Is Rome Worth One Good Man's Life?- A Roman Empire TL
Excerpt From Under The Guardianship of Venus: The Story of The Julio-Claudians
Drusus's Reforms Part 2:Seneca The Younger
During his time as emperor, Drusus would become good friends with the Roman statesman and rhetorician, Seneca The Younger. Seneca became Drusus's go to man for inside information on the senators, and was often used in Drusus's absence to read statements and letters from the emperor. In Seneca Drusus confided ideas for reform, seeking his approval and or advice. Aside from that, the two would frequently converse on stoic philosophy, which Seneca had introduced Drusus too and Drusus had become intrigued in. The relationship between the two would also carry on to Caligula, whom Seneca would also become a close adviser of after Drusus's passing.
In addition to establishing bureaus to be run by loyal freedmen, Drusus began pushing some of the administrative burden in Rome on the praetorian guard. Although partially a natural transition and partially induced on Drusus's whim, it seriously relieved the pressure on the emperor's shoulders. Historians would argue on whether the formation of a large bureaucracy was natural or through the intervention of Drusus, myself preferring to take a middle ground approach. It is true, that a large portion of the bureaucratic institutions that would form around Drusus and to a small extent Caligula, came about naturally, while Drusus's administrative reforms played a role in speeding up and better organizing its formation. Regardless, the establishment of a large administrative bureaucracy would prove an immense help to Drusus and future emperors.
Construction In Rome
Aqua Agrippina[1]
Drusus would not have any major awe-inspiring construction works during his 10 year reign, but he is accredited with the building of two aqueducts, the Aqua Agrippina, and the Aqua Anio Novus. The construction work was begun in 38, and finished in 52 under Caligula. Their sources would be the Springs of Subiaco (Aqua Agrippina) and the Aniene River (Aqua Anio Novus), east of the city of Roma. The Aqua Agrippina ran for about 47 miles[2](43 miles), 37(34) of which it traveled underground from its source, with the remaining 10(9) miles on arches to its terminus on the Caelion Hill. The Aqua Anio Novus stretched a length of about 58(54) miles, with the first 50(46) being underground from its source, and the last 8.7 (8) miles on arches entering Rome at Porta Maggiore, atop the channel of Aqua Agrippina to its termus on the Caelion Hill.
Aqua Anio Novus
Preparations For Invasion of Britannia
By 41, Drusus was eager to embark on a new campaign. Though he proved to be an able administrator, he was a military man at heart. He also looked for a way to get some breathing room from his domineering wife Agrippina. Adding to this, to gain fame among the soldiers (whom he had not campaigned with for some time), he felt a military campaign was needed. Luckily, an opportunity presented itself in Britannia.
By Drusus's time, the political climate of the Britanni(Celtic)[3] tribes in Britannia that maintained loyal relationships with Rome had been slowly deteriorating. Caesar's invasions, though deemed a failure by many, had resulted in a century of tribute, profitable trade, and subservient political attitudes from the tribes to Rome. As the image of Caesar faded from memory's of the Britanni tribes, so did the stability in their relationships with Rome.
British Coin Minting Tribes
From Rome's perspective, they could ill-afford breaks in their trading relationsips with the Britanni tribes. These trading relationships provided invaluable metals such as tin, iron, and silver, and gave them large profits for other industries such as pottery and wine making. A newly discovered abundance of lead ore was also integral to many Roman industries. Since 39, the political situation continued to rapidly deteriorate and destabilize, and by 41, Drusus was prepared to intervene.
When King Verica of the allied Atrebates called on Rome's assistance against neighboring tribes, Drusus was conveniently looking for an excuse to start a fresh campaign. It wold also prove a good distraction from the political differences he was having with the senate and his frustration with Agrippina. Adding to this, the Rhine and Danube borders were mostly quiet and most of the empire as a whole was at peace for a change. This would allow the invasion to commence without stripping troops from other vital areas.
To join him in leading the campaign was Titus Flavius Vespasianus, and Aulus Plautius. Both were seen as capable commanders, and more importantly, loyal to Drusus, making them safe choices for the emperor. 4 legions, the Legio II Augusta, IX Hispana, XIV Gemina, and XX Valeria Victrix, were gathered for the campaign, numbering some 20,000 legionaries. Accompanying them was an additional 20-30,000 auxilia. The legions underwent vigorous drilling exercises to weed out anyone deemed unfit.
The initial crossing of the channel was set to take place in the beginning of the campaign season in 42.[4] The winter was spent calming the nerves and fears of the legions. It is true, legionaries were normally weary of naval crossings, but this was different. Not even Divius Caesar had succeeded in invading the mysterious island of Britain. Plus, this was the ocean, Britannia being the edge of land before that was encircled by a giant sea(at least in the minds of the Roman soldiers of the time). With this in mind, it is not surprising the legions were weary and fearful of what would await them on the crossing. It is a testament to the abilities of Drusus, Vespasian, and Plautius that they were able to successfully perk up the spirits of the legionaries and quell their fears about what lie ahead.
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[1] Yes, I know the Colosseum wasn't built yet, but all the images of the Aqua Claudia (which is what the Aqua Agrippina is IOTL) had the collosseum in it. It will be built eventually anyway in TTL so its not that bad...
[2] In TTL, the Roman mile is still used. It's technically 46.764160659. It's something that really has not much effect but just seems cool to use. I know we switched to our mile in the 16th century, so I feel it's a valid assumption that the Roman mile can survive.
[3]The Romans called the Britanni(or at least Tacitus did) whereas the Greeks referred to all those in northern europe including the German tribes, as Celtic.
[4] 1 year before Claudius launched his invasion OTL.