Alternate Timelines

Ancient History

Scenarios from the dawn of civilization to 500 CE

What If Ancient Greek Democracy Spread Throughout the Mediterranean?

Exploring how Western political development might have unfolded if democratic governance had become more widespread in the ancient Mediterranean world rather than being largely replaced by monarchies and empires.

March 15, 2023 Read More →

What If the Battle of Actium Was Won by Antony and Cleopatra?

Exploring how world history would have unfolded if Mark Antony and Cleopatra had defeated Octavian at Actium, creating an Egyptian-Roman dual empire.

March 12, 2023 Read More →

What If Ancient Rome Developed Modern Sanitation Earlier?

Exploring how the Roman Empire might have evolved if it had developed more advanced sanitation systems, potentially preventing disease epidemics and extending the empire's lifespan.

March 1, 2023 Read More →

What If Roman Concrete Formula Was Never Lost?

Exploring how architecture, engineering, and infrastructure might have developed if the Roman technique for making durable concrete had been continuously known and used throughout the medieval period and beyond.

February 8, 2023 Read More →

What If Pyrrhus Conquered Rome?

Exploring how world history would have unfolded if Pyrrhus of Epirus had succeeded in his Italian campaign, establishing a Hellenistic kingdom in Italy.

January 28, 2023 Read More →

What If Eratosthenes' Calculation of Earth's Circumference Led to Earlier Global Exploration?

Exploring how world history might have unfolded if ancient civilizations had used Eratosthenes' accurate measurement of Earth's size to launch transoceanic voyages, potentially creating a globalized world millennia earlier.

January 17, 2023 Read More →