On eastern shores – A Roman Timeline

[Alcsentre Calanice]

Caput Unus Et Vicesimus: Conquests for trade
While the Roman state was trying to gain control over the trans-Saharan trade by conquering Garama and other desert oases, the Indian Company fought its own war against the forces of the ocean and, most importantly, of the inhabitants of its coasts. Paradoxically, the merchants who suffered the most from the Parthian invasion during Lollius' reign were now who advocated for military operations.
Traders are generally opposed to any international conflicts, since these disturb their business and lead to the spread of tariffs, piracy and freebooting. But the merchants of the Indian Company soon recognized a simple fact: It is easy to trade one good against another, but it is even easier to simply take what you want. And the Indian Company had both the forces to rob others and the funds to sustain these forces.

The expansion of the Indian Company began in 987 AUC [1]; in this year, a contingent of the Indian Company's Army (Cohortes Indicae) conquered the Arabian city of Gerra on the Persian Gulf. For a long time, Gerra had been a stronghold of pirates raiding the company's ships, deeply loaded with western or eastern treasures. Already before, the Persian Fleet (Classis Persica) had attacked Gerra several times and forced the kings of Gerra to agree to various peace treaties.
But this time, the company's directors lost their patience and decided to transform Gerra into a province of the company. A governor (Praeses) was appointed by the company, which started to imitate the Roman government. Soon, the company issued its own currency (usually considered as more valuable than Roman money, since the company had no demand for an inflation).

However, the company did not stop there. From their base on the island of Ikaros [2], the company's fleets and armies spread out to conquer the last bastions of Arabian merchants, referred to as pirates by the company – piracy was a wonderful pretext to take out the company's competitors (although the company took care not to anger Persian traders, fearing a new war between Rome and Parthia).
In the following years, every major Arabian port either signed a “just and fair” treaty of protection with the organization, or was directly annexed by the company. Later on, even the protectorates became part of the province of Arabia, which was governed by the company. The inland kingdoms and tribes too were either subject to raids and wars or had to submit to the company, at least in name.
The territories dominated by the company had not only to pay a tribute, either in gold, money or in Arabian merchandises like wine or frankincense – they had also to accept the presence of trading posts of the company, which additionally established its own farms and plantations to produce the highly coveted Arabian goods. Also, in its ports, the company imposed high duty on goods carried by foreign ships.

After some decades, the profits of the company multiplied, and the Indian Company paid dividends higher than those of any other enterprise in the Roman Empire. This inspired the merchants of Egypt, trading in the Arabian Gulf and fearing for their gainings, to form their own company, the Alexandrian Company. The Alexandrian Company was supported by the Severans, who also wanted to profit from the eastern trade.
Therefore, the Alexandrian Company was much more tightly controlled by the Roman government, but also much stronger and very prosperous. Supported by the Red Sea Fleet, the Alexandrian Company established trading posts and military outposts on Africa's eastern coast and on the Arabian coast, conquering cities like Leuke Kome, Ptolemaïs Theron, Lathrippa [3] or Makoraba [4].

[1] 234 CE
[2] Greek name of Failaka Island in Kuwait
[3] Propably Yathrib/Medina
[4] Probably Mecca

Roman influence in Arabia, 270 CE
​

 

[Sceonn]

Can we get a map of the stretches of Roman influence?

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

Can we get a map of the stretches of Roman influence?

I wanted to make a map, but I lacked of time.

But I'll soon come up with a map of Roman influence in Arabia, Africa and India.

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

Can we get a map of the stretches of Roman influence?

Here is the map.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

Nice update.

 

[Agricola]

Afaik Leuke Kome was already a roman harbor since the annexion of the Nabataean Kingdom. Same with Hegra more inland. There is also a roman base on the Ferrazan Islands near the shores of Yemen since the early 2nd century AD.

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

There is also a roman base on the Ferrazan Islands near the shores of Yemen since the early 2nd century AD.

Where are these islands? I don't find them on Google Maps.

=====

Caput Vicesimus Secundus: Severan Knowledge
The success of the two Roman trading companies caused an increase in the trade relations between Rome, Asia and Africa, and dramatically accelerated the technological exchange between the Mediterranean and China. As one might say: The adoptive emperors read Asian wisdom, but the Severan dynasty was interested only by concrete political, economic and scientific knowledge.

The Severans studied Chinese administration and realized that China's government consisted of three branches: The civilian administration, represented by the Administrators of the various commanderies; the military, commanded by Commandants existing in the frontier commanderies; and the control, exerted by inspectors (more or less governors of the provinces) supervising the commanderies and their Administrators.
The Chinese central government, as the Romans soon learned, was organized similarly. The Chancellor was responsible for the empire's finances, controlled the jurisdiction and appointed subordinated officials; the Grand Commandant lead the empire's army; the Imperial Counselor controlled the various officials and received annual reports from the provinces. Besides the recommendation of candidates, officials were also appointed among the graduates of the Confucian Imperial University.

Through the Discourses on Salt and Iron, the Romans encountered the first examples Chinese economic thought – in 673 AUC [1], after a long time of laissez-faire and a short period of nationalizing and interventionism, the emperor summoned a court conference to close the debate and decide whether the interventionist economic policy should be maintained.
Within the court conference, two factions formed: On the one hand, the liberal Reformists, mainly provincial Confucian scholars, represented the interests of merchants and manufacturers and advocated for the traditional non-action; on the other hand, the statist Modernists, often Legalist officials of the central government and led by a former trader, claimed that the salt and iron merchants had become to powerful, and were both exploiting the peasants and withholding needed money from the state.
Eventually, the Modernists achieved to convince the emperor to hold up most of his interventionist policies. These policies, which largely influence the Severan politics, were the nationalizing of large industries, price stabilization, a 10 percent tax on industrial capital and harsh punishments for tax evaders. Interventionism was later intensified in China, by the creation of a state economic adjustment agency buying goods when they were cheap and selling them when they were expensive, thus filling the treasury and ensuring price stability – the same agency also provided loans to entrepreneurs.

But China was not only politically and economically ahead of Rome – it also had a much more developed technology than the Roman Empire. The most obvious example for this was paper, known in China at least since the 6th century AUC [2], and used as a writing material at the latest since its improvement in 858 AUC. In contrast to the brittle papyrus and the expensive parchment, paper (known to the Romans as Chinese papyrus, charta sinarum, or quie, from the Chinese word for paper 紙, kje [4]) was an ideal writing material and soon replaced the traditional Roman materials, helping the Roman bureaucracy to expand even more.
Equally important for Rome's economic development was Chinese agricultural technology – the breast collar harness, unknown to the Romans, was invented in China during the Warring States Period, just like the horse collar, developed in China from 1003 AUC [5] onwards. Last but not least, the seed drill, already known to the Han Dynasty, came to Rome through the technological exchange.

[1] 81 BCE
[2] 2rd century BCE
[3] 105 CE
[4] Old Chinese pronunciation of the Chinese word meaning paper
[5] 250 CE

 

[Agricola]

Vor der Küste Yemens. Gugschd du hier:

https://www.academia.edu/1871758/Ausserhalb_des_Reiches_Zu_neuen_römischen_Inschriften_aus_Saudi_Arabien_und_zur_Ausdehnung_der_römischen_Herrschaft_am_Roten_Meer

oops, it is called Ferresan ... mea culpa

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

Vor der Küste Yemens. Gugschd du:

https://www.academia.edu/1871758/Au...ehnung_der_römischen_Herrschaft_am_Roten_Meer

You could speak English I have English readers too.

But that only does make my scenario more plausible. If Rome already has some strongholds there, establishing other trading posts should be quit easy,

Why does Roman presence in Arabia and other regions not appear on traditional maps of the Empire?

 

[Agricola]

I never said, that your scenario is not plausible. Just that your map can't be fully correct. Leuke is not under control of your Company. It is a civitas of the province of Arabia Petrea!

Even if I am afraid, that these Arabs will strike back sooner or later, looking to all your annexions all over Arabia.

And of course Nobody ever controlled the desert tribes in the center of Arabia. The Brits did not and so the romans are not able to do so. Even the Arabs themselves had a hard time.

Sorry for speaking german. I thought it is appropriate while linking a german source.

Don't worry. Next time I try latin.

How does the roman government sees these cities controlled by such companies. And how does it get taxes out of them? Don't tell me, they don't. Because annexing these cities is the most easy task ever for every greedy emperor.

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

Don't worry. Next time I try latin.

Nope, Latin is out. Etruscan is much more interesting.

 

[Agricola]

Why does Roman presence in Arabia and other regions not appear on traditional maps of the Empire?

Because maps are always wrong. Often painted by 2nd class historians. Including a lot of speculation, a real scientist would not support. Look at maps of Trajan's Mesopotamia. What a pile of bull...

However, some maps show that the nabataean empire reached farther south. But it was always pure speculation. The archaeologic findings in Hegra are pretty new. Also the location of Leuke was long disputed and still is. And Ferresan Islands is a rather new fact.

PS: But if scientists are correct now about the location of Leuke, there was a tax office for this greedy 25% tax
I could imagine some interesting processes and deals looking to your powerful India Companies regarding levying this special tax. Hopefully with more income for the fiscus.

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

However, some maps show that the nabataean empire reached farther south. But it was always pure speculation. The archaeologic findings in Hegra are pretty new. Also the location of Leuke was long disputed and still is. And Ferresan Islands is a rather new fact.

I had real problems finding these islands until I found this article. I wasn't surprised by the Roman presence on the islands, given the existence of a Red Sea fleet even in OTL.

But the extension of the Roman territory until Hegra was interesting.

Because maps are always wrong. Often painted by 2nd class historians.

What often strikes me is that Rome hadn't real borders. The Roman administration had borders, yes, but beyond that, Rome had, like every other empire, a large zone of influence.

And this is never really depicted in the class book maps of the empire, that don't take into consideration allied tribes beyond the borders, client states like Ethiopia or the Sudan and Roman outposts.

 

[Mrstrategy]

How powerful is the company and it's forces

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

How powerful is the company and it's forces

The Indian Company is very powerful, they have a fleet with various flotillas and many cohorts of soldiers, maybe 20,000 men (4 legions).

The Alexandrian Company has no own navy, since it's supported by the Roman Fleet, but the same number of mercenary cohorts (20,000 men).

 

[Alcsentre Calanice]

Next update tomorrow.

Where do you think can Rome expand in the next years (4th century CE)?

Ethiopia and Sudan? Germany? Persia?

Ukraine?

 

[RogueTraderEnthusiast]

I think it could benefit from finding new places out East to conquer, even if it means subsidising/creating competition for the The Indian Company.

Outside of that?

Ethiopia and Arabia could be wise, especially given the Arabians could make very useful cavalrymen, and hardens the area against any Persian opportunism and revanchism.

Germany could be a good idea as it would be good to push for one of the rivers, to try and shorten the border (Frisii, etc), or alternatively, take and fortify the lands of the Marcomanni (I understand it to be roughly the modern Czech republic), good resources, solidly defensible, and could form the heart of the Roman strategy in the North - and later the Administration.

Bringing the rest of the Caucasus under direct control would be wise as well - fortifying the passes there and ensuring Armenian loyalty could allow that region to form the heart of Roman strategy in the East. No Persian invasion could ignore Armenia - which would be a hard strategy, or a great place to obliterate Persian logistics if they pushed into and through Mesopotamia.

I think Ukraine will be a bad idea atm, unless the Empire invests in a large, specialised force for the Steppe. Ukraine itself at this point is practically indefensible, so a mobile force designed to destroy threats before they emerge is the best approach, even then it risks a coalition of the Steppe tribes.

Ethiopia isn't really worth it IMO. Until such a time as they interfere in the affairs of the Empire.

If I was a Roman Military Advisor, I'd recommend the Caucasus then the Arabian Campaign over The Marcomanni and Frisian Campaigns. The advantages gained by hardening the borders around Persia, and preventing them from gaining Arabian allies provides soft security for Mesopotamia that outweighs any benefit the German Campaigns will do any time soon.

If the Arabian campaign works well however, I would then consider a push for the Marcomanni campaign, focused on creating a near self sufficient force that can operate in Roman interests and creating a series of economic client states in the area like those near the Rhine would help stabilise Germania in the long run.

 

[TC9078]

I think it could benefit from finding new places out East to conquer, even if it means subsidising/creating competition for the The Indian Company.

Outside of that?

Ethiopia and Arabia could be wise, especially given the Arabians could make very useful cavalrymen, and hardens the area against any Persian opportunism and revanchism.

Germany could be a good idea as it would be good to push for one of the rivers, to try and shorten the border (Frisii, etc), or alternatively, take and fortify the lands of the Marcomanni (I understand it to be roughly the modern Czech republic), good resources, solidly defensible, and could form the heart of the Roman strategy in the North - and later the Administration.

Bringing the rest of the Caucasus under direct control would be wise as well - fortifying the passes there and ensuring Armenian loyalty could allow that region to form the heart of Roman strategy in the East. No Persian invasion could ignore Armenia - which would be a hard strategy, or a great place to obliterate Persian logistics if they pushed into and through Mesopotamia.

I think Ukraine will be a bad idea atm, unless the Empire invests in a large, specialised force for the Steppe. Ukraine itself at this point is practically indefensible, so a mobile force designed to destroy threats before they emerge is the best approach, even then it risks a coalition of the Steppe tribes.

Ethiopia isn't really worth it IMO. Until such a time as they interfere in the affairs of the Empire.

If I was a Roman Military Advisor, I'd recommend the Caucasus then the Arabian Campaign over The Marcomanni and Frisian Campaigns. The advantages gained by hardening the borders around Persia, and preventing them from gaining Arabian allies provides soft security for Mesopotamia that outweighs any benefit the German Campaigns will do any time soon.

If the Arabian campaign works well however, I would then consider a push for the Marcomanni campaign, focused on creating a near self sufficient force that can operate in Roman interests and creating a series of economic client states in the area like those near the Rhine would help stabilise Germania in the long run.

Problem is... basically all the habitable areas of Arabia are conquered by the EIC. and the Romans will NOT be able to subjugate all the tribes. If even the BRITISH couldn't manage it then I would suggest organizing some client states: and thats it.

 

[Mrstrategy]

What about discovering America?

 

[Agricola]

Germania is an issue. But I see here a step by step approach you can mention here and then. A bigger campaign is pure fairytale anyways.
Ethiopia and Arabia are just nice to have at this point of time. Your India company with its harbors is doing well.
I wonder about the Danube frontier and the Crimea. The Goths should have arrived. Perhaps peacefully in a first phase.

But you are still ignoring the biggest threat: The King Of Kings!

The romans have stolen Mesopotamia and Armenia. And iirc the parthians just tried one counterattack so far in more than a century? Sorry mate, but your story is pretty unplausible, without more explanation.

Either the parthian empire has desintegrated in a 100 year phase of a civil war. But then somebody should come up as the winner now. Or the roman empire should start divide et impera and implement client kings. But you said nothing about the Zagros mountains. For 100 years!!!

Or much more plausible: the King Of Kings stroke back. Every 20-30 years. Every damn generation. At least 3 times a century! And the roman have a hard time. The parthian army is about 60.000 men strong. Perhaps just 50.000 after the loss of territory. You need at least 5-6 legions plus auxilia to face this army. This army will blow the roman army, as it was described above out of the water. You need these 5-6 legions in Armenia, AND you need them in Mesopotamia. If not, the highly mobile parthian army would simply destroy one roman army after the other. Yes, Hadrian was no pacifist. He was just a damn realist!

The most obvious plausible story did not happen. A 100 year pnfoing war between Rome and Parthia.
So I expect you want to tell us a bit about this 100 year civil war inside the parthian empire. And the brutal wake up call for the romans, when it ended. Don't you? It is not too late for a plausible history. You just missed hte most obvious path, imho.

I repeat myself: There is no peace in the East, until at least Media, Elam and Persis are roman client kingdoms and buffer-states! You have to break the neck of the parthian empire, or the war will never stop.