The Church of the East.

The Church of the East.
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Prelude:
"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, the most excellent followers of Christ, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught"



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Anno Domini 639[1], July 31

The First day of the Battle of Ajnadayn did not go well for Roman commander Theodore. His champions [2] had been massacred by the Champions of the opposing army, followers of the Heretic Muhammed or Muslims. The morale of Theodore's Army was low, and action needed to be taken before the Battle would be surely lost. Theodore planned to assassinate the Infidel General Khālid ibn al-Walīd. He sent a small amount of his Calvary and slingers to Assassniate Khālid. The Slingers stones hit thier target. [3]. The Muslims Champion Dharar, with the rest of Khālid's escourt attacked the Roman's involved in the Assassination. Dharar is rumored to have slain 30 Romans before a slingers stone struck him in the head and ended his life. With Khālid dead, Theodore ordered an all out attack. The Lines of the Muslims broke, and they fled to the heathen land they came from. Theodore's Calvary went after these retreating soldiers and cut down a good number of them.

The result of this defeat would have crippling results on the Muslim Empire or Calpihate as they called it. They were forced to deplete thier already low garrison's in occupied Mesopotamia to defend from the great Roman threat. Followers of Christ across Arabia [4] rose up in rebellion against the Infidels. The Zoroastrianist Infidel Sassanid Persians, invaded Mesopotamia, which had been siezed from them by the Muslims. The small Muslim garrison was pushed back into Arabia. Caliph Umar, attempted to the best of his abilities to raise another army to repel the wrath of the Roman Empire and the Sassanids. The Army raised was impressive, but could not fend of the forces of the Two Superpowers of the world.

Umar attempted diplomacy to attempt to buy peace or time. He offered to the Roman Emperor Heraclius to restore to preware boundries and pay tribute to the Romans. The Emperor at first was for the proposal, but eventually declined. There was always the fear of the infidels growing strong or converting the masses. Public Opinion was in favour of a counterstrike against the Muslims. This idea was championed by Jabalah ibn al-Aiham, the Christian Arab King of the Ghassanids who lost most of his Kingdom. He wanted to expand his Kingdom and exact revenge on the Infidel Muslims. Emissaries from Sassanid Persia wished for Roman cooperation as well, so they could take back southern Arabia. Reluctantly, Heraclius agreed to the alliance. In the sping of Anno Domini 640, the Persians would invade the Arabian Peninsula bordering the Persian gulf and then southern Arabia, while the Romans and Ghassanids would strike at the Hejaz, the heart of the followers of Muhammed's Empire.

On Christmas day Anno Domini 639, Hearclius' Daughter was married to Yazgred III, the King of Persia. To prevent any conflictions with the Roman Empire, the marriage was conducted in a Christian fashion and Yazgred III toke interest in the Religion of his Wife, and elevated the prominent Christian Theologians in his realm to his advisors. Christians were given freedom to Worship, and were treated well, with minimal discrimination.



[1] They actually get the date of Jesus' Birth Correct as opposed to OTL. Years ITTL are 5 years ahead of OTL.

[2] Champions were deulists who would fight against enemy Champions in an effort to boost Morale.

[3] IOTL they missed or were caught before they could kill Khālid. This is the POD.

[4]Notably the Ghassanid Kingdom, who lost most of thier lands to the Infidels
 
Can the Sassanids really mount an attack? Aren't they already in institutional chaos?
 
Can the Sassanids really mount an attack? Aren't they already in institutional chaos?

Yazgred III was already preparing an army for counter attack like IOTL.

With few troops there, Mespotamia was ripe for the taking. Not to mention the Romans just owned the Arabs and are a more direct threat to them.

For the Muslims, there is more concern on the Holy cities of Mecca and Medina falling than losing a recent conquest.
 
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