That is one fine looking Epirus. Michael I certainly did a good job with state affairs.
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Constantinople has fallen to the Bulgarians. Epirus is doing a good job consolidating its position.
The Two Greeces: Anatolia in the 13th Century
Like Despot Michael, Theodore Laskaris inherited a precarious situation. His small state centered on the old imperial heartlands of the Anatolian coastal plain would at first glance have been the most likely successor state, and certainly from his actions scholars agree that Theodore had imperial ambitions. Yet, the so called Empire of Nicaea’s geopolitical situation quickly put paid to any plans for a rapid restoration of Byzantine rule under the Laskarid dynasty.
In the east Nicaea was bordered by the moribund Sultanate of Rum. The Sultanate, weakened by years of instability in the 12th century, was again beginning to find its strength and would be a potent enemy of Nicaea in the years leading up to the Mongol conquest of the Anatolian plateau. Theodore could count himself lucky that instead of turning west in the decade following 1204, the Sultan instead turned east, and began a long and bloody campaign of subjugation against the Georgian and Armenian princes of the Caucasus. In the west, Nicaea’s principal enemy was of course the Latin Empire. In this sphere, Nicaea’s fortunes would track closely with that of its primary Greek rival, Epirus. As Latin rule waned after their defeat at the hands of Tsar Kaloyan, Theodore found himself with significant breathing room to consolidate his rule.
Rum's conquests in Armenia reestablished them as a major player in the Near East.
Initially Theodore’s chief objective must have been not to secure Constantinople but instead to secure his place as the sole Greek ruler in Anatolia. After all, his first major action as ruler was not to move west, but east along the northern Anatolian seacoast. There, the nascent Trapezuntine Empire, under a branch of the old imperial Komnenoi dynasty, had proclaimed itself as the legitimate successor to the Byzantine Empire, consolidating control of much of Pontus and Paphlagonia. From a practical perspective Theodore’s move against the Komnenoi was likely the best he could have made. No real attempt could have been made to take Constantinople as long as Trebizond remained a thorn in his side. Theodore, dispatching an army into Paphlagonia was able to smash Trapezuntine resistance in 1212 and begin to occupy key points in the region. Sensing an opportunity, the Turkish Sultan, fresh off his victory in Armenia and riding high with prestige, moved into the lightly defended frontier in southern Paphlagonia and the hinterland of Sinope. By the time intermittent conflict in the area had concluded in 1220, Trebizond had been effectively partitioned between Nicaea and Rum.
Theodore's conquests.
Still even preoccupied in the east as he was, Theodore could not resist the power vacuum which was emerging in previously Latin held lands. With the collapse of Emperor Baldwin’s authority in Thrace, Theodore sent a small force to cross the Hellespont in 1218, seizing Gallipoli and ending the Latin presence in Anatolia for good. As fate would have it however, Theodore would not have long to enjoy his conquests and in 1224 he expired after several years of battling consumption. He would leave the rule of his empire to his son Marianos, who, along with his sister Ioanna the Great, would do much to strengthen Greek rule in Anatolia. When imperial control was at last restored in Anatolia in 1276, the Empire’s position in the region could be entirely attributed to the three rulers of the Laskarid dynasty.
Nicaea at its height before imperial reintegration.
Thanks! Krete was odd. It was originally held by the Kingdom of Sicily, but after their child monarch died, it passed under German control.
Here's hoping his son is up to the task of maintaining his father's legacy!
Bulgarian Constantinople was not something I expected, but will make for some interesting narrative.
I had hoped to keep who I was secret for a while longer, but unfortunately my screenshots gave it away. I am curious who you thought I was, though. Perhaps Bulgaria?So you play Epirus. I had my bets on the other big power. Interesting.
Oh jeez, one moment I'm reading about how the Seljuks of Rum are recovering from years of instability and even expanding their lands at the expense of the Komnenoi and Caucasian princes, then suddenly they're gone! Is that the Mongol Empire in Anatolia?
I'd rather not say, and keep the suspense going
Indeed! I'm trying out a different style where the information will be conveyed generally chronologically, but I will jump back or forward from time to time to reflect the nature of historical writing if this happened in reality. Before we get to any in depth on the real reconquest of Nicaea I do plan on jumping back to Michael II"s reign and spending a few posts discussing the situation in Greece leading up to the reestablishment of the empire.
I do have a soft spot for the Laskarids, but figured I would try out the black sheep of the successor states.I was sure you was playing Nicaea.
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Epirus Ascendant, Michael II’s Early Years: 1226-1236
In 1226, Michael II was 10 years old. As such, the true authority in the Empire passed into the hands of a regency council made up of the leading magnates in the state. For Michael I’s efforts to curb the power of the nobility, they rapidly swept back into prominence at his death. In fact, until Michael II’s majority, they ruled Epirus as an effective aristocracy. The leader of this small group of landowners was Michael I’s uncle, and Michael II’s brother, Theodore. Theodore, who had ruled modern day Albania in Michael I’s name for the better part of 20 years, was able, but nevertheless was eager to protect the interests of his class. In his first act, Theodore repealed Michael I’s mild decree limiting the nobility’s almost limitless autonomy, and it seemed that the brief Epirote ascendancy would be just that: brief.
Epirus was especially blessed when Michael II came of age, and a dynastic conflict did not commence between him and his uncle. Theodore, growing in age and evidently in ill-health judging by the chroniclers’ accounts, gracefully ceded effective power to his nephew when he had come of age. On April 9th, 1232, Michael II was crowned as Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans, and Despot of Epirus in Arta. His title would match his ambitions.
At the age of 20 Michael found himself in control of the City of the World’s Desire, largely due to events outside of his own control. Still, so complete was his triumph, that he would not be challenged on his throne for the foreseeable future. One might expect that Michael would then move readily to crown himself in Saint Sophia. Yet, there were concerns that such an act might not only further enrage the Bulgarians, already smarting from their defeat, but also united the Nicaeans against Epirus, in a two front war which Epirus was ill-prepared to handle. At any rate, Michael could not stay in Constantinople for long. In western Thrace, a few Latin holdouts had risen in rebellion, and so Michael’s moment of triumph would have to wait.
Who did Michel mary? And dam he has the strong and genius traits. Did you use console commands?
Not to put pressure on you but why is there long delay? also what mods (if any) are you using?
Thanks! Things really got rolling fast, and my rivals never really had the ability to consolidate.
Once I have time, I'll check to be sure, but his initial bride was an HRE princess I believe. He ultimately had four wives, (Epirus seems to be an epidemic prone area this game) so I never got as attached to them. He actually got those traits from the Demonspawn event chain, which I used Holy Order's to remove the worst effects from.
So close! Unfortunately, more Balkan distractions await before the Empire can be restored.
Thanks!
Pyrrhus would be rolling in his grave.
I would definitely recommend it. I always prefer shorter, objective driven games.
So sorry, been very busy with the end of school. Hopefully I'll be able to have an update over the next few weeks. I'm using the Historical Immersion Project mod, which includes modules for changing the map. I would try it out if you are interested.
So sorry, been very busy with the end of school. Hopefully I'll be able to have an update over the next few weeks. I'm using the Historical Immersion Project mod, which includes modules for changing the map. I would try it out if you are interested.
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Yeah It looks changes quite a few things.
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Yeah It looks changes quite a few things.