Alright, so picking up from my previous time travel post, I'm hypothesizing traveling to Europe circa 1500. I already talked about arriving in Europe and traveling to Florence, Italy, in 1500. It probably won't make much sense without the lead up, so I suggest looking at part one. I pick up in late 1504 ...
I travel to Rome with Michaelangelo, and secure the patronage of Pope Julius II to create a second academy. Doing so would further tie Florence to the Vatican, and gain favor with the Pope. After his successful campaign in 1506, Julius has a good relationship with France and Germany, and he then creates the Swiss Guard.
I would attempt to demonstrate the success of the Florence militia in order to be involved in the training of the Guard. I would promote the role of Florence in the creation of an independent Italy as a nation state. This line of thinking would mirror that of Pope Julius.
Through the improved relationship between the Pope, Florence and the Academy cadre, it would be possible to conciliate between the Medici family and Florence, preventing the wars that would weaken Italy and doom both the Republic of Florence and the Pope's intentions. Support of the Medici, a potent noble merchant family with a history of patronage for the arts, philosophy and medicine, would solidify Florence as a mercantile city state within an emerging Italy.
Thus forward, my aim would be to obtain a place in the Florence Great Council alongside the Medici faction, and consolidate the economic and military might of the city. In 1509, Pisa will attack the city, but the improved militia will prove its might by soundly trouncing Pisa, which should be followed with expansion into Venice alongside the League.
In 1513, Pope Julius will catch fever. However, medical aid will improve his chances of survival. Doing so will allow him to transfer leadership of the Holy League to his successor, Pope Leo X, a leader of the Medici family who will be sympathetic to the cause of a loyal Florence in the face of Martin Luther. Religious discourse and political pragmatism may convince Pope Leo X and his successor to adopt some of Luther's accepted liberalization, in order to prevent the schism.
By 1520, Italy has been relatively stable and profitable for 15 years. France, Germany and the Vatican have decent relations, and are no longer capable of dealing with Italy city by city. Now secure under the authority of a liberated Rome and the military industrial power of an expanded Florence, Italy can take advantage of the renaissance academies that have been set up throughout the country (in Pisa, Venice, Rome, Florence, etc.) Science, health and education flourish throughout the newly founded nation, spread through the merchant trading ships throughout Europe and as far as Asia. The burgeoning middle-class fuels an economic boom, and induces slow political democratization. The support of the Medici, and nobles as a whole, will be maintained by showing them how to maintain their position through mercantilism, and eventually capitalism.
Barring an unlikely joint attack by Germany and France, Italy is ready to begin an industrial revolution 300 years ahead of schedule. A major war (effectively a smaller Great War) should start within 20 years, but it is unlikely that other nations will be able to comprehend the strategy behind the new technologies, and their attacks will fail.
Basic knowledge of the rifled flintlock musket, the bayonet and trench warfare would revolutionize the military, bringing it to late 1800 technology. Even the minie ball (a pointed bullet that expands to fit the barrel groves), which marked the huge casualties of the American Civil War, is a relatively simple advancement if one understands the basic principles of a rifle.
Indeed, I encourage the belief that these advancements have nothing to do with my specific knowledge, but rather the collective knowledge that any modern educated person holds. Most people know that bullets shouldn't rattle around in the barrel, even if they don't realize how to utilize soft lead to do it. The same could be said of the basic industrial line, if not manufacturing design.
Comparatively, the enemy would be using cavalry, pikemen, archers/crossbows, and a smattering of matchlock arquebuses and cannon artillery. The protection of the trenches would prevent the discipline problems that plagued early gun battles, improving the firing rate and demoralizing the enemy.
Once supplemented with rifled artillery, the Italian army could expand at will. So long as Italy does not over-extend itself, it should be able to weather the war on a defensive front, and then exploit the Americas to begin the last great expansion.
I should be able to live until about 1555, when I will be 77. Depending on the success of the war, I should be able to live out my days as Governor of an Italian-speaking American colony with circa 1900 technology.
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
25.5.08
Waking Up in the Past
Last night I got really involved in a thread on Something Awful that was exploring the idea of traveling back to the 1500s. I've always been fascinated by time travel, and I've avidly read and listened to anything about it that I could get my hands on.
In the thread, I wrote about two things: what I would do if I used that time machine, and an exploration of time travel itself.
Since I had an awesome time writing about it, I'll post a series of excerpts from my writing:
Assuming that I found myself in the middle of Europe on Jan. 1 1500, I would make my way to the new Republic of Florence, Italy, and ingratiate myself with Leonardo da Vinci, who will have just returned to the city. My extensive knowledge of science and engineering will make this a relatively simple procedure, though it will take time to transform my French into complex Italian.
Over the next year I will work with him to increase our fortunes, and to gain the trust of him and his contemporaries. Using philosophies refined in future centuries, I will mend fences between him and his rival, Michaelangelo, (they mainly disagreed over the relationship between man and nature), to create the core cadre of a group of young Florentine artists, scientists, philosophers and engineers. This united group will be effectively charged with fleshing out and legitimizing the concepts that I already possess, and translating them into contemporary forms. A small general academy will be formed around the cadre, funded by my own medicine-based income, as well as Michaelangelo's substantial stipend as he begins work on the David statue.
By establishing this group as the premier scientific and academic center of Italy, I will attract the attention of diplomat Niccolo Machiavelli, who has now been appointed Second Chancellor by the Florentine Great Council. As the first political scientist, he will be fascinated by my understanding of politics. With the inclusion of political power in the cadre, I will be able to promote Florence's Republican ideals, and use Michaelangelo to deter the others from siding with Cesare Borgia, preventing da Vinci from leaving Florence in 1502.
At Borgia rampages through Italy, he is now bereft of his chief military architect, da Vinci, which means his sieges will stagnate. Florentine admirers such as Machiavelli will turn away from him, and focus their attentions on Florence and Borgia's rival in Rome, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere.
Machiavelli begins training the Florence militia in 1503, now supplemented by my modern military infantry movement training, da Vinci's improved military engineering, and a united Florence. At this point I would likely be inducted into the Florence government as Machiavelli's aide-de-camp. Apart from the extensive political benefits this would bring (Machiavelli traveled throughout Italy as chief diplomat), it would also give the Academy a direct line to the government, as the first academy graduates would be entering the officer corps as citizen-soldiers. As officers, they will interact with the merchants who are beginning to come into their own, and will begin to legitimate the middle-class.
In late 1503, as the Italian wars now grind on, Cardinal Giuliano will be crowned as Pope Julius II. His reign will be marked by an aggressive foreign policy, ambitious building projects, and patronage for the arts. Florence will now be in a much stronger position, with a highly trained military, a burgeoning merchant middle-class, and solid political ties with the Vatican.
Michaelangelo completes David in 1504, which will attract the attention of all Italy to Florence. Now unified with Michaelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli will lead the effort to build a monument around David rather than moving it. The small Republic of Florence will use it as a sign that it has come into its own (David and Goliath myth). Michaelangelo is summoned to Rome to begin work on the tomb of Pope Julius II, and da Vinci and I will now accompany him - leaving Florence in the hands of Machiavelli and the Academy.
So that's the first five years. Come back later for the second part.
In the thread, I wrote about two things: what I would do if I used that time machine, and an exploration of time travel itself.
Since I had an awesome time writing about it, I'll post a series of excerpts from my writing:
Assuming that I found myself in the middle of Europe on Jan. 1 1500, I would make my way to the new Republic of Florence, Italy, and ingratiate myself with Leonardo da Vinci, who will have just returned to the city. My extensive knowledge of science and engineering will make this a relatively simple procedure, though it will take time to transform my French into complex Italian.
Over the next year I will work with him to increase our fortunes, and to gain the trust of him and his contemporaries. Using philosophies refined in future centuries, I will mend fences between him and his rival, Michaelangelo, (they mainly disagreed over the relationship between man and nature), to create the core cadre of a group of young Florentine artists, scientists, philosophers and engineers. This united group will be effectively charged with fleshing out and legitimizing the concepts that I already possess, and translating them into contemporary forms. A small general academy will be formed around the cadre, funded by my own medicine-based income, as well as Michaelangelo's substantial stipend as he begins work on the David statue.
By establishing this group as the premier scientific and academic center of Italy, I will attract the attention of diplomat Niccolo Machiavelli, who has now been appointed Second Chancellor by the Florentine Great Council. As the first political scientist, he will be fascinated by my understanding of politics. With the inclusion of political power in the cadre, I will be able to promote Florence's Republican ideals, and use Michaelangelo to deter the others from siding with Cesare Borgia, preventing da Vinci from leaving Florence in 1502.
At Borgia rampages through Italy, he is now bereft of his chief military architect, da Vinci, which means his sieges will stagnate. Florentine admirers such as Machiavelli will turn away from him, and focus their attentions on Florence and Borgia's rival in Rome, Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere.
Machiavelli begins training the Florence militia in 1503, now supplemented by my modern military infantry movement training, da Vinci's improved military engineering, and a united Florence. At this point I would likely be inducted into the Florence government as Machiavelli's aide-de-camp. Apart from the extensive political benefits this would bring (Machiavelli traveled throughout Italy as chief diplomat), it would also give the Academy a direct line to the government, as the first academy graduates would be entering the officer corps as citizen-soldiers. As officers, they will interact with the merchants who are beginning to come into their own, and will begin to legitimate the middle-class.
In late 1503, as the Italian wars now grind on, Cardinal Giuliano will be crowned as Pope Julius II. His reign will be marked by an aggressive foreign policy, ambitious building projects, and patronage for the arts. Florence will now be in a much stronger position, with a highly trained military, a burgeoning merchant middle-class, and solid political ties with the Vatican.
Michaelangelo completes David in 1504, which will attract the attention of all Italy to Florence. Now unified with Michaelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli will lead the effort to build a monument around David rather than moving it. The small Republic of Florence will use it as a sign that it has come into its own (David and Goliath myth). Michaelangelo is summoned to Rome to begin work on the tomb of Pope Julius II, and da Vinci and I will now accompany him - leaving Florence in the hands of Machiavelli and the Academy.
So that's the first five years. Come back later for the second part.
18.3.08
Sir Arthur C. Clarke Died Today
I was very saddened today to hear that the great science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke passed away today at his home in Sri Lanka. For those who are not familiar with him, he was part of the classic sci-fi triumvirate of Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. He also wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey, invented the communications satellite, and is largely responsible for the American lunar exploration. He was a real inspiration to me as a youth, and his book The City and the Stars remains one of my all time favorites.
I had a couple videos I wanted to share.
The first is a farewell address from him earlier this year: (Link via YouTube)
The second is a demonstration video of one the most advanced robotic AIs yet produced. While Clarke was more concerned with exploration than robotics (that was Asimov's gig), his HAL 9000 remains one of his most well-known legacies. I'm sure he was quite excited by the development of this amazing machine: (Link via Youtube)
As an addendum, the Big Dog robot is being developed as an automated packbot for the US Army. The angry buzzing sound comes from its two-stroke on-board gas engine. This will eventually be replaced by advanced battery power. You can find out more about it at the Boston Dynamics webpage. (Link via Boston Dynamics)
I had a couple videos I wanted to share.
The first is a farewell address from him earlier this year: (Link via YouTube)
The second is a demonstration video of one the most advanced robotic AIs yet produced. While Clarke was more concerned with exploration than robotics (that was Asimov's gig), his HAL 9000 remains one of his most well-known legacies. I'm sure he was quite excited by the development of this amazing machine: (Link via Youtube)
As an addendum, the Big Dog robot is being developed as an automated packbot for the US Army. The angry buzzing sound comes from its two-stroke on-board gas engine. This will eventually be replaced by advanced battery power. You can find out more about it at the Boston Dynamics webpage. (Link via Boston Dynamics)
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