Plato Succeeds

In this timeline, Plato's Republic is put into practice by the ancient Greeks as an actual system of government, which thanks to Aristotle and Alexander the Great soon spreads throughout Europe and Asia. Becoming almost religious in nature, it comes into conflict with the East and conflict is inevitable. However, with Greek technology and science able to continue uninterrupted, this timeline is also more advanced than the OTL. Yet corruption and conflict still exist and even the best attempts at utopia inevitable fail.

Background
"Are dogs divided into he's and she's, or do they both share equally in hunting and in keeping watch and in the other duties of dogs? or do we entrust to the males the entire and exclusive care of the flocks, while we leave the females at home, under the idea that the bearing and suckling their puppies is labour enough for them?" The overall concept is that as male and female dogs are equal, why not humans? Unless too weak, both should have equal opportunities. This would form part of Plato's "Kallipolis" or utopia. The rest of Plato's work is treated with varying degrees of acceptance. Ultimately, Aristotle is the point of divergence, as he promotes that particular passage above all after being caught in an accident that didn't originally occur that changed his views. With greater manpower and resources, Greece is able to overcome many opponents such as Rome. Organised on the basis of a worker class (Civilians) to represent desire, soldiers (Guardians) to represent spirit and a philosopher king (known as a "philarchon") to represent reason, this mimics Plato's views on human nature. Aristotle modified it slightly to introduce democracy rather than just having a dictatorship, but otherwise the principle is unchanged.

Timeline
380BC: Republic is published. Generally accepted, the greater effect is seen with Plato's pupil Aristotle. Instead of creating a long list of mental differences and being overall negative (though claiming that women must be happy for society to be happy), Aristotle agrees that there can be potential for Plato's ideas to be put into practice. Nevertheless, Aristotle still remains more in favour of democracy and promotes virtue ethics over the "form of the good." 343BC: Upon being appointed the teacher of Alexander, the son of Philip II of Macedon, Aristotle encourages him to put govern Macedon on Platonian lines. However, Aristotle remains hostile to non Greek barbarians like the Persians.

336BC: Alexander becomes Alexander III of Macedon after somebody murders Philip. Just like in the OTL, Alexander embarks on the conquest of the Persian Empire, but this time takes Plato's ideas into account. In the meantime, Athens has seen a growing all round liberation movement centered around the priesthood of Athena, when much of the clerical and secular population begin to realise the irrationality of having a female patron yet female inequality. Other Greek cities (who are already more balanced) decide that if the "intellectual capital" is not only seeing sense but improving, they should too. Athens' great rival and the "military capital" Sparta (even after the defeat by Thebes and Macedon decades earlier), famous for it's relative egalitarianism among the free population (helots can do what they like, just do as we say) decide to up its game by fully opening up the military, initially by training women as a reserve force.

323BC: By the time of Alexander's death, Plato's ideas have spread to other Hellenic colonies and across Southern Asia. This soon spreads to Rome. There, the culture is more hostile to the lib movement: Romulus forbade women to drink wine (allegedly) and most original Roman women were kidnapped Sabines. The whole basis of Roman society is based on a mass abduction (whatever morals were at the time). Also, no voting, no official political status and no joining the army (or even riding and using the sling). The Diadochi realise that the only way the Kallipolis can be imposed on Rome is through force. In this timeline, the Diadochi are the same as in the OTL. chaos theory hasn't fully set in yet. However, all are trained to be philosopher-kings rather than just ordinary rulers. Seeing that the Kallipolis should not be divided, the Diadochi unite in a confederation based on individual aims.

275BC: Having presented a united front, the Diadochi have been able to muster enough manpower and resources to fend off multiple attackers, such as Gauls and Romans. The main enemy is the Carthaginian Empire. The first female commander to reach Alexander status is Pyrrha of Epirus (a female counterpart of Pyrhuss, now chaos theory is setting in), who becomes a loose cannon. Phyrra responds to a distress call from Greek colonies in Italy regarding Roman aggression. Resolving to emulate Alexander and finish off another enemy of the Hellenes, she invades... and wins. Admittedly, the Battle of Heraclea results in a Pyrric victory, but eventually, Rome itself is taken following an actually useful victory following the Battle of Asculum which allows the Epirans to go on a wave towards Rome, accompanied by assimilated Samnites and Oscans. Fortunately for the expedition, a fifth column had developed in Rome by Kallipolic missionaries pre Epiran invasion start a riot in Rome, drawing attention away from the advancing army. This allows a swift invasion and occupation of Rome. To show that the Kallipolis was a liberation, Roman women are encouraged to drink wine, practice riding and other previously forbidden (allegedly) things. Moving on to Sicily, Pyrrha threatens the Carthaginian presence, but is killed in Syracuse.

272-146BC: Seeing the Carthaginians as the new threat to virtue and democracy, the puppet Republic of Roma and Epirus engage in several wars. The Romans had a war in 264-241BC and had briefly allied with Carthage against Pyrrha. In the end, Roman Kalliope philarchon Scipio Aemlianus defeats Carthage, but puts his spirit for war and desire for the Punic threat to end that he orders what is effectively genocide, leading to him being replaced by the Gracchi brothers. It also causes a rise in the price of salt. Since there are no people in the new province of Africa, colonisation is implemented. 146BC: The Kallipolic Confederation now stretches from India to Iberia. The Bactricians begin to consider moving into China. Missionaries have already been operating there, however they are unable to adapt the Republic to Chinese culture. Plato's work is to be accepted in it's entirety or not all, and not at all is unacceptable. Sure, keep your gods but this is a way of life. 145BC: Turns out there was no need for the Bactricians to invade- the Han Empire is on the offensive. It seems that Confucian leaders do not want a philosophical rival in the Middle Kingdom and when spies reported the Bactricians plan, a preemptive strike was ordered. An army of 100000 was approaching the border, while the Han Empire declared war on the entire Confederation. Unfortunately for them, Rome is now a full member and pushes for war... total war. Reason says that the unutopian foriegners must be forced to submit. They started it. The Eastern members send whoever they can spare, which results in a mixed collecttion of phalanxes, crossbowmen, legionairres, horse archers, hypaspists, cataphracts, chariots, warbands, peltasts, elephants, cavalry, and various forms of artillery. Before even arriving in Bactricia, internal conflict has resulted in around 5% of the strike force being unable to serve.

14BC: In Rome, Gauis Julius Caeser Octavianus becomes philarchon. So what?

0: In Judea a child is born. Not that anybody outside Bethlehem or Nazareth cares.

12: Widespread shock and horror as the philarchon of Parthia, Vonones is deposed in a civil war. Artabanus III takes over but is himself eliminated when the Guardians restore Vonones, who brings in Palmyrans and Macedonians to support him.

33: During the reign of philarchon Julia the Elder (the fact she's the only biological child of Augustus is irrelevant and she also avoided the fate of her OTL counterpart of being banished and dying) and her husband Tiberius, along with the other philarchons of the Confederation hear of a disturbance in Jerusalem. Apparently, somebody called Jesus (or maybe Yeshua) has attacked the Temple and begun to reform Judaism. He seems to be fairly egalitarian, which may be useful or perhaps not if he undermines the Guardian/Civilian balance. It's also possible he was that child born in 0 that hardly anybody cared about.

98: Marcia Ulpia Nerva Traina (aka Trajan) takes charge. Yes, chaos theory has struck again. Trajan became philarchon due to a new system invented by Nerva. The current philarchon chooses an heir, known as Caeser, while the incumbent is called Augustus. Trajan appoints Vibius Sabinus as Caeser (who is married to a Publia Aelea Hardriana). As well as eliminating the never integrated Dacians as a threat (earning a Column, a Market and a Forum), Trajan also teams up with the other Eastern members to finish off the Confederation-Chinese War. This has drained every empire involved and meant that Northern Europe, including Britain has not been brought under full utopianization, though some tribes have adopted some Platonic aspects, these include the Iceni, Silurians, Belgae and Arverni. The Indian Subconctinent is the main battleground. Trajan decides to personally lead an army in the style of Alexander and take a different approach to China rather than use the Silk Road. This required a march through Hsiung-Nu territory.

108: Now in the thick of it, Trajan begins to push for a swift victory, until told that's what both armies have been trying to do for the last 253 years. Both sides are locked in a stalemate, strategically and technologically. Both can counter each others troop types, both can invent new devices which can be countered by other devices. Some parts of the Indus Valley are completely uninhabitable. In a sense of irony, only the Platonic Chinese take The Art of War seriously and some are suggesting a ceasefire between the Platonic and Confucian worlds. Trajan opposes this, claiming that the Hsiung-Nu allies were promised thrill and booty and that promised must be fulfilled. Eventually, it is decided that the Hsiung-Nu will be bought off (anyone who objects may die, though the fight could constitute thrill). The strength of Trajan's army, combined with the all new equipment, such as automated artillery, longbows and Greek Fire grenades. Diplomatic talks are eventually initiated.

110: After the most difficult negotiations ever, since 223 years of war produces a degree of enmity but also a desire for peace, an accord is struck. The Chinese will remain Confucian and the Confederation will remain Platonic. The Chinese may expand over the north of Asia and Europe, the Confederation is granted the south. Africa will be decided when the time comes and the same applies to any newly discovered continents, if they exist.

112: As it happens, what is meant by North and South is stretched to the limit. The Confederation, via the Romans and Thracians take Gaul and Britain, while Egypt goes for Arabia, except the Empty Quarter, the Parthians try the same.

224: The Parthian Empire is destroyed when internal dissent caused by the Sassanid faction is able to seize power and drive the Scythian immigrants from power. Seemingly unaware of the Kallipolis, they claim all areas that used to belong the Achamenid Empre, which leads to another war. There are enough Platonic elements to undermine the Sassanid efforts though- most support for them was over ejecting the Parthians, not for starting wars. The treatment of peasants, just dragging them from their livelihoods whenever the empire wanted is worse than the Guardian/Civilian balance. This means that when the Bactricians, Palmyrans and Egyptians decide to finish the threat in 256, the and is reassimilated as the Persian Kallipolis.

313: Constantine takes over and becomes a Christian. Big deal, moving on.

410: No hostile army has been inside Rome since the Epiran conquest, but now there is one. An Arian Goth named Alaric was made philarchon on the Visigoths, a subset of Rome. However after a degree of mistreatment by the city he admired so much, he resolved to force the issue. Breaking hte convention that the Guardian and Civillian classes are balanced, many workers are transfered to the military and 3 sieges take place. Rome is not as poweful as it once was, with the real Roman Kallipolis now being the Constantinople Kallipolis. Once Alaric breaks through, a restrained sack devastates the capital, though the Goths are careful to avoid causing so much damage as to break faith in Christianity. With the Western Empire broken, the East takes precedence. A combined Platonism-Christianity spreads through Western Europe.

476: The Roman Kallipolis is destroyed by the Visigoth philarchon Ododacer. There are no other barbarian invasions. The Huns/Hsiung-Nu were eliminated as a threat when unlike with Carthage, reasoned consideration resulted in genocide. Steppe nomads were pacified and warned off. Odoacer attacked as he believed the Romans were no longer serving the greater good and to establish a utopia for his own people. Since Rome was never important since 400, the practical effects are minimal. Symbolically, the Romans were one of the key supporters of the treaty with China and now with them gone for certain...

532: General Belisarius goes east, not west (like in the OTL to reconquer the Roman Empire) to start another war with China without informing the other members of the Confederation. With the Constantinople Kallipolis on the move through Persia and Bactricia. Since China hasn't reunified into the Tang (or any) dynasty yet, they'll prove ripe for conquest if they don't get their act together.

534: the Chinese get their act together the moment Belisarius starts making strikes against them. Unfortunately this isn't soon enough and Confederation tech is way more advanced (China was so war exhausted in this timeline that they weren't able to make the progress they did in the OTL, whereas the Confederation did, mostly the Platonic Chinese, living in peace with their neighbours. Surprisingly, Justinian has massive support for this course of action. However the war only lasts 4 years this time, as the Chinese were ready and didn't have to fight such a diverse force.

1066: in a shock turn of events, the selected replacement philarchon of Britain, a William of Normandy is usurped by Harold Godwinson. By 25 December, this injustice is corrected.

1090s: the philarchon of Papal Rome, known as the Pope starts a war against the eastern Kallipolic Confederacy. Some members such as the Moors, Arabs and Turks have become unusually aggressive and restricted access to the city of Jerusalem. A Crusade or Jihad or something is launched. This lasts 200 years ,with 9 primary wars and some smaller ones in between, like a load of peasants led by Petra the Hermit (chaos theory) and some children.