[TEASER] What if Caesar Want Not Killed - Part 2

 Wrapping up the script and visuals for Part 2 in our scenario where Caesar is not assassinated! We cover the fate of Dacia, celebrations in Rome, Caesar's major policy agenda, and his political plans in the interlude before the next campaign with Parthia. I expect to be able to release the video tomorrow : ) 

Here is a preview of the section on Dacia:

The Fate of Dacia

As the Dacian War draws to a close, we must consider the fall out of this affair. In the short term, the fate of the region would be dictated by the demands of Caesar’s peace talks. The amount of concessions he would be able to extract would be a factor of his leverage. On the one hand, yes, in our scenario he has been able to defeat the enemy in a series of victories. On the other hand however, the quick, surface level campaign would be unlikely to result in the immediate subjugation of wider Dacia. Push too hard and Caesar might just incite a huge blowback effect as had happened in Gaul which resulted in his near destruction at Alesia when almost everyone rose up against him. Therefore it’s likely that Caesar’s terms would call for an annexation of the territory south of the Danube as a province while the tribes beyond would bow informally to Rome. Some might become client kingdoms with obligations to provide tribute, supplies, or troops whilst others might merely trade with their new neighbor or at the very least adopt non-aggression stances. The everyday Dacian people caught in the middle of all this may have decided to simply stay put and live their lives under the new overlords while others may have joined a mass migration out of the occupied zones.

Meanwhile, the new border at the Danube would be reinforced by the Romans. As can be seen during the Imperial period this would probably start with a few garrisoned forts and walls that would slowly evolve into an entire defensive network. From here, the Romans could safely keep an eye on border crossings and stage expeditions out as needed. Within this protective barrier all sorts of activity would begin to take place. If real history is anything to go by, this would see an explosion in agriculture, animal breeding, mineral extraction, commerce, and city development. Roman businessmen and politicians would jockey for a piece of the pie with Caesar, as presiding Dictator for Life, in a position to dole these out as rewards to those who he deemed most worthy.

This sort of political game would best be played back in Rome. Thus Caesar would have made a return journey to the capital shortly after his victory to sort out the spoils. Along the way he is sure to have been busy sending out a flurry of letters to all his important contacts whilst also meeting with delegations eager to sing his praise and curry favor. Among these would likely have been Octavian and members of the Senate.

As Caesar approached Rome the clock would be ticking. There were only about 5 months left before the start of his long awaited war against the Parthians set for the following year. During this interlude, he would want to celebrate his victory, enact key policies, and settle politics at home before setting off once more.