Even thougth i liked this part of my timeline of hope I beaten your physic power with the bebers
@Basileus_Komnenos
@Basileus_Komnenos
Heirs of Heraclius, a no Islam timeline
- Thread starter Silver01
- Start date
Though I don't understand how the Berbers would really overrun the Romans here. The Romans have largely recovered now after the Justinian plague and the Romano-Persian war. With Mesopotamia, they now have better access to the Silk Road Trade and all its wealth. Carthage was a very well defended city making taking it hard. With Rome still controlling Algeria, and other Coastal Enclaves, they should easily be able to re-supply the Carthaginians by sea. Any Berber force besieging the city should be crushed by the Roman forces landing at the port. Unless this is a matter of treachery with the Roman garrison being bribed, I don't see this as likely.
Well for now the berbers have great leadership
Carthage was taken .by the berbers do to the duke spoleto refushing
To submit to the 2 , this cuased naval conflict between the province of italy and the empire even so the empire manganged to recapure the city until civil conflict goofed up
So the 2 userpers (695-703) plus the berbers being united , and having excellent leadership allowed them to push to leptis magna
Well it's a matter of if justinian can fix the mess of the 2 other emperors
Well within Byzantine history here, they wouldn't be counted as Emperor's here, but as unworthy usurpers.
"The only true Emperor is Justinian II with the other two being dangerous usurpers who screwed the Empire in a way that only a Heraclian could fix the problem. He after all lived up to his namesake after all."
-----Some pro-Heraclian historian during the reign of Justinian II's son or grandson (Think of how Constantine VII Makedon downplayed the roles of Romanos Lekabanos and Michael III and whitewashed the image of Basil I who was rewritten to have some Armenian noble origins despite being a peasant).
Hmm so a cult of personality built around the Heraclian bloodline...
While that's good for stopping usurpation and adding a degree of stability it could run into a plenty of problems. Even usurpation within the Dynasty or puppet child emperors.
While that's good for stopping usurpation and adding a degree of stability it could run into a plenty of problems. Even usurpation within the Dynasty or puppet child emperors.
true well not really but eh , but lets see Justinian will either save or doom it
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Well not really. I mean the idea that hereditary primogeniture based succession being the norm like in Western Europe. This was how the Franks got it. The French King had his son named Co-King and thus all legal responsibilities and powers transferred to him when the senior ruler died. This worked since Hugh Capet, and the last King to need this was Phillip II Augustus, arguably France's most effective monarch since Charlemagne. Rome's dynasties were pretty short lived with the longest being the Palaiologoi during a time of major crisis. Right now its the Heraclians. If Justinian II succeeds he can create his own peerages and noble titles for his other family members, creating cadet branches. A cult of personality would likely be for the bloodline to give it dynastic weight making it natural for the heir of Heraclius to succeed. The Rurukids basically ruled Russia for 21 generations which was around 700 years. The Macedonians nearly passed 200 years, the Capetians of France ruled for over 900 years as well (counting their cadet houses like the Captetian House of Valois or Bourbon). So its certainly doable that Rome evolves to have a set of stable dynastic succession. Had Justinian sired a son this would have been the case.
Justinians trails
704
As Justinian, left for Mesopotamia, just before his departure he sent Justinian sent some 5 000 troops to Hispania, to aid the Byzantine force, Who had been left to themselves ever since 695 as Justinian now marched to the east, he received news on what had happened.
In Northeastern Arabia a new leader Hatem and Uday had united much of the northern Arabs into a massive confederation, His confederation only grew once as some tribes migrated and that resulted in a domino effect created by the king of Yemen attacking some tribes in his border and expelling Arabs who were loyal to the Axumites
With an army of now 30 000 the set out he divided his force in two, One would go for the ghassanids and the other to Mesopotamia, the ghassanids were overwhelmed and forced the retreat, while the other 20 000 attacked Mesopotamia and took a lot of Plunder and hired 5000 mercenaries, the ghassanids, and the other Arabs allies they joined the Roman army, both armies united, Justinian had 45 000 forces from Egypt, Anatolia, Syria the Levant and Mesopotamia and what remained of the Ghassanid army also joined by Bahram, the sassanid prince who was vassal to rome and ruled southern mesopotamia, despite some sources he was planning on rebelling and he was the one that invited the Arabs but it backfired.
After the disastrous war of the 602-628 army, the army in the late reign of Heraclius from 150 000 armies kept its same size and expanded a little with the reign of Constans as he mostly concentrated on the recovery of the empire but by the late reign of Constans, during Constantine IV and especially during the reign of Justinian II, with the new provinces and money the empire army grew from 150 000 to 200 000 men after 6 decades these included the armies of the 3 Caucasian princes and the kingdom of Altava and the Ghassanid kingdom.
With this Justinian concentrated some 50 000 troops and the armies met near Babylon, Justinian challenged the Arab leader to a duel, but he instead sent his brother after some minutes, The sword of Heraclius claimed another life in a duel, tomorrow they would fight since the Arab leader asked for a day of prayer, Still, he noticed that the Arab leader was very confident, do to this Justinian told Heraclius to take the heavy and ghassanid light cavalry, and leave the battlefield after some explaining Heraclius understood.
Seeing how the byzantine force was smaller (about 40 000) Hatem sent his infantry and pushed the Byzantines back and the group of cavalry charged, Justinian made a crescent retreating its center until it reached the river.
Hatem seeing how victory was close sent his cavalry against the flanks to encircle the Byzantines, This was what Heraclius and the ghassanid king waited for, they charged to the enemy, Now the Arab forces were surrounded.
And the massacre began, and cohesion broke as the Arabs began to fight for their lives. The battle continued for about 4 hours, Justinian was injured but persisted,
15000 out of the 45 000, survived the slaughter the survivors were enslaved, and the defeat here would affect future migrations, The victory against the Arabs was total so much so that Bahram in later sources it was said that he abandoned his Zoroastrianism converted which he did do at some point of his life , still news reached Justinian, news from Hispania.
Due to Justinian reinforcements, the byzantine won against the Visigothic king, the byzantine plan was to push back and join the successful Basques who were laying siege to Reccopolis
Now the Romans pushed the Visigoths who hid in the mountains of southern Hispania here, The Byzantine commander was overconfident and ignored many warnings.
For example, the fortified palisade, which the commander assumed was to prevent entrance, rather than its true purpose, to deny escape.
Visigothic warriors were spotted in the heights surrounding them. The byzantine commander spoke with these generals, one general said to retreat since it was obvious this was a trap, The byzantine commander, got enraged that the others wanted to retreat now, that they were so close to victory. This arguing continued as the Visigoths got more prepared.
Dawn
As the roman troops slept, thousands of Visigoths began to yell war cries, now the Romans tried hastily grabbed their armor and weapons, they were not quick enough before they could react, they were attacked and many including the Byzantine commander was killed, seeing this some fought but many Others fled, as they did so more Visigoths came down to attack.
This flight, those who made were trapped by the palisade. The Byzantine army was slaughtered; this turned the tide of the war and pushed the Romans all the only holding a small in the coast, with the Romans practically almost kicked out of Hispania. The Visigoths turned their attention to the Basques, when he received the news, Justinian said It was better for him to die in Hispania, For he would have tortured him for his failure. Still, Justinian did not have time for this as he had to deal with the situation in the north against the Slavs.
As Justinian, left for Mesopotamia, just before his departure he sent Justinian sent some 5 000 troops to Hispania, to aid the Byzantine force, Who had been left to themselves ever since 695 as Justinian now marched to the east, he received news on what had happened.
In Northeastern Arabia a new leader Hatem and Uday had united much of the northern Arabs into a massive confederation, His confederation only grew once as some tribes migrated and that resulted in a domino effect created by the king of Yemen attacking some tribes in his border and expelling Arabs who were loyal to the Axumites
With an army of now 30 000 the set out he divided his force in two, One would go for the ghassanids and the other to Mesopotamia, the ghassanids were overwhelmed and forced the retreat, while the other 20 000 attacked Mesopotamia and took a lot of Plunder and hired 5000 mercenaries, the ghassanids, and the other Arabs allies they joined the Roman army, both armies united, Justinian had 45 000 forces from Egypt, Anatolia, Syria the Levant and Mesopotamia and what remained of the Ghassanid army also joined by Bahram, the sassanid prince who was vassal to rome and ruled southern mesopotamia, despite some sources he was planning on rebelling and he was the one that invited the Arabs but it backfired.
After the disastrous war of the 602-628 army, the army in the late reign of Heraclius from 150 000 armies kept its same size and expanded a little with the reign of Constans as he mostly concentrated on the recovery of the empire but by the late reign of Constans, during Constantine IV and especially during the reign of Justinian II, with the new provinces and money the empire army grew from 150 000 to 200 000 men after 6 decades these included the armies of the 3 Caucasian princes and the kingdom of Altava and the Ghassanid kingdom.
With this Justinian concentrated some 50 000 troops and the armies met near Babylon, Justinian challenged the Arab leader to a duel, but he instead sent his brother after some minutes, The sword of Heraclius claimed another life in a duel, tomorrow they would fight since the Arab leader asked for a day of prayer, Still, he noticed that the Arab leader was very confident, do to this Justinian told Heraclius to take the heavy and ghassanid light cavalry, and leave the battlefield after some explaining Heraclius understood.
Seeing how the byzantine force was smaller (about 40 000) Hatem sent his infantry and pushed the Byzantines back and the group of cavalry charged, Justinian made a crescent retreating its center until it reached the river.
Hatem seeing how victory was close sent his cavalry against the flanks to encircle the Byzantines, This was what Heraclius and the ghassanid king waited for, they charged to the enemy, Now the Arab forces were surrounded.
And the massacre began, and cohesion broke as the Arabs began to fight for their lives. The battle continued for about 4 hours, Justinian was injured but persisted,
15000 out of the 45 000, survived the slaughter the survivors were enslaved, and the defeat here would affect future migrations, The victory against the Arabs was total so much so that Bahram in later sources it was said that he abandoned his Zoroastrianism converted which he did do at some point of his life , still news reached Justinian, news from Hispania.
Due to Justinian reinforcements, the byzantine won against the Visigothic king, the byzantine plan was to push back and join the successful Basques who were laying siege to Reccopolis
Now the Romans pushed the Visigoths who hid in the mountains of southern Hispania here, The Byzantine commander was overconfident and ignored many warnings.
For example, the fortified palisade, which the commander assumed was to prevent entrance, rather than its true purpose, to deny escape.
Visigothic warriors were spotted in the heights surrounding them. The byzantine commander spoke with these generals, one general said to retreat since it was obvious this was a trap, The byzantine commander, got enraged that the others wanted to retreat now, that they were so close to victory. This arguing continued as the Visigoths got more prepared.
Dawn
As the roman troops slept, thousands of Visigoths began to yell war cries, now the Romans tried hastily grabbed their armor and weapons, they were not quick enough before they could react, they were attacked and many including the Byzantine commander was killed, seeing this some fought but many Others fled, as they did so more Visigoths came down to attack.
This flight, those who made were trapped by the palisade. The Byzantine army was slaughtered; this turned the tide of the war and pushed the Romans all the only holding a small in the coast, with the Romans practically almost kicked out of Hispania. The Visigoths turned their attention to the Basques, when he received the news, Justinian said It was better for him to die in Hispania, For he would have tortured him for his failure. Still, Justinian did not have time for this as he had to deal with the situation in the north against the Slavs.
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This story is getting with each update. The quality has greatly improved with each successive update.
The Berbers here seem to be imitating the Almoravids and seem poised to push into Hispania. Though I can imagine Justinian liquidating much of Rome’s officer corps and civil administration in the West. I mean in otl the Roman cities put up more resistance to the Islamic Caliphate than this. This is probably incompetence on the scale of the Late Empire when the Roman governor of Africa invited the Vandals in allowing them to establish their Kingdom and take over the Roman fleet.
I hope Justinian does a thorough restructuring of the civil service, provincial, government, and army to prevent something from happening again.
Can you do a chapter on what life is in Frankish controlled Gaul, Visigothic Hispania, and Berber controlled Carthage? Does the Roman identity still exist in Northern Gaul? How do the Gallo Romans fell about the Frankish overlords and the Romans to the South.
How are the Lombards still a thing here. After Justinian destroyed the Vandal Kingdom they disappeared from the history books as a political entity or people. There also were never enough Lombards for them to displace the Romans of Italy. In otl they were Romanizing as contact with the native Romans increased. Heraclius beating them and the Decades of peace should have saw them rapidly Romanize with the Lombard identity disappearing like it did for the Vandals. Italy’s reconstruction and recovery should have expedited the restoration of the Roman culture within Italy and the Romanization of the Lombards. With the restoration of the aqueducts and cities, a population boom is to be expected as people who moved to the outskirts of cities, move back into the cities.
The Berbers here seem to be imitating the Almoravids and seem poised to push into Hispania. Though I can imagine Justinian liquidating much of Rome’s officer corps and civil administration in the West. I mean in otl the Roman cities put up more resistance to the Islamic Caliphate than this. This is probably incompetence on the scale of the Late Empire when the Roman governor of Africa invited the Vandals in allowing them to establish their Kingdom and take over the Roman fleet.
This sounds similar to a real life battle. Is this from an actual historical battle you took inspiration from? Either way it’s well done, and shows the complacency and incompetence of the officer corps of the West.
I swear this sword is on its way to become one of the Holy relics of the Empire and perhaps Christendom itself. An example of a national relic is the Italians Iron Crown of Lombardy, the Hungarian Crown is St. Stephen which is what all Hungarian Kings MUST be crowned by. There’s St. Edward’s Chair for the English upon which all Kings are Corninated. The French had Charlemagne’s regalia and the Austrians have the Imperial regalia of the HRE.
I hope Justinian does a thorough restructuring of the civil service, provincial, government, and army to prevent something from happening again.
Can you do a chapter on what life is in Frankish controlled Gaul, Visigothic Hispania, and Berber controlled Carthage? Does the Roman identity still exist in Northern Gaul? How do the Gallo Romans fell about the Frankish overlords and the Romans to the South.
How are the Lombards still a thing here. After Justinian destroyed the Vandal Kingdom they disappeared from the history books as a political entity or people. There also were never enough Lombards for them to displace the Romans of Italy. In otl they were Romanizing as contact with the native Romans increased. Heraclius beating them and the Decades of peace should have saw them rapidly Romanize with the Lombard identity disappearing like it did for the Vandals. Italy’s reconstruction and recovery should have expedited the restoration of the Roman culture within Italy and the Romanization of the Lombards. With the restoration of the aqueducts and cities, a population boom is to be expected as people who moved to the outskirts of cities, move back into the cities.
This sounds similar to a real life battle. Is this from an actual historical battle you took inspiration from? Either way it’s well done, and shows the complacency and incompetence of the officer corps of the West.[/QUOTE]
Yeah took insipiration from pliska in 811
I swear this sword is on its way to become one of the Holy relics of the Empire and perhaps Christendom itself. An example of a national relic is the Italians Iron Crown of Lombardy, the Hungarian Crown is St. Stephen which is what all Hungarian Kings MUST be crowned by. There’s St. Edward’s Chair for the English upon which all Kings are Corninated. The French had Charlemagne’s regalia and the Austrians have the Imperial regalia of the HRE.[/QUOTE]
Might be
I hope Justinian does a thorough restructuring of the civil service, provincial, government, and army to prevent something from happening again.[/QUOTE]
That's 2 of us
Can you do a chapter on what life is in Frankish controlled Gaul, Visigothic Hispania, and Berber controlled Carthage? Does the Roman identity still exist in Northern Gaul? How do the Gallo Romans fell about the Frankish overlords and the Romans to the South.[/QUOTE]
Will do
How are the Lombards still a thing here. After Justinian destroyed the Vandal Kingdom they disappeared from the history books as a political entity or people. There also were never enough Lombards for them to displace the Romans of Italy. In otl they were Romanizing as contact with the native Romans increased. Heraclius beating them and the Decades of peace should have saw them rapidly Romanize with the Lombard identity disappearing like it did for the Vandals. Italy’s reconstruction and recovery should have expedited the restoration of the Roman culture within Italy and the Romanization of the Lombards. With the restoration of the aqueducts and cities, a population boom is to be expected as people who moved to the outskirts of cities, move back into the cities.[/QUOTE]
You see after nearly 50 years these Lombards like I mentioned escaped toward Slavic territory they are a now more Slavic o they are a wierd combination of a Slavic and Germanic tribe.
And we'll
The Invaders took everything north of the PO river but only the country side .
The walls of Pavia and other cities rival that of Antioch so there not punching trougth that .
As for the Lombard who stayed yes 50 years of peace has made them Rome romanizded and Roman indentety is coming back they are seeing themselves as western Romans
Well at least with Africa and Spain the Romans can go back to their roots.
Carthago Delenda Est intensifies....
Visigothia Delenda Est intenisfies.....
I mean the Visigoths were the ones to first sack Rome for the first time since the Gauls 800 years prior. This insult needs to be avenged from the Roman perspective. The Romans destroyed the accursed Vandals, and they should do so with their old enemy the Visigoths. This would be a good PR move for the Heraclians to portray themselves as avenging Rome's honor. Maybe they can play this up. Perhaps the Emperor holds triumphs in both Rome and Constantinople after he destroys the Visigoths. He can perhaps display the loot in an Imperial Triumph and have it immortalized in a new Roman Triumphal Arch. Julius Caesar basically did the same thing with the Gauls as he portrayed himself as Rome's avenger, making sure that they never again threatened Rome again, and the sacking of Rome was avenged.
Carthago Delenda Est intensifies....
Visigothia Delenda Est intenisfies.....
I mean the Visigoths were the ones to first sack Rome for the first time since the Gauls 800 years prior. This insult needs to be avenged from the Roman perspective. The Romans destroyed the accursed Vandals, and they should do so with their old enemy the Visigoths. This would be a good PR move for the Heraclians to portray themselves as avenging Rome's honor. Maybe they can play this up. Perhaps the Emperor holds triumphs in both Rome and Constantinople after he destroys the Visigoths. He can perhaps display the loot in an Imperial Triumph and have it immortalized in a new Roman Triumphal Arch. Julius Caesar basically did the same thing with the Gauls as he portrayed himself as Rome's avenger, making sure that they never again threatened Rome again, and the sacking of Rome was avenged.
Justinian trails part 2
705
the peace, was used by the Berbers to subdue other Berbers, To not provoke the Berbers
Prince Aksel was “adopted” by the Visigothic king as a gesture of goodwill, the king had full intentions to ally himself with the Byzantines after expulsing them from Hispania, Most Berbers agreed that this was a smart move, except one Tariq, son of the Late Badis, he disliked how Dhyia favored her eldest Grandson, while Prince Askel was resentful of this and do to this, and his father being busy, the young prince, went to Tariq to spent Time, still he feared that one day these 2 grandsons of King Askel, would tear apart the Berbers in a massive civil war.
Early 706
Justinian spent his time, in Mesopotamia, He saw his mother, Anastasia after 11 years, the whole family moved back to Constantinople except Heraclius who stayed to watch over His province fearing a Persian attack he had expected one some raids did occur but no major offensive had come ..yet. Once in the capital, she met Justinian’s 1-year-old son Tiberius
Moesia late 706.
Justinian met with Tervel again as he had just defeated a smaller Khazar incursion to his territory and sent forces to help the Croats, the Croats also helped to resisted the rebellion of the Serbs as the new prince Vlastimir revolted against the Romans once Justinian arrived he defeated them he debated whether to annex the territory but his advisors convinced him not to do so, with both south and north secured, the emperor said fair well to Tervel and moved to Italy.
707
Justinian marches towards Italy, the emperor found many signs of a trap in the alps, so he took a long way around, he was not going to fall for an ambush. Due to this, both armies met Bear Pavia, Justinian, and the duke of Spoleto along with other governors attacked the Lombards while they were entering the open plains near Pavia.
He used the same trick, used against the Arabs and the Lombards fell for it, Justinian was able to destroy their entire force but a column that escaped through the Alps, still “Lombards” were slaughtered, but Justinian was not going to stop, By 708 all the invading “Lombards” were kicked out, still, Justinian was not over, he moved towards the seat of the “Lombard” territory in Carinthia and he massacred the survivors of the battle and great part of the royals were killed, the survivors where scattered and disappeared.
At the same time, the Romans were finally kicked out of Hispania, Justinian was furious, but he would answer this later, After the victories, Justinian implemented one of His grandfather Constans II ideas, the themes, his father already laid the groundwork Justinian created, The themes of Dacia who covered parts of the old diocese of Dacia (Moesia and half of Dacia ripensis), eastern Moesia which covered part of the old roman region of Moesia inferior and the other half of Dacia ripensis , this stratergos was to have connections with the bulgar khan, while he also installed the theme of western Moesia , in Africa, he made the theme of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica.
710
The Berber –Roman truce lasted about 6 years, and negotiations resumed in reality at least for Justinian this was a ruse as he only wanted time, Ever since 709 Justinian had been preparing his navy and army,to take back Carthage and Hispania .
the peace, was used by the Berbers to subdue other Berbers, To not provoke the Berbers
Prince Aksel was “adopted” by the Visigothic king as a gesture of goodwill, the king had full intentions to ally himself with the Byzantines after expulsing them from Hispania, Most Berbers agreed that this was a smart move, except one Tariq, son of the Late Badis, he disliked how Dhyia favored her eldest Grandson, while Prince Askel was resentful of this and do to this, and his father being busy, the young prince, went to Tariq to spent Time, still he feared that one day these 2 grandsons of King Askel, would tear apart the Berbers in a massive civil war.
Early 706
Justinian spent his time, in Mesopotamia, He saw his mother, Anastasia after 11 years, the whole family moved back to Constantinople except Heraclius who stayed to watch over His province fearing a Persian attack he had expected one some raids did occur but no major offensive had come ..yet. Once in the capital, she met Justinian’s 1-year-old son Tiberius
Moesia late 706.
Justinian met with Tervel again as he had just defeated a smaller Khazar incursion to his territory and sent forces to help the Croats, the Croats also helped to resisted the rebellion of the Serbs as the new prince Vlastimir revolted against the Romans once Justinian arrived he defeated them he debated whether to annex the territory but his advisors convinced him not to do so, with both south and north secured, the emperor said fair well to Tervel and moved to Italy.
707
Justinian marches towards Italy, the emperor found many signs of a trap in the alps, so he took a long way around, he was not going to fall for an ambush. Due to this, both armies met Bear Pavia, Justinian, and the duke of Spoleto along with other governors attacked the Lombards while they were entering the open plains near Pavia.
He used the same trick, used against the Arabs and the Lombards fell for it, Justinian was able to destroy their entire force but a column that escaped through the Alps, still “Lombards” were slaughtered, but Justinian was not going to stop, By 708 all the invading “Lombards” were kicked out, still, Justinian was not over, he moved towards the seat of the “Lombard” territory in Carinthia and he massacred the survivors of the battle and great part of the royals were killed, the survivors where scattered and disappeared.
At the same time, the Romans were finally kicked out of Hispania, Justinian was furious, but he would answer this later, After the victories, Justinian implemented one of His grandfather Constans II ideas, the themes, his father already laid the groundwork Justinian created, The themes of Dacia who covered parts of the old diocese of Dacia (Moesia and half of Dacia ripensis), eastern Moesia which covered part of the old roman region of Moesia inferior and the other half of Dacia ripensis , this stratergos was to have connections with the bulgar khan, while he also installed the theme of western Moesia , in Africa, he made the theme of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica.
710
The Berber –Roman truce lasted about 6 years, and negotiations resumed in reality at least for Justinian this was a ruse as he only wanted time, Ever since 709 Justinian had been preparing his navy and army,to take back Carthage and Hispania .
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The visigothic-basque war
711 AD
the situation in Hispania had changed over 3 years ago, In 695, war broke out due to the Berber capture of Carthage, when the Visigoths attacked, the Basque attacked as well.
Due to the Romans being a priority. The Visigoths took a defensive strategy against the Basque, From 695 to 703, due to the roman abandonment of their forces in Hispania, the Visigoths were able to push the Romans back, as they did the basque won many minor engagements and took, Everything north of the erbo river, In 705 after the victory and massacre of the byzantine forces, King Wittiza, moved against the Basques, lifting the siege of Reccopolis.
soon the Visigoths pushed the Basque back, We have limited knowledge on the ensuing battle, but we know it was won by the Visigoths. The basques wanted to trap king Wittiza in the mountains, The king ignored this ambush and defeated a basque army.
in 707, more good news arrived as the Romans were finally kicked out of Hispania, still to pay for the war, king Wittiza taxed the south heavily. The south was rich due to the 20 years of Roman rule, so naturally, they were taxed the most, this Made the people resent Visigothic rule even more, as not only the Romans, who were popular thrown out, their "liberators" plunder the rich cities and stole their wealth, this made the people there angry. But the tax increase was the last straw, a rebellion occurred in corboda.
708
the Basques took this golden change and moved an army and went directly against the capital Toledo. The siege dragged on, but failed, as the rebellion in Cordoba was crushed, The basque had lost their last gamble.
Late 709
The basque ruler died, his son asked for peace. king Wittiza was eager to agree, as his kingdom was on the verge of exhaustion, finally, the long Basque- Visigothic war of 695 – 709 ended, All territories before the outbreak of the war of war, were returned to the Visigoths, along with all the prisoners of war. The basque agree to pay a war indemnity, the long war left both states weak, but at least the Visigoths regained the entire south. But with basque were pushed back the mountains of the north, King Wittiza now began preparations to rebuild his torn-up kingdom, and did some reforms in 710.
But it was not to be he died in 711 when he visited the conquered lands of the basque and was assassinated by one of them, plunging the already exhausted state, Into a massive civil war between, The 2 pretenders Aquila and Roderic alongside a basque rebellion, the south didn’t join any ideas they were resentful, that their wealthy province had become the wallet for the Visigoths and planned to rebelled again.
But news reached from the southern coast, they saw something coming from the south, ships, many ships .
the situation in Hispania had changed over 3 years ago, In 695, war broke out due to the Berber capture of Carthage, when the Visigoths attacked, the Basque attacked as well.
Due to the Romans being a priority. The Visigoths took a defensive strategy against the Basque, From 695 to 703, due to the roman abandonment of their forces in Hispania, the Visigoths were able to push the Romans back, as they did the basque won many minor engagements and took, Everything north of the erbo river, In 705 after the victory and massacre of the byzantine forces, King Wittiza, moved against the Basques, lifting the siege of Reccopolis.
soon the Visigoths pushed the Basque back, We have limited knowledge on the ensuing battle, but we know it was won by the Visigoths. The basques wanted to trap king Wittiza in the mountains, The king ignored this ambush and defeated a basque army.
in 707, more good news arrived as the Romans were finally kicked out of Hispania, still to pay for the war, king Wittiza taxed the south heavily. The south was rich due to the 20 years of Roman rule, so naturally, they were taxed the most, this Made the people resent Visigothic rule even more, as not only the Romans, who were popular thrown out, their "liberators" plunder the rich cities and stole their wealth, this made the people there angry. But the tax increase was the last straw, a rebellion occurred in corboda.
708
the Basques took this golden change and moved an army and went directly against the capital Toledo. The siege dragged on, but failed, as the rebellion in Cordoba was crushed, The basque had lost their last gamble.
Late 709
The basque ruler died, his son asked for peace. king Wittiza was eager to agree, as his kingdom was on the verge of exhaustion, finally, the long Basque- Visigothic war of 695 – 709 ended, All territories before the outbreak of the war of war, were returned to the Visigoths, along with all the prisoners of war. The basque agree to pay a war indemnity, the long war left both states weak, but at least the Visigoths regained the entire south. But with basque were pushed back the mountains of the north, King Wittiza now began preparations to rebuild his torn-up kingdom, and did some reforms in 710.
But it was not to be he died in 711 when he visited the conquered lands of the basque and was assassinated by one of them, plunging the already exhausted state, Into a massive civil war between, The 2 pretenders Aquila and Roderic alongside a basque rebellion, the south didn’t join any ideas they were resentful, that their wealthy province had become the wallet for the Visigoths and planned to rebelled again.
But news reached from the southern coast, they saw something coming from the south, ships, many ships .
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Battle of cordoba
In the Mediterranean Sea, to the surprise of the people, they were not roman ships, inside the transport ship many men were uncomfortable, others seas sick, as these men were dessert dwellers not used to the movement of boats, They knew why there were here, to raid southern Hispania.
But questioned why? Prince Askel ignored their questions and looked north, towards the direction of Hispania, Some men feared they might end up like the Romans, unknown the Berbers except some few, the Visigoths only won against the Romans due to the Romans abandoning their forces and later roman being too overconfident and won against the Basques since they gambled a lot for a quick victory.
they were united, they also divided their forces so that if one army got killed this would not hamper the entire kingdom, these advantages by 711 were gone as the civil war and southern and northern areas of Hispania hated the Visigothic rule, however, their recent victory this made the Visigoths overconfident and this is what Askel wanted, he and Tariq knew that they were here for more than a mere raid.
Once they arrived they ignore the towns and marched north. The Berbers were surprised didn’t they come here to raid? Once they arrived in some towns.
The Berbers when ready to loot, but the prince was known telling them to buy goods and no loot, even though this made his troops doubt him Tariq assured them that they would become wealthy, prince askel strategy paid off as every town after town opened its gates to the 5000 Berbers, Roderic who was in northern Hispania, when he hears the news of their arrival and it was to his surprise he expected the Romans to land in his shores, not the Berbers, thinking they were too busy with the Romans and hence they would respect the treaty, due to this threat many including the factions against him united and their army numbered 18 000.
They marched south near Cordoba, against then was the 5000 elite Berber units and the 2000 able fighting men of southern baetica that joined him, Tariq organized himself with the prince in the center with heavy infantry, with light and heavy cavalry all their forces were on a hill. Roderic cavalry moved to harass and make the Berbers abandon their favorable position, it was not effective, as the Berbers where elite troops and didn't break formation, seeing this roderic charged, then the whole army charged, when Roderic clashed, Tariq then noticed that the wings didn’t
Askel said pointing to the coin of Heraclius he carried the same one Gregory used :
Tariq you are a great general but not a good politician, Heraclius turned Shabaraz against the sha did he not? The Visigoths were united against the Romans and Basques, with one gone, and the other defeated and the King dead plunged them into unrest and petty fighting
He smiled and said all it took was a Little gold and whatever loyalty they had left banished
Tariq was pleasantly surprised, his studies about politics have paid off, the 16-year-old had killed the army before fighting it. Roderic noticed the betrayal and cursed the traitors
You may give the order general Said Askel
Tariq followed suit, the Berber cavalry came and surrounded the Visigoths, the killing of the Visigothic cavalry began thousands of Visigoths were slain among them Roderic and many nobles, With the head of the Visigoths kingdom cut with the death of many nobles off and his promises of restoring a just rule like the Romans, Askel speed of advance was quick, Cordoba opened its gates, and by December Toledo fell.
Askel then ordered to loot royal treasury 1/6 would go to the towns and cities of the south, 1/6 for his troops , 1/6 to the north, 1/6 he sent back to the Berber royal family, the rest stayed where it was to the surprise to everyone was in Christmas Askel with “the approval” of the nobles and the bishops was crowned King of Hispania and proclaimed that all Hispania would be like the south during Roman rule.
But questioned why? Prince Askel ignored their questions and looked north, towards the direction of Hispania, Some men feared they might end up like the Romans, unknown the Berbers except some few, the Visigoths only won against the Romans due to the Romans abandoning their forces and later roman being too overconfident and won against the Basques since they gambled a lot for a quick victory.
they were united, they also divided their forces so that if one army got killed this would not hamper the entire kingdom, these advantages by 711 were gone as the civil war and southern and northern areas of Hispania hated the Visigothic rule, however, their recent victory this made the Visigoths overconfident and this is what Askel wanted, he and Tariq knew that they were here for more than a mere raid.
Once they arrived they ignore the towns and marched north. The Berbers were surprised didn’t they come here to raid? Once they arrived in some towns.
The Berbers when ready to loot, but the prince was known telling them to buy goods and no loot, even though this made his troops doubt him Tariq assured them that they would become wealthy, prince askel strategy paid off as every town after town opened its gates to the 5000 Berbers, Roderic who was in northern Hispania, when he hears the news of their arrival and it was to his surprise he expected the Romans to land in his shores, not the Berbers, thinking they were too busy with the Romans and hence they would respect the treaty, due to this threat many including the factions against him united and their army numbered 18 000.
They marched south near Cordoba, against then was the 5000 elite Berber units and the 2000 able fighting men of southern baetica that joined him, Tariq organized himself with the prince in the center with heavy infantry, with light and heavy cavalry all their forces were on a hill. Roderic cavalry moved to harass and make the Berbers abandon their favorable position, it was not effective, as the Berbers where elite troops and didn't break formation, seeing this roderic charged, then the whole army charged, when Roderic clashed, Tariq then noticed that the wings didn’t
Askel said pointing to the coin of Heraclius he carried the same one Gregory used :
Tariq you are a great general but not a good politician, Heraclius turned Shabaraz against the sha did he not? The Visigoths were united against the Romans and Basques, with one gone, and the other defeated and the King dead plunged them into unrest and petty fighting
He smiled and said all it took was a Little gold and whatever loyalty they had left banished
Tariq was pleasantly surprised, his studies about politics have paid off, the 16-year-old had killed the army before fighting it. Roderic noticed the betrayal and cursed the traitors
You may give the order general Said Askel
Tariq followed suit, the Berber cavalry came and surrounded the Visigoths, the killing of the Visigothic cavalry began thousands of Visigoths were slain among them Roderic and many nobles, With the head of the Visigoths kingdom cut with the death of many nobles off and his promises of restoring a just rule like the Romans, Askel speed of advance was quick, Cordoba opened its gates, and by December Toledo fell.
Askel then ordered to loot royal treasury 1/6 would go to the towns and cities of the south, 1/6 for his troops , 1/6 to the north, 1/6 he sent back to the Berber royal family, the rest stayed where it was to the surprise to everyone was in Christmas Askel with “the approval” of the nobles and the bishops was crowned King of Hispania and proclaimed that all Hispania would be like the south during Roman rule.
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712-717
In 712 After the death of his mother, Justinian had received news of the Berber captured of Toledo, this angered him so much he collapsed, In reality, Justinian II, died. The stress of the last 9 years , his mother's death, and the Berber capture of Toledo had made him burst a blood vessel killing him.
His son Tiberius was barely 7, lucky to him and the empire Justinian uncle Heraclius was still alive, he outlived him all, his father Constans II who died 40 years ago, his brother Constantine IV 30 years ago, his brother Tiberius died in 17 years ago 695, her mother died just last year and now, Justinian died, for the 60-year-old, it would be a challenge, his first action was to cancel the attack on Carthage and Hispania, while not being a bad general, he knew that Justinian could have pulled this off, but not him, but still prepared the army and Navy for a possible Berber attack just in case, as negotiation continued.
A man came to give him the sword of Emperor Heraclius.
His response: put that back where it belongs, in the hands of an emperor
Pointing to emperor Heraclius armor in the palace, Heraclius become regent but denied the title of emperor and thus doesn’t become Heraclius II.
Justinian had killed the empire's threats, Heraclius being the great ruler of Mesopotamia, he wonder if It was a test, the hardships of such a complicated province, had made him competent enough to deal with the empire.
713
As Heraclius is consolidating his position, now the King Askel of Hispania, was also busy, consolidating his position he fought Aquila’s forces, little is known about this battle only that Aquila was slain, by late 713 All of Visigothic Hispania was his, now he planned to move against the Basques, But he was called back, once he arrived at Carthage, he saw the city both Roman and Berber alike living in it, nothing had changed, except for the royal family spending more time there, once he arrived at the designated location.
His brother greeted him “well”, blabbering about how he was supposed to raid the province, and not proclaim himself king, to his surprise, his grandmother dhyia didn't chastise him rather congratulated him as she laid in her bed, it was clear that the 70-year-old was dying.
Still, she brought up the question of how him been king and how that would affect his relationship with Altava, king Askel said that he would pay homage and recognize the king of altava, his father, and later his brother as superior to him becoming his vassal and would give a payment of the king, as long as he had a certain freedom to run his kingdom, it was agreed by all even his brother even though it took some convincing.
That what Askel proposed would be the way on how things worked from now on, soon after this Dhyia died, and Askel returned to Hispania where he met with Tariq, he asked him why there were so many men chopping of trees, answering to Tariq the king said.
These were the orders of my father gather wood, and ship it to him.
"For his little project "
After that and some preparations he declared war on the Basque, these were fierce warriors their state had not recovered from the long war, but still, they were brave and clever enough to kill a Berber army in the mountains, do to this Askel and Tariq where very careful, especially in mountains, for the next year are the Berbers would push them back north in long camping, by 715 News about the Byzantines reached the king, a civil war broke out.
After 3 years Heraclius died, the stress and old age had most likely killed him and now with no Heraclians left and with Tiberius being 10, People fought on who would be the next regent, the main candidates being Bardanes and Anastasios, after a year of civil war, both of their supporters met near Asia minor where Anastasio's army killed Bardanes.
By late 716 Anastasios won and became de facto ruler, the agreement was that Anastasios
Would step down once Tiberius became an adult, by this point in early 717 after 4 years The Basque where for the most part conquered, Askel and Tariq, admired their bravery and gave them very liniment treatment, But king askel campaign was not over, he still wanted another province he needs to conquer, Septimenia, but that would wait as he needs to consolidate .
His son Tiberius was barely 7, lucky to him and the empire Justinian uncle Heraclius was still alive, he outlived him all, his father Constans II who died 40 years ago, his brother Constantine IV 30 years ago, his brother Tiberius died in 17 years ago 695, her mother died just last year and now, Justinian died, for the 60-year-old, it would be a challenge, his first action was to cancel the attack on Carthage and Hispania, while not being a bad general, he knew that Justinian could have pulled this off, but not him, but still prepared the army and Navy for a possible Berber attack just in case, as negotiation continued.
A man came to give him the sword of Emperor Heraclius.
His response: put that back where it belongs, in the hands of an emperor
Pointing to emperor Heraclius armor in the palace, Heraclius become regent but denied the title of emperor and thus doesn’t become Heraclius II.
Justinian had killed the empire's threats, Heraclius being the great ruler of Mesopotamia, he wonder if It was a test, the hardships of such a complicated province, had made him competent enough to deal with the empire.
713
As Heraclius is consolidating his position, now the King Askel of Hispania, was also busy, consolidating his position he fought Aquila’s forces, little is known about this battle only that Aquila was slain, by late 713 All of Visigothic Hispania was his, now he planned to move against the Basques, But he was called back, once he arrived at Carthage, he saw the city both Roman and Berber alike living in it, nothing had changed, except for the royal family spending more time there, once he arrived at the designated location.
His brother greeted him “well”, blabbering about how he was supposed to raid the province, and not proclaim himself king, to his surprise, his grandmother dhyia didn't chastise him rather congratulated him as she laid in her bed, it was clear that the 70-year-old was dying.
Still, she brought up the question of how him been king and how that would affect his relationship with Altava, king Askel said that he would pay homage and recognize the king of altava, his father, and later his brother as superior to him becoming his vassal and would give a payment of the king, as long as he had a certain freedom to run his kingdom, it was agreed by all even his brother even though it took some convincing.
That what Askel proposed would be the way on how things worked from now on, soon after this Dhyia died, and Askel returned to Hispania where he met with Tariq, he asked him why there were so many men chopping of trees, answering to Tariq the king said.
These were the orders of my father gather wood, and ship it to him.
"For his little project "
After that and some preparations he declared war on the Basque, these were fierce warriors their state had not recovered from the long war, but still, they were brave and clever enough to kill a Berber army in the mountains, do to this Askel and Tariq where very careful, especially in mountains, for the next year are the Berbers would push them back north in long camping, by 715 News about the Byzantines reached the king, a civil war broke out.
After 3 years Heraclius died, the stress and old age had most likely killed him and now with no Heraclians left and with Tiberius being 10, People fought on who would be the next regent, the main candidates being Bardanes and Anastasios, after a year of civil war, both of their supporters met near Asia minor where Anastasio's army killed Bardanes.
By late 716 Anastasios won and became de facto ruler, the agreement was that Anastasios
Would step down once Tiberius became an adult, by this point in early 717 after 4 years The Basque where for the most part conquered, Askel and Tariq, admired their bravery and gave them very liniment treatment, But king askel campaign was not over, he still wanted another province he needs to conquer, Septimenia, but that would wait as he needs to consolidate .
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Berber Byzantine war
719
Some resistance occurred from 717 to 718, to make peace with the nobles, Aksel gave some power to them, including Pelagius who he made a count of Asturias, the situation to the north had changed Duke of Odo fought against the Austrasian mayor of the palace, son of Pepin who participated in the civil war from 715 to 718, Charles Martel, but after the defeat of Chilperic at Soissons that year, he made peace with Charles by surrendering to him the Neustrian king and his treasures.
It was a perfect opportunity, king Askel, Tariq and some nobles including Pelagius moved to Septimania. Askel, built up a strong army from his territories to take septemenia and raid the duchy Of Aquitaine, Askel army included siege engines, infantry, cavalry, and a number of some Frankish mercenaries, as well as some Basque.
He besieged the city of Toulouse, then Aquitaine's most important city. Duke Odo of Aquitaine, also known as Eudes, was not in the city when it was besieged, having left to find help. He asked the assistance of Charles Martel, who in turn preferred to wait and see rather than help his southern rival, Odo returned some months later with Aquitanian, Gascon, and Frankish troops, and just as the city was about to surrender, attacked the Berber invasion force on may.
After Odo originally fled, the Berbers seemed to become overconfident and instead of maintaining strong outer defenses around their siege camp, they only put minor defenses. Thus, when Odo returned, he was able to launch an assault on the siege force, both from behind and from forces within the walls. The surprise scattered with the first attack.
Odo's forces cut down many. Unknown to Odo this was a trick, as Tariq moved from the west attacking Odo and scattered his force, the peace treaty was that all of Septemenia would return to the kingdom of Hispania. Tousle was to be occupied and the duke Odo would have to pay yearly tribute for 10 years after his campaign Tariq was recalled since the war with the Byzantine empire would start continued as Tiberius became of age but Anastasios refused the step down as regent.
Seemingly plunging the state into civil war, The Berbers who by this point still styled themselves as Vassals of the Heraclians, broke the truce laid siege to Leptis Magana and the altvan King put in play his secret project as he had built a navy ever since 703 accelerated by the recourses of Hispania, the roman empire was still recovering from the civil war worse yet the winter of 717-718 had killed thousands being one of the coldest winters in the capital causing chaos.
By mid-720 Leptis Magna fell, Anastasios was deposed with Theodosius been installed by his followers, he sent the navy to take Back Leptis Magana, but a storm caught them, the Berbers soon chase them, the Berber navy had an easy time, Destroying the weakened Byzantine navy.
By early 722, Cyrene was put under siege, A noble Leo rebelled, timing could not have been worse, the followers of Theodosius wanted to fight, But lucky for he resigned, upon taking power Leo, prepared his navy.
By 723 Cyrene fell due to starvation, Leo had just quelled the rebellions against him, Tiberius was still alive, so Leo said he was protector, not emperor, Leo now prepared for the inevitable.
The Berber fleet moved up the coast with the Berber army to Egypt, In 725, they landed on the Egyptian shore in April, and until September were engaged in constant clashes with the Byzantine troops, "Every day there was a military engagement from morning until evening, between the outworks of the gates, with thrust and counter-thrust", and some sorties.
the Byzantines used the respite to destroy a rebellion of the heretics in the city then the Berbers departed into a fortified camp to spend the winter, t his set the pattern that continued throughout the siege: each spring, the Berbers crossed the and assaulted Alexandria, withdrawing for the winter. Leo didn’t attack he wanted the Berbers to cause them to weaken them, and let the siege dragged on.
Leo now resolved to confront the Berber besiegers in a head-on engagement. Moved His fleet, equipped with Greek fire, routed the Berber fleet, killing the admiral, about the same time, the Berber army in Egypt, under the command of the King was confronted by the Byzantine army under Leo, pushed the Berber army back but Tariq managed to save it but lost 7 000.
By 726 the siege of Alexandria stopped, the siege of Alexandria was lifted as Aderfi's health deteriorated this day historians argue whether the siege aim was the conquest of Egypt or a massive raiding operation as some sources do say the retreat occurred before the Berber kings sickness .
What ever the case was Leo was able to prove that he was not the “regent” and Tiberius was indeed the emperor the last loyalist as he would be called retreated that very same year at the age 56 the king would die, this victory gave Leo a lot of popularity, Leo now prepared the city of Alexandria for a siege but the empire still suffered from mother nature as volcanic eruption occurred that year preventing Leo from sending a campaign to north Africa
Some resistance occurred from 717 to 718, to make peace with the nobles, Aksel gave some power to them, including Pelagius who he made a count of Asturias, the situation to the north had changed Duke of Odo fought against the Austrasian mayor of the palace, son of Pepin who participated in the civil war from 715 to 718, Charles Martel, but after the defeat of Chilperic at Soissons that year, he made peace with Charles by surrendering to him the Neustrian king and his treasures.
It was a perfect opportunity, king Askel, Tariq and some nobles including Pelagius moved to Septimania. Askel, built up a strong army from his territories to take septemenia and raid the duchy Of Aquitaine, Askel army included siege engines, infantry, cavalry, and a number of some Frankish mercenaries, as well as some Basque.
He besieged the city of Toulouse, then Aquitaine's most important city. Duke Odo of Aquitaine, also known as Eudes, was not in the city when it was besieged, having left to find help. He asked the assistance of Charles Martel, who in turn preferred to wait and see rather than help his southern rival, Odo returned some months later with Aquitanian, Gascon, and Frankish troops, and just as the city was about to surrender, attacked the Berber invasion force on may.
After Odo originally fled, the Berbers seemed to become overconfident and instead of maintaining strong outer defenses around their siege camp, they only put minor defenses. Thus, when Odo returned, he was able to launch an assault on the siege force, both from behind and from forces within the walls. The surprise scattered with the first attack.
Odo's forces cut down many. Unknown to Odo this was a trick, as Tariq moved from the west attacking Odo and scattered his force, the peace treaty was that all of Septemenia would return to the kingdom of Hispania. Tousle was to be occupied and the duke Odo would have to pay yearly tribute for 10 years after his campaign Tariq was recalled since the war with the Byzantine empire would start continued as Tiberius became of age but Anastasios refused the step down as regent.
Seemingly plunging the state into civil war, The Berbers who by this point still styled themselves as Vassals of the Heraclians, broke the truce laid siege to Leptis Magana and the altvan King put in play his secret project as he had built a navy ever since 703 accelerated by the recourses of Hispania, the roman empire was still recovering from the civil war worse yet the winter of 717-718 had killed thousands being one of the coldest winters in the capital causing chaos.
By mid-720 Leptis Magna fell, Anastasios was deposed with Theodosius been installed by his followers, he sent the navy to take Back Leptis Magana, but a storm caught them, the Berbers soon chase them, the Berber navy had an easy time, Destroying the weakened Byzantine navy.
By early 722, Cyrene was put under siege, A noble Leo rebelled, timing could not have been worse, the followers of Theodosius wanted to fight, But lucky for he resigned, upon taking power Leo, prepared his navy.
By 723 Cyrene fell due to starvation, Leo had just quelled the rebellions against him, Tiberius was still alive, so Leo said he was protector, not emperor, Leo now prepared for the inevitable.
The Berber fleet moved up the coast with the Berber army to Egypt, In 725, they landed on the Egyptian shore in April, and until September were engaged in constant clashes with the Byzantine troops, "Every day there was a military engagement from morning until evening, between the outworks of the gates, with thrust and counter-thrust", and some sorties.
the Byzantines used the respite to destroy a rebellion of the heretics in the city then the Berbers departed into a fortified camp to spend the winter, t his set the pattern that continued throughout the siege: each spring, the Berbers crossed the and assaulted Alexandria, withdrawing for the winter. Leo didn’t attack he wanted the Berbers to cause them to weaken them, and let the siege dragged on.
Leo now resolved to confront the Berber besiegers in a head-on engagement. Moved His fleet, equipped with Greek fire, routed the Berber fleet, killing the admiral, about the same time, the Berber army in Egypt, under the command of the King was confronted by the Byzantine army under Leo, pushed the Berber army back but Tariq managed to save it but lost 7 000.
By 726 the siege of Alexandria stopped, the siege of Alexandria was lifted as Aderfi's health deteriorated this day historians argue whether the siege aim was the conquest of Egypt or a massive raiding operation as some sources do say the retreat occurred before the Berber kings sickness .
What ever the case was Leo was able to prove that he was not the “regent” and Tiberius was indeed the emperor the last loyalist as he would be called retreated that very same year at the age 56 the king would die, this victory gave Leo a lot of popularity, Leo now prepared the city of Alexandria for a siege but the empire still suffered from mother nature as volcanic eruption occurred that year preventing Leo from sending a campaign to north Africa
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Farrukhan the great
When Justinian was ousted Some in the court of Dabuya asked him to invade the empire now that it was in the civil war and others had attacked it, however, the 3 Caucasian princes were still in a strong position, he could make an alliance with the Khazars to deal with them but then again the Khazar khaganate had no interest due to their defeat and their expansion north.
To add to this Heraclius was not fighting the usurper so an attack on the Caucasus or Mesopotamia would be a massive risk, also the tang had reconquered the tarrim basin the Hephthalite states, and the Sassanid states could make an alliance with the tang and these could make an alliance with Rome he remembered how the defeat in the east nearly collapsed his kingdom so Dabuya chose for the rest of his rule ignore the usurpers, once Justinian recovered his throne he sent his congratulations to him.
As Justinian died so did Dabauya, his son Farrukhan took the throne, he also considered attacking the Romans but decided not to instead he moved against the last Sassanid successor states, taking advantage that the tang was busy, he attacked the main Successor state killing its sha, pushing the borders north to the Oxus river. For the next years, Farrukhan would crush many Sassanid-Iranian-Hephthalites, principalities taking their states one by one. In a long war, as to not commit the mistake of his father. By 717 all of them fell to him, and he could finally not worry about these states raiding his territory.
Then, in 718, Alutar, the new king of Fergana, was installed with the help of the Persians, the deposed king Ikhshid fled to Kucha and sought Chinese intervention. The Chinese sent 10,000 troops under Zhang Xiaosong to Ferghana. He defeated the puppet ruler Alutar at Namangan and reinstalled Ikhshid. The inhabitants of three Sogdian cities were massacred as a result of the battle.
In 720 AD, the Dabuyid Persians under sha Farrukhan along with their Turkic and Tibetan allies raided the towns of region in talas which were under Chinese protection, the commander of China's four Anxi garrisons in Central Asia, Tang Jiahui, sent two armies: one composed of Tang irregular troops led by Jiahui himself and other composed of Karluk horsemen led by Ashina Xin In the resulting battle, the Tang army was heavily defeated and forced to retreat. Many tang troops were taken prisoner but were subsequently released after as there was ransom.
However Farrukhan knew that expansion to Transoxiana was not a wise choice as the Turks and other the kingdoms would take time to subdue and he could not afford to alienate potential allies because he knew the tang would come back, In 721 He went to raid with the Indian kingdoms, Little is known about this campaign but by 725 he had reached the mountain ranges before the Indus river defeating Indian armies and submitting afghan nobles.
By 726 he returned a hero to Persian eyes, His loyal nobles pushed many reforms and finally, after a century, Persia had fully recovered from the Byzantine –Sassanid war of 602 – 628. The interregnum of 628-632, and the period of anarchy from 632 to 652, like many cities of Persia returned to their former glory.
Once he returned he like his father before him was also asked to attack the Romans especially since their victory at Talas the Tibetans distracted the tang when he was busy the tang had defeated the Tibetans in the Tarim basin and began to send attacks into transoxaiana, however, the Dabuyid sent some forces to raid deeply in to Mesopotamia but we never know if he indented to follow up as in 727 after the siege Of Alexandria was done , Farrukhan died, leaving the throne to his son young son Dadhburzmihr.
To add to this Heraclius was not fighting the usurper so an attack on the Caucasus or Mesopotamia would be a massive risk, also the tang had reconquered the tarrim basin the Hephthalite states, and the Sassanid states could make an alliance with the tang and these could make an alliance with Rome he remembered how the defeat in the east nearly collapsed his kingdom so Dabuya chose for the rest of his rule ignore the usurpers, once Justinian recovered his throne he sent his congratulations to him.
As Justinian died so did Dabauya, his son Farrukhan took the throne, he also considered attacking the Romans but decided not to instead he moved against the last Sassanid successor states, taking advantage that the tang was busy, he attacked the main Successor state killing its sha, pushing the borders north to the Oxus river. For the next years, Farrukhan would crush many Sassanid-Iranian-Hephthalites, principalities taking their states one by one. In a long war, as to not commit the mistake of his father. By 717 all of them fell to him, and he could finally not worry about these states raiding his territory.
Then, in 718, Alutar, the new king of Fergana, was installed with the help of the Persians, the deposed king Ikhshid fled to Kucha and sought Chinese intervention. The Chinese sent 10,000 troops under Zhang Xiaosong to Ferghana. He defeated the puppet ruler Alutar at Namangan and reinstalled Ikhshid. The inhabitants of three Sogdian cities were massacred as a result of the battle.
In 720 AD, the Dabuyid Persians under sha Farrukhan along with their Turkic and Tibetan allies raided the towns of region in talas which were under Chinese protection, the commander of China's four Anxi garrisons in Central Asia, Tang Jiahui, sent two armies: one composed of Tang irregular troops led by Jiahui himself and other composed of Karluk horsemen led by Ashina Xin In the resulting battle, the Tang army was heavily defeated and forced to retreat. Many tang troops were taken prisoner but were subsequently released after as there was ransom.
However Farrukhan knew that expansion to Transoxiana was not a wise choice as the Turks and other the kingdoms would take time to subdue and he could not afford to alienate potential allies because he knew the tang would come back, In 721 He went to raid with the Indian kingdoms, Little is known about this campaign but by 725 he had reached the mountain ranges before the Indus river defeating Indian armies and submitting afghan nobles.
By 726 he returned a hero to Persian eyes, His loyal nobles pushed many reforms and finally, after a century, Persia had fully recovered from the Byzantine –Sassanid war of 602 – 628. The interregnum of 628-632, and the period of anarchy from 632 to 652, like many cities of Persia returned to their former glory.
Once he returned he like his father before him was also asked to attack the Romans especially since their victory at Talas the Tibetans distracted the tang when he was busy the tang had defeated the Tibetans in the Tarim basin and began to send attacks into transoxaiana, however, the Dabuyid sent some forces to raid deeply in to Mesopotamia but we never know if he indented to follow up as in 727 after the siege Of Alexandria was done , Farrukhan died, leaving the throne to his son young son Dadhburzmihr.
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Hmm with the Byzantines needing to rebuild their navy perhaps Greek Fire would start to come in handy?