The Legions in Space

An alternative history wherein the Roman Empire developed steam engines, avoided collapse, and went on to conquer most of the western world.

The Emperor Julius, in a recent speech to the Senate, has undertaken to place legionaries on the Moon by the year 2000 after the founding of Rome. This bold move is a response to the Han Empire, who have already landed an unmanned probe on Mare Orientalis, and claimed it for the Son of Heaven.

Archives from the Via Astra Orbital Fort:
(A summary of scenarios already played):

Recent History of Rome in Space:

Background for this Alternative History:

The Big Timeline (currently a 57kb text file), with more to come.
Legionary Equipment through the Ages.
Gaius Aurelius Golden Bear, an historian's view of the hero of Shattered America
Religion in the Roman Empire, with a special section on the Cult of Mithras

Links to useful Websites:

Legion XXIV of Provincia Pennsylvania, has a section on Roman Names, another on Roman Numerals, and an excellent selection of further links.
Illustrated History of the Roman Empire, the best of the encyclopedias.
Roman Engineering, a history of the technology.
The Roman Army; units, formations and tactics.
Webring of Classics; this links to their contents page.
Civis Romani Webring, another contents page
Heron of Alexandria, a biography of the steam engineer.
A History of Early Steam, with illustrations of Heron's steam fountains and aeolipile.
Latin the Easy Way, a quick guide for those of us without a classical education.
Earth and Moon Viewer, just specify your time and space...
Go Taikonauts!, an unofficial site for the Chinese Space Programme.
NASA Photo of the Day, illustrating the importance of duct tape in space.