An Age of Miracles: The Revival of Rhomanion

[Basileus444]

eliphas8: It did. I see you like family chaos.

Mathalamus: To Napoleon actually. He was busy threatening them, saying stuff like "I will be an Attila to the state of Venice." The Venetian government was so scared that one day when they heard gunfire outside, they thought Napoleon was already in the city and fled. With the Venetian leadership gone Napoleon was able to march in without a fight. Turns out the gunfire was actually a salute fired by Venetian soldiers.

Kristina's operation resulted in four deaths. Maria, her unborn child, the cook who poisoned Maria (because he got greedy-a contract is a contract), and the mint official (to restore the money trail leading back to Venice).

As for Andrew Arpad/Komnenos, his secret will come out, but not for a while.

Xavier: Probably not, but it looks a lot better. If Maria had just dropped dead and there was a Venetian money trail, the Romans would go 'WTF, the Venetians are scum but they aren't that stupid.' Death in childbirth was frighteningly common in the Middle Ages, so it's a good place to cover up an assassination. And the Venetians already have a record of poisoning pregnant women (Empress Helena-Andreas' mother).

Dragos Cel Mare: Yeah, I never really considered Maria to be evil. Sometimes unpleasant, but not evil.

Elfwine: I always figured Kristina's return to Constantinople would be bloody. Andreas' and Kristina's relationship would make for one very dark romance novel.

Ferngolly: Vlad has good points and bad points. He is a good general and while his army reforms have made it more beholden to him, it's also strengthened the army. He wants a grandson on the throne, but he also wants him to inherit a strong empire.

cimon: That's the big issue, especially Selinus. Regarding horse artillery, being 140 years ahead seems a bit wanky. But in my old draft, the Romans clobbered a significantly larger Mameluke army mainly with field artillery in the 1510s. Maybe something like that time frame.

thekingsguard: Thanks.

frozenpredator: I wanted Maria's death to merit more than a 'good riddance', and since she lasted a few more years than I originally intended, I had to make Andreas' and Maria's relationship improve. Otherwise there would be a lot of 'why haven't they killed each other yet?'.

Dyranum: They had intended to annex Venice as soon as the decade ran out. Andreas and Vlad were just reaffirming their resolve.

Arrix85: Thanks. The original Time of Troubles I had start under Andreas' grandson, and I would like to keep a similar timeframe. The Mamelukes are still in Venice as mercenaries, and since any Byzantine repopulation of the city would likely include some Muslims, the odds of Venetians Muslims is very high.

Avitus: A big point of the last couple of updates was actually to help rehabilitate Vlad's reputation, since I don't think he's evil. He's screwed Andreas over a couple of times undoubtedly, but he's never screwed the Empire. And Andreas is unstable. At his best, he's very good, but he definitely thinks below the belt far too enough.

[Arrix85]

So now will you focus elsewhere covering these four years 'till Venetians meet their maker?

I'm quite fond of your ATL Russia.

It would possible to see Julius POV sometime in the future? just like you did with Shah Rukh? I guess it would be the cherry on top to flesh him out.

[Tyg]

Couple of really obscure things.

How's Roman dentistry coming along? I ask because they would have the most access to sugar, the increased supply of which (IIRC) was responsible for a dramatic degradation of oral health following the establishment of Caribbean sugar plantations. Given that the empire has a well-developed system of medical universities, it makes me wonder if they might develop the field a bit earlier.

And slightly less obscure, but did Andreas or Theodoros ever do anything for the family of Prince Nazim? He did die sheltering the imperial heir after all, and it seems to have been something that left a major impression on Andreas. I did a thread search but came up empty on whether this was asked before, so I apologize if it's been mentioned.

[JackExpo]

Longtime lurker, first time poster, I just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying the timeline and that I am really looking forward to the seeing the Triumphal Quadriga/Horses of Saint Mark returned to Constantinople in four years or so. The triumph when they are brought back to the Queen of Cities should be epic.

[Derekc2]

May you update about the culture of Russia at this point in time.

Also when did Hungarian king become emperor? I would also like to know about their culture.

[Dragos Cel Mare]

I would also like to know about Sub-Saharan Africa.

[Ze Kaiser]

Totally irrelevant to the situation at hand, but how does Timur II stack up to Timur I and Shah Rukh? Especially the latter seeing as he forged the largest empire in the history of the world.

[eliphas8]

Originally Posted by Basileus444

eliphas8: It did. I see you like family chaos.

Kind of, although I am happy Andreas has finally gotten what he wanted its always fun to hear about the creative madness that happens among royalty.

[Derekc2]

I've just realized something. Kristina seems a little Yandere to me with killing Maria and all.

So if Kristina is an yandere...oh crap!

[Sidheach]

Originally Posted by Derekc2

I've just realized something. Kristina seems a little Yandere to me with killing Maria and all.

So if Kristina is an yandere...oh crap!

And Andreas had a few women on the side while he was with Maria....*Plays Dramatic Music*

[Derekc2]

You know, Andreas's life would make an exellent anime I think.

[Derekc2]

Originally Posted by Sidheach

And Andreas had a few women on the side while he was with Maria....*Plays Dramatic Music*

Well this is very, very bad.

[Sidheach]

Originally Posted by Derekc2

Well this is very, very bad.

I wonder if in the future instead of saying Bloody Mary people will say Bloody Krissy.

[Derekc2]

I'm very surprise that this doen't have eathier an AH.com wiki entry or an TVtropes entry. I mean this timeline is probibly one of the few with an true to god fanbase. You know, those with all the shipping and what not.

[eliphas8]

Originally Posted by Derekc2

Well this is very, very bad.

I dont know, there are a few ways to take that and the fact his favorite mistress looked like Kristina shows that hes probably trying to make up for the fact that she was not there in his life for a long time (he says as though he knows more about psychology than what he half remembers his girlfriend talking about).

[Ze Kaiser]

Speaking of Theophano, what happens to her and the kids?

[Ostost]

I've been quietly reading this tl for some time, I usually feel somewhat lost as what to comment, however, I'd like to air my appreciation for the timeline in general. Been reading this for months now, and I am never disappointed. I really like how the Andreas/Vlad thing isn't straight out good vs evil, but shades of grey on both sides, makes for a compelling read and keeps me guessing.

And then, slightly shallowly, I find myself pleased that many of my favorite historical nations are thriving. The Byzantines (obviously), Hungary, Al-Andalus and even Genoa to a lesser extent. I fear for Hungary's future rubbed against the Byzantines, especially with the recent royal intrigues, but this is a Byzantine tl, and my support for the Byzantines comes first and foremost.

I'm also very much enjoying the prospects of a heavily Nestorian Christian influenced Kashmir and it's story, as well as Tieh China and the Wu Australia. Lots of interesting stuff swimming about in this tl, and I mentioned earlier, no matter what the subject is, I always find myself compelled by this tl.

So, all in all, my thanks for keeping me entertained for the last few months and keep up the good work Basileus!

[Sidheach]

Actually as the thought crosses my mind. With their resolve to crush Venice into the round renewed might we see Milan taking advantage of this somehow? Or at the very least dipping its fingers into the proverbial Venetian pot?

[Arrix85]

Originally Posted by Sidheach

Actually as the thought crosses my mind. With their resolve to crush Venice into the round renewed might we see Milan taking advantage of this somehow? Or at the very least dipping its fingers into the proverbial Venetian pot?

Milanese already got the venetian terra ferma west of the Piave river, the destiny of the city itself was left to the Romans.

[Ze Kaiser]

Originally Posted by Sidheach

Actually as the thought crosses my mind. With their resolve to crush Venice into the round renewed might we see Milan taking advantage of this somehow? Or at the very least dipping its fingers into the proverbial Venetian pot?

I think there is a standing treaty with Milan that basically partitioned Venice. Milan has already claimed their chunk. If there were to suddenly swoop in and annex the rest after Roman loses an arm sinking the Venetian navy, then I can easily see not only Andreas revoking the acknowledgement of any Milanese claims to the Roman throne until the end of time but also taking Roman trade elsewhere. Plenty of out places in the area.