WI Crassus's invasion of Parthia was successful?

So what if for example, Crassus took the offer of the Armenians to march through the Armenian mountains instead of across the desert, and eventually defeated the Parthians in battle a few times. What do you think would happen? More land for the Romans? Could the republic survive longer?
 
It's actually, IMO, pretty much impossible, due in part to a severe lack of talent on Crassus's part, and also because the singular insuitability of Republican legions for facing Parthian horse archers.

Having said that, while I'm doubtful of the ability of the Romans to hold any newly conquered land, this almost certainly helps put off the eventual blow-up that destroyed the republic, since Crassus doesn't die, and has his ambitions and greed temporarily cured for the moment.
 
It's actually, IMO, pretty much impossible, due in part to a severe lack of talent on Crassus's part, and also because the singular insuitability of Republican legions for facing Parthian horse archers.

I think people really underestimate Crassus's abilities as a commander. His square was very much working. It was when the Parthians rode around with Publius's head that he lost his mind and retreated back to Carrhae. He never lost the battle though. It was in a parley with the parthians that he was killed.


Regardless, I don't see how it is anywhere near impossible. Marching through the Armenian mountains would have worked well. His men would not be exhausted from marching in the scorching hot desert, and the Parthian cavalry army would be severely less powerful in the mountains of Armenia.
 
Yeah- Crassus wasn't a great general, but he wasn't appalling either. He displayed proper competence when he fought Spartacus, and he distinguished himself when he served with Sulla.

I think the key to victory would have been going through Armenia. It's not a certainty, but it would have helped.
 
Something interesting I just found. Apparently the Armenian king offered Crassus a grand total of 40,000 troops to go along with him if he marched through Armenia. 30,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. That may well have been given Crassus a decisive edge (especially the cavalry).
 
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