Isaac's Empire

[Basileus Giorgios]

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Interesting stuff. Where was Kalamissa educated? I think BC is right when he queries how a simple miner girl can end up quite so highly educated...

Remember that monastery you detailed in your G.H story, in Sredets? Where Gemma of Larisa was based? Kalamissa was educated there as a young girl, but at the age of nine in 1739, her family fled before the oncoming Germans and resettled in Tarsus, where she completed her education in the Academy of St. Paul there (originally founded by John II back in 1142). An interesting piece of trivia is that Kalamissa was the very first female student to set foot in the building, at the age of thirteen (eight girls were allowed in, but the others stopped outside the building to look around. Kalamissa dived in).

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

It's also rather fascinating to see that the ultimate decision about who should be leader of the Imperial League (and probable future Grand Logothete) rests with a select group of twelve Electors. I assume these are some of the "great and the good" rather than elected by the people?.

They certainly are members of the "great and the good", mostly old men who have links to the I.L. Veteran Senators, family members of former Grand Logothetes, that sort of thing. The wider council has dozens of members, but the Electors are themselves elected whenever there's a leadership contest or some other big issue from within this wider council.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Things should be warming up quite nicely in Johannia by the 1780s, I would think. We have got the Confederacy of the North under King Alexander I of Vinland turning into a mega-power; we have Mexica, as BG stated in a previous post, extending some sort of vague authority over the Kingdom of Florida; Taysha with its oil-wells will be a very tempting target for Mexica; and maybe the Marianan Republic and Western Lusitania are also wobbling too?.

Mexica is booming yes, especially after the troubles of the early 1760s have been ironed out. Her monarchy remains very strong, and a process of very gradual democratisation is doing much to ease social tensions. Tongva, Florida and the Mayan States all look towards Tenochtitlan as their primary benefactor- all are Hispanic Christian after all, and nowadays, Tenochtitlan is centre of the Hispanic Christian world. Taysha isn't really interested in Mexica, and vice-versa, both have plenty of oil to go around, for now. Mexica, in particular, is pioneering deep sea oil drilling in the Gulf of Florida. This'll end well.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

When exactly does this happen? Is the period of paralysis before, during or after Germany becomes a founder-member of the International Bloc? There could be a spy story coming up if the internal contention is murky enough...

Reinhardt dies in February 1782, and is eventually succeeded by his son Adolf III, after Adolf manages to have his brother Otto imprisoned in March of 1783. In the interim thirteen months, Germany is caught in a state of paralysed peace, that could at any moment collapse into open civil war. That it does not do so is testimony to the prodigious skill of the Iron Guard and the Reichstag, who work together to gradually isolate Otto bit by bit, occasionally silencing his more prominent detractors.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Another couple of questions on the Iron Logothetess : is she married? If so, to whom? And does she have any children?.

She was married to Basil Kalamissos, a schoolteacher fourteen years her senior as soon as she finished her education in 1748. They have three sons, John (born 1749), Petros (born 1755), and Alexius (born 1757).

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

What did Patriarch Lukas V have against Kalamissa? Just the fact she was a woman? Surely Abbess Gemma of Larisa's campaigns have made women in politics a respectable notion by the 1780s...

By 1785, Luke has it in for all politicians, and is becoming the "frontman" for the People's Army as the elderly Palamas begins to retreat into the background. What Luke really desires is to establish his full control over the state and Church, backed up by the People's Army. He's becoming a megalomaniac figure in the mould of Pope Samuel II, though he obviously failed to get anywhere near as far.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

A nice insight into the Church getting mixed up with politics. Just thinking about how you mentioned recently that all the Uniate Patriarchs are equal under the Church reforms of Emperor Isaac III, why doesn't Kalamissa simply appoint Patriarch Philip II of Alexandria as her spiritual advisor in Constantinople? The Patriarch could come over with his senior clerics, and loyal underlings can look after the Egyptian Church.

Because Philip is quite happy in Alexandria, and Kalamissa wants to leave him there. The IL is, remember, unpopular in the predominantly Muslim areas of the Empire such as Egypt, so the presence of a stable, friendly figure in Egypt is one the Grand Logothete is not willing to consider losing.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

I think all the Patriarchates rather jealously guarded their ecclesiastical provinces and, by insisting that another Patriarch take over the Church throne in Constantinople, Kalamissa's approach seems to imply that some Patriarchs are more equal than others - which would cause a ruckus in the wider Uniate Church.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

The only exception to this rule would be the position of Pope, who IOTL the Orthodox always accepted was First Among Equals. ITTL after Unity, it's logical that the Pope merely is the acknowledged spiritual head of the Church not a man of great political power (except perhaps in central and northern Italy). The other Patriarchs, being in charge of major spiritual "realms" inside the Empire such as Egypt (Alexandria), Sinai/Palestine/Phoenicia/southern Syria (Jerusalem) and Northern Syria/Anatolia(?)/Georgia(?), would feel they are of equal worth to the Patriarch of Constantinople. Only the Patriarch of Kiev (exiled from Neo-Spartan Russia?) would maybe not feel like an equal - although maybe the Romans set him up as Patriarch of the Crimea and Galicia, so he has at least some Uniate faithful to guide spiritually...

The ecclesiastical areas within the Empire are as follows.

ROME- Northern and Central Italy, Corsica and Sardinia, plus responsibility for all Uniate Christians in nations without a Patriarch.
CONSTANTIOPLE- Anatolia, the Balkans, the Crimea, Sicily, and southern Italy, as well as Venetia.
ANTIOCH- Syria, and then a broad band of territory along the Empire's eastern flank, up to and including Georgia.
JERUSALEM- Palestine and Sinai.
ALEXANDRIA- Egypt, Lybia, and the border regions of Arabia under Roman control, plus responsibility for the Indian Ocean exarchates.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Surely you mean Patriarch Philip II of Alexandria, who you just referred to above? Otherwise who is this John?

I do, how embarrassing.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Also, does Anna Douka's return to Jensby cause any diplomatic strains between Rhomania and Vinland? Just when the Vinlanders had thought they'd got the ex-Empress off their hands, back she comes again.

The Vinlanders are, understandably displeased by Anna's return, they see her as a bit of stain on their nation. More on diplomatic relations below.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Also, various developments in the world might be putting the Vinland-Roman alliance under pressure: e.g. Vinland's transformation into a vast Confederacy of the North, with the addition of at least six new states to Vinland territory; also the non-aggression pact Vinland signed with Renko in 1750 means that the Confederacy and Russia are neutral; yet at the same time the Dragon Society, which fights the Russians in eastern Europe and the Middle East, has members from Vinland... Maybe the Confederacy starts to act cool towards Rhomania - and perhaps one consequence is the semi-detachment of the Vinlander Dragon Society, or even perhaps its full separation? Anyway, some food for thought...

The relationship has indeed cooled, but it's by no means frigid, Vinland and Rhomania are linked by religion and elements of shared history, after all. Jensby and Constantinople remain relatively cordial, but Constantinople fails to understand why the Confederacy is so unable to commit fully to supporting her in the Crusade against Neo-Spartanism. The Dragon Society now plays little role in the lands outside of the Empire, aside from Portugal, which is nowadays little more than an Imperial vassal. Most of the foreign Uniate powers accept that when the chips are down, it is directed by Constantinople, so have set up their own spying agencies that are loosely linked to the Dragon Society, but are essentially autonomous.

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

BC: as explained by BG, the Blachernae is the Emperor's residence by the Theodosian Walls; the Great Palace is the seat of the Grand Logothete, the Senate, the Dragon Society under Gyorgy Horvath and maybe the Patriarch as well? Is that how you see it, too, BG?.

The Patriarch is nowadays based in Galata officially, though more often than not, he'll be found in the Imperial Palace, or in one of the small palaces adjoining the Hagia Sophia. The Dragon Society is based in underground chambers below Basil I's Church of the Nea.

Originally Posted by The Kiat

I know I've asked about PDFs and websites before, but have you created a finished timeline (or whatever it was called) thread with just the chapters/parts only. It would be a quicker and easier read for me than scrolling through all the pages in search of the next chapter. Not only me, but everybody else who would want to enjoy Issac and his Empire.

The first half of the TL can be read here, after this, I'm afraid you're going to have to wade through.

[The Kiat]

Wade through!? Looks like I'll have to fix my diving bell.

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by Basileus Giorgios

The Dragon Society now plays little role in the lands outside of the Empire, aside from Portugal, which is nowadays little more than an Imperial vassal.

Does the Dragon Society still watches over the remaining interests of Portugal or acts as a defacto arm of Rhomania?

Keep it up, BG!

[Basileus Giorgios]

Hi guys. Just a quick "heads up"- I'm creating a website for IE, using a free site builder I've found. Hopefully this won't go too wrong! I'll be posting links to all the stuff that various people have contributed, this includes Ampersand's maps, Megas and SF's writing, and Rubberduck's flags for example. If anyone has any problem with me using their stuff, please PM me.

[The Kiat]

Originally Posted by Basileus Giorgios

Hi guys. Just a quick "heads up"- I'm creating a website for IE, using a free site builder I've found. Hopefully this won't go too wrong! I'll be posting links to all the stuff that various people have contributed, this includes Ampersand's maps, Megas and SF's writing, and Rubberduck's flags for example. If anyone has any problem with me using their stuff, please PM me.

Hurrah. <lights off fireworks) Is it weebly? That one worked well for me.

[Basileus Giorgios]

Originally Posted by The Kiat

Hurrah. <lights off fireworks) Is it weebly? That one worked well for me.

One called WebEden actually. We're still at an extremelly basic stage, but you can see what I've started off here.

[Megas Dux ton Kypraion]

Dear readership,

I have posted a new Dragon Society spy story on the 'Children of Johan' thread here (post #217).

Please have a look and enjoy.

Also have a read of the previous short spy story, posted by BG, which introduces a set of adventures set in the New World which will be written over the coming weeks and months.

Your comments, thoughts and suggestions for what you'd like to see happen next are as welcome as ever!

[The Kiat]

Originally Posted by Basileus Giorgios

One called WebEden actually. We're still at an extremelly basic stage, but you can see what I've started off here.

I haven't seen that one before. I used weebly because it was simple and it had no ads. Can those ads on WebEden be removed, or is it one of those that actually pays you to have them. Those options are on weebly, but I can't stand commercials.

Anyway. Woooo!!!! Website!

[Basileus Giorgios]

Go and comment on Megas' latest story folks. The reward for lots of commenting will be some juicy nuggets of info on SPACE BYZANTINES.

Now, for the website, I'm doing a section on it that will essentially function as a bit of an "Atlas", covering the main nation states of the world as they are in 1800. I'll probably update it every fifty years or something, until 1850. An example of what I'm doing can be seen here.

ARMENIA.
Founded: 1729, when it gained independence from the Roman Empire.
Status: Theocratic state
Population: 4,028,109 (as of the census of 1791)
Capital: Ani
Official Language: Armenian
Religious Groups: 67% Armenian Orthodox, 14% Uniate, 11% Muslim, 8% Other

Essentially, I'd like readers to help me with this, to get the best standard of information for other nations. I'd do it myself, but I do like to involve the readership every now and again, and I think a good debate between us all would be beneficial.

So, here is the list of nations. Please pick some, and then fill in the above format for Armenia to describe this state. The faster we can do this, the better as far as I'm concerned.

Here's the list.

Aden
Aethiopia
Allentia
Alwa
Arabian Republic
Armenia
Azeria
Kingdom of Barbarenland
Benin
Biafriqa
British Empire
Kingdom of Burgundy
Caruca
Chacamaiapa
Charu
Chetumali
China
Concan
Confederacy of the North
Sultanate of Delhi
Dongola
Kingdom of Florida
Fusang
Gabao
Galicia
German Reich
Greater New Yorkshire
Guinea
Gujarat
Hakkadid Ostralhia
Hejaz
Hungary
Incan Empire
Iocotasale
Irak
Itapecuru
Kathanga
Khandesh
Khmer
Kongo
Marianan Republic
Mexica
Mongolia
Muscat
New Germany
New Granada
New Hampshire
Republic of New North Wales
Nigerios
Nubia
Empire of Nyapan
Opara
Parisian Papal States
Pegu
Persian Khanate
Persiberia
Poland
Kingdom of Portugal
Querandin
Republic of Spain
Roman Empire
Russia
Sultanate of Saba
Srivijaya
Taysha
Tehueli
Tibet
Tongva
Turchia
United Kingdoms
Western Lusitania
Xambrahei

[Megas Dux ton Kypraion]

Cool!

I'll take the Muslim countries...

I'm not 100% certain which ones they all are - but I'll make a start with all the obvious ones.

[Saepe Fidelis]

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Cool!

I'll take the Muslim countries...

I'm not 100% certain which ones they all are - but I'll make a start with all the obvious ones.

Can we leave the Arab Republic and Hakkadid Ostrahlia; I've done pieces on them (which will be posted soon) that have their histories, so if I do them then the info will be consistent with what I've already written and with what has already been approved.

[Saepe Fidelis]

I've just posted a piece of history concerning Hakkadid Ostrahl (aka Australia) on the Children of Johan thread. You can find it here.

[Vosem]

A List of Pre-Psaran Constitution Grand Logothetes

Yes, most of these names were made up by me. Yes, I used random.org to combine first-halves-of-last-names and second-halves-of-last-names, so some things might be a little odd (with occasional editing to make it pronounceable).

Isaac Phokas (1418 – 1427)

George Rossi (1427 – 1434)

Isaac Phokas (1434 – 1449)

George Psanas (1449 – 1455)

Nicephorus Keromanis (1455 – 1457)

Isaac Phonorca (1457 – 1459)

Andronicus Doukas (1459 – 1472)

David Doukas (1472 – 1476)

Isaac Psoras (1476 – 1488)

Basil Rosikos (1488 – 1498)

David Agroteros (1498 – 1511)

George Agronas (1511 – 1525)

David Persoaspides (1525 – 1528)

Theodore Kephotis (1528 – 1531)

Alexios Andarph (1531 – 1544)

Nicephorus Kerntzes (1544 – 1545)

Michael Psatzes (1545 – 1554)

Theodore Mistras (1554 – 1560)

David Maras (1560 – 1561)

Isaac Sphrantzes (1561 – 1568)

George Mystikos (1568 – 1573)

David Doukas (1573 – 1588)

Alexander Monomachus (1588 – 1594)

Michael Keros (1594 – 1603)

David Doukas (1603 – 1611)

Isaac Minorca (1611 – 1617)

Christopher Miroyan (1617 – 1626)

John Marianas (1626 – 1668)

Leo Trichomanis (1668 – 1682)

David Marianas (1682 – 1683)

[Basileus Giorgios]

Preview of my latest (perhaps pointless!) endeavour into fleshing out the world of IE- here are the Psepharcheia of the Roman Empire at the time of the 1790 election. That's electoral constituencies to you and me. This is early days yet, of course, only 95 of the 1000 Psepharcheia are thus far coloured in, and a few will be off map altogether, notably in the Levant. Nonetheless, I hope this provokes some discussion, and, once again, I urge readers to comment on SF and Megas' stuff on the CoJ thread.

[Saepe Fidelis]

Cool; can we have a key please?

[Basileus Giorgios]

IMPERIAL LEAGUE
PROGRESSIVE PARTY
RADICAL IMPERIALISTS
PEOPLE'S ARMY
RELIGIOUS PARTIES

[ByzantineCaesar]

Constantinople seems to be ''divided'' in various parties. But which is dominant?

[Basileus Giorgios]

Originally Posted by ByzantineCaesar

Constantinople seems to be ''divided'' in various parties. But which is dominant?

Constantinople is divided into 6 Psepharcheia, of which the Progressives hold two seats, the Imperialists three, and the People's Army one.

The progressives hold the seats of Daphne and Prosphorion, in "old Byzantium". The Imperial League holds Tetrapylon, Exokionion and Staurion. The People's Army, at this stage a minor party, holds the seat based in the western slums- Philopaton.

[Megas Dux ton Kypraion]

Nice stuff.

How about a "mini manifesto" for each of those political parties, telling readers what they stand for? Despite everything, I'm not certain what the Blues, Purples, Greens, Yellows and Reds believe in...

[Saepe Fidelis]

Originally Posted by Megas Dux ton Kypraion

Nice stuff.

How about a "mini manifesto" for each of those political parties, telling readers what they stand for? Despite everything, I'm not certain what the Blues, Purples, Greens, Yellows and Reds believe in...

Hey that reminds me: what's happened to the chariot teams i.e. the blues and the greens? They were highly polliticised IOTL so are they still so?