Map Thread XX
- Thread starter Balkanized U.S.A
- Start date
Thanks! And glad you like the direction I'm going for this.
The Internationale, after all, isn't uniformly Orwellian. And in the case of the Latin American components, there's a certain degree of deviation (and hypocrisy) the Collectivist elites are willing to tolerate if it means keeping their rivals at bay.
Well I didn't realize "Cursed Euroblob" would be the theme of the new map thread, but here's my late contribution.
dA page here.
dA page here.
Martinus Padueius
Banned
D'oh, I thought that VixenRaw was referring to the OTL Continental Congresses.
On a completely unrelated note, how many reports do you receive which you feel are, shall we say, unnecessary?
A Holy Roman Empire
A map of the newly reborn Western Roman Empire proclaimed after the revolt led by the Exarchate of Ravenna against the Imposition of the Iconoclast Heresy by Emperor Leo III.
This is based on my own fascination with the history of the Exarchate of Ravenna and had it been under competent leadership, it likely could have survived as a rump state of sorts slowly making a recovery through both opportunism and cunning diplomacy and warfare. Basically the pod for this is that in the chaos of the twenty years anarchy a new Exarch (Exarch Aurelian) with Papal backing, arises to power in Ravenna. He makes efforts to help revitalize the exarchate by reforming the administration and restoring old fortifications and resupplying garrisons he earns the support of the Italo-Roman population who seek protection Lombard invaders occupying rightful Roman lands. By exploiting the disputes between the Lombard Kings and his nobles, Aurelian manages to play them off against each other buying him time to re-organize and secure his domain even regaining a contiguous land for all of the Exarchates territories within Italy proper. And due to the Exarchate's status largely as a peripheral entity on the fringes of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Exarchs were largely granted significant autonomy as the Imperial government in Constantinople faced larger and more existential issues such as the armies of the Caliphate marching towards the gates of Constantinople or the Bulgarian and Slavic invasions of the Balkans.
A map of the newly reborn Western Roman Empire proclaimed after the revolt led by the Exarchate of Ravenna against the Imposition of the Iconoclast Heresy by Emperor Leo III.
In this emergent power vaccum of the West, Exarch Aurelian grew his power after working with the Dux of Sicily to repulse an Arab invasion of Sicily earning him the gratitude of the Sicilian population. Through this cooperation with the Sicilian Dux, Exarch Aurelian had managed to build a delicate but solidified base of power for the Romans in the Western Mediterranean. Due to the Exarch's focus largely on Italian affairs he insulated himself from the politics and civil wars of the Empire allowing for his regime to maintain political continuity without interference from the East. This sentiment largely began to change with the reign of Leo III. Regardless, the Exarch maintained his loyalty to the Emperor by arriving with the Sicilian fleet to help relieve the Roman siege of Constantinople by the Arab Caliphate which earned him recognition and concessions from the Imperial court.
Leo growing distrustful of the growing power of Exarch Aurelian, and seeing him as a potential rival to the Imperial Throne, slowly began an effort to more directly place the exarchate under his oversight. This led to growing tensions between Ravenna and Constantinople which boiled over in the year 726 where Emperor Leo issued a series of edicts prohibiting the veneration of icons which provoked outrage all across the Empire. The Papacy denounced the imposition of iconoclasm, and thus Emperor Leo ordered the Exarch Aurelian to arrest the Pope and enforce his edict, the Exarch refused. This led to Emperor Leo sending an expeditionary force against Exarch Aurelian who was now in revolt against his authority. The Isaurian force led by Emperor Leo's close confidant Paul sought help from the Dux of Sicily against the Exarch who marched towards Rome. But Aurelian who had already mobilized his armies had already marched in defense of Rome and intercepted the Sicilo-Isaurian force near the gates of Salernum where both armies sought battle. The battle of Salernum was hardly a fight however as most of the Sicilian troops defected to Exarchate allowing for Aurelian to encircle the Imperial army leading to him capturing and executing Paul.
Upon his return to Rome, he was hailed by the Pope as a defender of the Faith against the heathens. Seeing his chance the exarch now proclaimed himself Western Emperor in opposition to the East. This unprecedent move largely was done due to the Exarch's desire mostly to secure territories within Italy. The news however was met with outrage in the East, but Emperor Leo III was unable to respond to it as he had to deal with crushing other revolts closer to home.
What do you guys think of this map and POD? I was thinking of starting this timeline later in the future after I finish the first parts of my Eastern Roman Timeline and my Napoleon II Timeline.
Try taking it back some, a successful breakaway is more likely in 717 or if Heraclius is killed in the Great Persian War.A Holy Roman EmpireThis is based on my own fascination with the history of the Exarchate of Ravenna and had it been under competent leadership, it likely could have survived as a rump state of sorts slowly making a recovery through both opportunism and cunning diplomacy and warfare. Basically the pod for this is that in the chaos of the twenty years anarchy a new Exarch (Exarch Aurelian) with Papal backing, arises to power in Ravenna. He makes efforts to help revitalize the exarchate by reforming the administration and restoring old fortifications and resupplying garrisons he earns the support of the Italo-Roman population who seek protection Lombard invaders occupying rightful Roman lands. By exploiting the disputes between the Lombard Kings and his nobles, Aurelian manages to play them off against each other buying him time to re-organize and secure his domain even regaining a contiguous land for all of the Exarchates territories within Italy proper. And due to the Exarchate's status largely as a peripheral entity on the fringes of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Exarchs were largely granted significant autonomy as the Imperial government in Constantinople faced larger and more existential issues such as the armies of the Caliphate marching towards the gates of Constantinople or the Bulgarian and Slavic invasions of the Balkans.
A map of the newly reborn Western Roman Empire proclaimed after the revolt led by the Exarchate of Ravenna against the Imposition of the Iconoclast Heresy by Emperor Leo III.
In this emergent power vaccum of the West, Exarch Aurelian grew his power after working with the Dux of Sicily to repulse an Arab invasion of Sicily earning him the gratitude of the Sicilian population. Through this cooperation with the Sicilian Dux, Exarch Aurelian had managed to build a delicate but solidified base of power for the Romans in the Western Mediterranean. Due to the Exarch's focus largely on Italian affairs he insulated himself from the politics and civil wars of the Empire allowing for his regime to maintain political continuity without interference from the East. This sentiment largely began to change with the reign of Leo III. Regardless, the Exarch maintained his loyalty to the Emperor by arriving with the Sicilian fleet to help relieve the Roman siege of Constantinople by the Arab Caliphate which earned him recognition and concessions from the Imperial court.
Leo growing distrustful of the growing power of Exarch Aurelian, and seeing him as a potential rival to the Imperial Throne, slowly began an effort to more directly place the exarchate under his oversight. This led to growing tensions between Ravenna and Constantinople which boiled over in the year 726 where Emperor Leo issued a series of edicts prohibiting the veneration of icons which provoked outrage all across the Empire. The Papacy denounced the imposition of iconoclasm, and thus Emperor Leo ordered the Exarch Aurelian to arrest the Pope and enforce his edict, the Exarch refused. This led to Emperor Leo sending an expeditionary force against Exarch Aurelian who was now in revolt against his authority. The Isaurian force led by Emperor Leo's close confidant Paul sought help from the Dux of Sicily against the Exarch who marched towards Rome. But Aurelian who had already mobilized his armies had already marched in defense of Rome and intercepted the Sicilo-Isaurian force near the gates of Salernum where both armies sought battle. The battle of Salernum was hardly a fight however as most of the Sicilian troops defected to Exarchate allowing for Aurelian to encircle the Imperial army leading to him capturing and executing Paul.
Upon his return to Rome, he was hailed by the Pope as a defender of the Faith against the heathens. Seeing his chance the exarch now proclaimed himself Western Emperor in opposition to the East. This unprecedent move largely was done due to the Exarch's desire mostly to secure territories within Italy. The news however was met with outrage in the East, but Emperor Leo III was unable to respond to it as he had to deal with crushing other revolts closer to home.
What do you guys think of this map and POD? I was thinking of starting this timeline later in the future after I finish the first parts of my Eastern Roman Timeline and my Napoleon II Timeline.
I kinda want an intact Eastern Roman Empire. But by 717, do you mean that the Eastern Roman Empire loses the Siege of Constantinople, or do you mean that the Exarchate declares independence in 717? I don't think the Arabs could have really won the siege of 717 at that point as Leo was quite a competent Emperor who marshaled the Empire's resources well.
Love it! I admire your determination in getting all those rivers in Russia pinned down too.
CastilloVerde
Gone Fishin'
Quite interesting. I would imagine the king of the Franks would not get the chance to be crowned Emperor which would have fascinating effects down the line. Nice PoD as well. The eighth century doesn't get a lot of attention by many byzantine enthusiasts here.
The Eight Century is quite a fascinating period of history as its sort of a transitionary period from the Late Classical Roman political order of Italy, and by extension Europe into what we now consider the Middle Ages. Though to be fair, the 600's/700's were pretty close to a Dark age for Western Europe until the Carolingian Renaissaince in the West, and the later Byzantine recovery under the Amorians which became the Macedonian Renaissance in the East. This period however conversely was the beginning of the Islamic Golden Age though. Since the Carolingians don't come to rule Italy here like they did in otl, the Carolingian Renaissance is thus butterflied away. That isn't to say that Italy's recover isn't though. After all much of the Eastern Roman Empire's population and religious establishment even at the height of the Iconoclast controversy remained Iconoduels, but many fled westward into Roman ruled Italy in the South. I'm planning for something similar to happen with the new Western Empire with many of these Eastern scholars kickstarting a new Italo-Roman Renaissance reviving the "Roman" identity in Italy. Though it wouldn't be the same as that of the classical era as some of the old feudal practices have already taken root.
I think I might start writing this timeline sometime late next year.