Hi all,
This is a TL I've been working on for a while.
I recently discovered some errors and I'm going to do a rewrite so I thought I would pick your brains first before the rewrite.
Some people have said that this is implausable whiile others claim that a rudimentary low pressure steam engine is possible with the casting and plumbing of the first roman empire.
I had originally considered this part finished now I consider it as a draft.
Please note that the steam engines in the early part are mostly made from cast bronze even though I have not strictly mentioned of what they were made from.
Now onto the timeline
Roman Renaissance: The Power of Steam
66BC: Damascus - A young recently widowed Syrian potter, named Nammu Assan, while cooking his evening meal has a tightly sealed copper pot explode in his face and discovers the power of steam.
50BC: Damascus - After many years of thought and experimentation, Nammu has created the first steam powered walking beam engine to power his pottery wheels.
48BC: Damascus - Marcus Servius, a Roman centurion, discovers Nammu and his steam powered engine while looking for a gift, realising the importance of Nammu’s discovery takes Nammu and his engine to his family in Rome.
47BC: Rome - Nammu is introduced to Junius Servius a moderately wealth shipwright by Marcus. After demonstrating his steam engine Nammu is employed by Junius Servius to develop a steam engine for use in ship.
46BC Rome - Nammu is partnered with a bright young engineer by the name of Latinius Noricus, together they design the first Roman steamship.
31BC: Rome - The steam galley “Neptune†is launched by none other then General Octavian Caesar amongst much pomp and ceremony. (To imagine it, think of a Roman galley of this period blended with the walking beam engine and paddle wheels of an 1800’s era paddleboat without a stern centred rudder). The “Neptune†is the marvel of the age, however its creation is not with out cost. The stress and cost of the new technologies for the “Neptune†has cost Junius Servius his life, while the financial cost has driven the Servius family to the point of bankruptcy.
30BC: Rome - After a year of operations (which include supplying Caesar’s Legions), the “Neptune†and the Servius family are starting to recoup the losses from it’s construction. However it has become apparent that without government backing the cost of construction will prevent any more steam galleys from being built.
29BC: Antioch - Octavian Caesar and Marcus Servius sign a secret deal, when Octavian becomes emperor, he will sponsor the construction of these steam galleys for the exclusive use of the Roman Navy and Servius marine. However this is not without cost, as it requires Servius marine to start construction of the new ships now with only the secret backing of Octavian and his supporters.
27BC: Rome - Octavian becomes Emperor Augustus. His first proclamation as emperor is for all future navy ships to be of the of the steam galley type, he also appoints Marcus Servius as a Roman consul in charge of naval operations.
26BC: Rome - Nammu Assan dies aged 61. His legacy has led to a new age of technology, industrialisation.
25 BC: Rome - The first of the steam powered war galleys are delivered to the Roman navy. Marcus Servius, during a discussion with Emperor Augustus muses to himself and then enquires of Latinius Norcius, what other uses steam power may have.
Emperor Augustus instructs Marcus Servius to create a new service of engineers to find and implement new uses of steam power.
24BC: Rome - Latinius Norcius is made a general and is placed in command of the Legion of Engineers. He reports to Consul Servius who has been given the responsibility of developing any new ideas for the greater glory of Rome.
23BC: Spain - The war galley “Julius Caesar†creates a new speed record of seven days from Rome to the Pillars of Hercules. Steam powered water wheels increase the flow rate of the main Roman aqueducts even at the height of summer.
Construction of both war and merchant steam galleys continue at an increased rate, there are now 9 war and 5 merchant galleys in every day use in the Mediterranean Sea.
21BC: Rome - Latinius Norcius demonstrates for the Emperor and Servius the first major idea from the Legion of Engineers, a steam engine mounted on a large rigid cart frame powering the rear wheels. The first steam powered land vehicle has been created.
19 BC: Rome - Consul Servius and Emperor Augustus are discussing the failure of the latest attempt to conquer the barbarian lands to the north and east of the empire. The Emperor is not pleased and instructs Servius to find more land for empire to expand at any cost. There are now 19 war and 12 merchant steam galleys.
Consul Servius is the second richest man in the empire behind only the emperor.
18 BC: Rome - The first battle between the war galleys and the north African Pirates is a smashing success with only one of the ten war galleys damaged while the pirates lost all 39 ships.
The emperor is pleased and makes the fleet commander a hero with a grand parade through Rome.
After the celebrations Marcus Servius approaches Marius Tullius and offers him a dream to find new land for the Empire.
17BC: Rome - Servius and Tullius working from Phoenician source maps taken from the Library at Alexandria prepare a small fleet of steam galleys consisting of three war and seven merchant galleys the direction west to the Pillars of Hercules then south.
The fleet leaves later this year seen off by Emperor Augustus himself.
16BC: Rome - Marcus Servius now in his 51 year brings his youngest son Lucius, a gifted engineer into the Legion of Engineers in the hope that one day he will take the place of the distinguished Latinius Noricius.
There are now 27 war and 16 merchant steam galleys excluding the 10 galleys that have passed beyond the Pillars of Hercules.
15BC: Rome - Lucius and Latinius strike up a close friendship.
One of the first ideas that Lucius has relates to the steam powered land cart. He suggests the use of rails to make the vehicle travel in a straight line.
After demonstrating the new concept to Marcus Servius, he agrees to bring it to the attention of the Emperor.
Demonstrating the new concept to the Emperor, on a specially built length of track, meets with glowing praise from the Emperor, immediately instructs the building of a steam cart track between Rome and Tivoli.
Construction begins immediately.
14BC Rome - The work of thousands of slaves is complete. In just nine months the steam cart track is complete. The Emperor in opening it announces this but the first of a series of motorised public transport that will be built in the years to come.
There are now 32 war and 20 merchant steam galleys.
13BC: Rome - Emperor Augustus meets with Marcus Servius and instructs him to begin linking all the Roman cities and provinces with steam cart tracks. Marcus Servius advises the emperor that it will be done, however due to the size of the empire and the cost of construction this project will take many years to complete.
He make a suggestion that the emperor agrees with, a small fee will be collected for each trip made on the steam carts with the income being evenly split between his construction business and the empire who will supply the labor force.
12 BC: West African Coast - Marius Tullius and his fleet have been gone for five years in this time they have mapped all the African coast to the Red Sea. With the holds of the ships full with examples of the boundless bounties of Southern Africa the fleet is heading home to what Marius is sure will be a great reword from the Emperor, before he heads below deck he glances to the west, sighs and thinks not another storm.
Genoa - A young wood worker named Fabian Quintius with the help of the Legion of Engineers develops the first steam powered lathe. He quickly corners the market in Genoa for decorative furniture.
11BC: Rome - Civil unrest has broken out in several cities including Rome, the cause unemployment. The increasing amount of industrialisation especially in pottery, wood and metal working fields is making unemployment level explode.
The Emperor passes a decree any male Roman citizen between the ages of 14 and 30 must join the Roman army for a period of no less than ten years unless the male concerned has found employment or is needed to take over as head of his family.
Middle of the Atlantic - Marius Tullius is dismayed. Two merchant steam galleys lost in the latest tempest, but worst of all the fleet is lost, the stars are in the wrong positions and another tempest is building. Then he sees smoke on the horizon, this means one of two things, land or his lost galleys. He heads the fleet in the direction of the smoke.
10BC: Islands unknown - Marius Tullius and his fleet have been travelling from island to island, the natives are primitive but willing to trade both food, resources and labor in exchange for iron, steel and bronze tools. Once more Marius sets out, the storm season is approaching again and he now knows from experience that he needs to find a safe harbour if his fleet is to survive.
Rome - Lucius Servius proposes a new class of war galley one with three paddle wheels, each with it’s own steam engine but with a central boiler supplying the steam to each engine.
Marcus Servius during a discussion with his tailor, Servius get an idea for a steam-powered loom after seeing his tailor making cloth by hand.
9BC: A new land - Marius Tullius and the remnants of the fleet have found a protected harbour, however the cost has been high of the original ten galleys only five remain all heavily overburden with rescued crew and salvaged goods. Three are damaged but can be repaired the others are beyond repair. Marius faces a cruel choice abandon half his people in an unknown land or to try to make a new life in this new land. Marius puts off a decision, first they must make repairs and this will take the best part of a year.
8 BC: Rome - The first steam cart line between two major Roman cities is complete.
In opening the Rome – Naples steam cart link Emperor Augustus states that it is now possible to get from Rome to Naples in just a day’s travel.
The latest steam powered factory is now in operation. Steam powered spinning wheels make fine cotton threads which are spun onto bobbins. These bobbins are then used as a continous thread source for the steam powered looms. The first modern fabric factory has arrived.
A new land - Marius Tullius ponders what to do, his crews have started a new Roman settlement in the land they call Atlantia, several have taken wives from the native women whom, while darker than there own kind have a lighter skin than the barbarians of Southern Africa. In a few months the first child will be born. The natives seem indifferent to the Romans; they are willing to trade food their local knowledge of what are edible and their women for Roman tools. Marius knows the barbarians know nothing of metalworking and have a nomadic lifestyle following the great herds of hairy cattle.
Finally he makes a decision. He will take the three repaired ships back to Rome by hugging the coastline as much as possible and only transiting open water when there is no other choice. In advising his crews of the decision he leaves his second in command Rufus Dorius to continue to build the settlement.
He leaves behind fifty men, all non essential equipment and the damaged steam galleys advising Rufus not to antagonise the natives as it will be many years before a new Roman fleet arrives.
7BC: Atlantia coast - Marius Tullius starts to wonder if the new land will ever end, for a year now he has travelled and mapped the coast with his crew stopping only for supplies. The last winter was bitter and cold and the further north he travels the cooler it gets. He makes a decision we’ll stop and provision for a long open water journey and head due east in the hope of reaching the African coast.
6BC: A large island in the ocean - Marius Tullius has crossed a large body of water and found a large island that is nearly devoid of large trees. Another merchant was smashed on this worthless island. Marius is now down to two galleys his war galley and one merchant. With the lack of trees he orders the crews to tear the shattered hull apart for fuel so the journey can continue in the remaining galleys.
Naples - The Steam Ram “Emperor Augustus†is launched, by the Emperor himself. It is by far the largest warship ever built. It has a large stern mounted paddle wheel and two independently powered side wheels, which allows the ship to turn faster than anything afloat. It has a maximum speed of 20 miles an hour.
The emperor continues to stare with glowing pride as his ship sets out on its maiden voyage.
5BC: Rome - The Rome – Genoa steam cart line is opened. The Emperor Augustus in conversation with Marcus Servius, who’s health is failing, issues a decree that the steam cart lines have the highest priority. The emperor wants all the empire linked by steam carts as soon as possible.
There are now 66 steam war galleys, 1 steam ram and 92 steam merchant galleys.
A frozen land - Marius Tullius views the desolate landscape with an amount of pride despite the loss of eight galleys and the leaving of fifty men in Atlantia. The stars are nearly in the correct positions; fuel, food and water are plentiful. He now knows where to go south into the warm embrace of the empire.
Judea - A male child is born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem before moving to Nazareth.
4BC: Rome - the legion of engineers have come up with a new marvel – a steam powered winch which when combined with a catapult enabling it to throw objects further and faster. Designed by a young engineer recruited from Palestine, Walid Yacoub’s career stretches before him. After a demonstration, the Roman generals petition the emperor to commence mass production of the steam-powered catapult. Promised rapid victories against the empires’ enemies, the emperor agrees but demands guarantees.
More war galleys are deferred, as resources are short.
3 BC: Gaul - The Genoa – Paris steam cart track is in operation, with track laying to the channel coast continuing and expected to be finished by the end of the year.
Marius Tullius sighs with relief. In the main harbour of Gaul are many ships of the empire most are wind powered merchants, he is however surprised to discover 3 war galleys stationed here. He makes a report to the Roman Governor of Gaul, Quintas Mamimus who immediately sends the report to Rome. Marius enquires why the report is sent over land when he will be in Rome before the messenger. Quintas laughs and simply says the message will be in the emperors’ hands in under a week.
Rome - The steam catapults are being built at an increasing rate. All are being sent north. Emperor Augustus is determined to crush the northern barbarians once and for all. There are now 10 legions in Romanised southern Germania with an another 5 in transit. This represents 15% of the current Roman army. The emperor reminds the generals of the promises they made. If they fail here, they will suffer the consequences.
Emperor Augustus greets the returning hero’s at the docks. It appears that all of Rome is with him. During the parade Marius is amazed by the changes in Rome and the Empire during his 14-year absence. The emperor accepts the name of the new land without a thought and immediately proclaims that the original crews, Tullius and Servius are granted huge allotments of land in the new territory.
The emperor also instructs that a colonisation fleet be assembled and sent to Atlantia.
There are now 70 war steam galleys, 3 steam rams and 107 steam merchant galleys.
2BC: Rome - Marcus Servius retires as Consul due to ill health, his ambitious young son Lucius replaces him. Marcus Servius dies later this year as one of the richest men who ever lived.
The Atlantia colonisation fleet is taking shape the fleet consists of 50 steam merchant galleys and 10 war galleys. It is envisioned that the war galleys will remain at the new colony for protection, while the merchants will unload and return home. A regular schedule for shipping essential supplies is devised. Trans oceanic commerce is about to commence.
Marius Tullius is appointed Governor of Atlantia, with him travel 3 legions to subdue any resistance from the native barbarians.
Brutus Servius, the older brother of Lucius, is sent with his family to claim and administer the Servius holdings.
As the fleet leaves for Atlantia, the first news is received of the conquest of the barbarian lands to the north.
1BC: Romanised Germania - The Roman Legions in Germania have been formed into three groups of five, each have been given a separate route of advance, east, west and south with the Roman general Tiberius in over all command.
Atlantia - The colonisation fleet has arrived and is greeted with joyous celebrations, of the original 50 men left behind 38 still live the others having died of disease, age or in accidents. The colony however is thriving, all the original crew has married and the total population has risen to two hundred in the last seven years.
1AD: Atlantia - Marius Tullius is amassed at the progress that has been made in the last year. All the ships have been unloaded and are preparing to return to Rome. The colony is growing rapidly a steam powered saw mill is creating timber for buildings while the engineers and soldiers brought along are exploring deep into the uncharted land looking for resources that can be exploited for the colony and the Empire.
The remaining colonists are planting crops and building a stone pier to make the loading and unloading of ships quicker and easier. Marius is pleased and thinks to himself that the colony could be completely self sufficient in under ten years.
Brutus Servius meets with Marius Tullius in relation to his families land allotment from the emperor, after much discussion a large tract of land far to the north of the settlement is ceded to the Servius family. The land is heavily forested but once cleared will make excellent farmland. During the discussions Brutus, a teacher by trade, suggests that a school be sent up for the barbarian children, to more rapidly assimilate them into the empire. Marius Tullius agrees and the worlds’ first general public school is founded.
Gaul - Quintas Mamimus opens the last section of the main north – west steam cart link. A line now traverses Gaul east to west linking Genoa and Rome to the Gaul coast off Britannia. Quintas Mamimus also announces the start of a Genoa – Hispalis link. This however will take many years.
Mediterranean - The slave powered galley Serapis is smashed on rocks during a storm. While swimming for shore, slave number 42 sees another man drowning in the sea. He swims across to him and drags him to shore. Dominus Tullius awakes on the Judea shore with a slave standing over him and asks why he saved him. Number 42 sighs and says I don’t know I just did. Dominus laughs and asks what is your name slave? Number 42 thinks for a while and says Antony Nasser of Syria. Dominius says well Antony Nasser of Syria by saving you have saved yourself, to which Antony replies that may not be possible, Dominius asks why. Antony then explains that he was caught up in a rebellion against Rome and his whole province was enslaved for treason. Dominius ponders the problem for a while and says I pay my debts, if you can’t live as a free man here how would like to live as a free man in a distant land? Antony seeing the hope of freedom for the first time in three years agrees.
Six weeks later Antony Nasser is aboard a steam galley heading for Atlantia, with a letter of introduction from Dominius to his brother Marius, the Roman Governor of Atlantia.
Rome - Emperor Augustus open a new iron foundry this steam powered foundry quadruples the empire’s iron production and more of the foundries are under construction. At it’s opening the emperor states that the new iron foundry will allow steam cart links to every city in the empire.
Germania - the conquest of the northern barbarians is progressing well in the east and west, however in the south, General Marcus Valium is having difficulties in his heavily forested region. The steam catapults are not as effective in the forests as in the plains. Casualties are heavy as the barbarian’s use hit and run tactics from the cover of the forests. Seeing no choice General Valium sends a courier to Tiberius advising him of the situation. Unbeknown to General Valium he has left his plea for help to late for the barbarians are now ready to strike a massive blow to the Roman army.
2 AD: China - The Han Dynasty gets the plans for an early Roman steam engine from Persian spies. On seeing this marvel the Han Emperor orders the construction of a prototype steam engine. He also orders his military to get a working model of the Roman steam engine by any means. Instructions are sent to the Persian spies, promising great rewards if a working model attained for the emperor.
Germania - The barbarian horde attack General Valium’s legions, in a fighting retreat to the south Valium’s legions inflict massive casualties on the barbarians, however in doing so the same happens to Valium’s legions. After a three-day battle Valium returns to a Roman fortress but the cost was high, of the 25 thousand men he set out with two years before he returns with just 2200 men.
General Tiberius is reviewing the over all progress of his armies when a messager arrives from the southern legions. Tiberius is incensed, screaming insults at the messager and Valium in general; he summons his commanders from the eastern and western legions and decides to take advantage of Valium’s stupidity. His eastern and western legions will march south to encircle and destroy the barbarians. A week later Tiberius stands atop a small hill and surveys the carnage. The barbarians not expecting an attack from the rear have been annihilated, of the ninety thousand armed barbarians only fifteen thousand remain. General Tiberius decides to make an example of them, they will all be crucified on the road to Rome where Tiberius will present Valium and a conquered Germania to the emperor. Rome now controls all of Western Europe to the Oder River and now has a natural barrier between itself and the barbarian tribes of Eastern Europe.
Atlantia - Surveyors discover huge deposits of iron, tin, copper, gold and coal. Marius Tullius is astounded by the wealth of the new colony and immediately sends word to Rome asking for experienced miners and all the equipment required to build a steam cart line from the resources to the main colony. Tullius also instructs his engineers to build a small foundry to allow the colony to produce some of the metals it needs while they wait for the modern equipment to arrive from Rome. Industrialisation of the colony has begun. The first students start at the world’s first public school, the Romanisation of the native barbarians is in full swing.
Native barbarian archers join the Roman legions as auxiliary units swelling the number of men at arms to twenty thousand while others begin training as tradition roman infantry. Within two years the first native roman legions will be formed to protect and expand the colony.
Antony Nasser is presented to Marius Tullius with his letter of introduction. After reading the letter from his brother Marius asks what Antony would like for his reward. In reply Antony asks if he could help explore this land and build a new life for himself. Marius Tullius agrees and sends Antony Nasser to join the surveyors exploring to the north and west of the colony.
Rome - The legion of engineers test a new steam engine, the first with a geared transmission, on a small boat, which is different from current designs. It uses a single screw at the rear of the boat attached to a drive shaft linked to the transmission. There is also one noticeable difference as this vessel has a stern centred rudder. The test was moderately successful with the screw and rudder working well together, however the metallic components of the transmission were not manufactured to the precision required for the transmission to function as designed. Walid Jacoub shrugs and begins to think of ways to improve the quality of the parts.
3AD: Rome - Emperor Augustius receives the information regarding the mineral wealth of the new colony. He orders the immediate shipment of whatever resources Atlantia requires to bring the new resources in to production for use by the empire. Thousands of German slaves, as well as dozens of steam carts with the required tracks are sent along with other trained professions to enable the colony to produce whatever it needs to expand. To encourage people to travel to Atlantia with their skills, the emperor offers land grants to whoever travels to Atlantia and stays there for a period of no less than ten years.
After ten years and the expenditure of enormous quantities of labour and resources every major city in Italy is linked to Rome by steam carts.
The emperor is pleased and in discussion with Lucius Servius agrees to slow the construction of the steam cart tracks with exception of Atlantia; to allow the Roman economy to recover from the cost of forced industrialisation.
General Tiberias returns victorious to Rome. In appreciation for his services the emperor grants him a large land grant in the newly conquered Germania. Valium’s reception is anything but friendly and after a quick trial by the senate is crucified outside the emperor’s palace.
Judea - Tensions erupt into open rebellion against Rome. The Roman legions in Judea, Syria and Mesopotamia find themselves outnumbered by rampaging occupants of the region (The Persian spies in the employ of the Chinese emperor have secretly fomented the rebellion). News of the rebellion is sent to Rome along with a request for additional legions to but down the rebellion.
Rome - The Emperor on hearing of the rebellion immediately summons General Tiberius and asks him to load his eight remaining legions (two were left in Germania) onto the 25 steam galleys Lucius Servius has made available at the emperors request. Tiberius’ orders are simple crush the rebellion and return order to the province by any means necessary.
Due to steam cart expansion, production of steam powered ram and war galleys have come to a virtual halt over the last few years. No new construction of warships have been approved with only those already under construction being finished. This however did not effect the steam powered merchant galley production.
In the empire there are now 80 war steam galleys, 9 steam rams and 132 steam merchant galleys.
4AD: Atlantia - The Atlantian colony with the latest arrivals now has a population of 80,000. The emperor instructs that a capital city be built for the colony and that it be named after the empire’s latest hero Tiberius. Plans are drawn up for the new city to be built at a river delta 20 leagues to the north. Tiberium will be a purpose built city with long stone piers and a deep port for shipping as well as wide streets to accommodate an extensive steam cart network. Construction of Tiberium will begin with in months, first however the slaves must build the steam cart tracks to the mineral deposits.
Mining the vast mineral deposits to the north has commenced with the first shipment of coal, iron ore, copper and gold being sent to the colony by ox cart. As the mineral caravan reaches the colony it passes the slave gangs building the steam cart route. The lead cart driver, Dominus Varak watches the construction as the oxen slowly pull the heavily laden cart to town, and thinks to himself, at this rate of progress the steam cart link will be finished in less than a year.
The Roman legions in Atlantia now number six as native barbarians join to gain the benefits of Roman citizenship, which come to those who complete their tours of duty.
Marius Tullius makes a decision that will change the colony forever. The new native inductee’s are merged into the existing legions with the more experienced Roman soldiers being promoted to command the new legions. The new legions are slightly different to the existing legions, as Marius Tullius has instructed that the sons of the chiefs of three local tribes be given the positions of second in command. The chiefs, glowing with pride as they see their sons, resplendent with gleaming roman armour, pledge the allegiance of their tribes to the Roman Empire. In return Marius Tullius declares that the three chiefs will be granted Roman citizenship immediately with the rest of the tribes receiving citizenship in another ten years, if peaceful relations continue.
There are now 30 thousand men under arms in Atlantia excluding auxiliary units. What is more important however is that the three main tribes on the east coast of Atlantia are being rapidly assimilated into the Roman culture and Roman expansion into the new land is assured.
Judea - General Tiberius unloads his legions at Antioch and quickly puts down the uprising in the city. Unlike his campaign in Germania, Tiberius does not crucify the captured rebels; instead they are all enslaved and immediately put to work building steam cart tracks in both northern and southern directions. The slaves die by the thousands under the pressure of building the steam cart tracks around the clock. This however is of no concern to Tiberius who seems to have an unlimited supply of rebels to enslave for the purpose of building his fortifications and supply lines. As his legions march in and put down the towns and cities in rebellion, steam cart tracks quickly follow enabling Tiberius to quickly move his legions to other areas in rebellion.
Rome - Emperor Augustus is unhappy with the news from Tiberius. Although Tiberius continues to put down rebellions, another one springs up before he is finished the last one. His communique announces the need for more legions to prevent the uprisings occurring. Unfortunately for the emperor, that although the required number of legions exist, it would mean stripping the legions from other areas which would rise in rebellions if the legions were to be moved. After careful consideration the emperor send an urgent communique to all his regional governors. The message is simple; the governors are to raise more legions for the empire. To encourage their subjects to volunteer, the governors are empowered to half the service time to ten years and promise any whom complete their service full roman citizenship as well as a parcel of land in the newly conquered territories.
5AD: Atlantia - Marius Tullius receives the latest communique from the emperor with a wry smile as he had implemented a similar idea last year.
The new colony is growing at an extraordinary rate as marriages between the male roman legions and speciality occupations of the first fleet and the native females are an every day occurrence.
During an inspection of the new capital Tiberium Marius is amassed at the progress in the last year. The governor’s palace and the senate building are well under way as well as amphitheatres and steam cart tracks. It occurs to Marius that in a couple of years the whole colony will be able to move to the first Roman City in Atlantia.
The steam cart track has finally reached the mineral deposits in the northwest and resources are poring into the foundries, set up to smelt the ores into useable materials.
One report that crossed Marius Tullius’ desk was a welcomed surprise the clearing of farmland has enabled the production of large quantities of cereal grains mostly wheat and rye. It occurs to Marius that for the first time, the colony has no need to import food from Rome, as the great herds of hairy cows supply ample meat and now that the colony is able to grow it’s own grains, the colony is self sufficient in food production.
In his reply to the emperor, Marcus advised that there is now no need to ship food to the colony. He also states that if manufacturing equipment is supplied the colony will not only be able to produce it’s own food, it will be able to manufacture what ever equipment it needs including steam carts and galleys.
The training of new soldiers is progressing well with Marius Tullius expecting to add three more legions in the next year.
He has also heard reports from the surveyors of a great river, 250 leagues west of Tiberium, which was the furthest he had allowed the surveyors to go. Across from the river are vast plains that would be perfect for growing crops and raising animals. Marius decides that next he will run the steam cart track due west to the great river where he will base a couple of legions and build Atlantia’s second city.
Germania - The Roman governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus, acts immediately upon receipt of the emperors’ proclamation. In months he has tens of thousands of barbarian volunteers for the Roman legions. Such an overwhelming response encourages Sulius Catullus to build a city – fortress in the far north east of the territory. This city will become the capital of Germania, which Catullus calls Berlinium. With the continued interest of the barbarians in joining the legions showing no sign of slacking, Germania in the years to come, will supply over half the infantry legions of the empire and as such both Sulius Catullus and Germania will grow more important to the empire.
Gaul - The Genoa – Hispalis steam cart link is running well behind schedule as many of the resources required to complete this steam cart link has been redirected to either the Atlantia colony or to Judea. Quintas Mamimus on hearing of the latest delay sends yet another plea to the emperor to be allocated the resources needed to complete construction. The response he receives from the emperor is not encouraging, as the emperor explains that resources are in short supply and only areas of strategic importance will receive all they ask for and the rest of the provinces will have to make do on what resources remain.
Judea - The rebellion continues, no sooner than Tiberius’ legions suppress one rebellion then another breaks out in another area. The crucifixions and enslavement of the rebels does little to stop new rebellions from breaking out. Tiberius is worried and asks the emperor for more legions and resources saying “somebody is encouraging these rebels and the only way to stop it is to find out who and carve out their hearts.â€
Rome - The emperor reads Tiberius’ plea and realises that every asset must be used to put down these rebels or else the rebellion against Rome may spread to other adjacent areas including Africa and Germania. He issues two new instructions, one to the Roman governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus ordering him to send five of his new legions to Judea immediately as well as recruiting and training as many legions as he can. The second instruction goes to the Legion of Engineers demanding the immediate construction of a steam cart track from Genoa to the Germania capital Berlinium. This construction is to be given the highest priority.
In response to a communique from Marius Tullius, the Emperor Augustus sighs with relief. Atlantia has been a drain on the empires’ resources for the last six years and the emperor is pleased that the investment is starting to pay dividends. In discussions with Lucius Servius it is decided to send all the modern industrial equipment that the colony will need to create an industrialised manufacturing centre in the hope that Atlantia will be able to produce materials that the empire requires.
All construction of steam powered rams and war galleys have now ceased, as the emperor believes that the resources would be better spent on steam cart and industrial expansion.
There are now 88 war steam galleys, 15 steam rams and 155 steam merchant galleys. The emperors instructions regarding construction of steam galleys does not effect the construction of the merchant hulls as the emperors agreement with Servius Marine on subsidised private construction is still in operation.
China - The first prototype Chinese steam engine is demonstrated for the Han emperor. On seeing it he instructs his generals to convert a junk to steam power so that the Han dynasty can challenge the Roman Empire’s dominance of the seas.
The emperor is also briefed on the ongoing efforts to get a working Roman steam engine and the results of Persian spies endeavours to stir up rebellion in the areas of Roman control closest to Persia and China. The Han emperor is pleased with the results of the rebellions to date.
6AD: Atlantia - Marius Tullius inspects the cargo of the latest fleet from Rome. He then issues an instruction the surprises the captains of the galleys. They are instructed to sail 20 leagues further north in the great bay until they locate the new capital Tiberium, there they will unload their cargoes at the newly constructed stone piers. A message is also sent to Octavian Macedo, the chief engineer of the colony instructing him to get the newly arrived industrial equipment installed and operating to enable the colony to be completely self-sufficient from Rome.
During the construction of Tiberium, Octavian Macedo has an idea the will change the construction techniques through out the empire. He mates a steam-powered winch, with a pre-existing crane and discovers that it can lift much more weight then that of normal cranes. The first steam powered crane is now in every day use.
The mining of resources is increasing exponentially. Nobody in the new colony had any idea just how rich the new land is and it is only now becoming apparent that the land grants given to the colonists could make many of them rich beyond imagination.
Rome - the legion of engineers has created a new steam engine.
The high pressure reciprocating steam engine will enable the steam carts to travel at speeds as yet unimagined. This new engine resembles a locomotive of our time-line in that for the first time the steam carts will have horizontal pistons instead of vertical ones.
This new engine design will quickly find its way into the galleys of the empire.
The new high pressure reciprocating steam engine comes to the attention of Walid Jacoub and Lucius Servius and is immediately included into the design of a new deep draught galley one that incorporates a stern centred rudder with two screw type propellers linked to drive shafts. It is hoped that the new design will allow this new ship design to be half as fast again as the steam rams.
Judea - The Roman legions in Judea, Syria and Mesopatania continue too battle the rebellions against Rome. The need to move troops quickly is never more apparent so Tiberius orders that all carpenters and blacksmiths drafted into service to build more rolling stock for the steam carts. Two of the carpenters drafted into service from Nazareth are Joseph and his deeply religious son Jesus.
Germania - Construction of the Genoa – Berlinium steam cart track continues. As resources are short, they are redirected from Gaul to insure the rapid transit of the newly formed German legions to Judea.
With the additional attention received from the emperor, caused by the continuing flow of volunteers for the legions, the governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus asks the emperor to authorise the diversion of resources to enable such a loyal region to build it’s own capital. After careful consideration the emperor agrees.
7AD Judea - The rebellion against Roman rule has spread. Despite Tiberius’ harsh punishments, rebellions have now broken out all over the region and have even started in North Africa. The emperor is not pleased by this development and has told Tiberius that if he doesn’t put down the rebellions by the end of the year he will be replaced with someone who can. Tiberius can see his lives goals slipping from his fingers and is determined to remedy the situation. He orders that everybody in the rebellious regions who do not pledge allegiance to the emperor to be enslaved or crucified at the discretion of the officers in charge of the regions with no exceptions.
The construction of steam cart carriages by the conscripted labor force is starting to produce results as the additional rolling stock is enabling the legions to be dispatched to many trouble spots at the same time greatly improving Tiberius’ reaction time to freshly broken out rebellions. During an uprising in Jerusalem a roman centurion by the name of Hermann Reichter captures a Persian who has been helping ferment the rebellions against Rome. After interrogation by the Romans the Persian spy admits to being part of a conspiracy to cause as much disruption to the Roman Empire as possible. With this information the local tribune Adolphus Scheer take the spy before Tiberius who instructs his subordinates to ring the Persian out like a sponge. Unfortunately the spy dies before he can reveal who is sponsoring the rebellions against Rome.
Steam cart links in the Middle East now stretch south from Antioch to Alexandria with plans to expand the link across the entire African north coast.
Atlantia - The construction of Tiberium has struck a snag supplies of the volcanic ash used in the concrete has been slow arriving. In desperation Octavian Macedo began experimenting with locally mined lime mixed with various types of local clays. After much trial and error he discovered that if you burned a mixture of pure limestone with local clay at the right temperature you got a substance that was almost identical to the concrete made with the volcanic ash.
The first example of modern concrete has been created.
Marius Tullius thinks about the new development and other aspects of the colony with a sense of joy. The newly installed industrial equipment is producing all the tools and material that the colony needs while the mines and foundries produce the ores and refined metals for use in all manner of endeavours. In a report to the emperor he states that the colony is now self-sufficient of the need for material and equipment. All that the colony needs now is the continued migration of skilled citizens of the empire and of course the latest plans of whatever new developments are created by the legion of engineers.
Rome - The emperor reads the report from Atlantia with a sense of satisfaction all the time, effort and resources poured into the new colony have paid off. Now it is only a matter of reaping the benefits of the wealth and resources the new land can supply the empire. The report from Judea is far from satisfactory especially the news that the rebellions in this region and northern Africa are being organised by Persians acting on behalf of an unknown power. After careful consideration the emperor instructs Tiberius to capture more of these Persian spies at any cost so as to enable the empire to determine who is responsible for these outrageous crimes.
Servius Marine commences construction of a new deep draught galley which utilises a high pressure reciprocating steam engine, stern centred rudder and two screw type propellers linked to drive shafts. This vessel will look very different from any previous ships and it’s most obvious one will be that it is three times as large as any other ship yet built.
Gaul - Quintas Mamimus screams in outrage as he hears the latest news from Rome. Construction of the Genoa – Hispalis has been suspended two thirds complete with all the resources from this project to be directed to the northern steam cart link and the construction of Berlinium. Quintas Mamimus sends an impassioned plea to the emperor to restore his pet project; the plea however falls on deaf ears. The only comment the emperor makes in his reply is his dissatisfaction at the lack of response in Gaul for volunteers for the legions of Rome.
Germania - The Roman governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus smiles when he hears the emperors’ latest decree. With all the resources diverted from Gaul, the Genoa – Berlinium steam cart track is being built at a breath taking speed. The chief engineer’s report on it’s progress states that if no problems are encountered the track will be completed in the next two years. Sulis knows that with the emperors continued favour and the resources flowing in for the steam cart track that the construction of Berlinium will accelerate beyond his wildest dreams.
China - The first Chinese steam powered junk is launched it is however underpowered and is far outclassed by the Roman steam powered galleys.
The Han emperor seeing the junk for the first time realises that this is the path to the future and orders the immediate implementation of steam power in all facets of the empires industry. The forced industrialisation of China has begun.
This is a TL I've been working on for a while.
I recently discovered some errors and I'm going to do a rewrite so I thought I would pick your brains first before the rewrite.
Some people have said that this is implausable whiile others claim that a rudimentary low pressure steam engine is possible with the casting and plumbing of the first roman empire.
I had originally considered this part finished now I consider it as a draft.
Please note that the steam engines in the early part are mostly made from cast bronze even though I have not strictly mentioned of what they were made from.
Now onto the timeline
Roman Renaissance: The Power of Steam
66BC: Damascus - A young recently widowed Syrian potter, named Nammu Assan, while cooking his evening meal has a tightly sealed copper pot explode in his face and discovers the power of steam.
50BC: Damascus - After many years of thought and experimentation, Nammu has created the first steam powered walking beam engine to power his pottery wheels.
48BC: Damascus - Marcus Servius, a Roman centurion, discovers Nammu and his steam powered engine while looking for a gift, realising the importance of Nammu’s discovery takes Nammu and his engine to his family in Rome.
47BC: Rome - Nammu is introduced to Junius Servius a moderately wealth shipwright by Marcus. After demonstrating his steam engine Nammu is employed by Junius Servius to develop a steam engine for use in ship.
46BC Rome - Nammu is partnered with a bright young engineer by the name of Latinius Noricus, together they design the first Roman steamship.
31BC: Rome - The steam galley “Neptune†is launched by none other then General Octavian Caesar amongst much pomp and ceremony. (To imagine it, think of a Roman galley of this period blended with the walking beam engine and paddle wheels of an 1800’s era paddleboat without a stern centred rudder). The “Neptune†is the marvel of the age, however its creation is not with out cost. The stress and cost of the new technologies for the “Neptune†has cost Junius Servius his life, while the financial cost has driven the Servius family to the point of bankruptcy.
30BC: Rome - After a year of operations (which include supplying Caesar’s Legions), the “Neptune†and the Servius family are starting to recoup the losses from it’s construction. However it has become apparent that without government backing the cost of construction will prevent any more steam galleys from being built.
29BC: Antioch - Octavian Caesar and Marcus Servius sign a secret deal, when Octavian becomes emperor, he will sponsor the construction of these steam galleys for the exclusive use of the Roman Navy and Servius marine. However this is not without cost, as it requires Servius marine to start construction of the new ships now with only the secret backing of Octavian and his supporters.
27BC: Rome - Octavian becomes Emperor Augustus. His first proclamation as emperor is for all future navy ships to be of the of the steam galley type, he also appoints Marcus Servius as a Roman consul in charge of naval operations.
26BC: Rome - Nammu Assan dies aged 61. His legacy has led to a new age of technology, industrialisation.
25 BC: Rome - The first of the steam powered war galleys are delivered to the Roman navy. Marcus Servius, during a discussion with Emperor Augustus muses to himself and then enquires of Latinius Norcius, what other uses steam power may have.
Emperor Augustus instructs Marcus Servius to create a new service of engineers to find and implement new uses of steam power.
24BC: Rome - Latinius Norcius is made a general and is placed in command of the Legion of Engineers. He reports to Consul Servius who has been given the responsibility of developing any new ideas for the greater glory of Rome.
23BC: Spain - The war galley “Julius Caesar†creates a new speed record of seven days from Rome to the Pillars of Hercules. Steam powered water wheels increase the flow rate of the main Roman aqueducts even at the height of summer.
Construction of both war and merchant steam galleys continue at an increased rate, there are now 9 war and 5 merchant galleys in every day use in the Mediterranean Sea.
21BC: Rome - Latinius Norcius demonstrates for the Emperor and Servius the first major idea from the Legion of Engineers, a steam engine mounted on a large rigid cart frame powering the rear wheels. The first steam powered land vehicle has been created.
19 BC: Rome - Consul Servius and Emperor Augustus are discussing the failure of the latest attempt to conquer the barbarian lands to the north and east of the empire. The Emperor is not pleased and instructs Servius to find more land for empire to expand at any cost. There are now 19 war and 12 merchant steam galleys.
Consul Servius is the second richest man in the empire behind only the emperor.
18 BC: Rome - The first battle between the war galleys and the north African Pirates is a smashing success with only one of the ten war galleys damaged while the pirates lost all 39 ships.
The emperor is pleased and makes the fleet commander a hero with a grand parade through Rome.
After the celebrations Marcus Servius approaches Marius Tullius and offers him a dream to find new land for the Empire.
17BC: Rome - Servius and Tullius working from Phoenician source maps taken from the Library at Alexandria prepare a small fleet of steam galleys consisting of three war and seven merchant galleys the direction west to the Pillars of Hercules then south.
The fleet leaves later this year seen off by Emperor Augustus himself.
16BC: Rome - Marcus Servius now in his 51 year brings his youngest son Lucius, a gifted engineer into the Legion of Engineers in the hope that one day he will take the place of the distinguished Latinius Noricius.
There are now 27 war and 16 merchant steam galleys excluding the 10 galleys that have passed beyond the Pillars of Hercules.
15BC: Rome - Lucius and Latinius strike up a close friendship.
One of the first ideas that Lucius has relates to the steam powered land cart. He suggests the use of rails to make the vehicle travel in a straight line.
After demonstrating the new concept to Marcus Servius, he agrees to bring it to the attention of the Emperor.
Demonstrating the new concept to the Emperor, on a specially built length of track, meets with glowing praise from the Emperor, immediately instructs the building of a steam cart track between Rome and Tivoli.
Construction begins immediately.
14BC Rome - The work of thousands of slaves is complete. In just nine months the steam cart track is complete. The Emperor in opening it announces this but the first of a series of motorised public transport that will be built in the years to come.
There are now 32 war and 20 merchant steam galleys.
13BC: Rome - Emperor Augustus meets with Marcus Servius and instructs him to begin linking all the Roman cities and provinces with steam cart tracks. Marcus Servius advises the emperor that it will be done, however due to the size of the empire and the cost of construction this project will take many years to complete.
He make a suggestion that the emperor agrees with, a small fee will be collected for each trip made on the steam carts with the income being evenly split between his construction business and the empire who will supply the labor force.
12 BC: West African Coast - Marius Tullius and his fleet have been gone for five years in this time they have mapped all the African coast to the Red Sea. With the holds of the ships full with examples of the boundless bounties of Southern Africa the fleet is heading home to what Marius is sure will be a great reword from the Emperor, before he heads below deck he glances to the west, sighs and thinks not another storm.
Genoa - A young wood worker named Fabian Quintius with the help of the Legion of Engineers develops the first steam powered lathe. He quickly corners the market in Genoa for decorative furniture.
11BC: Rome - Civil unrest has broken out in several cities including Rome, the cause unemployment. The increasing amount of industrialisation especially in pottery, wood and metal working fields is making unemployment level explode.
The Emperor passes a decree any male Roman citizen between the ages of 14 and 30 must join the Roman army for a period of no less than ten years unless the male concerned has found employment or is needed to take over as head of his family.
Middle of the Atlantic - Marius Tullius is dismayed. Two merchant steam galleys lost in the latest tempest, but worst of all the fleet is lost, the stars are in the wrong positions and another tempest is building. Then he sees smoke on the horizon, this means one of two things, land or his lost galleys. He heads the fleet in the direction of the smoke.
10BC: Islands unknown - Marius Tullius and his fleet have been travelling from island to island, the natives are primitive but willing to trade both food, resources and labor in exchange for iron, steel and bronze tools. Once more Marius sets out, the storm season is approaching again and he now knows from experience that he needs to find a safe harbour if his fleet is to survive.
Rome - Lucius Servius proposes a new class of war galley one with three paddle wheels, each with it’s own steam engine but with a central boiler supplying the steam to each engine.
Marcus Servius during a discussion with his tailor, Servius get an idea for a steam-powered loom after seeing his tailor making cloth by hand.
9BC: A new land - Marius Tullius and the remnants of the fleet have found a protected harbour, however the cost has been high of the original ten galleys only five remain all heavily overburden with rescued crew and salvaged goods. Three are damaged but can be repaired the others are beyond repair. Marius faces a cruel choice abandon half his people in an unknown land or to try to make a new life in this new land. Marius puts off a decision, first they must make repairs and this will take the best part of a year.
8 BC: Rome - The first steam cart line between two major Roman cities is complete.
In opening the Rome – Naples steam cart link Emperor Augustus states that it is now possible to get from Rome to Naples in just a day’s travel.
The latest steam powered factory is now in operation. Steam powered spinning wheels make fine cotton threads which are spun onto bobbins. These bobbins are then used as a continous thread source for the steam powered looms. The first modern fabric factory has arrived.
A new land - Marius Tullius ponders what to do, his crews have started a new Roman settlement in the land they call Atlantia, several have taken wives from the native women whom, while darker than there own kind have a lighter skin than the barbarians of Southern Africa. In a few months the first child will be born. The natives seem indifferent to the Romans; they are willing to trade food their local knowledge of what are edible and their women for Roman tools. Marius knows the barbarians know nothing of metalworking and have a nomadic lifestyle following the great herds of hairy cattle.
Finally he makes a decision. He will take the three repaired ships back to Rome by hugging the coastline as much as possible and only transiting open water when there is no other choice. In advising his crews of the decision he leaves his second in command Rufus Dorius to continue to build the settlement.
He leaves behind fifty men, all non essential equipment and the damaged steam galleys advising Rufus not to antagonise the natives as it will be many years before a new Roman fleet arrives.
7BC: Atlantia coast - Marius Tullius starts to wonder if the new land will ever end, for a year now he has travelled and mapped the coast with his crew stopping only for supplies. The last winter was bitter and cold and the further north he travels the cooler it gets. He makes a decision we’ll stop and provision for a long open water journey and head due east in the hope of reaching the African coast.
6BC: A large island in the ocean - Marius Tullius has crossed a large body of water and found a large island that is nearly devoid of large trees. Another merchant was smashed on this worthless island. Marius is now down to two galleys his war galley and one merchant. With the lack of trees he orders the crews to tear the shattered hull apart for fuel so the journey can continue in the remaining galleys.
Naples - The Steam Ram “Emperor Augustus†is launched, by the Emperor himself. It is by far the largest warship ever built. It has a large stern mounted paddle wheel and two independently powered side wheels, which allows the ship to turn faster than anything afloat. It has a maximum speed of 20 miles an hour.
The emperor continues to stare with glowing pride as his ship sets out on its maiden voyage.
5BC: Rome - The Rome – Genoa steam cart line is opened. The Emperor Augustus in conversation with Marcus Servius, who’s health is failing, issues a decree that the steam cart lines have the highest priority. The emperor wants all the empire linked by steam carts as soon as possible.
There are now 66 steam war galleys, 1 steam ram and 92 steam merchant galleys.
A frozen land - Marius Tullius views the desolate landscape with an amount of pride despite the loss of eight galleys and the leaving of fifty men in Atlantia. The stars are nearly in the correct positions; fuel, food and water are plentiful. He now knows where to go south into the warm embrace of the empire.
Judea - A male child is born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem before moving to Nazareth.
4BC: Rome - the legion of engineers have come up with a new marvel – a steam powered winch which when combined with a catapult enabling it to throw objects further and faster. Designed by a young engineer recruited from Palestine, Walid Yacoub’s career stretches before him. After a demonstration, the Roman generals petition the emperor to commence mass production of the steam-powered catapult. Promised rapid victories against the empires’ enemies, the emperor agrees but demands guarantees.
More war galleys are deferred, as resources are short.
3 BC: Gaul - The Genoa – Paris steam cart track is in operation, with track laying to the channel coast continuing and expected to be finished by the end of the year.
Marius Tullius sighs with relief. In the main harbour of Gaul are many ships of the empire most are wind powered merchants, he is however surprised to discover 3 war galleys stationed here. He makes a report to the Roman Governor of Gaul, Quintas Mamimus who immediately sends the report to Rome. Marius enquires why the report is sent over land when he will be in Rome before the messenger. Quintas laughs and simply says the message will be in the emperors’ hands in under a week.
Rome - The steam catapults are being built at an increasing rate. All are being sent north. Emperor Augustus is determined to crush the northern barbarians once and for all. There are now 10 legions in Romanised southern Germania with an another 5 in transit. This represents 15% of the current Roman army. The emperor reminds the generals of the promises they made. If they fail here, they will suffer the consequences.
Emperor Augustus greets the returning hero’s at the docks. It appears that all of Rome is with him. During the parade Marius is amazed by the changes in Rome and the Empire during his 14-year absence. The emperor accepts the name of the new land without a thought and immediately proclaims that the original crews, Tullius and Servius are granted huge allotments of land in the new territory.
The emperor also instructs that a colonisation fleet be assembled and sent to Atlantia.
There are now 70 war steam galleys, 3 steam rams and 107 steam merchant galleys.
2BC: Rome - Marcus Servius retires as Consul due to ill health, his ambitious young son Lucius replaces him. Marcus Servius dies later this year as one of the richest men who ever lived.
The Atlantia colonisation fleet is taking shape the fleet consists of 50 steam merchant galleys and 10 war galleys. It is envisioned that the war galleys will remain at the new colony for protection, while the merchants will unload and return home. A regular schedule for shipping essential supplies is devised. Trans oceanic commerce is about to commence.
Marius Tullius is appointed Governor of Atlantia, with him travel 3 legions to subdue any resistance from the native barbarians.
Brutus Servius, the older brother of Lucius, is sent with his family to claim and administer the Servius holdings.
As the fleet leaves for Atlantia, the first news is received of the conquest of the barbarian lands to the north.
1BC: Romanised Germania - The Roman Legions in Germania have been formed into three groups of five, each have been given a separate route of advance, east, west and south with the Roman general Tiberius in over all command.
Atlantia - The colonisation fleet has arrived and is greeted with joyous celebrations, of the original 50 men left behind 38 still live the others having died of disease, age or in accidents. The colony however is thriving, all the original crew has married and the total population has risen to two hundred in the last seven years.
1AD: Atlantia - Marius Tullius is amassed at the progress that has been made in the last year. All the ships have been unloaded and are preparing to return to Rome. The colony is growing rapidly a steam powered saw mill is creating timber for buildings while the engineers and soldiers brought along are exploring deep into the uncharted land looking for resources that can be exploited for the colony and the Empire.
The remaining colonists are planting crops and building a stone pier to make the loading and unloading of ships quicker and easier. Marius is pleased and thinks to himself that the colony could be completely self sufficient in under ten years.
Brutus Servius meets with Marius Tullius in relation to his families land allotment from the emperor, after much discussion a large tract of land far to the north of the settlement is ceded to the Servius family. The land is heavily forested but once cleared will make excellent farmland. During the discussions Brutus, a teacher by trade, suggests that a school be sent up for the barbarian children, to more rapidly assimilate them into the empire. Marius Tullius agrees and the worlds’ first general public school is founded.
Gaul - Quintas Mamimus opens the last section of the main north – west steam cart link. A line now traverses Gaul east to west linking Genoa and Rome to the Gaul coast off Britannia. Quintas Mamimus also announces the start of a Genoa – Hispalis link. This however will take many years.
Mediterranean - The slave powered galley Serapis is smashed on rocks during a storm. While swimming for shore, slave number 42 sees another man drowning in the sea. He swims across to him and drags him to shore. Dominus Tullius awakes on the Judea shore with a slave standing over him and asks why he saved him. Number 42 sighs and says I don’t know I just did. Dominus laughs and asks what is your name slave? Number 42 thinks for a while and says Antony Nasser of Syria. Dominius says well Antony Nasser of Syria by saving you have saved yourself, to which Antony replies that may not be possible, Dominius asks why. Antony then explains that he was caught up in a rebellion against Rome and his whole province was enslaved for treason. Dominius ponders the problem for a while and says I pay my debts, if you can’t live as a free man here how would like to live as a free man in a distant land? Antony seeing the hope of freedom for the first time in three years agrees.
Six weeks later Antony Nasser is aboard a steam galley heading for Atlantia, with a letter of introduction from Dominius to his brother Marius, the Roman Governor of Atlantia.
Rome - Emperor Augustus open a new iron foundry this steam powered foundry quadruples the empire’s iron production and more of the foundries are under construction. At it’s opening the emperor states that the new iron foundry will allow steam cart links to every city in the empire.
Germania - the conquest of the northern barbarians is progressing well in the east and west, however in the south, General Marcus Valium is having difficulties in his heavily forested region. The steam catapults are not as effective in the forests as in the plains. Casualties are heavy as the barbarian’s use hit and run tactics from the cover of the forests. Seeing no choice General Valium sends a courier to Tiberius advising him of the situation. Unbeknown to General Valium he has left his plea for help to late for the barbarians are now ready to strike a massive blow to the Roman army.
2 AD: China - The Han Dynasty gets the plans for an early Roman steam engine from Persian spies. On seeing this marvel the Han Emperor orders the construction of a prototype steam engine. He also orders his military to get a working model of the Roman steam engine by any means. Instructions are sent to the Persian spies, promising great rewards if a working model attained for the emperor.
Germania - The barbarian horde attack General Valium’s legions, in a fighting retreat to the south Valium’s legions inflict massive casualties on the barbarians, however in doing so the same happens to Valium’s legions. After a three-day battle Valium returns to a Roman fortress but the cost was high, of the 25 thousand men he set out with two years before he returns with just 2200 men.
General Tiberius is reviewing the over all progress of his armies when a messager arrives from the southern legions. Tiberius is incensed, screaming insults at the messager and Valium in general; he summons his commanders from the eastern and western legions and decides to take advantage of Valium’s stupidity. His eastern and western legions will march south to encircle and destroy the barbarians. A week later Tiberius stands atop a small hill and surveys the carnage. The barbarians not expecting an attack from the rear have been annihilated, of the ninety thousand armed barbarians only fifteen thousand remain. General Tiberius decides to make an example of them, they will all be crucified on the road to Rome where Tiberius will present Valium and a conquered Germania to the emperor. Rome now controls all of Western Europe to the Oder River and now has a natural barrier between itself and the barbarian tribes of Eastern Europe.
Atlantia - Surveyors discover huge deposits of iron, tin, copper, gold and coal. Marius Tullius is astounded by the wealth of the new colony and immediately sends word to Rome asking for experienced miners and all the equipment required to build a steam cart line from the resources to the main colony. Tullius also instructs his engineers to build a small foundry to allow the colony to produce some of the metals it needs while they wait for the modern equipment to arrive from Rome. Industrialisation of the colony has begun. The first students start at the world’s first public school, the Romanisation of the native barbarians is in full swing.
Native barbarian archers join the Roman legions as auxiliary units swelling the number of men at arms to twenty thousand while others begin training as tradition roman infantry. Within two years the first native roman legions will be formed to protect and expand the colony.
Antony Nasser is presented to Marius Tullius with his letter of introduction. After reading the letter from his brother Marius asks what Antony would like for his reward. In reply Antony asks if he could help explore this land and build a new life for himself. Marius Tullius agrees and sends Antony Nasser to join the surveyors exploring to the north and west of the colony.
Rome - The legion of engineers test a new steam engine, the first with a geared transmission, on a small boat, which is different from current designs. It uses a single screw at the rear of the boat attached to a drive shaft linked to the transmission. There is also one noticeable difference as this vessel has a stern centred rudder. The test was moderately successful with the screw and rudder working well together, however the metallic components of the transmission were not manufactured to the precision required for the transmission to function as designed. Walid Jacoub shrugs and begins to think of ways to improve the quality of the parts.
3AD: Rome - Emperor Augustius receives the information regarding the mineral wealth of the new colony. He orders the immediate shipment of whatever resources Atlantia requires to bring the new resources in to production for use by the empire. Thousands of German slaves, as well as dozens of steam carts with the required tracks are sent along with other trained professions to enable the colony to produce whatever it needs to expand. To encourage people to travel to Atlantia with their skills, the emperor offers land grants to whoever travels to Atlantia and stays there for a period of no less than ten years.
After ten years and the expenditure of enormous quantities of labour and resources every major city in Italy is linked to Rome by steam carts.
The emperor is pleased and in discussion with Lucius Servius agrees to slow the construction of the steam cart tracks with exception of Atlantia; to allow the Roman economy to recover from the cost of forced industrialisation.
General Tiberias returns victorious to Rome. In appreciation for his services the emperor grants him a large land grant in the newly conquered Germania. Valium’s reception is anything but friendly and after a quick trial by the senate is crucified outside the emperor’s palace.
Judea - Tensions erupt into open rebellion against Rome. The Roman legions in Judea, Syria and Mesopotamia find themselves outnumbered by rampaging occupants of the region (The Persian spies in the employ of the Chinese emperor have secretly fomented the rebellion). News of the rebellion is sent to Rome along with a request for additional legions to but down the rebellion.
Rome - The Emperor on hearing of the rebellion immediately summons General Tiberius and asks him to load his eight remaining legions (two were left in Germania) onto the 25 steam galleys Lucius Servius has made available at the emperors request. Tiberius’ orders are simple crush the rebellion and return order to the province by any means necessary.
Due to steam cart expansion, production of steam powered ram and war galleys have come to a virtual halt over the last few years. No new construction of warships have been approved with only those already under construction being finished. This however did not effect the steam powered merchant galley production.
In the empire there are now 80 war steam galleys, 9 steam rams and 132 steam merchant galleys.
4AD: Atlantia - The Atlantian colony with the latest arrivals now has a population of 80,000. The emperor instructs that a capital city be built for the colony and that it be named after the empire’s latest hero Tiberius. Plans are drawn up for the new city to be built at a river delta 20 leagues to the north. Tiberium will be a purpose built city with long stone piers and a deep port for shipping as well as wide streets to accommodate an extensive steam cart network. Construction of Tiberium will begin with in months, first however the slaves must build the steam cart tracks to the mineral deposits.
Mining the vast mineral deposits to the north has commenced with the first shipment of coal, iron ore, copper and gold being sent to the colony by ox cart. As the mineral caravan reaches the colony it passes the slave gangs building the steam cart route. The lead cart driver, Dominus Varak watches the construction as the oxen slowly pull the heavily laden cart to town, and thinks to himself, at this rate of progress the steam cart link will be finished in less than a year.
The Roman legions in Atlantia now number six as native barbarians join to gain the benefits of Roman citizenship, which come to those who complete their tours of duty.
Marius Tullius makes a decision that will change the colony forever. The new native inductee’s are merged into the existing legions with the more experienced Roman soldiers being promoted to command the new legions. The new legions are slightly different to the existing legions, as Marius Tullius has instructed that the sons of the chiefs of three local tribes be given the positions of second in command. The chiefs, glowing with pride as they see their sons, resplendent with gleaming roman armour, pledge the allegiance of their tribes to the Roman Empire. In return Marius Tullius declares that the three chiefs will be granted Roman citizenship immediately with the rest of the tribes receiving citizenship in another ten years, if peaceful relations continue.
There are now 30 thousand men under arms in Atlantia excluding auxiliary units. What is more important however is that the three main tribes on the east coast of Atlantia are being rapidly assimilated into the Roman culture and Roman expansion into the new land is assured.
Judea - General Tiberius unloads his legions at Antioch and quickly puts down the uprising in the city. Unlike his campaign in Germania, Tiberius does not crucify the captured rebels; instead they are all enslaved and immediately put to work building steam cart tracks in both northern and southern directions. The slaves die by the thousands under the pressure of building the steam cart tracks around the clock. This however is of no concern to Tiberius who seems to have an unlimited supply of rebels to enslave for the purpose of building his fortifications and supply lines. As his legions march in and put down the towns and cities in rebellion, steam cart tracks quickly follow enabling Tiberius to quickly move his legions to other areas in rebellion.
Rome - Emperor Augustus is unhappy with the news from Tiberius. Although Tiberius continues to put down rebellions, another one springs up before he is finished the last one. His communique announces the need for more legions to prevent the uprisings occurring. Unfortunately for the emperor, that although the required number of legions exist, it would mean stripping the legions from other areas which would rise in rebellions if the legions were to be moved. After careful consideration the emperor send an urgent communique to all his regional governors. The message is simple; the governors are to raise more legions for the empire. To encourage their subjects to volunteer, the governors are empowered to half the service time to ten years and promise any whom complete their service full roman citizenship as well as a parcel of land in the newly conquered territories.
5AD: Atlantia - Marius Tullius receives the latest communique from the emperor with a wry smile as he had implemented a similar idea last year.
The new colony is growing at an extraordinary rate as marriages between the male roman legions and speciality occupations of the first fleet and the native females are an every day occurrence.
During an inspection of the new capital Tiberium Marius is amassed at the progress in the last year. The governor’s palace and the senate building are well under way as well as amphitheatres and steam cart tracks. It occurs to Marius that in a couple of years the whole colony will be able to move to the first Roman City in Atlantia.
The steam cart track has finally reached the mineral deposits in the northwest and resources are poring into the foundries, set up to smelt the ores into useable materials.
One report that crossed Marius Tullius’ desk was a welcomed surprise the clearing of farmland has enabled the production of large quantities of cereal grains mostly wheat and rye. It occurs to Marius that for the first time, the colony has no need to import food from Rome, as the great herds of hairy cows supply ample meat and now that the colony is able to grow it’s own grains, the colony is self sufficient in food production.
In his reply to the emperor, Marcus advised that there is now no need to ship food to the colony. He also states that if manufacturing equipment is supplied the colony will not only be able to produce it’s own food, it will be able to manufacture what ever equipment it needs including steam carts and galleys.
The training of new soldiers is progressing well with Marius Tullius expecting to add three more legions in the next year.
He has also heard reports from the surveyors of a great river, 250 leagues west of Tiberium, which was the furthest he had allowed the surveyors to go. Across from the river are vast plains that would be perfect for growing crops and raising animals. Marius decides that next he will run the steam cart track due west to the great river where he will base a couple of legions and build Atlantia’s second city.
Germania - The Roman governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus, acts immediately upon receipt of the emperors’ proclamation. In months he has tens of thousands of barbarian volunteers for the Roman legions. Such an overwhelming response encourages Sulius Catullus to build a city – fortress in the far north east of the territory. This city will become the capital of Germania, which Catullus calls Berlinium. With the continued interest of the barbarians in joining the legions showing no sign of slacking, Germania in the years to come, will supply over half the infantry legions of the empire and as such both Sulius Catullus and Germania will grow more important to the empire.
Gaul - The Genoa – Hispalis steam cart link is running well behind schedule as many of the resources required to complete this steam cart link has been redirected to either the Atlantia colony or to Judea. Quintas Mamimus on hearing of the latest delay sends yet another plea to the emperor to be allocated the resources needed to complete construction. The response he receives from the emperor is not encouraging, as the emperor explains that resources are in short supply and only areas of strategic importance will receive all they ask for and the rest of the provinces will have to make do on what resources remain.
Judea - The rebellion continues, no sooner than Tiberius’ legions suppress one rebellion then another breaks out in another area. The crucifixions and enslavement of the rebels does little to stop new rebellions from breaking out. Tiberius is worried and asks the emperor for more legions and resources saying “somebody is encouraging these rebels and the only way to stop it is to find out who and carve out their hearts.â€
Rome - The emperor reads Tiberius’ plea and realises that every asset must be used to put down these rebels or else the rebellion against Rome may spread to other adjacent areas including Africa and Germania. He issues two new instructions, one to the Roman governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus ordering him to send five of his new legions to Judea immediately as well as recruiting and training as many legions as he can. The second instruction goes to the Legion of Engineers demanding the immediate construction of a steam cart track from Genoa to the Germania capital Berlinium. This construction is to be given the highest priority.
In response to a communique from Marius Tullius, the Emperor Augustus sighs with relief. Atlantia has been a drain on the empires’ resources for the last six years and the emperor is pleased that the investment is starting to pay dividends. In discussions with Lucius Servius it is decided to send all the modern industrial equipment that the colony will need to create an industrialised manufacturing centre in the hope that Atlantia will be able to produce materials that the empire requires.
All construction of steam powered rams and war galleys have now ceased, as the emperor believes that the resources would be better spent on steam cart and industrial expansion.
There are now 88 war steam galleys, 15 steam rams and 155 steam merchant galleys. The emperors instructions regarding construction of steam galleys does not effect the construction of the merchant hulls as the emperors agreement with Servius Marine on subsidised private construction is still in operation.
China - The first prototype Chinese steam engine is demonstrated for the Han emperor. On seeing it he instructs his generals to convert a junk to steam power so that the Han dynasty can challenge the Roman Empire’s dominance of the seas.
The emperor is also briefed on the ongoing efforts to get a working Roman steam engine and the results of Persian spies endeavours to stir up rebellion in the areas of Roman control closest to Persia and China. The Han emperor is pleased with the results of the rebellions to date.
6AD: Atlantia - Marius Tullius inspects the cargo of the latest fleet from Rome. He then issues an instruction the surprises the captains of the galleys. They are instructed to sail 20 leagues further north in the great bay until they locate the new capital Tiberium, there they will unload their cargoes at the newly constructed stone piers. A message is also sent to Octavian Macedo, the chief engineer of the colony instructing him to get the newly arrived industrial equipment installed and operating to enable the colony to be completely self-sufficient from Rome.
During the construction of Tiberium, Octavian Macedo has an idea the will change the construction techniques through out the empire. He mates a steam-powered winch, with a pre-existing crane and discovers that it can lift much more weight then that of normal cranes. The first steam powered crane is now in every day use.
The mining of resources is increasing exponentially. Nobody in the new colony had any idea just how rich the new land is and it is only now becoming apparent that the land grants given to the colonists could make many of them rich beyond imagination.
Rome - the legion of engineers has created a new steam engine.
The high pressure reciprocating steam engine will enable the steam carts to travel at speeds as yet unimagined. This new engine resembles a locomotive of our time-line in that for the first time the steam carts will have horizontal pistons instead of vertical ones.
This new engine design will quickly find its way into the galleys of the empire.
The new high pressure reciprocating steam engine comes to the attention of Walid Jacoub and Lucius Servius and is immediately included into the design of a new deep draught galley one that incorporates a stern centred rudder with two screw type propellers linked to drive shafts. It is hoped that the new design will allow this new ship design to be half as fast again as the steam rams.
Judea - The Roman legions in Judea, Syria and Mesopatania continue too battle the rebellions against Rome. The need to move troops quickly is never more apparent so Tiberius orders that all carpenters and blacksmiths drafted into service to build more rolling stock for the steam carts. Two of the carpenters drafted into service from Nazareth are Joseph and his deeply religious son Jesus.
Germania - Construction of the Genoa – Berlinium steam cart track continues. As resources are short, they are redirected from Gaul to insure the rapid transit of the newly formed German legions to Judea.
With the additional attention received from the emperor, caused by the continuing flow of volunteers for the legions, the governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus asks the emperor to authorise the diversion of resources to enable such a loyal region to build it’s own capital. After careful consideration the emperor agrees.
7AD Judea - The rebellion against Roman rule has spread. Despite Tiberius’ harsh punishments, rebellions have now broken out all over the region and have even started in North Africa. The emperor is not pleased by this development and has told Tiberius that if he doesn’t put down the rebellions by the end of the year he will be replaced with someone who can. Tiberius can see his lives goals slipping from his fingers and is determined to remedy the situation. He orders that everybody in the rebellious regions who do not pledge allegiance to the emperor to be enslaved or crucified at the discretion of the officers in charge of the regions with no exceptions.
The construction of steam cart carriages by the conscripted labor force is starting to produce results as the additional rolling stock is enabling the legions to be dispatched to many trouble spots at the same time greatly improving Tiberius’ reaction time to freshly broken out rebellions. During an uprising in Jerusalem a roman centurion by the name of Hermann Reichter captures a Persian who has been helping ferment the rebellions against Rome. After interrogation by the Romans the Persian spy admits to being part of a conspiracy to cause as much disruption to the Roman Empire as possible. With this information the local tribune Adolphus Scheer take the spy before Tiberius who instructs his subordinates to ring the Persian out like a sponge. Unfortunately the spy dies before he can reveal who is sponsoring the rebellions against Rome.
Steam cart links in the Middle East now stretch south from Antioch to Alexandria with plans to expand the link across the entire African north coast.
Atlantia - The construction of Tiberium has struck a snag supplies of the volcanic ash used in the concrete has been slow arriving. In desperation Octavian Macedo began experimenting with locally mined lime mixed with various types of local clays. After much trial and error he discovered that if you burned a mixture of pure limestone with local clay at the right temperature you got a substance that was almost identical to the concrete made with the volcanic ash.
The first example of modern concrete has been created.
Marius Tullius thinks about the new development and other aspects of the colony with a sense of joy. The newly installed industrial equipment is producing all the tools and material that the colony needs while the mines and foundries produce the ores and refined metals for use in all manner of endeavours. In a report to the emperor he states that the colony is now self-sufficient of the need for material and equipment. All that the colony needs now is the continued migration of skilled citizens of the empire and of course the latest plans of whatever new developments are created by the legion of engineers.
Rome - The emperor reads the report from Atlantia with a sense of satisfaction all the time, effort and resources poured into the new colony have paid off. Now it is only a matter of reaping the benefits of the wealth and resources the new land can supply the empire. The report from Judea is far from satisfactory especially the news that the rebellions in this region and northern Africa are being organised by Persians acting on behalf of an unknown power. After careful consideration the emperor instructs Tiberius to capture more of these Persian spies at any cost so as to enable the empire to determine who is responsible for these outrageous crimes.
Servius Marine commences construction of a new deep draught galley which utilises a high pressure reciprocating steam engine, stern centred rudder and two screw type propellers linked to drive shafts. This vessel will look very different from any previous ships and it’s most obvious one will be that it is three times as large as any other ship yet built.
Gaul - Quintas Mamimus screams in outrage as he hears the latest news from Rome. Construction of the Genoa – Hispalis has been suspended two thirds complete with all the resources from this project to be directed to the northern steam cart link and the construction of Berlinium. Quintas Mamimus sends an impassioned plea to the emperor to restore his pet project; the plea however falls on deaf ears. The only comment the emperor makes in his reply is his dissatisfaction at the lack of response in Gaul for volunteers for the legions of Rome.
Germania - The Roman governor of Germania, Sulis Catullus smiles when he hears the emperors’ latest decree. With all the resources diverted from Gaul, the Genoa – Berlinium steam cart track is being built at a breath taking speed. The chief engineer’s report on it’s progress states that if no problems are encountered the track will be completed in the next two years. Sulis knows that with the emperors continued favour and the resources flowing in for the steam cart track that the construction of Berlinium will accelerate beyond his wildest dreams.
China - The first Chinese steam powered junk is launched it is however underpowered and is far outclassed by the Roman steam powered galleys.
The Han emperor seeing the junk for the first time realises that this is the path to the future and orders the immediate implementation of steam power in all facets of the empires industry. The forced industrialisation of China has begun.