WI: Caesar was captured by Titus Labienus at the Battle of Ruspina

WI: Caesar was captured by Titus Labienus at the Battle of Ruspina

In late 46 B.C. Caesar set out with a small preliminary expeditionary force of 15,000 men to Africa. When in Africa, Caesar was met by a Pompeian force of 30,000 men under the command of Titus Labienus. This battle would be known as the battle of Ruspina and would be a very close call for Caesar. Caesar and his army at one point during the battle “were surrounded by a larger more mobile force – in echo of Rome’s terrible defeat at Cannae.” Caesar only after a hard struggle was able to finally breakout and scatters the enemy forces.

So my what if is, what would have happened if Caesar’s force was destroyed and he was taken captive. Since Pompey is already dead would Cato the younger, Titus Labienus or Metellus Scipio become the new master of Rome? Would the republic have been restored?

Source: Roman Battle Tactics 109BC-AD 313 (Osprey)
 
The republic would have limped on.....There wouldn't really be one master of Rome (unless Mark Antony survives). I think a likelier outcome though is Caesar is killed rather than being captured. I'm not sure, but it might be too early for Octavian to do anything, so he can be butterflied away as far as significance goes.

I don't see Cato, an optimate, wanting to destroy the republic ever in any scenario, and as far as I remember, Titus Labienus had owed most of his career on Caesar, although he was a good commander. I don't see him or Scipio taking any supreme power and abolishing the republic.

So you might have just found the perfect time for the republic to limp on longer until a new feud arises between probably two completely different people later on. One (or more) of these popular generals that arise could gain fame through possibly pulling a Caesar except with Germania, going after Britain, or go after Parthia.

This could get really interesting if you get creative.
 
Antony and Lepidus would form a duumvirate and I think they'll defeat Labienus and Scipio. What about Cato? I kinda like him so maybe he should get away. Sextus and Cato could eventually defeat Antony or vice versa.
 
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