alternatehistory.com
Chapter 3
Armenia is the crossroad of the East, the place where the Roman and Persians worlds, cross with the lands of the barbarians, from north steppe.
In itself, Armenia, is of little value to Rome. Its lands are too rocky and hold so little economical interest, that in an ideal world, the Imperium wouldn't even wast a second of its time in Armenia, but alas, we do not live in such a world.
Instead, I was forced to waste the resources of the Imperium, to ensure that Armenia was transformed into a fortress, as the rocky landscape of the country, makes it possible to transform the all area into a giant limes, to protect Asia from the Persians and from the northern barbarians.
Still the Armenians are a sly people and deceive and lying is part of their soul, the same way that valor and bravery are part of the Roman soul. One does not needs to be a philosopher, to see that the Armenians play Rome and Ctesiphon one against the other, and that they care nothing about the Roman lives lost, because of their treacherous nature.
As I traveled to that cursed land, to place my own puppet into their throne, I decided that it would only be fare, for the Armenians, to share the burden of protecting the Imperium. Two legions, would be raised in their lands, with their people serving on them, while Roman officers lead them. And while the Legions would answer to me, it would only be fair to demand that the Armenians payed for their costs, after all they were going to defend them.
Oh, how the puppet raged and screamed, of how "unfair" it was what I was demanding, as if he had any right to questioning me, or of demanding anything from me.
I toyed with the idea of killing him and just put that damned place under my direct rule, but that would just forced me, to wast even more silver on them. So I just ignored that tantrum, and simply ordered him to leave me alone and to follow my orders.
Sometimes I wonder who are worst, the ignorant barbarian from Germania or the cult barbarians from the East.
It honestly doesn't matters, in the end, the only good barbarian is the one in chains. Even if its a golden one.
I spent two full years in the East, first fighting the Persian menace and then ensuring that Armenia, was protected and under Roman influence.
Two years in hell, as I would latter tell my wife.
Some philosophers and medics say that abstinence is harmful to the human physic, and I can only agree with them and many times I wanted to improve my health, but even an Emperor fears his wife, especially if his wife is like mine.
A moment of pleasure, wouldn't be worth losing my manhood would it?
In itself, Armenia, is of little value to Rome. Its lands are too rocky and hold so little economical interest, that in an ideal world, the Imperium wouldn't even wast a second of its time in Armenia, but alas, we do not live in such a world.
Instead, I was forced to waste the resources of the Imperium, to ensure that Armenia was transformed into a fortress, as the rocky landscape of the country, makes it possible to transform the all area into a giant limes, to protect Asia from the Persians and from the northern barbarians.
Still the Armenians are a sly people and deceive and lying is part of their soul, the same way that valor and bravery are part of the Roman soul. One does not needs to be a philosopher, to see that the Armenians play Rome and Ctesiphon one against the other, and that they care nothing about the Roman lives lost, because of their treacherous nature.
As I traveled to that cursed land, to place my own puppet into their throne, I decided that it would only be fare, for the Armenians, to share the burden of protecting the Imperium. Two legions, would be raised in their lands, with their people serving on them, while Roman officers lead them. And while the Legions would answer to me, it would only be fair to demand that the Armenians payed for their costs, after all they were going to defend them.
Oh, how the puppet raged and screamed, of how "unfair" it was what I was demanding, as if he had any right to questioning me, or of demanding anything from me.
I toyed with the idea of killing him and just put that damned place under my direct rule, but that would just forced me, to wast even more silver on them. So I just ignored that tantrum, and simply ordered him to leave me alone and to follow my orders.
Sometimes I wonder who are worst, the ignorant barbarian from Germania or the cult barbarians from the East.
It honestly doesn't matters, in the end, the only good barbarian is the one in chains. Even if its a golden one.
I spent two full years in the East, first fighting the Persian menace and then ensuring that Armenia, was protected and under Roman influence.
Two years in hell, as I would latter tell my wife.
Some philosophers and medics say that abstinence is harmful to the human physic, and I can only agree with them and many times I wanted to improve my health, but even an Emperor fears his wife, especially if his wife is like mine.
A moment of pleasure, wouldn't be worth losing my manhood would it?
- Karolus Rex
- Word Count: 480