johnreiter
Well-known member
A lot of medieval romances make great fodder for alternate history. This is one I think is particularly good. I took the story from the middle English original, and cleaned it up a bit, while keeping the plot mostly the same. I'd like to know what people think of it as a scenario, and what would likely happen going forward?
In the year 30 BC, Octavian (the future Caesar Augustus) erects at his own expense a great new temple to the goddess Juno, in hopes that the goddess will bless his marriage to his wife of seven years, Livia.
His prayers are answered, and Livia becomes pregnant. She successfully gives birth, and delivers twin sons. The boys are named Florianus, and Octavian the Younger.
Time passes. Octavian becomes Augustus Caesar in 27 BC. His sons are raised in the typical Roman fashion, and both demonstrate themselves to be brave, honorable, and skilled in the military arts (though Florianus is slightly more skilled than his brother). Despite being twins, the brothers have extremely different personalities, and are not close, though they like each other well-enough.
Augustus is an absent parent for the most part, being much involved in the day-to-day management of the newly-formed Roman Empire, though he reads with pleasure the glowing reports about his sons. This affects the boys in different ways. Florianus finds a surrogate father-figure in his personal body-slave, Clemens, who tends to him from childhood. As soon as Florianus is legally a man, he grants Clemens his freedom, but the old servant stays on as a free servant. Octavian, in contrast, becomes a momma's boy, extremely close to his mother Livia, who dotes on him.
In 4 BC, when the boys had become legally men, and mastered all which could be taught them in Rome, their father Augustus assigned them both military commands, in order that they would gain experience in leading men in battle. Octavian was sent to the east, to defend the frontier against Persian raids. Meanwhile, Florianus was sent to North Africa, under the command of a more experienced general, to lead a campaign against the Numidians.
Octavian's military prowess on the battlefield quickly earns him the respect of his Persian opponents. In the typical Persian fashion, they compare him to "a raging young lion" on the battlefield. Word of this makes its way back to the Romans, and it earns Octavian his epithet "the lion." He is henceforth known as Octavian Leo.
Octavian finds himself fascinated with the culture of Roman's eastern territories. His is particularly intrigued by the Jewish religion and philosophies, leading him to often keep company with the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin. He also becomes regular and popular figure in the court of King Herod the Great in Jerusalem. Herod is quick to seize this opportunity, and builds a strong bond with Octavian. Octavian comes to see Herod as a surrogate father figure, and eventually accepts an offer to marry one of Herod's daughters.
When he sends word to his father, Augustus is not quite pleased. This match reminds him unpleasantly of the dalliance of Julius Caesar with Cleopatra. However, due to pressure from his wife, he finally sends word that he will make no objections, and Octavian may do what he pleases.
Meanwhile, Florianus is seeing his own star rise rapidly. The general under whose command he was stationed died in battle, but Florianus quickly took command and lead his troops to a great victory. He went on to achieve many more great victories in North Africa against the Numidians, proving himself to be a general of the highest ability, though sometimes prone to overconfidence and recklessness, a common failing of youth.
Eventually, Augustus reassigned his son to Gaul, to secure the borders of that province against the Germans. He also appointed him to a position in the government of the province, so that he might gain experience in administration. In this post, Florianus gains a reputation not only for honesty and shrewdness, but particularly for his generosity. This also brings him into close proximity to the governor of Gaul, Claudius Albus, whom he meets often, both professionally and personally. This leads to him meeting the governor's daughter, Marsabelle, who is enthralled by his stories, and by his genteel manners. They quickly fall in love, and Florianus sends to Rome for his father's permission to wed.
Augustus is delighted by the match, as the governor comes from a powerful and ancient roman clan, and this will strengthen the control his house has over Rome. Not only does he give his permission, he travels to Gaul himself to attend the wedding. In a surprising move, Octavian also travels from Jerusalem to Gaul to attend his brother's wedding. Although surprised by his presence, Augustus greats both his sons with every show of love and welcome.
Later, Augustus lingers in Gaul, to supervise the launching of his expedition to conquer Germania. He appoints Florianus as his second in command for this expedition. This is the longest experience father and son have had together, and it provides an opportunity for much bonding. Florianus again acquits himself well in the campaign, scoring many great victories.
In the year 30 BC, Octavian (the future Caesar Augustus) erects at his own expense a great new temple to the goddess Juno, in hopes that the goddess will bless his marriage to his wife of seven years, Livia.
His prayers are answered, and Livia becomes pregnant. She successfully gives birth, and delivers twin sons. The boys are named Florianus, and Octavian the Younger.
Time passes. Octavian becomes Augustus Caesar in 27 BC. His sons are raised in the typical Roman fashion, and both demonstrate themselves to be brave, honorable, and skilled in the military arts (though Florianus is slightly more skilled than his brother). Despite being twins, the brothers have extremely different personalities, and are not close, though they like each other well-enough.
Augustus is an absent parent for the most part, being much involved in the day-to-day management of the newly-formed Roman Empire, though he reads with pleasure the glowing reports about his sons. This affects the boys in different ways. Florianus finds a surrogate father-figure in his personal body-slave, Clemens, who tends to him from childhood. As soon as Florianus is legally a man, he grants Clemens his freedom, but the old servant stays on as a free servant. Octavian, in contrast, becomes a momma's boy, extremely close to his mother Livia, who dotes on him.
In 4 BC, when the boys had become legally men, and mastered all which could be taught them in Rome, their father Augustus assigned them both military commands, in order that they would gain experience in leading men in battle. Octavian was sent to the east, to defend the frontier against Persian raids. Meanwhile, Florianus was sent to North Africa, under the command of a more experienced general, to lead a campaign against the Numidians.
Octavian's military prowess on the battlefield quickly earns him the respect of his Persian opponents. In the typical Persian fashion, they compare him to "a raging young lion" on the battlefield. Word of this makes its way back to the Romans, and it earns Octavian his epithet "the lion." He is henceforth known as Octavian Leo.
Octavian finds himself fascinated with the culture of Roman's eastern territories. His is particularly intrigued by the Jewish religion and philosophies, leading him to often keep company with the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin. He also becomes regular and popular figure in the court of King Herod the Great in Jerusalem. Herod is quick to seize this opportunity, and builds a strong bond with Octavian. Octavian comes to see Herod as a surrogate father figure, and eventually accepts an offer to marry one of Herod's daughters.
When he sends word to his father, Augustus is not quite pleased. This match reminds him unpleasantly of the dalliance of Julius Caesar with Cleopatra. However, due to pressure from his wife, he finally sends word that he will make no objections, and Octavian may do what he pleases.
Meanwhile, Florianus is seeing his own star rise rapidly. The general under whose command he was stationed died in battle, but Florianus quickly took command and lead his troops to a great victory. He went on to achieve many more great victories in North Africa against the Numidians, proving himself to be a general of the highest ability, though sometimes prone to overconfidence and recklessness, a common failing of youth.
Eventually, Augustus reassigned his son to Gaul, to secure the borders of that province against the Germans. He also appointed him to a position in the government of the province, so that he might gain experience in administration. In this post, Florianus gains a reputation not only for honesty and shrewdness, but particularly for his generosity. This also brings him into close proximity to the governor of Gaul, Claudius Albus, whom he meets often, both professionally and personally. This leads to him meeting the governor's daughter, Marsabelle, who is enthralled by his stories, and by his genteel manners. They quickly fall in love, and Florianus sends to Rome for his father's permission to wed.
Augustus is delighted by the match, as the governor comes from a powerful and ancient roman clan, and this will strengthen the control his house has over Rome. Not only does he give his permission, he travels to Gaul himself to attend the wedding. In a surprising move, Octavian also travels from Jerusalem to Gaul to attend his brother's wedding. Although surprised by his presence, Augustus greats both his sons with every show of love and welcome.
Later, Augustus lingers in Gaul, to supervise the launching of his expedition to conquer Germania. He appoints Florianus as his second in command for this expedition. This is the longest experience father and son have had together, and it provides an opportunity for much bonding. Florianus again acquits himself well in the campaign, scoring many great victories.
