What if Alexander the Great turns West?

I personally doubt Alexander would even want to conquer Rome. There's no glory in conquering a small Italian power, after all.
True; he went East as he did for several very good reasons, but if he did want control of all Greeks because Panhellenism, Rome would be a threat to Magna Graecia, so he'd want to show them who's boss. Conquering Rome gives him a well covered base in Sicily for campaigning against Carthage, the real prize in the west.
 
I doubt he would think it in terms of conquering the Romans who are just another petty power among many. He is there to conquer all of Italy, the Romans are just in the way.

There's no glory there either, with the exception of Syracuse and the other cities of Magna Graecia.
 
I personally doubt the Romans could defeat Alexander. At this time, Rome was still battling the Samnites for control of Central Italy, not long after its army had been shattered and capital sacked by Gauls; Alexander would likely find plenty of allies, perhaps even within the Roman confederation, after shattering the first Roman army he faced.

This older thread sums up Livy's argument
https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...he-early-roman-republic-who-would-win.266467/

Mary Beard in 'SPQR' generally comes out in agreement with him
 
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