Nova Roma

"Nova Roma"

[noh-vuh roh-mah]



Noun,
  1. A period of Roman History stretching from 1077 AUC to the Present. Nova Roma is traditionally related to the military rebirth of the Empire, started by Constantine, and the adoption of Christianity as the state Religion.
  2. An alternate name for Byzantion
 
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1077 AUC (324)

Military Events:

The Civil war 1077 would mark the counclusion of the struggle between the rival Emperors Constantine and Licinius. Constantine and Licinius each sought to become sole Emperor of the Roman Empire, and because of this thier past friendship turned into a bitter rivalry. In 1073, the Emperors went to war, but neither gained a decisive advantage over the other. The Civil War of 1077, really began in 1073, when Licinius revoked the Edict of Milan, and began persecutinf Christians in his realm. Constantine, a Christian himself, took this as declaration of war. Constantine, however decided against a rash attack, and over the next four years, build up an army for an attack on Licinius. In June, Constantine crossed the Mirista River into Thrace and began the Civil War of 1077. Constantine's Army met Licinius' Army near Adrianople in early July. Constantine's forces, supposedly outnumbered, fought with such zeal, that Licinius was forced to withdraw from Adrianople, and he soon began a retreat towards Byzantion, where he could be ferried across the Bosporus to the relative safety of Asia Minor. As Licinius withdrew, Constantine persued him with great vigour, not allowing Licinius a moment to rest. Licinius soon reached the Borsporus, and ferried most of his forces across it into Asia. Licinius left a sizeable detachment in Byzantion, and had his navy commander, Abantus, use his fleet to blockade the Bosporus and the Hellespont so that Constantine wouldn't be able to cross. Constantine soon arrived at Byzantion, but was unable to sustain an effective siege. In order to cut of Byzantion completly, Crispus, Constantine's first son, led Constantine's fleet towards Byzantion. As Cripsus approached the Hellespont, Abantus' larger fleet arrived. However, Abantus' numbers worked against him, as he was not able to manuever all those ships in the narrow Dardenelles. Crispus achived Victory with his more manuverable fleet, sinking or capturing all but 4 of Abantus' ships. Upon hearing of this massive defeat, the defenders of Byzantion became demoralized and surrendered to Constantine. In Early September, Constantine landed in Chalcedon, and met Licinius' forces in the neighboring town of Chrysopolis. At Chrysopolis, Constantine's forces employed thier standards, which Licinius' forces belived had mystical powers, as a form of physcological warfare. Constantine then employed flanking tactics with his Calvary, combined with a frontal assault to breaks Licinius' demoralized lines. Only Licinius, some of his officers, and a handful of common soldiers escaped to Nicomedia with thier lives. Licinius believed he had no chance of defeating Constantine, and requested to live out his days as a private citizen in Thessolonica. Constantine was convinced by Licinius' wife Constantia, who was Constantine's half sister, to agree to Licinius' request. Constantine was now the undisputed ruler of the Empire.

Domestic Events:

Constantine after defeating Licinius, decided to unite his new holdings together, by relocating the Capitol of the Empire to a position closer to the strategic frontiers. Constantine chose to found his new city, Nova Roma, on the site of Byzantion. Byzantion had easy acess to the Eastern and Danube frontiers, and was strategically placed at the intersecting of many trade routes.

Religion Events:
St. Peter's Church, built on the believed site of St.Peters tomb is founded in Rome. St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome, and an early leader in the church.
Eustathius is made Patriarch of Antioch succeding Philogonus who died only a few days before Christmas.


A bust of Constantine, made after his victories.

1078 AUC (325)

Military Events:

Constantine and his son Crispus, launch a campaign across the Danube, to defend Moesia from the Goths, Vandals, and Samaratin's. Roman Crimea sufferes greatly from Gothic raids, but is too distant and isolated for the Emperor to do much to prevent the raids.

Domestic Events:

Constantine suspected Licinius of plotting against him, and orders Licinius and his son, Constantines Nephew, eradicated. Licinius was killed in his Villla on the outskirts of Thessolonica. Constantia, Licinius' wife, becomes enraged with he brother, and only finds some sympathy from Fausta, Constantine's wife.

Religious Events:

The Council of Nicea takes place, with several hundred bishops in attendence. During the council, a universal Rule of Faith is made, the Nicean Creed. The sect of Arianism, is declared heretical, and its leader Arius, is exiled from the Empire. Arian books were burned, and only Arian bishops that were on good standing with the Emperor were allowed to retain thier positions.

Construction begins on the Church of the Nativity
COUNCIL_OF_NICEA_Fresco_in_the_Sistine_Salon_Vatican_t.jpg

A Fresco depecting the Council of Nicea

1079 AUC (326)

Military Events:

Constantine reorganises the Roman army in smaller units classified into three types: palatini, (imperial escort armies); comitatenses, (forces based in frontier provinces) and limitanei (auxilia border troops). Constantine hopes that this reorganization can help defend the Empire's boundreis more efficeintly.

Constantine athourizes, a cohort of Limitanei to be sent to Crimea.

Domestic Events:

Fausta, Constantine's Wife, devises a plot to eliminate Crispus, so her sons could become Emperor in his place. Fausta claimed to Constantine that she had been sexually assaulted by Crispus, and Constantine originally bought it. At the time, they were at a small Istrian town named Pola, en route to Rome, and Crispus was sentenced to Prison thier. Constantine had given orders for Cripsus to be executed after he had spent a few weeks suffering in "Cold" Prison. While in Rome, Constantine's mother Helena, suspected Fausta had formulated this and convinced Constantine Crispus was innocent. Constantine sent his fastest messanger available to reach Pola, and tell the guards to call of the execution. Constantine's, messanger understood the urgency of his mission, and rode through the night, and only stopped to eat on a few occassions. The messanger arrived only hours before Crispus' schedualed execution, and informed him he had been released. Crispus then was reconciled with his father, who then had Fausta promptly executed. Constantine later declares Prostitution Illegal, and works to humanize prisons, after Crispus' dreadful experience with prisons.

Religious Events:

Late in the Year, Constantine's mother, Helena, discovers the True Cross. Work immediatly begins on a church at the site which the Cross was discovered. Christianity spread to the region of Georgia.

Solidus-Crispus-sirmium_RIC_-.jpg

A Coin depecting Crispus
 
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Looks promising.
I also thought that the Romans held more of Britain/England at this time. Thought the foundry was further north!?
 
Looks promising.
I also thought that the Romans held more of Britain/England at this time. Thought the foundry was further north!?

The Boundry of Roman Britian at the time was at Hadrians Wall. For some time in the past, the border was at the Antonine Wall further north. The Romans had to withdraw from the Antonine wall only 18 years later, due to Rebellion in the land between the walls. Septimus Servus tried to restore the boundry to the Antonine wall but only achived temporary success. Constantius Chlorus' campaign seems to be more of a large scale raid than an invasion.


Hadrians_Wall_map.png
 
Argh, you pronounce Roma like that? It's supposed to be roh-mah!

I just searched Nova and Roma on Dictionary.com and copied the soundings ;)

I think raw-mah, is an Italian Pronunciation, but im not sure. (I think the bold might affect how one would pronunce it)

roh-mah would be a better English pronunciation of "Roma"
 
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1080 AUC (327)

Military:

Small Barbarians raids of minimal importance continue. Sucess in Crimea against the Barbarians.

Domestic:

Constantine decrees that runaway slaves may only be resold in the province they were captured in. Constantine believes this will help solve the labour shortage in some provinces whose slaves escaped to other provinces.

Religion:

St.Peters Basillica is finished in Rome.

Work begins on a new Cathederal in Antioch.

Christianity spreads in the Caucasus', Lazica and Colchis become the 2nd and 3rd states respectivly to embarce Christianity as thier state religion [1].



1081 AUC (328)

Military:

Barbarian Raids in Crimea cease.

Domestic:

Crucifixion as a form of punishment is declared illegal.

Religion:

Limitations on the Clergy are put into effect.

Alexander of Alexandria dies and Anasthasius succeeds him as Patriarch of Alexandria. Anasthasius was one of the leading voices against Arianism, and would work closely with Patriarch Sylvester I of Rome.

Sainta15.jpg


Anasthasius, Patriarch of Alexandria

1082 AUC (329)

Lost to History.

1083 AUC (330)

Military:

Goths conquer the City state of Tanais, a Roman ally, extending the Gothic influence across much of the Maeotian Lake's [2] north shore.

The King of Axum working in conjuction with the Governor of Roman Egypt, destroys the Kingdom of Meroe. The remainder is split into the Roman Dominated Nobatia, and the Axum dominated Makuria.

Domestic:

The Capital of the Roman Empire is moved to Nova Roma, which had just been completed. Constantine and much of his court relocate to the new city, and nearby villa's in Thrace and Bythinia.

Religion:

Eustathius the Patriarch of Antioch is condemed of adultery, and removed from his position. Paulinius, is appoitned as his acting replacement, until a new bishop is decided upon by the Diocese of Antioch.

Christianity is introudced to Axum through thier joint campaigning with Rome.

Kokkinobaphos_Holy_Apostles.jpg


The Church of Holy Apostles, under construction at the time Nova Roma was created, would go on to become the center of the new Patriarchate of Nova Roma.
_________________________________________________________________

[1]-Christianity was only the prefered Religion in the Roman Empire, but not the state religion.

[2]-OTL Sea of Azov
 
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A Question to Late-Roman Empire (Not Eastern but when it was united) experts, has whats happened so far been plausible? or has it been ASB? Did Romans set up Puppet states ever? Is the map of the Caucauses correct? Is Romes military sufficient for two more siginificant campaigns within the spain of 7-8 years?
 
Considering the Roman Empire was already overstretched, the creation of puppet nation seemed a logical and suitable choice.

And, of course, i subscribed. ;)
 
1084 AUC (331)

Military:

After the failure of Gothic raids in Crimea, Goths who were pastoral nomads north of the Danube joined with thier Crimean brothers to launch a massive raid against the Romans In late November. Legionary bases at Novae and Dorostroum were overan by the combined Gothic force, and thier Legions retreated to Thracia. The Goths then moved towards the wealthy coastal city of Tomis, which compelled the Legion base at Troesmis to withdraw to defend Tomis. The Goth raid several thousands in strength overwhealmed the Legion which arrived at Tomis. Almost all of the Legion was killed or captured and a standard was lost. At the end of the Year, the defense of the Lower Danube had been compromised, and Goths were in control of much of Moesia. Constantine disbanded the Legions previously stationed at Novae and Dorostroum for cowardice, and began preparing a Campaign against the Goths.

Domestic:

Constantine declares Divorce illegal, in accordance with his policy of incorporating Church ethics into the Roman legal code.

Moesia is ravaged by Barbarians, and many of the remaining inhabitants fled to Thrace, where many resettled in Nova Roma and the vicinity of the city.

Religion:

Constantine begins diverting all funds from Pagan temples to Churches, and destroys or allows pagan temples to fall into disrepair.

Constantine also allows the Bishops to select Pagan temples within thier Diocese to be converted to Churches.

The Church of Holy Apostles is dedicated in Nova Roma.

Young_Folks%27_History_of_Rome_illus368.png


The Goths, as depicted by Roman forces.

1085 AUC (332)

Military:

Constantine made an alliance with the Samaritans, who were competing with the Goths for land north of the Danube, to drive the Goths out of Moesia and the Samaritan lands as well. Constantine's Army built a bridge across the Danube at Drobeta and preperations to cross were made. Constantine with about 20,000 soldiers crossed the Danube and with Samaritan Axuillaries began devestating Gothic lands, buring crops and causing mass-starvation. Meanwhile, Crispus with an equal force began pushing the Goths into the North-East Panhandel of Moesia. Constantine then marched his Army to the mouth of the Danube, and blocked all crossings of the Danube, sealing the Gothic raiders chance of escaping. The Goths could have been starved to death, but Constantine needed his Armies back on the frontiers where they had been taken from, so Constantine offered to make the Goths auxillaries to the Roman Army and in return they would have to leave the Samaratins land and would be allowed to live. The Goths reluctanly accepted, and thier Balkan branch [1] resettled between the Pyrctus [2] and Tyras [3] Rivers. The Goths would later become Semi-Romanized, keeping certain traditions but they ended up adopting the Roman Adminstrative and legal structure and Christianity. The Gothic War (1085) was a resounding Roman-Sarmaritan Victory, with the Samaritans gaining southern Dacia[4], and the Romans gaining a new source of manpower to defend thier extensive borders.

Domestic:

Constantine declares that the Citizens of Nova Roma will recieve free Wheat in public distributions simmilar to that of Rome. With the cost of food now provided for, many Romans move to Nova Roma to take advantage of the lower cost of living. The only problem the city has is lack of water, and work begins on a monumentaly large Aqueduct.

1086 AUC (333)

Lost to History

____________________________________________________________
[1]-This Goths were split between Crimean and Balkan branches, the Latter would become Romano-Goths
[2]-OTL
[3]-OTL
[4]-Dacia was no longer Roman as Aurelian had abandoned it during his reign.
 
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Quick Question:Would the Romans be strong enough to conquer the lands of the Samaritans? What about Mespotamia from the Persians? If they captured the later, would the Lakhamids switch loyalties to them?

Also on a side note, i have Christianity speading a little faster outside the Empire and a little slower in it. Is that Plausible? (When Crispus was killed ITOL, Constantines mother told him he needed to build Churchs to make up for his sin, there would be a lack of more minor churches (the major ones should still be built)
 

Notpossible

Banned
Does anyone still care for this TL? should i just stop putting time into it or should I continue the TL?

Man do I love Roman Survival TLs and have developed a serious problim with my addiction to these TLs SO please dont stop up dating this thread its interesting and helps me cut down on withdrawals.

I will try and make helpfull comment on this TL when ever i can have access to a computer that works for me.;)
 

Notpossible

Banned
Quick Question:Would the Romans be strong enough to conquer the lands of the Samaritans? What about Mespotamia from the Persians? If they captured the later, would the Lakhamids switch loyalties to them?

Also on a side note, i have Christianity speading a little faster outside the Empire and a little slower in it. Is that Plausible? (When Crispus was killed ITOL, Constantines mother told him he needed to build Churchs to make up for his sin, there would be a lack of more minor churches (the major ones should still be built)

I would of thought the Romans would expand through Auxm and Alaw to quench the Roman thurst for african slaves.
This expansion into the mountous regions of Auxm and Alaw could help the Roamans to develop a tougher army.
 
I think you have Samaritans and Sarmatians confused. The Samaritans were a Jewish sect considered to be heretical, according to the New Testament (hence, the story of the Good Samaritan). I doubt they would somehow migrate from Judea to Dacia.

The Sarmatians, on the other hand, were a steppe people who had made excursions into Dacia and perhaps Germany, and declined in the 4th century. I think these are the people you're after.
 
I think you have Samaritans and Sarmatians confused. The Samaritans were a Jewish sect considered to be heretical, according to the New Testament (hence, the story of the Good Samaritan). I doubt they would somehow migrate from Judea to Dacia.

The Sarmatians, on the other hand, were a steppe people who had made excursions into Dacia and perhaps Germany, and declined in the 4th century. I think these are the people you're after.

My spelling sucks, so I'd bet that Sarmatians is the correct spelling.

Jewish Dacia doesn't exist in this TL.
 
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