alternatehistory.com
33
I'll show myself out)
Any who, just wanted to drop by and say that I'm not dead and still writing. In fact, take this tiny teaser as a sign that I'm not back.
-------
As the Monster of the East approached north, his appetite barely stated even with the conquest of Egypt, let us look for a moment and analyze the situation of our protagonists. In this brief moment following the aftermath of Germiyan's fall, we are at the moment of what seems like immense victory. The first steps in reclaiming the Cappadocian heartlands had been secured; in a single war, Rome has come close to doubling her territory with little loss on her part. The expanded territory had come with expanded wealth and prestige as Rome imposed her hegemony over the Pontic coast and central Anatolia.
Internally, the conquests had fueled a renewed growth of the economy. But more importantly, they provided a relief to the drastic and unpopular austerity while still managing to provide just enough deal with the debt. (God bless plunder economies) You could be mistaken for thinking this would usher in an era of peace and dominance for the empire, but this was tiny gilded age that masked the coming turmoil. Domestically things looked good, but even the foreign situation was optimistic: The Pontic coast had returned to Roman Hegemony; the Lombardian snake was mollified with large and regular payments; Bulgaria had been occupied once more as the Bolyars needed to be reminded what it means to be Tsar; relations were warming up with Naples after half a century of coldness; the Papacy was split; and the expected new rival in Karaman was uncharacteristically warm to the Romans, being content in conquering Germiyan than renewing the eternal conflict of Turk and Greek.
This brief snapshot of joy and pride was utterly smashed when news reached that a Timurid army had been spotted making its way north on the outskirts of Antioch in 1403. The news of the stunning fall of Egypt was not lost on anyone, nor of Timur’s dream of restarting the Mongol Empire. Timur was here, he was close, and more importantly- he won.
And so, the empire reluctantly prepared for war.
Timur’s army arrived in Anatolia in the summer of 1404, but to little activity. The warlord had been content with wintering and preparing in Syria before going for an all out assault. Biding his time until the opportune moment revealed itself. This would be in March of 1405 when a border skirmish between Timurid cavalrymen and Anatolian raiders of the Beylik of Eretna provided the justification for a declaration of war. Late April would see the fated offensive beginning. Like a knife through hot butter, the Timurids carved a swath in Anatolia, annihilating all resistance with little challenge on his part. Despite the best efforts, a coalition of Eastern Beyliks and other various warlords were smashed.
Well, more like annihilated. The cities were sacked, the artisans deported, the herds slaughtered to feed Timur’s army, and of course, the citizens either killed or deported. Stories of horror and turmoil filtered west the terrified masses of non-Timurid Anatolia. This was followed by letters to the governments of whatever state remained, its content straightforward. Like the Mongols of old, Timur was giving them a choice: Submission or death.
As the imperial government scrambled whatever soldiers it could muster to the borderlands, Constantinople received the messenger of Timur and memories of the Mongols crept again. Fear had become the prevailing mood where there had been optimism and joy. Rome was not ignorant of news that a mighty warlord had managed to effortlessly conquer everything from Delhi to Tripoli- far from it. The nature of a state in which its bread and butter was obtained from trade meant that the international situation was of vital concern to Constantinople. But that's beside the point now.
The Empire faced its next existential crisis, a crucial fact she knew all too well. The past centuries had seen amazing victories- but victories that had been gained through cunning, not with brute force. She had been a regional power at best and had been, for better or worse used to the role of reacting rather than creating events.
Which leads back to the current situation: Romania was faced with a difficult situation. She could A) Swallow a very bitter pill and be at the mercy of Timur or B) Face annihilation at the hands of the horde like so many others.
Which would it be?
Constantine XI had always been a proud man, but he was a sane one. Therefore, it would come as little surprise (except to every observer in Europe who expected that Rome would fall next) when he had sent back to the Timurids a note of submission. This would be unpopular, and he might not even survive the fallout (even at their lowest, Rome was always prideful), but at least his empire would have the chance to live another day.
Oh right! I forgot about that.
But well, that puts you in Timur's lane. (See what I did there?
I'll show myself out) Any who, just wanted to drop by and say that I'm not dead and still writing. In fact, take this tiny teaser as a sign that I'm not back.
-------
As the Monster of the East approached north, his appetite barely stated even with the conquest of Egypt, let us look for a moment and analyze the situation of our protagonists. In this brief moment following the aftermath of Germiyan's fall, we are at the moment of what seems like immense victory. The first steps in reclaiming the Cappadocian heartlands had been secured; in a single war, Rome has come close to doubling her territory with little loss on her part. The expanded territory had come with expanded wealth and prestige as Rome imposed her hegemony over the Pontic coast and central Anatolia.
Internally, the conquests had fueled a renewed growth of the economy. But more importantly, they provided a relief to the drastic and unpopular austerity while still managing to provide just enough deal with the debt. (God bless plunder economies) You could be mistaken for thinking this would usher in an era of peace and dominance for the empire, but this was tiny gilded age that masked the coming turmoil. Domestically things looked good, but even the foreign situation was optimistic: The Pontic coast had returned to Roman Hegemony; the Lombardian snake was mollified with large and regular payments; Bulgaria had been occupied once more as the Bolyars needed to be reminded what it means to be Tsar; relations were warming up with Naples after half a century of coldness; the Papacy was split; and the expected new rival in Karaman was uncharacteristically warm to the Romans, being content in conquering Germiyan than renewing the eternal conflict of Turk and Greek.
This brief snapshot of joy and pride was utterly smashed when news reached that a Timurid army had been spotted making its way north on the outskirts of Antioch in 1403. The news of the stunning fall of Egypt was not lost on anyone, nor of Timur’s dream of restarting the Mongol Empire. Timur was here, he was close, and more importantly- he won.
And so, the empire reluctantly prepared for war.
Timur’s army arrived in Anatolia in the summer of 1404, but to little activity. The warlord had been content with wintering and preparing in Syria before going for an all out assault. Biding his time until the opportune moment revealed itself. This would be in March of 1405 when a border skirmish between Timurid cavalrymen and Anatolian raiders of the Beylik of Eretna provided the justification for a declaration of war. Late April would see the fated offensive beginning. Like a knife through hot butter, the Timurids carved a swath in Anatolia, annihilating all resistance with little challenge on his part. Despite the best efforts, a coalition of Eastern Beyliks and other various warlords were smashed.
Well, more like annihilated. The cities were sacked, the artisans deported, the herds slaughtered to feed Timur’s army, and of course, the citizens either killed or deported. Stories of horror and turmoil filtered west the terrified masses of non-Timurid Anatolia. This was followed by letters to the governments of whatever state remained, its content straightforward. Like the Mongols of old, Timur was giving them a choice: Submission or death.
As the imperial government scrambled whatever soldiers it could muster to the borderlands, Constantinople received the messenger of Timur and memories of the Mongols crept again. Fear had become the prevailing mood where there had been optimism and joy. Rome was not ignorant of news that a mighty warlord had managed to effortlessly conquer everything from Delhi to Tripoli- far from it. The nature of a state in which its bread and butter was obtained from trade meant that the international situation was of vital concern to Constantinople. But that's beside the point now.
The Empire faced its next existential crisis, a crucial fact she knew all too well. The past centuries had seen amazing victories- but victories that had been gained through cunning, not with brute force. She had been a regional power at best and had been, for better or worse used to the role of reacting rather than creating events.
Which leads back to the current situation: Romania was faced with a difficult situation. She could A) Swallow a very bitter pill and be at the mercy of Timur or B) Face annihilation at the hands of the horde like so many others.
Which would it be?
Constantine XI had always been a proud man, but he was a sane one. Therefore, it would come as little surprise (except to every observer in Europe who expected that Rome would fall next) when he had sent back to the Timurids a note of submission. This would be unpopular, and he might not even survive the fallout (even at their lowest, Rome was always prideful), but at least his empire would have the chance to live another day.