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Suppose a monotheistic religion arises in Sparta, similar to Judaism, but with much more emphasis on militarism and a single consecrated king of Sparta. Strong vilification of Athenian-style democracy and decadent lifestyles.

Then, assuming a republican Rome still conquers the area, a reformer/freedom fighter rises up against Roman rule, preaching humility and denouncing Roman 'decadence'.
The revolt is defused, and the leader sacrifices himself in exchange for release of some rebel prisoners, but all are executed. Widespread discontent throughout Achaea. The religion begins to define itself on opposition to Rome and everything to do with it, and gradually spreads into Mediterranean ports, is quite popular amongst foederati, barbarians, low-level soldiers, commoners and people with chips on their shoulders. This Roman republic is not very efficient and lurches from one crisis to another, and people begin to lose faith in it, and Spartanism seems to offer answers.

Assuming this alternate Roman republic reaches similar size to the OTL empire and falls in a similar way;
The barbarian kings seek to expand their own personal power and do away with the republican vestiges in their states, and mimic the Spartan kings of the past.
Slavery in Europe lasts much longer than OTL, and representative democracy might well never come into existence, at least in Europe. Monasteries in which
children are raised as warrior-monks from a very early age, and serve as the elite troops of the kingdom. Homosexuality would probably be viewed in a very different light.
The Greek alphabet might supersede the Latin one in the west.

Thoughts?
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