In OTL, Caesar barely escaped being killed in his early 20s as he was the son-in-law of one of Sulla's opponents. It was only through significant political pull that Caesar's life was spared. Suppose it was not, what happens to Rome and the Republic?
Why would Caesar's death cause Sulla to rule until his death?Sulla rules until death then, as usual, the roman populace goes beserk whilst various generals try to pick up sullas vaccum...so either another dictator or the senate goes back to status quo and we see a earlier fragmented rome and fall thanks to the huge corruption and disunity alot of rome had at the time
In OTL, Caesar barely escaped being killed in his early 20s as he was the son-in-law of one of Sulla's opponents. It was only through significant political pull that Caesar's life was spared. Suppose it was not, what happens to Rome and the Republic?
The probable consequences:In that case, what if we just make Caesar die while on the run. IIRC, he fell really ill at one point during that time.
In that case, what if we just make Caesar die while on the run. IIRC, he fell really ill at one point during that time.
Probably not actually, Caesar was pretty instrumental in the rise of Pompey as the only -alternative- power to himself. Without Caesar (assuming no other butterflies), the first triumvirate is never formed and Pompey has to contend with Crassus (who might not die in Parthia), the senate in the forms of men like Cato, and Cicero. The change in political landscape might very well mean someone else entirely becomes the princeps figure in Rome.The probable consequences:
2) Pompey becomes the princeps and the emperor of the same kind as Octavian Augustus. These guys were very similar in how they dealt with high power.
And after that history goes on mainly as in OTL.
Crassus is a crying shame as a general. He is an old fat cat.Pompey has to contend with Crassus (who might not die in Parthia).
These guys would definitely come to terms with Pompey who was smart enough to show some respect to republican senatorial tradition. That's why he suited them much more than anyone else (especially Caesar).the senate in the forms of men like Cato, and Cicero.
Fair enough. Someone else would definitely want to become number one in Rome.The change in political landscape might very well mean someone else entirely becomes the princeps figure in Rome.
Yep. ...when he was young.Crassus was a good general...
The destiny of the Empire will be solved by two or three popular generals (triumvirate or duumvirate) who inevitably end up fighting each other in a civil war.Pompey was indeed smart but the optimates did not care about his smartness. They were stuborn : especially Cato. Their goal and favourite game was to destroy Pompey politically and nothing would stop them in having this Gulliver tied in chains. That is precisely because they were fully successful at this game that Pompey decided to ally with Crassus (although both of them hated each other) and with the talented ambitious called Caesar. Even Cicero discreetly bashed Pompey before the first triumvirate was formed.
Could all that infighting eventually lead to disintegration of the empire instead a successful move to autocracy as in OTL?The destiny of the Empire will be solved by two or three popular generals (triumvirate or duumvirate) who inevitably end up fighting each other in a civil war.
The 'stuborn optimates' will have to side with one of the generals and try to play one of them against the other(s). Most of these 'Ciceros and Catos' will die in the process like they did in OTL.
Which doesn't really matter unless Crassus goes off on a Parthian expedition or equivalent.Crassus is a crying shame as a general. He is an old fat cat.
They did OTL precisely because Pompey was an alternative to Caesar, if Pompey -is- the Caesar equivalent then they would not do it.These guys would definitely come to terms with Pompey who was smart enough to show some respect to republican senatorial tradition. That's why he suited them much more than anyone else (especially Caesar).
Except for Caesar's death by Sulla would have being a political generation before Pompey ever achieved the status you mentioned, the butterflies might very well mean he die or being displaced by an alternative figure.Fair enough. Someone else would definitely want to become number one in Rome.
But I doubt that he will make it against Pompeius Magnus.
This someone has to be on the level of Julius Caesar, which is quite unlikely.
And Pompey the Great had fair chances to win against Caesar himself till the very last moment. Even after Pompey's death his sons were a surprisingly serious threat to Caesar.
So, all in all, I would bet on Pompey and his very able sons. What a nice dynasty would they make!![]()
Generalship only matters so muchAnd Pompey the Great had fair chances to win against Caesar himself till the very last moment. Even after Pompey's death his sons were a surprisingly serious threat to Caesar.
Crassus is a crying shame as a general. He is an old fat cat.
)