I thought about doing a TL about this, but then decided it would be seen as to much of a wank, and so decided to just try a discussion. Basically, I'm curious to see how you guys see the Roman Empire in general and Italy in particular following much better results during Justinians reign.
Basic outline:
530 AD
Politician, general and diplomat
Hermogenes read up on Pyrrhus and his campaigns while in Constantinople, and becomes quite fascinated by the topic. (POD)
Justinian sends him to aid Belisarius form his army and also to take part in a diplomatic mission to the Sassanids. Sassanid King Kavadh refuses to negotiate, and Persian and Roman forces clash at
Dara, where Hermogenes shares command with Belisarius. Together, they defeat the Sassanids (OTL)
Having read up on Pyrrhus' campaigns against Rome, Hermogenes urges Belisarius to pursue the enemy more vigorously, so as to prevent them escaping and then having to fight them again. Belisarius is reluctant, but accepts, and a large part of the Persian force is cut down by the Bucelarii (1)
At
Satala, another major Roman victory appears to change the entire balance of power in the region. (OTL)
531 AD
After negotiations got nowhere, the two main forces clash near Callinicum. With the Persians having suffered heavy the past year, the Romans eventually gained the upper hand and pushed their foes against the river, where many drowned. Belisarius' men however also suffered heavy losses, and the general was unable to push forward and capitalize on his victory. (2)
Kavadh dies in late 531, and his son Khosrau I succeeds him. He is however very insecure on his throne and desperately needs to make peace.
532 AD
In Constantinople, a riot nearly brakes out, but the tensions are quelled early enough. Following this, Justinian reinstates the pantomimes and venationes, so as to fill the theaters and amphitheaters back, and thus reduce the influence of the chariot racing teams. (3)
The Eternal Peace is signed, and it is very favorable to the Romans. Apart from paying a moderate amount of gold and withdrawing the base of the dux Mesopotamie from the fortress of Dara to the city of Constantina, the Romans gain lots of concessions. Among them are a number of war elephants, a clause Hermogenes had insistently been pushing for.
533 AD
A Roman force under Belisarius defeats the Vandals after two decisive battles, with little damage to the countryside, occupying the region. For this, he is awarded a triumph and hailed as "Africanus" .
Hermogenes continues to build up the force of war elephants.
(1) - OTL, Belisarius only offered a small chase before calling it quits
(2) - OTL was the other way around
(3) - the Nika riots cost the Romans lots of men and money and a large part of their capital burned. Here, those expenses are avoided, and they don't get to build the Hagia Sophia again. On the flip side, lots of unemployed people in Constatinople
- more later -