But you’d think that if they were angry about it that they’d talk to Majorian before supporting any rebellion. Pope Leo seemed to be more of a diplomat than rebel.
Good. Bringing in some gold definitely be good for the imperial coffers.
A Difference Of Fate: A Late Roman Timeline
- Thread starter StevenIronside
- Start date
Good. Bringing in some gold definitely be good for the imperial coffers.
Hopefully this purge eliminates parasitic aristocrats the Empire is honestly better-off without.
Well in their defence, Valentinian was still the Emperor and Majorian a caesar, so freeing a emperor who would reverse these laws wouldnt be off the table.
We will have to see
Still. Just seems a bit drastic for a Pope know for working with words not swords. And since his edicts were to help Rome surely he’d understand and be ok with it. But I’ll reserve judgement till after we see how Majorian interacts with the church later on.
Chapter 6: Year of Imperial Succession, Roman Sassanid War
Chapter 6
In 451 Vardan Mamikonian lead a large scale rebellion in Armenia against the Sassanids, who were putting heavy pressure on the people to convert to Zoroastrianism. Vardan would try to get support from the christian Eastern Roman Emperor, however the new emperor Marcian advised by senators Florentius and Anatolius would decline to help the rebels. Vardan and his rebellion would suffer a major defeat in that year, with Vardan himself dying. However his brother Hmayeak Mamikonian would take his place as leader and would lead his men in a campaign of guerrilla warfare. However in 455, the Emperor Marcianus and his new Caesar Anthemius would agree to help the rebels in Armenia in the coming year. Fortunately for the them another Sassanid client state would rebel, that was Albania lead by their king Vache.
In early May, Anthemius marched from Theodosiopoilis, a major stronghold along the the armenian border with 25,000 Infantry, 5,000 Hunnic cavalry, and 2,000 Roman cavalry. Their route along the Araxes river in armenia. However this 32,000 men was not the entire roman army. Along the Sassanid Roman border waited the Magister Militum Per Oretium, Leo, along with a further 20,000 infantry and 3,000 horse waiting to pincer the sassanid forces once they arrived in the north. The Sassanid general in the area, Adhur Hormizd would react quickly to this sudden invasion into Aremenia by gathering his troops at Artaxata, and further sending a message to the King of Kings, Yazdegerd II for support.
Unfortunately for Hormizd, who expected to gather roughly 25,000 men to hold his city, he would not gather half that many men. Several minor battles would take place in the weeks preluding the siege of Artaxata, these were mostly between the Roman cavalry division or the Armenian rebels against Hormizds gathering troops. The largest and last was a large ambush on 7,000 Sassanid soldiers only a days march from the city by the roman cavalry and Armenian rebels. Of the 7,000 sassanids only a few hundred would escape the battle and of those men only a few dozen would arrive to Artaxata. The mobility of the Roman horse was key in the initial movement of forces in the war, and when Anthemius and the rest if his army arrived at Artaxata along with 12,000 Armenians on May 29th Hormizd only had 10,000 men to hold out against 44,000.
To the northeast further events were unfolding in Albania were Vache lead a revolt against the sassanids, the Sassanid garrisons in his kingdom were quickly destroyed by his army and supporters. Vache and his army of 18,000 would defeat a minor Sassanid army in the middle of May along the Kur river. Vache would further lead his army east occupying Sassanid territory in the Caucasus on the west side of the Caspian sea, defeating another minor sassanid force roughly 6,000 strong in late June. After taking this territory, Vache would march south and raid into Sassanid territory.
At Artaxata Anthemius and his army besiegethe city for a 15 days before on June 14th, the city fell in a quick assualt at Dawn. The weakened garrison capitulating in the following hours. The city itself was not sacked however Hormizd and his officers would be executed and his men taken prisoners. The siege had been a brutal affair, the romans and Armenians had lost some 2,000 men during the siege. In the following days Hmayeak and Anthemius would discuss plans, and finally on June 18th Hmayeak Mamikonian would be raised as King of Armenia. His son Vahan would be his hier. In Iberia the King there, Vakhtang who was in his early twenties, would join the Roman Coalition, and marched south with 10,000 men, joining the Romans and Armenians at Artaxata around June 30th.
However by this time Yazdegerd was moving north with his own army, which numbered a little over 70,000 men. He would have gathered more men had it not been for the Albanian Kings raid into the empire which syphoned men from his army. Yazdegerd lead his men along the Tigris towards armenia. Anthemius hearing of the Sassanid hoste marching north, Marched on Van, a city along the eastern side of Lake Van, the city fell with out a fight and Anthemius Hunnic riders were able to push south and scout for the Sassanid army, as well to send word to Leo.
For Yazdegerd the next decisions he made would determine the fate of the war, he either would march west, take out the small roman army of Leo, and invade Roman Syria, however doing so would leave his rear unprotected and supply lines strained. If he went North the fortress of Nisibis and its garrison of 10,000 would protect his flank and he could focus on defeating the Roman Caesar and dealing with the rebellious Kings. Yazdegerd would decide to move north on July 16th.
Leo who was informed of this by his scouts immediately moved with his 18,000 men. Instead of Marching to Nisibis, he marched north to Martyropolis and then east. He left 5,000 men in the south and now with the rest bypassed Nisibis and came upon the rear of Yazdegerd. Though this extra long route took an extra week of marching, Leo and his men would arrive for the main battle. The Battle would take place on the south of Lake Van were Anthemius would march his army to regroup with Leos men. Yazdegerd would arrive on the same day in a close race. The following day August 15th would be the battle. Both sides had similar numbers of men, resulting in this battle being one of the largest in the era with roughly 140,000 men on the field. The battlefield would extend nearly 4 miles with both armies anchoring their flanks on the Lake, and into the hills to the south.
The battle began with both armies letting their archers exchange volleye of arrows, the Huns were kept back Anthemius wished to use their skills later. Eventually the archers were pulled back and the Sassanid army advanced. The roman 5,000 Horse and Iberian and Armenian Cavalry numbering a further 3,000 were held back along with the 5,000 Hunnic cavalry. The Roman coalitions cavalry was kept in the center on flat terrain as the cavalry would not be of good use in the hills to the south. As it was, the front lines of the Sassanid army were cavalry used to smash through the roman lines. To the south the Iberian and Armenian infantry engaged the Sassanid Infrantry which they held in place. The massive force of Cataphracts and cavalry smashed into the roman lines and in several places smashed through, however These spots were exploited by the huns who quickly circled the sassanids breakthrough firing quick volleys into the sassanid cavalry to devistating effect. As well the roman cavalry counter charged these spots. For hours the battle went on, thousands dieing. However the battle would not be finished on the first day. Roughly 20,000 men died in the first day, and tens of thousands of men were injured. The two armies would retreat for the night, the next day would bring more fighting.
The roman coalition which now numbered some 50,000 fighting men would exit their camp however would not advance any further, begining to construct a earthen rampart in front of their battleline. Which extended all the way to the hills to the south. The Sassanids who had several thousand men more roughly 55,000 advanced on the roman position, reigning down arrow fire as fast as they could. The roman archers returned fire, however what this was leading to was the advance of the Sassanid army once again, on a poorly constructed rampart. However due to the haste of the Sassanid king to attack before the Rampart become to much of an obstacle, a critical piece of information was not seen, the absence of the Huns. While the two armies clashed on the rampart the Huns had left the camp in the hours before dawn and were no awaiting the right moment on the extreme southern flank hidden in the hills. 5 hours into the battle with niether side winning but both suffering from severe exhaustion 5,000 huns came out from the hills and swept into the rear of the Sassanid army, firing arrows into the rear of the enemy, and using their lances to charge into the enemy ranks. The sassanid army collapsed, the King of Kings himself was captured. 20,000 of his men killed a further 10,000 captured and the rest fleeing into the wilds. The romans however had lost around 10,000 men themselves with countless injured. The 2 day battle was a decisive defeat for the Sassanids.
In the following days Yazdegerd would be forced to sign a treaty 2,000 lbs of gold and silver was to be paid to the Romans before the king and his men would be released every single man that was held prisoner would be ransomed back for 10 gold coins a person which came to roughly 130,000 coins to be delivered plus another 10,000 for the king himself. The kingdoms of Armenia, Albania, and Iberia were to become Roman Client Kingdoms, and Nisibisand the territory north of it was to become Roman territory. As well Sassanids would pay a 200lb yearly tribute to the romans to pay for the protection of the Caucasus region, to stop payment would mean war. This treaty was humiliating for the Sassanids, the initial payment for the king his army and war reperations would nearly bankrupt the empire something that would take years to recover from.
Unfortunately for the Sassanids only months after returning to Ctesiphon Yazdegerd II would die, his son Hormizd III would take the throne however a civil war would break out in the following years between him and his brother Peroz.
For Anthemius he would stay in the east for several months touring the region from Egypt to Syria. Of his initial 50,000 men he had roughly 30,000 would make the return trip. Though it was a costly war, the Caesar had won much fame and brought the empire wealth in his victory. The east was fully secure with this victory, the Sassanids dealing with threats in the east and civil war, and the Caucasus region under roman control. With 10,000 of his men he celebrated a triumph in Antioch in December. However, in January he recieved news that the Emperor had died in his sleep in december, Finishing the year of Imperial Succession as 3 men were crowned, Majorian Anthemius and Hormizd. Anthemius had gone east as a Caesar, and returned West to Constantinople as Emperor.
●●●●
In the next chapter we will go back West to finish of the year of Imperial succession, with the Aftermath of the Battle of Florentia, and the Vandal retreat.
In 451 Vardan Mamikonian lead a large scale rebellion in Armenia against the Sassanids, who were putting heavy pressure on the people to convert to Zoroastrianism. Vardan would try to get support from the christian Eastern Roman Emperor, however the new emperor Marcian advised by senators Florentius and Anatolius would decline to help the rebels. Vardan and his rebellion would suffer a major defeat in that year, with Vardan himself dying. However his brother Hmayeak Mamikonian would take his place as leader and would lead his men in a campaign of guerrilla warfare. However in 455, the Emperor Marcianus and his new Caesar Anthemius would agree to help the rebels in Armenia in the coming year. Fortunately for the them another Sassanid client state would rebel, that was Albania lead by their king Vache.
In early May, Anthemius marched from Theodosiopoilis, a major stronghold along the the armenian border with 25,000 Infantry, 5,000 Hunnic cavalry, and 2,000 Roman cavalry. Their route along the Araxes river in armenia. However this 32,000 men was not the entire roman army. Along the Sassanid Roman border waited the Magister Militum Per Oretium, Leo, along with a further 20,000 infantry and 3,000 horse waiting to pincer the sassanid forces once they arrived in the north. The Sassanid general in the area, Adhur Hormizd would react quickly to this sudden invasion into Aremenia by gathering his troops at Artaxata, and further sending a message to the King of Kings, Yazdegerd II for support.
Unfortunately for Hormizd, who expected to gather roughly 25,000 men to hold his city, he would not gather half that many men. Several minor battles would take place in the weeks preluding the siege of Artaxata, these were mostly between the Roman cavalry division or the Armenian rebels against Hormizds gathering troops. The largest and last was a large ambush on 7,000 Sassanid soldiers only a days march from the city by the roman cavalry and Armenian rebels. Of the 7,000 sassanids only a few hundred would escape the battle and of those men only a few dozen would arrive to Artaxata. The mobility of the Roman horse was key in the initial movement of forces in the war, and when Anthemius and the rest if his army arrived at Artaxata along with 12,000 Armenians on May 29th Hormizd only had 10,000 men to hold out against 44,000.
To the northeast further events were unfolding in Albania were Vache lead a revolt against the sassanids, the Sassanid garrisons in his kingdom were quickly destroyed by his army and supporters. Vache and his army of 18,000 would defeat a minor Sassanid army in the middle of May along the Kur river. Vache would further lead his army east occupying Sassanid territory in the Caucasus on the west side of the Caspian sea, defeating another minor sassanid force roughly 6,000 strong in late June. After taking this territory, Vache would march south and raid into Sassanid territory.
At Artaxata Anthemius and his army besiegethe city for a 15 days before on June 14th, the city fell in a quick assualt at Dawn. The weakened garrison capitulating in the following hours. The city itself was not sacked however Hormizd and his officers would be executed and his men taken prisoners. The siege had been a brutal affair, the romans and Armenians had lost some 2,000 men during the siege. In the following days Hmayeak and Anthemius would discuss plans, and finally on June 18th Hmayeak Mamikonian would be raised as King of Armenia. His son Vahan would be his hier. In Iberia the King there, Vakhtang who was in his early twenties, would join the Roman Coalition, and marched south with 10,000 men, joining the Romans and Armenians at Artaxata around June 30th.
However by this time Yazdegerd was moving north with his own army, which numbered a little over 70,000 men. He would have gathered more men had it not been for the Albanian Kings raid into the empire which syphoned men from his army. Yazdegerd lead his men along the Tigris towards armenia. Anthemius hearing of the Sassanid hoste marching north, Marched on Van, a city along the eastern side of Lake Van, the city fell with out a fight and Anthemius Hunnic riders were able to push south and scout for the Sassanid army, as well to send word to Leo.
For Yazdegerd the next decisions he made would determine the fate of the war, he either would march west, take out the small roman army of Leo, and invade Roman Syria, however doing so would leave his rear unprotected and supply lines strained. If he went North the fortress of Nisibis and its garrison of 10,000 would protect his flank and he could focus on defeating the Roman Caesar and dealing with the rebellious Kings. Yazdegerd would decide to move north on July 16th.
Leo who was informed of this by his scouts immediately moved with his 18,000 men. Instead of Marching to Nisibis, he marched north to Martyropolis and then east. He left 5,000 men in the south and now with the rest bypassed Nisibis and came upon the rear of Yazdegerd. Though this extra long route took an extra week of marching, Leo and his men would arrive for the main battle. The Battle would take place on the south of Lake Van were Anthemius would march his army to regroup with Leos men. Yazdegerd would arrive on the same day in a close race. The following day August 15th would be the battle. Both sides had similar numbers of men, resulting in this battle being one of the largest in the era with roughly 140,000 men on the field. The battlefield would extend nearly 4 miles with both armies anchoring their flanks on the Lake, and into the hills to the south.
The battle began with both armies letting their archers exchange volleye of arrows, the Huns were kept back Anthemius wished to use their skills later. Eventually the archers were pulled back and the Sassanid army advanced. The roman 5,000 Horse and Iberian and Armenian Cavalry numbering a further 3,000 were held back along with the 5,000 Hunnic cavalry. The Roman coalitions cavalry was kept in the center on flat terrain as the cavalry would not be of good use in the hills to the south. As it was, the front lines of the Sassanid army were cavalry used to smash through the roman lines. To the south the Iberian and Armenian infantry engaged the Sassanid Infrantry which they held in place. The massive force of Cataphracts and cavalry smashed into the roman lines and in several places smashed through, however These spots were exploited by the huns who quickly circled the sassanids breakthrough firing quick volleys into the sassanid cavalry to devistating effect. As well the roman cavalry counter charged these spots. For hours the battle went on, thousands dieing. However the battle would not be finished on the first day. Roughly 20,000 men died in the first day, and tens of thousands of men were injured. The two armies would retreat for the night, the next day would bring more fighting.
The roman coalition which now numbered some 50,000 fighting men would exit their camp however would not advance any further, begining to construct a earthen rampart in front of their battleline. Which extended all the way to the hills to the south. The Sassanids who had several thousand men more roughly 55,000 advanced on the roman position, reigning down arrow fire as fast as they could. The roman archers returned fire, however what this was leading to was the advance of the Sassanid army once again, on a poorly constructed rampart. However due to the haste of the Sassanid king to attack before the Rampart become to much of an obstacle, a critical piece of information was not seen, the absence of the Huns. While the two armies clashed on the rampart the Huns had left the camp in the hours before dawn and were no awaiting the right moment on the extreme southern flank hidden in the hills. 5 hours into the battle with niether side winning but both suffering from severe exhaustion 5,000 huns came out from the hills and swept into the rear of the Sassanid army, firing arrows into the rear of the enemy, and using their lances to charge into the enemy ranks. The sassanid army collapsed, the King of Kings himself was captured. 20,000 of his men killed a further 10,000 captured and the rest fleeing into the wilds. The romans however had lost around 10,000 men themselves with countless injured. The 2 day battle was a decisive defeat for the Sassanids.
In the following days Yazdegerd would be forced to sign a treaty 2,000 lbs of gold and silver was to be paid to the Romans before the king and his men would be released every single man that was held prisoner would be ransomed back for 10 gold coins a person which came to roughly 130,000 coins to be delivered plus another 10,000 for the king himself. The kingdoms of Armenia, Albania, and Iberia were to become Roman Client Kingdoms, and Nisibisand the territory north of it was to become Roman territory. As well Sassanids would pay a 200lb yearly tribute to the romans to pay for the protection of the Caucasus region, to stop payment would mean war. This treaty was humiliating for the Sassanids, the initial payment for the king his army and war reperations would nearly bankrupt the empire something that would take years to recover from.
Unfortunately for the Sassanids only months after returning to Ctesiphon Yazdegerd II would die, his son Hormizd III would take the throne however a civil war would break out in the following years between him and his brother Peroz.
For Anthemius he would stay in the east for several months touring the region from Egypt to Syria. Of his initial 50,000 men he had roughly 30,000 would make the return trip. Though it was a costly war, the Caesar had won much fame and brought the empire wealth in his victory. The east was fully secure with this victory, the Sassanids dealing with threats in the east and civil war, and the Caucasus region under roman control. With 10,000 of his men he celebrated a triumph in Antioch in December. However, in January he recieved news that the Emperor had died in his sleep in december, Finishing the year of Imperial Succession as 3 men were crowned, Majorian Anthemius and Hormizd. Anthemius had gone east as a Caesar, and returned West to Constantinople as Emperor.
●●●●
In the next chapter we will go back West to finish of the year of Imperial succession, with the Aftermath of the Battle of Florentia, and the Vandal retreat.
Map of the Anthemius Campaign
The large outlined areas are the Areas of Roman expansion in Red and Albanian In Yellow, the thinner lines, the light red are that of Anthemius route through Armenia to the battle at Van, and Leo's is the darker red, the route of Vache is the brown one that goes along the Caspian sea and into the Sassanid empire
Attachments
Nice the to the Sassanids get their shit handed to them. Gonna be a good few years before they recover from that.
Yep, it doenst help that they enter a similar civil war to otl right after this either. It will be tough years ahead for the Sassanids. Anthemius legacy will Begin with this defeat that he inflicted on the Sassanids.
And if your wondering how come Anthemius didnt push for more territorial consesions, the awnser is he got a massive amount of gold, several client kingdoms that will pay tribute along with securing the northern half of the eastern frontier, and quite simply that he had lost lots of men in the Battle of Van. By pushijg for more terrority, he could have risked the war continuing under Yazdegerd sons.
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I understand why he wouldn’t ask for more land. Never questioned it. Glad you didn’t make him gobble up Mesopotamia or something. Anyone with a brain would be able to see that anything more than this would over extend the eastern empire. What he got was pretty damn good. Worthy of a triumph.
Thanks for the map, was anyone else confused about Persians fighting in Iberia and Albania?
Yep i kinda figured there would be some confusion glad the map helped
Chapter 7: 456-458
Chapter 7
456
Upon the fields of Florentia Flavius Julius Valerius Majorianus was proclaimed emperor by his men. During the night Valentinianus was executed in the hills that surrounded the battlefield, his head brought back to the new Emperor. The Vandals would make it to their fleet harrassed by Majorians cavalry. Unfortunately they had the pregnant wife of Valentinianus,if it was a girl their would be little threat, however if it was a son Majorian would be forced to fight the Vandals when he was not ready for it, as the boy would be a major threat to his reign.
Majorian would spend his time waiting for the news from Africa, by touring Italia, and by promoting his own loyal men to positions. Aegidius would become Magister Militum. Ricimer would be made Magister Equitum per Gallias, a certain Nepotianus would be named Comes Hispania, Marcellinus would stay as Comes Dalmatia. As for the command of his personal Palitini, which was made up of his Bucelarii and the best and most loyal men in his army, was a young man named Julius Nepos, son of the Comes Hispania. Nepos had caught the eye of Majorian during his campaigns as a Cavalry officer, and then as a Dux in Majorians army, The mans swift promotions were a testament to his ability in Majorians eyes.
As for the Praetorian Prefectures, a man named Caecina Decius Basillius was named Prefect of Italia and Dalmatia, for Hispania was a man named Quintus Aurelius Symmachus grandson of the man of same name who was Prefect of Africa. For Gallia he named Eparchius Avitus. Avitus had quickly joined the side of Aetius and Majorian during the civil war as he had been a crucial officer to Aetius before. For this he rewarded him with the prefect of Gaul, though Avitus would die in 459. These 3 men were given several commands by Majorian. The first was to do a Census on the population of the Empire, as well they would begin work with the emperor to rework the tax system to eliminate Corruption, they were also to work with the Generals to work in an effective system of recruitment, though this last effort would be a problem long past Majorians reign.
During the winter of 456-457 Majorian would visit Leo the bishop of Rome, the most influential bishop in the west. During the civil war Leo had become known for speaking for Valentinian as had many other bishops, it was for this reason that Majorian would visit Rome which he would quickly make his Imperial Capital in the way of the principate. The meeting between the two men would go very well, considering the factors. Leo spoke of the alienation that the church felt by Majorians new laws, and how they would effect many area of the church. Majorian however won the bishop over with his speeches on how his laws would help the Empire grow its waning population, and how it would protect the Empire of God and its people. How with higher population growth over time more people would be able to worship the lord, and pay tribute to him, and many more things, it also helped that Majorian promised that he would send funds to build several churches throughout the empire. In the end, Leo, would agree to work with Majorian, for in the end, these laws would help both the Empire and the church.
457
News would arrive in February from Majorians spies and traders from Africa. The child of Valentinianus and Eudoxia had been born, it was a Girl named Galla Valentinia, and a sigh of relief was felt across the empire and Africa. Though this respite would last several years, it would only provide for the eventual war to be larger. Emesarries between the Emperor and King would come to a deal that would allow trade to continue and grain to continue to be shipped to Italia.
Majorian would use the respite to secure his reign. Beginning in March he began purging those who had supported Valentinian. Roughly 100 Senators were executed their wealth and land taken and their families exiled or similarly executed. Another 100 had all their wealth and land taken and were exiled to the east or out of the empire completely, another 50 were made beggars left to die on the streets of Rome. This was the largest purge in Roman history, something that did not sit well with many people. However, Majorian would be notable for not executing another senator in his reign, something which spoke to the situation in which these earlier actions happened.
In November of 457, Majorians and Placidia's second child would be born, a daughter named Julia Placidia.
The two emperors of Rome each had a son and a daughter Theodosius and Julia in the west, Anthemiolus, and Alypia in the east. In the following year each would also have a son born. Flavius Procopius Marcianus in the east, and Julius Valerius Constantinus in the west.
456
Upon the fields of Florentia Flavius Julius Valerius Majorianus was proclaimed emperor by his men. During the night Valentinianus was executed in the hills that surrounded the battlefield, his head brought back to the new Emperor. The Vandals would make it to their fleet harrassed by Majorians cavalry. Unfortunately they had the pregnant wife of Valentinianus,if it was a girl their would be little threat, however if it was a son Majorian would be forced to fight the Vandals when he was not ready for it, as the boy would be a major threat to his reign.
Majorian would spend his time waiting for the news from Africa, by touring Italia, and by promoting his own loyal men to positions. Aegidius would become Magister Militum. Ricimer would be made Magister Equitum per Gallias, a certain Nepotianus would be named Comes Hispania, Marcellinus would stay as Comes Dalmatia. As for the command of his personal Palitini, which was made up of his Bucelarii and the best and most loyal men in his army, was a young man named Julius Nepos, son of the Comes Hispania. Nepos had caught the eye of Majorian during his campaigns as a Cavalry officer, and then as a Dux in Majorians army, The mans swift promotions were a testament to his ability in Majorians eyes.
As for the Praetorian Prefectures, a man named Caecina Decius Basillius was named Prefect of Italia and Dalmatia, for Hispania was a man named Quintus Aurelius Symmachus grandson of the man of same name who was Prefect of Africa. For Gallia he named Eparchius Avitus. Avitus had quickly joined the side of Aetius and Majorian during the civil war as he had been a crucial officer to Aetius before. For this he rewarded him with the prefect of Gaul, though Avitus would die in 459. These 3 men were given several commands by Majorian. The first was to do a Census on the population of the Empire, as well they would begin work with the emperor to rework the tax system to eliminate Corruption, they were also to work with the Generals to work in an effective system of recruitment, though this last effort would be a problem long past Majorians reign.
During the winter of 456-457 Majorian would visit Leo the bishop of Rome, the most influential bishop in the west. During the civil war Leo had become known for speaking for Valentinian as had many other bishops, it was for this reason that Majorian would visit Rome which he would quickly make his Imperial Capital in the way of the principate. The meeting between the two men would go very well, considering the factors. Leo spoke of the alienation that the church felt by Majorians new laws, and how they would effect many area of the church. Majorian however won the bishop over with his speeches on how his laws would help the Empire grow its waning population, and how it would protect the Empire of God and its people. How with higher population growth over time more people would be able to worship the lord, and pay tribute to him, and many more things, it also helped that Majorian promised that he would send funds to build several churches throughout the empire. In the end, Leo, would agree to work with Majorian, for in the end, these laws would help both the Empire and the church.
457
News would arrive in February from Majorians spies and traders from Africa. The child of Valentinianus and Eudoxia had been born, it was a Girl named Galla Valentinia, and a sigh of relief was felt across the empire and Africa. Though this respite would last several years, it would only provide for the eventual war to be larger. Emesarries between the Emperor and King would come to a deal that would allow trade to continue and grain to continue to be shipped to Italia.
Majorian would use the respite to secure his reign. Beginning in March he began purging those who had supported Valentinian. Roughly 100 Senators were executed their wealth and land taken and their families exiled or similarly executed. Another 100 had all their wealth and land taken and were exiled to the east or out of the empire completely, another 50 were made beggars left to die on the streets of Rome. This was the largest purge in Roman history, something that did not sit well with many people. However, Majorian would be notable for not executing another senator in his reign, something which spoke to the situation in which these earlier actions happened.
In November of 457, Majorians and Placidia's second child would be born, a daughter named Julia Placidia.
The two emperors of Rome each had a son and a daughter Theodosius and Julia in the west, Anthemiolus, and Alypia in the east. In the following year each would also have a son born. Flavius Procopius Marcianus in the east, and Julius Valerius Constantinus in the west.
Thanks! Glad to hear your liking it.
You are right there will be two Imperial matches, both Daughters will marry future Emperors! As for the uniting, all this really is doing is connecting the two dynasties together. As of right now I have no plans to unite the empire as one, but plans can change.
I think Majorian should have sent his father in law to a monastery or at the very least made it as though the death of his father in law was an accident to make it presentable.Like a Pompey in Egypt moment for example.Technically,he shouldn’t be rebelling against his father in law.How dare anyone accuse him of that?He is only trying to rescue his father in law from evil officials and nobles who imprisoned him and made him their puppet!
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I too sense an imperial match.
At least the senate is now free of most of its useless or traitorous members. Their wealth will be put to good use in a higher cause. And their positions can be filled by competent loyalists as a reward, or nobles in the soon to be reconquered lands so as to placate them.
I agree with @darthfanta, and that Valentinian should’ve had a less controversial death or simply been put in a monastery. But he was a little shit so I don’t care too much. As Geralt of Rivia said sometimes heads just role.
At least the senate is now free of most of its useless or traitorous members. Their wealth will be put to good use in a higher cause. And their positions can be filled by competent loyalists as a reward, or nobles in the soon to be reconquered lands so as to placate them.
I agree with @darthfanta, and that Valentinian should’ve had a less controversial death or simply been put in a monastery. But he was a little shit so I don’t care too much. As Geralt of Rivia said sometimes heads just role.
There will be better cooperation in the future for sure. And because of this cooperation there will be major consequences down the line.
That was definitely an option, however with Valentinian alive that would be a big threat to him, as well i will say, should have been more clear about it, but Majorian didnt know of the Emperors death until his head was brought to camp, it could be put up to soldiers acting of their own will, getting revenge for the death of Aetius.
Betting the war ends with Majorian declaring "Vandali Delenda Est".
Haha, well i dont want to spoil to much, but the war will be larger then just a Vandal Vs Western Rome, it will involve allies on both sides, and there will be a few suprises and bumps to go along with it.