alternatehistory.com

The Death of an Emperor

In the Summer of 597 A.D. the Great Emperor Maurice fell ill. He was heading on his way to the Danube Frontier to confront Avar Raiders, who had recently crossed into Roman Lands. Along the way his army made camp along the Morava River. The Water was warm and full of bugs and parisites. Maurice contracted a diease from this Water and the campaign was put to a halt. On his deathbed, Maurice willed for his son Theodosius to become emperor in the East. He then stated he wished his son Tiberius, to become emperor of the western Exarchates and to rule from Rome. After a Priest preformed last rites on Maurice, he passed away on the night of July 17, 597. The soldiers hailed the two sons as Emperors Theodosius III and Tiberius III. About 15,000 soldiers led by Tiberius III branched off from the main army. They marched to the port of Dyrrachium and set sail from Rome to install Tiberius III as Emperor and to depose the Exarchs if needed. Thedosius III marched north towards Avar lands.


This is assumed site of Maurices' Army camp.
Top