Interesting how contingent history is. The fate of the Julio-Claudians (and the Year of the Four Emperors and the ascension of Vespasian) all turned on which of Augustus' many declared heirs actually survived him.
Harry Turtledove did a good YA alternate history (GUNPOWDER EMPIRE) about a world in which Augustus' right-hand man (and very able guy) Agrippa survived him and succeeded him, rather than the neurotics, nutjobs and weirdos who did in our history.
Turtledove's GUNPOWDER EMPIRE did make me wonder what might have happened if Marcus Agrippa had survived and succeeded his father in law Augustus as Emperor.
Of the four successors of the family of Augustus who succeeded him, the most decent was probably Claudius.
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Well, Vespasian is off-stage...8-).
Interesting how contingent history is. The fate of the Julio-Claudians (and the Year of the Four Emperors and the ascension of Vespasian) all turned on which of Augustus' many declared heirs actually survived him.
Harry Turtledove did a good YA alternate history (GUNPOWDER EMPIRE) about a world in which Augustus' right-hand man (and very able guy) Agrippa survived him and succeeded him, rather than the neurotics, nutjobs and weirdos who did in our history.
Oh yes, a lot of these guys are off-stage but their stories all interconnect.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Turtledove's GUNPOWDER EMPIRE did make me wonder what might have happened if Marcus Agrippa had survived and succeeded his father in law Augustus as Emperor.
Of the four successors of the family of Augustus who succeeded him, the most decent was probably Claudius.
Ad astra! Sean
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