AHC Roman Foederati CoEmpire

The Foederati idea of the Roman Empire generally had 2 outcomes - the Foederati romanised or they became an elite class above a Roman peasantry.
How possible is it to get something in between? Where there are 2 coexisting types of Imperial citizen - e.g. Roman and Goth - who have specific roles in the Empire and one is not held superior by bloodline.
Ideally a citizen could pass from from type to the other on meeting particular requirements, albeit not easily enough that the types merge, nor too difficult that apartheid sets in until one is overthrown.
 
Well, this is pretty close to how Theodoric the Great viewed the ideal settlement situation in Italy - although it didn't quite work out as planned for him. (One of the reasons I have his ATL Son choose a slightly different path in my own timeline).
 
Honestly, I think that risks being a recipe for disaster. That arbitrary distinction existed already, and it wasn't very helpful. I believe it is one of the reasons Stilcho was never really able to become an Emperor.

But what would a Goth be? Footsoldier? Farmer? Negotiater? General?
What would a Roman be?

If there is a difference, SOMEHOW they'll be a "Better" type of citizen.

However, I think there is a way to do this, but you'd have to make it regional.

If we assume that we can have a Gothic Roman Emperor (take your pick as to who), you can likely restore the West (I personally would choose Majorian, not because he's Gothic, but because he is my fav.)

Any restored Roman Empire is going to have this major problem between the Foedi and the Citizenry. An accord where the Foedi "Goths" are exempt from certain responsibilities, because they are "Guests" could be achieved, but are obliged to provide a significant levy. The entire aim being a joint effort by Romans and Foedi to conquer Germania - with the conquered lands and those of Gaul being designated to the project of settling Foedi as citizens, as "Romans". So parts of Germania and Gaul are given to Citizens and Goths, with the Goths becoming Citizens as part of the deal.

i.e. You need some sort of overarching accomodation to be made, where Goths are basically given priority status for being given land. Some in Gaul (Say Visigoths), some in Dacia (say Ostrogoths), and others in Germania (say Franks), and lastly, if they aren't just obliterated because Vandals, the Vandals can go to Britannia or Ireland).

So yeah, at the end of this thought-stream. You could do it, if you used it as an indicator of priority of being given land upon service, or even using it to designate methods of payment, or even "categories" to allocate land in regions (so a Frank will be paid in land, in Germania, an Ostrogoth in Dacia, a Visigoth in Gaul, etc). Meanwhile a Roman gets paid in coin, or in land AFTER the special categories.

Basically - Land-Rights tied to military obligation could do it.
 
Yes, it's a challenge.
Essentially I'm after
  • 2 types of citizen across all the classes
  • Not restricted to family bloodline
  • No districts of a single citizen type
  • Both considered essential to running the Empire
What they're called is unimportant, the Roman Goth was just an example, they could be called lefthand and righthand citizens.
I assume soldiers would have to be of either/both type else one establishes themselves as the elite.
 
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