Rome inexorable (Orbis Romanum)
From Alternative History
Timeline: Orbis Romanum
March,14 38BCE Rome
The Roman republic is stronger than ever. There have been uprisings is Brittania and Germania, quelled by Caesar's capable generals. Caesar himself is in good health considering his age: 61. Now he thinks of re-enacting the conquests of Alexander and more. Decisive as ever he orders preparations for extending Roman rule to the Vistula river in Europe and the Indus valley in India.
June,11 38BCE Susa
Octavian wins a major battle at Susa against the Parthian empire. He made good use of heavy mounted cataphracts, a novelty in Roman tactics. The redoubtable Partian archers were cut down at long range with improved ballistae. The Parthian infantry was helpless against Roman legions. Parthian casualties are at least 40,000. More importantly, Roman casualties were only a few hundred. Octavian returns to Rome after the battle
August,12 38BCE Rome
Octavian receives his well-deserved triumph in Rome. Caesar is well satisfied and contemplates sponsoring Octavian as a successor. Caesar has spent a lot of time improving administration in Rome and appoints Octavian as consul while he goes campaigning himself. As usual the senate ratifies his decision after a pro forma debate. Octavian changes his name to Julius Caesar Octavian.
March,14 37BCE Rome
Julius Caesar is off to Germania for his next campaign leaving Octavian in charge.
April,21 37BCE Elbe
Marcus Antonius leaves Brittania to join Julius Caesar. His legions have subdued the savage Picts in the north. Four legions are left behind as there are continuous uprisings between the Picts.
May,06 37BCE Elbe
Roman engineers have built a massive bridge over the Elbe. Ten legions and 20,000 auxiliary barbarians cross over and march 50 kilometers inland. They are now in Vandal territory, wil tribes who make Germanians look civilized. Local tribes were aware of Roman intentions but they realize they don't have a hope in pitched battle. Small groups of warriors start skirmishes with Roman cavalry but they retreat when reinforcements arrive.
May,12 37BCE Oder
Auxiliaries covered by Roman cavalry have reached the Oder, about 150 km from the Elbe. Roman engineers start building fortresses as a basis for pacifying the area. Local warriors keep avoiding pitched battles and harass the invaders where possible. Some local tribes prepare to escape across the Oder.
June,12 37BCE Oder
Leaving four legions behind on garrison duty Caesar crosses the Oder with six legions for a reconnaissance in force.
July,13 37BCE Ecbatana
The Parthian city of Ecbatana falls to Octavian. King Phraates IV is murdered by one of his generals. The remains of the Parthian empire start crumbling, there are uprisings in remote provinces in the east.
August,1 37BCE Vandals
Vandals still refuse pitched battle but keep harassing the Romans. Caesar decides on a ruse to force the issue. He leaves one legion behind in a temporary but very strong fortress, then slowly moves the bulk of the Roman army a distance of 100 kilometers away in three days.
August,6 37BCE Vandals
The Vandals are suspicious but they start besieging the lone Roman legion, hoping to wipe out the enemy before they are relieved.
August,7 37BCE Vandals
Caesar sets out to complete the trap. His legions march through part of a day and a night and surprise the concentration of Vandals. When the tired but determined legions advance the Vandals retreat but are set upon by cavalry and auxiliaries making a flanking attack. The besieged legion sallies forth from the fortress at that instant, cutting off the Vandal's retreat route. The Vandal forces are large and hold there own for a while until the main body of Caesar's legions arrives and grounds them down. By the evening it is all over. Scribes give up trying to count enemy bodies and settle upon 100,000 as a rounded figure.
October,1 37BCE Vandals
Julius Caesar returns to Rome, leaving the pacifying of the newly conquered area to Marcus Antonius. In ten years time the border of the Roman republic has shifted east 800 kilometers. The border runs along the Vistula and the Danube which makes a strong defense line. The best defense is the reputation of Roman invincibility though.
November,3 37BCE Rome
Caesar celebrates a triumph. Bears, wolves, deer and strange barbaric captives are displayed to the public. Never before has a ruler had so much support from the masses. Another quarter of the debt of the general public is canceled.
