Stilicho attacks!

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okay, so i'm in rush but, some of these ideas are my own, some are yours and some may be from the comp tl ican't really say where i got it or when its just in my head you know? tell me if i jack you too much. here we go guys....


The Beginnings
The fift century BCE was a tumultuous one for the Roman Empire. The Empire was split East and West and were drifting further apart. In the West, the Emperor Honorius was a weak and of a feeble mind. Most of the real power was in the hands of Stilicho a romanized Vandal in charge of the Roman armies. Stilicho was opposed in the west by the Senate who feared his increasing power and hated his german blood. Stilicho’s ambitions centered on East-West relations, hoping to become the power behind both thrones.
In the east, the Empire’s true power was held by Rufinus, the Emperor Arcadius’ guardian and praetorian prefect. Arcadius, weak like his brother, was also controlled by his rich wife Eudoxia. The Patriarch of Constantinople, John of Antioch, opposed Eudoxia (b/c he believed she used her wealth to influence/control Arcadius), Rufinus (b/c of his abuse of power) and also Arcadius (b/c of his extravagent living and abuse of power.) John of Antioch was opposed by the Patriarch of Alexandria, Theophilus, who wished to bring Constantinople under his sway.
The Germanic peoples at this time were on the move. For decades the Visigoths had lived within Roman territory. Their king Alaric chafed under Roman rule, needing an outlet for his great leadership. Alaric was given control of Illyricum which he used as a stepping stone to further his power base.
Westward movement of the horesman tribes, the Huns forced many barbarian groups to flee further west. The Vandals, Arian kinsmen of the Visigoths, began to move west along the Danube, taking the Sueves, the Alans, and some Silingi with them under their king, Godigisel. When this amalgated tribe hits the Rhine, however, they begin to encounter the Franks. Several small battles take place, as both sides manuever into strategic positions.
In Africa, under the military commander and Bedouin Gildo a revolt took place tearing Rome’s grain supply away and handing it to the East. Stilicho suspected the work of the Eastern Empire in this and was probably right. When Arcadius refused to remedy the situation and honored the African secession.
Stilicho, of course, declares war.
 
Part One
Stilicho ignoring Africa for the moment, heads straight to the East. On his way, he meets with Alaric in the Balkans and wins a truce and even help fighting the Eastern Empire. While Alaric’s troops lay seige to Constantinople, Stilicho ran further East to meet his old nemesis, Rufinus.
Rufinus gathered his forces in Anatolia and quickly met the Western Romans in battle. The Romans won the first few battles, none of them decisive, but were surprised on Easter when Stilicho attacked and massacred thousands. Rufinus met Stilicho in his camp and the two fought a duel, later immortalized in the famous painting, the Raging Demons. After being stabbed, himself, Stilicho cut Rufinus down, collecting his head and body.
Alaric was alread on the move in the Balkans, laying claim to most of the area when Stilicho came to ask for his help. The two came to an agreement of terms and Alaric layed seige to Constantinople with siege equipment given to him by Stlicho. For two years the Visigoth waited at the gates, allowing Germans and slaves free passage out of the city. Many joined him and soon his army numbered around 50,000 troops. The siege equipment proved ineffective to Constantinople’s thick walls and consequently Alaric relied on starvation, plague and poison to do his dirty work. Dead bodies were catapulted into the city, terrorizing the inhabitants.
The population of Constantinople began to suffer greatly. The Bishop, John, denounced the Emperor and his family for living grandly while the people of Constantinople suffered. He also denounced the ‘heathen’ Visigoths for bringing this calamity to the city. Eudoxia, fearing his words would incite hatred among the people, had the Patriarch deposed. Mobs rioted in the streets and in the confusion the gates of the city were opened…
The Vandals and Franks finally stage their biggest battle on the Rhine with the Vandals emerging victorius. The Franks are beginning to be pushed west.
In Africa, Gildo faces his first defeat by one of Stilicho’s generals. His forces move further west.
 
Awhile back, we discussed something very similar in the thread "Alaric Sacks Constantinople."

Here's the link:

https://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/showthread.php?t=4377&highlight=Alaric+sacks

The rioting and unrest in the city that leads to someone opening the gates and letting the Goths in could be a good way for the city to fall to the Goths without its defenses being wrecked (thus, the Goths could hold the city against the West Romans or Huns if they need to), a matter we discussed in the previous thread.
 
i remember "alaric sacks const." i have it on my favorites for info. anyways. here's more. its going a lil slow so i'll speedit up after these next few i've done.

Part Two
In the west, germans begin to pour across the Rhine settling just over the river. The Senate begins to fear Stilicho’s growing power and start to plot against him. Rumors of Stilicho’s death at the hands of Rufinus and vice versa proliferate. Galla Placidia, the Emperors’ sister sees the growing stress of the Empire and looks for a way to remedy the situation.
Alaric leads the Visigoths and several other followers into Constantinople murdering hostile forces and looting as they go. Alaric attempts to place restraints on his men, informing them to only steal from the very wealthy and for the most part, mayhap out of fear or respect, they obey. The Royal Family and other important persons hole themselves up in the palace, which is soon overrun. Arcadius flees to the streets where he is found and murdered by his own people. Alaric sits in Constantinople, assembling a Senate to choose an Emperor of whom he approves.
Stilicho returns to Constantinople to find Alaric well entrenched in his position and. He distrusts the Visigoth king but knows that he can trust everyone else less- Alaric needs him as much as he needs Alaric. He names Alaric his second in command and asks him to keep a hold on the east while he secures his position in the West, having heard murmers of rebellion by his contacts in Milan and to deal with the German threat. Alaric is awarded a province for his people to settle in Illyria and the Balkans which he already effectively controls.
Many of the germans under the Vandal King Godigisel cross the Rhine, into Gaul and settle, looting as they go. The Franks and Vandals fight several small battles but again, none are conclusive.
In Africa, Gildo fights a guerilla war against the Romans, disrupting their supply lines. More Romans die than Africans. The Bedoin remains elusive and will not meet the Romans in open battle.
 
Intermission

The man who stood before Alaric in a garden of the Imperial Palace was terribly skinny. Though well groomed and recently cleaned the look of near death still clung to him.
“I have heard calls in the streets for the preist with the golden tongue to be set free and put back in his position,†Alaric said, surveying the man in front of him.
John of Antioch stared directly at the king of the Visigoths. His gaze did not waver, indeed he seemed not to notice the five mean looking German chiefs in front of him (nor the numerous half dressed women lounging nearby.)
“So this is Alaric of the Visigoths, the poor little kinglet who has so shaken the Empire. I suppose you have murdered the Arcadius, poor sinner though he was he had a chance to meet God at His Gates. But you, Heathen, I doubt there is any help for an animal like you.â€
Eyes narrowed and hands touched their swords but Alaric just laughed. He laughed until tears ran down his cheeks his middle hurt. “Oh John Chrysostom. It is no wonder your people love you so much. There are calls in the streets for you to be put back as Patriarch. I have no wish to meddle in the politics of your corrupt church, but if you look at the city walls, you will see that the position is open. Go forth John Goldentongue and lay claim to your place. Dark times await and we will all need men like you.â€
Alaric watched as the bewildered man was taken away. An air of truth hung to his sermons and Rome could certainly use good men like that. Especially in times like these. Dark times were coming, the cunning woman had revealed that much in her horse dance.
“Godfrid, bring me the Emperor, we have much to discuss.â€
 
ha! i couldnt remember exactly what to call it but it is a divination tecnique germans used using a horse who trampled on the dirt (like it is dancing). hence thehorse dance
 
Stilicho focuses on the West. He sends help but not the bulk of the western army remaining after the devastating civil war of 395 to the East to fight Alaric. Alaric’s bought off sooner by the eastern government and given a military command. Stilicho manages to keep enough troops in place on the frontier and beats off the Rhine crossing of 406. Constantine in Britain does not revolt and cross to Gaul.
 
Stilicho focuses on the West. He sends help but not the bulk of the western army remaining after the devastating civil war of 395 to the East to fight Alaric. Alaric’s bought off sooner by the eastern government and given a military command. Stilicho manages to keep enough troops in place on the frontier and beats off the Rhine crossing of 406. Constantine in Britain does not revolt and cross to Gaul.

Careful pal, you can get in trouble for bumping super old threads like this. If you really wanna talk about Stilicho that badly, start your own thread
 
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