A History of the Great Crisis of the West
The day following the Emperor’s death, the Senate proclaimed Orestes Emperor of Rome. Surprisingly, his appointment by the Senate seemed not to have produced any contenders. His counterpart in the East, Emperor Leo IV affirmed the Senate’s decision and made the journey from Constantinople to Rome. Seemingly satisfied with the personage of his Co-Emperor the Eastern Emperor returned to Constantinople. Orestes, secure in his position as Emperor of Rome, then launched the famed “Oresteian Reforms“[1].
By the 3rd century A.M.D.* the Western Legions had become corrupt and ill-disciplined in contrast to their Eastern counterparts. The Western Empire’s military by the reign of Emperor Orestes was comprised of a core of Non-Latin citizens headed by a Romano-Gallic elite and supported by Barbarian mercenaries (Often but not always from Rome's Allies). Barbarian mercenaries by the 3rd century A.M.D. made up half the military of the Western Empire[2]. Orestes’ set about to correct the follies of past Emperors by returning the Roman Military to its true state. Finding the average Latin citizen uninterested in fighting for Rome, Orestes would encourage the idea of the “ Courageous Roman Warrior “ amongst Rome's citizenry. In the days of Republic Roman soldiers had been entitled to land after retirement but as the Empire’s borders had shrunk so too did the Empire’s coffers. The Empire’s many civil wars and coups forced both Emperors and Usurper to rely on Barbarian mercenaries.
Orestes next sought to rein in the powerful Romano-Gallic Hierarchy that made up the core of Western Empire’s military. Vespasianus the Romano-Gallic governor of Lusitania was the first to be
“ retired “. Yet the Oresteian Reforms were not to go unbloodied as more of those of Gallic heritage were stripped of their rank, Romanised Gauls grew suspicious of the Emperor's intentions. Galerius, Governor of Dalmatia fearful of losing him and his kin’s privileged status in the Empire approached his distant cousin the Imperial Legate Maximianus. Maximianus[3] had been Orestes’ closest confidante in the early days of Orestes' reign. Yet, as Orestes began to assume the role of Augustus their friendship became more strained. Orestes’ seeming vendetta against Maximianus kin further strained relations between the two. As civil war brewed an outside threat loomed with teeth bared over a divided Empire.
Odoacer[4] now the King of a coalition of Barbarian Tribes had made an alliance with the Gothic King Wallia. The Visigoths unlike their eastern cousins the Ostrogoths had not assimilated into the greater Roman society. The Visigoths had like their cousins the Ostrogoths swore to Augustus, but in reality were only nominal subjects of Rome. Odoacer a Tribal Chieftain of most undignified character had been born a Prince of the Scirii[5] sometime in the Autumn of 190 A.M.D [420 A.D.][6] to King Edeko and his wife Julia. The Historian Maximus Damascenus however, claims otherwise, Maximus believed Odoacer’s mother to be a Frank and not a Roman. King Edeko was a hated enemy of Rome throughout his reign over the Scirii. Edeko from the sources of the esteemed historian Marcus Gratidianus, died from alcohol poisoning as the Lord had warned against through his Messenger. The title of King of the Scirii was traditionally passed down from father to the eldest son, however, Odoacer was disliked by most of his father’s vassal chieftains for his infamous cruelty and ruthlessness. A night before Odoacer would be proclaimed King of the Scirii by the Shaman of the Scirii the Chiefs surrounded the young king’s palace. Thinking they had outsmarted Odoacer they set fire to the palace. Odoacer meanwhile had escaped early in the night having been warned by one of his loyal chieftains.
Odoacer rode on his steed to Eastern Roman province of Moesia where he sought asylum in the lands under the protection of Rome. He would enlist in a Roman Legion and would fight against both the armies of the heathen Shahanshah and the Barbarian Tribes to the North of the Empire. After a decade spent fighting in Rome’s Legions, he would return to the Scirii with an Army.
Damasco 26th of Augustus 11 A.P.R.
( Anno Post Revalationem )
" Allahuakbar " Omar raised his hands to his ears before folding his right arm above his left. The congregation of both women and men standing behind him echoed him before following suit. A year had passed since Omar had set foot in the city. Omar had come to Damascus before but never had he come alone he had always come with at least a caravan of camels stacked with Incense from Yemen, Spices from al-Hind and Idols from the Hejaz. After the prayer Omar would sit to listen to the various ails of his congregation, handing out advice and religious guidance. Today was no different, and the congregation's problems were likewise no different. " Ya Allah " Omar sighed as Zulayqah argued with Romulus over the same disagreement they had aired the week before. Zulayqah, the daughter of a rich Arab merchant had been one of Omar's earliest converts but was also one of Omar's most zealous. " Ya, Omar how can we tolerate the Kafir[7] when they fornicate in public and worship their Idols. Thank God my Family converted I could not bear to see the false gods worshipped by my own kin ". Romulus the Roman convert was as devout as Zulayqah, however, that was where the similarities ended. Romulus was of humble origin and preferred a soft mysticism to Zulayqah's harsh literalism. " Sister[8] Zulayqah we must tolerate the Pagans for is not patience a tenet of the faith? ". Zulayqah glared at Romulus through her veil " We should smash the idols of Bacchus as the Messiah did with the merchant's stalls in the Temple ". Romulus horrified at his Sister in faith's treasonous zealotry turned to Omar.
Omar sighed " Ya Zulayqah it is true that the Kufr are outrageous in their beliefs but to destroy the idols of the Temple would be to invite the ire of the Prefects and the city of Damascus as a whole. Do you desire the scrutiny of the Prefects? Would you invite the persecution of your brothers and sister in the faith? ". Zulayqah now looked thoughtful " I see your point Ya Omar. I could not bear it if a Brother or a Sister were to die due to my impatience and anger ". Omar then turned to Romulus " Romulus it is true what you say of Patience. But is not the act of fornication in public disrespectful to Humanity is it not a private act? Is it not meant to be kept between woman and man, husband and wife or lover and beloved? Thus, it cannot be tolerated as it reduces Humans to the status of Animals ". Romulus flashing his characteristic grin nodded " I did not mean to say it was permissible Brother, but I thank you for your judgement ". As the two left Omar's house, no doubt to continue their argument, Omar looked on at the congregation. The congregation had grown drastically over the past year especially ever since the monk Izates had submitted to God. Omar preached to a congregation of over a hundred from many backgrounds and peoples. Most of his converts were Nazarenes both of the Imperial and Orthodox creeds which surprised the Arab but upon reflection was unsurprising. A minority like Romulus had followed Jupiter (or Zeus as he was called by the Greeks) before converting to Islam a still smaller minority were Persians who were uncommon but not rare in this part of the Empire. Hebrews surpassing the Nazarenes made up a plurality of his congregation which did not surprise the Meccan for did not both Moshe[9] and Muhammad believe in the same God?
Omar began to read from a scroll sent to him from Makkah. The first of such scrolls that had been written down by a literate Muslim. " In the name of God the Beneficient, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds... "[10]. Lost in his recitation of the holy script he did not realise Izates had sat down beside him until he heard his soothing voice recite along with him. Omar smiled but continued reciting the verse. After he had finished reciting the verse he embraced Izates " My Brother! You almost stopped my heart! ". Izates chuckled " Then I would have envied you for you would have gone to Jannah earlier than me ". Omar grimaced " How can God forgive me? The one who killed his beloved? ". Izates hugged the big oaf of a man tightly " Ya Allah! Do you doubt Allah's capacity for forgiveness? ". Omar shook his head " No my Brother, the question is does he want to forgive me? ". Izates began to recite another verse “Except those who repent and come to believe and do the right, for whom God will turn evil into good, for God is forgiving and kind.”[11]. Omar broke into tears " Ya Allah how great is the Lord !!! ".
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[1]ITTL a Meijiesque Roman Reform started by Orestes and continuing on into his successor's reigns
[2] ITTL faster deterioration of Roman professional Armies and a ridiculous reliance on mercenaries
[3] Roman Legate and close friend of Orestes ITTL. He is a made up character. Doesn't exist
[4] Not the same Odoacer. Though they both have similar roles and are both highly intelligent.
[5] An East Germanic Tribe of Eastern Europe. OTL's Odoacer is suspected to be a Scirii
[6] Trying out writing the dates right next to my custom date. Tell me if you like it.
[7] Unbeliever. Literal Translation: One who covers the Truth. Used to refer to non-muslims but generally disliked OTL to be thrown around as the word has sharp connotations and it can be considered a sin in OTL Islam to misuse the word.
[8] Not a literal Sister but a Sister in the Faith just in case you're unfamiliar with religious people using the term to refer to others of the same faith
[9] Moses
[10] Surah al Fatihah (English: The Opening). The first chapter or Surah of the Quran.
[11] 25:70, Surah al-Furqan. An OTL Meccan Surah
* Third century before Muhammad's Revelation.
. Are you planning on continuing this TL?
