Alternate Timelines

Ancient History

Scenarios from the dawn of civilization to 500 CE

What If Spartacus's Slave Revolt Succeeded?

Exploring how world history would have unfolded if Spartacus had defeated the Roman legions and established a free state in southern Italy.

September 24, 2022 Read More →

What If Rome Abolished Slavery?

Exploring how the Roman Empire might have developed if it had transitioned away from slave labor, developing alternative economic systems and potentially altering the fundamental social structure of ancient civilization.

September 15, 2022 Read More →

What If Latin Never Became Europe's Lingua Franca?

Exploring how European intellectual, religious, and political development might have unfolded if Latin had not served as the common language of scholarship, religion, and diplomacy for over a millennium.

September 12, 2022 Read More →

What If the Antikythera Mechanism Was Widely Replicated?

Exploring how ancient technology and scientific understanding might have advanced if the sophisticated Antikythera Mechanism had become common technology, potentially triggering an early mechanical revolution.

September 9, 2022 Read More →

What If Andean Textile Techniques Spread Globally?

Exploring how world textile traditions might have evolved if the sophisticated weaving methods of ancient Andean civilizations had reached other continents before European contact, potentially transforming global textile production and design.

August 30, 2022 Read More →

What If Ancient Japan Became a Maritime Trading Power?

Exploring how East Asian history might have unfolded if Japan had developed extensive naval trade networks throughout East and Southeast Asia in ancient times, potentially creating a different balance of power in the region.

August 18, 2022 Read More →