Alternate History What if 300 Roman Soldiers get stranded in North America

[Sailor.X]

As the resident party pooper I will ask:
- was it known in 43 AD?
Same question about copper ...

More than likely. Lots of caves in the Southeast and Native Americans did go into caves for various reasons in the Ancient past.

 

[Atarlost]

According to the map in this page. Tin Deposits in the United States
Their are some Tin Deposits in Alabama. Tin is known to the Natives in that area. Just not widely used. So if some Tin makes it's way to SC. The Romans will more than likely cut some deal to get it delivered to them. Same with the Copper.

So probably not an in demand trade good. The Indians aren't passing around random crap on speculation so that tin making it to the Carolinas is very unlikely.

 

[Buba]

Poking around the net =
"bog iron" + "north carolina"
shows that it was there and was exploited in early colonial times. So "our Romans" are lucky in this regard. There is silver in the area - and it is often combined with lead in same ore - so if they are even luckier and they find it then they have all they need. Not that they really need the silver, but the lead will be in great demand.

 

[ATP]

Poking around the net =
"bog iron" + "north carolina"
shows that it was there and was exploited in early colonial times. So "our Romans" are lucky in this regard. There is silver in the area - and it is often combined with lead in same ore - so if they are even luckier and they find it then they have all they need. Not that they really need the silver, but the lead will be in great demand.

Yes,they could made better missiles for slings from lead then from stone.
So,they would vanish,but before that they teach locals how extract bog iron and made iron tools.
If we add plagues ,we have indians with iron weapons who do not die all when you caugh at them.
History would be changed - european would take much less then in OTL,and indians,even if they do not create lasting states,would keep fighting maybe even till 1900.

And,in this scenario,there is no USA,only colonies.

 

[Buba]

Yes,they could made better missiles for slings from lead then from stone.

LOL!
u r 2 militaristic
They need the lead for tools, utensils, implements!
For alloying with copper to make gunmetal. No, not to make guns, but household appliances, I simply do not know any better English term for lead-bronze. It is spiż in Polish for you, ATP.

 

[ATP]

LOL!
u r 2 militaristic
They need the lead for tools, utensils, implements!
For alloying with copper to make gunmetal. No, not to make guns, but household appliances, I simply do not know any better English term for lead-bronze. It is spiż in Polish for you, ATP.

I read,that romans made armour from spiż.

 

[Buba]

I read,that romans made armour from spiż.

Possible.
FWIW in the Illiad - IIRC - gunmetal is mentioned in the context of weapons and/or armour.

 

[KingNaruto_31]

In this scenario circa 43 AD a Roman invasion fleet meant for the invasion of Britain. Ge blown off course by a sudden massive storm at sea. 3 Months later the ships crash into the South Carolina coast near what would become Beaufort SC. Only 300 Roman Soldiers survive the ordeal. Their ships are destroy and will never be Sea worthy again. Now stranded on the North American continent. What will the 300 Romans do? Will they try to work with the natives, Will they try to conquer some small villages. Or will they just set up an Outpost and try to make it a it the farthest extension of the Roman Empire? How does history unfold from this point.

Given their circumstances, the Romans might consider various options for their survival and integration into the unfamiliar land. One possible course of action is for them to establish communication and collaboration with the indigenous tribes inhabiting the area. Through diplomacy and cultural exchange, the Romans could seek to form alliances and work alongside the native populations. This could involve sharing their knowledge and skills, such as agriculture, architecture, and military tactics, while also assimilating some of the local customs and traditions. Over time, the Romans might find themselves intermarrying with native tribes, blending their gods and myths with those of the indigenous people, fostering a unique cultural amalgamation.

However, another potential outcome is the Romans facing hostility and resistance from the native tribes. Lacking knowledge of the land and its inhabitants, the stranded Romans may inadvertently provoke conflicts or misunderstandings, leading to a state of war. As they are cut off from any assistance from the Roman Empire, their survival hinges on their ability to adapt and defend themselves against the native tribes' superior knowledge of the terrain. Without support from their homeland and faced with the challenges of the New World, the Roman soldiers may eventually be overwhelmed and assimilated into the native population or, in the worst-case scenario, wiped out completely.

If I were a betting man I would say their just try to survive with some marrying into the tribes. When the Vikings land around the 10-11th century they may as well be just odd looking natives.

 

[ATP]

Given their circumstances, the Romans might consider various options for their survival and integration into the unfamiliar land. One possible course of action is for them to establish communication and collaboration with the indigenous tribes inhabiting the area. Through diplomacy and cultural exchange, the Romans could seek to form alliances and work alongside the native populations. This could involve sharing their knowledge and skills, such as agriculture, architecture, and military tactics, while also assimilating some of the local customs and traditions. Over time, the Romans might find themselves intermarrying with native tribes, blending their gods and myths with those of the indigenous people, fostering a unique cultural amalgamation.

However, another potential outcome is the Romans facing hostility and resistance from the native tribes. Lacking knowledge of the land and its inhabitants, the stranded Romans may inadvertently provoke conflicts or misunderstandings, leading to a state of war. As they are cut off from any assistance from the Roman Empire, their survival hinges on their ability to adapt and defend themselves against the native tribes' superior knowledge of the terrain. Without support from their homeland and faced with the challenges of the New World, the Roman soldiers may eventually be overwhelmed and assimilated into the native population or, in the worst-case scenario, wiped out completely.

If I were a betting man I would say their just try to survive with some marrying into the tribes. When the Vikings land around the 10-11th century they may as well be just odd looking natives.

That.They would be lucky if they manage to keep knowledge about making iron.
Personally,i doubt it.

Only possible surviving innovation - if they had archers who knew how to made bows,locals would have better bows.
Well,maybe pottery,too.
Altjhought i doubt,that any soldier would knew how to made it.


And,possible,walled villages - but locals had them anway.
Bricks making? possible,but unlikely.