Which Roman POD Would Make for a More Interesting TL?

Which of these Roman PODs would make for a more interesting TL?

  • Pompey Crushes Caesar at Pharsalus

    Votes: 15 34.9%
  • Brutus and Cassius Crush Antony and Octavian at Phillippi

    Votes: 28 65.1%

  • Total voters
    43

Anaxagoras

Banned
Which of these Roman PODs would make for a more interesting TL?

1. Pompey Crushes Caesar at Pharsalus

2. Brutus and Cassius Crush Antony and Octavian at Phillipi
 
Caesar's assassination on the Senate floor is one of the epic moments in Western Civilization. No Antony and Cleopatra and no divine Augustus; how exactly do Brutus and Cassius restore the republic when neither of them were adept politicians? They were at best men of courage who risked all for their ideals. I can't see how they would bring peace and order back to Rome though. The system was corrupt and broken and in need of replacing. I think their answer would be to just try and turn back the clock and pretend everything was just fine.

I can't imagine things ending well.
 
Caesar's assassination on the Senate floor is one of the epic moments in Western Civilization. No Antony and Cleopatra and no divine Augustus; how exactly do Brutus and Cassius restore the republic when neither of them were adept politicians? They were at best men of courage who risked all for their ideals. I can't see how they would bring peace and order back to Rome though. The system was corrupt and broken and in need of replacing. I think their answer would be to just try and turn back the clock and pretend everything was just fine.

I can't imagine things ending well.

I agree, it wouldn't be too long before another Civil war breaks out. One person in charge was what was needed to "restore" the Republic.

A fight erupting between Brutus and Cassius, defenders of the Republic, that would be an interesting story idea.
 
Last edited:
Here is one idea I haven't seen aired all that often: how about if the Gracchi brothers succeed in making the Roman Republic more democratic without getting assassinated? What ramifications would come from that?
 
Here is one idea I haven't seen aired all that often: how about if the Gracchi brothers succeed in making the Roman Republic more democratic without getting assassinated? What ramifications would come from that?

Well, the incident with the Gracchi brothers was the first time in Roman political history in which violence was used as a political tool. So if they could brig about their reforms, the violence of the last century within Roman politics could drop.

But, the problem with Rome is that it was flawed in design; the seeds of destruction were inherent. If Gaius or Tiberius could bring about their reforms, that would be one problem dealt with, but Rome had so many more which eventually led to the fall of the Republic. For instance, there would still be young Roman politicians wanting to enhance their glory, prestige and money.
 
I once tried to start a thread (can be found here) about a victory by Brutus & Cassius at Phillippi. Needless to say, it didn't get much attention.

Sadly, my stupid and boring job and college suck up most of my time, otherwise I would have started a TL on this myself.

Would love to see a TL on this subject though.
 
I went with Brutus and Cassius, though it was close. If Pompey won then things basically carry on as normal in the Republic in the short term, but there would obviously be huge implications for the Republic in the long run. If Caesar won, was assassinated and then Octavian and Mark Anthony defeated it shakes up the Roman establishment more in the short term. Sure, maybe the Republic could survive it, and Caesar would have a place similar to Sula in history, but it would still do far more damage and leave more questions now that multiple dictators have seized control of Rome for a time.
 
Top