Vae victis!

This timeline was created by Firesofdoom on May 17th, 2015, and restarted on December 1st of the same year

Overview

This is a timeline based on the concept that Rome collapsed before establishing an empire as they did OTL. Because of the effect Rome had on the world in OTL, a collapse such as this would lead to drastic changes over the next several thousand years, in both culture and politics.

Explanation of Title

The title of this timeline, "Vae victis," is loosely translated Latin for "Woe to the vanquished," or sometimes "woe to the conquered." The phrase is supposed to remind the defeated that they are the losers, and should not expect, or ask for, any leniency in their defeat. According to legend, This is what Brennus said to Marcus Furius Camillus right before running his sword through his heart.

Point of Divergence

Background

In 387 BCE, the Senones, a tribe of Gaul crossed the Apennines, and eventually camped out near Clusiam, in the Etruscan province of Siana. They were lead by Brennus, and their goal was to settle new lands, in order to deal with the growing numbers of there tribe. Naturally, the Etruscans felt threaten by the Gauls, and asked the Romans, who had military influence over Etrusca the time, for help. Rome, not wanting war, decided to only send ambassadors to help, rather than fighting men.

This proved to be a mistake, as when negotiations broke down, the Clusiam sent solders to force the Senones of there land. The Roman ambassadors joined them, and began to fight, thus breaking the "law of nations." During the fight, a roman ambassador killed a high ranking Senone, enraging the Gauls. When Rome refused to turn the ambassadors over for justice, the Gauls Began to march south, to take revenge on Rome.

Point of Divergence

With the Senones marching to Rome, the only option was a strong defense. In the battle of Allia, the 12,000 Senones nearly massacred almost 24,000 roman solders, with the roman survivors fleeing to Rome. With the Romans retreating, Brennus made the quick desiccation to chase them, instead of letting them go. Because of this, both sides arrived in Rome at the same time, and fighting ensued.

Just before the Senones arrived, the senate passed a ruling making Marcus Furius Camillus the dictator of Rome. Despite this measure, Rome was sacked and burned, the senate massacred and the city left in ruins. Now, with the senate and Rome destroyed, the Senones were now at a crossroads: should they take there victory and leave, or attempt to take veii, were Marcus Furius Camillus was. Whichever decision they made, it was bound to change the course of history for millennia to come...