Been reading a book on the most noteworthy generals of the Roman Republic and Empire, and the current chapter discusses the lead-up to and events of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. One passing background section describes how there was some impetus for a new war with Parthia around the time Caesar and Pompey were starting to square off (just before the former crossed the Rubicon) to avenge Crassus' disastrous defeat in 53 B.C. Some Senators, according to this analysis, apparently thought one or the other (or even both) of the two most powerful/popular generals in Rome should be sent to lead this war, thus defusing the political situation in Italy for a while, or perhaps permanently. In the end, Caesar's opponents were too set on bringing him back for "trial" over his campaigns in Gaul, and Caesar likewise too determined to continue his political and military rise, for conciliation to happen, and the civil war began.
But what if some arrangement had been worked out, preserving the First Triumvirate (or Duumvirate, in this case, unless the agreement somehow included appointing another triumvir?), opening a new campaign against Parthia in the process, and preventing civil war, at least for a while? What would've had to change for this to happen?
One AH element/event coming to mind: Julia, Caesar's daughter married to Pompey in 59 B.C., doesn't die in childbirth, and is still living at the time of the threatened breach between the two leaders, thereby keeping their alliance (somewhat) intact. Marriages of this type were primarily made for political ends, but since sources point to a genuine love between Pompey and Julia, it's possible this (and maybe Julia's giving birth to a living son) would maintain the Caesar-Pompey filial and political ties, and (temporarily) prevent a schism.
Presuming this happens, and the idea of another Parthian war is followed through on, how likely is it both men would be sent to command, possibly in different sectors of imperium? How might this campaign play out with one or both of the two leading Roman generals of the era at the lead? Would a civil war still be inevitable, and how would that look, in the aftermath of a (victorious? defeated? drawn?) Parthian war in the 40s B.C.?
But what if some arrangement had been worked out, preserving the First Triumvirate (or Duumvirate, in this case, unless the agreement somehow included appointing another triumvir?), opening a new campaign against Parthia in the process, and preventing civil war, at least for a while? What would've had to change for this to happen?
One AH element/event coming to mind: Julia, Caesar's daughter married to Pompey in 59 B.C., doesn't die in childbirth, and is still living at the time of the threatened breach between the two leaders, thereby keeping their alliance (somewhat) intact. Marriages of this type were primarily made for political ends, but since sources point to a genuine love between Pompey and Julia, it's possible this (and maybe Julia's giving birth to a living son) would maintain the Caesar-Pompey filial and political ties, and (temporarily) prevent a schism.
Presuming this happens, and the idea of another Parthian war is followed through on, how likely is it both men would be sent to command, possibly in different sectors of imperium? How might this campaign play out with one or both of the two leading Roman generals of the era at the lead? Would a civil war still be inevitable, and how would that look, in the aftermath of a (victorious? defeated? drawn?) Parthian war in the 40s B.C.?
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