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Part VI




708 The cardinals finally manage to elect a Pope in January. He takes the name of Sisinnius, and although suffering from gout, this strong-willed individual appears to have big plans for the future.

Theodora, mindful of the fact that Myakes is not married, decides to subtly introduce some ladies into his life. Justinian knows that the chief of his bodyguard is not a man who desires riches in terms of gold, and has been thinking of a better way to reward his intense loyalty than just promoting him. He is pleased with Theodora’s idea, as he knows that Myakes had sometimes mentioned to him that he thought about having a family whilst in Cherson.

After just 21 calendar days on St. Peter’s throne, the Pope dies. It is one of the shortest pontificates in history. Once again, the cardinals go into conclave. It will be another 6 weeks before a Syrian is consecrated as Pope Constantine on the 25th of March.

All is well in the camps set up by Justinian’s commanders for the winter. Mindful of what befell the Emperor Maurice, and how his disgruntled troops had revolted against and killed him when they had been forced to winter without pay and adequate supplies, Justinian has made sure that his troops are paid well, and that they do not wont for supplies. However, the precaution was taken to send a large number of the troops back to Dyrrachium and other nearby cities, whilst leaving the veterans in the camps, should there be any Slav or Bulgar moves. In this regard, Justinian keeps a good number of satisfied troops in place surrounding the tribes, whilst making sure his less experienced soldiers are spared the harsher condition of the camps for the winter. The success of this plan will not be lost on Justinian and Heraclius who will come up with a startling idea on the use of troops in the future.

The Empire’s eastern border remains quiet, Justinian’s diplomacy with the Caliph and the Prince of Armenia bearing fruit. The Emperor receives reports of the progress of his urban and rural resettlements there, and things are going well. However, there are banditry problems, which whilst not very serious, are proving an irritant to his otherwise smooth plans. The strategoi of the various themes are told to pay attention to this matter, as he wishes nothing to put off the settlers from making their new lives there. Things will be better once the new peasant farmers have established themselves and are able to form the complete routes of escorts designed to solve the issue. Leo, his family already from the east, as he is one of those who had been resettled in Justinian’s first reign, has a good knowledge of Arabic, and uses this to the Empire’s advantage in monitoring the situation in the east as well as cultivating contacts who keep him informed of events in the Caliphate. (Historical note: OTL, Leo later became Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, who would bring about Iconoclasm; however I have other plans for him in ATL)

The Caliphate continues to expand into Central Asia, the addition of troops formerly stationed in Armenia proving useful. The Caliph makes moves to greatly strengthen his already impressive naval power. The entire tax revenues of Syria have been diverted to construction and embellishment of the Great Mosque since 706, a measure of how financially sound his Empire is at this time.

The spring arrives, and the campaign against the tribes resumes. Troops arrive from the surrounding towns and cities to bring the armies up to full strength. With confident, well supplied forces at his command, Heraclius co-ordinates the advance against them. Tervel, for his part, moves forward as well. Although not all the Bulgarian tribes are allied to him, he has much to gain from this campaign, and hopes to achieve dominion over some of them instead, increasing his territory. Things are looking very favourable for the Romans and their allies as they close the knot.

In Italy however, trouble is brewing. The new Archbishop of Ravenna, Felix, starts a disagreement with the Pope. Ravenna and Rome have had a rivalry for a long time in terms of prestige in Italy, with the Archbishop of Ravenna traditionally required to swear fealty to the Pope. This never goes down well with the capital of the Exarchate of Italy, and violence has broken out on this issue more than once in the past. However, the issue has been quiet for the last 30 years or so. This time, the new Archbishop refuses to agree to a document where he is supposed to guarantee to do nothing contrary to the safety of the Empire or the unity of the Church. Each Archbishop is traditionally required to sign this, but Felix has no such intention, viewing Rome as a backwater and Ravenna the place of true importance in Italy. In his assertions, he is backed up by the Exarch Stephen himself, assuming that Justinian will have the same view.

Constantine tries to reason with the furious Archbishop, who finally draws up a revised document of his own, and sends it to the Pope. This new document is not satisfactory to the Holy Father, and the dispute rumbles on, threatening to spill over into actual armed confrontation. News reaches Justinian of the crisis, and he sends off letters to Stephen and Felix, reminding them of their duties to him, to God and the Empire, and suggests they be reasonable in the matter. (OTL, he fitted out a fleet, sent it under the command of a certain Theodore to arrest them both, bringing them back to Constantinople, where Felix was blinded and sent into exile, and Stephen was executed along with others who had supported Felix. He had originally intended to execute Felix as well, but after having a dream about the Archbishop as an old man, took it as a sign from God that he should spare him from death. Blinding was considered an act of comparative mercy instead of death in those days.)

Back in Thessaly and the areas above it, the Roman forces close in rapidly on the tribes, and resistance is eventually crushed by midsummer. There is one nervous moment when a formation of Bulgars smash into the supply train of the strategos of Thrace’s army, and nearly cut him off, but he manages to swing around and fight them off. The stragglers are mopped up by Tervel’s forces. Justinian is left with tens of thousands of prisoners that he starts resettling in Anatolia. Conversely, a large number of the prisoners taken in campaigns against the Arabs, who have not been returned to the Caliphate, are to be resettled in Thessaly. The further away from trouble, and at least free to live their lives, the better for everyone the Emperor reasons. The same system of hereditary landed soldier-farmers is reinforced in Thessaly too as a consequence. Elias is put in charge of building a series of forts in this area similar to those on the eastern border, although not as grand in scale. The same system of supply routes to be escorted by soldiers in the area is also started up. The Emperor is determined to consolidate his gains, and make them defensible in the event he carries out plans of a military nature elsewhere.

Elias is assisted by an officer in his army called Bardanes, who had previously been imprisoned by Apsimarus as a precaution on the island of Kephallenia since he had been heard to have a dream about an eagle (a dream traditionally seen as a portent for imperial ascension). Justinian had decided to release him the previous year on the reckoning that the dream had been invalidated by his own return. Myakes and Apsimarus had not been convinced of the wisdom of this, but both had agreed that he had been a competent commander of men under Justinian in the past, and Apsimarus, eager to show his loyalty to Justinian, had agreed that it might have been a rash move on his part to lock him up, and that he may be useful to have as the Empire requires all the men of ability it can find. Privately, he remains worried by Bardanes, but remains loyal in his vow to the Emperor. Myakes has said his piece, and very grudgingly agrees with his Emperor about the officer’s release. However, he is even less convinced than Apsimarus. However, Justinian wishes to give men with talent a fair chance to prove themselves, and he remembers Bardanes’ affable manner from when he was an officer in his first campaigns against the Slavs.

Tervel receives land gained in the campaign, whilst the Romans also considerably extend their holdings in the area. Justinian is well pleased by the results, and his troops satisfied with the booty they have captured, return to their homes. Heraclius makes his way back to Constantinople, where he is richly rewarded by Justinian along with Apsimarus for their good planning and execution of the campaign. Each receives thirty pounds of gold for their efforts, as Justinian is true to his word in his promises to them. They, in their turn are more than satisfied, and are now convinced of the worth of proving themselves to the Emperor. Justinian has further plans for the tribes further north, but at this time, the immediate problems have been solved and he wishes to turn his attentions to the situation in other parts of the Empire, most notably North Africa.

Construction of the new inner sea walls in the capital continues apace. It is a massive project, and will take some time. The original walls have been successfully heightened, and the Walls of Constantine are almost restored. The citizens who lost their homes as a result of all this work have been for the most part successfully re-housed, and many participate in the construction project now that their grumbling has softened and they are settled in their new places. Theophylactus reports the new taxes coming in from those who have been resettled are more than enough to fund these and other projects, and adds that the coffers are in good health, and those he has promoted are carrying out the new policy effectively and fairly in accordance with the Emperor’s wishes.

However, those elements of the aristocracy who do not welcome Justinian’s return are starting to make plans of their own. Some plots are discovered by Leo’s security network, and are dealt with as he deems appropriate in each case. The punishments handed out are not violent, but rather financial, property based, or position based in nature. An effective way of dealing with them is to demote them and strip them of privileges if they are involved in something serious, but for the most part a severe warning and notification they are being watched is enough to discourage them. This deals with those who are not so hardcore in their opposition, but not those who are privately adamant that the Emperor must be dealt with. However, they keep quiet, and to all outside appearances seem to toe the line, but are in fact making secret contacts with others who are disaffected. Leo’s agents, whilst efficient, cannot hope to discover all these contacts, and thus a resistance slowly builds up. It will take some time to become effective though.

Word had earlier reached Justinian that his brother-in-law Ibousiros Gliabanos wished to travel to Constantinople and visit his sister and the Emperor. Justinian still feels a little cautious about him, as he had betrayed him (albeit under pressure by Apsimarus in the past). However, having seen how his generosity has worked out with Apsimarus, he decides to honour his request to visit, and arrangements are made.

Not long before the campaign in Thessaly ends, Ibousiros Gliabanos arrives by ship after departing from Phanagoria. Justinian greets him with great honours, and lavishes gifts and attention on him. It always pays to have good allies the Emperor figures, and the Khazars are important ones for the Empire. Showing no sign he is upset with his brother-in-law, he does his best to be accommodating, and this pleases his wife and puts the Khagan at ease. The Khazar ruler during his stay in the city develops the habit of sitting at the foot of a recently erected large statue of his sister erected by Theophylactus in the palace grounds. It is paired with another of Justinian himself, and between them, oddly enough, is a large statue of an elephant, Gliabanos wonders that perhaps represents the strength and courage of the imperial couple in all their adversities. (Historical note: These statues actually appear to have existed, and Gliabanos actually did make this his habit during his OTL visit, although he was perhaps received somewhat less effusively by Justinian with few deals agreed upon).

The visit goes well, and as a result the Khagan promises to supply Justinian with 5000 Khazar horse archers for his army in return for all the gifts which he had been loaded down with. The Emperor enquires if their families may be allowed to come with them, his idea being to settle them in Thessaly. He also has concerns about them being able to adapt to their new surroundings which are quite unlike the steppes they are used to. The Khagan says they can indeed travel with their families, and is pleased Justinian has requested this, since it will make it even easier to sell to his horsemen, and puffing out his chest, proudly remarks they are hardy enough to adapt to the new climate and geography. In addition, a secret agreement is reached that in the future, should it be necessary, the Khazars will join in offensives against the Arabs, attacking from their borders with the Caliphate in support of Roman moves, and will have territory divided between them.

With the visit over, the Khagan takes ship back to his domains in the autumn before the stormy season returns. Both he and Justinian can be well satisfied with the outcome of their talks, and Theodora is happier still, and indeed very relieved her husband has seen fit to forgive her brother fully for his past actions. For Justinian himself, these are very pragmatic things, but also appease the Will of God, as they are merciful actions which also have the added benefit of aiding the Empire in no small measure. As Myakes puts it, “He looked plenty nervous when he arrived, and no mistake. Emperor, I’d say you’ve just made him a very happy Khagan who’ll be eager to knock those Arabs into shape, if only with his bad breath!”.

Justinian cannot help but laugh out loud at his loyal friend’s remark, and replies, "Aye, I don’t care to think will happen to any enemy of his after they meet his horsemen reeking of that fermented mare's milk they make their beverage of inebriation, and never mind their arrows!”.

Myakes starts to wonder why there are so many ladies in his life. Looking in a mirror, he can discern no physical changes to his advantage, and puts it down to his increased influence at court. Still, all being fair, he does not mind the extra attention, and silently mouths casual thanks to God as he attends another one of Justinian’s court banquets with a lady on his arm, Justinian insisting that he shouldn’t be permanently on duty as captain of the guard, something that Myakes had been loathe to spend less time on. However, he had relented under pressure from both the Emperor and the Empress, with Justinian wagging his finger at him earlier in the year, saying, “You have served me faithfully ever since I was a boy looking out on those followers of the false prophet attacking the Queen of Cities, something that is greatly appreciated, and you have rarely sought to attend to personal matters since I became your sovereign. It is the feeling of the Empress and myself that you spend some time on yourself, lest we feel guilty, and God chastise us for not allowing you to do so after all your years of loyalty. Here’s a bag of nomismata, now go out and treat yourself to some of that fine wine I know you are fond of, and make merry with your acquaintances. After all, we did the same in Cherson, and I know you like to do so as much as any man, so no excuses.”. The Emperor was careful however not to mention anything about the ladies being anything to do with him and Theodora, although he feels it is only a matter of time before Myakes twigs it.

Supplies are still building up in Sicily and the Balearics in anticipation of a future campaign. Heraclius and Apsimarus continue to pore over plans with the Emperor in what they hope will be a well organised campaign. However, Justinian feels there should be no hurry to race into it, since he wishes to build up his defences and allow his new settlers to firmly establish themselves in Anatolia and his newly captured territories in the west. Also, he is still crafting his diplomatic plans, preferring to make allies of the Visigoths if possible. But there is a problem, as information has reached him that their King, Wittiza, is ruling in a most un-Christian way, surrounding himself with women of ill repute, and said to indulge in all sorts of unsavoury activities contrary to God. However, it seems the King has a rival in the form of his relative Roderic whose father Theodofred was blinded and imprisoned by Wittiza and who is of far better virtue. There is also another contender called Pelayo whose father was also a relative of the King, yet was executed by the decadent ruler. Justinian decides to wait before sending an embassy, sensing that there will be a civil war before long, and not wishing to become too embroiled in a possible three way struggle. (Historical note: Wittiza has such a colourful reputation, that later chroniclers would say of him: “Wittiza the Wicked taught all Spain to sin!”.)

As the year draws to a close, matters in Ravenna are still not resolved, Felix still thundering against the Pope despite Justinian’s letter to the contrary. It looks like stronger measures may be necessary…


As you can see, Justinian is concentrating on consolidating things with his continuing view to being well prepared for future operations and plans. But there are those who are plotting against him with a longer term view of dealing with him, so trouble is brewing over time for the future.


Can't believe Abdul hasn't commented here yet....


Sargon