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Restitutor Orbis
"The hells hath no fury like that of an emperor threatened"
"A common saying frequently used nowadays finds its origin within the reign of the Emperor Aurelian and was used to describe his punishment of those who dared conspire against him"
In the 5th year of his reign Emperor Aurelian while waiting at Caenophrurium before crossing into Asia Minor was approached by an unknown Tribune of the Praetorian Guard who informed Aurelian of a plot to assassinate him within the coming days.[1]
Aurelian's retribution was swift and brutal with the members of the conspiracy rounded up and interrogated in order to ensure all the conspirators were found before being crucified in a public showing. The brunt of Aurelian's wrath however was reserved for the secretary
Eros who had duped the conspirators into attempted regicide with forged documents suggesting Aurelian's wrath was soon to be directed towards them. [2] According to the historian Acholius
"Aurelian stripped him naked and brought him before the legion and asked whether he had their love. This was met with an outcry by the soldiers with much cheering and chest beating. However when Aurelian demanded to know why if they loved him they permitted liars and would
be regicide's near him the soldiers cheers soon became angry yells. Pleased with this reaction Aurelian threw him *Eros* into the seething throng of soldiers who proceeded to tear him apart in a most gruesome fashion."
With this potential crisis averted Aurelian was then free to continue his march towards Sassanid Persia in order to take advantage of the weakened state Shahanshah Bahram I found himself in.
By early June the next year Aurelian had arrived at Carrhae with his army. This sent shockwaves through Sassanid Persia with Bahram a notoriously weakwilled and indecisive leader sending peace envoys to Aurelian in attempt to prevent an invasion.
However Aurelian still resentful over Sassanid interference in his conquest of the Palmyrene Empire angrily stated
".....it *peace* shall not be had so easily why, would I the Emperor of the Roman Empire slink away with your petty offerings when I may stride into Ctesiphon itself and take for myself prizes far greater than these trinkets." Cato : A Restoration [3]
Setting out from Carrhae Aurelian cut a bloody swathe across Mesopotamia burning crops and and sacking towns as he went before encountering the Persian army outside Ctesiphon.
In a rare showing of backbone Bahram took charge of the Persian forces and arrayed his forces at a plain not far from Ctesiphon. It is here that Aurelian displayed his talent as a general. Choosing to engage in a traditional hammer and anvil tactic Aurelian sent his
skirmishers forward to harass and lure in the Persian army.
Unfortunately for the Persian's Bahram's sudden display of leadership was also accompanied by stubborn prider. Ignoring the advice of his experienced generals Bahram foolishly ordered the army to engage the Roman infantry with the two armys clashing at midday.
Aurelian pleased that the battle was going as he wished personally took charge of the Roman cavalry and smashed into the exposed Persian rear. It was here in this bloody mess that two most fortuitous events occured.
The first was the capture of Shahanshah Bahram I as he attempted to flee the carnage and more importantly the second event. In the confusion Aurelian thrown from his horse was nearly killed by a Persian soldier were it not for the timely intervention of a young
young infantryman by the name of Matthias.
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[1] The point of departure OTL Aurelian was murdered at Caenophrurium unaware of the conspiracy until the last second
[2] Eros did this as he had lied or stuffed up in some other fashion and tricked several officers of the Praetorian guard into murdering him to save himself from being punished by Aurelian
[3] Different Cato to the one in Caesar's time *Duh* I made him up as well so no one complain about him