Prefrence
Banned
The Southern Roman Empire
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Chapter I
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Chapter I
The court of 5th Century Rome was a dangerous place. Generals and advisors would gain favor and often lose it promptly. Court executions were commonplace. In 425, when the child Valentinian III ascended the purple, generals Aetius and Bonifacius sought to gain favor with the power behind the throne Galla Placidia, Valentinian's mother. Bonifacius was the commander of soldiers in Africa, whereas Aetuis commanded soldiers in Italy, and thus had Placidia's ear. In 429, Aetius suggested that Bonifacius was planning a rebellion, and told Placidia that he should be recalled to Italy. If Bonifacius wouldn't come to Italy, he would surely be planning a rebellion. Aetius then sent a letter to Bonifacius warning that Placidia wished to assassinate him and he should not come to Italy. Bonifcius took this advice and began planning an actual rebellion, Aetius' plan succeeded.
Aetius had intended on Bonifacius creating a local Rebellion that would be easily crushed, but he never foresaw what would happen. Bonifacius realized his local forces were minimal that he would need more soldiers if his rebellion were to have any sucess. He sent a plea to Geiseric, chief of the Vandals for assistance. Bonifacius promised the Vandals land in return for military service. The Vandals eagerly accepted, believing they had finally found a new homeland. 20,000 Vandal Warriors with their Families [1] soon crossed the Straight of Gibraltar into Africa and began marching towards Carthage where they would meet with Bonifacius to clarify terms. At the same time Bonifacius sent a plea for reconciliation to Placidia, however Aetius' supporters intercepted the Letter, and ensured that it never reached Placidia. [2] A few weeks later when word arrived of the Vandals joining with Bonifacius, all chances for peace were over, war had began.
Bonifacius waited weeks for a reply to his plea for peace, but never received it. When the 20,000 strong Vandal force arrived before him, Bonifacius gave up his notion of peace began deploying them for war. Bonifacius realized such a large Vandal force close together, could easily turn on him if things went bad, or if they were bribed and he would be powerless to stop it. Therefore, Bonifacius split up the Vandal force across the his realm. Around 5,000 Vandals [3] were deployed in Western Mauretania where they prepared to seize Hispanian Africa. About 2,000 Vandals [3] were based from Lepis Magna to halt, or at least slow down an attack from the Eastern Roman Empire. Another 3,000 Vandals [3] were deployed in city garrisons across the lengthy shores of Africa [4]. The remaining 10,000 Vandals [3] were kept near Carthage under Geiseric to provide a central garrison which could be deployed wherever needed. Bonifacius planned to fight a defensive war, and use the Mediterranean Sea, and the Vandalic fleet [5] as a large barrier protecting his lands.
Aetius was given command of crushing the rebellion by Placidia. Hoping to weaken Bonifacius' support, Aetius had Valentinian III declare him an outlaw. This declaration did very little to change Africans support of Bonifacius. Aetius then attempted to bribe the Vandals, but this offer was immediately turned down by Geiseric, who was firmly loyal to Bonifacius for giving his people the land they so desperately wanted. Out of options, Aetius began raising an army. However, Aetius ran into problems from the start. Local Roman forces were minimal and dispersed, meaning the only available soldiers were the Mercenary Visigoths. The King of the Visigoths, Theoderic, was a feoderati of the Romans meaning he had to provide Soldiers on request. However, the ambitious Theoderic saw an opportunity in this crisis, and demanded the Province of Nabronense in Southern Gaul as the price for his support. Aetius not wanting to lose the vital grain supply in Africa without a fight, accepted this demand. 15,000 Visigoths under their King marched to Ravenna to join up with Aetius other forces of locals and mercenaries numbering 10,000. When the Visigoths arrived Winter had set in, and the Western Roman fleet wasn't prepared to sail in the harsh winter weather. As the Western Romans and Visigoths waited for Spring, Bonifacius, who retained his title "Master of Soldiers" prepared his forces for the upcoming invasion.
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[1]-The Total number of Vandals was around 80,000
[2]-Our Time Line ended here
[3]-Only referring to the number of Warriors, their families also came with them, and were given lands around their garrisoned area.
[4]-Referring to the Diocese of.
[5]-The Vandals had created rather quickly a large fleet and maritime tradition while in Southern Spain, this had allowed them to cross the Straight of Gibraltar with relative ease en mass
Aetius had intended on Bonifacius creating a local Rebellion that would be easily crushed, but he never foresaw what would happen. Bonifacius realized his local forces were minimal that he would need more soldiers if his rebellion were to have any sucess. He sent a plea to Geiseric, chief of the Vandals for assistance. Bonifacius promised the Vandals land in return for military service. The Vandals eagerly accepted, believing they had finally found a new homeland. 20,000 Vandal Warriors with their Families [1] soon crossed the Straight of Gibraltar into Africa and began marching towards Carthage where they would meet with Bonifacius to clarify terms. At the same time Bonifacius sent a plea for reconciliation to Placidia, however Aetius' supporters intercepted the Letter, and ensured that it never reached Placidia. [2] A few weeks later when word arrived of the Vandals joining with Bonifacius, all chances for peace were over, war had began.
Bonifacius waited weeks for a reply to his plea for peace, but never received it. When the 20,000 strong Vandal force arrived before him, Bonifacius gave up his notion of peace began deploying them for war. Bonifacius realized such a large Vandal force close together, could easily turn on him if things went bad, or if they were bribed and he would be powerless to stop it. Therefore, Bonifacius split up the Vandal force across the his realm. Around 5,000 Vandals [3] were deployed in Western Mauretania where they prepared to seize Hispanian Africa. About 2,000 Vandals [3] were based from Lepis Magna to halt, or at least slow down an attack from the Eastern Roman Empire. Another 3,000 Vandals [3] were deployed in city garrisons across the lengthy shores of Africa [4]. The remaining 10,000 Vandals [3] were kept near Carthage under Geiseric to provide a central garrison which could be deployed wherever needed. Bonifacius planned to fight a defensive war, and use the Mediterranean Sea, and the Vandalic fleet [5] as a large barrier protecting his lands.
Aetius was given command of crushing the rebellion by Placidia. Hoping to weaken Bonifacius' support, Aetius had Valentinian III declare him an outlaw. This declaration did very little to change Africans support of Bonifacius. Aetius then attempted to bribe the Vandals, but this offer was immediately turned down by Geiseric, who was firmly loyal to Bonifacius for giving his people the land they so desperately wanted. Out of options, Aetius began raising an army. However, Aetius ran into problems from the start. Local Roman forces were minimal and dispersed, meaning the only available soldiers were the Mercenary Visigoths. The King of the Visigoths, Theoderic, was a feoderati of the Romans meaning he had to provide Soldiers on request. However, the ambitious Theoderic saw an opportunity in this crisis, and demanded the Province of Nabronense in Southern Gaul as the price for his support. Aetius not wanting to lose the vital grain supply in Africa without a fight, accepted this demand. 15,000 Visigoths under their King marched to Ravenna to join up with Aetius other forces of locals and mercenaries numbering 10,000. When the Visigoths arrived Winter had set in, and the Western Roman fleet wasn't prepared to sail in the harsh winter weather. As the Western Romans and Visigoths waited for Spring, Bonifacius, who retained his title "Master of Soldiers" prepared his forces for the upcoming invasion.
_____________________________________________________________
[1]-The Total number of Vandals was around 80,000
[2]-Our Time Line ended here
[3]-Only referring to the number of Warriors, their families also came with them, and were given lands around their garrisoned area.
[4]-Referring to the Diocese of.
[5]-The Vandals had created rather quickly a large fleet and maritime tradition while in Southern Spain, this had allowed them to cross the Straight of Gibraltar with relative ease en mass
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