Scientia Romana (Orbis Romanum)
From Alternative History
Timeline: Orbis Romanum
October,10 101CE Athens
Lenardus Vincis working in Athens publishes a work called "Principia Naturalis". The work is a mathematical treatment of forces including a force called gravitation. Lenardus has developed a new branch of mathematics in the process called "integration". He is an introverted genius as never seen before. Previous geniuses excelled in discourse and social graces. Lenardus is the opposite: a lone figure hardly noticing people around him. But the impact of his work is such that aspiring geniuses start to imitate him. Much later the date of publication will be called the beginning of science.
December,31 102CE Rome
Americus Vespi is appointed as president of Rome by Scipio who retires with ill health. Different areas of what is now called Orbis Romanum seem to specialize in certain fields. Greece is the center of learning. Germania is the center of philosophy, India concentrates on mathematics and the Picts in the north of Brittania show an amazing talent for engineering. Rome itself excels in government.
April,4 103CE America
Chrestus discovers the continent of America while trying to get to China via the west. The continent is named after the Roman president. A settlement is built called Roma Novis and contact is made with barbaric tribes.
May,4 103CE Rome
Roman engineers make the first cannon based on gunpowder. Soon the cannon is made in numerous variations including the portable musket.
June,9 132CE Israel
The Bar Kochba revolt in Israel is ruthlessly suppressed. All Jews are banished from the Middle East and many become slaves. This puts and end to a series of revolts in Orbis Romanum. Roman legions are now armed with muskets and supported by cannon. Railways make it possible to move a legion from one end of the empire to the other in 14 days. The Roman empire is now thinking of expansion again. The first newspapers appear denouncing the exploitation of workers in China and encouraging the civilization of the barbaric tribes of America.
August,9 135CE Rome
Telegraph lines are being laid between all cities in Orbis Romanum.
January,3 143CE China
Roman legions cross the border into China as retaliation for border skirmishes. Chinese diplomats accuse the Romans of engineering the border skirmishes as an excuse for war. The attack is well planned and uses 20 legions with a total of 200,000 soldiers.
February,12 143CE China
The Roman advance into China is slowed down by Mongolian horsemen. It is evident that the Chinese had expected an attack and they have convinced the Mongolians to support them. The Mongolian make hit-and-run raids on the Roman army.
March,21 143CE China
The Roman advance stalls at the Yangtze river when A large Chinese army meets the Romans. A Roman cavalry attack is beaten back with rockets. Some Chinese units are armed with muskets so both sides dig trenches for cover.
September,11 143CE America
There are now 5 Roman settlements in Florida, America. Natives are brought into civilization by force. Contact has been made with the Aztec civilization.
June,1 144CE China
Roman legions break through Chinese lines at the Yangtze river. After being stalled for more than a year Roman engineers decided to use armored steam tractors. The enemy was surprised and demoralized and fled with cavalry in pursuit. Mongolian warriors tried to delay the Romans but came under fire from specially trained sharpshooters.
February,6 145CE China
Peking falls to the advancing Romans. No major battles have been fought. The Chinese and Mongolians try to delay the Romans.
