alternatehistory.com

I am in the early stages of developing a game based on an alternate history timeline. This time line diverges in the year 12AD with the embracing of early steam engine technology by the Roman Empire rather than rejecting. I have compiled this alternate time line through the year 2000. Since it is so long, I have divided it into two threads.

I hope to encourage active debate about alternate history and this time line once the game is further along in development but before that I want to try and make the line as plausible as possible. I would greatly appreciate any comments/suggestions you might have.

Thank you in advance.

932- Bubonic Plague arrives in North Africa. By way of steam ships and trains it spreads to every part of the Empire within a year. 100 million perish in Roman lands alone (more die elsewhere in the world), over 50% of the population is wiped out.

935 - With the break down of many basic social and government functions due to the plague, Emperor Pious Herron reorganizes the Regions that make up the Empire. Each Region is divided up into a number of departments with an administrator as its head. These administrators answer directly to the Regional Caesar who is still appointed by the Emperor in Rome. Administrators are often politically powerful friends or wealthy factory/plantation owners. Peasants suddenly are being ruled by the same people who own the farms and factories that they work in. Abuses are rampant but Regional Caesars care little as long as taxes are paid.

980- Devastated by plague and war, the "Muslim Empire" is seized by the Turks in a more or less bloodless coups.

995- Turks launch renewed attacks on the still weakened Roman Empire, driving deep into Byzantium and North Africa. 2nd Islamic War begins.

997- Pope calls holy Crusade in the spirit of Emperor Charlemagne to free Christian brothers in Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem and other places under Turkish control. Temporary (6 year) enlistments rise dramatically as well as numbers of informal militias.

1000- Vikings, now known as Normans, invade England from settlements in Northern Francia.

1015- Antioch liberated by Western Legions. Gunpowder is being employed in the form of bombs being thrown from catapults and to launch storms of massive arrows (bolts). Eastern Emperor forced to step down in exchange for assistance from the West. Byzantium is reincorporated into the Western Empire. Capitol of Empire is again in Rome.

1028- With the most prosperous parts of North Africa under Turk control, the North African Empire Emperor agrees to step down in exchange for assistance from Rome. Empire is once again reunited under a single Augustus. Emperor Stephanas Maximillion is given the title of "Great" for his reunification of the Empire.

1061- Emperor Gregory Pelion dies with no heir. Quickly Caesars and generals from around the Empire claim the throne. Civil war breaks out. Normans take advantage of the power struggle and take the rest of Francia while the Turks move back into Egypt and into Eastern Byzantium.

1066- General Thomas Gias, at the head of a number of Spanish Legions, overcomes the only remaining major rival. He is crowned Emperor by the Senate in Rome and receive letters of devotion from both the Byzantine Senate and the Council of Estates. General Gias' Legions had utilized a new hand held gunpowder weapon developed by a steel plant in Spain. The weapon consisted of a long steel tube with pointed blades at one end. On the opposite end, the soldier could unfasten the cap and pour an amount of black powder along with a projectile, thus forming a rudimentary hand cannon.

1070- Emperor Gias reorganizes all Legions to take advantage of the new weapon. Hand to hand combat is still emphasized, with the projectile portion only meant to thin out the enemy ranks.

1074- Normans crumble under Roman assaults. All of Francia retaken with only England remaining as Norman land.

1076- New Campaigns against Turks begin.

1081- Helped in no small part by their new weapons and tactics, Legions push the Turks completely from Roman lands and back into Iraq. However, hundreds of years of war have ravaged Egypt, Palestine and much of Byzantium.

1089- Germany, whose Departments had become more or less independent from Rome, is reclaimed. Unruly Administrators are replaced and their assets given to more loyal, and politically connected, citizens. Imperial Legions utilized heavily to "tame" the most independent departments. Resentment of Imperial power grows.

1093- Philosophers/scientists in Rome debate existence of lands in the sea beyond Britannia. Stories of Viking settlements in Iceland, Greenland and North America are investigated. It is proposed that, if the earth is round then going West would eventually bring you to China and her rich trade goods.

1105- Roman steam ships, with Norman guides, reach Viking settlements in North America. Scientists puzzled since land is too close to be China if earth is as big as previously thought. Absence of Chinese or any advance settlements suggest this new land, or Terra Nova as it is dubbed by laymans.

1111- Telescope invented

1125- In response to growing demand for written material both in form of government bureaucracy and business transactions, records, ledgers, etc. a printing press is developed. Press enables rapid dissemination of information across the Empire and even translations of Roman books into languages other than Latin.

1138- Massive earth quake levels Syria.

1140- Saxon Exile: Pope Gregory III excommunicates Emperor Reynaud IV after Reynaud has Bishop of Naples executed. Emperor responds by ordering the Pope executed. Pope Gregory escapes and flees to England. Public outrage is immense. Various districts in Europe rise up in open revolt but are put down by force. Pope remains in England for five years until Reynaud is killed at the hands of a Catholic Zealot. Reynaud’s successor, Emperor Detoine, immediately invites the Pope to return and awards the church with lands and money in penitence.

1151- King Henry II crowned in England.

1152- Permanent Roman settlement established in North America .

1155- Microscope invented

1158- After centuries of war, the loss of countless lives and great fortunes, Roman Legions march into Mecca, Islam’s most holy site. With leaders unable, or perhaps unwilling, to control their men, soldiers raze everything to the ground and massacre the population. Latrine is set up on site of former worship site and place is renamed to something profane. Riots erupt in conquered cities that still posses a Muslim population. Protestors are immediately killed, even if they are Roman citizens. Panic, sets in through out cities and towns across the Middle East with thousands fleeing to Byzantium and Northern Africa.

Senate in Rome is outraged that Romans are killed without trials. Orthodox Christian church is appalled by the blood shed and condemns action as well. However, the Emperor and the Roman Catholic Church applaud the move and give a free hand to the Generals to deal with the insurgents as they please. Locally emerging newspapers report of blood baths and public opinion turns sour , small pockets of protestors are violently put down in cities through out Empire. The battered Turkish armies launch fanatical assaults on the Roman positions but are cut down by canon fire. The image of the military and the Emperor is severely scarred in the eyes of most Europeans.

1166- Legions push into the lands of the Kievian Russ (modern day Ukraine). Harsh winter stalls advance and Rome is content to accept the Russian lands as a frontier region.

1167 - Steamship sails around Africa for the first time. Steamship also sails along coast of North America to the Caribbean and Cuba. Reports of lush, spartanly populated land fill Romans with wonder and awe. Trade is strong with China via complicated land and sea route that goes across the Mediterranean to Egypt, then up the Nile and by train to ports in the Sudan, then by boat to India, then by boat to China. The price of Chinese silk in the city of Rome is immense. Economists and politicians decry the amount of wealth flowing from the Empire into the orient.

1200- Last Turkish units are destroyed. All of Persia (Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and parts of Afghanistan) are put under military control with a general instead of a Caesar. Martial law ruthlessly enforced in humiliated, beaten land. In Africa, trade in Ivory, pelts and other goods begin to flow from deep African kingdoms. Slavery, while still legal, is not widely used and trading in that area is light.

1205- It is discovered that the Bubonic Plague is a Bacteria carried by fleas, not Rats.

1215- Magna Carta signed in England.

1230- Civil war in china has raged for decades. A well developed industrial base and armies armed with gunpowder weapons prolong the struggle. The most disadvantaged faction turns to the neighboring Mongols for assistance.

1235 - Having subdued China, Mongol hordes slam into Russland. Roman legions, unprepared for such an attack in such a remote area, are quickly routed and withdrawn. Much of the population is massacred.

1242- Romans suffer greatly in the path of the highly mobile Mongolian hordes. Rome begins to recruit "Expendable Legions." These are basically peasants conscripted to fight. They are given only a shortened version of the long firearm that is standard for legions and with a curved blade on the end. These units are trained to fire their weapons in volleys and reload quickly to fill the air with projectiles. Very little hand to hand training is given and armor is non existent.

1243- Mongols, having conquered India, slam into Persian frontier. Unfavorable terrain along with military nature of the government in the Persian Region, deny the same success the Mongols enjoyed farther north.

1247- Wishing to secure the Northern regions from English attack and to free up resources to fight the Mongols, as well as ensure the safety of a growing number of Roman ships going back and forth to America, a treaty is signed with England. Rome respects English sovereignty in exchange for trade agreements and normalization of relations.

1248- A number of "expendable legions" are landed in India to attack the Mongols from behind. These units are welcomed as liberators but, in Roman tradition, when land is liberated it is retained rather than returned to the people.

1253- During exploration of this new land (North and South America) it is discovered that the native peoples posses a great deal of Gold.

1254- Small fleet lands on the Yucatan peninsula and begins to acquire land by force. Locals are enslaved and forced to mine fold. Gold badly needed to fund on going war with Mongols.

1259- Series of defeats in both India and Europe lead the Mongols to agree to peace. Northern boundary is made along the Dnieper river while Southern boundary is along Ganges river in India. New Caesar is appointed to administer India and harvest her rich resources.

1270- First English steamship christened. English vessels are increasingly contracted by Rome to escort and transport Roman goods. This, combined with a number of bustling ports, infuses a great deal of wealth in the island nation.

1282- Due to vast distances involved in ruling an Empire from North America to India, Emperor Gregory III officiates the three "senates" and empowers them to deal with domestic issues. A Caesar is appointed over the colonies in the upper Terra Nova (North America) and the lower Terra Nova (South America) with a "Council of Estates" composed of wealthy land owners and industrial leaders. Persia is left under Military control in light of continued resistance and India remains under the power of a single Caesar without a legislative body.

1291- First Chinese colony established in Canada.

1300- Spotty appearances of the Bubonic Plague flare into a major outbreak around 1300. Many are killed around the world but, due to an understanding of what the disease is as well as better sanitation and general health, the over all impact is much less than the outbreak of 932.

1314-1317- Great European famine. Consecutive seasons of terribly poor crops lead to starvation. Emperor directs local Caesars to import food from other parts of the Empire at a special government rate. Millions are fed. Each family receiving aid is forced to provide a military aged man for service in return.

Protests over food distribution erupt into food riots in Germany. German Kaiser (German for Caesar) is forced to flee. Citizens establish democratic government. Imperial Legions arrive to restore order and are met by staunch resistance. When order is restored over 100,000 civilians had been killed, many of them women and children. All three European senates condemn the action. Protests appear throughout Europe but have little impact in Terra Nova or India where increasingly people see such matters as "Europe's problem"

1315- King Robert the Bruce of the Scotts attains independence from England for Scotland. Rome immediately recognizes the small nation as a potential competitor to English ports and establishes relations.

1322- Mongolian Chinese Emperor dies while heir is still a child. Civil war erupts over throne. Russ take advantage of moment of weakness and over throw the Mongolians. Rome, under the guise of assistance, sends Legions to drive the Mongols across the Urals and into Siberia but refuse to vacate afterwards.

1326- "Code of Florence" (akin to Morris Code) becomes standard through out the empire.

1328- First permanent English settlement established in Terra Nova.

1330-1338- Great Schism: After the death of Pope Paul V, Cardinals meet to elect new Pope. Roman Emperor Bernard II, using bribes and threats, secures election as Pope. First time Pope and Emperor is the same person. After the election, Cardinals flee Rome and immediately elect a new Pope, Pope John VII, who declares the former election null. Pope/Emperor Bernard not only excommunicates Pope John but orders him executed. Pope John responds by excommunicating the Emperor and fleeing to Scotland (England refuses to allow the Pope entry).

Emperor Bernard outlaws followers of Pope John and sentences instant excommunication for following his edicts. Many Catholics outside of Italy, however, fear an Emperor Pope and cling to the exiled Pope in Scotland. Bishops and Cardinals are likewise drawn into the powerful camp of the Emperor or the populace camp of the Pope.

Eventually Cardinals decide to meet in Spain to debate the issue. They declare the prior Papal elections to be void and decide to elect a third Pope, Pope Sinclair II. Pope John is persuaded to step down and support Pope Sinclair but Emperor Bernard declares the gathering to be heresy and excommunicates the participants. He then appoints new Cardinals to reside in Rome.

The Schism officially ends when Pope Sinclair dies of "natural" causes in his castle in Scotland, leaving only Pope/Emperor Bernard. In 1340, Bernard pardons the Bishops who elected Pope Sinclair and allows them to quietly go into exile in Terra Nova. Through out the Empire, what would be come the "Reformed Catholic church" movement begins as very few are happy with a secular Emperor filling the role of religious father.

The Orthodox church, still dominant over much of Eastern Europe, the middle east and North Africa, remains officially silent on the issue but many priests and missionaries use the situation to convert followers.

1334- First internal combustion engine created using gunpowder as its fuel.

1337- Weary of the growing popularity of the supreme general governing Persia, Emperor Bernard II recalls him. General Xandros refuses the order and instead declares the entire region to be an independent kingdom. Rapidly the General's Legions seize modern day Jordan, securing a line of prominent fortifications and rail heads without much difficulty. Quickly Legions are pooled from Byzantium and North Africa but no decisive outcome can be determined. This marks the first time Roman gunpowder weapons are used against one another.

1340- Bible printed en masse for distribution to public. Move would lay foundation for Protestant reform.

1349- Petrarch refers to the preceding 1300 years since the invention of the steam engine as the "Beginning of the future." Also the first to coin the term "Dark Ages" to describe the 400 years of war with the Muslims.

1412- Laos Incident: Private firms who had established economic colonies in South East Asia orchestrate a coups of the sitting King. China, who sees Laos as one of her tributary states, demands the king be restored and for all Westerners to immediately leave the country. The firms, who pay a great many taxes to Rome, request Military assistance. Two "disposable" Legions (now referred to as "Light" or "Fast" Legions) are sent from India. Burmese forces, under direction from China, move into Laos but are quickly repulsed.

Legions then move into Burma hoping to acquire land that can then be traded back to China in negotiations. Chinese Emperor is enraged and fears Roman expansion into the rest of South East Asia. Southern Chinese army, along with 120,000 allied (tributary states) troops mass along border with Laos. 15,000 Roman (and Laotion military) soldiers now face a total Chinese force of nearly 200,000. Although equipped with superior weapons and discipline, the Roman forces are not accustomed to the Jungle terrain and are soon over run. Many of the Western inhabitants or butchered or sold into slavery.

Rome is outraged at an act it regards as "barbarous" and "traitorous" enacts boycott on Chinese goods and sends fleet to South East Asia to raid and pillage coast line/Chinese shipping. Skirmishes are fought along border with India and in Siberia but a major thrust is not mounted due to logistical constraints. Persia, allied with the Chinese, takes the opportunity to launch renewed assaults on the Palestinian and Indian boarders, thus drawing attention and resources away. The Chinese, with their poorly developed naval forces, are unable to fully drive the Romans from their waters but, with such an immense land based population, are not seriously threatened.

The Laos Incident establishes a openly hostile relationship between the two global powers. While neither can mount a determined invasion of the other, hostile actions, rhetoric and violence become the status quo of relations.

1430- Chinese scientist at University in Nanjing, discover that an electrical current can be transmitted along a wire to start fires or ignite rockets

1435- Antibiotics discovered, creating a "cure" for the Bubonic plague

1444- Aztec forces, united under King NAME, finally succeed in overwhelming Roman settlements in Yucatan Peninsula. Chinese "advisors" quickly arm and train the natives in the ways of gun powder warfare and begin funneling aide to the new nation.

1452- Chinese experiment with attaching rockets to large kites to produce short range powered flights

1485- Professor Leonardo da Vinci, at the Imperial University of Rome, creates new internal combustion engine using liquid aerosol as fuel.

1487- More compact, non compression, combustion engine developed that runs on Alcohol (Da Vinci)

1491- da Vinci begins in depth study of electricity

1493- Basic device is created that allows creation and collection of static electricity. (da Vinci)

1495- Da Vinci discovers the right combination of acids and metals to create/store electricity (a battery).

1500- da Vinci produces prototype for steam powered siege machine to be used in breaking fortifications.

1501- Da Vinci attaches small combustion engines to some of his flying machines but is unable to get enough horse power from the early engines to achieve lift.

1503- Chinese develop system of pre-prepared rounds for firearms. These rounds, packed in wax paper, contain bullet and powder. Within the firearm is a pin that tears the paper upon insertion of the round. This allows some powder to escape and thus be ignited by the flint lock.

1504- New Catholic Reform movement gains momentum after the Emperor, now automatically crowned Pope upon taking the throne, is reported to host wild orgies in his summer palace in Marseilles. People are aghast at depravity brought to position of "Holy Father" by the decadent Emperors.

1505- First combustion engine efficient and practical enough to be used commercially. Less expensive and complex than a steam engine, internal combustion engines find popularity as cheap farm machines.

1506- Da Vinci formulates way to transmit short messages over long distances using electricity

1507- Russians under Roman control around Muscovy rebel. Taking little interest in the frozen area, Rome agrees to allow the Russians to form a semi independent kingdom, akin to a common wealth.

1508- Portugal rebels and declares its independence.

1509- Chinese discover method of generating electricity by rotating a magnet within a coil of wire.

1510- Helped in no small part by Leonardo's steam powered digging machines, the Suez Canal is completed, linking the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. This shortens the transit time from Rome to India to only 4 days by boat.

System of "Telegraph" wires set up across Italy.

1511- Naval base and refueling station established in Philippines in order to support ever growing naval operations in the Pacific. Chinese still able to reach hand supply Lower Carpathia by shipping goods to Upper Carpathia and going via rail.

1511- Wide spread riots and regional revolts strike China. Industrial centers with their middle class workforce are displeased with aristocratic regime. Many relocate to Carpathia in search of their fortunes.

1512- In light of rising costs from battling, and protecting against, the Aztecs and Chinese in Terra Nova, Rome levies additional taxes to both Upper and Lower Carpathia (Name given north and south America, coined after the Emperors eldest daughter). Upper Carpathia (north America) protests as these problems belong to Lower Carpathia. Lower Carpathia complains that, with the constant conflict in their region, they can not afford to pay more taxes. In Europe the move is applauded, the general sentiment being that Terra Nova should pull more of its own weight.

Same year- Greece, inspired by the success of the Russians, rise up and demand self rule. Seeing Greece as a far more valuable area than the frozen north, Rome dispatches 6 legions and brutally crushes the rebellion.

1514- Islam, long outlawed but still practiced in secret, is once again legalized in the Persian Kingdom. Move bolsters support for increasingly popular totalitarian government.

Rome, anxious not to be outpaced by its Chinese rivals, develops its own self contained firearms cartridge. Roman rounds are contained with thick paper then dipped into wax. The round is slid into the chamber onto a pointed tube down which a hot poker is jammed.

1514- Gold discovered in Alaska.

1515- Scientific Revolution begins in earnest with Anthony Barton's "Theory of Gravity" and "Laws of Physics"

1518- Rome reestablishes direct control over all semi-independent colonies in Terra Nova, in the uneasiest Martial Law is declared.

1520- Telegraph service reestablished to Caesars of all European regions. Communication via wire only permitted from Caesar to Emperor and vice versa, not between Caesars.

1522- Tax riots spread across northern Lower Carpathia (S. America) and the Yucatan Peninsula. Colonists outraged at rising taxes whilst exporting ship loads of gold to Europe.

1523- Steam powered siege rams smash into Persian lines near Jerusalem. Although unreliable and not particularly deadly, the contraptions do succeed in breaking through the defenses and allowing Roman cavalry to rush in. Persian forces pushed back across Palestine (Jordan) before stopping the Roman incursion. First use of steam driven machine in combat.

Privately owned commercial telegraphs begin popping up around empire. Used by businesses to communicate with other branches or by citizens to send messages to other towns for a fee.

Official telegraph service established to all Caesars within continental Rome

1523- Colonies in Lower Parthia and part of Upper Carpathia (Florida) openly rebel. Some ally with the Aztec Empire to prevent annihilation. Unwilling to allow such massive gold reserves to be lost, Rome halts its Persian offensives to shift resources to Carpathia. Colonial Wars begin.

1525- To prevent similar revolts in Upper Carpathia, and to secure economic and military support, colonies there are given the right to elect their Caesar. Emperor in Rome retains the right to have the elected Caesar removed. Caesar is not elected by popular vote but rather by votes from the county administrators. Legions are ordered to give no quarter to rebels in rebellion colonies. Much blood shed.

1533- Study of lineage and genetic traits leads to first official program of "breeding." Male volunteers are selected for their strength, size, etc and paired with female hosts. It is not yet understood that genetic traits come from both men and women so random fertile slaves are chosen to carry the offspring.

1539- Taking advantage of the fractured Chinese state, Roman forces in India advance into Burma, breaking an unofficial ceasefire that had lasted for decades.

1542- Germany, long a difficult province, rises up once again and demands ability to elect their own Caesar as is done in Upper Carpathia.

1545- Henry Dartsmoth begins Protestant Reformation with his refusal to obey religious edict of Emperor/Pope Renault. Dartsmoth manages to escape southern Germania and flees to Scotland to continue the cause.

1545- Emperor Renault, with resources stretched thin around the world and fearing rebellion through out the Empire, allows all provinces to elect their Caesar. As with Upper Carpathia, the elected Caesar can be removed by the Emperor.

1546- Seeing the Colonial rebellions of Lower Carpathia as the reason for the massive concession he was forced to make, Emperor Renault orders complete brutality and total war. No one is given quarter, entire cities are razed to the ground.

1546- All Imperial Senates, under pressure from the Emperor, pass increased tax provisions to fund global military operations. Newly elected Governors come under fire from constituents for signing the legislation. Brutal force used in Europe to quell unrest but in Carpathia Governor instead strikes a bargain with Senate that lessens the burden on the people.

1548- Such is the extent of the slaughter committed by the Romans in Lower Carpathia, the Aztecs sue for peace in exchange for recognition of their own sovereign state.

1549- Combustion engine mounted on air balloon to control direction of flight.

1552- Roman forces, driven by the commercial interests of private firms, succeeds in taking all of South East Asia from the Chinese warlords. This frightens the fractured Chinese state into reuniting against a common enemy.

1553- Colonial Wars end with the disemboweling of the last rebel leader in New Romania (French Guiana)

1562- First submarine developed in China, used to attempt breaking of Roman siege.

1570- Persian kingdom discovers that Oil, when made into an aerosol, is explosive. Perfect fuel for increasingly popular combustion engines.

1573- Rome unveils the "King of the Birds" A massive flying balloon (akin to a zeppelin). Airship has six combustion engines for forward flight and communicates with the ground via pulses of light.

1575- Commercial arms firm develops cartridge encased in a thin metal tube. The rear of the tube is mounted a pressure sensitive explosive used to detonate the main charge. New system is more expensive but far more reliable than paper and wax rounds.

1578- First Transatlantic flight of airship.

1579- Rapid fire weapon developed by Greenburg Arms Co. Weapon has multiple barrels that rotate to prevent overheating. Weapon can fire at 2 rounds per second.

1588- Both Roman and Chinese governments adopt new firearm rounds as standard. Begin long, expensive, process of rearming forces.

1598- First major "armor verses armor" battle. Roman "war chariots" and Persian "Steel Elephants" (both versions of steam driven iron covered tractors with various weapons mounted for offense) clash on the planes of western “Iraq.” A stalemate results when neither side is able to reliably penetrate the armor of the other.

1603- First heavier than air fixed wing aircraft takes flight from the windy coastal regions of Southern Carpathia. Design is soon confiscated by Government representatives and inventor disappears. Witnesses to first flight quickly die.

1605- Concerned over the news of a possible fixed wing flying machine, China accelerates their development of rocket powered gliders.

1610- Finland recognized as sovereign state.

1615- First use of airpower in military, Airship "Maximus Arillius" drops explosives on Chinese forces attempting to establish foothold in Roman-indo-china.

1623- Indian independence movement gains momentum. Unrest fueled by Chinese operatives.

1635- Chinese forces, under Xing Ma Zek, launch a surprise assault on Roman Garrison in Laos. New long rang rocket artillery used to great affect.

1636- With newly intense war with China, government overtures to the Indians are ceased and harsh new laws are passed to insure sufficient resources are produced to stop the Chinese.

1640- Legionary Air wings are deployed. Wing is Legionary strength but instead supports number of aircraft, pilots, mechanics, etc. Attached to few Infantry Legions in "hot" zones around the Empire.

1641- First areal combat. Rocket powered Chinese aircraft clash with Roman propeller driven airplanes over jungles of Eastern India. Chinese gain initial superiority but eventually succumb to the short life span of their propellants and are shot down attempting to glide away.

1649- Fledgling Eugenics program begins to take shape. Breeding programs begin to merge with human experimentation. It is understood now that both Men and Women contribute to the genetic traits of a child, so experiments are done on both sexes.

1650- Emperor Magnus "the Mad" is assassinated by members of his council after a series of increasingly strange decisions. The Emperor's son, Pathias, is placed on the throne.

1652- First Governor’s Council. Pathias succumbs to mysterious illness and dies. Two of Pathias' brothers serve as Governors, one in India, the other over Germania. In an effort to prevent civil war, it is decided that the Governors from all regions will gather to decide who the new Emperor should be. The following year, the seven governors from around the Empire, along with the President's of the various Senates, gather in Rome. Many feel this is a golden opportunity to make great changes in Roman government.
- If 3/4 of governors disapprove of an Imperial decision, it is over ridden.
- Once a Governor is elected and approved by the emperor, he can not be removed without the consent of the local senate.
- A second legislative body was created to mirror the senate. This body would be filled by "people of means" but not to the level of Senators. Small business owners, former military officers, business managers, etc. This body can propose legislation and vote to send it to the Senate but has no power to influence legislation already in the Senate.
- The Emperor, and all Roman citizens, are made subject to the law.
- New, Central Imperial Court established to hear cases from Regional Imperial courts.
- Emperor will no longer be the Pope. Cardinals allowed free Papal elections. Those holding public office can not also hold religious offices.
- Various other changes.

1653- Governor Arimus elected new Emperor by council. Changes name to Marcus Maximas,

1660- War with the former Roman Region of Persia finally comes to an end with the Treaty of Antioch which recognizes the Persian Kingdom, establishes clear boarders, and permits the exchange of ambassadors and diplomats.

1663- "Poland/Lithuania" allowed to succeed as client state.

1665- Land bordering "Mississippi River" annexed in Upper Carpathia.

1665- Iroquois Nation recognized by Upper Carpathian government as sovereign state in exchange for solid allegiance to Rome. Much of "New England" and parts of "Canada" set aside as their nation.

1667- With most of Rome's military commitments around the world removed, major offensives are begun against China and her client states.

1668- Newly formed "armored" Legions blow through Ural Mountains, racing across the Steppe through lightly defended Siberia. Roman legions also landed in Chinese "Alaska" and the city of Nanjing in mainland China. Beginning of "The Last War "

1670- Despite initial success, Roman forces become bogged down in the face of stiff resistance in Mongolia. "Alaska" and Siberia have been completely subdued. On mainland China, Roman forces have only been able to expand to control the main city of Nanjing with the suburbs and surrounding country side completely fortified and embattled. Offensives in the south, which are historically difficult due to the mountainous, jungle terrain, make little headway.

1671- Roman Air Legions begin systematic bombing of cities around China. Chinese rocket aircraft inflict heavy damage but suffer higher losses due to their vulnerability during return.

1672- With Roman steam powered tanks ineffective against the Chinese in Nanjing, Rome deploys new tanks powered by Internal combustion engines, thicker armor, and more powerful main guns.

1673- Persian Kingdom signs arms deal with China. Persian tanks, aircraft, and firearms soon flow into Chinese hands. Chinese submarines succeed in greatly reducing the flow of goods into Roman Nanjing.

1680- Rome deploys new mono wing fighter to Chinese theater. Aircraft is faster and more agile than Chinese/Persian models.

1681- Pipeline completed from Persian Gulf oil fields to refineries in Byzantium. 60% of Roman military hardware running on petroleum engines.

1685- Governor of Upper Carpathia joins Governors from Lower Carpathia, India and Spain in demanding Chinese war be brought to a close. cite great loss of life and treasure.

1689- Chinese "Dawn" offensive succeeds in breaking through Roman lines in Mongolia. New Chinese tank, mostly copied version of Persian armor, proves much faster than Roman counterpart.

1690- Roman scientists understanding of genetics deepens. Offspring are consistently leaner and develop quicker than control groups.

1693- First trans-Atlantic flight by fixed wing aircraft. (Rome)

1696- " Treaty of Tears " brings a close to the " Last " war . Nearly 50 million wounded and killed on both sides. Rome, still in possession of Nanjing, is to slowly withdraw from the city over the course of 10 years. Siberia is set aside as a neutral zone to be exploited by industries from both nations. A similar "buffer state" is created in Burma. Little support for terms on either side but weary populace forces matter.

1700- Period of general Roman decline begins.

1701- Portugal allowed full independence.

1705- First trans-pacific flight, (China)

1708- Radio invented.

1712- First passenger airline service established in England with service to Edinburgh and Paris.

1718- Martin Davis, an English economist and historian, publishes "Our Capitalist Dictator’s" highlighting the abuses of large business owners against their workers. Davis theorizes that workers should be owners of their factories in which they work. Book finds great support throughout Empire as faltering economy begins to drastically affect wages and benefits.

1723- China sets up exclusive mining operations in the most favorable positions in joint Siberia. Rome protests but does little more.

1725- China recognizes the nation of Xiao along the western shores of Southern Carpathia. Xiao consists mainly of Asian colonists with a lower class of indigenous people. Although not officially sponsored by China, the Xiao had received a great deal of funding, training and material in their frequent conflicts with Rome in Southern Carpathia.

1731- Roman colonies in Southern Africa rebel in the name of equal treatment in wages and work hours. Legions ordered to brutally repress revolt. Media coverage of massacre is censored.

1744- "Colonial Wars" begin in earnest. Either within, or just along the edges of, Roman possessions around the world, native peoples systematically attack, sabotage, raid, pillage, etc in an attempt to strike out at their Roman oppressors/invaders

1749- Persian Kingdom instigates a coups in Poland/Lithuania, placing a Persian puppet on the throne. Despite being a Roman client state, little aside from "outrage" is done or said.

1750- New banking and economic reforms lead to complete stock market crash in Rome, triggering similar drops in markets around the world. Depression that follows is dubbed the "Dark Days of Damocles" after the presiding Emperor.

1753- First Jet engine produced. Production problems and general lack of interest on world stage stall development.

1769- Napoleone di Buonaparte Born to moderately influential Italian family.

1770- First Jet powered fighter takes flight. Although much faster than its prop driven cousins, reliability issues and added cost put it out of reach of most nations. With a shrinking military budget, Rome passes on the marvel.

1785- Napoleone graduates Imperial Military Academy and assigned to mobile artillery unit within the 103rd Legion in war torn Southern Carpathia. Quickly gains reputation for bold leadership, clever tactics and reliability.

1788- "Black Legion" is formed. Comprised entirely of soldiers "bread" in the laboratories and farms in Russia. Each member larger, faster, stronger than any normal legionnaire. Raised from birth to be the perfect killing machines.

1790- China is first nation to adopt front line jet powered aircraft, but only in very small numbers.

1792- Napoleone given command of the 92nd Legion in Southern Carpathia at the age of 23

1893- First "Helicopter" takes flight. Advantages of such an aircraft are immediately apparent.

1794- Napoleone gains great fame after routing a much larger force of Xiao soldiers who had come to assault the gold mines in "Brazil."

1795- Napoleone transferred to Europe to take command of the 38th Legion in Germany.

1795- First computer developed in Naples. Used to calculate artillery firing solutions.

1797- "Bratwurst Rebellion" begins with German Governor declaring Germany an independent state.

1798- Napoleone dramatically seizes command of the 4th Legionary Group in command of all Roman forces in Germany after current commander proves ineffectual. Although technically a mutiny, the string of Roman victories that follow erase Napoleone's guilt.

1800- "Bratwurst Rebellion" ends with the crucifixion of German Governor and beheading of hundreds of his supporters.

1800- Scientists in Constantinople succeed in splitting the atom.

1801- Riots break out across Italy and in seats of power around Empire. Nearly 100 years of economic decline, weak leadership, rebellions, embarrassing events over seas encouraged discord. Napoleone travels to Rome with a single Legion to "strengthen the position" of the Emperor.

1802- Always politically active, Napoleone soon takes part in plot to overthrow the government and reestablish a true Roman Republic. With brutal efficiency, Napoleone's Legion seizes control of the city and gases protestors. Subsequently named as a consul in new Republic.

1803- Byzantium, Northern Carpathia and North Africa all refuse to recognize the new government and send forces to retake the throne. France, Italy, Southern Carpathia, Germany, Spain, etc acknowledge and support the new Republic. India and Greece declare their independence and neutrality.

1804- Per the new Republican constitution, the Roman senate elects a new pro consul to head the Senate. In the face of such military problems, Napoleone is able to obtain the seat. He immediately takes charge of the 1st Legionary Group in France and repels the Carpathian forces who had landed there. Utilizing the fastest aircraft available, he proceeded to, and presided over, forces through out Europe, fighting new battles every two or three days. He gains the nick name "The Fury of God" for his perceived invincibility and habit of being "every where at once"

1806 - Public fervor over Napoleone's exploits reaches such an extent that he is named Consul for life and the Republican constitution amended. In Byzantium Napoleone is able to defeat a much larger armor force with concentrated precession bombing supported by rapid artillery and armor strikes. This "Lightening Assault" becomes a trademark and frequently undermines the more traditional military strategies of his opponents.

1806- Northern Carpathia declares itself the "True Roman Empire" and reforms its government as the "Republic of Carpathia."

1806- First medium range ballistic missile tested in Mongolia.

1807- Napoleone drops the Black Legion into Delhi India. When criticized for not using them as part of a larger offensive, Napoleone replied "One does not lead the Black Legion, one unleashes them." Massacre of Delhi ensues. Three weeks later, Indian government surrenders in order to stop the atrocities committed by the "Soulless Demons"

1809- Republic of Carpathia invades Southern Carpathia to "Retake the Empire"

1810- Napoleone presides over series of victories against Republic of Carpathia. Peace treaty signed with RoC forced into submissive alliance with Rome.

1811- Napoleone crowned Roman Emperor. Immediately institutes number of reforms across Empire ranging from Economics, to law, to military. Much rejoicing.

1811- Napoleone secretly begins treatment for Stomach cancer.

1811- Work on an Atomic Bomb begins in Roman weapons research lab near Germany.

1812- Napoleone leads campaign against Persian Kingdom. King Partmous III capitulates 5 months later. Free passage of Roman goods secured through Persian lands to India. China openly condemns Rome's new "Spirit of Aggression" and calls for true Emperor to be restored to throne.

1812- First "personal" computer produced.

1814- Napoleone leads a 2 pronged attack against the Chinese. One lead by himself through Siberia, the second from the West through the mountains of China. Not expecting an attack through such inhospitable terrain, the Chinese are caught unaware by the western assault.

1816- Roman Legions stand at the gates of Beijing but rather than surrender, Chinese Emperor declares his son, who is leading an army in the west, to be the new Emperor. War continues.

1817- With the Carpathian Republic growing weary of supporting Rome's war, and the Chinese campaign beginning to stretch out, Napoleone is forced to travel back home and leaves command of his forces to a subordinate.

1818- "The Fall" India, after great persuasion from the young charismatic Chinese Emperor, refuses to support the war effort. The Republic of Carpathia seizes the opportunity to declare it no longer respects the alliance and pulls its naval and air support from the campaign. Finding himself needed in 3 different parts of the world, Napoleone gives orders to his Chinese legions to dig in and cease offensive operations.
He then flies to Southern Carpathia to lead an army against the North. While gone, the Persian Kingdom declares its treaty null and seizes the goods traveling through Persia. After a couple of victories, Napoleone returns to Europe to deal with Persia, leaving the Carpathian Campaign in the hands of a subordinate.
Upon seeing the sorry state of the Legions he had to work with against Persia, Napoleone demands creation of a mobile Imperial Strike force. A single legion that could travel with the Emperor in a series of large cargo aircraft. Before major battles can take place he is made aware of the faltering of his forces in Carpathia. Napoleone deploys the Black Legion in Persia and departs. On the trip over his aircraft is ambushed by Chinese jets. His plane manages to land but the Southern Carpathian air forces fail to regain air superiority and Napoleone is stranded.
Making use of his time, the Emperor routs the main RoC army bearing down on the capital. His advance is checked by a strong armored element in Texas and loss of air superiority.

1819- China, free from constant assaults, manages to mount a major offensive and overruns several Roman positions. Napoleone takes leave of his Carpathian forces once again and sneaks away via submarine to North Africa. Before he can fly to China he is made aware a strong Indian army that had arrived to support the faltering Persians. The Black Legion, left as a stop-gab measure, had been surrounded and cut off. The Emperor detours to evaluate the situation first hand. Seeing little hope for quick victory, he orders a slow withdrawal with scorched earth. The air reserves are called from the city of Rome and unrestricted saturation bombing of the Middle East begins.
Upon arriving in China, Napoleone finds his army’s poorly equipped and hungry. Seeing little hope of salvaging the campaign he leads a withdraw of the northern forces into Siberia while the Western forces launch false offensives to draw away pressure.
As Napoleone supervises the retreat of his main forces Russians overthrow the puppet king placed on the throne and surge forward to meet the retreating Romans. With Russians in front and Chinese nipping at his heals in the rear, all during the end of a harsh Siberian winter, Napoleone chooses to engage near the Russian village of NAME hoping to fight the armies one at a time.
After 3 days of hard fighting the Russians are routed but at the cost of any effective fighting strength of the Romans. The Emperor orders the army to make best speed and leave stragglers behind. He then flies to Persia to find Persian and Indian forces besieging Jerusalem. While making plans to lift the siege, the Emperor collapses. Mentally and physically exhausted, Napoleone is rushed back to the royal palace in Rome for treatment.

1820- Southern Carpathia falls. "German" Legions called up from reserves keep the combined Russian/Chinese forces at bay in the north while Indian forces lay siege to Constantinople and Persians move south through Egypt. Many atrocities committed by Persians and Indian forces as "revenge" for Roman atrocities in the past.
With few options Napoleone orders the release of the first Atomic bomb. Untested weapon is dropped on Military forces in "Turkey." 124,000 killed. Footage and reports of weapon are dropped over Chinese/Russian forces in the north. Leaders hesitant to accept such information until second bomb is dropped on Russian staging area in Poland. 92,000 killed. Russia, China, India and Persia immediately sue for peace.
Total Roman losses in men and equipment are immense. Russian survivor of attack declares "Romans have found a key to the gates of hell."

1821- With no atomic bombs remaining and no military strength to effect an occupation, Napoleone agrees to allow Russia, India and Persia and Republic of Carpathia to remain independent. Persia is forced to provide large quantities of oil. India, Russia and RoC forced to contribute raw materials. China provides equipment and technology.

1823- Still recovering, Napoleone spends much of his time with his wife and children but quietly begins to restore the Military. China and Republic of Carpathia feverishly work on their own Atomic bomb projects.

1824- With the military once again restored to strength and a small stockpile of Atomic weapons now on hand, Napoleone demands land concessions from Persia, India, RoC and Russia. Out of fear of death by fire, nations agree.

1825- "Internet" comes into its own.

1828- Scientist discover method of transporting pictures as well as sounds through the air.

1830- While inspecting a new regiment outside the summer palace near Paris, Emperor Napoleone collapses. Five days later the Emperor dies as a result of complications from cancer. Despite the calamity that nearly destroyed the Roman Empire Emperor Napoleone enjoyed great approval and his death was mourned throughout the Empire. Napoleone's eldest son, Napoleone II, assumes the throne. Carpathian Republic, Kingdom of India, and other major world powers respect the ascension and resume diplomatic relations with Rome.

1832- Germany is allowed to succeed as an independent state so long as it agreed to provide military support when required by the Emperor and coordinated its foreign policy with Rome.

1832- Upper Carpathia (North America) divided up. Pyong Tse (independent nation established in California) gains all lands west of the Rockies. Plains Indians are granted large portion of land across the Plains in exchange for oil rights and military aide to Carpathia. Carpathia claims everything else. Lower Carpathia, conquered during the Second World War, is left in disarray. Only the oil rich regions of "Mexico" and northern "South America" are retained by the victorious Carpathians. The remainder of the lands are given up to lawlessness.

1833- Chinese/Russian war begins over exploitation of Siberia’s resources (especially oil).

1833- Rome launches first nuclear powered submarine.

1833- China launches first satellite into orbit.

1833- China detonates own atomic weapon.

1834- China ceases reparation shipments to Rome.

1835- China launches first animal, a monkey, into orbit.

1836- Russia resumes the genetic engineering programs and breeding camps vacated by the retreating Romans. Computers allow scientists to begin exploring the genome.

1837- Rome puts first human in orbit but is killed on reentry.

1837- Chinese/Russian war comes to an end with stalemate. Although technologically superior, the Chinese find the bitter Siberian winters to be difficult to overcome. Rather than dragging out war, China sues for conditional peace. Treaty includes provisions for sale of oil to China below market value.

1839- Rome successfully returns human from orbit.

1842- Greece allowed limited self rule.

1842- Republic of Carpathia detonates own atomic weapon.

1845- China puts man on moon, claims moon as Chinese soil.

1847- Rome lands people on moon. China immediately declares its territory had been violated. International incident flairs up and debate over possession of heavenly bodies begins.

1852- Rome begins to look further into Robotics as a way to augment its demanding military requirements.

1855- Rome establishes series of "protection nodes" in orbit to attack enemy satellites. Nodes also serve as backbone of Global Positioning System.

1857- Persia detonates own atomic weapon. Immediately increases price of oil shipments to Rome. Fuel crisis ensues as gas prices skyrocket.

1858- Oil shortage leads to economic downturn. Rome expands oil shipments from fields in Lower Carpathia.

1860- China establishes space station in orbit.

1861- With an eye toward their own growing demand for Oil. Republic of Carpathia reclaims "Mexico" from the Roman Empire. Atlantic Air and Sea conflict greatly reduces oil flow to Europe and economic condition worsens.

1862- Battle of Kingston results in a RoC defeat and gives naval superiority to Rome. Oil shipments once again flow freely to Europe. The loss of RoC markets, however, hits Roman manufacturing hard.

1867- Roman/RoC conflict comes to an end with the Somoza Accords. RoC is allowed to retain "Mexico" but loses most of the Caribbean islands. Diplomatic relations and trade resume.

1870- Growing fear of running out of oil leads major governments to begin heavy funding into alternative sources of energy.

1873- Chinese station destroys Roman craft heading for moon citing territorial integrity. "Star Wars" begin.

1978- Plains Nation, independent state set up for Plains Indians, demands RoC companies turn over control of oil rigs in their territory to PN government. RoC sends military forces into PN to protect assets. PN Military attempts to prevent entry by force. War.

1896- Republic of Carpathia deploys "wind blimps," blimps that float high above the earth in the level of constant wind. These blimps rotate thus creating electricity via an onboard generator. Device not only creates limitless energy but can be deployed almost anywhere.

1904- "Ramjet" engine powers Roman aircraft into low orbit. Ability to cheaply reach low orbit allows more development in space to take place.

1910- Global Peace Initiative, a meeting of all the industrialized nations, produces a plan to "de-militarize" space, promising to use this "final frontier" as a place of cooperation and peace. Initiative ends on and off conflict between Rome and China in space.

1915- Multi-national base established on moon. Base serves as diplomatic, scientific and economic cooperative between 7 nations.

1918- Fusion Reactor comes online in China.

1920- Russian genetics program grows by leaps and bounds producing 7 1/2 tall soldier who can lift small trucks.

1923- Nano-Technology matures. Tiny machines able to break things down at the atomic level then reassemble them.

1931- Repulsar Engine developed in Constantinople. Engine uses successful transfer of inertia to float. Can, in theory, reach orbit with the same amount of thrust as it uses at ground level.

1932- Russia detonates Atomic bomb.

1939- First manned mission to Mars. Thousands live and work in orbit and on the moon. Commercial flights take of regularly from Rome, Beijing, Constantinople, and other major cities to the orbiting stations.

1942- "Micro" Fusion Reactor developed. Allows fusion power plant to be installed on much smaller machines such as large tanks.

1949- China develops "Phase Disrupter," weapon reverses the gravitational attraction in target and causes each atom to repel its electrons rather than attract them.

1950- Rome deploys first Areal Aircraft Carrier. Massive floating fortress launches aircraft and can go anywhere in the world.

1954- Persia undergoes bloodless coup with the passing of a new constitution. Constitutional Monarchy makes Persian king more of a ceremonial figure head.

1957- Rome detonates "Micro-Nuke." Tiny warhead can be fired from traditional canon to create a very small yield blast. Radiation is minimal and dissipates quickly.

1957- Indian Civil War. Islamic elements of Western India revolt against Indian government. Persia sends forces to aide fellow Muslims.

1959- Rome reorganizes its forces around Nano-Technology. Each Legion consists of a Command unit that can be deployed and build all needed structures and equipment on site. Infantry component remains the same.

1961- Scientists in Terra Nova, research station on moon, develop Space Warping Drive. A method of space propulsion that moves the fabric of space time around a vessel, moving it at great speeds.

1966- First tank armed with disrupter enters service.

1967- Indian Civil war comes to an end with large chunk of India being absorbed by Persia.

1970- RoC forces enter Lower Carpathia in an attempt to cease ethnic cleansing.

1974- Military coups takes place in Russia.

1975- China leads international invasion of Russia in an attempt to restore rightful ruler. Other nations, including Rome, RoC and Persia, send military forces.

1975- Weak from a decade long civil war, Indian government collapses. Replaced by 3 factions.

1980- Permanent base established on Mars. Space warping drive allows transit to take as little as 3 weeks.

1980- RoC pulls military from Russian operations that have begun to drag out.

1985- Regular mining operations take place along asteroid belt. Most prized resource is water.

1987- China pulls forces from Russia, Rome follows suit. Long bitter struggle instills hatred and mistrust in Russian people.

1991- Russian forces land in Somalia and instigate coups. Condemnation comes from international community.

1993- First faster than light travel achieved using Space Warping Drive.

1994- Major nations of the world meet to discuss the "Carpathian Problem" concerning the ongoing violence in Southern Carpathia. Russia is not invited.

1995- Russian forces expand from Somalia into neighboring parts of Africa. African Union makes plea to world for assistance but only food and supplies are sent.

1996- Russia annexes Belorussia and parts of Ukraine. Polish government deploys its forces but does not engage.

1996- Russia annexes Estonia.

1997- Rome, China, RoC, Persia, etc all join in economic embargo of Russia in an attempt to curtail aggressive behavior. enforcement is difficult and many goods still make it through.

2000- Russia explodes across Polish border, slams into German border. Caught unaware, German forces buckle and retreat to the north to defend Germany proper while Russian swarm advances to the heart of Rome.
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