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Nikolai

Nikolai

Basileus Romaion
78 Badges
Jun 17, 2001
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Welcome to my new AAR, playing as the rulers of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as Byzantium. :)

I started this game with a couple of mods enabled, that was supposed to give the ERE a unique government, but I got primogeniture not the special elective promised, so I am not sure what happened there. Was too fun to play to not write about, though.

Hope you'll enjoy! :D
 
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Basileus Leon VI
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    • Basileus Leon VI​

    (866-928)​

    (r. 875-928)

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    ​

    Ah, Rome. Once a mighty empire, surrounding the Mediterranean. Then, the western half fell. Then, the Muslims took half of the remaining empire.

    Then, Basileus Basileos I happened. Yeah, real original naming, I know. He died before what he set in motion could really start rolling, though. He invaded the Abbasid Caliphate, and then promptly got assassinated. Real hero, figuring in numerous plays, what-if scenarios etc.

    Anyways, his son. Basileus Leon VI. Good with numbers. Ish. Better with getting good military men directed to good use. Inherited at the age of eleven. Forced to lower the crown authority to a minimum. Great start, indeed. Unpopular most of his reign, but never faced a civil war after he let his vassals get more power early on.

    Didn’t help his popularity that he fancied men as much as women. Didn’t help a bit that he got seduced and became soulmate with the frikkin’ Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Sorry, that is previous Ecumenical Patriarch. Kinda hard to remain that when you are exposed as a sodomite. At least back in the medieval age. Kids nowadays are into so many things.

    Leon VI got lucky early on, as his first war with the Abbasids totally wrecked their army, obliterated it is more like it, and they fell into civil war. Bye, bye Abbasid Caliphate – hello disorganized sheikdoms all over the Middle East.

    So he used much of his reign to wage war on the remains of the Caliphate, mostly securing control over Syria and the Levantine coast.

    Did a little detour into murdering a troublesome courtier of a vassal he was friendly with. Got exposed. Pity that.

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    On December 30th, 919 AD he formally restored the Patriarchate in Jerusalem, even granting the Patriarch the duchy attached to the area.

    August 29th, 925 AD he founded the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher. Placed the holy order in Tyre, close to the enemy.

    Died August 5th, 928 of old age. Was succeeded by his son, a totally different ruler. More on that later.

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    • Midnite Duke said:
    Did Paradox do bad/lazy research? Is this supposed to be Leo the 'Wise'? Thanks for taking us to the world's most desired city (or so says our ads).
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    He was merely a child when the game started, so I guess his stats and so on is not set in stone.
     
    I always love Byzantium play. What mods were you using?
     
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    Idhrendur said:
    I always love Byzantium play. What mods were you using?
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    Well, it's these two, but at least the government mod seems to be not working. I had to install the mods manually as mods don't work with the Gamepass version, the mods fail to install when you subscribe to them. Known problem, Paradox doesn't even respond to the reports. Sigh. The mods show as enabled, but it seems something is wrong? At least now it shows as one is "working" and one is not (and doubly installed somehow).

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    The Kingmaker said:
    Great start, Nik! Glad to see you’re as prolific an authAAR as always!
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    Thanks, great to have you on board!
    KanadeSomeone said:
    Huh, thought you'd be playing with one of the mods that expands flavor and mechanics for the Byzzies, but this is fine too. watching with interest!
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    As I said, I tried. But the gamepass edition is wonky with mods. One won't work, the other one is enabled, but doesn't seem tp actually do anything.
     
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    Basileus Basileos I was Basil, right?

    That looks like a good start - Syria and the Levant are reclaimed, and the rest of the Muslim world is divided. I'd worry about jihads once those become a thing, though.

    Also, the high crown authority is ominous, and it implies that Byzantium might have internal trouble in the future.
     
    Midnite Duke said:
    Did you have a character before Leon? Who did Paradox call as his father, Basil or Michael? Thank you
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    Basileus was my first character.
    HistoryDude said:
    Basileus Basileos I was Basil, right?

    That looks like a good start - Syria and the Levant are reclaimed, and the rest of the Muslim world is divided. I'd worry about jihads once those become a thing, though.

    Also, the high crown authority is ominous, and it implies that Byzantium might have internal trouble in the future.
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    Yes, I guess he was. Jihads are a danger in the future, yes. Don't remind me. :p

    High crown authority? As I said, it's super low....
     
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    Nikolai said:
    High crown authority? As I said, it's super low....
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    *Facepalm* I meant to put low crown authority. It might lead to revolts later.
     
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    HistoryDude said:
    *Facepalm* I meant to put low crown authority. It might lead to revolts later.
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    Really? My experience is the higher levels always leads to revolt. Although, there is one instance later that could be explained this way...
     
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    Basileus Basileios II
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    • Basileus Basileios II​

    (891-947)​

    (r. 928-947)

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    Boring is often effective, I hear. In that case, Basileus Basileios II was an incredibly effective man.

    Not much to say. Guy did no wars. For 19 years of ruling. I mean, who does such things to a poor chronicler? Basileus Basileios II, that’s who.

    Only expansion he did was peacefully vassalize the county of Bari. Do you know where the county of Bari lies?

    You do? Oh.

    Well, then. He did do wonders to the economy of the empire, there’s that. Improving the infrastructure of his domain quite a bit. Expanded the men-at-arms. Not that he used them. But good to have in case someone get uppity, you know?

    Ah, yes. And he expanded the Orthodox faith and Greek culture in the areas conquered by his father. Good boy, as I’m sure a certain Heavenly Father would say.

    What was that? Show some respect to the Father? Ah… Yes. Well. OK.

    Guy ended up obese from all the partying he did, which is probably what did him in at the end. Man loved those chicken wings. So, on May 18th, 947 his nine-year-old daughter Alexeia I rose to the throne. Dude, was that a reign for the chroniclers.

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    • Nikolai said:
    Really? My experience is the higher levels always leads to revolt. Although, there is one instance later that could be explained this way...
    Click to expand...
    I meant that revolts would be more common when it was changed back to higher crown authority...

    Byzantium is expanding in Italia? That is good news indeed.

    When will Bulgaria be attacked?
     
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    Midnite Duke said:
    How did Alexia acquire the throne? Did you research Michael/Basil/Leo or the Macedons in OTL? More unbelievable story than CK! Thank you for quick update.

    That is a nice sized Byz.
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    She inherited it. :) Her older sisters were not born in the purple. I did no research, no. Just what the game gives me.
    HistoryDude said:
    I meant that revolts would be more common when it was changed back to higher crown authority...

    Byzantium is expanding in Italia? That is good news indeed.

    When will Bulgaria be attacked?
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    Ah, sorry for being dense. :D

    Expansion for now is focused on Muslim lands, to weaken their chances for a Jihad. Bulgaria is weak and no current threat. :) Eventually they will fall, though. I will make sure of it!
     
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