The Revival of Ravenna

Hey, everyone. I'm Solarium, a long time lurker on ah.com. I recently made this account in order to create a timeline about one of my favorite periods of history: Late Antiquity. (SIDE NOTE: I know the Byzantines were referred to as the Romans or the East Romans, but in this TL I will refer to them as Byzantines just to make it more clear and to differentiate them from the Western Romans.) This TL will focus on the revival of the Western Roman Empire by one very famous Byzantine general: Narses.


The Revival of Ravenna

PROLOGUE

In early 538, two very skilled Byzantine generals were fighting the Ostrogoths in Italy: Belisarius and Narses [1]. Both men were very influential and thus, often at odds with each other. However, after the victory at Ariminum, Narses's influence was strengthened. Several Byzantine generals shifted their allegiance to Narses.

In 532, a peace treaty was negotiated between the Byzantines and Sassanid Persia. However, while Belisarius and Narses bickered in Italy, Khosrau I of the Sassanids broke the treaty and invaded Syria [2]. The Byzantines were totally unprepared for the attack. In need of a strong general, Emperor Justinian ordered Belisarius to take some men and head towards the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire to meet the Persian threat. Justinian, who was paranoid of rebellions, ultimately decided to take a chance and let Narses command the army in Italy, trusting him to continue the campaign against the Ostrogoths. This would prove to be Justinian's greatest mistake. Narses was enraged that Justinian saw Belisarius as the better general. After all, the attacks in Syria were more of a threat to the empire, meaning that Justinian favored Belisarius. This would give him a bigger chance to gain glory and fame. This also meant that if the throne of Byzantium ever had to go to either Belisarius or Narses, it would almost certainly be Belisarius. Feeling betrayed by the man he was once very loyal to, Narses began his plans for turning Italy into his own empire. Narses began to plan out the revival of the Western Roman Empire.

Renewing his efforts against the Ostrogoths, Narses took his army and conquered the rest of Italy. Narses imposed strict policies on his men, forcing them to be gentle with the conquered people of Italy. Thus, Narses quickly gained fame among the Italians, as well as respect from his men for being so lenient yet authoritative at the same time. By the end of the Gothic War, Narses had a strong army that was incredibly loyal to him, as well as a population of people who at the very least, did not hate him. The Gothic War finally ended during July in 540, when Narses triumphantly marched into Ravenna and declared himself Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.









[1] Our first POD. In our timeline, Narses was a eunuch and therefore could never hope to become a Roman emperor nor have kids. Being a Roman emperor meant you needed to be healthy and strong. However, in this timeline, Narses never became a eunuch and stayed a healthy, normal man.

[2] Our second POD. In our timeline, Khosrau I did indeed break the peace with the Byzantines, but he did so in 540. In this timeline, however, he breaks the peace in 538 and lands an early attack on the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. This leads Justinian to send Belisarius to Syria, letting Narses take command of the men in Italy. This ultimately leads to Narses becoming Western Roman Emperor.

Any thoughts, concerns or feedback regarding my prologue? :D I would be happy to reply!
 
Hey, everyone. I'm Solarium, a long time lurker on ah.com. I recently made this account in order to create a timeline about one of my favorite periods of history: Late Antiquity. (SIDE NOTE: I know the Byzantines were referred to as the Romans or the East Romans, but in this TL I will refer to them as Byzantines just to make it more clear and to differentiate them from the Western Romans.) This TL will focus on the revival of the Western Roman Empire by one very famous Byzantine general: Narses.


The Revival of Ravenna

PROLOGUE

In early 538, two very skilled Byzantine generals were fighting the Ostrogoths in Italy: Belisarius and Narses [1]. Both men were very influential and thus, often at odds with each other. However, after the victory at Ariminum, Narses's influence was strengthened. Several Byzantine generals shifted their allegiance to Narses.

In 532, a peace treaty was negotiated between the Byzantines and Sassanid Persia. However, while Belisarius and Narses bickered in Italy, Khosrau I of the Sassanids broke the treaty and invaded Syria [2]. The Byzantines were totally unprepared for the attack. In need of a strong general, Emperor Justinian ordered Belisarius to take some men and head towards the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire to meet the Persian threat. Justinian, who was paranoid of rebellions, ultimately decided to take a chance and let Narses command the army in Italy, trusting him to continue the campaign against the Ostrogoths. This would prove to be Justinian's greatest mistake. Narses was enraged that Justinian saw Belisarius as the better general. After all, the attacks in Syria were more of a threat to the empire, meaning that Justinian favored Belisarius. This would give him a bigger chance to gain glory and fame. This also meant that if the throne of Byzantium ever had to go to either Belisarius or Narses, it would almost certainly be Belisarius. Feeling betrayed by the man he was once very loyal to, Narses began his plans for turning Italy into his own empire. Narses began to plan out the revival of the Western Roman Empire.

Renewing his efforts against the Ostrogoths, Narses took his army and conquered the rest of Italy. Narses imposed strict policies on his men, forcing them to be gentle with the conquered people of Italy. Thus, Narses quickly gained fame among the Italians, as well as respect from his men for being so lenient yet authoritative at the same time. By the end of the Gothic War, Narses had a strong army that was incredibly loyal to him, as well as a population of people who at the very least, did not hate him. The Gothic War finally ended during July in 540, when Narses triumphantly marched into Ravenna and declared himself Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.









[1] Our first POD. In our timeline, Narses was a eunuch and therefore could never hope to become a Roman emperor nor have kids. Being a Roman emperor meant you needed to be healthy and strong. However, in this timeline, Narses never became a eunuch and stayed a healthy, normal man.

[2] Our second POD. In our timeline, Khosrau I did indeed break the peace with the Byzantines, but he did so in 540. In this timeline, however, he breaks the peace in 538 and lands an early attack on the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. This leads Justinian to send Belisarius to Syria, letting Narses take command of the men in Italy. This ultimately leads to Narses becoming Western Roman Emperor.

Any thoughts, concerns or feedback regarding my prologue? :D I would be happy to reply!

Narses not being a Eunoch would have very large butterflies, so these things would not have happened. He would have never become a Eunoch Bodyguard, and therefore never a general.
 
Narses not being a Eunoch would have very large butterflies, so these things would not have happened. He would have never become a Eunoch Bodyguard, and therefore never a general.

Is it not possible for Narses to have become a soldier? He could have risen up the ranks of the army and became a general very easily, seeing as how he was always a pretty good general/soldier.
 
Is it not possible for Narses to have become a soldier? He could have risen up the ranks of the army and became a general very easily, seeing as how he was always a pretty good general/soldier.

I couldn't say, as his early history is relatively unknown. Its possible, but very improbable. If he did he would not be the same person as he was IOTL.
 
I couldn't say, as his early history is relatively unknown. Its possible, but very improbable. If he did he would not be the same person as he was IOTL.

I'm sure it wouldn't be too far-fetched to have a similar Narses with several different traits? Still a military genius, but perhaps a bit of a different personality. That has already been shown in how Narses was enraged by Justinian's decision to send Belisarius to Syria instead of him, as well as how he resolved to create his own empire. So we have a non-eunuch Narses who is less loyal to the Byzantines and more ambitious (among other things).
 

Dirk

Banned
That's not the problem at all. Narses was a general even in OTL, there was no requirement that a general had to have been a soldier beforehand. The problem was that he was a eunuch, which is why Justinian trusted him more than he trusted Belisarius. Both were talented, though Belisarius somewhat more so, but only Belisarius could have taken his armies and set up his own imperial government in Italy, in rebellion against Justinian. Narses not having testicles very simply, due to religion at the time, precluded him from any kind of hereditary/noble office. Also while men might follow a talented eunuch in battle, they would never allow one to rule them.

Just look at how much shit John Edwards got for not exuding masculine charisma today, and you'll see the trouble a eunuch would've had in an even rougher age.
 
That's not the problem at all. Narses was a general even in OTL, there was no requirement that a general had to have been a soldier beforehand. The problem was that he was a eunuch, which is why Justinian trusted him more than he trusted Belisarius. Both were talented, though Belisarius somewhat more so, but only Belisarius could have taken his armies and set up his own imperial government in Italy, in rebellion against Justinian. Narses not having testicles very simply, due to religion at the time, precluded him from any kind of hereditary/noble office. Also while men might follow a talented eunuch in battle, they would never allow one to rule them.

Just look at how much shit John Edwards got for not exuding masculine charisma today, and you'll see the trouble a eunuch would've had in an even rougher age.

Ah I see your point. But ITTL Narses was not a eunuch, so he was able to set up a new government in Italy. The Justinian trust issue is also shown, as it is stated that Justinian took a gamble in letting Narses control the army in Italy. So there is no problem here, I believe? Unless I am missing something else, of course.
 
Ah I see your point. But ITTL Narses was not a eunuch, so he was able to set up a new government in Italy. The Justinian trust issue is also shown, as it is stated that Justinian took a gamble in letting Narses control the army in Italy. So there is no problem here, I believe? Unless I am missing something else, of course.

I'm sure Narses was going to be a great general, whether or not he was an eunuch. I just wonder how Narses will consolidate the new WRE. By this time, I believe he is already 50. You didn't say whether or not he has a son, so having an heir might be a problem for him, unless he adopts someone. Other than though, great and interesting start.
 

Dirk

Banned
Ah I see your point. But ITTL Narses was not a eunuch, so he was able to set up a new government in Italy. The Justinian trust issue is also shown, as it is stated that Justinian took a gamble in letting Narses control the army in Italy. So there is no problem here, I believe? Unless I am missing something else, of course.

Well if Justinian wasn't willing to taking a gamble with Belisarius, one of his best friends, and jealously hoarded authority, why should he trust an Armenian whose first language isn't even Latin?

You also have the problem, then, of how Narses even gets to such a high post. In OTL he became the Imperial Chamberlain, and eventually commander of the Eunuch Bodyguard because he was, well, a eunuch. No fully intact man would ever be entrusted with a post so near to the emperor's person, and without this position I fail to see how Narses could have ever attracted Justinian's attention.

Though there is a way. It's improbably but still possible that a fully intact Narses would join the legions as a young man and rise through the ranks through his intelligence and military skill, eventually becoming a general. Be careful though, because now the Nika Riots will be handled by a different, perhaps less talented person, but I guess you can handwave that effect away.
 
Well if Justinian wasn't willing to taking a gamble with Belisarius, one of his best friends, and jealously hoarded authority, why should he trust an Armenian whose first language isn't even Latin?

You also have the problem, then, of how Narses even gets to such a high post. In OTL he became the Imperial Chamberlain, and eventually commander of the Eunuch Bodyguard because he was, well, a eunuch. No fully intact man would ever be entrusted with a post so near to the emperor's person, and without this position I fail to see how Narses could have ever attracted Justinian's attention.

Though there is a way. It's improbably but still possible that a fully intact Narses would join the legions as a young man and rise through the ranks through his intelligence and military skill, eventually becoming a general. Be careful though, because now the Nika Riots will be handled by a different, perhaps less talented person, but I guess you can handwave that effect away.
Maybe it's precisely that.If you are a complete foreigner,your chances of becoming emperor is quite slim compared to someone who is a born and bred Roman.
 
Well if Justinian wasn't willing to taking a gamble with Belisarius, one of his best friends, and jealously hoarded authority, why should he trust an Armenian whose first language isn't even Latin?

You also have the problem, then, of how Narses even gets to such a high post. In OTL he became the Imperial Chamberlain, and eventually commander of the Eunuch Bodyguard because he was, well, a eunuch. No fully intact man would ever be entrusted with a post so near to the emperor's person, and without this position I fail to see how Narses could have ever attracted Justinian's attention.

Though there is a way. It's improbably but still possible that a fully intact Narses would join the legions as a young man and rise through the ranks through his intelligence and military skill, eventually becoming a general. Be careful though, because now the Nika Riots will be handled by a different, perhaps less talented person, but I guess you can handwave that effect away.

That actually helps my timeline. In this timeline, a different Byzantine general handles the Nika riots, but it costs Constantinople more resources and money, meaning that the riots have slightly more of an effect on the Empire than it did IOTL. Pair that with the 538 Persian invasion of Syria, and we have a Byzantine Empire that is far too busy to try and retake Italy from Emperor Narses.

Maybe it's precisely that.If you are a complete foreigner,your chances of becoming emperor is quite slim compared to someone who is a born and bred Roman.

Agreed. In addition, if there was a chance for you to let someone gain glory and become even more popular, (from defeating the Sassanid invasion that was a more immediate threat than the Ostrogoths) would you rather choose your best friend or "an Armenian whose first language isn't even Latin"?
 
540-545

Once he crowned himself Emperor of the West, Narses immediately began to consolidate the borders of the revived empire. In his campaign, little damage had been done to the major cities of Italy, and so there were no massive reconstruction projects, saving the West a lot of time and resources. Almost the entire army that Narses had commanded, being incredibly loyal, followed him and formed the foundation for the new Western Roman Army. The army was split up across the new empire to keep order and stabilize the situation. A medium-sized Byzantine fleet stationed in Ravenna also defected to the Western side. It was sent to claim Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily as well as most of North Africa in the name of the Western Empire.

Narses began to open up relations with the Visigoths and Franks. Neither particularly liked the new Western Romans, but Ravenna was able to pacify both and open up trade. The Ostrogoths, who had been reduced to a very minor power by Narses, were assimilated into the empire, with many former Ostrogothic soldiers becoming slaves, helping to drive the economy of the west. Obviously, Justinian was furious about Narses's betrayal. He made plans for reclaiming the west, but too much manpower and too many resources were being used in the fight against Sassanid Persia. The Persians had a tight grip on Syria, although the arrival of Belisarius meant that the Persians were slowly being pushed back. Still, the Byzantines were unable to try and do something about the Western Empire, even in Byzantine North Africa and Byzantine Hispania.

Narses began using the only money he had to improve the infrastructure and economy of southern Italy, Sicily, Dalmatia and North Africa. Narses created a new Senate in Ravenna as well, replacing the old Senate of Rome. All of the Western Empire's extra funds went to building up Ravenna.

The people of the new empire were mostly either Gothic, Roman, or mixed between the two. Thanks to Rome and the influence of the church, a large portion of the empire's population was Christian. Many people still saw themselves as Roman, even during Ostrogothic rule. Thanks to this, national identity was rather strong in the empire. The Emperor was to hold most of the power in the new empire, but shared some power with the new Senate in Ravenna as well. In order to unify the empire a bit more, the Emperor was also given power over the Church.

After only five years, in 545 the Western Roman Empire was in many ways, similar to the Byzantine Empire. Under a strong leader and strongly unified, the Western Roman Empire was a growing power.

bheqKzG.png
 
Could this mean that the Langobards stay where they are and the Pannonian plain becomes germanic speaking?
 
Top