Flee! Flee! They are Crowning the Hun!

Mr. Greek Battle did give me permission so without adieu....

Also - a couple of things -

1. I'm doing Mr. PostingfromItalybecauseIcan'tspellhisnamecorrectly's tactic in putting mini POD's within a larger POD, hence why there is red below what happens in X year

2. At some point the TL will go a different course (no whacking off the Moors ) but relatively under my "ideas"

3. Much thanks to Mr. Greek Battle who gave me permission to do this...

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PRELUDE


387 - Theodosius I marries Galla, 2 years earlier than OTL

388 AD - Theodosius I has a son by his second wife, Galla, who is named Theodosius II, for a lack of a better imagination. Theodosius II spends much time reading about the noted commander Stilicho, which gives him enough ideas that Theodosius II wants to join the Legions, which convienently helps out the matter concerning his half brother Honorius (as well as the other one), who doesn't like him much.

390 AD - Galla produces a daughter, named Galla Placidia. It is recorded that her half siblings pay attention to her more than Theodosius II. It is also alleged that it was her that caused the death of Stilcho in 408.

401 - Theodosius III (OTL Theodosius II) is born.

405- The Sibylline Books are destroyed by Stilicho, who is defacto Emporer.

At this time, the young Theodosius II is formally registered into the Legions, under the non de plume "Theo of Germania". It's at this point that he's assigned to a cavarly unit, either by his own devices or others, as well as his overt "fascination" with Stilcho's tactics, even though he may or may not be popular at this time.

408 - Stilicho is executed by his political opponents, following some overt rebellion in the provences, and a vacuum is created.

Theodosius III is crowned the Emporer of the Eastern Romans; upon his ascension he takes the title "Theodosius II", even though that there is a Theodosius II around, both his father (Arcadius) and Honorius do not care for their half-brother, and quite often do not acknowledge him as their sibling.

Of course at this point, Theo of Germania (as he is known at this time), is busily learning the ropes in the provences, and has been keeping a very low profile on both his open admiration to Stilcho (now closed admiration) and the politics of being part of the ruling family of both Roman Empires.

During the purge of the foederati in the wake of Stilcho's execution, it is recorded that Theo of Germania manages to save a couple of them through his influence as the half-brother of Honorius/the Emporer, and manages to gain the loyalties of the said troops. As a result of this move, "Theo of Germania" is nicknamed "The Roman Stilcho", and is transferred to a backwater provence, somewhere (as noted in those that were loyal to his half-brother in Rome) "where barbarians eat b*st*rd children for breakfest".

409 - Honorius's dealings with the barbarians backfire on him.

410 - Rome is sacked by the Visigoths. At this time, a "Theo of Germania" disappears from the annuals of history, with the only recording of his existance being a transfer to Britain from his previous assignment. It is also recorded, in other "heretical" annuals, that he is followed by a large amount of foederati, and is actually respected in the morass that is Germania and Gaul.

411? 414 - Galla Placidia marries Athauf, brother of Alaric of the Visigoths

415 - There is a mention of a "Slitcho the Younger" in the morass that is Roman Britain. There is also mention that the plea for help in that said region stop. They are not missed.

416? 417? - "Stilcho the Younger" is reputated to have created a "cavalry nation" up to the north. This, along with the very mention of the name, is accounted as heresy. Also in this year Galla Placidia is forced to marry Constantius III, who dies seven months into his "co-reign" as Emporer of the Western Roman Empire.

420 - The last mention of "Stilcho the Younger" is recorded, mostly about "heathen savages being employed by a renegate Roman Legate", again, shrugged off as rumor

423 - Honorius dies

424 - Galla Pacidia's son Valentinian III, becomes Emporer

450 AD - Honoria’s relationship with a chamber servant is discovered by her brother and Emperor of the West Valentinian III. The servant is killed and she betrothed to a nondescript senator, but she offers to Attila the Hun her hand in marriage, with the Western Roman Empire as her dowry.

She then bribes palace guards into killing Valentinian III, being seen as both weak and incompetent by his own guards. A few months later, the throne being occupied by no one, Attila arrives in Rome to press his claim on the crown.

In order to gain support among the Church and Rome’s Christian population, Attila converts to Christianity, and accepts the absolute power of the Papacy. Ultimately, Attila’s claims are accepted, although the means he went about achieving this are shadowy.

As a result of this conversion, all the other Huns convert too, although it's more of a mix between "this Jesus fella" and their previous belief system. Over time, this mixing of religions will come to play on the outer fringes of the "New Hunnic Roman Empire".

On August 15th, 450, Honoria and Attila are wed in holy matrimony, and on that same day he is crowned the Emperor of the West. He has the full support of Flavius Aetius, Rome’s greatest general and important military leader.

Hunnic lands are merged with the lands of the Western Roman Empire, and the client states and vassal states of the Huns officially become client states of the Roman Empire. The name of their overlord country has changed, but its leader has not, and to them Attila is now even more terrifying as both REX HVNNORVM and IMPERATOR OCCIDENTALIS.

451 AD - The historic land and army reforms. The army is entirely remodeled and refashioned to be far more cavalry-centric. With access to the training techniques and breeding stock of the Huns, these reforms go over very well.

The land reforms involve the giving out of land to Hunnic soldiers of the original Hunnic army in Gaul, and the official opening of Hunnic lands to Roman soldiers looking to get land after their twenty year tour of duty. The rich lands attract many young men, especially from the poor classes, and the Roman army is bolstered. Money is (temporarily at least) not an issue, because these soldiers will be paid in land, not sesterces.

Also as a side note, there is a regular system to avert total lapsing of the guard, thus the creation of a "Pony Express" although created for military purposes rather than civilian.

Attila begins to revitalize the city of Rome using gold from his own war chest.

Which isn't that large to begin with...

453 AD - Attila and Honoria bear a son, named Equtius. He is sent frequently to Attila’s relatives, feeling that Equitius should be raised in the style a Hunnic booy should, but with a Roman education and half his time spent among the people of Rome.

I like the start of this, I really do. Keep going! I'll assit you wherever you need it!

454 AD - Theodoric II whacks off his brother to become King of the Visigoths.

455 AD - Vandals do not invade Italy, for fear of Attila. They invest their time in piracy and terrorizing the high seas. This is a small problem though, compared to what they did OTL in 455: the sacking of Rome

Ostrogothic rebellion in Hunnic lands results in the near-genocide of the Ostrogoths. Their lands are emptied, and Attila orders that this land be set aside for use of the Roman soldiers, the first wave of which would be eligible for their retirement pay in 471. During the ensuing battles, Ellakh, Dengizich and Ernakh, Attila’s three sons with any degree of political and military clout, are killed. Equitius is named heir.

Also on this date Geiseric (The Lame) has a formal falling out with his son, Huneric (The Bold) on what to do with the matter of the "New Hunnic Roman Empire". Geiseric is of the mind to take Sicily from the Romans. In his eyes, there can be much potential from his seat of government in Catharge. Of course, the thing of it is that he will be fighting the Huns, which doesn't matter since they're fighting the Ostrogoths, and thus proceeds with his attack on Sicily.

Huneric, who is of the mind NOT to attack Sicily, decides to "pursue other interests" and manages to get on the good side with key members of his father's court through the unknown lands to the East, somewhere in the Vandal Realm, where they're not quite good at protecting their interests. Although this is just piracy, the potential is great, and so he leaves. The attack on Sicily commences.

Two years later, Geiseric (The Lame) is formally executed. Catharge is a different matter...

456 AD - Geiseric (The Lame) attacks Sicily, Capua, Sardinia, and Corsica. It is with Capua that much attention from the Roman Empire is switched from the North to the South. Although Geiseric is now 'rolling in the dough', there is a slight problem with the Romans, who are very pissed off that they are being attacked.

Thus it is that a noted commander, Ricimer, launches his own counter-offensive against Geiseric. Much of his conduct of OTL happens in accordance of TTL, with the presence of Hunnic archers on Roman boats, who are very effective when dislodged on Corsica or other firm terra cognita.

During this counter-offensive, another commander by the name of Majorian, rises to fame through his careful co-ordination with the said Hunnic troops and Roman Legions. Majorian is rewarded for his conduct by Emporer Attila himself. Ricimer is also in the line for promotion.

Also within this year, an attempt is made to reconcile the "New Roman Empire" with the Eastern Roman Empire, namely through talking. Emporer Marcian hasn't really been so...welcoming to the new Emporer. There is a long history between him and Attila. The talks are not extended even though a succession of Roman envoys are sent.

457 AD - Not wanting to keep a good campaign down, Geiserc (the Lame) is captured in battle, after a formal expedition is launched in North Africa. This expedition is mostly for morale purposes; after all, Geiserc's navy has been somewhat...depleted. It is said that Attilia does not like pirates attacking his reign.

Geiseric is captured in the Winter of 457. The methods of his capture are exaggerated in order to advance Ricimer's own career. Majorian is also lumped in there for his "naval techniques" (which is mostly Marine based techniques but nobody cares).

As stated before, Geiseric is executed in public, Roman style.

However, Catharge is spared. Seeing an oppertunity for futher naval advancement, Ricimer is appointed "governor" for the stated realm, accompanied by Majorian. The Vandals....quickly get the hint that they should obey else they become target practice.

Elsewhere in Europe;

- Leo I inherits the throne of Byzantium

- Huneric increases his realm in "Seagates" through naval raids along the "South Seagate" [OTL SW Morocco] Coast. Ironically the death of his father only increases migration to his "Kingdom of the Seagates". There is much ...argument with the Visigoth Kingdom, who aren't too happy with them growing in power. But - Huneric has managed to avert conflict by "leasing" out his navy - and having a strong navy is good - considering what is happening in Rome.

457 - 463 AD - Realizing the economic decay of the Roman Empire which he inherited, Attila realizes that a new influx of slaves and plunder is necessary for further promotion of his title as Emporer. He turns to the Germanic tribes (Franks, Saxons, etc.), who, because they have been unable to invade Gaul lest incurring the wrath of Attila, had resorted to infighting amongst themselves.

Using the alleged raids of Romano-Britain as a cassus belli, Attila officially declares war on the Saxon tribes in 457. He and Flavius Aetius, his close friend, cross the Rhine with a mixed Hunnic/Roman force (along with a number of Frankish and Visigothic foederatii), and orders the camp not be segregated, encouraging the forging of bonds of comradeship between the two. Realizing that he should endear the army to his successor, the young Equitius is periodically brought on campaign.

The Saxons that weren’t in Romano-Britain are utterly vanquished by the end of 459, and the new influx of slaves immediately bolsters the Roman economy, as Saxons are put in shackles by the thousands. The lands of the Saxons were nearly emptied, and once again were set aside for use by the soldiers who would later retire. Although he encouraged some of his Huns looking for good farmland closer to the influence of Rome to settle there beforehand to maintain order and upkeep the few remaining towns, farms and villages.

From 459 to 463 Attila continued to subdue the tribes of Germania to the Elbe, finding one reason or another to declare war. By 463 the population of Germania up to the Elbe is estimated by some scholars to be only 20% of what it was at the end of 456 AD, the population having been killed or enslaved and moved far from their homeland.

Also in this era;

- A Roman soldier records a strange encounter in the "Wilds of Germania" that goes like this;

(Text translated from the original Latin)

...And thus it was that my Legion came upon another empty village once more upon our search for treasure. The Centurion did commanded us to look for any reason on why the barbarians had left their hearth so readily. There was much talk on the fear that our new allies had brought to the Empire. Yet - as I exchanged talk with my good friend Titus - it seemed that the village had emptied for much longer than that. The buildings resembled a tomb of ghosts; nothing stood of it's previous life except the houses that could not be torn down for the wood, the mere foundations of their barbaric meeting hall, and even their ancestorial dens.

It was only with perilous searching that one of the Legionarres came upon a crude map with the words "Britain" written in Roman letters, surrounded by the cat scratches that the barbarians call their language.

Click to expand...

- Huneric gains the nickname "The Crafty" through the formal annexation of OTL's Straits of Gibraltar - still named "The Seagates" in the Vandal language, which is slowly degrading to a mixed pidgin of sorts between Visigoth, Vandal, and "barbarian tongues" in the area.

- Majorian is assassinated by hands unknown. Ricimer continues as the defacto Governor of Catharge, even though he hasn't really been given the title. (It's been given to Blegu, the Hunnic "General" of the local garrison.) The Vandals in Catharge...again...have nothing to say about this.

460 - 462 AD - The Suebii attack the city of Lugo. Attila uses this as an excuse to go to war, and declares the Suebii’s foederate status null and void. He primarily uses Langobardi (Lombard) troops, with a good portion of Romans. The Lombards are used as shock troops, and about half of those Lombards who campaigned there died. Many historians think that Attila did this to intentionally weaken them. No Suebii noble is spared the sword, and all are put to death. Most Suebii are executed, the rest are used as slaves in that region. Again, Galaecia was added to the list of locations for resettlement. By 462 AD the Suebii basically cease to exist.

Except for the small fraction that are "saved" by the "Visigoth" Navy....

464 AD - The death of Flavius Aetius. Attila uses more of his personal war chest to create a grand mausoleum for him in in his birth place at Dorostolus (OTL modern day Silistra, Bulgaria). For his conquest of Germania to the Elbe, Attila is given the title “Augustus”. For conquering Germania to the Elbe, giving Aetius a lavish Christian burial, and for helping to spread Christianity among the Huns, Attila is granted by Pope Hilarius the title “Beloved of God”.

Within this year, Huneric "The Crafty" takes it upon himself to send emissaries to the local Roman Commander of Gaelicia to avoid complete obliteration by the Roman Army. These talks are then passed on to Attila, who inquires on how the Vandals manage to get that far away from him. Much assurances are made to Attila that the "Seagates" mean no harm, are very willing to give naval technology that the Romans don't have yet, and a treaty is signed in the winter on the Vandal Kingdom In The East being a foederate kingdom, even though the Roman Empire is occupied with other matters.

Also within this year, the rumor of a mythical "Christian John" ruler of Britian starts circulating about....

465 AD - Due to the new status that the Seagate Kingdom now has with the Roman Empire, Theodoric demands that for his loyal service to Rome he is given the Septimania region of Gaul. Attila refuses, and Theodoric declares war on the Western Roman Empire. The Visigoths make a terrible mistake. The Roman army is in peak condition at this time, bolstered by the new cavalry-centric reforms and the Hunnic army.

465 - 468 AD - The war is fought between the Romans/Huns/Foederates/Eastern Vandals and the Visigoths. While gaining ground in Gaul briefly, his army is overextended as Franks, Lombards, Huns and Romans enclose themselves around Visigothic territory. (The Eastern Vandals are busy pushing upwards...) On March 8th, 468 Theodoric is slain in the Battle of Burdigala. Just three months later, under serious pressure, his heir Thorismund renounces all claim to the Visigothic crown. This event marks the end of the Visigothic people as a foederate nation. Most Visigoths are slain or put in shackles, and sent as slaves to Hunnic lands. As of this moment the only real foederate nations left are the Burgundians, Lombards, the Vandals, and the Franks. Aquitania is added to the land reforms project.

469 - 470 AD - Consolidation of the Empire. Attila pours his personal funding into economic revival all along the empire. He rebuilds the aqueducts and roads, and adopts a new economic policy.

By this time there was far more land than was needed to grant the army retirment pay for a LONG TIME to come, given that the economic policy encompassed many parts of Dacia, Galaecia, Germania, and Aquitania. So he gave the urban poor of Rome, Ravenna, and Neapoli half the land in Germania to make them useful, productive citizens. He mandated that this be a process of some twenty years so that the newly-conquered lands aren’t simply flooded by hordes of urban poor.

For his defense of the empire against the Visigoths and his economic revival policies, he is granted the title “Magnus” (“the Great”) by the Senate.

470 AD -

- Dionysius Exiguus invents the AD/BC calendar. Of course at this point in time, most Romans are referring to "Before Attila" and "After Attila" since much of their Empire is set as if Augustus is still ruling. Then again, the Romans are a fickle lot.

- Huneric has a baby boy by the name of Godigeric, in order to continue his family's domain. The suffix -eric does help. There is also the other causes, such as the massive amounts of Visigothic refugees that are pouring into the Seagate Kingdom that didn't want to be killed as well as the folks from Catharge, who are getting the good idea that freedom is better than restrained freedom. The capital of the Seagate Kingdom is formally set at OTL Faro, Algarve, Portugal which in the East Vandal language is something akin to Frójaarmés, slurred down to Frojarms.

- More rumors from Britain start spreading forth and culminate in an encounter of an emissary from the said area wearing a Roman Cavalry uniform that is altered (somewhat). What is more astonishing is that the emissary's guard is composed of Saxons. The emissary is escorted to the local Legate's office, who is then informed that "Stilcho Orsin" is busy "taming the wilds of Britain" and that while diplomatic relations can commence, "Stilcho Orsin" is not too sure about the consistiancy of such relations. The Legate, who is utterly dumfounded by the encounter, sends a missive to Rome about the emissary.

However, when the Legate comes back from his bath, the emissary disappears. A search is launched with no success. The missive in general...is never received in Rome, the body of the messenger shot by bandits, and the rumors start growinig.

- A formal rebellion is cited in Catharge. Blegu kills a lot of people. Ricimer disagrees with this fact, although not publically. Blegu writes to his kin of the purple and more soldiers are sent. At this year, Catharge is little more than a Vandal "island" surrounded by Roman settlers from the "outer" provences, a large Hunnic army, and a slightly unequal amount of Roman troops. It does not help the large contingent that Hunnic words are starting to mesh with Latin. Most people are starting to refer to Catharge as "Citybythesea" or Talagon [the exact phonetics of Hunnic Lingusitics are far beyond a simpleton such as myself to comprehend, let alone mixing with Latin, and other languages]. The Romans....do not like this.

- Leo I of Byzantium dispatches Tarasicodissa (later to be known as Zeno) to help dispatch rebels along the border of the two Roman Empires. Unofficially, there are no rebels and Attila fully recognizes this through the dispatches he gets of Byzantine troops increasing their fortifications along the border. In response to this, Attila sends what he can from his original horde (or descendents thereof) to counter this move.

471 AD - Attila the Hun, Magnus Augustus, Beloved of God, Emperor of the West dies. His final two decrees are that the capital of the Empire be moved from Ravenna back to Rome, now greatly revitalized, and that his heir is his son Equitius.

Equitius is crowned IMPERATOR OCCIDENTALIS ET REGNVM HVNNORVM later that year.

The first wave of soldiers retiring to the lands set aside by Attila. This results in a great movement to the fertile lands in the Pannonian plain of Romanized peoples, bringing with them Roman ideas and Roman innovation. This begins the cultural flourishing of the area. New labor ideas emerge here, as the new farmers look to increase their yield. These however wouldn’t come to fruition until the next few decades.

When informed of Attila's death, it is stated that Leo I opened many a horse race as well as public celebration of his "reign".

It is assumed also, at this date, that Jews start migrating to Byzantium due to lenient measures stipulated into law by the said emporer.

- Huneric (The Crafty) experiences his first bout of fever. In his place he annoints his good friend Hnent (The Sneaky), who serves as Regent. During Hnent's Regency, a massive drive is set forth to recruit soldiers that could patrol the large expanse of land that the East Vandals now control in OTL's Southern Portugal. Much of these soldiers are either former Visigoths, freelance Roman soldiers, and Alans. Since the East Vandals are more attuned to naval tactics, the Alans begin to serve as the unofficial "assistant" to land battles. As a result of this policy, Alans start arriving in East Vandal lands, to the point that they begin to melt into the former Visigothic cultures as well as the Hunnic-Roman traits. Of course this will take some time....

- Also at this point of time, the Roman city of Olissipo is transformed into a Naval Port. Of course the East Vandals tend to call it Lispbo and most of the people around there tend to know the city as such.

472 AD - Immediately Equitius’ authority is challenged by one of the client states, that client state being the Gepid tribe. They were crushed and slaughtered to the last man. The rough lifestyle of the Huns which he spent much time living had impressed upon him the need to meet your enemies with utmost hatred, and your friends with utmost generosity. The Gepids weren’t just enemies, they were traitors.

- Roman ships within OTL's English Channel encounter British ships ferrying goods to the East Vandals. This time a formal missive is sent to Rome that is actually received. Apparently, England is now ruled by a quasi-Roman military government with a "Stilcho" serving as the title of the Dux. In this year, a "Stilcho" Urien of Rhged, who is somehow related to the "original" Stilcho.

Not surprisingly nearly everyone in Britain claims that Stilcho survived his asassination, that he was a b*stard son of an Emporer, and was base enough that he deserted the ranks so that the "Brythons" would survive "the Long Night".

Further talks with Emporer Equitius results in a formal bonding between the two states. Although it is a strong irritant that a good amount of the Britons are made up of escaped Saxons, all of them are quasi-Romanized, and that they are somewhat "civilized" as a result of that. Thus it is that the Britons are allowed to go on their merry way.

- Ricimer dies. His nephew, Gundobad, who has been serving in the same area, "inherits" the position of Legate. Blegu also dies within a month of his contemporary and is succeded by his son, Blegusson Titus Talagon. Not surprisingly, the two start to clash on how to run the provence.

474 AD - Leo I dies and appoints his son Leo II to rule. Leo II, most fortunately for his Regent (Zeno), also dies 5 months into his reign. Thus it is that Zeno becomes the 15th Byzantine Emporer.

Honoria, wife of Attila and mother of the emperor, dies.

Huneric (The Crafty) dies of fever & other associated diseases that causes him to be bed-ridden at irregular intervals in his last two years of life. Hnent becomes the official Regent until such time Godigeric becomes of age. To honor the trend that his friend created, Hnent takes on the suffix -eric at the end of his name. Thus Hnenteric is born.

- The first rebellion by pro-Ricimer Romans (as in, the "pure Roman way") commences over the name of Catharge, which to them should be pronounced Carthage, instead of the former pronounciation that has been going around. There are other causes as well - the shift of the Legions being cavarly, the shunting of normal infantry troops as "city policement", and just the slow creep that of the (now) Romanized Huns into Roman Culture. The rebellion is put down - lightly- by the "City Guard". However, the methods in putting down the rebellion are severly criticized by Blegusson Titus Talagon as 'insufficient', and that a purge of those select elements occur.

Needless to say....that doesn't go well with the "City Guard".

475 - 479 AD - Carthage explodes in civil war. Emporer Equitius is not pleased. More reinforcements are sent to put down the war, which ends up with even more heartache along the other provences that have similar conflict. Carthage - well, the pro-Ricimer part of it - is burned down. In the place of it, Carthage is built along Hunnic lines, with the architecture and roads specifically designed for cavarly tactics. Those surviving Legions that didn't rebel were demoted to the actual post of "City Guard" with Romanized Hunnic commanders as their officers. Thus it is that the first civil police force was created.

Many within the Empire assume that the rebellion was nothing more than a PR stunt in order to "jump-start" the Roman Navy, which by this time, has been eclipsed by both the Eastern Vandals, the Byzantines, and the Britons. Shipyards are built wherever the Roman Empire meets the sea, especially in regards to Sardinia, Corsica, Gaul, Sicily, and Carthage. Other re-designs are launched in other provences to emulate the "progress" in the said city state.

Gundobad is not listed in the dead. Ironically he has been "hired" by Eastern Vandal emissaries on "advising" them in the matter of Lispbo. How he got to be "hired" is ...not explained.

Blegusson is promoted to Dux of Carthage and "reforms" his name so that it reads; Titus Attliaus Blegusson f. Baegu n. Huns Baegu Cruoris. Of course many Romans simply call him Blegusson the Cruel (Atrox).

- More information comes out of Britain that bespeaks of a strange system in which the division of power is even more refined to the point that small 'county mayors' are allowed to retain the title "King" as well as retaining a small guard to protect themselves/the county. Many commanders within the northern reaches of the Empire start to emulate this trend, although not as to the extent that Britain has gone to. It is also recorded that the very title of "Stitcho" is circulated through the "Kings" at a set given interval by a Council of Nobles. Of course further information about the British political system is surpressed by the Empire due to it's revival of the 'autocratic' ways/means of the Legions/Emporer.

- Also within this year a noted Tribunus Laticlavius Riothamus of Ebrauc is sent to "settle" either Wales or Hibernia. The Legion that he takes with him is the IX Legion Hispania. Although this fact does alert many in the Northern Provences on if this Legion is, in fact, the reputated "Lost Legion" (or let alone how Britain can sustain a Legion on that small island of theirs), the British emissary in Gaul simply states that Stilcho Donart of Kernow "had a fancy for Hispania".

- Emporer Zeno commissions a formal "border patrol" unit to be stationed along the border between the Romans and the Byzantines.

475 AD - Equitius weds the daughter of an influential Hun. That same year they bear a son named Flavius, named after Flavius Aetius. He, like his father, sends him to spend much of his time among the Huns to ensure that he has a proper “Romano-Hunnic” upbringing.

476 AD - The Senate votes to erect a monument to Attila in the Forum. It is a statue of Attila on horseback with the traditional Hun reflex bow drawn while wearing the laurel wreath.

480 AD - Zeno defeats efforts by Verina & Basiliscus to oust him from the throne. The latter is blinded, his hamstrung cut, hands chopped off with his stumps tarred, and shoved in a cistern. His family is exiled to the Crimea. As for Verina, she is equally exiled from the Byzantine Empire, although in Cyprus rather than the Crimea.

481 AD - Clovis I ascends the throne of the Franks. He is ambitious king, and Equitius does well to keep an eye on him, wondering if the exposure to the "British" government has corrupted him.

482 AD - The retired soldiers in the Pannonian Plain, had for over a decade now adopted a sort of indentured servitude mode of labor for their newly-acquired farms. The movement of urban poor in Italy to Germany had been a long, twenty year process, and at this stage was still only about halfway through. It was popular at this time for the newly-landed soldiers to offer to urban poor in Italy an alternative: work my farm, I give you not only a share of my land but also protection from bandits and whatever the north brings. Thus began the development of a sort of manorial system in the Roman Empire.

486 AD - The fears of Clovis are well-grounded, when Clovis invades the Soissons region of the Roman Empire. He begins rapid expansion in northern France, however he soon finds resistance.

- The Henotikon ("Act of Union") is issued by Zeno I. In contrast to OTL's version of it, there is very little importance attached to it, since Attila and Zeno aren't talking to each other. Most of the clauses enacted wtihin the document are to appease those Monophysits in the Byzantine Empire.

- Tribunus Laticlavius Riothamus of Ebrauc is said to have won a "great victory" in Hiberia. Whether or not this is true or not, no-one actually knows. Tribunus Laticlavius Riothamus of Ebrauc is promoted to Legate.

- Carthage builds it's own version of the "pony express", explicitly designed to counter growing concerns about bandits.

- The "West" Vandal population in the said state begin to melt into the general populace of Carthage. Those that don't are either in the East and/or serving as mercenaries in Byzantium.

486 - 489 AD - The campaign against the Franks. The campaign was long and bloody, the Franks being at this point very “Romanized”, and not the disorganized barbarian horde it was in generations past.

But ultimately, Clovis is defeated, both by his new enemies and internal dissent. It is from here that the Franks break out into three distinct camps;

1. Those that migrate to Britain, thinking that they would hire a whole lot of refugees and/or accept them on the pain of death. This plan does not work out, partly due to Britain's own development as a quasi-Roman state, ending up in a series of three large land battles that essentially squish the Franks-in-Britain into slavery, the death of the previous Stilcho, and the rise of the former Legate Riothamus of Ebrauc as the leading ruler of that state.

It is from this point that Legate Riothamus of Ebrauc attaches Stilcho as a 'family' name instead of a title, as well as other changes to Britain that not important at this time.

2. Those that migrate to Hiberia, lead by Childebert I (son of Clovis), and found their own kingdom there, with more successful battles than the first wave, and then they ....lay quiet for a while.

3. Those that essentially surrendered to the Roman Legions through the deliberate isolation of Clovis's main guard so that he could be wiped out. This faction is lead by Chlodomer (another son of Clovis). Emporer Equitius is very hesitant on a backstabbing nation being in his "den of allies". Yet, Chlodomer did allow his father to be slain by the Hunnic Romans.

In a move of mercy, Emporer Equitius allows Chlodomer to retain the title "King of the Franks" as well as to retain their ancestorial lands. The only detriment that he puts upon Chlodomer is that he is to contribute an undetermined number of men for "foreign adventures" as well as financial "contributions". The first assignment that Chlodomer is to do lies in the deserts of Carthage, where his infantry troops are to eleminate the elusive Berbers in their home turf, as well as to forge a road between Carthage and the South Seagate.

Not surprisingly, those that have been "asked" to serve this duty account for two thirds of Chlodomer's army, thereby placing Chlodomer in the mercy of the Roman Empire.

490 AD - Godigeric inherits the throne of the East Vandals. Hnenteric is rewarded for his service as the "Duke" of the South Seagate. Three months later, Hnenteric perishes in a storm while saving a sinking merchant ship. Hnenteric is buried alongside Huneric for his service.

491 AD - The beginning of the settlement of Germania by the Roman veterans. Although for the most part they are still being sent to the Pannonian Plain.

- Zeno I dies. Anastasius I inherits the throne.

494 AD - Pope Gelasius delineates the relationship between Church and State, saying that while they are separate, they are to assist each other.

- In a move to consolidate power, Godigeric emulates the British system of distributed power amongst military ranks, although with naval ranks instead of Roman.

- Lispbo becomes Lisbon.

- The West Vandals pass into history.

- The first Roman squadron is made along East Vandal ship designs.

495 - 500 AD - Equitius visits Carthage. On his trip home, Equitius claims he saw the Christ on the battlefield, instructing him to spread and emphasize Christianity throughout the Empire. In the last nine years of his life, Equitius spends much on the construction of monasteries and churches, especially in Gaul, Germania, and the Pannonian Plain

-Chlodomer is assassinated. The Frankish Kingdom collapses under civil dispute. An offer is made to Equitius and the Frankish Kingdom is split in twain; the coast going to East Vandal with the other going to Rome. For now, the only "living" Frankish Kingdom is in Hiberia.

- The road to South Seagate and Carthage is left unfinished.

- Godigeric has a son by a Hunnic-Roman Tribune's daughter and names him "Adterderic".

- Legate Riothamus of Ebrauc dies and is succeded by Legate Simone of London, the first quasi-Roman to rule Britain in a very long time.

- The East Vandals experience their first rebellion in their Frankish territories.

Good stuff, keep it going! Especially since it is dealing with the period of history I have a lot of interest in!

midgardmetal said:

Good stuff, keep it going! Especially since it is dealing with the period of history I have a lot of interest in!

Click to expand...

Oh sure, go ahead an comment on the spin-off, but don't say a word in the original thread!

(j/k)

Thermopylae said:

Oh sure, go ahead an comment on the spin-off, but don't say a word in the original thread!

(j/k)

Click to expand...

For the record, the original thread is something I keep on checking and reading - don't take it as a sign of disinterest that I am not commenting much. It is a good, and very original take on things - I am also glad that you did not go for the uber-Rome route; I personally would have probably ended up doing exactly that had I been writing the TL, and staying away from temptation is something I can only compliment you on

Excellent work. I really liked the Coronation of the Hun, and I love extremely detailed timelines. I'm looking forward to see the next installations.

501 AD - Pope Symmachus is accused of various crimes with women that he's not supposed to be with by one Senator Festus, who is noted as an "organizer" in the New Hunnic Roman Empire. Senator Festus is a noted supporter of the supposed 'anti-pope' Laurentius. The whole affair is swiftly put down due to the Emporer being a "firm champion of the Papacy" and not exactly eager to embroil in "useless religious quibbles". Three days after the accusation, Senator Festus disappears, with the reason of his "sudden family crisis".

Rumor has it that Seantor Festus is now working on the Unfinished Road, which has gained the reputation of being a death-trap for dissenters.

Also in the European Continent;

-Legate Simone of London formalizes the government to be a military although with nominative civilian input due to the threat of Hiberia. As a result of this action, more information start to filter in about Britain, which has become more of an open fascination with those of the Northern Colonies of Rome. Some key facts that do propogate are;

i.) That the capital is London
ii.) That the "overlord"/manorial system is based on the "new wave" that the Roman Empire has embraced although on three focuses rather than simply infantry/cavalry.
iii.) That much of the subdivisions within Britain are with paved roads, running water, and hostels for traveling merchants.
iv.) That the Saxons are being employed as 'frontier guards'. The 'racial' mix of the current Britain does have a trend of everyone being of mixed heritage although the very notion of Franks tend to send the average Briton into a 'fevor of nationalism hither unknown to the Empire since Caeser got stabbed in the Senate'.

-Rebellion in the Frankish territories of the Seagate Kingdom continue, resulting in the swift build-up of Lisbon as both a naval/army depot. A good amount of the rebellion is supported by troops sent from Hiberia and supposed "British agents". Those that are within Roman territory are quickly executed and manipulated for Roman interference, which Equitius is only happy to do.

-The last Hunnic survivor from the taking over of Rome dies. A new monument is made in Rome on the actual journey and a 'revisionist' version of how the taking over is written. Also in this era, St. Thomas of Dacia (a minor priest that helped with the merging of both cultures) Cathedral is built in Ravenna, just to show that Equitius cares for them. St. Thomas of Dacia Cathedral is the first of the 'bigger churches' that come close to the dimensions currently occupied by the Colosseum.

...and speaking of the said building, Equitius starts repairing that too, after a tour of Roman buildings, with many of the Empire soon calling him Equitius the Builder, along with -the Fair-, -the Just-, -the Wise-, and so on...

502 AD - War breaks out between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sassanids. The Sassanids are overconfident, and send a weak force into Armenia. They are slaughtered at the Battle of Amida, and the war begins.

- During the rebellion, a noted noble by the name of Chilperic crowns himself "The King of the Franks", and sends a coded missive to the Roman authorities on backstabbing the Eastern Vandals (now _the_Vandals_) out of France.

-At this time, Roman authorities in Spain are slowly moving away from the center, due to their distance away from the capital. Those that are inland and closer to the Seagate(s) Kingdom are less loyal than those nearer to Roman influence. This begins the first drifting towards "native" rule, as shown in Britain, who is busy with Hiberia to care much about their new role as "mentor of proto-feudal system.

- The first "Codex of British History" is published, with (as can be expected) Stilcho assuming the role of Attila or Augustus, even though his visage is not of the actual (dead) Stilcho. Within the Codex is another rising literary star, King Arthur, who factors in as the "second King of Wisdom" in the panetheon of British Military Leaders. Unlike OTL, this King Arthur is more known for his defense of the "Last" Stilcho (not to be confused with Legate Simone Stilcho of London) in the Battle of Brandon Mons, where he dies attempting a futile move to save his sovereign.

- The first record of a "King of Ulster" emerges in Hiberia. Further information, as can expected, is not forthcoming.

- The first mention of a "King of Scotland" arises.

- Equitius sends missionaries to Dacia to "seize Orthodox heretical absences". At this point much of OTL's Slavic States and Romania have become a defacto war zone of religions between the two Empires. As of late, the Roman Empire of the West is winning, due to reasons already listed above.

- OTL's Balerics are transformed as a naval base for further commercial pruposes.

- OTL's Libyan Coast is "settled" by Carthagian Cavarly, noted for their adaptability to the desert climes.

502 -505 AD - The Eastern campaign against the Sassanids. Mesopotamia reconquered entirely. Peace is agreed upon that the Sassanids give Colchis, Assyria, (region based around Hatra) and 10,000 pounds of gold. Given the large number of Christians in the region, the Eastern Romans are most welcome.

- The first Census under Hunnic-Roman "aegis" is launched.

- Legate Simone of London steps down for health reasons and appoints Legate Owain of Powys as his successor. This is the first Welsh Legate of the British Realm. By this time, most in Britain have associated the title of 'Legate' as the actual King of the Britons, with the title of 'Stilcho' as a mark of the First Imperial Family of Saints (Stilcho has now been elevated to "Warrior Saint" by the Celtic Church), even though many of the Stilcho's are completely different from each other.

- The Frankish Kingdom is reformed with another rebellion breaking out in the South Seagates on the increased amount of taxes for the war. Although the win is more of default, King Chilperic now has to face the Roman Legions on his door, and another cycle of war breaks out in that region. Needless to say Equitus makes the Franks 'squirm' out of their war by paying a large fine for not being sacked as the previous Frankish Kingdom.

- The first mention of a Kenneth O'Donnell as a major hero of a large battle in Hiberia.

- St. Thomas of Dacia Cathedral suddenly collapses in an earthquake. It was only half built. Equitus converts the ruins into a more smaller church, this time adapted for length than height, thus the "Lateral Cathedral" fashion begins. Not surprisingly, the Cathedrals built for height are still continued in Dacia, where they become as equally fanatical about religion as Rome is.

509 AD - King Chilperic converts to Celtic Christianity, due to the saturation of Celtic Church missionaries in the Northern Reaches of the Roman Empire.

- Godigeric dies with Adterderic succeding him. Adterderic takes the name Aderic for short. His father is buried with the rest of the Seagate Kings. At this point many in the "Vandal" State tend to regard the whole family of rulers as the "Hunerics". Of course by this time, much of the Vandal culture has been merged with Alanii/Visigoth/Roman/OTL's North African ways of life to the point that it's not Vandal anymore; it is "Sagerics".

- Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius is appointed Aide-de-camp for the Governor of Carthage due to his "promise of great intelligence & wit".

510 AD - The death of the Emperor of the West, Equitius Vandalicus Augustus. Ascension of Flavius as Emperor of the West.

511 AD - The “manorial system” is now in full swing in Pannonia Magna (Pannonia beyond the Danube), although most of the farmers are coming from Greece and beyond the Empire itself, given that most of Italy’s unemployed are gone, sent to be productive in Germania, Pannonia, or Dacia.

Introduction of this new system into Germania itself. Economic flourishing of the region. Many new roads are built throughout Germania, and it becomes a hub of trade.

- Sageric voyagers reach OTL's Ghana.

- The first census for Britain is published. Emissaries from Britain meet up with representatives from the King of the Franks about Hiberia. The first mention of the "King of Ulster" being of "British employ", although disregarded as rumor. Trade between Germania and Britain are increasing to the point that British-Saxons are migrating back to Germania, although as guards to British merchants, and relatively are NOT Germans anymore.

- Emporer Flavius takes a visit to Dacia, Carthage, Gaul, Germania, and Spain.

- First mention of the "War to the North" [i.e. Scotland] is made.

512 AD - Anastasius I retires as Emporer and passes the throne to Justin I.

- The eldest daughter of Flavius is betrothed to Legate Owain of Powys's eldest son, the heir apparent to the British "throne" (there is no throne; it's actually a round table with the middle chair having a visage of "Stilcho the Warrior King" as it's head rest), in a Roman effort to both cement relations with the British, just to show that they are aware of the British influence in Germania.

- The first mention of a British "colony" in what will be OTL's Denmark, led by a Centurion Alfred "The Cunning" of Wessex, mostly for commercial purposes.

- At this point, ranks in the Romano-British Legion begin change in order to support the title of Legate as "King of Britain". Although the word "Legate" will still be retained as "General", the main focus in this sidenote is the usage of the word "Kanighct" [the g is pronouced as a hard -ch in German, the c being silent because of wacky Romano-Brythonic-Saxon grammar rules that have not yet been formalized] as OTL's Major of a Reserve Cavalry Unit (= that of OTL's National Guard)

513 - 516 AD - Known as the "Three Year Peace", almost nothing major happens, except for some minor religious riots in Dacia and OTL's Croatia.

- King Chilperic is almost assasinated. Two months later, he is assassinated. Not surprisingly, his second in command, a Theudebert of Rouen inherits the throne. Much hijinks in Gaul commences and then "quiet down" with the Legate of Gaul, a one Valens of Gallia Belgica, offered the position of "Regent". Valens accepts the offer. Gaul is now under Roman "rule" - for now....

- Legate Owain of Powys's eldest son, Selyf (the Slow), has a son. Selyf names him Ambrosius Aurelianus Britaeon. Three days later, Selyf is shot dead in a campaign to whack off some Scots. Legate Owain takes it upon himelf to raise Ambrosius Aurelianus as his own. (His mother ...takes religious vows ...for some untold reason...)

517 - 518 AD - Roman Emperor Flavius, Pope Hormisdas, and Justin I of Byzantium convene the Conference of Rome where matters of religion is discussed.

Key to Map;

Blue dots designates "British" influence in government (i.e. feudal system)

Carthage is colored differently because it has a different culture

Frankish Gaul's exact border is sort of hazy at the moment, thus the defining border of Roman Gaul (in yellow), as well as the labeling of which area is under who's control

I like the angle. Do keep going, old boy!

@midgard

I know, I was just kidding.

@Bald Impostor

Whaddya mean LIKED? It's still goin'!

Thermopylae said:

@Bald Impostor

Whaddya mean LIKED? It's still goin'!

Click to expand...

I liked it until you ignored my suggestion to break up Galie.

517 - 518 AD - Roman Emperor Flavius, Pope Hormisdas, and Justin I of Byzantium convene the Conference of Rome where matters of religion is discussed.

(Listed below due to the above date being of two years)

517 AD - Dacia is given "leave" to found a "Missionary" School, specifically designed to counter Orthodox efforts on 're-conversion'. At this point Dacia is split into two groups; A) Those that are more Catholic in their orientation with the "Vertical Cathedrals" as a symbol of their fath [&] B) Those that are more "lenient" and then to intregate Orthodox teachings within Orthodox, along with a multitude of other variations to the point that some are overtly Orthodox (with a side ordering of Catholic saints) and moderately Orthodox (wholesale borrowing of Catholic "ideas"). Not surprisingly, much of the B Faction is located along the border of Dacia/Byzantine Empire, with the former being of a Northern orientation.

- Walls within OTL's Bulgaria help to can a small rebellion of Bulgars, dissenting on the rate of pay. The rebellion then spreads to OTL's Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro. There is a discussion within the fugitive rebel leaders that within Roman concentrated border territories there's no real oppression going on and that there are policies in place to boost Roman presence in other areas. Thus, a small shift of Slavic peoples migrate to Roman Gaul, which by this time has become more of a melting pot of supporting Roman tribes ... and the Franks...who are quite irritated that they are under Roman rule once again.

- The first "state" census is launched in present day Germania and Carthage.

518 AD - The first recognition of the "Danish Kingdoms" under British aegis is made. For a lack of a better imagination, the "Danish Kingdoms" are named Eastmark. Most Germans (i.e. the Romanized ones) simply call it "Saxony" because there's so many Saxon tribes in that state, marrying, and other descriptions that are not listed here.

- OTL's Brittany is named Brittany due to the large concentration of Celtic missionaries from Britain. St. Patrick's-in-Gaul is conscrated, specifically for the matter of the Franks, who are attending Celtic Church in droves. The reason behind this is that it's _NOT_ROMAN_, overlooking the fact that many of the saints in the Celtic pantheon are "warrior saints" that slaughtered the Franks in the noted "Thirty-years-in-a-month*" War.
(*so noted because, again, the Britons have no imagination and that their language is often taken up by the Franks because they have no rules about how to use it as well as it being nigh near incomprehensible compared to Latin)

- The first mention of Hiberia being united under a "Dublin Pact". Further exploration by Roman agents (from Germania) find out that much of Hiberia has now been "Frankified". The only area that isn't overtly "Frankish" is Ulster, which is currently a war zone between British and Scottish interests.

- Ironically, set in the middle of Hiberia (or rather, the West Irish Coast), is the city of Geneviève, the only city that is in "pure" Frankish. It is from this city (OTL Kilbaha & the surrounding environs) that a "King Rollo O'Done(l)" rules [The L is silent, the actual name pronounced as "OeDounelle"). Also from this area there is mention that the "Frankish Kingdoms of Hiberia" employ a feudal system much akin to the British method, although the "Knicht" rank is called "The Rider Lords" (translated from the "original" Frankish) with nothing above it (besides the King) and nothing below it (except "Riders", infantry, footmen, etc, etc...)

518 - 523 AD - St. Atlida (the Romanized version of Attla) of the Plains Cathedral is built in Dacia, thus proving that Dacians have no conception of what is in vogue in Rome, also proving that the St. Atilda of the Plains Cathedral is a specific sign that Dacian Catholics are slowly moving towards their own interpretations of Roman Catholicism than the "true way".

- Somewhere in this time period (it's vague for a reason), Aderic dies and there is a crisis of who's now ruling the Sagerics, let alone if the realm is united enough to last in the comign years. It is from here that the Sagerics start to split - with the Centre being ruled by Aderic's nephew Gadaeric, the far North [Lisbon] ruled by a Lord Barsovic (don't ask), and the south ruled by an Admiral Caeyleric. Although the three realms are now seperate, there is still the tradition of the rulers (not of Lisbon) to have the suffix -eric to designate the ruler, and that those dead are buried at the Hall of Kings. Over time only the second tradition will hold as "true".

- Somewhere in 520, Frankish Gaul is now referred to as "France", in order to differ between Roman Gaul and _not_ Roman Gaul. The "sale" of OTL's Brittany is officialized by the local Roman Legate of Gaul. By this time a good chunk of Northern Europe is now running on the British system as well as adherents to the Celtic Church.

- Somewhere in 521, the position of Legate is passed to Ambrosius Aurelianus, the first mention of a blood line in Britain rather than an elected ruler.

- First mention of the "Tauregs"; a fanatical bandit community that tend to wear blue robes and green turbans.

- The Unfinished Road is finally finished, mostly due to a offshoot that hugs the coast rather than going deep into the desert.

- The first Embassy of the Byzantine Empire is opened in Rome; the Roman version will open one year later.

- At this point in time, Agkarious of Carthage attempts to do a family tree of a leading merchant in Libya; his...mannerisms will forever be associated as "irritating", "annoying", and "bothersome". Thus the term 'garius' comes to term that connotate the said meaning, although with the additional meaning of "asking for your head to be cut off".

523 AD - Leptis Magna is sacked by Berber raiders. At this point in time, no one really differentiates the Berbers from the Tauregs. Of course nobody cares at this point, so ...

523 - 526 AD - Flavius instigates the "Desert Purification Campaign". The Berbers that sacked Leptis Magna are wiped out. The Taureg are not. The first mention of a "Taureg King" is made.

525 AD - Danubius marries a Roman woman, breaking away from tradition, and that same year has a son named Attilanus.

526 AD - Earthquake kill ~300,000 in Antioch and Syria.

527 AD - Justinian I inherits the throne of Byzantium.

- Belisarius becomes Legate of Germania by Imperial Decree at a very young age due to his campaigns "against the heathen Eastern savages".

- Kavad the king of Persia attacks the Eastern Empire again, wins, and thus the Persian Wars begin with much of the frontier of Persia/Byzantine becoming a vertible wasteland.

- Mundus becomes a noted commander later on in this year as the Persians begin to win.

527 - 535 AD - The Byzantine Empire begins to loose BADLY. Thus the West is asked to help. Since Belisarius isn't doing much in Germania, he is dispatched to help with the Byzantines. (The reason for his short "Legatehood" is his policies in aiding the Britons but that is another story for a different time). For eight long years the Romans trample over the Persians.

The campaign would end with the acquisition of Mesopotamia into the Eastern Roman Empire, and Belisarius would be granted the title “Persicus” for his defeat of the Sassanids.

Of course in 532, thanks to Belisarius being Roman, Justinian I is saved as OTL but restricted to become a "puppet king" to Roman interests.

In 534, Justinian I attempts to have Belisarius assassinated, but ends up with himself being whacked, and thus Belisarius becomes Emporer. Alas for him, his rule will only begin the next year, since he is busy killing Persians. It is within this year that Belisarius becomes popular with the Eastern Romans.

- The Southern Sageric Kingdom disappears from the annuals of history due to a civil war they have with the Northern Sageric Kingdom. Both traits uniting the two ethnicities are discontinued. Lisbon declares itself to be a "Grand Duchy of Porto" after one of the counties near Lisbon. (As well as other political changes which need not to be mentioned here!)

- Legate Ambrosius Aurelianus dies prematurely. Legate Arthur of Gwent succeds him, thereby restoring the Legate(hood) to an elected leader rather than a bloodline. Also at this point, the term "Stilcho" is put to rest, and a new Codex is launched to clear up the discrepencies about who ruled when.

- Tauregs start a "War of Banditry" against Libya (again, nobody cares that it's a different tribe so they simply start calling them all Tauregs). Another round of genocidal purges of the desert begins. By this time Carthage is pretty much on it's own and - ironically - begin to resemble the desert tribes that they war against with a couple of minor cities to show that they are Roman.

- The first mention of an "Archbischop" is made, mostly in relation to Brittany, which has become the "Rome-of-the-North".

- Legate Arthur of Gwent commissions the Conference of Cantinburg [OTL Canterbury] to help with the matter of the Brythonic tongue, which by this time is closer to OTL's Middle English (- overt French words) mashed with Welsh, Gutter Latin, and Germanic Latin (Latin with German endings).

- The Dublin Pact disintergrates. The Kingdom of Hyberia emerges. The Kingdom of Ulster attempts it's own independence.

- The Danish Territories of Britian are now formally called "Saxony" due to the revival of Saxon traditions within that area.

- The Kingdom of France creates a Council of Nobles, which is heavily influenced by the British model, and elect Count Theuderic of Rouedn as King.

535 AD - Conclusion of the war. Mesopotamia is added to the Eastern Empire’s holdings, and the Sassanids are for all intents and purposes pushed beyond the Zagros mountains.

The death of the Emperor Flavius. Danubius succeeds him at 37 years of age.

The crowning of Belisarius commences. Belisarius issues a batch of decrees refining the Byzantine government so that it's more "simple". It's also noted that Belisarius tends to hit on the fact that "I'm nothing more than a caretaker" whenever he's in public, thereby gaining more popularity.

- Another cathedral, this time named for Equitius (St. Equitius the Magnus), is built in Dacia. This time, as bragged by many in the Dacian government, will be higher than "the other one we built". Rome "kindly" asks them to cut down the rhetoric of being grand.

- First appointing of a Slav as Legate of Gaul. Attendence and conversion to the Celtic Church is at an all time high. Rome (i.e. the Papacy) gets "antsy".

- The sub-district of Galicia is formed. Not surprisingly, it has come under the "Grand Duchy of Porto(gal)". By this time much of Central Hispania is now under localized merchants of Great Repute or commanders of Great Repute.

- A new line of Kings is made in Sageric under Admiral Witteric, who's actual name was Witterico. A new Hall of Kings is made. Sageric ships accidently land in OTL's Brazil. They, as can be expected, die in Brazil and/or OTL's Venezuela by the localized natives of the area.

536 AD - The first Codex of the Brythonic Tongue is issued.

- Also within this year, Legate Arthur of Gwent leads an expedition into the heart of Scotland, thereby proving that the Brits don't like to be raided.

- The Kingdom of Hyberia experiences it's first round of civil wars.

- Nearly all of Roman Gaul as well as Germania is now pro-Celtic Church. Rome decides to counter-act this by sending missionaries to Germania to "re-convert" them. Of course this takes some time...

- The Battle of Carthage commences between the Tauregs and the Carthaginians. Although this takes place 50 miles south of the said city, the most notable fact that comes out of this battle is that it's waged entirely by cavarly, and that Rome has been sort of distracted in other areas....

537 AD - Hagia Sophia completed.

Inspired by the Hagia Sophia, Danubius decides to create a grand church in Pannonia, to be called the “Church of Danubius".

St. Equitius Magnus Cathedral collapses as it is being given the final touches. There is endless mocking by Rome that the "Vertical Cathedrals" are utterly idiotic. Thus it is that another St. Equitius the Builder Cathedral is built just to show that the Dacians are better than the Romans.

The Grand Duchy of Portugal issues it's first currency, most noted for it's rider on the back, and a crown on the front. Galacia becomes defacto Portuguese, although retains it's ceremonial ties with Rome. Central Hispania is now a morass of Manorial Lords. This applies to the lands between the Adratic and Dacia as well.

Belisarius decides to create a "postal system" in Egypt.

A coup in Sageric ends Admiral Witteric's short lived reign. For now, a Council of Nobles rules with the Stewart of the King's Hall as the nomantive head of state.

537-542 AD - British coins starts appearing in Germania, replacing Roman coins, both of value and the other thing that currency has.

Scotland is pacified.

537-542 AD - British coins starts appearing in Germania, replacing Roman coins, both of value and the other thing that currency has.

Scotland is pacified.

Emporer Danubius is confronted by the Pope and leading officers of the Legions on the apparent falling apart that the Empire has of late. This confrontation is noted not for the actual even per say but the inclusion of key members from nobles of Hunnic blood. It is a challenge to both the Emporer and the legacy as left by Attila's heirs.

As a result to this confrontation, Emporer Danubius launches a program to regain the control that the Empire used to have. One of these policies is a simplification of the Roman currency so that it has more appeal than British coins. The Imperial Treasury is specifically founded to help 'shepherd' these movements.

Other areas - such as the military - is also addressed in this period.

The Papacy has their own measures...

The word "Burgundy" is first used by an export firm based in Marsellius, Gaul.

Rebellion in Scotland (again).

Legate Arthur of Gwent comes back to London after leaving his major domo, Legate Brychan of Brecon in charge of Scotland, the first time that a Welsh "Knicht" is elevated to such a post.

Rebellion in Saxony (again).

King Theuderic of Rouedn meets up with Legate Arthur of Gwent about the matter of a formal alliance between themselves about the matter of religion. (Hence why Legate Arthur of Gwent went to London.)

The British Imperial Mint is founded to help "refine" the currency problem of connotated value. By this time, British currency is also used as weight measures, since they come in all sorts of crazy colors. The British Imperial Mint is headquartered in Eborac and OTL's Kent.

The Sageric Council of Nobles creates the Common Hall so that they can avert military takeover.

John the Cappadocian is commissioned to overhaul the Corpus Juris Civilis for an "updated Byzantine court" by Belisarius.

Joannes Laurentius Lydus is commissioned to write an exhaustive History of Rome as well as the Persian Wars.

Tiberius II Constantine is retained to "clean out the Crimea".

The Second Battle of Carthage begins, most noted for being 100 miles away from the capital, and regarded by the Romans as something of a PR stunt so that Carthage can excuse itself for being defacto independent.

First mention of a "Ice Covered Land covered with Trees" (OTL Iceland) is made by Rolyiene (pronounced Roleen in Hiberian Frankish).

The Kingdom of Ulster is conquered by a coalition of Hiberian and British troops. First appearence of a large army strictly consisting of "Rider Lords" as well as the infamous "Welshbow". Most unfortunately, both Hiberian and British troops quarrel over who gets what in Ulster.

543 AD - First record of a public reproach by Pope Vigilius to the Arch-Bishop of Dacia on "over-stepping your bounds in relation to the individual selfish needs of this mortal shell we occupy."

544 - 546 AD - First record of a public rebuke to Carthage in which much of the provencial guard is removed to "secure the growing concerns of Germania". Those current troops in Germania are then sent on a grand expedition into the "Barbaric East" for the "Good of the Empire". The Governor of Carthage formally protests this move - hence the rebuke - and thus "military action" is made upon the "Rebellious Provence".

However, this "military action" is highly contested amongst the cavarly officers of the Legion and the Roman Senate itself.

A two year political war breaks out between those for Carthage (& at large the rights of provences over the Empire) and against.

546 AD - Frustrated that his legacy isn't becoming well liked, Emporer Danubius launches an invasion of East Germania, as well as a large contingent of troops to Carthage just to show who's in charge.

547 AD - Belisarius experiences health problems.

The troops sent to Carthage "disappears". Emporer Danubius demands for the reason why. Most unfortunately, as he is traveling (personally) to Carthage, he is poisoned.

The Roman Senate, along with the Papacy and tact support from the Legions, appoints a nomantive cousin of the Attila family, a Marcellinus of Vienne [OTL Isère]. It is from here that Emporer Marcellinus of Vienne begins a path of utter destruction for his enemies....

548 - 550 AD - Marcellinus of Vienne has high level talks with the ailing Beisarius on the matter of succesion, territory, and other related affairs.

In 549 AD, Marcellinus of Vienne proposes to Carthage that independence would be given in foderatii status as so long as Carthage lets Rome use their ports. The local commander in Carthage, a one Legate Legusson Atrax the Lame, accepts this. It is from this point that Legate Legusson Atrax (the Lame) forges a politicial system that is based on "I King, You Noble, You Chief, Your Warrior" ideal.

In 550 AD, Marcellinus of Vienne establishes the Marcellinus Code, firmly establishing a system of religious laws that would prohibit any Roman citizen to formally spread a religion other than Roman Catholicism. Those that would impede these laws would be formally excommunicated, barred from future office, and executed. In order to do the latter deed, the Praetorian Guard is revived as a military arm of the Theological Courts.

From here the Purges begin....

Also within this two year period;

- Belisarius dies and is quickly venerated as Belisarius "The Great". Tiberius II Constantine is elevated to the purple, now known as Tiberius II the Decapitator, due to his purging of the Crimea (both land and sea). In honor of his former superior, Tiberius takes the name Belisarius as his cogname, thus; Tiberius Belisarius II.

- Legate Arthur of Gwent dies. Not inheriting the throne is Legate Brychan of Brecon, who refuses the offer, on the account of him being close to death. Thus it is that Legate Cadog of Glywysing inherits the position as King of the Britons.

- King Theuderic of Rouedn dies three months after his British contemporary. The Council of Nobles then elect Baron Dagabert of Burgedal (OTL Bordeaux).

- The British Imperial Mint reforms the British currency to have it "more accessable". One of the units introduced is the pound mark, or mark as many call it. Another is the numus pence.

550 AD to 555 AD - The Five Year Purge is instigated throughout the Empire. Marcellinus of Vienne is soon given the epitath "Draco". Many in Germania flee either to what will be Poland, Saxony, Britain, and Carthage.

- The Kingdom of Ulster is reconstituted as a 'buffer' state between Britain and Hiberia. At this point, much of Scotland has been pacified, and all of Great Britain is now united. Legate Cadog of Glywysing creates the Parley Mount to help with the increased amount of nobles that want equal participation in government.

- The Peace of Ulster is declared with the new King of Hiberia, Orlon the Fat, accepting baptism in the Celtic Church.

- Brittany is declared "a sovereign part of Britain" with a nomantive guard sent to protect it.

- A marriage between Legate Cadog of Glywysing's daughter, Morgann the Fay (so named because of her complexion) and Baron Dagabert of Burgedal occurs.

- Much of Gaul openly contests the Inqusitional Hearings and appeal to Britain for support.

- The Grand Duchy of Portugal becomes the Kingdom of Portugal, restoring peace to the morass that is Central Hispania, and developing their own doctrine of faith.

- The Sageric Council of Nobles expands to 35 seats.

- Saxony gets invaded by the Geats

- Tiberius Belisarius II commisssions an exploration of the lands beyond Egypt.

- Persia rises (again) and falls (again).

555 AD to 559 AD - Marcellinus of Vienne stops the Purges at the behest of the new Pope. It is now fact that both the Emporer and the Papacy are helplessly intertwined. It is considered to be suicide to go against the Church and the Emporer. Marchellinus of Vienne now declares Rome a "Holy Empire of God".

- The Purge in Dacia has not been successfull. Many in Dacia now view Rome as "heretical" and "tyrannical". St. Equitius Magnus Cathedral has now been occuped by the Court of the Faith (the Inquisitors), re-developed so that it is a "lateral cathedral", with the high ceilings now made to strike horror in the commons.

- Not surprisingly, the local Legate of Dacia - a Nigris Macer - leads a rebellion that has Dacia being "free" with tactical Byzantine support. Marcellinus of Vienne is pissed off by this. Thus, Dacia is invaded.

- The first Byzantine-Roman-Dacian battle commences with Nigris Macer managing to survive through fleeing to Byzantine country, where another round of rebellion occurs.

- It is at this point that Germania, France, and Roman Gaul declare their independence with support from Britain, Hiberia, and Portugal.

559 to 562 AD - the Bulgars invade Dacia, sack the capital, burn St. Equitius Magna Cathedral to the ground, and march into Italy

563 to 566 AD - Marcellinus of Vienne meet up with the Bulgars in OTL's Venice and thus the Battle of Italy (actually a Campaign but nobody cares) commences.

- In that battle, Marcellinus of Vienne perishes, although the battle is known for the massive amount of rhetoric that the Pope pours out in order to defend the "Holy Roman Empire, Blessed by God" as well as the Roman Empire actually running without an Emporer for about two years, until ...

567 AD - The Bulgars are defeated (read: paid off) and settle in Dacia & OTL's Balkan States. The only part of Dacia that is not occupied is the area near the Byzantine Empire, where much support from the Byzantines are keeping that hope alive. It should also be noted that no Byzantine support did come to Rome because of political reasons.

- Marcellinus of Viennes is replaced with Timmos of Sicily, another part of Attila's large family, although the exact relation is somewhat dubious.

- The Kingdom of Portugal experiences it's first civil war.

- The Kingdom of Hispanya, or Spaine is created out of this war.

- The first mention of Burgundy arises in the context of a nation in the wake of the Battle of Ravenna.

- Germania appoints it's first Council of Nobles with much of the authority of a King assigned to the Legate.

- The Sageric Council of Nobles establishes itself as the Sageric Republic.

FAQ & Rulers

Rulers & Emporers
since the POD

Romans
1. Attila Augustus
2. Equitius Magnus
3. Flavius
4. Danubius (the Unready)
-indirect heirs-
5. Marcellinus of Vienne; sometimes called Marcellinus Draco
6. Timmos of Sicily [current]

Byzantines
1. Saint Marcian
2. Leo I the Thracian
3. Leo II
4. Zeno
5. Justinian (the Short Lived)
6. Belsarius the Great
7. Tiberius Belisarius II [current]

Segateric
-Vandals-
1. Geiseric
2. Huneric
3. Regency of Hnenteric
4. Godigeric
5. Adterderic {Formal name}
6. Gadaeric (the Unsteady)
6. Dissolution & election of the Council of Nobles [current]

Carthage
Too numerous to count.

Britain
"The Stilcho Dynasty"
1. "Stilcho the Younger"/Theodosius II
-intermittent "Stilchos"-
2. Stilcho Orsin
-intermittent "Stilchos"-
3. Stilcho Donart of Kernow
-intermittent "Stilchos"-
3. Stilcho" Urien of Rhged
4. Legate Riothamus (Stilcho) of Ebrauc
The Legates
5. Legate Simone (Stilcho) of London
6. Legate Owain of Powys
7. Legate Ambrosius Aurelianus (grandson of Legate Owain)
8. Legate Arthur of Gwent
9. Legate Cadog of Glywysing [current]

Popes
Pretty much OTL at 576 AD

French Kings
1. Clovis
2. Chlodomer
-civil war-
3. Chilperic
4. Theudebert of Rouen
-civil war (again) -
5. Regency of Legate Valens of Gallia Belgica (ROME)
-a period of civil disobedience-
- Council of Nobles established
6. election of King Theuderic of Rouedn
7. election of Baron Dagabert of Burgedal [current]

The Hiberian Kingdom
Too numerous to count

Current & Former "States" of 567 AD

1. The (Holy) Roman Empire
2. The Byzantine Empire
3. Dacia (vassal state to the Byzantines)
4. Occupied Dacia [Bulgars]
5. Carthage
6. The Taureg States/Kingdoms
7. The Grand Duchy of Portugal=> Kingdom of Portugal
8. The Kingdom of Hispanya, sometimes called "Spanye"
9. The Segate Kingdom => Segateric Kingdoms; North [see no. 7], South [see no. 10], Centre => Segateric Republic
10. Southern Segrateric Kingdom(s) [?]
11. Germania
12. France
13. Roman Gaul
14. Hiberia => Dublin Pact => Kingdom of Hiberia
15. "Burgundy" {more of a collection of mercantile firms than anything else}
16. Britain
17. Saxony (under British administration)
18. Geatland

The term Kingdom of Portugal does not make sense for that territory, you should call it Kingdom of Gallaecia.

some retconning

567 AD - A noted conflict emerges between Jon Cynic of Eborac and Jacqui of Corque [OTL's Cork] on the matter of mapping in relation to the Kingdom of Portugal. The argument mainly boils down to whether or not the Kingdom of Portugal would actually be named after a dinky county to the North of Lisbon (thus being named the Kingdom of Lisbon rather than Porto) or simply be named the "Kingdom of Gallecia", which Jacqui of Corque hotly contests is paramount to be declaring one a member of the Celtic Church in the middle of Rome. (Politics prohibit the Kingdom from simply being called "The Kingdom") Both scholars - Jon Cynic being a noted philosopher of the Azschies [The defacto Scholarly/Theological Court of the Legates] and Jacqui of Corque [noted traveler] - tend to be quite ....tiresome in their debates.

Of course the very notion of mapping the European Continent is somewhat...conflicting due to the whole "Purge" as orchestrated by Marcellinus Draco. This can be explained in the simple fact that some people like labeling their own version of events in their own language - with the noted example of the Hiberian word for France being translated to "That Bastard Kingdom Filled with Backstabbers and Betrayers" while the French word for Hiberia is "The Rider Lordlings & their Puppet King". These translations, mind you, are of the "common tongue", and should not be really taken in as the "Formal Sense of the Word "Portugal"".

BUT - most people tend to call the Kingdom "Lisbon" anyway...

============

@ Condottiero - What do you think of the TL so far?

G.Bone said:

567 AD - A noted conflict emerges between Jon Cynic of Eborac and Jacqui of Corque [OTL's Cork] on the matter of mapping in relation to the Kingdom of Portugal. The argument mainly boils down to whether or not the Kingdom of Portugal would actually be named after a dinky county to the North of Lisbon (thus being named the Kingdom of Lisbon rather than Porto) or simply be named the "Kingdom of Gallecia", which Jacqui of Corque hotly contests is paramount to be declaring one a member of the Celtic Church in the middle of Rome. (Politics prohibit the Kingdom from simply being called "The Kingdom") Both scholars - Jon Cynic being a noted philosopher of the Azschies [The defacto Scholarly/Theological Court of the Legates] and Jacqui of Corque [noted traveler] - tend to be quite ....tiresome in their debates.

Of course the very notion of mapping the European Continent is somewhat...conflicting due to the whole "Purge" as orchestrated by Marcellinus Draco. This can be explained in the simple fact that some people like labeling their own version of events in their own language - with the noted example of the Hiberian word for France being translated to "That Bastard Kingdom Filled with Backstabbers and Betrayers" while the French word for Hiberia is "The Rider Lordlings & their Puppet King". These translations, mind you, are of the "common tongue", and should not be really taken in as the "Formal Sense of the Word "Portugal"".

BUT - most people tend to call the Kingdom "Lisbon" anyway...

============

@ Condottiero - What do you think of the TL so far?

Click to expand...

I like it, specially the idea of the Sea Gates. Would we see Vandal "America"?

The Bald Imposter said:

I liked it until you ignored my suggestion to break up Galie.

Click to expand...

Wow, go cry about it.