MrP
Banned
I was just having a think about the famous old general Corbulo, so I trotted over to Wiki to refresh my memory.
And Vespasian:
So the PoD would be Lucius Annius Vinicianus not being involved in any plotting against Nero, leaving Corbulo apparently blameless. As a result Vespasian does not end up in Judaea putting down the Jewish Revolt, and Corbulo takes his place. Whether C would follow Vespasian's path to the throne is up for debate. I honestly don't know enough of the man to say.
I don't plan to take this idea anywhere, but I cannot find at a glance that it has been considered before, so I put it out there for any interested parties to expand upon.
After two failed plots by noblemen and senators, including Corbulo's son-in-law Roman Senator Lucius Annius Vinicianus, to overthrow Nero in 65 CE, he became suspicious of Corbulo and his support among the Roman masses. In 67CE disturbances broke out in Iudaea province, but Nero, ordered Vespasian to take command of the Roman forces. Nero summoned Corbulo, as well as two brothers who were the governors of Upper and Lower Germany, to Greece. On his arrival at Cenchreae, the port of Corinth, messengers from Nero met Corbulo, and ordered him to commit suicide, which he loyally obeyed by falling on his own sword, saying, "Axios!". [2]
And Vespasian:
Continued political career
Vespasian was elected consul for the last two months of 51, after which he withdrew from public life. He came out of retirement in 63 when he was sent as governor to Africa Province. According to Tacitus (ii.97), his rule was "infamous and odious" but according to Suetonius (Vesp. 4), he was "upright and, highly honourable". On one occasion he was pelted with turnips. Vespasian used his time in North Africa wisely. Usually governorships were seen by ex-consuls as opportunities to extort huge amounts of money to regain their wealth that they had spent on their previous political campaigns. Corruption was so rife, that it was almost expected that a governor would come back from these appointments with his pockets full. However, Vespasian used his time in North Africa making friends instead of money; something that would be far more valuable in the years to come. During his time in North Africa, he found himself in financial difficulties and was forced to mortgage his estates to his brother. To revive his fortunes he turned to the mule trade and gained the nickname mulio (mule-driver).
Returning from Africa, Vespasian toured Greece in Nero's retinue, but lost Imperial favour after paying insufficient attention (some sources suggest he fell asleep) during one of the Emperor's recitals on the lyre, and found himself in the political wilderness.
Great Jewish Revolt
However, in 66, Vespasian was appointed to conduct the war in Judea.
So the PoD would be Lucius Annius Vinicianus not being involved in any plotting against Nero, leaving Corbulo apparently blameless. As a result Vespasian does not end up in Judaea putting down the Jewish Revolt, and Corbulo takes his place. Whether C would follow Vespasian's path to the throne is up for debate. I honestly don't know enough of the man to say.
I don't plan to take this idea anywhere, but I cannot find at a glance that it has been considered before, so I put it out there for any interested parties to expand upon.