Deleted member 67076
Back From the Brink
Alright, this has been an idea floating around in my head for a while. The basic premise of this timeline is one where the Western Roman Empire is able to make it through the turmoil-filled fifth century alive.
This is not a Western Rome-wank as that is for our purposes, very unlikely. This is not to say it can’t be done. Do not expect Roman Germania and a second Pax Romana anytime soon. A likely comparison to this is a post 1250 Byzantine Revival. (1) Not impossible, but very, very unlikely. No, here they will struggle. Blood, sweat and tears will be shed, but they will survive.
Now some of you may notice this is similar to Basileus Giorgios’ Timeline City of God. Yes, he is aware of this and he has given me his blessing to pursue a timeline with a similar premise.
The Point of Divergence, well one of them, (as there will be several) will be the quick end of the Vandal tribes as a threat to Rome by use of war with a neighboring tribe, the Suevi in 409-411, before they become a credible threat. In turn this leads to Rome’s African front being secure for now. With the African front secure, Rome can turn her efforts into other things...
Introduction:
For now, Rome appeases them with gifts of titles and lands, but how long until will they want more, and Rome is unable to please them? Change must come and it must come soon. Fortunately for the empire, as the saying goes, help often comes when you need it most. This will happen in the quiet province of Iberia, in the year 411 CE...
The empire of the west, at the beginning of 409 CE (areas in revolt not shown)
Chapter one: Greed is (relatively) Good
Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures, the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the upward surge of mankind and greed...
As a result, various Germanic tribes use this opportunity to move into the rich province of Hispania. Among them are the Suevi, Alans, Visigoths Hasdingi and Silingi, the latter two better known collectively as the Vandals. On September of 409, thousands made the fatefully journey into Iberia.
The tribes quickly moved into the area, brutally looting whatever they can attain, dragging Hispania into chaos and famine for 2 years. In 411 CE, the tribes began to divide Hispania among them. The division was to be held by lots. (2)
All around Hispaina, Roman troops were overrun by the invading tribes
However, rather than peacefully dividing up the lands, negotiations quickly broke down to tribal arguments over who “deserved the most land” with part of the tribes demanding more lands than they received. Eventually war broke out among the tribes, one the Romans were too happy to take advantage of.
In the ensuing conflict, the Suevi, allied with the Romans, went to war with the Vandals and Alans, defeating them, and in the process, killing their king Godigisel, and his sons, Genseric and Gunderic in battle. (3) As a result, the Vandals were weakened by this war and deprived of some of their best leaders. In the coming years, they retreated from Iberia into the province of Gaul. In reward for the Suevi’s loyalty, they were awarded the lands the Vandals.
(1) Elfwine, in the event you’re reading this, no it’s not a ‘9th inning salvation TL’. It’s at most, the bottom of the 6th inning with the score 6-4 and the Barbarians batting. For everyone else, ignore the baseball reference.
(2) It is not known whether it was the tribes themselves dividing Iberia of they received lands from the Roman government. For our purposes, assume the former. This is also the POD. In OTL the tribes divided up the lands rather peacefully through use of lots.
(3) Genseric was the one who established the Vandal Kingdom of Africa, dealing, what could best be described as a shot in the stomach for the WRE.
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