N/A

WI Crassus had followed a different route into the Parthian Empire, like through Armenia? Could the Romans ever conquer Parthia and hold it? If so, what would be the consequences?

Crassus was an businessman, not a general. He almost certainly would have lost wherever he ran into the Parthians. Caesar might have been able to do it, if he wasn't assassinated before he could set off. Holding it would be tough though...
 

Typo

Banned
To be fair Crassus weren't the only one who tried, Mark Anthony did too and failed.
 

Keenir

Banned
Spartacus was a brilliant general (maybe not the best tactician). He defeated Roman legions time after time after time

maybe bribe/coopt Spartacus..."look, you take your men against Persia and-or Armenia...whatever land you conquer, you can settle your men on."


(that was the standard retirement package back then, right?)
 
maybe bribe/coopt Spartacus..."look, you take your men against Persia and-or Armenia...whatever land you conquer, you can settle your men on."


(that was the standard retirement package back then, right?)

That was the standard package, but I can't see this happening. The slave rebellion scared the shit out of the Romans, I don't think anyone would consider making deals with them.
 

Keenir

Banned
That was the standard package, but I can't see this happening. The slave rebellion scared the shit out of the Romans, I don't think anyone would consider making deals with them.

why not? it would accomplish several things at once:
a) send those rebellious idiots out to die.
b) embarass Rome's traditional enemy ("you're only worthy of fighting our slaves")
c) potentially add territory that you can always seize from the idiots later on.
 
maybe bribe/coopt Spartacus..."look, you take your men against Persia and-or Armenia...whatever land you conquer, you can settle your men on."


(that was the standard retirement package back then, right?)

That's a great idea. I don't know how feasible it is.
 

Keenir

Banned
With respect, that idea is terrible. The Romans were too "up themselves" to even contemplate anything but unconditional surrender for the slaves. Besides, what message would that send to the slaves? Your oppressed, but you can run away to a mythical state in Asia conquered by your fellow slaves. Without slaves, Rome would have reached economic meltdown due to the fact that all of the major industries relied on at least some slaves

um...why exactly would Rome suddenly have no slaves?

Spartacus and his men would be an exception that proved the rule, not a decree that makes all slaves hi-tail it for lands afar.

with respect, that would be like saying that, when Rome passed the law decreeing that every man who served in the Roman Army automatically becomes a Roman citizen, that that law would cause Persia and all the foreign nations to take over Rome in a mere 25 years (length of military service, if I recall)
 
Rome wouldn't make deal with slaves just like ur not supposed to negotiate with terrorist and Crassus was doomed as soon as his son was killed
(in the battle) who was a pretty good general and leader of the roman calvary and
 

Typo

Banned
Crassus is still fundamentally a businessman, and that failed him. He got tricked into a situation where the advantages of his legionnaire heavy infantry was minimized and that of the Parthian calvary maximized due to his greed. After his son died his lost his nerve when his army was still salvageable.
 
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