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| timelines:no_terror_of_justinian_-_glory_instead [2016/08/05 20:08] – [Awards] petike | timelines:no_terror_of_justinian_-_glory_instead [2020/12/27 19:05] (current) – [Chapters] sargon |
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| ==== Overview & POD ==== | ==== Overview & POD ==== |
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| The TL looks at a little known period of Eastern Roman (Byzantine) History during the latter part of OTL's Heraclian Dynasty (610 - 711), in particular the reign of Justinian II. The period is so obscure, that sources for this period are hard to come by, and of those that are, many have not been translated into English. This of course has made researching it particularly difficult for the author, who has had to improve his medieval Greek as a result, and spend a fair amount of time and money getting hold of the various texts useful for the era. Matters are not helped by the fact that there is only one full length book thus far published in English about Justinian II, as well as a single work of historical fiction by Harry Turtledove based upon the Emperor's life, incidentally reckoned amongst the best of his novels (it ought to be as his degree was in Byzantine Studies!). | The TL looks at a little known period of Eastern Roman (Byzantine) History during the latter part of OTL's Heraclian Dynasty (610 - 711), in particular the reign of Justinian II. The period is so obscure, that sources for this period are hard to come by, and of those that are, many have not been translated into English. This of course has made researching it particularly difficult for the author, who has had to improve his medieval Greek as a result, and spend a fair amount of time and money getting hold of the various texts useful for the era. Matters are not helped by the fact that there is only one full length book thus far published in English about Justinian II, as well as a single work of historical fiction by [[offtopic:Harry Turtledove]] based upon the Emperor's life, incidentally reckoned amongst the best of his novels (it ought to be as his degree was in Byzantine Studies!). |
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| The POD concerns itself with a change of direction and actions of Justinian II. Historically, although he was a gifted ruler in many ways such as militarily, administratively, and in the religious sphere for example, he suffered from such stubbornness, divine belief, paranoia and a thirst for revenge from losing his throne in 695 that his second reign ended up with him being deposed for a second time and the ousting of his dynasty from power for good. On his return to Constantinople in 704, it is said in OTL the little fishing boat commandeered by himself and his small band of followers carrying him across the Black Sea and back to his lands was caught in a storm, and was in danger of sinking. One of his companions, certain that the boat would sink pleaded with the Emperor to promise God that Justinian would have mercy on his enemies if God saved them from the storm. Justinian entirely characteristicly shook his fist at the heavens and declared, "If I spare even one of them, may God drown me now!". The storm disappeared within a short while, and the Emperor saw it as divine sanction for him to mete out revenge to all those he thought had wronged him when he got his throne back, leading to his deposition later on. | The POD concerns itself with a change of direction and actions of Justinian II. Historically, although he was a gifted ruler in many ways such as militarily, administratively, and in the religious sphere for example, he suffered from such stubbornness, divine belief, paranoia and a thirst for revenge from losing his throne in 695 that his second reign ended up with him being deposed for a second time and the ousting of his dynasty from power for good. On his return to Constantinople in 704, it is said in OTL the little fishing boat commandeered by himself and his small band of followers carrying him across the Black Sea and back to his lands was caught in a storm, and was in danger of sinking. One of his companions, certain that the boat would sink pleaded with the Emperor to promise God that Justinian would have mercy on his enemies if God saved them from the storm. Justinian entirely characteristicly shook his fist at the heavens and declared, "If I spare even one of them, may God drown me now!". The storm disappeared within a short while, and the Emperor saw it as divine sanction for him to mete out revenge to all those he thought had wronged him when he got his throne back, leading to his deposition later on. |
| Part X: The Mists of Toledo\\ | Part X: The Mists of Toledo\\ |
| Part XI: The Wrath of Hercules \\ | Part XI: The Wrath of Hercules \\ |
| Part XII: Kings, Knights, Bishops and Pawns **NEW!** \\ | Part XII: Kings, Knights, Bishops and Pawns \\ |
| Part XIII: (underway) \\ | Part XIII: (underway and expected to be posted in 2021) \\ |
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| ==== Awards ==== | ==== Awards ==== |
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| It won a [[alternate_history:turtledove_awards|Turtledove]] in [[alternate_history:2008 winners|2008]] for **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/attachment.php?attachmentid=48584&stc=1&d=1211751700|"Best Medieval Timeline"]]** and **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/attachments/timeline-png.49208/|"Best Overall Alternate History Timeline"]]**. | It won two [[alternate_history:turtledove_awards|Turtledoves]] in [[alternate_history:2008 winners|2008]] for **[[https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/attachments/48584/|"Best Medieval Timeline"]]** and **[[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/attachments/timeline-png.49208/|"Best Overall Alternate History Timeline"]]**. |
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