efforts against Pompeius clearly demonstrated, navies could be destroyed and rebuilt. She would either sit the battle out and make her escape after defeat (as she did OTL, obviously expecting to sex or bribe her way to live another day afterwards) or, at the very most, only ditch Antony after having secured an understanding with the other side. She would have no wish to, however, given the superiority of his position and person vs Pompeius and Agrippa. .

I concur Cleopatra would only have ditched so early in order to flee the Mediterranean World entirely. IIRC she planned to go to India with her children. Please consider the possibility that in your fine ATL that she successfully did this very thing. It would help justify Sextus Pompey retaining control of a larger military than would otherwise be needed.....lest the evil Witch-Queen Cleopatra return to seek revenge on Rome. Hell it could even justify a subsequent Indian Adventure for the First Citizen of Rome.

Hero of Canton
 
I made some changes to the last two updates. The major change is Cleopatra flees to the Parthian court. The full credit for that idea goes to Velasco, as it had never crossed my mind before that. Thanks Velasco.

I concur Cleopatra would only have ditched so early in order to flee the Mediterranean World entirely. IIRC she planned to go to India with her children. Please consider the possibility that in your fine ATL that she successfully did this very thing. It would help justify Sextus Pompey retaining control of a larger military than would otherwise be needed.....lest the evil Witch-Queen Cleopatra return to seek revenge on Rome. Hell it could even justify a subsequent Indian Adventure for the First Citizen of Rome.

Hero of Canton

This does help justify his control over Syria, certainly. War will soon be on the horizon.
 
I made some changes to the last two updates. The major change is Cleopatra flees to the Parthian court. The full credit for that idea goes to Velasco, as it had never crossed my mind before that. Thanks Velasco.



This does help justify his control over Syria, certainly. War will soon be on the horizon.


Hooray! Great call! Cleo can continue to be a convenient "Boogie Man" for propaganda purposes. :D

HoC
 
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Personally I prefer also this change.

I prefer Cleopatra alive more than suicided or executed, the lady was machiavelist, but also has a lot of glamour, I prefer that continues alive
 
Hail Sextus Pompey the Merciful! Long may he be the "First Man in Rome".

I look forward to seeing Pompey and/or Agrippa attempt to reclaim Crassus' lost eagles.

As Trajan and Galerius both proved, Parthia can be steamrolled, but everything has to go just right...

Hero of Canton
 
The next update is probably going to be about stuff in Rome and Italy during the last few years before I go on to Parthia. It should be up later today.
 
Quick teaser update here while I work some things out:
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Chapter XVIII: Prelude To War…..

On his way to Egypt, Pompeius had come in contact with a certain Tiridates II in Syria. Tiridates had staged a coup in Parthia to overthrow the King, Phraates IV in 32. He was soon run out of town however, when Phraates returned with his Scythian friends. Tiridates had fled to Syria, where he hoped to gain the support of at first Marcus Antonius, and when he found out he was dead, the support of Pompeius, who just so happened to be passing by. Pompeius had initially intended to return Tiridates to Phraates IV, to show that he had no intention of fighting Parthia. But when he heard that Cleopatra had fled to the court of that same Phraates IV, he ordered Tiridates to remain and had left him in Brundisium when he returned. Pompeius wasn’t going to start a war on his own accord, but if Phraates decided to start war to place Cleopatra back in Egypt, then he had every intention of placing Tiridates on the Parthian throne after beating Phraates.

Phraates was surprised at the sudden appearance of Cleopatra at his court in Ctesiphon. She was not as beautiful as she once was, the last few years putting a strain on her health, but she was still the descendent of Alexander. She successfully seduced the King of Parthia, and became his mistress. To her displeasure however, she had not been able to produce any children from the affair. She was also having trouble convincing Phraates that war with Rome was the best option. He seemed content at least to have her as his mistress, and maybe at some point marry her, or grant her a satrapy. She was certain however, that the Egyptian people did not like Rome. Pompeius appointing a client king over the country instead of outright annexing it had further confirmed that idea in her mind. If he could have annexed Egypt without a full scale revolt, she was sure he would have done so. If she could wrestle control of Egypt for herself under the protection of Parthia, Cleopatra was banking on that Rome would not again make war to regain Egypt immediately after their conquest and ensuing peace. Giving her time to solidify her control of not only Egypt, but of Parthia as well, hopefully through producing an heir by Phraates.

Thanks to Cleopatra, Phraates was now certain that Pompeius was harboring Tiridates for no other reason than to at some point, use it as a pretext for war. Wanting to get the jump on the Romans, finally, in 27 BC, Phraates began making preparations for war. All that was needed, was the actual declaration.
 
Her little black book is getting somewhat bulky. She's going to need a whole camel train just for the notes on her conquests soon.

And bully for her I say! :D Long may she scheme I love the idea of her landing on her feet (or should I say back) in Parthia. I hope she succeeds in producing an heir for the Parthian KoK. She is the perfect "wicked witch" trope for Roman propagandists beating the war-drums in the lead up to a winner-take-all war with Parthia.

Warmongering Romans had better worry about what they get when they wish for something. Parthia has historically been a graveyard of Romans with eastern ambitions. It took Trajan himself to lick them and that was with everything going right for him. When he died the Parthian conquests were in revolt IIRC.

But as an unashamed Romanophile I'd love to see Sextus Pompey carry thru on Julius Caesar's plans for Parthian conquest.

Hero of Canton
 
And bully for her I say! :D Long may she scheme I love the idea of her landing on her feet (or should I say back) in Parthia. I hope she succeeds in producing an heir for the Parthian KoK. She is the perfect "wicked witch" trope for Roman propagandists beating the war-drums in the lead up to a winner-take-all war with Parthia.
I can see TTL's Cleopatra looking good for a Turtledove in a year's time. I get a feeling that she might be able to land on her feet (or her back, more accurately) with a grace most schemers could only dream of.

But as an unashamed Romanophile I'd love to see Sextus Pompey carry thru on Julius Caesar's plans for Parthian conquest.
If he does, I want Cleopatra to escape. I hear India sounds lovely...
 
Another short update. I just wanted to clear a few things up in Rome before I get to the war.
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Chapter XIX: Meanwhile In Rome…


It is easy to get lost in the civil wars during this tumultuous time, and overlook everything else playing out quietly in the background. As aedile in 33 BC, Agrippa used his position to construct repairs to the neglected Roman infrastructure in and around the city. Aedile was technically a step down the cursus honorum for Agrippa, who had already been consul, but it was solely his choice to take the position, specifically because it was the aediles which had jurisdiction over such things. Pompeius was still wary of Agrippa as a potential rival and threat, but seemed to see no problem with letting his right hand man indulge himself in making much needed improvements to the Eternal City.

Stuff began to change in 29 BC, when upon their triumphant return to Italy, Agrippa’s wife Scribonia, became seriously ill. She managed to hang on until they reached Rome, but died shortly after their arrival. Having thought he had just defeated his last serious rival to his ambitions, Pompeius was now faced with another in the name of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Their alliance had been sealed by the latter’s marriage to Pompeius’s aunt in law, but now with Scribonia dead, Pompeius began to worry about Agrippa’s own ambitions. His freedman Maenas, confirmed to him exactly what he was thinking: He had to either kill Agrippa, or make him his son in law. And so, Agrippa very soon became Pompeius’s son in law. He was betrothed to the 13 year old Pompeia, and subsequently married the young girl in 27 BC.

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Livia Drusilla​

While on the matter of dynastic politicking, now was a good time for Pompeius to address the former wife of his now deceased Senatorial ally Tiberius Claudius Nero, Livia Drusilla. Pompeius loathed Livia Drusilla. There was just something about her that just did not sit right with him. She seemed to be willing to do anything to get to a position of power, and if not for herself, than for her sons, Nero Claudius Drusus, and Tiberius Claudius Nero. In his opinion, she was a backstabber and a schemer, possibly because it is rumored that on more than one occasion, she tried to seduce him behind the back of her husband. Now having de facto control over the entire empire, Pomeius saw this a good a time as any to prevent Livia from making a potential rival out of a member of the aristocracy through marriage. One of his last acts as consul in 27 BC before relinquishing power, was forbidding Livia from ever marrying.

Pompeius seemed to have little problem with her two sons, Drusus and Tiberius. They benefited greatly from their father being Pompeius's ally up until his death, and he did not let his personal enmity with their mother carry over to them. The boys showed promise, that was for sure. He had every intention to push them up the cursus honorum, and maybe one day slate the two brothers for a consulship. Military commands were not out of the picture either, especially for the elder brother Tiberius. Tiberius in particular was showing immense promise to be an able general, and although Pompeius was certainly not lacking in able commanders as we will see, he could make room for him if he ever felt inclined.
 
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And bully for her I say! :D Long may she scheme I love the idea of her landing on her feet (or should I say back) in Parthia. I hope she succeeds in producing an heir for the Parthian KoK. She is the perfect "wicked witch" trope for Roman propagandists beating the war-drums in the lead up to a winner-take-all war with Parthia.

Warmongering Romans had better worry about what they get when they wish for something. Parthia has historically been a graveyard of Romans with eastern ambitions. It took Trajan himself to lick them and that was with everything going right for him. When he died the Parthian conquests were in revolt IIRC.

But as an unashamed Romanophile I'd love to see Sextus Pompey carry thru on Julius Caesar's plans for Parthian conquest.

Hero of Canton

The war with Parthia will be tough, I can say that much. Cleoatra indeed will be a good propaganda tool for Pompeius. After all, the Roman senate had declared war on her, not Mark Antony.

If he does, I want Cleopatra to escape. I hear India sounds lovely...
Guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out. :p
 
Chapter XX: The Roman-Parthian War Part I: The Battle Begins
The Parthian invasion was again to be a two pronged attack. The larger of the two forces, under the command of Phraates IV himself, would push straight into Judea, dislodge Herod The Great, and march into Egypt. Phraates had the complete assurances of Cleopatra that the Parthians would be welcomed with open arms in Egypt. The other, smaller force, was to invade Armenia and place a pro-Parthian king on the throne. This force was to be lead by the son of Phraates, Tiridates III, who incidentally would also happen to be the pro-Parthian king that was to take the Armenian throne. Nothing says pro-Parthian like being the son of the King of Kings. The plan was simple enough, but of course, nothing goes according to plan.

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Phraates IV​

Pompeius had given Ventidius Bassus command in the east to ready the soldiers for the inevitable Parthian invasion. It is easy to understand why he did so, for Bassus was the one largely responsible for his spectacular success in completely turning the tables on the seemingly unstoppable Parthian onslaught lead by Quintus Labienus. This man clearly knew how to fight the Parthians better than anyone else, so it was a no brainer to place him in overall command. Not that Pompeius would not be there in the east when the war broke out to share in the glory, but he himself had little experience commanding land armies. Plus he had his whole deal with solidifying supreme power in Rome thing going on in the background.

When the Parthians launched their invasion however, they meant with spectacular success. Palestine was overrun with ease, and the Roman legions there were ousted out of the entire region and retreated into Syria. King Herod was deposed of, and Phraates IV was riding high on the euphoria of victory In Armenia, Phraates son, Tiridates III, was installed on the throne after the meager Armenian forces were swept aside. Upon hearing of the invasion, Pompeius himself set off east along with Tiridates II, leaving Agrippa to manage in the west, with Marcus Tullius Cicero Minor slated to serve the consulship with Agrippa the next year. Despite what it may have seemed like, Bassus was not sitting around doing nothing this whole time. The invasion had actually caught him off guard, which is kind of a hard thing to do when you’ve known it was coming for a few years by this point. He immediately sprang into action however, and ordered the legions pushed back from Palestine to regroup in Antioch, Syria.

Seeing this golden opportunity to crush all Roman resistance south of Anatolia, and add Syria to his conquests to boot, Phraates made a detour from his original plan. Against the protests of Cleopatra, who soon realized that Phraates had little actual interest in Egypt, he marched to begin his siege of Antioch. He may also have been highly discouraged about marching on Egypt now, as the 4 legions stationed in Cyrennaica had moved into Egypt to protect it, and quelled some minor disturbances on the side. Whatever the actual reason, Phraates thought his best option lay in destroying the legions at Antioch before a relief force could arrive.

Meanwhile in Armenia, the newly crowned king Tiridates III was not content with simply staying in Armenia. Emboldened by the complete and utter lack of serious resistance encountered so far, the young king pushed on into Anatolia. This of course was exactly what Bassus, who was just now planning a counter-attack, was hoping for. Bassus had received favorable reports about how long Antioch could hold out, so was in no real hurry to rush to their aid. He led Tiridates deeper and deeper into enemy territory, allowing him to win many small skirmishes and thus emboldening him to continue his advance. Tiridates fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

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Romans meet Parthian charge

Bassus then sprung his trap. He entrapped Tiridates in Anatolia the same way he had done so to Quintus Labienus the previous time around. Cutting off the supply train and blocking off all the escape roots, Ventidius Bassus had once again played his trump card. Tiridates found himself isolated and with no other option but to fight his way out. Pomeius arrived just in time to see the grand finale. Tiridates resolved to a complete all out charge uphill, spearheaded by the cataphracts. This time around, the managed to stage a small
breakthrough, and it was a race to who could escape through the gap first. The winner’s prize was living another day, and the loser paid with his life. Only a few hundred managed to escape, including Tiridates, but he no longer posed a threat. The Romans counterattack was now in full bore.
 
Another fine update, your cunningness. :)

It seems that with Agrippa firmly on his side in Rome, anf the Cicero clan in support, Pompeius can safely concentrate on the East for a time. Will Phraates get caught under the walls of Antioch? Or will he get enough warning to plan his next move?

I imagine those four Roman legions in Egypt are only there at the request of the rightful king, and will only be there as long as it takes to restore order and protect the realm... Aren't they? :p
 
Another fine update, your cunningness. :)

It seems that with Agrippa firmly on his side in Rome, anf the Cicero clan in support, Pompeius can safely concentrate on the East for a time. Will Phraates get caught under the walls of Antioch? Or will he get enough warning to plan his next move?

I imagine those four Roman legions in Egypt are only there at the request of the rightful king, and will only be there as long as it takes to restore order and protect the realm... Aren't they? :p

Haha thanks.

Indeed, pompey can focus solely on the east for a time though he's still keeping one eye on Rome just to be safe. You'll have to wait and see what phrases next move is.

That's what they say anyway...
 
Another fine update, your cunningness. :)

It seems that with Agrippa firmly on his side in Rome, anf the Cicero clan in support, Pompeius can safely concentrate on the East for a time. Will Phraates get caught under the walls of Antioch? Or will he get enough warning to plan his next move?

I imagine those four Roman legions in Egypt are only there at the request of the rightful king, and will only be there as long as it takes to restore order and protect the realm... Aren't they? :p

Isn't that Queen? IIRC Pompey installed Cleo's little sister as sole puppet ruler of Egypt. Enjoying the yarn BTW.

HoC
 
Isn't that Queen? IIRC Pompey installed Cleo's little sister as sole puppet ruler of Egypt. Enjoying the yarn BTW.

HoC
Yarn? :confused:


Anyway, Velasco pointed out correctly that Pompeius likely wouldn't hold down two promising individuals whos father was a close ally of his, just because he hated their mother. So I changed that up a bit.
 
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