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I've decided to write a "mini" alternate history at the same time as Isaac's Empire. This timeline will be much shorter and less detailed, and will be updated as and when I have ideas.

540 (First POD)- News reaches Emperor Justinian in Constantinople that his famed general Belisarius has siezed Ravenna. Reports to the Emperor seem to suggest that the general has also declared himself Emperor of the West, but letters from Belisarius himself prove this wrong. Justinian and Theodora decide to leave Belisarius in Italy to mop up the remaining Gothic resistance. The Bulgarians launch an inconclusive invasion of the Balkans.
541- Chosroes launches a major invasion of Syria, and sacks Antioch. Stunned, Justinian considers recalling Belisarius, but Theodora persuades him instead to deploy the aged Armenian general Narses, since it is less likely that Narses will be able to effectively challenge the Emperor's authority if he wins a major victory. The Emperor puts Narses in charge of 35,000 troops, and the Armenian heads east.
542 (Second POD)- Narses inflicts a major defeat on the Persian army at Edessa, and forces Chosroes to sue for peace. An outbreak of mysterious plague decimates the population of Pelusium in Egypt, but fizzles out, and is never reported again. Local priests blame pagans.
543- In Italy, Belisarius finally completes the subjugation of the Goths, bringing eight years of warfare to an end. In all, the total population of Italy has fallen by around 500,000; but there remains more than enough money to satisfy Justinian's tax collectors, who for the first time have a relatively peaceful empire to provide for.
544- A Moorish revolt in North Africa is subdued by Justinian's nephew and heir apparent, Germanus Justinus. The Roman Empire is at peace on all frontiers. Justinian and Theodora consider visiting Rome and Italy.
545- Justinian and Theodora depart on a grand tour of their empire, first appointing Germanus as Caesar. Germanus marries the Gothic princess Mathesuentha. Upon arriving at Ravenna, Justinian confirms Belisarius as Praetorian Prefect of Italy and Africa.
546- The Imperial couple reach Egypt, travelling by barge down the Nile, in a similar fashion to Antony and Cleopatra. Mathesuentha gives birth to a son, whom Germanus names Tiberius. Belisarius and Narses stand as godparents to baby Tiberius.
547- After two years on the road, Justinian returns to Constantinople, and immediately begins planning the next stage in his restoration of the Roman Empire. In Italy, Africa and the Balkans, troops are raised for an invasion of Visigothic Spain.
548- Theodora dies of a mysterious illness, leaving her husband broken and rudderless. General Narses becomes the Emperor's closest friend and confidant. Taking advantage of increasing political paralysis, the Huns invade the Balkans, and sieze Mesembria and Serdica.
549- A small Roman army is defeated by the Huns, who close on Thessalonica. In Constantinople, Germanus and Justinian have a violent disagreement over who should lead the Roman counterattack; Belisarius, or Germanus himself. In the end, Belisarius is able to decisively defeat the Huns, and reconquer all of the lost territory.
550- Justinian dies mysteriously. Many suspect the involvement of the Caesar Germanus in the Emperor's death, but there are very few who complain when Germanus initiates massive tax cuts, by halting the treaty payments of his predecessor. This causes much anger amongst the Huns and Bulgars however, and their small raids into the Balkans start to become ever more frequent...

Thoughts everyone?
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