Sulla Killed at Colline Gate

So here are two WI's for you fine folks based on the same POD, Sulla dying at the Colline Gate.

The first one is, what if Sulla dies and Crassus still leads his forces to victory? What repurcussions does this have on the rest of the war (well obviously Marius the younger is still screwed in Praeneste and Carbo has already fled, but I assume the death of the leader of the optimates might have some consequences). More importantly, what does this mean for the republic? As the civil war draws to a close, there is no Sulla to assume dictatorial powers and try to right the constitution. So is what we have here a republic in shambles that just reverts back to the way it was pre-civil war (save for a little more murder, probably not as organized as the Proscriptions were)?

The second on is, what if Sulla's forces lose. The Samnite commander, Pontius Telesinus declared he wished to destroy the city of Rome once taken. I'm not sure how likely that is though, considering there are a few Marians in the Samnite ranks such as Brutus Damasippus, Carrinas and Censorinus. So could we be looking at a lot of looting and then the Samnites making large demands from their position of strength, or would they really destroy the city of Rome?

Anyway, for those wondering, here is where all the commanders and forces would be after Samnites win Colline Gate:

Marians:

-Marius was under siege in Praeneste with a small force,
- Carbo had fled Italy by sea,
-Sertorius had a force that was to hold out but was away in Spain, and --- -Damasippus was at Colline Gate but with a force far outnumbered by Samnites.

Sullans:

-Ofella is besieging Marius at Praeneste
-Pompey is in Sardinia
-Metellus Pius and Varro Lucullus are in Gaul


Now it is conceivable that the Telisinus would be able to march to the relief of Marius in Praeneste before Metellus and Varro arrive. Ofella would have to lift the siege or risk being destroyed. The Marians are facing scattered and leaderless Optimate forces who still stand the chance to fight and win. Therefore the question on how to defeat them piecemeal OR induce them to surrender by political compromise will be very important for Pontius Telesinus and Brutus Damasippus, and Marius when they extricate him from Praeneste. What do you guys think they would do?
 
Top