Roman empire against the chinese Han Dynasty

When Han Wudi became emperor of the Han Dynasty, he decides that it will be a good thing for the chinese to expand into the terrorites that lies along the silk road and further.

Slowly and gradually, the chinese managed to secure the lands through central asia. While in Europe, the events in rome and etc is the same as the OTL. The european powers is NOT concerned about the chinese advance and decides to ignore it.

So, by the time Octivius becomes the roman Emperor ruling over the united rome, the chinese managed to expand right next to Rome's doorstep.

Instead of expanding towards Germany, Augustus decides to create the legions and lead a campaign against the Han Dynasty.


So who will win? The Han or the roman empires?
 
Romans, thanks to much closer logistical base

I'm inclined to say the Romans as well, not only for reasons of logistics, but because they had this scary ability to lose whole armies, then turn aroud and field full-strength Legions at the start of the next campaign season.
 

Hendryk

Banned
I'm inclined to say the Romans as well, not only for reasons of logistics, but because they had this scary ability to lose whole armies, then turn aroud and field full-strength Legions at the start of the next campaign season.
Don't underestimate Han China's ability to field effing big armies.

Though both powers would need a really good reason to expend so much energy to secure the Silk Road.
 
Sheesh, that's easy. The Hsiungnu win.

The Han Chinese are fighting at the end of an insanely long logistical tether against an enemy whose political future is tied to his ability to create peace. After a few years of this, the commanders on both sides will come together for informal crying and bitching sessions.
 
I really can't see why both powers would be willing to fight so far from their bases of power. The logistics would certainly make a campaign difficult for both sides.

By exapanding, you mean that the Chinese control Persia? At this time, the Chinese would probably be still trying to hold it down assuming they controlled it(which is more or less ASB because Parthia was a little big to swallow up in one war) So I'll just stop, and not speculate on any puppet states the Romans could set up.
 
Rome, I highly doubt that the Han can really supply enough men due to logistics to counter the Romans. Its not like the mobile hordes of Ghengis Khan.
 
one group is only a coupe hundred miles from their power base, another one is a couple thousand miles. hmm... I wonder which will win?
 
You got two empires with very different logistic strengths. The Romans had well developed maritime logistics, but their overland logistics were weak. The furthest point of the empire away from a coast was what, central Gallia? The Han were able to reach the Pamirs. They had the horse collar which could allow a horse to pull 6 times that of the Roman horse.

But even so, it's unlikely the Han could defeat and occupy Parthia due to the distances involved. And if they were to get pass the Parthians, their logistic advantage would weaken the closer they get to the Mediterranean world. By the time the Han gets to Rome's doorstep they would be hopelessly overmatched.

To have give either a chance, they would have to meet eachother half way. Maybe if Rome expanded to the Caspian.
 

Glen

Moderator
Don't underestimate Han China's ability to field effing big armies.

Though both powers would need a really good reason to expend so much energy to secure the Silk Road.

True, but to Persia seems a bit of a stretch even so.

I agree, they'd need some compelling reason. Got any ideas?
 
You got two empires with very different logistic strengths. The Romans had well developed maritime logistics, but their overland logistics were weak. The furthest point of the empire away from a coast was what, central Gallia? The Han were able to reach the Pamirs. They had the horse collar which could allow a horse to pull 6 times that of the Roman horse.

But even so, it's unlikely the Han could defeat and occupy Parthia due to the distances involved. And if they were to get pass the Parthians, their logistic advantage would weaken the closer they get to the Mediterranean world. By the time the Han gets to Rome's doorstep they would be hopelessly overmatched.

To have give either a chance, they would have to meet eachother half way. Maybe if Rome expanded to the Caspian.
Actually the Roman Empire did expand to the Caspian Sea IOTL, during the reign of Emperor Trajan, but only for a very brief period around AD 117.
 
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