Alternate Timelines

Ancient History

Scenarios from the dawn of civilization to 500 CE

What If Ancient China Developed Capitalism?

Exploring how world history might have unfolded if market-based economic systems emerged in Han Dynasty China, potentially creating an early industrial revolution in East Asia.

April 11, 2022 Read More →

What If Alexander the Great Lived to Old Age?

Exploring how world history would have unfolded if Alexander the Great had survived his illness in Babylon and continued his conquests and empire-building into old age.

April 2, 2022 Read More →

What If the Battle of Red Cliffs Was Lost by Sun Quan and Liu Bei?

Exploring how Chinese history would have unfolded if Cao Cao had defeated the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei at the Battle of Red Cliffs, potentially unifying China earlier under the Cao Wei dynasty.

March 30, 2022 Read More →

What If Greek Drama Developed Differently?

Exploring how Western literature, theater, and cultural traditions might have evolved if Greek dramatic forms had taken alternative paths, potentially creating entirely different artistic and storytelling traditions.

March 24, 2022 Read More →

What If Archimedes Lived to Old Age?

Exploring how scientific and technological development might have accelerated if Archimedes had avoided his untimely death during the Siege of Syracuse and continued his groundbreaking work for decades.

March 21, 2022 Read More →

What If the Roman Republic Never Became an Empire?

Exploring how world history would have unfolded if the Roman Republic found stability without transitioning to imperial rule, potentially creating a different model of governance that shaped Western political development.

March 18, 2022 Read More →