Renascentia Occidentalium-The Rebirth of the West

Chapter 1:August of 597

Roman Empire:

In the summer of 597 A.D. the very popular Emperor Maurice fell ill. Maurice was on his way to the Danube Frontier to confront the growing problems of Avar incursions, which were devestating the Dioceses of Thraciae and Dacaie. After a fortnight's march from his camp at Constantinopolis, Maurice and his army reached the banks of the Morava River. The Water was warm from the August heat. Maurice contracted a disease from this Water and his commanding role in the campaign abrubtly ended. After a few days, his condition had rapidly deteriorated and he was bedridden. On his deathbed, Maurice willed for his 14 year old son, Theodosius, to become emperor in the east. He then stated he wished his 10 year old son, Tiberius, to become Emperor of the western exarchates and to rule from Rome. Maurice believed his sons were both too young to rule on thier own. A leading member of the Constantipoli Senate, the Pratician Germanus, was named Theodosius' guardian until he turned 18. Likewise, Maurice's brother in law, Phillipicus, was named Tiberius' legal guardian until Tiberius turned 18. Soon, Maurice's condition became very critical, and he was expected to die any minute. A Priest preformed last rites on Maurice, and he passed away that night, August 17, 597. When Maurice's will was read aloud to the soldiers by Germanus, they hailed Maurice's sons as Emperors Theodosius III and Tiberius III. Tiberius and his guardian Phillipicus took command of 15,000 soldiers, and marched them West. In a few weeks they reached the port of Dyrrachium and set sail to Rome, to install Tiberius III as Emperor and to depose the Exarch of Rome if needed. Meanwhile in the Balkans, Thedosius III and Germanus set forth to continue his fathers campaigns, soon arriving at the banks of the Danube at the site of the ruined city of Sirmium, which was destroyed by the Avars 15 years ago.

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The presumed site of Maurice's death on the Moravia River.


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Editors Notes:
-This is a rewrite of the Ressurection of the Western Empire, after more indepth research and editing, I will present a more plausible timeline

-I will update everything at once for a select time period, there will be a paragraph for each area of interest (Such as whats happening in the Eastern or Western Empires, a select battle, or other points of interest.)

-You may find familliar names as the previous TL's but with different roles.

-This TL may or may not follow a simmilar path as the old one, Just wait and see!
 
Chapter 2:September 597-March 598

Western Roman Empire:

In September, the Army of Tiberius and Phillipicus landed in Ostia, the much in disrepair port of Rome. Some thought this army was relief finally sent by Emperor Maurice.[1] However, since Maurice had not sent help in decades, a rumor spread that a Lombard army was appoarching Rome. The Exarch of Ravenna, the man who was tasked to defend Roman Italy, was safetly tucked away in Ravenna, and could have cared less about, the rest of italy, much less Rome. The Bishop of Rome, Gregory I had taken responsibility for governing Rome due to the lack of attention given by the Constantopoli Government. Gregory and a few translators went to meet with the advancing army to attempt to save the people of Rome. When the met up with the advance guard of the advancing Army, they were brought before Tiberius and Phillipicus. Gregory spoke in latin to his translator, telling him to ask in the language of the Lombards, if the City of Rome could be spared. Before the translator could speak, Tiberius answered Gregory. He explained that he was willed by his now dead father, Maurice to become the Western Emperor. Gregory was skeptical at first, but soon was convinced by Tiberius' guardian Phillipicus. Tiberius III with Gregory ceremonialy marched their army into Rome. The Citizens of Rome were beltaed with Joy, as there had not been an Emperor in Rome for 121 years. The Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder, sent a delegation to affirm his loyalty to the new Emperor. He was in turn named Governor of Africa by Tiberius. The Joy in the Western Empire was short lived however, when news arrived Napoli was under siege by the lombard Duke of Benevento. By March, Tiberius and his General Phillipicus with his existing army and 5,000 new recruits marched off to Napoli.
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Coins minted to Celebrate the Reign of Tiberius III

[1]-News had not yet reached the Rome that Maurice had passed away

Eastern Roman Empire:

Shortly after being proclaimed Emperor by his Soldiers, Theodosius III continued his fathers campaign against the Avar raiders. Although lacking the 15,000 soldiers that left with his brother, he still commanded a mighty force. After establishing base camp at the site of the ruins of Sirmium. He devised a plan to eliminate the Avar threat. He would split his Army into two, half under the command of the distinquished General Commentiolus would cross the Danube to devestate the Avar homeland, and the other half under the Command of Tiberius' uncle Peter, would move to trap the raiding Avars, and force them to endure the harsh Balkan winter. Theodosius chose to accompany Peter, and Germanus would be left to run Constantinopoli in Theodosius' absense. Commentiolus launched a shorched earth campaign, and devestated the area north of the Danube, but was eventually forced back across the Danube in Novemeber, because of overstretched supply lines, and fierce Avar counter attacks. In the Balkans, Peter was much more successful, preventing the Avar raiders from retreating north. As winter set in, the Supply situation for the Avars became critical, and many began to succumb to the cold. On Jaunary 4th, 598, the Avars launched a desperate attempt to take Thessolonica, and ressupply, but harrased by Peter's forces from behind, and a determined Roman resistance in front, the Avars were forced to abandon the Siege. To make matters worse for the Avars, Commentiolus' Army arrived, and assisted boxing in the Avars into the Mt. Athos Penninsula near Thessolonica. with the sea to thier backs, and the Roman Army in front of them, the Avars were in a very critical situation. On the 17th of January, Bayan ordered a breakout, and all the Avar soldiers attacked the Roman positions at once. Although caught by surpise, the Romans beat back most of the assault, and either containted or killed all of the Avars. Only a few thousand Avars escaped, not including Bayan. In early March, some 1500 Avars had reached the freezing Danube. Many drowned or died of Hypothermia, only a few hundred of the thousands of raiders returned home. The new Khagar of the Avars, Bayan II, sued for peace. A tribute of 50 horses, 50 Slaves and 500 pounds of gold was to be paid annually.

Theodosius_iii_coin.jpg

This Coin is the only knowledge of what Theodosius III might have looked like.

Persian Empire:Upon hearing that Maurice died, and Theodosius III had succeeded him, Khorashu II was split on what to do. On the one hand, this would provide him a chance to take control of the wealthy Roman lands of Aegyptus and Oriens. On the other hand, he owed his throne to Maurice, and this would be his chance to repay him. The latter was latter reneforced by the fact that Theodosius III already had an army moblized and could use it for war. Khorashu decided not to attack, and sent an envoy to the court of Constantinopli to show Persia's support of the new Emperor.

England:Augustine become Bishop of Cantebury, and helps spark the conversion of the people of England back to Christianity. Anglo-Saxon raids increase, with more settlements in southern England falling to the Germanic raiders. In the region of Yorkshire, the Battle of Catareth, resulted in a Anglo-Saxon victory, and significantly expanded the lands of Northumbira.

Japan:The heir to the Empire of Japan, Kotoku is born.
 
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Thank you, sorry its taken so long to get back up. I did alot more reasearch to make this plausible and more detailbe, and I've got alot more ideas, so I wont experience as much writers block as before.

Also I think ill be able to get rid of those annoying 11 update battles.... :D
 
Chapter 3:April 598-May 602

Eastern Roman Empire:
After the Avar threat was gone, the devestated Balkans were in desperate need of population. Theodosius III at the urging of Germanus decided to repopulate the area with Armenians, just as his father had planned. The Armenians were to be provided land to farm, and would help defend the frontier from barbarians to the north. However, a much more important issues at the time was the depleted treasury. Theodosius' father Maurice had spent massive amounts of the Roman Treasury and as a result plunged the Empire into debt. Theodosius III convinced by Germanus, believed that by improving infrastructure inside the Empire, trade and ideas would spread and this would revitalize the shaky Roman Economy. The most enduring project made was the "Via Oriens" which was constructed by Theodosius III and his brother in law, Khorasu II. The road was to built on a massive scale. The road would Start in Ctepsion and head northwest into Roman Syria. The road would pass through Antioch and the Tarusus Mountains, finally ending in Chalcedon. From Chalcedon, supplies and traders could be ferried across the Borsphourus to Constantinople. The road was designed with rest stops and trade markets every 25 roman miles. The Project was expected to take 35 years and some doubted it would ever be finished. Open borders policies, increased trade between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Perisan Empire began. Another of Theodosius III's projects was an ambitious canal to link the Red Sea and Medditerainian Sea. The Project began in urnest, but made little headway after a few years, already costing several hundred pounds of gold, and thousands of slaves lives. Prehaps the greatest contribution to helping the Roman Economy, was Theodosius's reduction of frontier soldiers. This reduction was made possible by a seemingly friendly Persia and a lack of an enemy across the Danube. The Eastern Roman Empire was entering a new Golden age.
Int%C3%A9rieur_de_Chella.jpg

A Section of the Via Oriens

Western Roman Empire:
By the April of 598, the Western Roman Army arrived at Napoli. The locals in Napoli had thus far managed to prevent the Beneventans from breaking in. When Phillipicus and Tiberius III's army arrived, it compelled the Beneventans to retreat. Tiberius III was statisfied with this Victory and returned to Rome, leaving Phillipicus in charge. Phillipicus soon led the Roman Army to march on Beneveto. Phillipicus began a tight siege of the city, not letting any supplies get in and out. However, the city had the ability to be under siege for years, being constantly supplied with water through two rivers which flow through the city. Phillipicus devised a plan to make sure this resource could not be utilized by the Beneventans. He ordered all his soldiers to relieve themseleves upstream in the two rivers that flow through Benevento. With thier water contaminated, the Duke of Benevento, Arechis, decided his army needed to break out. On the 15th of May, the gates to Benevento were opened and his armies came out. After a fierece battle, the Romans prevailed, killed the Lombard duke, and took Benevento. Phillipicus soon marched forward to the smaller Duchy of Spolleto, which almost immediatly sued for peace, agreeing to become a tributary state for the Western Empire. With the loss of the two Southern duchies to Roman Control or Domination, the Lombard King in Pavia sued for peace in July of 599. The next few years were peaceful for the Romans, but a new threat was emerging. The Kingdom of the Visigoths now had a new king Liuva II, who's goal was to retake the Roman Province of Spaniae for the Visigoths and unite the Iberian Penninsula under his rule. Berber Raids were also now escalating, and the combined pressure with the potential for renewed Lombard hostility could destroy the Empire, piece by piece.

England:
Raedwald becomes king of East Anglia, and the Anglo-Saxon advance continues.

Persia:
Yemen is finally conquered by Persia, bringing Southern Arabia under Khorashu's control. Windmills are used for irrrigation for the first time.

China:
The City of Ordos is finally captured by China, after a long series of wars

Kingdom of the Visigoths:
King Reccared dies, and the ambitious Liuva II becomes King

Austrasia:
Sigibert II, the hier to the Merovivgian throne is Born.

Sweden:
King Ignvar of Sweden invades Estonia in 601, and manages to suppress the locals and take control.
 
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I was hoping when this would come back:cool: Anyway will the romans succeed taking back Hispania, how will Rome deal with the calphite in this tl.

Yes, its finally back

We will see if Hispania is taken back, but Italy would likely take higher priority, and it is still not conquered

There wont be a caliphate (ill post a little story to explain why)
 
Chapter 4:June 602-Febuary 604

Western Roman Empire:
When Liuva II became King of the Visigoths, he expected he could easily take Spaniae from the 14 year old Emperor Tiberius III in Rome. In October, his armies moved into Spaniae, and captured several cities, notably Carthago Spartaria and Malacca. The city of Gades refused to give in, and it remained under a tight siege personally headed by Liuva. When news arrived back in Rome, it was the dead of Winter, and the Romans were not prepared to respond. To make matters worse, the Lombards seeking the chance to have revenge on thier loss 3 years earlier also joined the fight. A Lombard invasion force into Liguria was checked at the Siege of Olava (602), where the fortress of Olava withstood the Lombard attack and prevented them from advancing. This Victory did little to stop the worsening condition of the Empire. Soon, the Duchy of Spoletto also ceased tribute to the Emperor, and joined the fight against the Romans in an effort to gain more land. In Jaunuary, 5,000 Roman Soldiers under the command of a local named Gaius, were defeated by 4,000 Spolettan soldiers in the Battle of Foligno (603). This battle freed the Spolettans from Roman Dominance, and further strained Rome's manpower resources. By March of 603, the situation appeared hopless, with Ravenna under siege, and large portions of Spaniae and Italy under enemy control. In a desperate last bet, Tiberius gave up command of the entire war effort to his guardian Phillipicus. Phillipicus was a veteran of many wars under Maurice, and thought of unconventional ways to defeat the enemy. Up until now, Phillipicus had been kept in Rome to assure it didn't fall to the Lombards. However, Phillipicus pursuaded the Emperor to let him take Offensive action against the invaders. Phillipicus took all the Roman soldiers available to him in Italy (roughly 7000-9000 men) and marched North to Spoletto, with hopes of restoring the city to Roman Dominance. From Spoletto, Phillipicus would move to relieve Ravenna, then attempt to subdue the Lombards by taking Pavia. The complex plan appeared to be working well when the Spolettan Army was defeated at the Battle of Terni in Late March. This battle is notable, because it is the first known use of Baculae[1], which were devised by Phillipicus and used to destroy most of the Spolettan Calvary. On April 8th, the Roman Army entered the undefended City of Spoletto, and abolished the Duchy of Spoletto, and made the former duchy part of the Empire. The Roman Army then made for Ravenna, and arrived just before the city was about to surrender. Phillipicus managed to get one of his scouts through the Lombard siege lines, and into Ravenna. The scout informed the defenders when to break out in coordination with the outside force. On May 9th at sunrise, the Roman Army of Phillipicus attacked the Lombards outside the city, and the defenders inside came out and attacked as well. The Lombard army routed and retreated back to thier Capital at Pavia. Phillipicus marched on and began the siege of Pavia in early June, however he was forced to abandone the siege by July, not because his army was incapable, but because of a new treaty. Tiberius, not knowing of Phillipicus' victory at Ravenna, negotiated a Status Quo, with the exception of the Duchy of Spoletto which became fully Roman. Phillipicus was furious at the Emperor, and asked to violate the peace and take Pavia. The Emperor was offended at Phillipicus, and worried about his growing popularity. The Emperor decided to get rid of his Guardian, by sending him on what would seem to be a suicide mission. Tiberius named Phillicus Magister Militum per Spaniae, or commander of troops of Spaniae. This humiliating position only consisted of a city under siege, and the Baleric Islands. In Late September, Phillipicus arrived with 7,500 men, tasked with the reconquest of Spanaie. Realizing winter would soon set in, he decided against attacking until 604, and spent the rest of his time on the Balerics, recruiting more men and training them. In Febuary of 604, he set off to Spaniae, planning to land near Gades.

[1]Baculae or "Sticks" are sharpend stakes, which are concealed and used to impale incoming Calvary and kill the Horse and/or its rider.

It should be noted, thanks to the journals of a soldier named Justinian, help give accurate dates for Phillipicus' campaings, as opposed to the guesses of the battles before Phillipicus took charge.

Eastern Roman Empire:
In August, Theodosius had now reached the age of 18, and was now without a guardian. Germanus returned to the Senate, and resumed to be a leading figure in it. The East prospered and more sections of the Via Oriens were completed with many left, and the Nile-Red Sea canal was beginning to make headway. As events in the west began to unfold, Theodosius attempted to assit his brother in the west, by providing weapons, food, and livestock for Western use. Theodosius was not very willing to enter the war, but agreed to allow his citizens to volunteer to join a force to assist the west, only a few thousand did. The volunteer force marched from Dyracchium to Ravenna, but when they finally arrived in June they found the city was already taken, and returned back home. In July of 603, Sirmium was refounded by Armenians being resettled in the Balkans.

Gokturk Khaganate:
Khan Tardu is overthrown by rebellious subjects and throws the Gokturks into Civil war.

England:
The Anglo-Saxons win the Battle of Degsastan and push into southern Scotland

Mayan Empire:
Pacal, the hier to the Mayan throne is born.

Nustrasia:
Dagobert, the heir to the Nustrasian throne dies of the plauge when he is an infant

Arabia:
Trade and Culture in Arabia is flourishing. In addition, Nestorian Christianity has spread significantly into Arabia, notably the Hejaz. One notable convert was the trader Muhammad, who later would write down acounts of his many journies across the middle east.
 
Yes, i agreed with Alexius, it's interesting you involved also foreign countries.

I guess for now you are following the old TL, but i secretly hope Philippicus this time managed to become Emperor...;)
 
Chapter 5:March 604-December 604

Western Roman Empire:On March 2, 604 Phillipicus and his 10,000 man army landed near the European Pillar of Hercules, and began a march towards Gades. Liuva II was shocked to learn that an enemy army would reach his armies siegeworks in a matter of days. Liuva II was soon compelled to abandon the Siege after a another futile assalt on the walls and began moving towards Hispalis, where his army could link up with garrisons stationed there to make up for the losses in the Siege of Gades. This was an unpopular move amongst his officers, and caused morale in his army to plummit to an all time low. Phillipicus had just reached the town of Assidio when he heard of Liuva's retreat, and deemed it necessary to defeat the enemy before they could link up with reneforcements. Phillipicus sent his Calvary out ahead of the Enemy to destroy bridges and other infrastructure, and Imployed hit run tactics with his mobile Baleric slingers. These tactics slowed down the Visigothic Retreat, and allowed the Romans to catch up to them just outside of the town of Italica. Phillipicus upon scouting the enemy position, deemed he was outnumbered 2 to 1. Nevertheless, Philipicus determined he could easily defeat the exhausted Visigothic forces. Phillipicus deployed his Infantry in a open position, and concealed his Calvary and Slingers in the forest, planning to use them in a pincer movement once the Visigoths had been lured in. When Liuva and his officers saw the apparently mearge force infront of them, it both shocked and infuriated them. The Siege of Gades had been abandoned to a pathetic force numbering a few thousand! Fritigern, Liuva's General thought the Romans had concealed many more troops elsewhere (due to the lack of Calvary and slingers which had pestered the Visigoth Army to a great degree), and pleaded with Liuva not to attack, but the King wouldn't listen, dismissing his commander. The Battle unfolded, and just as Fritgern had warned, more Romans emerged and began to surround the Visigoths. Liuva fled from the Battle just as the Roman Vice closed on the Visigoths. Several thousand Visigoths were killed for minimal Roman loss. Perhaps a more devestating blow to the Visigoths was the defection of thier General Fitigern, who wished to join the winning side, and that was the Romans under Phillipicus. Over the next few months, Phillipicus and Fritigern recruited many Visigoth citizens to fight with the Romans, and reconquered much of the Province of Spaniae. In addition, Visigothic Morale plumetted as the Roman Army plundered the country side and proved that the Visigothic King couldn't defend his own subjects. As the winter of 604-605 set in, Phillipicus requested more soldiers to assit in an offensive to Toletum, that spring. [1] However, Phillipicus' request was denied. While Phillipicus was gone, the Lombards had declared war and made gains against the Romans, capturing Ravenna and sieging Benevnto. Tiberius' Army had been delt a devestating defeat at Praneste, losing several thousand soldiers. Roman prospects had never been so bleak. Phillipicus decided Rome needed a strong leadership, that only he could provide. On Christmas day, 604, he set sail from the recently conquered Carthago Nova, and set sail for Rome, leaving most of his army under the command of Fritigern.

[1]Phillipicus could have marched on and attempted to capture Toletum (wether he could have captured it or not is up for debate), but would need a much larger army to control it and the countryside.

Eastern Roman Empire:The Via Oriens had expanded rapidly, after new techiniques of building in several segements at once were implimented. Theodosius visted his new Red Sea-Nile canal, and began pouring more funds into it, after seeing its slow, but steady progress. Theodosious also devouts funds for new monastaries which would be built on the fringes of the Empire in Arabia, Dacia, and Cremia in an attempt to convert and exert influence over thier populace.

Persian Empire: Disputes with the Lakhamids have led to Khorashu II to withdraw most of his troops garrisoned there.

England:The Anglo-Saxon Advance continues undetered, except in Dumornumum[2], where the locals in a series of small skirmishes, have kept Saxon armies out of thier lands.

[2] OTL Cornwall, Somerset, Devon and Avon.
 
Im thinking about the Eastern Roman Empire reaction, and Persia's if Phillipicus takes power.

Im wondering if Thedosious will try to invade the west, and if so how successful would he be against Phillipicus?

Im also split if Phillipicus defeats the east in a few battles, wether or no persia would try to invade the Eastern Roman Empire
 
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