Hail Crassus

Marcus Licinius Crassus, was once one of the most owerful men in Rome.� A canny business man who had built himself a fortune through the slave trade and "real estate" (setting fire to buildings, then buying them, repairing them and selling them), he was so wealthy that he was a money lender to many of Romes top politicians and military leaders, including Julius Ceaser.� He was also promising commander, having saved Rome from the slave rebellion lead by Spartacus in 73 BC, however the triumph was instead given to the general Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey) who had arrived with reinforcements as the battle was finishing.

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Crassus had been able to seize a great deal of power in the aftermath of the 'Social war' and Sulla's civil war, using his wealth to lean on the Senate and influence the Consuls of the day.� � However he was not the only one to gain power, Pompey had gained fame and wealth campaigning against the pirates that terrorized the ancient Mediterranean and in the Middle East.� Also Julius Ceaser had begun his rise to fame with his conquest of Gaul.� In an attempt to avoid a second civil war, these three formed the "Triumvirate", an alliance in order to keep the peace.

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Jealous of the popularity his rivals had gained through their conquests, Crassus decided that the best bet on his success was an attack on the Parthian Empire.� With its vast wealth from trade with the east, Parthia was a rival to the Roman Republic for influence� in the Middle East.� A victory over them would have cemented support for Crassus amongst the citizens of the Republic, and would have also secured loyalty from the troops whom he lead, giving him a base from which to challenge Pompey and Ceaser.

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Crassus used his governing of Syria as a springboard for invading Parthia.� � He recruited some 40,000 men, including many veterans from Ceasers campaigns and had the support of the Armenian king,� Artavasdes, who offered him 16,000 mounted troops to add to his own 4,000 and 30,000 infantry, but only� if he invaded Parthia through Armenia.� He foolishly refused the allied support,� believing that the quicker advance along the Euphrates would succed.� This would prove to be Crassus' downfall, after an exhausting march through the inhospitable terrain of Mesopotamia, he was set upon by much smaller Parthian force at Carrhae, the battle was a devestating loss for Rome, with Crassus' son Publius being killed, and Crassus being captured and executed (by having molten gold poured down his throat some believe).

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But what if Crassus had not been so pig-headed?� What if he had taken the advice from his officers and allies, instead of acting on his own accord?� This alternate history investigates� this possibility, the consquences it would have on the Roman Empire, and the modern world.