Okay, so I just finished the Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough (great book in a great series) and I started wondering what butterflies would happen if Marcus Livius Drusus wasn't assassinated. Assuming he is able to get enfranchisement for all of Italia does this prevent the Social War?
How does this effect the careers of Gaius Marius and those associated with him? Does the lack of a stressful war stop Gaius Marius from getting another stroke? Does a lack of a second stroke preserve his sanity into old age? Assuming all of this happens, will Gaius Marius still get a seventh consulship? How does this affect his future associates such as Cinna? Sertorius is a bright man, how does his career fare? Would he still be jealous of Sulla and go to the Assembly of the People? This leads me to another question.
How does this effect Sulla and the fate of the Optimates? This is the big question, because if there's no Social War then there's a good chance that Sulla won't get the Mithridatic command (unless Gaius Marius and him are still on somewhat good terms and he suggests him to the senate). This also means no two marches on Rome. This has heavy implications for the future of Rome as Sulla doesn't set the precedent to march on Rome. Additionally, how important were Sulla's reforms? Without them how does the Republic, or at least the optimate faction fare?
And now, the final question....is Rome better off with Marcus Livius Drusus dead or alive?
EDIT: The POD is that Marcus's plan to make all of Italia his client is never revealed.
How does this effect the careers of Gaius Marius and those associated with him? Does the lack of a stressful war stop Gaius Marius from getting another stroke? Does a lack of a second stroke preserve his sanity into old age? Assuming all of this happens, will Gaius Marius still get a seventh consulship? How does this affect his future associates such as Cinna? Sertorius is a bright man, how does his career fare? Would he still be jealous of Sulla and go to the Assembly of the People? This leads me to another question.
How does this effect Sulla and the fate of the Optimates? This is the big question, because if there's no Social War then there's a good chance that Sulla won't get the Mithridatic command (unless Gaius Marius and him are still on somewhat good terms and he suggests him to the senate). This also means no two marches on Rome. This has heavy implications for the future of Rome as Sulla doesn't set the precedent to march on Rome. Additionally, how important were Sulla's reforms? Without them how does the Republic, or at least the optimate faction fare?
And now, the final question....is Rome better off with Marcus Livius Drusus dead or alive?
EDIT: The POD is that Marcus's plan to make all of Italia his client is never revealed.
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