Yesterday's Tommorow: A Roman Steam TL

[DonMegel]

Ideas that are ahead of their time can get funding from private individuals who see thier potential. It happens in Silicon valley all the time. There is also the public sector to consider. Polonius was using his own money, Vespasian was trying to use steam to further his personal image, Titus was trying to promote the silver lining of the Pompeii disaster.

83AD- With Techtmar securely on the throne of a united Ireland and levies supplied, Agricola at last launches his invasion of the northern British isles. His now veteran fleet of transports and warships are able to encircle the tribes and begin preparations for a multi pronged assault. Pliny the Elder, a cavalry leader, saw action repelling a night time raid, after which the entire force began moving north.

Braxis initially fares worse in his endeavor to present his steam driven cart to Emperor Domitian who seems to have little interest in promoting memories of his dead brother. When he arrived in late 82 he found Domitian was not even in Rome, instead having traveled to Gaul. He returned in 83 after a much publicized defeat of the Chatti but refused to see Braxis who had remained in Rome per Polonius’ orders. Excuses for the Emperor’s refusal were, at first, polite and plausible but as Braxis presses the issue he is treated with less and less hospitably. At last he was informed that the Emperor was far too busy to play host to makers of trivial trinkets and dismissed.

While attempting to arrange for his carts to be shipped back to Egypt, Braxis met an influential Senator by the name of Ephesis. While conversing, Braxis revealed his situation and found his new acquaintance intensely interested. Unbeknownst to Braxis, who was generally not interested in the politics of Rome, Domitian had actively begun downplaying the Senate in favor of the Imperial monarchy. The Senate, who had ruled Rome for over 800 years, was becoming increasingly irritated at losing the façade of Republican government that Augustus put in place after his ascension to the throne.

Domitian was still milking his trumped up assault on the Chatti, a conflict the Senate knew was solely to generate favor with the people and the Legions. Braxis’ steam cart, and the deceased Emperor it represented, might help to blunt the current Emperor’s boost in Rome’s heart and mind.

Ephesis, along with other leading Senators, hosted a large festival complete with free gifts of food and drink. At the height of the revelry, Ephesis reminded the people of Titus, and the story of Pliny’s daring escape from the ashes of Herculanium aboard a steam driven craft. With the people riveted, Braxis emerged from the shadows atop his sputtering, steam driven cart, much to the people’s astonishment and glee.

The rest of the night was filled alcohol lubricated laughter and tales of the great Titus and faithful Pliny who had been banished to Britannia, all against the back drop of drunken rides aboard a magical steam driven cart. Only Braxis obtained from drink, as he was overly focused on maintaining the proper operation of the boiler to risk libations.

As the morning sun began warming the party stained streets the following day, Emperor Domitian was fuming over the treachery of the Senate. Rome would certainly be buzzing about the dramatic entrance of Braxis’ cart instead of his defeat of the Chatti. Granted, the Legions would still respect him, and that had been the true goal, but the loyalty of the people was key to his plans to permanently mitigate the Senate’s role in governing.

Having both men killed would be the easiest solution but Domitian was nothing if not shrewd. He know the only thing better than destroying your enemies was using them for your benefit.

 

[Silver]

Another excellent chapter DonMegel. Here's hoping for the all of the British Isles coming under Roman domination. Also, I look forward to seeing what plans Emperor Domitian has in dealing with Braxis, Polonius, and steam technology. Here's also hoping that marginalized Roman senators and Roman merchants will continue to support the efforts of Braxis and Polonius in improving Roman steam technology. Please keep up the good work. Thanks again.

 

[Elfwine]

Ideas that are ahead of their time that promise a return on investment get funded.

And the idea that this primitive to say the least steamboat will be able to do something that a galley can't is just . . .


Well, I'm going to second Flubber. The writing is good. The "history" part is trampled on - not even in the interests of a better story but out of sheer who-cares.

 

[DonMegel]

83AD Part II- The Emperor Domitian was generally known to be an unpleasant person. For a man who prided himself on the ruthless enforcement of law, he was remarkably rude, arrogant, insolent and prideful; refusing to acknowledge a visitor unless addressed as ‘master and god’ Were he not the absolute ruler of the most powerful nation on the face of the earth he would have certainly been regarded as mad; even then, most found him a bit too drunk with power.

It was before this ‘master and god’ of the Earth, that Braxis humbly stood not five days following the revelries hosted by the Senate. He had been in the process of loading his steam cart onto a ship bound for Egypt when the steely eyed Praetorian cohorts encouraged him to extend his stay. Looking up to the large man slouched lazily in his throne, surrounded by haughty nobles and expressionless soldiers, Braxis vowed never again to make deliveries instead of Polonius.

After a few rounds of ceremonial dissertations the disdainful monarch addressed the scholar directly, inquiring if it had been his intention to undermine the Emperor of Rome with his treasonous inventions.

Now terrified for his life, Braxis refuted the accusation, insisting the cart had been for his ‘master and god’ Why then, Domitian retorted, was it given to the Senate for their use in disgracing him?

Naturally Braxis had no response prepared and instead began mentally preparing himself for the flogging and crucifixion that would surly be coming. Of course, had the more politically astute Polonius been there, he would have pointed out that the ‘master and god’ would not have taken time from ruling the earth simply to humiliate and pass sentence on a lowly scholar. But, Polonius was not there.

Domitian toyed with his prey a while longer before revealing his true motives for the spectacle, his desire to use the steam carts for his own purposes. By this point, so certain was Braxis of impending doom he would have agreed to nearly any terms to simply to reduce the amount of suffering he was about to endure; avoiding death was not yet a possibility so far as he could see.

Braxis listened intently to the faux-deity as he unveiled his plan, each syllable lowering the temperature of his blood a few degrees. He had been willing to sacrifice anything to escape torture but now that it was being asked of him he found the notion repugnant and appalling. Yet, his baser instincts, the will to survive, was too great and Braxis agreed to Domitian’s demands.

Over a week passed before Polonius found himself the recipient of a letter written in uncharacteristically short and choppy language. The Emperor, Braxis explained, demanded four more steam carts be delivered to Rome within six weeks. Nothing more was said aside from an Imperial promissory note for funding construction. Since a week had been lost in the delivery of the message and at least another would be devoted to delivering the machines, only four would be left for construction. The urgency of the matter pushed aside any curious thoughts about Braxis’ brevity or why he himself had not returned to assist Polonius.

Unable to complete the work himself, Polonius sought out the aid of one of Alexandria’s most skilled metal workers; Cassius. Cassius was a master of metallurgy and smithing and had been consulted by Polonius in the past when developing boilers. The promissory note from the Emperor enabled Cassius to be paid handsomely and the pair began work immediately.

Progress continued for nearly a week when a solemn faced messenger appeared in the doorway of Heron, now Polonius’, workshop. Braxis, he revealed, had been killed in a massive boiler explosion during a festival in Rome. The blast had been huge, damaging surrounding buildings and killing many prominent people who had been in attendance. The messenger brought with him a note addressed to Polonius, penned in Braxis’ hand.

Throat choked with anguish, the scholar tipped the messenger and waited until he departed before reading its contents;

“I assume upon reading this you will have been informed of my passing. Through a turn of events that I do not wish to explain, I came to be in the debt of the Emperor Domitian, willing to do anything to discharge said debt. His price, which to my shame I accepted, was to use Heron’s work to shed the blood of his rivals. He would then use additional carts to further his own glory, the order for which you received earlier.

I had wished to avoid the abyss but now I fear I would be unable to bear the weight that my survival has levied and will instead see to Domitian's demands my self.

Please do not fail to provide what he has ordered for a I wish to spare you the torment I must now endure. I know this will be difficult in my absence but I am confident you will find a way.

Although our relations began in a business capacity, I would like to think we have come to be friends, even brothers, exploring this new world Heron opened to us. We have suffered conflicts and differences in the past but I wish to assure you no ill feelings remain on my part and I think very highly of you and your ambition.

May the gods smile on you always


Braxis”

 

[Silver]

Oh dear. Is Braxis really dead? And what will Emperor Domitian do to Polonius? Please write more soon.

 

[DonMegel]

My apologies to Elfwine and Flubber, but I have not yet given up.

I think we might be able to, at last, leave 83!

83AD October- The festival of Armilustrium traditionally marked the end of the campaigning season, a time to remember the conflicts from the past year and ceremonially suspend conflict until the year to come. The army, or at least a very small portion of it, would assemble in the Circus Maximus for review and praise. Soldiers would be lauded for their feats of glory from the past season then garlanded with flowers before being marched to Aventine Hill. The short hike was led by the dancing priests of Mars, the god of war, while rows of trumpets proclaimed the location of Rome’s heroes. Once assembled, priests would take the soldier’s weapons and ritually purify them for the winter storage and offer blessings and sacrifices.
Compared to the much grander military festivals in March, a month named for the god of war, the Armilustrium was small, but it offered the last chance for the public to see their men on parade before the shuttered and cold winter months. It also offered the sitting Emperor an opportunity to revisit his recent victories on the field or to repaint images of defeats in the minds of the public.

For this purpose, Domitian had retained a number of Chatti captives. Most had been paraded through Rome upon his triumphant return and either sold or executed afterwards but a few had been held back to rekindle the excitement of that time. Domitian had also something special prepared. Most prisoners were forced to walk in chains or be pulled in a cart by animals but thanks to the tireless works of Polonius and Cassius, Domitian had a winding train of steam driven carts pulling wagon loads of spoil and plunder.

Each steam cart pulled two normal carts behind it; themselves bathed in white steam and black, sooty, smoke. This had the effect of partially obscuring the contents of the wagons giving them a ghostly, post battle appearance. The crowd’s feeling of awe was compounded by the intense fear many of them had for the steam driven devices. Although they had initially marveled at the machines, the devastating explosion weeks earlier had soured their opinions and many thought the carts otherworldly beasts possessed by demons.

Aside from riding him of his enemies, the boiler explosion served to show the public how dangerous steam really was, and by the Emperor using such dangerous devices, how brave and strong he was. Even the explosive power of steam bowed to the master and god of Rome. To solidify this image, Domitian himself stood atop a special cart of his own. Inlayed with gold, silver, ivory and precious stones, the Imperial chariot was drawn by no horses, instead gliding forward seemingly compelled by the will of its lone occupant.

In fact, after learning Braxis had chosen to sacrifice himself in the boiler explosion, Domitian was concerned Polonius might seek vengeance by tampering with his engine so the magnificent cart was powered instead by slaves concealed inside. A small boiler produced a steady stream of steam to further the illusion.

As expected, the crowed undulated with feelings of awe and horror at the frightening machines and the erect Emperor who showed no fear of their power. Their emotions were palatable and the huge smile on Domitian’s face was the most sincere he had shown in a long time.

No such smile could be seen on the face of Polonius who, at the order of the Emperor, was personally piloting one of the steam carts so as to discourage intentional malfunctions. He had ample reason to celebrate. Yet another Emperor was using steam power, thus ensuring its continued development and patronage, he was again in Rome among the powerful circles he had so loved in the past, but it all felt hallow in light of Braxis’ recent passing.

Polonius knew it would have been he who went to Rome instead of Braxis, had he not made such a fool of himself during his previous visit. Braxis insisted he be the one to deliver Domitian’s gift so that Polonius would not again promise more than the pair could deliver. He could not know what, if anything, would have changed but at least Braxis would have been spared the anguish soaked death he was forced into.

To compound matters, the Emperor’s private snubbing of Heron’s engine out of concern for a martyr like sacrifice in honor of the late Braxis was completely unnecessary. No matter how much he longed for death, Polonius could not muster the courage to hasten its arrival. In that too, he felt surpassed by his departed friend.

 

[Silver]

Liked reading this new chapter of yours. So will Emperor Domitian aim for more military endeavors - perhaps either in Germania or Dacia? Also, how are Agricola and Liny the Elder doing in the British Isles? Will Polonius have support for hos work on steam technology by the future Roman Emperors Trajan and later Marcus Aurelius? Please let me know. Thanks again.

 

[Flubber]

My apologies to Elfwine and Flubber...

Don't apologize when you don't mean it.

... , but I have not yet given up.

You gave up when you stopped trying to come up with a plausible time line for Roman steam development.

This is a fine bit of fiction and would have done rather well on the fiction board where the standards are different - different, not worse. This is a failed time line however and you know it.

Just look at the responses your work has garnered. You either get posts trying to explain why the time line doesn't work or posts by gushing fan boys which contain nothing more than "This is cool!" No one is discussing your ideas because anyone who understands the issues know your ideas do not work.

You could have done better, you simply chose not to.

 

[DonMegel]

Flubber: On the contrary, I do not know, nor agree, that my timeline has failed. While I appreciate the compliments about my writing, your critiques have become more hostile and I’d rather that not continue. My timeline has followed a rational course assuming Heron created a practical steam engine. I do not have the time nor the inclination to write a college level essay in defense of what comes down to hypotheticals whose validity cannot be truly determined with the amount of evidence we have.

Even if you could show how Heron creating a basic, but functional, steam engine is 90% unlikely, there would still be a 10% chance that it could happen. Therefore arguments about that are pointless. The BEST either of us could do would be show how this or that MIGHT alter events.

I will entertain objections about the feasibility of Domitian not executing Pliny the Elder, or how trumpeters did not march with the legion to Aventine Hill, but not about my PoD.

Silver: Thank you, all will be revealed in time. I would very much like to move steam into the military realm but am trying to keep things as realistic as possible. At this point in development I do not see how steam technology could be used to greater effect than other methods. Agricola and Pliny are still fighting in Britannia, more about them in the next update.

 

[Elfwine]

Flubber: On the contrary, I do not know, nor agree, that my timeline has failed. While I appreciate the compliments about my writing, your critiques have become more hostile and I’d rather that not continue. My timeline has followed a rational course assuming Heron created a practical steam engine. I do not have the time nor the inclination to write a college level essay in defense of what comes down to hypotheticals whose validity cannot be truly determined with the amount of evidence we have.

Even if you could show how Heron creating a basic, but functional, steam engine is 90% unlikely, there would still be a 10% chance that it could happen. Therefore arguments about that are pointless. The BEST either of us could do would be show how this or that MIGHT alter events.

The problem, my dear sir, is that this - the criticism - is about your deliberate ignoring of the scientific and technological issues involved.

So the entire concept of "assuming Heron created a practical steam engine' is flawed so badly that it doesn't matter how "rational" your writing is.

This isn't something that could be accomplished by luck or fluke or chance, where unlikely is not the same as implausible.

This is something that takes careful, skillful engineering and understanding of what one is dealing with.

But as long as you are determined to protect your ignorance of the latter, your protagonists will be stumbling around blindly, incapable of producing the results you want them to produce because they don't even know what they need to do.

 

[Flubber]

Flubber: On the contrary, I do not know, nor agree, that my timeline has failed.

Your time line failed the moment you decided to remain willfully ignorant of the technological hurdles involved.

... your critiques have become more hostile...

Not hostile, honest. Far more honest than you've been in your work by the way.

... and I’d rather that not continue.

It won't. When this began I thought we had a good writer who only needed help with the "nuts and bolts" of their idea. I know differently now and will no longer waste my time.

I will entertain objections about the feasibility of Domitian not executing Pliny the Elder, or how trumpeters did not march with the legion to Aventine Hill, but not about my PoD.

You have no POD beyond "Skippy the Alien Space Bat hands Heron a steam engine" and you know that.

Thank you, all will be revealed in time.

Be sure to thank the simpletons praising your work because they'll be the only ones reading it. If this time line was good enough to attract serious readers, there would be questions about how steam engines would help the Empire ensure winter grain shipments from North Africa to Italy instead of questions about "landing craft" in Hibernia.

Remember, you've got the readers your work deserves.

 

[pipisme]

snip

Be sure to thank the simpletons praising your work because they'll be the only ones reading it. If this time line was good enough to attract serious readers, there would be questions about how steam engines would help the Empire ensure winter grain shipments from North Africa to Italy instead of questions about "landing craft" in Hibernia.

Remember, you've got the readers your work deserves.

I'm enjoying reading this interesting time line. I do not have the knowledge to comment on the technology, but I assume that DonMegel has researched the feasibility of the POD and subsequent developments.

 

[Esopo]

Be sure to thank the simpletons praising your work because they'll be the only ones reading it. If this time line was good enough to attract serious readers, there would be questions about how steam engines would help the Empire ensure winter grain shipments from North Africa to Italy instead of questions about "landing craft" in Hibernia.

Remember, you've got the readers your work deserves.

Whoah. i rarely red comments which were so rude and stupid at the same time.

 

[euromellows]

To be fair the objections raised by Flubber and Elfwine as to the plausibility of this timeline are spot on. Note they have largely confined their criticism as to the span of time involved - an observation I agree with. Even though I have enjoyed the timeline.

However I do concede that, with regards to Flubber's last post, it could have been less acrimonious then it was.

 

[Esopo]

To be fair the objections raised by Flubber and Elfwine as to the plausibility of this timeline are spot on. Note they have largely confined their criticism as to the span of time involved - an observation I agree with. Even though I have enjoyed the timeline.

However I do concede that, with regards to Flubber's last post, it could have been less acrimonious then it was.

it was just an offensive and idiotic post. I can read and enjoy a timeline not giving a heck of Its tecnologicamente plausibility and at the same time not being a simpleton.

 

[Petike]

http://wiki.alternatehistory.com/doku.php/timelines/yesterday_s_tomorrow_-_a_roman_steam_timeline

 

[Ironstark]

Loving this timeline keep it up

 

[Flubber]

... but I assume that DonMegel has researched the feasibility of the POD and subsequent developments.

Think again.

He was offered help by several posters other than Elfwine and myself. One even dredged up other previous threads on the same subject so that Don could review them. The many technical hurdles involved were pointed out and explained to him.

He chose to ignore it all.

His POD is a void, a null, a vacuum. He doesn't have a POD, he has an avoided POD instead. Using a rough analogy, it's as if he's writing about WW2 after Hitler's assassination on 20 July 1944 without ever touching upon how the assassination occurred.

If he'd began a time line by saying "Uhhh... they killed Hitler and now all of this is going to happen..." posters would be asking little beyond the who, what, why, where, and how of the assassination. When he replied in that thread, as he has repeatedly done in his steam threads, that the who, what, why, where, and how of the POD are of no consequence he'd be laughed off the board.

In this case he's written "Uhhh... they built a steam engine in the 1st Century CE and now all of this is going to happen..." and has asserted that the who, what, why, where, and how of the POD are of no consequence. Should the reaction of knowledgeable readers be any different?

Why should the fact that the hurdles associated with the POD are technical make ignoring them okay?

 

[Herzen's love-child]

Flubber, just walk away. Yes, your critique (in part) is valid. But, the urr, steamboat has sailed (somehow). No need to go all agro and be dissing all over Don. Politeness makes this Board work.

 

[DonMegel]

Thank you to everyone for your support. I wouldn’t write if you didn’t enjoy reading it.


Pipisme: I research my places, people and events, yes. I initially did not research the development of steam technology as I did not want it to influence how it would have occurred in the first century. This turned out to be a good thing as historically steam engines first emerged using very low pressure, were as mine go right to high pressure which fits more with Heron’s designs. Still, even with a BASIC but functioning steam engine in Heron’s shop, my first thread had things advancing too rapidly. With that in mind, I tweaked some of my posts and opened this thread.

Flubber: I have stated ad nauseam, in my TL Heron did not produce an engine as refined as what emerged in the late 1700s but that does not mean that it could not be useful. I am NOT proposing the Aeophile is doing useful work but rather a more efficient piston design. Clearly there are those that disagree with what I am saying. I have made every effort to politely accept their criticism but, as you can see, I disagree with their, and your, conclusions.


84AD- Governor Agricola chose to launch a two pronged assault on Caledonia by land and sea, enveloping the much larger enemy force in a pincer movement. The Caledonians, numbering some 30,000, had periodically attacked the Roman camp and its supply lines but had, until that point, refused a full scale engagement. Now, with spring warming the air and months of ineffective skirmishes driving them forward, the future Scottish clansmen chose to stand their ground and battle ensued.

Agricola, who had proven himself an effective governor and military leader, was aware of both his and his enemies strengths and weaknesses. The Caledonians vastly outnumbered his Romans but they were undisciplined and more like a mob than coherent military force. Most importantly, the main weapon of the clans was a slashing sword, the very weapon the Legion’s armor had been designed to neutralize. His Legionnaires, on the other hand, were heavy and slow, unable to pursue the much lighter Caledonians over any great distance. Agricola recognized this and made provisions accordingly.

With legendary Roman efficiency and discipline, the governor’s forces stood firm, chewing into the horde of attackers. After feeding several thousand men into the Roman meat grinder, the combatants lost heart and began to withdraw en masse. It was then that Agricola’s true plan was revealed.

As the 24,000 remaining Caledonian warriors crested the hill that had anchored the field of battle they found several cohorts worth of light Irish auxiliaries and Roman cavalry. What had been an orderly withdraw instantly broke into a panicked rout, with men fleeing in all directions in a desperate bid to stay alive. Roman horses, lead by Pliny the Elder, chased down the fastest escapees while the light Irish units under Techtmar contained and captured the rest.

As the sun fell below the western horizon, no fewer than 28,000 Caledonians had been killed or captured, effectively ending any prospect of armed resistance to Roman rule. Agricola claimed some of the spoil and captives for his men but much of it, including his share, he allowed Techtmar to distribute to the Irish, strengthening his relationship with the new king and the king’s standing with his people.

After lingering for a few days to rest the men, the governor of Britannia broke camp and continued his drive to the north. With little or no resistance, the Legion easily overwhelmed any settlements they came into contact with and after only two months of campaigning nearly the whole of Scotland was over shadowed by the golden eagle.

For the people of Rome, informed by official announcements and a steady stream of correspondence from Pliny Elder to Pliny Younger, Agricola’s victories were reason for great celebration. Although many who rejoiced would never set eyes on the far flung province and had no reason to care about its fortunes, a victory for the Empire was a victory for its citizens.

Domitian, on the other hand, was not as happy as his subjects. Agricola had been left to rot in the far flung periphery of the Empire but instead of quietly disappearing he had won for himself fame and glory that was quickly surpassing his own. A year earlier he could have recalled the governor, thrown him a celebration and dumped him in a safe, uneventful province like Mauretahia or Africa that left no possibility to excel. Now, with such glory in the public eye, no less than a full Triumph and a prominent posting would satisfy the mob and Domitian did not want Agricola anywhere near the Imperial seat of power.

The master and god of Rome faced a difficult situation. Agricola was now effectively the king of an impenetrable and self-sustaining fortress. That could not continue. Removing him with enough honor to please the populace made the Emperor vulnerable while having him killed risked angering the Legions whose support was vital to any Emperor’s continued health.

Before Agricola could be recalled he had to be mitigated either through scandal or distraction. Since scandal would indirectly implicate Domitian, the Emperor decided instead to upstage the talented governor.