Idus Martii: A Late Antiquity Timeline

[Acamapichtli]

Introduction

Oescus, Moesia Inferior
468 AD

Dengizich, son of Attila.
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After the disastrous incursion over Roman Thrace, Dengizich, son of Attila, decided to stop the aggressions and agreed to make negotiations with the Eastern Roman magister militum Anagastes. The conversations took place at the ancient city of Oescus, located south of the Danube, and lasted several hours. They sat near the ruins of the civil Basilica of Oescus, and they looked at each other with tension on their faces. Dintzic started saying his claims, one of them was a tribute of 500 pounds of gold per year, but Anagast rejected that annoyed. Some minutes after, Ernak, the brother of Dengizich, assisted the mission.

"Pay me the taxes, and give me the lands I asked before I will leave you and your people alone," Dengizich claimed with an intimidating voice.

"No, nobody will pay you that, but we would not enter any alliances with your enemies. Also, you will only receive the cities of Troesmis and Aegyssos," Anagastes declared, notably irritated...

The Hunnic diplomats (including Ernak) told Dengizich he should accept the Roman proposals, considering the Horde situation was not as good as it was three decades ago when his father was the fear of Europe.

Finally, both empires agreed, and in March of that year, signed the Treaty of Oescus. Dengizich got some land and started a good diplomatic relationship with Constantinople. It is a matter of time to see the Hunnic Horde recovering its old glory...

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This is my first attempt at a TL at this site, so the POD is that Dengizich accepts to negotiate with Anagastes, and both agreed on good terms. I will try to be realistically plausible about the butterfly effects that my TL might cover. Suggestions are welcomed!

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[Acamapichtli]

The Fury​

After that tense day of negotiations, Dengizich and Ernak ruled the Hunnic Kingdom in dual kingship, as Octar and Rugila did almost 50 years ago. The next plan was to begin the centralization of the realms. In July, they agreed to settle a new capital, and a palace was built over the ruins of Castra Traiana; this city was renamed as Qara-Sarai, which means "black or dark palace" because of the color of the materials used for its construction.
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Qara-Sarai, some decades after its foundation.​

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The Battle of Partiscum
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Hunnic reconquest of Pannonia.​

Now, their eyes turn over to Pannonia. In 469, with Horde's troops fully recovered from the Thracian campaign Dengizich and Ernak launched an invasion over the Gepids. The latter asked for help from the Ostrogoths but were busy with a civil war. This campaign was challenging; it took several months to reconquer the Gepid domain.

Ernak conquered most of northern Pannonia, while Dintzic tried to move to the south, but their enemies resisted in Partiscum. The battle started when the Hunnic forces tried to break down the Gepid's defenses, and this clash ended in a distressing stalemate. In successive months, there were more disputes with the same results. In November of the same year, Oghuric and Alan tribes moved west because they were brutally raided again by the Sabirs. The Huns took advantage of this chaotic situation to change the battle course. Both accepted the Oghurs and Alans to settle in Pannonia if their warriors participated in the war as mercenaries. In addition, the Iazyges of Babai allied with the Hunnic Empire.

The reinforcement arrived, so the Hunnic forces overran the city and captured the nearby areas. In February of 470, the Gepid capital was seized. However, it was returned to Eastern Rome. At the same time, the Huns captured King Thraustila, and Ernak ordered their forces to kill as many Gepid nobles as possible. Rebellions were swift, and the merciless Huns suppressed them fastly. As a result, most of the Gepid population was executed, expelled, or sold as slaves. Also, mercenary soldiers who fought in Partiscum settled (with their families) on the acquired lands. While Onogurs chose Pannonia, Alans moved to the Carpathians and Southeastern Dacia.

"Thraustila, you and your treacherous people must pay for what you did some years ago. You are so wrong if you believe this cowardly act made by your predecessor, Ardaric will remain without any punishment. You have no more Kingdom and Pannonia is now ours. I will fill 'your' former lands with the most loyal and honest warriors, and I will make sure to erase everything related to the weakling Gepids." - Dengizich after capturing the Gepid King

Immediately afterward, Ernak forced Thraustila to parade through Pannonia until reaching the newly founded Hunnic capital; there, the Gepid was chained to a stone wall and was arrowed ten times. Then he was decapitated, and his corpse was thrown off to a ravine. One by one, the other nobles were executed in terrifying ways. Babai and his Iazyges settled in Eastern Pannonia, after being expelled by the Ostrogoths.

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Oghuric settlement in Pannonia.​

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Notes
1. Large numbers of Oghuric, Alan, and even some Slavs will be settled in Pannonia and the Carpathians next decades after the violent expulsions.
2. I'm considering the Huns as an Altaic-speaking people, or at least highly influenced by this language group. So the name of some cities will have a Mongolic or Turkic origin.
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[Acamapichtli]

Fire on the West​

Meanwhile, the Huns started the reconquest, but the situation in Western Europe was not the best. The Hunnic Empire attacked, on multiple occasions, the Alammani and the Saxons, who migrated peacefully or directly raided most of Gaul. This triggered furious mobs (mainly bagaudae), traders, and small landowners who desperately asked for help from Rome, which was not enough to stop the attacks. Soon, as Roman control over Gallia was looser and looser, bagaudae leaders usurped the power and were called just dux, but they used the Gallic word Rix (lit. King). As much of the regions they controlled were rural and non-elite populations, which means most people there remained Gaulish speakers, these duces continued to use that language for administration. In addition, they followed the ancient tribal political divisions of Gaul (Arvernii, Bituriges, Cennomanni, Pictavii, etc.).​

Eburius Theudemar, Dux or Rix Arvenii.
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In 471, the Huns sent diplomats to the Rugii kingdom, where they demanded its submission with a simple letter that said:
"From the Great Kings of the Danube to Flaccitheus the Rugian. We will get to the point you have heard about what happened to those rebels named 'Gepids', so we can erase whole Kingdoms if we want. Fortresses will not stop us, nor armies. Only those who beg for protection will be safe, so submit to us, and no blood will be spilled. "

Flaccitheus ignored the messages and killed the envoys, but some weeks after, he saw the Hunnic army moving to Vindobona, which was being seized. The Rugian King had no more option but to accept being a vassal of the Horde. Over the following months, the Horde launched destructive raids over Alamannian and Burgundian lands, as a result, whole from their homelands to Southern Gaul and Northeast Hispania.
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Burgundian and Alammanic families are moving to Barcino.​

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Battle of Aginnum
June 11, 470

Frankish mercenaries fighting in Aginnum.
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Gallic governors finally allied with some tribes. Euric, King of the Visigoths, wanted to conquer southern and central Gaul. In October, he launched the invasion, but was stopped in Aginnum by the combined forces of Gallic, Frankish, Taifali [1], Alan, and Breton warriors. Approximately the Gaulish brigades were of at least 10,000 people led by Eburius of Arvernia, Riothamus the Briton, Theobald of the Franks, and a Taifal noble of unrecorded name. They ambushed Gothic troops, who lost more than half of their forces.

Euric was shocked by this scenario: his troops easily outnumbered the Gallic ones, but they were almost destroyed in some hours, and piles of corpses appeared next to the Garunna River, most of them from the Goths. An arrow severely injured Euric's leg, and his wound was infected, so the Visigoths had no more option but to return to Tolosa, abandoning their ambitions in Central Gaul. The Battle of Aginnum cemented the power of the Bagaudae Chiefs, but especially, Eburius Theudemar of Arvernia.

This defeat was a low blow to Euric's prestige, but all was not lost for him. He proved to be one of the best rulers because he continued grand building projects, such as aqueducts, and culture started to re-flourish as numerous classical texts were written in Latin and Gothic. Central Germanic Migrations led to the foundation of more towns in Northern Iberia.



Note:
[1] IOTL, the Taifali were a tribe of possible Germanic or Sarmatian origin who settled in Gaul at the beginning of the 5th century. They settled in the modern region of Poitou, which was also named Theiphalia, as mentioned by Gregory of Tours.
For more information: 9 Troubles with the Taifali ethnonym and its occurrence in Gallo-Romance toponyms, p. 252.​

 

[Acamapichtli]

A message from above​

Meanwhile, two more cities were founded on Hunnic territories. One was built over Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa's ruins and was later known in Turkic languages as Qaghanbalik. The second one was established by Saragur immigrants over Partiscum, renamed Sarighsin.

In 471, some wise people from Sogdia became part of the Hunnish court, bringing their alphabet, which gained popularity within the reestablished Empire. This year began the publication of written laws and history records. Additionally, the Sogdian mural-style painting was introduced, and many buildings, including palaces and temples, have murals that depict historical and religious events.

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Dengizich fell critically ill weeks after he ransacked Langobardic lands and had to rest in Qaghanbalik. So now Ernak entirely took charge of the Hunnic Kingdom.

Ernak received an Admiral patrolling the eastern border and warned him about a well-known enemy...

"Ernak, King of the Huns. I have something to tell you," The Admiral said with a clear expression of fear.

"What happened now? Don't tell me are the Sabirs again." Expressed the King shaking his head.

"Yes, unfortunately, they are. Sabirs tried to take Tyras, but with my troops, I could stop them, but I need more aid to finish them."

"Er, Ok. I will go there with the rest of the forces, and I hope we will destroy them as we did with the Gepids," exclaimed Ernak.

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Now the King, other Generals, and their troops arrived face-to-face with the Sabirs at the ruins of Tyras. Ernak moved to tears because of the high losses in his forces, and prayed to the Christian God, asking for his help:

"Jesus Christ, you who are the son of the Living God, I seek the glory of devotion with your aid: If you give me victory in this horrible battle, and if I experience the miracles that the people committed to your name say they have had, I believe in you, and I will be baptized in your name. Also, our deities had ignored us, and they had not come to aid my people. I truly want to believe in you only if I may be saved from my opponents."​

A Sogdian-style mural representing the Battle of Tyras of July 471 AD.
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After these words, he and his army defeated the enemies and killed their leaders easily. Sabirs who tried to revolt were massively subdued or executed. Ernak kept his word, and he was baptized in Qara-Sarai by Saint Auxentius of Bithynia. Dengizich finally recovered from his illness and converted to Chalcedonian Christianity. Aussentius established a new hermitage in the Carpathians while converting the Alans from there. The Kings ordered the construction of small churches in the principal cities of the realm. The first official mass of the Empire was celebrated in the capital city on Christmas of 471 AD.


Of course, the whole Christianization of the Hunnic Empire was slow, and there were some revolts. At this point, Tengrist ceremonies were still practiced, and some Alans and Iazyges still worshipped traditional Iranian gods. Nonetheless, some Tengri and Iranian shrines of great importance were only transformed into Christian churches and cathedrals. Also, not all the previous pagan customs disappeared, which were transformed or blended with Christianity. For instance, kurgans were still built but smaller and contained more than two bodies (generally nobles or famous warriors). On top, they had a stone cross, and a chapel must be built in front of them.​

 

[Acamapichtli]

New plans​

Dengizich was on his way to plunder Italy, but when he arrived at Sarighsin, he received a secret letter with a good amount of gold. The thing is, the letter was from Rome. In addition, it was written by Anthemius (considered the legitimate Emperor of the West by Constantinople), who asked for aid against the Magister militum Ricimer and the usurper Olybrius. Chroniclers didn't know how many solidi were sent, but they all agreed it was enough to change Dintzic's plans for ravaging the Peninsula.​

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In consequence, the Hunnic King sent almost 7,800 men. Leo I, Emperor of the East, saw the complex situation in the West and moved some forces, too. The first clash was decisive because when Ricimer and his troops almost reached the gates of Ravenna, they were ambushed by a numerous Hunno-Roman contingent. Combined Anthemius garrisons practically devastated the Ricimer ones, as the Hunnic archers and light cavalry helped to disorient the enemy's forces. Ricimer fled to Mediolanum, and there, he planned to reach the Burgundian Kingdom to receive support from his uncle Gundobad. And now, the next mission for the allied forces was to capture the rebellious Magister militum.
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Battle of Ravenna.
Ricimer's troops were decimated by Antemius.​

Anthemius directed the allied troops to Mediolanum, where they faced Ricimer and his remnant forces. The battle was not as easy as the loyal imperial armies wanted, as it lasted several days. Ricimer proved to be a good rival and a brilliant strategist. He got crucial alliances with local nobles and some members of the army. But they were outnumbered by the Emperor's soldiers. In July, Anthemius sieged the city and broke into it. Olybrius was beheaded instantly, and the loyalists captured Ricimer...

"Nothing of this would have happened if you, Ricimer, did not play to be the Emperor." - Anthemius said to the caught Ricimer.
"I, Procopius Anthemius, am the true Augustus of Rome, and I will not tolerate usurpers, traitors, and puppets like you or Olybrius."

It is unknown what Ricimer replied to Anthemius. Some said he was just silent, ignoring the Emperor, while others believe the former Magister militum was making fun of what Anthemius did with haughtiness. One thing is sure, the Emperor of the West ordered the execution of Ricimer, and his head was hanged in the center of Mediolanum, as a warning for those who want to challenge the righteous Imperial rule.

Anthemius' regime was not perfect, but at least he secured more stability and the throne. Now the next target: Gondioc and Gundobad. They were trying to attack the Hunnic forces that were returning to the Danube. Dengizich, irritated, went to Geneva (with his soldiers) intending to solve this "diplomatically." On September 11, he arrived at the Burgundian capital to discuss a "Treaty of Peace." Gondioc didn't want to talk with Dengizich, so the war started again. Romans joined the battle, which ended in Gundobad and Gondioc being killed too. Burgundians lost their autonomy and became Foederati again.​

 

[Acamapichtli]

Europe in September of 472 A.D. ​

 

[Acamapichtli]

Unfortunately, Dengizich succumbed to dysentery, and now Ernak is indisputably the only King of the Huns and the Alans (Rex Hunnorum [1] et Alanorum). In 473, the ecclesiastical provinces inside the Empire were established, starting with the Archdiocese of Qara-Sarai or Archidiœcesis Malvensis in Latin, by Auxentius. In addition, he created the Diocese of Iazygia, or Alania Maior, which is located over the Eastern Carpathians. Plus was in this year when a complex system of civil provinces and subdivisions was created. They didn't follow the older Roman divisions of Pannonia and Dacia but were attached to the tribal territories and the newly built cities.

Despite the conversion, the Horde was very tolerant (especially with philosophy academies). The court was visited numerous times by Roman and Greek intellectual, such as the Neoplatonic philosophers Proclus Lycius and Damascius. Furthermore, other treatises were translated into the Empire's main languages. For example, Euclid's Elements and Optics, Arithmetica, and Sphaerics.



Besides, architecture flourished and was highly influenced by the Persian/Central Asian style. It included Greco-Roman structures, e.g. classical columns, mosaic floors, and open-air theaters. Buildings (except churches) were ornamented with traditional tribal motifs. This development contrasted with disorganized and winding streets that ignored the Roman layout.
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The City of Sarighsin, with clear Persian influences. ​

On the other hand, the Hunnish language gained importance because of the Sogdian alphabet's adoption for its writing. Additionally, it absorbed more words from Oghuric and Iranian; this factor only added difficulty to its classification. By the way, it remained the most spoken language of the Horde. Law codes, poems, and other texts were written on diverse materials, which included parchment, stone, and wood.
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Later copy of an original Oghuric poem. ​

With a growing population due to migration waves, more families adopted agriculture, and new irrigation systems began to appear. A curious example of this was the reintroduction of grapevines (whose plants and seeds were stolen from Burgundia), creating a unique wine famous for its "strong character" and herbaceous aromas. However, some clans continued a semi-nomadic life and lived in yurts, moving through all the Hunnic lands.
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Vineyards near Qaghanbalik. ​

 

[Acamapichtli]

Tales from the mountains
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A tribal chief of Cantabria, who was known later as Corocotta II, was declared to rule over the Blendii tribe's descendants and settled his capital in Aracillon (Aracillum). He was described as a savvy and battle-hardened man who could understand (and read) Latin well but spoke it badly, and he inspired admiration and respect among the locals. Corocotta II had a complicated relationship with the Suebi because they tried (on numerous occasions) to conquer lands beyond Asturia. On top of that, Vascones started to attack the nearby Autrigones. So he proposed to himself a new mission: unify the tribes of the Cantabrian coast to counteract the Suebic Kingdom and the Basques.
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Corocotta II, Rex of Cantabria.​

In 470, he started a centralization process and established Aracillon as the sole capital. Additionally, Corocotta II expanded his forces and hired more generals for them. While he had the general acceptance of all the Cantabrian tribes, he needed to eliminate some competing clans who were banished or whose members had been directly killed. These families migrated south to cities such as Pallantia, Salmantica, Numantia, and Arbucala, which left an intense cultural influence over the mentioned territories.

His court also had brilliant intellectuals. Here enters the mysterious Basilius, an energetic reformer and able administrator who helped to implement crucial Roman warfare and civil technologies. Despite his name, chroniclers and historians couldn't know his origins. Paschasius of Dumium believes Basilius was a Goth, while other authors thought he was a Vandal or a Greek. Nevertheless, all agree he was from an influential family who left the Visigothic Kingdom for unknown reasons.

For example, Basilius was responsible for the Cantabrian capital expansion, where professional engineers introduced stone walls and fortresses with the characteristic late-Roman architecture. In Aracillon, traditional houses, shrines, and dolmens mixed with these Roman-style defensive buildings, creating a unique but odd landscape.

In April, King Theodemund launched a raid on Cantabria but was successfully defeated by Corocotta II. He could pass through the border and sack Porto, which was burnt into ashes, and almost 700 Suebian warrior prisoners were tortured to death. Cantabrians also made secret alliances with Astures and Gallaecians, that were unwilling to submit to the Suebi. With this brutal campaign, Coroccota secured the independence of his realm, but now the Vascones were the main issue. In 472, Autrigones allied with the Cantabrians.
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Deobriga, Autrigonia.
6, July. 472
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That day in July was rainy and cold, with a strong wind flowing to the joint Cantabro-Autrigonian forces at the outskirts of Deobriga. Before his eyes, Corocotta saw the beautiful crystal-clear Ebro River and an endless forest behind with all shades of green. This breathtaking landscape reminded him of what he read about the Cantabrian or Punic wars from centuries ago. Famous such as Arminius or Viriathus also came to his mind. This trance was cut off when the Basques started shouting some meters away, and the peace was broken.
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Deobriga before the Battle.​

The Vasconians attempted to cross the river. They were repelled by Corocotta II and Caucenus Larus, king of the Autrigonians, and the raiding party was violently crushed. Accounts point out that almost 20,500 Basque soldiers were killed by the defenders. This number was not confirmed, and it might be exaggerated. Nevertheless, this battle acquired notoriety for its bloodiness. Local legends told that even after years of the clash, bones of the fallen Vascones near the Ebro's shore were still visible. Also, the legends claim that the river turned bright red. However, Vascones launched a last vengeance raid and sacked the Autrogonian town of Uxama Barca.
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[Acamapichtli]

As Christianization expanded over the Horde, the first missions in pagan tribes from the Black Sea (and beyond) arose. In 474, Maeotians and other Oghur clans living on the Eastern coast of Azov's Sea were successfully converted by Hunnic and Anatolian monks. This religious expedition helped to implant Christianity in the Kingdom of Caucasian Albania.
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Nicholas, Hunnic leader of the mission.​

To the West, Rome is still stable. Anthemius was a good negotiator and knew how to defend Italy from the Barbarians. In 475, he crushed a Visigothic incursion that tried to sack Ravenna. The Emperor regulated taxes, updated the bureaucracy, and started a slow but constant reconstruction of the realm from all the wars it suffered. Unfortunately, the fever took him in December. Now, Julius Nepos was appointed as Emperor of the West and proved to be stronger than his predecessor. He issued more reforms, helped to restore some infrastructural works, and strategically captured or executed his rivals.

Meanwhile, Odoacer tried to revolt unsuccessfully against Nepos several times. This reduced the popularity of the Barbarian soldier among the troops, and he was killed by two of his loyal generals early in the year 477. Months after, the Emperor untrusted Orestes, who was missing some days ago; then, Nepos realized Orestes tried to gather forces from Rugians and Goths to overthrow him. Annoyed, Julius Nepos commanding significant contingents, faced his enemy at Tergeste. The battle ended with a pyrrhic victory for the Emperor. Orestes' head was brought to Ravenna and was carried in procession through all of Italy...

In Northern Africa, Huneric became King of the Vandals. He did not follow the religious tolerance policy of his father and started bloody persecutions of Nicene Christians and Manichaeans in 480, who moved to Southern Europe, Egypt, and Lybia. Simultaneously, the Berber Kingdoms strengthened more. For instance, the Mauro-Roman kingdom expanded to the west, conquering Tingis and Volubilis, and the Garamantes reached the coast. The latter tribe was also converted to Christianity, by Chalcedionian refugee monks from Carthage.

In the Far East, the Rourans continued to raid Northern China, while King Jangsu of Goguryeo achieved the conquest of Baekje and destroyed its capital (Ungjin). Hokkaido island had big changes in these decades, as the Okhotsk culture began to adopt the cultivation of some cereals as wheat, sorghum, and rice, from the Satsumon culture, but still practiced hunting-gathering.​

 

[Acamapichtli]

Renascentia​

Early in May 481, Nepos launched a campaign to reconquer Sardinia and Corsica (he mainly sent barbarian soldiers to the battle). The Roman fleet arrived at Aleria, where its inhabitants surrendered with almost no resistance because the Catholic population was tired of the rude Vandalic religious policies. The whole island was captured as a result. Emperor Nepos moved more troops from Sicily to Sardinia and the Baleares, which were reannexed some weeks later. Western Rome almost conquered Carthage, but Huneric was able to stop them.
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Julius Nepos, "the Restorer"​

This was the beginning of a decline period for the Vandal Kingdom. In 482, the Christian Berber Regnum Aurasium was formed, despite Huneric attempts to suppress local rebellions over the Aures mountain range. Additionally, by the east, Mauro-Romans attacked Caesarea Mauretaneae and Icosium but could not conquer these cities. Also, the Vandals sent an expedition to recover west Tripolitania from the Garamantes, but it ended in a decisive Berber victory.

Huneric ordered the execution of more Catholics and Manichaeans who refused to convert to Arianism until he died in 483 due to an infection, and Gunthamund succeeded him. The new king's rule was more peaceful because he lifted the religious persecution and allowed Nicene Christians to elect bishops in the cities. It seems that better times for the Vandals started again, and stability was recovered (for now). In 486, he stopped an incursion from southern Berbers and sacked Altava (the capital of the Mauro-Roman Kingdom). Gunthamund rule was relatively successful after these events, which lasted until 490 when he died.

Thrasamund succeeded to the throne. He continued religious tolerance within the Kingdom and forged good diplomacy with the Romans. His reign was also brilliant, but it didn't last long because serious injuries took him when fighting to recover Tripolitania in April of 492. In consequence, Hilderic (son of Huneric) inherited the throne. The new king not only endured tolerance policies, but he even converted to Chalcedionian Christianity to the alarm of the Vandal-Alan nobility. Tensions arose again. Hilderic was overthrown by the nobles, so he fled to Rome to ask for support.

The Vandal Kingdom was divided into two parties and plunged into chaos again: supporters of Hilderic, who wanted Chalcedonianism as the official state religion, and the Arian nobility. Nepos took advantage of this and sent another expedition. Western Rome allied with the dethroned monarch, and they captured Utica, Hadrumentum, Hippo Regius, and Thysdrus. However, Hilderic was killed by an Arian Vandal noble in battle. This allowed the Western Empire to reseize Africa Proconsularis, Byzacena, and Numidia. Finally, Carthage surrendered; the Arian population was killed or expelled. In the meantime, Mauro-Romans conquered Caesaria and Icosium, including all of the former Mauretania Sitifensis Province. Although West and East Romans strengthened, there were still threats. The migration Period was far from to end; Germans and other tribes were around, searching for more lands to settle or ransack...

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[Acamapichtli]

Tales from the East​

Continuous wars between tribes dwelling in Central Asia pushed out some of them (repeatedly). Tiele [1] clans of over 80,000 yurts led by Afuzhiluo moved westwards after the Rourans destroyed their kingdom in 491. The Gaoche tried to settle within Hephthalites' lands as vassals but were banished by the latter. Throughout the exile, contingents of Yueban, Iranians, and some Magyars joined them.​

The Tiele, led by Afuzhiluo.
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Over the summer of 496, this confederacy settled along Northern Caucasus and Caspian sea shore; Utrigurs and Kutrigurs fled to the Hunnic Empire after being subdued by the Tiele. However, the newcomers were under constant attacks from the powerful Avars. So, Afuzhiluo and his people fled more to the West, searching for better lands to settle in, and the tribal Confederation put their eyes on the prosperous Danube Basin...

Early in 502, the Tiele Turks advanced swiftly, taking the coast between Pontic Olbia and Tyras. Djurash 'Masgut' (son of Ernak and the new King of the Huns) dispatched over 25,000 troops to stop the invaders. The Huns effectively expelled the Gaoju confederation despite the numerical disadvantage, and Afuzhiluo had no more option but to migrate south.
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Djurash 'Masgut', son of Ernak. Rex Hunnorum et Alanorum​

The same year, peace between Eastern Rome and Sassanian Empire was broken after the Persian King Kavad I occupied Theodosiopolis and Martyropolis. Afuzhiluo took advantage of this and captured Roman Lesser Scythia. Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I sent an expedition against the Tiele, which ended disastrously. This campaign occurred in Abritus, where the massive Tiele forces inflicted heavy losses on Roman troops and destroyed the city. That victory was crucial for the nomads because it allowed them to conquer the lands north of Haemus Mons. The Tiele founded their state, known simply as "Regnum Scythorum" (Kingdom of the Scythians) [2]. Also, Anastasius had to sign a truce with them while fighting the Persians.

In 503, Kavad captured most of Roman Osrhoene. But now, Anastasius put his attention back to the East and dispatched 53,000 men to reconquer this land. Byzantines won solid victories and restored control over most important regional cities, except Rhesaenae. The Persians launched another invasion and conquered Amida. As if all of that were not enough, they plundered Edessa, Callinicum, and Palmyra. Kavad was on his way to reoccupy Osrhoene Eastern Syria, but Anastasian forces successfully stopped him, and Sassanians retreated to Nisibis.

In the next year, Anastasius attacked the debilitated Persian forces- The Romans now occupied Nisibis and Singara. In 505, the Hephthalites launched raids over Parthaunisa, Gurgan, and Nishapur, and Caucasian Albania revolted. Kavad had to agree on a peace treaty with Eastern Rome. Territorial borders remained status quo ante bellum, and Persians did not ask for an annual tribute.

Meanwhile, Christianity expanded within the Hephthalite realm, as its King welcomed missions sent from the Metropolitanate of Merv. In the Far East, Jangsu finally conquered Silla and destroyed its capital (Seorabeol) in June 490, and he achieved the unification of the Korean Peninsula. After Jangsu died in 491, Munjamyeong succeeded him on the throne.

[1] Tribal Turkic Confederation, also known as Gaoche or Gaoju. Their homeland was Northern China, Dzungaria, and the Altai Mountains.
[2] In Late Antiquity, "Scythian" was used by Romans for later nomadic tribes living in the Pontic Steppe that did not have any relation with the original Iranian Scythians.

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[Acamapichtli]

From Tribal Chiefs to Emperors, by Johannes Langobardus (900 CE).

In the British Isles, Drest II started expansion policies. In 500 AD, the Picts invaded and wiped out the Dal Riata Kingdom. Drest ordered the destruction of his enemy's capital (Dunadd), which was never repopulated; after six years, Drest conquered Din Eidyn, Lleuddiniawn, and Manaw Gododdin. The Pictish King declared Christianity the official religion, allowing Britonic missions to convert the population. Soon after this, many churches were built, especially in Fortriu, Circinn, Fotla, and Fib. Despite the attacks on the Brythonic Kingdoms, Drest II joined a crucial alliance with Ystrad Clut to reduce Irish piracy on the Western coast.

Meanwhile, the Bagaudae chieftains in Gaul merged, forming four powerful "Kingdoms": Arvernia, Sequania-Aulercia, Lemonum, and Biturigium. Early in 505, the Chieftains compiled their law codes which were written down in the Gallic language. At the same time, the Vascones started to occupy lands northwards and eastwards of their traditional borders, conquering most of the ancient Aquitani Lands. Also, Jute and Frisian raiders began to settle in Armorica, forcing some Britons to move southwards.
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Saxon settlement in Domnonia, Northern Armorica.​

Bolgios Viriathus became Chief of the Cantabrians. In 505, most of the Suebi Kingdom fell under the Visigoths. The Astures and Gallaecians united with the Cantabri as they feared the Gothic expansion. In consequence, Bolgios' realm encompassed from the Minius River mouth to Autrigonia. While Alaric II was preparing to capture Gallaecia from Bolgios, the Vascones and Germanic dissidents launched several attacks over Visigothic lands, destroying vital cities such as Caesaraugusta, Osca, Turiasso, and Ilerda; in consequence, the King had to withdraw from Northern Lusitania to contest the Vascones.
​

Bolgios Viriathus, Rex Cantabrorum et Asturorum.​

Extract from "Chronicles of Hispania" by Theodoric Burgondar.
"By the year of Our Lord 496, these brave and ruthless tribes known as the Vascones wreaked havoc in the noble cities. They allied with thousands of dissidents from Thuringia and Saxonia, whose homelands were brutally conquered by the Franks. Those pagans broke into the poorly defended Gothic-Vasconian border. The first objective was Caesaraugusta the Great; although it was not as rich as under the Roman period, the city still had a well-preserved infrastructure and some of its former glory. Caesaraugustans offered strong resistance against the invaders, but in May, the raiders entered the city and ransacked it.

The raiders had no mercy and killed all the inhabitants. Osca, Turiasso, and Ilerda suffered the same fate. Once prosperous cities now become wastelands full of ruins and rubble. Finally, the Visigoths could execute the Thuringian and Saxonian army leaders while pushing the Vascones back to their lands. When Alaric II arrived, his forces plundered Calagurris and Pompaelo, but the damage was done.

It took almost two decades to reconstruct and repopulate the area. The Reconquest of Africa, and the Frankish conquest of Alamannia, caused two new waves of Germanic immigration to Northeastern Hispania. The Visigoths invited Vandal, Alamannic, and Alannic nobles to settle and became governors or military officers who helped with the resurgence of the cities."
​

Repopulation of Kaisarborg (Caesaraugusta). ​

In Western Rome, Nepos confiscated the barbaric soldiers' lands who died in battle against the Vandals. During the spring of 505, the Emperor banished the Ostrogoths of Theodoric the Amal, who tried to invade Northern Italy. The Peninsula continued its reconstruction from the wars, and cities began to reflourish. Unfortunately, Julius Nepos passed on due to tuberculosis. As he died childless, Rome had to appoint his successor. Later in the same year, Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius became the next Emperor of the West.​

 

[Acamapichtli]

Attilid Dynasty (ruler)
Attila married Kreka.
1. Ellac (434–453)
2. Dengizich (? - 472)
3. Ernak (? - 494)
a. Djurash (born 457)

Karpëtai House

House of Daco-Thracian origin​

Simonis Scoril (398 - 437) married Helena the Bessian
1. Paulus (420-461)
A. Vitalius Cotys (439-481)
B. Procopius (442-485)
a. Johannes Cotys (473)
1. Valerius Zyraxes (495)
C. Dapyx (453)
a. Lucius Decebalus (470)
b. Johannes (474)
2. Nestorius Blegissa (423-466)
3. Aurelia Zia (427-470) married Julius Orol
A. Drusus Seuthes (448- 498)
a. Drilgisa (472)

Asparahids

Alannic royal house​

Asparah (462) married Rauxsna (462)
1. Scylas (481)
a. Jon Sangiban (499)
2. Aripharnes (Deceased)
3. Shushandukht (483)
4. Mithridates (485)

 

[Acamapichtli]

Expansion & Innovations​

Djurash decided it was time to expand the realm. In 508, the Huns conquered the Eastern Black Sea's coast. With the death of the local ruler, Douptonos, the Bosporan Kingdom submitted peacefully; this allowed the Alannic nobles (such as Asparah) to claim the throne. Over the next year, the Maeotians allied with the Hunnic Empire, and in the summer, the Huns invaded Northwestern Caucasus. In 511, the Zichians rebelled against Hunnic domination, but the revolt was suppressed. Christianization began among the natives with the foundation of the Arzbishopric of Zichia, but their ethnic religion was still deep-rooted.

While some free Alannic tribes joint the Hunnic Empire, the rest migrated westwards, merging with the Antes and the Venedi; this left a profound Iranian cultural influence over the aforesaid Slavic peoples. In 513, Christianity expanded to the north. Also, the local Antae Chief accepted the religion. He, his family, and almost 500 Slavs were baptized in Chernsahar [1]. In the meantime, Iranian peoples living within the Hunnic Realm began to settle the land between Pyretus and Dniester rivers; the Huns founded the city of Yazigçurt in 515.​

Migration to the Pyretus Valley​

At the same time, Djurash's health started to decline. Concerned about this, the King of the Huns declared his older son Tatra the next ruler; then his younger brothers (Grod and Mugel) would succeed him. Despite that, Djurash planned to conquer the Gaoju Turkic Confederation of Moesia. The days passed, and Djurash had a great fever; however, he arranged a surprise attack. Some kilometers before crossing the Danube, Djurash succumbed to his illness. His body was buried in the Cathedral of Saint Auxentius [2], founded in Qara-Saray.

In November of 516, Tatra became the next Rex Hunnorum et Alannorum; he continued his father's plans and crossed the Danube in the winter. Most of Northern Moesia and Lesser Scythia cities surrender without any bloodshed. Nevertheless, the Huns found the last resistance in Ilıqkürgüz, the capital of the Gaoche Turks [3]. The siege took more than three months, but Tatra could break down the city's gate in February and killed the Gaoche ruler, Baliyan, concluding the Hunnic conquest of the Tiele confederation.
​

The Cathedral of Ilıqkürgüz was founded five years after the Hunnic Conquest, and built over
a Tengrist shrine.​

The expansion to the East allowed the Huns to open new commercial routes. In 518, a Buddhist expedition led by Song Yun from Northern China arrived at the Hephthalite Kingdom, and the monks brought with them technologies such as papermaking, which is firmly arranged in Samarkand, Urgench, Balkh, and Bukhara. Soon papermaking spread across Persia, the rest of Central Asia, and even the Roman Empires; it was introduced in the Hunnic Empire in 523. Although paper started to replace parchment and wood as the principal writing surface, sometimes it didn't have the quality the original Chinese had.

In 520, the New Amber Route was established, connecting the Baltic Coast by way of the Vistula, Dniester, and Dnieper Rivers to the Black Sea, to arrive in Constantinople. An alternative route was along the Vistula, surrounding the Carpathians, reaching Qara-Saray, to end in the Danube River. Another crucial road started in the Hunnic capital, linking it with Atălsahar [4], and going to Italy and Raetia.

Notes
1. OTL Chernivitsi, Ukraine.
2. ITTL Auxentius of Bithynia was canonized in 503 and declared Patron Saint of the Huns.
3. OTL Tarnovo, Bulgaria.
4. IOTL it is Buda, Hungary.


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[Acamapichtli]

Broken into pieces​

Chaos ruled over Gaul after the first revolts... this land is now broken in several Gallic chieftains, but also, some Saxons, Alamanni, and Thuringii who fled from the Frankish realm founded petty Kingdoms along the East, the Sequana River Basin, and the Armorican coast. Right after the Frankish expansion, Gibuld of Alamannia settled Lutecia, while King Baderic of the Thuringians made Aurelianorum his new capital. In contrast with his counterparts, Baderic converted and was baptized by Saint Solemnis of Autricum. Tensions arose between the native Christianized population and the pagan invaders among the Saxon and Alamanni Kingdoms.
​

The Baptism of Baderic, King of the Thuringians in Aurelianorum.​

The Great Chief of Arvernia: Leontius Segomaros, cemented his power over the ruins of the once-prosper Roman Gallia some decades after the death of Syagrius and his allies. In 502, the Bagaudae chiefdoms between the Liger and the Tarnis rivers joined the Arvernians; Leontius incorporated the Taifali, who were settled in the ancient Pictavi lands. He maintained the capital in Augustonemetun, which name reverted to Nemessos. Segomaros gained enough prestige to be declared Rex of Gallia Celtica. Despite this, that term was not used in the Late Roman province administration, and he did not have control of the northern cities of the Sequana River (for now).
​

Leontius Segomaros, Rex of Gallia Celtica​

The Celtic Rite of Chalcedonian Christianity from the Isles and Brittonic Armorica extended over the rest of Gaul, so Leontius Segomaros adopted it and convocated monks from the regions mentioned above, who dedicated to founding monasteries and holding councils. One of the most important of these religious events was the Council of Noviodunon of 504, where the tables for calculating the Easter of Victorius of Aquitaine were made official; most of the bishoprics and abbeys of this Rite accepted them, except some monasteries founded in the Isle of Mann.

In 509, Western Rome defeated the Ostrogoths of Theodoric the Amal, who were forced to migrate to Hispania. Consequently, the Goths were not more of a threat to the Romans. Nevertheless, this victory was expensive for the latter because, during this battle, the Burgundians of Sigismund could restore their independence. However, they were under constant Frankish raids. In the spring of the same year, from Tullum (Toul), Clovis I subjugated the cities of Langres, Divio, and Basilia; the Franks also sacked Geneva. Although the Burgundian Kingdom experienced more significant stability following Sigismund's conversion to the Chalcedonian faith, it was weakened by Clovis' assaults.

If this was not enough, in the cold winter of 513, the Saxons settled in Eastern Armorica [1] attempted to invade the Breton Kingdoms in the West, but Budic, King of Kernev, could stop them in the Battle of Namnetes. However, a second wave of Jutish and Frisian migration arrived and conquered the Kingdom of Domnonea. As a result, more Armorican Britons migrated to the rest of Gaul and into Northwestern Hispania. To the volatile general situation in Gaul, tribes from the far North are seeking lands and glory...

Notes:
[1] OTL Normandy.



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[Acamapichtli]

Interlude II
The Great Library of Panticapaeum

"The Bosporus had become the light amid the barbarian darkness."
~Unknown, 540 AD.​

Under Hunnic protection, the Bosporan cities enjoyed a revival, although the Romans could not reassert their authority over the region; it remained the most culturally active around the periphery. At this time, the Kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosporus continued being a Hellenized political entity but was now ruled by Hunno-Sarmatian nobility, who supported art, culture, and scientific development there...

One of the most important projects was the construction of a Library in Panticapaeum. The Hunnic monarchs, inspired by the stories that had been told about the almighty Library of Alexandria, ordered to build a place for knowledge storage and conference displays. The construction started in ca. 512 AD, and engineers followed the Hellenistic architecture.
​

The first part of the Great Library of Panticapaeum. Neoplatonist philosophers visited this place often.​

As months and years passed, more building extensions for the Library were built. To expand the collection, Hunnic rulers made well-funded purchases. However, books grabbed from raids were welcomed, too. This new and ambitious knowledge center functioned as a haven for Neoplatonist philosophers who fled from the homeland due to Ecclesiastical authorities' persecution policies.

In addition to everything mentioned previously, the Library of Panticapaeum became the heart of the translation and interpretation of classical works into the main languages of the Empire: Hunno-Oghur [1], Sarmato-Alan, Dacian [2], and Gothic [3]. The Library's stacks were filled with classical and new works in philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, natural sciences, literary criticism, and poetry.
​

Translation of the Almagest to the Language of the Huns.​

Because of the decentralized growth of the Library within the Bosporus, the cities reflourished and became cosmopolite. You can hear people speaking in Hunnic, diverse Iranian languages, Greek, Latin, Gothic, and Maeotian. Also, the region transformed once again as a bridge between the West and the East; for instance, the first papermaking techniques were successfully introduced in Phanagoria from the far Hephthalite lands. However, an invisible enemy, foreign tribes, and other troubles will compromise the achieved advances...

Notes

[1] Despite the evidence that the Hunnic language is not enough for its classification, some authors such as the linguist Hyun Jin Kim, in his book The Huns, consider it to be Oghuric Turkic. If IOTL the Huns spoke or not a language related to this group, ITTL would use some form of Oghuric as lingua franca due to the successive settlement of Oghurs first promoted by Dengizich and Ernakh [Chapter 2. The Fury].

[2] Dacian would survive longer ITTL in some parts of the Carpathians as a result of missions led by Thracian monks who wrote down this language, which acquired some influence of Vulgar Latin.

[3] ITTL, Eastern Germanic speakers population decreased dramatically after the reconquest of the Gepid Kingdom [Chapter 2. The Fury], whereas Crimean Goths remained loyal to the Huns and were unaffected.


​

 

[Acamapichtli]

Albion​

While Britain would not suffer directly from all the disarray in Continental Europe, the Isles experienced considerable changes; beyond the Antonine Wall, Drest Gurthinmoch of Pictland prepared to subjugate Dal Riata. In 500 AD, Drest began a surprise attack, which helped him to win the war. With forces superior to 8,500, one by one, the most influential Scotti settlements fell to the Picts. With great brutality, the Gaelic capital of Dunadd was destroyed to its foundations; the Dal Riatan King Fergus Mor fled to Dunaverty but was captured and decapitated by the Pictish army. As if this current situation was not already overwhelming, the Northern Uí Neill usurped the Dal Riatan holdings kingship in Ireland.
​

Conversion of Drest Gurthinmoch, High King of the Picts.​

It is unknown why Drest Gurthinmoch was overly enraged with the Gaels of Dal Riada, but one thing is sure: the destruction of their Kingdom strengthened the power and influence of the Pictish realm in Northern Britain. In addition, hundreds of Scotti sought to settle on the coasts of Alt Clut and Galwyddel, but the Britons expelled them, pressured by Drest. From this point, landless Dal Riatan warriors became raiders who sacked the Kingdoms of Ceredigion, and they conquered the lands of Dyfed...

After the campaign, Drest settled the administration center of the Kingdom over the lands of Uerteru [2], where he started centralizing the domain. The Pictish King gained official control over the whole Hebudes [3] and Orcades archipelagos in 503 AD; these Isles were resettled by population from the Northern Chieftains of Fidach, Ce, and Cat. Drest also allowed Christian religious missions, even he converted after the construction of a chapel consecrated to Saint Ninian, Apostle of the Southern Picts.

In 506 AD, Lleuddiniawn fell under Pictish protection after Anglo-Saxon raids. Drest took control of Gododdin after a cruel battle, in which the Picts deposed its King Gawain or Gwalchmai. Another move from the Pictish King was the establishment of a [forced] alliance with Alt Clut and Galwyddel, which was surprisingly helpful for the Three Kingdoms in the long term...

These complex events catalyzed diplomatic unity but, at the same time, created more rivalries between the Britons. Bryneich, Rheged, and Ebrauc formed a coalition against the aggressive Picts and their submitted allies. After 11 long years, the King of Gwynedd freed the Southwestern British lands from the Irish. He was declared by the destroyed Kingdoms of Dyfed and Ceredigion as their Monarch. Southwards, Cynwyd ap Cynfelyn, ruler of the Cynwidion became the High King of the Middle Britons, after defeating the Anglo-Saxon Gewissae tribe incursion.


Notes:
1. Anglesey.
2. Fortriu.
3. Hebrides.​