WI: Aurelian isn't asassinated at Caenophrurium

What if Aurelian somehow survives the plot against him either someone catches on about the forged documents or has a change of heart and tattles to him what happens from there. Do you think he would have done well in Persia and how would Christianity fair given Aurelian's favour of the Sol Invictus Cult?
 
It would be very intriguing. I personally think Aurelian does not get enough credit for his accomplishments. After I finish my current thread I was going to start an Aurelian tl.
 
What if Aurelian somehow survives the plot against him either someone catches on about the forged documents or has a change of heart and tattles to him what happens from there. Do you think he would have done well in Persia and how would Christianity fair given Aurelian's favour of the Sol Invictus Cult?

My guess is if he somehow survives this plot he will be killed in the next plot.

The situation with him was like with Julius Caesar - a brilliant general, able to defeat all his enemies on the field of battle but doomed to get assassinated.

Julius Caesar made way to Octavian Augustus. Aurelian made way to Diocletian.

But if he was lucky enough to live for a few more years, well, one thing for sure - Aurelian would not conquer Persia. Maybe he would defeat it, loot it, but he wouldn't annex any territory.

He was wise enough to let go of Dacia. So he had clear mind and understanding of limits of the Empire. Not to overstretch.

As for religion. Christianity won in a fair competition among all creeds in OTL. So it would do in this ATL, I think.

rome Ðврелиан (270—275 г.jpg
 
Regarding the success of Christianity, did the faith of Sol Invictus have some sort of promise for freedom and salvation for all? Did it at least try to pay lip service to the idea of helping the poor and needy?

These are the two factors, IMO, that made Christianity so appealing to the urban poor of the Roman Empire. If another faith has ideas like this, plus Imperial support, it can probably do a lot to supplant Christians. If it doesn't, Christianity is probably just going to keep on growing.
 
Regarding the success of Christianity, did the faith of Sol Invictus have some sort of promise for freedom and salvation for all? Did it at least try to pay lip service to the idea of helping the poor and needy?

These are the two factors, IMO, that made Christianity so appealing to the urban poor of the Roman Empire. If another faith has ideas like this, plus Imperial support, it can probably do a lot to supplant Christians. If it doesn't, Christianity is probably just going to keep on growing.

It and its Priests were fairly well recieved amongst the lower classes, and it was Aurelian that elevated the status of the priesthood to becoming a fully apart of the College of Pontifexes and reformed it so that it was more associated with the Roman Sol rather then the Syrian one. Sol Invictus was considered the main god of the Roman Emperors up to Constantius Cholrus and Constantine.

Essentially, he did with Sol Invictus what Constantine would do with Christanity later. So it is highly possible should a Pro Sol attitude remain amongst the political control of Rome then Christanity should be stoppered.
 
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I agree with King of Malta in that its popularity with the lower classes and the fact that it was also a monotheistic religion that unlike christianity wasn't mutually exclusive would at the least give it a run for it's money especially with someone like Aurelian backing it and given the state in Persia at the time is it possible he may have propped up some form of protectorate or buffer state? Oh and I forgot to mention what if he given he will be living longer if he would be able to procure an heir and whether if he establishes a dynasty earlier and whether this would have a major impact on the Empire?
 
When the Persian expedition was finally launched under Carus, it went pretty well until Carus died. Aurelian seems to have been an even more able commander, so you'd expect the same.

There is the ever-present danger of assassination, unfortunately, which was the fate of so many of the emperors during the military anarchy (including Aurelian in OTL and maybe Carus). That would be the greatest threat to the expedition's success.
 
Essentially, he did with Sol Invictus what Constantine would do with Christanity later. So it is highly possible should a Pro Sol attitude remain amongst the political control of Rome then Christanity should be stoppered.


Tried to maybe, but despite being the favourite Imperial cult for half a century, it seems to have vanished without trace once the emperors abandoned it.

Christianity, OTOH, had already survived 300 years without imperial patronage, and even in the face of imperial hostility. Does keeping Aurelian alive make any difference to the fasct that Christianity is the more durable one?
 
Tried to maybe, but despite being the favourite Imperial cult for half a century, it seems to have vanished without trace once the emperors abandoned it.

Christianity, OTOH, had already survived 300 years without imperial patronage, and even in the face of imperial hostility. Does keeping Aurelian alive make any difference to the fasct that Christianity is the more durable one?

Sol Invictus only became a Official Cult of the College of Pontifex with Aurelian. The only reason the Non Christan Religions disappeared as they did was because of the persecution by the Christian Bureaucracy in a dogmatic approach to stamp out all support of Non Christan religion over the course of several centuries. The reason why Christanity survived was because persecution against them was never that terrible as that they inflicted on the 'Pagans' other then a handful or so notable 'Great Persecutions' that didnt even last very long at all and only really began a hundred to two hundred years after the religion got on its feet.
 
There is the ever-present danger of assassination, unfortunately, which was the fate of so many of the emperors during the military anarchy (including Aurelian in OTL and maybe Carus). That would be the greatest threat to the expedition's success.

Yes however I'm not sure that Aurelian would be in much risk from assassination while on campaign if the OTL plot is thwarted he's pretty much safe at least from internal threats given the almost universal love he possessed.

I'm still curious though if he could create a lasting dynasty though. Does anyone know if Aurelian had any sons or nephews that could ascend the purple when he does eventually die in this ATL?
 
Yes however I'm not sure that Aurelian would be in much risk from assassination while on campaign if the OTL plot is thwarted he's pretty much safe at least from internal threats given the almost universal love he possessed.

I'm still curious though if he could create a lasting dynasty though. Does anyone know if Aurelian had any sons or nephews that could ascend the purple when he does eventually die in this ATL?
Maybe he could bring back the tradition of adopting the heir?
 
Sol Invictus only became a Official Cult of the College of Pontifex with Aurelian. The only reason the Non Christan Religions disappeared as they did was because of the persecution by the Christian Bureaucracy in a dogmatic approach to stamp out all support of Non Christan religion over the course of several centuries. The reason why Christanity survived was because persecution against them was never that terrible as that they inflicted on the 'Pagans' other then a handful or so notable 'Great Persecutions' that didnt even last very long at all and only really began a hundred to two hundred years after the religion got on its feet.

Yet even when not being actively persecuted, they got no government support or encouragement - and kept right on growing without it.

The Church put far more effort into persecuting Christian heretics than Pagans - yet such heresies kept right on popping up. It also persecuted Manichees and Jews, yet Manichaenism lingered in various forms for at least a Millennium after Constantine, while Judaism survives to this day. By contrast, Sol Invictus is never heard of again after the empire's fall - or even for some generations before. It would appear to just not have the same durability.
 
Yes however IMO Christianity would never have achieved the following it did without Constantine or some Constantine esque Emperor. Before him Christianity was divided in literally hundreds of different sects and interpretations who constantly bickered over who had the right interpretation and could not co-operate beyond mayhaps basic points such as Christ's divinity etc. If Aurelian survives and continues to push the Sol Invictus cult and no Emperor forces the Christians to adopt a single doctrine they'll never be able to compete with a cult thats unified and has the backing of an Emperor
 
Yet even when not being actively persecuted, they got no government support or encouragement - and kept right on growing without it.

The Church put far more effort into persecuting Christian heretics than Pagans - yet such heresies kept right on popping up. It also persecuted Manichees and Jews, yet Manichaenism lingered in various forms for at least a Millennium after Constantine, while Judaism survives to this day. By contrast, Sol Invictus is never heard of again after the empire's fall - or even for some generations before. It would appear to just not have the same durability.

That I believe is a matter of geography really, as reports of pagans still practicing their religion into the 13th century in Northern Italy have exsisted. Not to mention that following Constantine their were several civil wars that had a central dynamic of 'Polytheist vs Pagan' element. The Manis were primarily on the borders of the Empire and so were the Jews.

Look at India and Buddhism, Buddhism spread out and became the prime religion of the region and political state and it is quite similar to Christanity but then Hinduism made a effective combat in India through reform and through control of a Hindu Oriented Political state.
 
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