So the business of the Khagan's conversion was a bit of a unexpected swerve.
The Catholics ... well the Catholics I expect to be a bit pesky.
The Catholics ... well the Catholics I expect to be a bit pesky.
-
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That was one turn of events…
If you succeed,you should punish the Catholics by seizing Jerusalem’s remains! The Holy Land belongs to Byzantium.
If you succeed,you should punish the Catholics by seizing Jerusalem’s remains! The Holy Land belongs to Byzantium.
In this timeline the Mongols may be as devastating as in the ancient tomes (CKII 1.0-1.04)
Thank you all for reading! Before answering your comments, I want to share something I've been working on for the next episode.
Take it as a, hmmh... a movie teaser?
- Brought to you by the Imperial Bureau of Inteligence, ex-Bureau of Barbarians -
Next episode is going to be very, very dangerous. I've run a few tests and, well, let's say the scenario up there is not the worst of all, but certainly the most common. I have prepared the possible consequences of defeat, which should prove interesting mixed with the 4th Crusade mechanics... but knowing that the Mongols are near, the survival of the entirety of Empire is imperative. Specially since I've buffed Temujin and his horde, ups!
Also, I wanted to comment that I added a little narrative segment for Basilissa Eudokia in the previous episode. She is an important character of this times, and could be much more if Constantinople falls into Latin hands.
I should go back to sleep now, class tomorrow. Hope you like this map!
Take it as a, hmmh... a movie teaser?
- Brought to you by the Imperial Bureau of Inteligence, ex-Bureau of Barbarians -
Also, I wanted to comment that I added a little narrative segment for Basilissa Eudokia in the previous episode. She is an important character of this times, and could be much more if Constantinople falls into Latin hands.
I should go back to sleep now, class tomorrow. Hope you like this map!
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Sssshhhh! I'm guessing you were the one who told the Fatimids to mobilize, traitor!
Oooow, thanks! Its been the first time I experienced the Fourth Crusade event chain, and it truly happened in the worst moment: THATS GREAT! That, and Belisarios+Eudokia, gave me enough to spend some time writing the scene. I want to present Belisarios as a good and capable emperor, with great potential, but also flawed by his past, and Eudokia as a shrewd woman, an effective power in the shadow of the Emperor, but one that can also commit mistakes and force the entire Empire to face its consequences.
Buah, tell me about it! The Cuman Khanate is a nest of chaos and weird events. Convertions, non-aggression pacts, possessed rulers, you ask whatever you want and they'll surely have it.
And about the Catholics, well, let's say this event will sour the relations between West and East irremediably. Constantinople will never forget that the entirety of Europe, with the notable exception of Hungary, attacked them in such barbaric ways and without reason, likely provoking muslim invasions.
One way or another, Jerusalem will suffer. I can promise you that.
Hohoho! I've buffed the Mongols quite a bit, to make them able to expand as they did before. They are truly a danger now, and I'm thinking on disabling the Defense Pacts rule while Temujin lives.
____________________________
That's all for now! I think the next episode will be posted this Friday, or Saturday. Be ready for the events that will define the fate of the Empire in The Desperate War!
"And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many."
- Christedom in war with itself. Every day we stray further from God -
- Matthew 24:4-5
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What a great tease! The looming spectre that is the hordes under Temujin, a renewed assault by the Crescent against Jerusalem, and now the Catholics, fellow Christian brothers DARING to attack the Queen of Cities for their own misguided greed! Show these upjumped barbarians why the Empire deserves to don the mantle of Augustus' legacy! Make the name Belisarios feared again.
May the Catholics bleed for every drop of Roman blood spilled, also make sure that republic who joined is burned to the ground, if it's Venice, all the more better
May the Catholics bleed for every drop of Roman blood spilled, also make sure that republic who joined is burned to the ground, if it's Venice, all the more better
The nun's influence is still felt, then. Even if it didn't last - I guess Tolun never saw her .
But with Anthe's defection and the Crusade, things are going to be bad. And then the Mongols show up - subjugation CB + mostly blobs around = soon a Mongol world?
That map doesn't promise good times for Byzantium. As if it wasn't bad enough, a Shiite Jihad only makes that all worse.
Heading for Rome as an attempt to save Byzantium somehow? In my latest save, the Pope actually seized Thrace himself, while the Emperor didn't attempt to revive it and became landless (to be fair, the Arabs had taken over most of the empire).
.But with Anthe's defection and the Crusade, things are going to be bad. And then the Mongols show up - subjugation CB + mostly blobs around = soon a Mongol world?
That map doesn't promise good times for Byzantium. As if it wasn't bad enough, a Shiite Jihad only makes that all worse.
Heading for Rome as an attempt to save Byzantium somehow
? In my latest save, the Pope actually seized Thrace himself, while the Emperor didn't attempt to revive it and became landless (to be fair, the Arabs had taken over most of the empire).
Episode 6 - "Prelude" (1224)
1224
Episode Six
___________
PRELUDE
___________
And Jesus answered and said to them,
"See to it that no one misleads you.
For many will come in My name,
saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many."
- Matthew 24:4-5
Belisarios closed the Bible. There was no time to waste in nuissances, even if it was the Holy Book.
The Empire had two weeks to mobilize its full strenght, and Basileus Belisarios needed the best to plan the defense of Constantinople, main objective of the ill Fourth Crusade. Letters were sent across the city, to Thesalonnike, to Antioch, to Panormos, to alert the Exarchs of the coming battle.
And so, the Queen of Cities woke up the 13th day wearing armor.
________________________________
The Council called by the Emperor was composed by Tanhoiarn the Handsome -Magistros and Orthodox convert-, Exarch Daniel the Just of Armenia -Commander of the Armenian Theme's forces and representer of the Armenian populace-, Manrike -Mystikos, and founder of the Bureau of Secrets-, Exarch Polikarpos of Epirus -Commander of the Adriatic Theme's forces-, Empress Eudokia Komnenos -Right hand of the Throne-, and... Gennadios Palaiologos, Imperial Prince, son of Basileus Helias "the Blessed" -The newly named Imperial Protostator, surprising half the Empire with such move-. Every heavely protected convoy that entered the Great Palace, now fully in a lockdown state, drew the people's attention, who perceived the strange activity in the heart of the imperial administration. Without any warning of the coming storm, the calm citizens of Constantinople continued they daily life even when tension, for some unknown reason, was increasingly palpable.
-The Desperate Council, as the commoners of the Empire would later call them-
Having two Exarchs in the capital was truly a stroke of luck. Having to report finances to the Imperial Treasury Office, as some numbers weren't really fitting with the reports, the Exarchs of Epirus and Armenia had been called in to clarify such problems and avoid any corruption charges. Both Polikarpos and Daniel were exceptional commanders, recognized by the Basileus in his personal campaigns before being named in such prestigious offices; with them so close, it would be much easier to organize their local Thema and coordinate with others. After all, even the quickest messengers could take days to deliver a single order.
On the quiet day of December 6, the gates of Constantinople were closed, and all the streets were patrolled by the Palaiologoi Tagma, preparing the city for a siege. All the Latins were arrested and traslated to Galata, whose newly built walls were going to serve as a sort of prison-town for the duration of the war. Those who resisted, were slain. Most of them, though, willingly accepted to be carried to the other side of the Golden Horn as the officer coordinating such action had guaranteed that all foreigers' goods and properties were protected by an Imperial Decree. The reason behind this decision was simple: Belisarios didn't want an slaughter that could unleash caos inside Constantinople while the troops were protecting the walls. Plus, potential spies would be isolated, and maybe trade could be resumed if the western merchants were protected.
The Devil constantly insisted, softly whispering to his ear, about burning all of Galata and their old and new inhabitants, but having lived his youth along Italian children made that impossible. They were Christians, as he and his Empire was... even if their realms had betrayed Christ by acting as Cain with Abel. No, there wouldn't be any massacre under his rule.
But as he looked at the City, fully mobilized and with his personal Tagmata conscripting the young and able, Eudokia asked for his attention by gently posing her right hand over the shoulder.
"Reports from all the Empire's neighbors are arriving, my Love. I've talked with Manrike; even the distant Tolousse has taken the arms against us. The Karabisianoi are overwhelmed, unable to stop all the ships sailing towards east. And with the republics working together..."
Belisarios sighed, as Eudokia continued. While the Imperial Navy was a powerful force, they weren't able to do even a scratch against half the continent's navies. Maybe they could intercept three or four fleets, but with the Italian ships being faster than Dromons, there wasn't much to do in the seas.
"Your decision on giving up the Western Isles was right, Belisarios. I'm sure that uniting their forces with the Sicilian Thema our soldiers will be able to-..."
While the Basileus allowed his wife to take part of the court affairs, letting her give advice on political and military aspects maybe was too much. He couldn't deny that she was intelligent, much more than most, but some boundaries should never be...
"I've sent our kids to Trapezous, Bel."
Such phrase stopped all train of thought Belisarios had going. He slowly turn to Eudokia, looking at her eyes: there, he could see fear, and decision. In just one gaze the Emperor remembered the kind of woman he married, brave but not a fool, rational but not emotionless. Then, he opened his arms and hugged her. There was no need to say more than a single phrase.
"Let's go back to the Council Chamber. They are expecting us both."
________________________________
An enormous map of the mapped known world hided the table were usually the Imperial Council would meet to discuss trivial things like acueducts and what estate give to the 7th son of a distant Palaiologos cousin. This wasn't a time to talk about restaurations and new roads, so common on the past decades of the Palaiologan rule: the threat of the Abolitio Imperii, or imperial desintegration, was closer than ever.
But, why, many of the high rank military officers asked. They were Latins, still half barbarians at the eyes of the common citizen. What could they do against the Theodosian Walls, or the Imperial Navy, or the Themas and Tagmas of Constantinople?
Of couse, they knew nothing.
They didn't have any information of what had been happening on Western Europe the last century. How had Tolousse managed such expansion? Britannia had almost unified their islands, but gave a damn on the Empire. The Germans had vassalized the Kingdom of Poland without problems, and the Italian Republics flooded the Mediterranean with their trade ships thanks to the Imperial protection, but there was no secret that they were working on their "Arsenals", and hundreds of war galleys were being built to "protect their interests if necessary". Necessity was a very flexible term these days, for sure.
The Bureau of Secrets received reports every day. The Latins had adopted trebuchets almost fifty years ago, and ever since they had adapted that technology in many ways; some even were being tried over ships, but much smaller and seemed more like catapults, but still.
But how could everyone forget about the Latin role on the reconquest of Anatolia? Their zeal, bravery, and raw power was all they needed to cut through the infidels, and carve their own kingdom in the Holy Land, one that had succesfully repealed Jihads for more than a century and a half. Sure, the Turks were a menace, as Manzikert had proved, but they were nothing but hordes of infidels. The Latins were capable of mustering disciplined armies motivated only by the Papal Cross, fueled by fanaticism and centuries of prosperity thanks to the Bulwark of Christedom, Constantinople.
If the Turk had taken two thirds of the Empire in one single thrust, what would be a Latin capable to do?
Western Europe had tolerated the Imperial intromision on Italy and the Western Isles because of the Pope's good relation with the Emperor in relation with Jerusalem, but now they had the excuse they needed to hit fast and with strenght.
And with that, they were sailing and marching towards the Romans. The Barbarians' children coming to finish the job.
As the Basileus and Basilissa walked in the room the Exarchs were discussing potential battleplans, Manrike hold papers in hand -probably the most recent reports, this time from the Empire's borders-, Tanhoiam sat comfortably on his usual chair as Magistros, and Gennadios silently observed the map, reading other reports, and possitionating pieces and icons over cities and borders.
"My Kyrios, my spies have confirmed the main routes the Catholics will use to reach the Empire. May I?" Manrike asked, to which Belisarios nodded, and the Mystikos took some yellow-colored arrows made of paper; you could say many things about the Basque Spy Master, but he was always ready.
-The carefully crafted yellow arrows had different lenghts and sizes-
"I've received reports of troops movement from Hispania, France, Germania, Italia, Poland, and Morocco or whatever those converted infidels wants to call themselves now" he said, pointing at every realm mentioned. "Also, minor levies have been seen in our border with Jerusalem, but Queen Ase seem occupied facing the Seljuk Invasion."
Then, Tanhoiam intervened. "I've confirmed that Queen Ase does not approve this so called "Crusade", and that our Non-Agression Pact remains intact as your brother, my Basileus, has been a good and capable husband. She is not going to intervene in any way, but the Seljuks have interfered with her hold on the northern lords, which may be why we are also getting attacked over there."
Manrike nodded to the Magistros. "I've identified three main routes of attack: Two depend on crossing Hungarian soil, and such roads will be used with or without the permission of King Arpad". Then, his index finger went closer to the Adriatic coast, adding "They will avoid Budapest by any mean, so they'll go through Croatia before following the Danube; their first target will be Belgrade, and then possibly Thessalonike. The second will go through the other side of the Carpathian mountains, having to cross the Danube and taking Constantia, opening an alternative way to our capital."
"But then, what's the main route for Constantinople?", asked Exarch Daniel, getting closer to the table.
"The sea. The Italian Republics are leading the charge at this point, specially Venice under the Doge Ascanio du Busca. Venice is impulsed after seizing the surrounding lands from the Germanic Empire thanks to the Hungarian declaration of war, and instigating independence of the other republics."
"A disgusting man. Impales supposed "heretics" for fun", said the Magistros.
"Indeed" nodded again the Mystikos. "The Venetian, Pisan, and Genoese fleets are planning to meet in the coast near Achaea, and from there irrupt in the Aegean Sea. The idea is simple: be an overwhelming force too big to face, and assault Constantinople from sea and land at the same time."
"But what about the Karabisianoi? Haven't they intercepted their fleets one by one?", Exarch Daniel asked again.
Eudokia looked at Belisarios, who putted his hands over the map.
"There is no point on doing that. Victory at the sea, against a swarm of Italian galleys and minor ships of every other realm in the Mediterranean, would be too costly to achieve." The Emperor took a purple cross, and let it over Crete. "I've already recalled the navy, and stationated it on Crete. Their orders are to leave every Italian ship go through, without any opposition."
Exarch Polykarpos raised his eyebrows. "Excuse my impertenence, Kyrios, but are we going to let Latins sail over our waters without opposition?"
Belisarios took a second to answer. "Yes".
"This is madness!" both Exarchs shouted.
"No", intervened Prince Gennadios, also Count of Herakleia since the last week. "Its a trap".
Eudokia smiled, and came closer to the table. "We know where they want to strike, and those points are very carefully selected. The Italians want to give a deadly hit to the Empire, and probably let Germans and Franks to distribute the land after taking us out. That's why they are taking the risk of carrying thousands of fanatics on boats: they know that taking Constantinople ends everything".
It was true. All of the delicate and complex bureaucratic system depended of the Imperial Administration, as Exarchs authority was given only as an imperial mandate, not as a permanent title. Without the capital, the Emperor had no seat, and what kind of Roman Emperor would abandon Constantinople to the hands of barbarians, Latins, Muslims, or whatever people endangered the Empire at the time?
"They have choose to risk most of this invasion in a direct attack. In turn, we will prepare our walls. Constantinople has endured sieges before, and always won at the end. There is a difference this time, though." Two new purple crosses were put at the sides of the star that marked the capital.
"We will let them siege Constantinople. Sack our the farms outside the city, set camp, accumulate numbers. Then, we will crush them between Cataphracts and Walls." said Belisarios, sure of his words but knowing that, as the Italians were making a huge bet, he was too.
"Once we have defeated and massacred their armies, our fleets on Crete will be deployed along the Aegean, picking up the remains of their forces that tries to escape."
The Exarchs didn't question such plan. It was really dangerous letting the Latins reach the Empire's heart so easily, even if it was a trap, but the Basileus had already make the decision. Still there were other matters to discuss.
+7"That may be a big battle, probably decisive, but still just one. How are we going to stop the Catholic Kings to stop throwing us their people? Asking nicely?" said the tense Exarch Daniel. Tanhoiam almost raised his hand, as his diplomat career had taught him that, effectivly, sometimes asking with good manners is enough. Of course, this wasn't a diplomatic mission.
"Gennadios is going to lead an expedition from Panormos, and set siege to Rome: their Pope will become our hostage, and key to get out of this war. He will leave the city today, and command the Sicilian Thema, the western reinforcements, and volunteers".
All turned to the former Prince, many surprised that Belisarios was willing to give such important role -and stage to project his image- to probably the main claimant for the throne. Taking the Eternal City and winning the war was going to catapult Gennadios as a war hero, specially if he managed to avoid defeat on Italy while the rest of the Imperial Forces kept fighting defensively.
Gennadios simply nodded back to the Emperor, without a single word.
"Together with the Exarch of Sicily, they'll push north while we hold the center of the Empire. You two, Daniel and Polykarpos, will lead our troops by my side". Both Exarchs bowed to Belisarios, seeing it as a risky honor to be bestowed upon their hand, but not one they could refuse.
The council agreed and defined which places would have to be hold at any costs, visualizing the movement of Imperial troops, and designating them to missions and zones. Then, the only woman in the room talked again.
"There is one matter we haven't talked yet: The Fatimids are mobilizing too since the rumors of this "Crusade" were confirmed by their own spies. We don't know if this means that they'll attack us, or Jerusalem, but we must be alert." Eudokia added, closer to his husband, but pointing at Egypt: a muslim Egypt would always be a thorn in the side of Eastern Rome.
But one day soon, she thought, that threat would be gone.
By fire and steel.
-Few days later, on December 25, all would become clearer-
Finally, the map was filled with arrows and crosses. The war plans were ready, but no one knew if they would survive the first couple weeks of the conflict.
___________________________________
Episode Six
___________
PRELUDE
___________
And Jesus answered and said to them,
"See to it that no one misleads you.
For many will come in My name,
saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many."
- Matthew 24:4-5
Belisarios closed the Bible. There was no time to waste in nuissances, even if it was the Holy Book.
The Empire had two weeks to mobilize its full strenght, and Basileus Belisarios needed the best to plan the defense of Constantinople, main objective of the ill Fourth Crusade. Letters were sent across the city, to Thesalonnike, to Antioch, to Panormos, to alert the Exarchs of the coming battle.
And so, the Queen of Cities woke up the 13th day wearing armor.
________________________________
The Council called by the Emperor was composed by Tanhoiarn the Handsome -Magistros and Orthodox convert-, Exarch Daniel the Just of Armenia -Commander of the Armenian Theme's forces and representer of the Armenian populace-, Manrike -Mystikos, and founder of the Bureau of Secrets-, Exarch Polikarpos of Epirus -Commander of the Adriatic Theme's forces-, Empress Eudokia Komnenos -Right hand of the Throne-, and... Gennadios Palaiologos, Imperial Prince, son of Basileus Helias "the Blessed" -The newly named Imperial Protostator, surprising half the Empire with such move-. Every heavely protected convoy that entered the Great Palace, now fully in a lockdown state, drew the people's attention, who perceived the strange activity in the heart of the imperial administration. Without any warning of the coming storm, the calm citizens of Constantinople continued they daily life even when tension, for some unknown reason, was increasingly palpable.
-The Desperate Council, as the commoners of the Empire would later call them-
Having two Exarchs in the capital was truly a stroke of luck. Having to report finances to the Imperial Treasury Office, as some numbers weren't really fitting with the reports, the Exarchs of Epirus and Armenia had been called in to clarify such problems and avoid any corruption charges. Both Polikarpos and Daniel were exceptional commanders, recognized by the Basileus in his personal campaigns before being named in such prestigious offices; with them so close, it would be much easier to organize their local Thema and coordinate with others. After all, even the quickest messengers could take days to deliver a single order.
On the quiet day of December 6, the gates of Constantinople were closed, and all the streets were patrolled by the Palaiologoi Tagma, preparing the city for a siege. All the Latins were arrested and traslated to Galata, whose newly built walls were going to serve as a sort of prison-town for the duration of the war. Those who resisted, were slain. Most of them, though, willingly accepted to be carried to the other side of the Golden Horn as the officer coordinating such action had guaranteed that all foreigers' goods and properties were protected by an Imperial Decree. The reason behind this decision was simple: Belisarios didn't want an slaughter that could unleash caos inside Constantinople while the troops were protecting the walls. Plus, potential spies would be isolated, and maybe trade could be resumed if the western merchants were protected.
The Devil constantly insisted, softly whispering to his ear, about burning all of Galata and their old and new inhabitants, but having lived his youth along Italian children made that impossible. They were Christians, as he and his Empire was... even if their realms had betrayed Christ by acting as Cain with Abel. No, there wouldn't be any massacre under his rule.
But as he looked at the City, fully mobilized and with his personal Tagmata conscripting the young and able, Eudokia asked for his attention by gently posing her right hand over the shoulder.
"Reports from all the Empire's neighbors are arriving, my Love. I've talked with Manrike; even the distant Tolousse has taken the arms against us. The Karabisianoi are overwhelmed, unable to stop all the ships sailing towards east. And with the republics working together..."
Belisarios sighed, as Eudokia continued. While the Imperial Navy was a powerful force, they weren't able to do even a scratch against half the continent's navies. Maybe they could intercept three or four fleets, but with the Italian ships being faster than Dromons, there wasn't much to do in the seas.
"Your decision on giving up the Western Isles was right, Belisarios. I'm sure that uniting their forces with the Sicilian Thema our soldiers will be able to-..."
While the Basileus allowed his wife to take part of the court affairs, letting her give advice on political and military aspects maybe was too much. He couldn't deny that she was intelligent, much more than most, but some boundaries should never be...
"I've sent our kids to Trapezous, Bel."
Such phrase stopped all train of thought Belisarios had going. He slowly turn to Eudokia, looking at her eyes: there, he could see fear, and decision. In just one gaze the Emperor remembered the kind of woman he married, brave but not a fool, rational but not emotionless. Then, he opened his arms and hugged her. There was no need to say more than a single phrase.
"Let's go back to the Council Chamber. They are expecting us both."
________________________________
An enormous map of the mapped known world hided the table were usually the Imperial Council would meet to discuss trivial things like acueducts and what estate give to the 7th son of a distant Palaiologos cousin. This wasn't a time to talk about restaurations and new roads, so common on the past decades of the Palaiologan rule: the threat of the Abolitio Imperii, or imperial desintegration, was closer than ever.
But, why, many of the high rank military officers asked. They were Latins, still half barbarians at the eyes of the common citizen. What could they do against the Theodosian Walls, or the Imperial Navy, or the Themas and Tagmas of Constantinople?
Of couse, they knew nothing.
They didn't have any information of what had been happening on Western Europe the last century. How had Tolousse managed such expansion? Britannia had almost unified their islands, but gave a damn on the Empire. The Germans had vassalized the Kingdom of Poland without problems, and the Italian Republics flooded the Mediterranean with their trade ships thanks to the Imperial protection, but there was no secret that they were working on their "Arsenals", and hundreds of war galleys were being built to "protect their interests if necessary". Necessity was a very flexible term these days, for sure.
The Bureau of Secrets received reports every day. The Latins had adopted trebuchets almost fifty years ago, and ever since they had adapted that technology in many ways; some even were being tried over ships, but much smaller and seemed more like catapults, but still.
But how could everyone forget about the Latin role on the reconquest of Anatolia? Their zeal, bravery, and raw power was all they needed to cut through the infidels, and carve their own kingdom in the Holy Land, one that had succesfully repealed Jihads for more than a century and a half. Sure, the Turks were a menace, as Manzikert had proved, but they were nothing but hordes of infidels. The Latins were capable of mustering disciplined armies motivated only by the Papal Cross, fueled by fanaticism and centuries of prosperity thanks to the Bulwark of Christedom, Constantinople.
If the Turk had taken two thirds of the Empire in one single thrust, what would be a Latin capable to do?
Western Europe had tolerated the Imperial intromision on Italy and the Western Isles because of the Pope's good relation with the Emperor in relation with Jerusalem, but now they had the excuse they needed to hit fast and with strenght.
And with that, they were sailing and marching towards the Romans. The Barbarians' children coming to finish the job.
As the Basileus and Basilissa walked in the room the Exarchs were discussing potential battleplans, Manrike hold papers in hand -probably the most recent reports, this time from the Empire's borders-, Tanhoiam sat comfortably on his usual chair as Magistros, and Gennadios silently observed the map, reading other reports, and possitionating pieces and icons over cities and borders.
"My Kyrios, my spies have confirmed the main routes the Catholics will use to reach the Empire. May I?" Manrike asked, to which Belisarios nodded, and the Mystikos took some yellow-colored arrows made of paper; you could say many things about the Basque Spy Master, but he was always ready.
-The carefully crafted yellow arrows had different lenghts and sizes-
"I've received reports of troops movement from Hispania, France, Germania, Italia, Poland, and Morocco or whatever those converted infidels wants to call themselves now" he said, pointing at every realm mentioned. "Also, minor levies have been seen in our border with Jerusalem, but Queen Ase seem occupied facing the Seljuk Invasion."
Then, Tanhoiam intervened. "I've confirmed that Queen Ase does not approve this so called "Crusade", and that our Non-Agression Pact remains intact as your brother, my Basileus, has been a good and capable husband. She is not going to intervene in any way, but the Seljuks have interfered with her hold on the northern lords, which may be why we are also getting attacked over there."
Manrike nodded to the Magistros. "I've identified three main routes of attack: Two depend on crossing Hungarian soil, and such roads will be used with or without the permission of King Arpad". Then, his index finger went closer to the Adriatic coast, adding "They will avoid Budapest by any mean, so they'll go through Croatia before following the Danube; their first target will be Belgrade, and then possibly Thessalonike. The second will go through the other side of the Carpathian mountains, having to cross the Danube and taking Constantia, opening an alternative way to our capital."
"But then, what's the main route for Constantinople?", asked Exarch Daniel, getting closer to the table.
"The sea. The Italian Republics are leading the charge at this point, specially Venice under the Doge Ascanio du Busca. Venice is impulsed after seizing the surrounding lands from the Germanic Empire thanks to the Hungarian declaration of war, and instigating independence of the other republics."
"A disgusting man. Impales supposed "heretics" for fun", said the Magistros.
"Indeed" nodded again the Mystikos. "The Venetian, Pisan, and Genoese fleets are planning to meet in the coast near Achaea, and from there irrupt in the Aegean Sea. The idea is simple: be an overwhelming force too big to face, and assault Constantinople from sea and land at the same time."
"But what about the Karabisianoi? Haven't they intercepted their fleets one by one?", Exarch Daniel asked again.
Eudokia looked at Belisarios, who putted his hands over the map.
"There is no point on doing that. Victory at the sea, against a swarm of Italian galleys and minor ships of every other realm in the Mediterranean, would be too costly to achieve." The Emperor took a purple cross, and let it over Crete. "I've already recalled the navy, and stationated it on Crete. Their orders are to leave every Italian ship go through, without any opposition."
Exarch Polykarpos raised his eyebrows. "Excuse my impertenence, Kyrios, but are we going to let Latins sail over our waters without opposition?"
Belisarios took a second to answer. "Yes".
"This is madness!" both Exarchs shouted.
"No", intervened Prince Gennadios, also Count of Herakleia since the last week. "Its a trap".
Eudokia smiled, and came closer to the table. "We know where they want to strike, and those points are very carefully selected. The Italians want to give a deadly hit to the Empire, and probably let Germans and Franks to distribute the land after taking us out. That's why they are taking the risk of carrying thousands of fanatics on boats: they know that taking Constantinople ends everything".
It was true. All of the delicate and complex bureaucratic system depended of the Imperial Administration, as Exarchs authority was given only as an imperial mandate, not as a permanent title. Without the capital, the Emperor had no seat, and what kind of Roman Emperor would abandon Constantinople to the hands of barbarians, Latins, Muslims, or whatever people endangered the Empire at the time?
"They have choose to risk most of this invasion in a direct attack. In turn, we will prepare our walls. Constantinople has endured sieges before, and always won at the end. There is a difference this time, though." Two new purple crosses were put at the sides of the star that marked the capital.
"We will let them siege Constantinople. Sack our the farms outside the city, set camp, accumulate numbers. Then, we will crush them between Cataphracts and Walls." said Belisarios, sure of his words but knowing that, as the Italians were making a huge bet, he was too.
"Once we have defeated and massacred their armies, our fleets on Crete will be deployed along the Aegean, picking up the remains of their forces that tries to escape."
The Exarchs didn't question such plan. It was really dangerous letting the Latins reach the Empire's heart so easily, even if it was a trap, but the Basileus had already make the decision. Still there were other matters to discuss.
+7"That may be a big battle, probably decisive, but still just one. How are we going to stop the Catholic Kings to stop throwing us their people? Asking nicely?" said the tense Exarch Daniel. Tanhoiam almost raised his hand, as his diplomat career had taught him that, effectivly, sometimes asking with good manners is enough. Of course, this wasn't a diplomatic mission.
"Gennadios is going to lead an expedition from Panormos, and set siege to Rome: their Pope will become our hostage, and key to get out of this war. He will leave the city today, and command the Sicilian Thema, the western reinforcements, and volunteers".
All turned to the former Prince, many surprised that Belisarios was willing to give such important role -and stage to project his image- to probably the main claimant for the throne. Taking the Eternal City and winning the war was going to catapult Gennadios as a war hero, specially if he managed to avoid defeat on Italy while the rest of the Imperial Forces kept fighting defensively.
Gennadios simply nodded back to the Emperor, without a single word.
"Together with the Exarch of Sicily, they'll push north while we hold the center of the Empire. You two, Daniel and Polykarpos, will lead our troops by my side". Both Exarchs bowed to Belisarios, seeing it as a risky honor to be bestowed upon their hand, but not one they could refuse.
The council agreed and defined which places would have to be hold at any costs, visualizing the movement of Imperial troops, and designating them to missions and zones. Then, the only woman in the room talked again.
"There is one matter we haven't talked yet: The Fatimids are mobilizing too since the rumors of this "Crusade" were confirmed by their own spies. We don't know if this means that they'll attack us, or Jerusalem, but we must be alert." Eudokia added, closer to his husband, but pointing at Egypt: a muslim Egypt would always be a thorn in the side of Eastern Rome.
But one day soon, she thought, that threat would be gone.
By fire and steel.
-Few days later, on December 25, all would become clearer-
Finally, the map was filled with arrows and crosses. The war plans were ready, but no one knew if they would survive the first couple weeks of the conflict.
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Hi! This is not the full episode, which I'm still writing! Since classes started again this week, I've been a bit busy. Still, I want to post the first part of the chapter, which will set the events of Episode Six; "Under Siege".
The war has been... interesting. Very. A lot of things happened, and trying to make sense of it all is a challenge, no doubt! I guess its a bit like real life: you can have all the plans you want, but if you get hit by a car in your way home none of it matters.
Well... I hope you like it. As I said before, English is not my first language, so I'm taking a huuuge risk by writing that much without gameplay. Sorry for typos and grammatical mistakesl, but hey, I'm learning! Haha
I loved this so much that I had to add it. Thank you!!!
That's it for now. I have a Total War to win!
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Typical Fatimid intervention. Me thinks the Crusaders paid the Sultan so the Empire has two fight on two fronts, bah! No matter, once you defeat both enemies perhaps it is time to set eyes upon Egypt once you've rebuilt your strength. After all, the Empire could use the grain
Pesky Fatimids. Here's hoping that all remains hopeful in dealing a decisive blow against the Latins while protecting the East from Islamic threat. A single heretic is more dangerous than ten heathens.
No plan survives contact with the enemy - but the only thing that matters is that the empire survives. Somehow. It will be tough.
Episode 7 - "Under Siege" (1224-1227)
1224 - 1227
Episode Seven
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UNDER SIEGE
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"Fourth Crusade"
"Schism Bloodshed"
"First Roman Total War"
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The Shia Jihad had just been declared on Christmas. As the entire Mediterranean raised their arms against Constantinople, the Roman Themas were even more resolute: If they were defeated, there would be no Empire the next day. Their way of life, culture, religion, all was threatened. For the first time in a century, Rome would fight without allies, alone against the rising tide of enemies.
The deployment of troops was quick and precise. Any mistake could start an spiral set of events that would lead to total destruction. This was, truly, the first "total war" the Empire fought using all resources at hand, from people to geography.
Even independent local militias rose up to face the invaders, knowing that this war needed them all. This wasn't a fight for the desires of an Emperor, but for their families and their towns. The Crusader forces were zealous savages, as the Holy Land learnt the hard way after the First Crusade, and no one wanted that for their villages.
Then, a miracle happened.
Somehow, King Arpad of Greater Hungary had been defeated on his invasion of Bavaria. But, instead of going back home to lick his wounds, he quickly sent an offer of help against the Shia Jihad. Sure, this meant that Hungary was not going to clash with the forces of Catholic Europe, but at this point any help was appreciated.
The first great battle of the Total War would take place in the Straits of Otranto, at the coasts of Avlonas. Lead by the Prince-Bishop of Benevento, almost twenty thousand men took arms and tried to cross the straits by their own means, without any help from the Republics. Taking defensive positions along the coast, the much minor Roman Force could do nothing else but wait...
But as reinforcements from Italy kept coming, making the battle last for days, two consecutive victores were achieved on the opposite sides of the Empire. Fighting alongside the militas formed at Belgrade, the northern defenses stood firm against the Croatian route, sending them back and preparing for the next wave. And, in Syria, the almosf half of Outremer forces that dared to invade their own ally was destroyed, forcing them back to the deserts.
And after the fifth day of crusader waves against Avlona, specifically near Kanine, the Imperial defenders had managed a resounding success at expeling back to Italy the forces of Benevento, losing few more than nine hundred men to their almost ten thousand: Ten Latins lifes per one Roman.
But every victory doesn't last long. They still had to hold their post, bury their dead, and wait for the next assault, which would come much sooner than expected. And, back near Constantinople, a bold emir had advanced to the Bosphorus, maybe thinking that Byzantium would be in state of chaos. It wasn't.
Even when good news were arriving, a proof that the war plans of the council were correct, a devastating letter arrived to Constantinople: Protostator Gennadios had died, not in battle, but Measles, in a very unlucky outbreak in Sicily. Exarch and Despot Makarios II Palaiologos was besieging Rome while the note was written, trying to accomplish the mission assigned, but without the military genious of Gennadios, all became much more difficult.
The key of survival was Rome. Without it, there wasn't much but to fight the Crusaders at home.
As the plans on the West seemed unadequate to the new reality, Belisarios saw how his trap on Constantinople was luring the greater armies to the capital. This had to work, not just to get another victory, but to show the Empire that victory was attainable.
More reports, abandoned thanks to the state of war, started to accumulate on Manrike's desk. Worrying news came from the East, but nothing could preoccupy the Emperor more than the war he was fighting on.
A big army Shia army had landed near Jerusalem, and the Antiochean Thema had to quickly race to face it and avoid letting the infidel hordes to flood the countryside of Syria. It would be a difficult battle, but the Romans had stationated their troops on mountains, controlling the terrain and using it to their advantage. They had to hold the East until the Hungarians arrive, giving them the possibility of go back West and reinforce the capital. But, as they were willing to fight without any support, the Exarch of Antioch order them to retreat back to the capital. He wasn't going to risk his entire army without guarantees.
-While weakened, the Fatimids were no joke-
The Antiochian strategy also had an unexpected side effect: confident, their leaders seemed to have brought less water than needed, an so their numbers dwindled, but with reinforcements on the horizon they still surpased Roman numbers.
Even more good news came from Avlonas, where the local army still managed to repelar much bigger armies. The Adriatic Thema were slowing turning in legend with their unrelenting defense of the Empire, with stories of their bravery and sacrifice traleving from Belgrade to Tripoli.
Meanwhile, in Rome, things seemed to be going much better than expected. After getting excommunicated by the Pope for such "Crusade", the rest of Western Europe didn't really pay attention to what was happening on the Papal States. Few even thought that the Romans would even dare to attack the heart of Catholicism while being invaded... but they did.
Of course, this was but one of the battles Despot Makarios would have to fight but, for now, he had time before the Crusaders could react.
And while Rome was being taken, Belisarios' trap became reality. Ten of thousands of Crusaders were camping near the capital, preparing the siege. He just had to wait some days for reinforcements... if they even arrived.
Finally, the Hungarians had arrived to the Levant, and the Thema Antiocheia united forces with King Arpad. Quickly, both forces pursuited the invading Shia, locking them into battle with even more Hungarian troops incoming. Victory was assured that day.
Luckily for Belisarios, his trap was a resounding success: Latins from all Europe were gathering outside the walls of Constantinople, with their giganteous fleet cutting off the capital from her Empire. Trebuchet were already aiming to the city, with some succesful tests on the southern section of the Theodosian Walls. They have been hearing about the complications over the northern and western land routes, and how the Roman armies had hold their positions without much problems. While that sounded bad for the crusade, the Latins on Constantinople understanded it as the Empire focusing on its borders, leaving the Queen of Cities free for the taking.
That day Belisarios had to bet the destiny of the Roman Soul: The Sacking of Rome, in 410 AD, was a sign of the Western Empire's demise. If something like that could happen to Constantinople, then the days of Eastern Rome would be counted. This could not happen under his rule, he couldn't allow it... but still, he needed this; The Empire needed this. It was the only way to destroy all coordination, to scatter their leaders, and finally win this dreadful war.
Only by offering his heart to the enemy, Belisarios could take theirs.
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THE SIEGE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
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The first hits made by the trebuchet projectiles were felt on April 12, 1226. After some weeks of minor battles on Thrace, the Imperial Army had vanished, and now almost a hundred thousand men camped outside Constantinople. The Italian ships, unable to break through the chain that closed the Golden Horn, maintained their positions around the coastal walls, not getting too close until the general assault began. Three flags waved over the ships' masts: The Republics of Pisa, Genoa, and Venice, a sight that the citizens of Constantinople would hardly forget.
The Theodosian Walls were fully manned by soldiers and conscripts, as the defense of the city was vital. The red and purple flags of the Empire stood high as boulders started to fly over the defender's heads, with only half of the projectiles actually hitting the walls. The rest fell before the moats, or going beyond, destroying houses and ruining some of the inner farms.
Without the Basileus to lead the city's defenses, the populace was paralized. While the city guard kept order in the streets, inside their houses every citizen was thinking if they would survive the next day; after all, had anyone ever mustered an army so big before to siege only one city? Whatever supplies the Crusaders might have, they weren't going to last, and the city would come next.
What was worse than zealous, barbaric Crusaders? Surely, starving crusaders was not nice mental image, and every family inside the walls feared that such foes would end up plundering the city to the ground. Soon, after few days, conflict started to brew between the guard and the populace, demanding a way out of the city, like boats to escape through the Golden Horn. This was impossible, the guard said, as they would be massacred by the crusaders as the civilians dared to put one feet outside the walls.
A week after, and with more trebuchets firing at the gates, the city was about to explode. Half a million souls -making Constantinople the biggest city in Europe, and maybe the world-, desperate to run away from an army about one fifth of their numbers, started to physically clash with the guard. The Queen of Cities was about to have a civil uprising in the middle of a siege, and not because of food scarcity, but fear.
Then, fire would come from the darkening afternoon sky: gigantic boulders set on flames, coordinated to fire at the same time, started to violently attack the city. That wasn't all; new projectiles, lesser in size but more on numbers, started to hit the coastal towers. Every conflict between civilians and the guard stopped with a single gasp across Constantinople.
The assault had begun.
-Made by Callmevargo-
As fire started to propagate through the roofs and the guard tried to control it before it could engulf entire districts, the citizens fell into chaos. Imagining swarms of Latins striking at the walls, with unending hunger of blood and bread, fathers and mothers hold their children hands as they started marching to the northern harbours, those protected by the chain that stretched from Constantinople to Galata. Soon the streets were flooded by desperate people, hitting themselves as they tried to escape the seemingly inevitable demise of the Empire.
The ininterrupted onslaught was heard over all the city. Screams, buildings crumbling, and the sound of swords and pikes clashing with each other did nothing but to increase the chaos. Even closer to the city core was the attack on the south, where Venetian ships were coordinated the Republican effort to take the outer walls and divide the attention of the defenders. Ships crashing against the stone and their floating siege towers could be seen from the tallest buildings of Constantinople, something that the guard had no way to avoid. Rumours of the walls beign breached and its troops surpassed by Catholic savages easily spread over the people, who started running without direction and stepping over the poor fools that were thrown into the ground.
But then, an strage and inexplicable image stopped all the civilian movement. Marching down from the Palace district, with Hagia Sophia at her back, Basilissa Eudokia lead the Great Palace's garrison -the Noumeroi- to the outer walls of the city. Wearing full armour while also keeping her majesty untouched, the Empress opened her way through the desperate Romans. Her sight, so calmed and yet so determined while being closely followed by a portion of the Varangian Guard, made the populace open at her.
Then, feeling thousands of eyes over her, she raised the right hand, closing it in a fist.
After all, there was an Emperor leading the city at its darkest hour.
Basilissa Eudokia Komnenos.
-Made by Gambargin-
The sheer number of attackers was frightening. Uncountable ladders and siege towers could be seen approaching and assaulting the walls, as even more boulders were indiscriminately being fired while Crusaders were climbing, many times dying because of friendly fire. As days had passed, and Italian engineers landed on the Latin camps, their trebuchets had dangerously increased their accurency. Many towers were crumbling after repeated hits of flaming rocks, dispersing defenders for a moment and opening windows of time to unleash concentrated attacks on those zones.
Heavily damaged, the Theodosian Walls still stood against the enemy, has they had done before for centuries. While one wall was breached, another two defensive lines remained to hold the ground. Only one spark was enough to set ablaze the Roman banners, leaving uncountable golden eagles burning at the eyes of the Crusaders, who took it as a sign of unavoidable victory. The City of Constantine was at their grasp.
-One of the biggest armies of their time, the Fourth Crusade's forces were savage and impulsive-
The fight continued for days, only the nights giving relative rest to the defenders as the trebuchets continued firing, not caring if they hit the walls or the city buildings. Empress Eudokia constantly surpervised the troops on the superior wall, visiting the wounded and relieving commanders if they needed rest. Feeling her presence, the entire city began to calm down a cooperate with the guard, helping putting down fires and opening the roads for the soldiers. While the Basilissa never was force to pull out her sword at the enemy, soon the populace started to call her the "Fearless" Empress, as she stood over the walls even when arrows and rocks flew over her head, valiantly facing the enemy at the side of her people. Truly, she had Imperial blood on her veins, even when the Komnenos occupied the throne briefly.
-With 17 martial points, she could perfectly be one of my commanders-
With their attention focused on the walls, the Latins never thought possible to be attacked from the rear. The never ending shouting and the constant fall of projectiles against the walls distracted the zealous Catholics from the heavy charge that was coming from Thrake. At first it was just a small tremble, followed by dust on the horizon. After that, the flying banners of red, yellow and purple made a blurred line over what seemed to be an stampede.
Once again, the charge of the cataphracts would save a city.
-Made by Proxygreen-
By the time that the Italians realized the war cry wasn't theirs, it was too late: Belisarios' forces, lead personally by him, had already reached the camps. The bells of Constantinople, with its churches full of the faithful, rang when the news of the return of the Basileus arrived to Patriach Stephanos III. Confused, the Latins troops found themselves trapped between the unmerciful push of the Imperial Army and the damaged Theodosian Walls. Still, their command wasn't lost, and soon they managed to reorganize a pike line to stop the cataphract charge. Forming a disciplined line, the previously savage Crusaders became a unified force in the name of survival. At the shout of "Deus Vult", the pikes clashed with the metal armour of the Palaiologoi Tagmata. Loosing the momentum, the Roman Cataphracts had to retreat, only to leave behind a charging line of shields carrying the Chi Rho Cross painted over the red, and the sight of trebuchets on fire at their back.
The siege had failed, but the Crusaders would not leave without taking their toll on lifes.
In the aftermath of that crushing victory, the Italian Fleet would be defeated at the Battle of Kallipolis, trapped before they could leave the Marmara Sea: The Karabisianoi, or Imperial Navy, were still lords of the Mediterranean.
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Sadly, such success had its costs. One third of Belisarios' army was wounded, or dead, and one of his most trusted commanders, Exarch Polikarpos, had died in battle. Sacrifices had to be made, but no one said it would be easy.
-In his place, the new Exarch named Petros was a better commander, so it wasn't all that bad-
Battles on Syria had become much more crude, and the Antiochian Theme didn't find any moment to support the troops fighting Latins. In coordination with the Hungarians, they kept expulsing wave after wave of Shia fanatics.
Alarming reports were arriving from Italy, where the siege against the Papal State was still ongoing. While the mercenaries that Belisarios had paid to boost the troops of the Despot of Sicily, two big Toloussan armies had been seen walking down the Italian boot. It was obvious: they were going to relief the Pope.
It was a race against time, since another force of eighteen thousand men were following the vanguard. The mercenaries needed to arrive soon. No, now!
And so they did.
Once Belisarios heard the news, he was the one relieved. Those mercenaries were emptying the Imperial Treasury, but they surely were worthy if they had helped the siege of Rome to continue.
Things weren't looking so good in the East, though...
An Hungarian defeat near Tarsos and a new Jihad, this time a Sunni one, started to pressure even more the Empire from the East. While at the beginning the Fatimids seemed more like a distraction against the true threat, now both -or three?- sides were equally dangerous.
Then, bells sounded all over Europe, all because of the same, but with different meanings: Rome had finally been taken by the Empire.
The plan, originally made by Prince Gennadios, had seen its sucess under the unexpected capacity of Despot Makarios. Sailing in a sea of enemies, he had managed to hold and conquer at the same time. Now all the continent was in shock. How powerful truly was the Empire of the Greeks? While the Italians and Germans had breached their defenses, it was all a trap to corner their armies and destroy them. Even fighting Christians and Muslims at the same time, they were resisting, even if some fronts they were slowly losing terrain.
And today, the Pope was at their mercy, running for his life.
After a small battle near Nicopolis, Basileus Belisarios received a new notification: Finally, King Mtsislav was dead.
Even in the middle of war, those words brought happiness to the heart of the once abandoned child. His mother was coming home, after so many decades. He felt younger that week, more energetic, determined to preserve an Empire where he could receive his mother and let her, finally, meet his own family.
As time kept passing, money started to dissapear from the Crusader's treasuries. Suddenly, thousands of men began to return home, tired of almost three years of ininterrupted war and no salary. Many mercenary companies even betrayed their original contractors, joining the Roman side of the war under the promise of coin. While it was true, the Imperial coffers weren't able to support that many companies: time was running short on both sides of the conflict.
While the battle in the Western Front was holding, and the Crusader armies collapsing on themselves, the sitiation in Syria and Eastern Anatolia had quickly deteriorated. After a series of defeats under the combined but not coordinated effort of the Shia and Sunni forces, Hungary's reinforcements and the Antiochian Thema were almost annihilated on the Battle of the Taurus Mountains, leaving open the way for the Anatolian Plateau...
One last try would be made over the Strait of Otranto, where more Toloussan troops -totally ignoring the fact that the Papal States were being siege down, and the Pope on the run- tried to cross and open a new flank to flood the country side of Graecia, which had managed to stay completely untouched by the ill Crusade. Getting closer to stupidity than bravery, the French-Hispanian troops would be beaten, again, by the now acclaimed Adriatic Thema, reinforced by the local militias.
With victory at the grasp, Belisarios new he needed to reach peace soon with the West and focus on the Muslims invading the East. While the superior tactics, discipline and coordination of the Imperial armies had definitely won this war, the resources of Eastern Rome were limited, and soon his own personal money -which he had been using to pay personally to mercenaries and commanders- was almost gone, and the Themas and Tagmas of the Empire had lost too many men on already stretched thin positions. If one faction could be defeated, and one front permanently pacified, then all of the remaining resources would be reasigned to the East, and who knows, maybe even finish some unifinished business over there. He only needed one more victory, one more devastating success that could shatter the will of the entire Catholic to keep waging the war.
-The mountains of Phillipolis, the last refuge of the Crusader Armies that attacked the Empire-
"My Kyrios" said Mystikos Manrike, hastingly riding a horse to finally reach the Emperor as he marched to the mountains of Phillipolis, where some Crusaders were taking refuge. "I have... news".
"Good? Bad? Reports from Syria?" asked the Belisarios.
"No. Italy." answered the Spy Master, without detailing the nature. An unconfortable silence followed.
"Speak, Manrike, at once." insisted the Basileus, intrigued.
"Is the Pope, my Emperor. He's been captured."
"That's... surprising! Is that true? Does that mean that we have won the-...?"
"Pope Benedictus has been mutilated, executed, and his body hangs from the walls of Rome. Despot Makarios Palaiologos... expects new orders."
A dark expression took over Belisarios' face, conflicted.
While a part of him wished to be the one giving the order, and seeing the Pope paying for the sins of his people, his common sense told him a truth:
Catholic Europe would never forgive the horrendous image of the Holy Father's remains gutted over the Aurelian Walls.
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War still rages on! While the Catholics seem defeated, the threat on the East rises! The Schism between West and East has touched a new low, and relations between the two civilizations are absolutely destroyed. The Theodosian Walls are heavily damaged, unable to withstand another siege, and the Anatolian Plateau lies open of a new muslim invasion.Episode Seven
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UNDER SIEGE
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"Fourth Crusade"
"Schism Bloodshed"
"First Roman Total War"
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The Shia Jihad had just been declared on Christmas. As the entire Mediterranean raised their arms against Constantinople, the Roman Themas were even more resolute: If they were defeated, there would be no Empire the next day. Their way of life, culture, religion, all was threatened. For the first time in a century, Rome would fight without allies, alone against the rising tide of enemies.
The deployment of troops was quick and precise. Any mistake could start an spiral set of events that would lead to total destruction. This was, truly, the first "total war" the Empire fought using all resources at hand, from people to geography.
Even independent local militias rose up to face the invaders, knowing that this war needed them all. This wasn't a fight for the desires of an Emperor, but for their families and their towns. The Crusader forces were zealous savages, as the Holy Land learnt the hard way after the First Crusade, and no one wanted that for their villages.
Then, a miracle happened.
Somehow, King Arpad of Greater Hungary had been defeated on his invasion of Bavaria. But, instead of going back home to lick his wounds, he quickly sent an offer of help against the Shia Jihad. Sure, this meant that Hungary was not going to clash with the forces of Catholic Europe, but at this point any help was appreciated.
The first great battle of the Total War would take place in the Straits of Otranto, at the coasts of Avlonas. Lead by the Prince-Bishop of Benevento, almost twenty thousand men took arms and tried to cross the straits by their own means, without any help from the Republics. Taking defensive positions along the coast, the much minor Roman Force could do nothing else but wait...
But as reinforcements from Italy kept coming, making the battle last for days, two consecutive victores were achieved on the opposite sides of the Empire. Fighting alongside the militas formed at Belgrade, the northern defenses stood firm against the Croatian route, sending them back and preparing for the next wave. And, in Syria, the almosf half of Outremer forces that dared to invade their own ally was destroyed, forcing them back to the deserts.
And after the fifth day of crusader waves against Avlona, specifically near Kanine, the Imperial defenders had managed a resounding success at expeling back to Italy the forces of Benevento, losing few more than nine hundred men to their almost ten thousand: Ten Latins lifes per one Roman.
But every victory doesn't last long. They still had to hold their post, bury their dead, and wait for the next assault, which would come much sooner than expected. And, back near Constantinople, a bold emir had advanced to the Bosphorus, maybe thinking that Byzantium would be in state of chaos. It wasn't.
Even when good news were arriving, a proof that the war plans of the council were correct, a devastating letter arrived to Constantinople: Protostator Gennadios had died, not in battle, but Measles, in a very unlucky outbreak in Sicily. Exarch and Despot Makarios II Palaiologos was besieging Rome while the note was written, trying to accomplish the mission assigned, but without the military genious of Gennadios, all became much more difficult.
The key of survival was Rome. Without it, there wasn't much but to fight the Crusaders at home.
As the plans on the West seemed unadequate to the new reality, Belisarios saw how his trap on Constantinople was luring the greater armies to the capital. This had to work, not just to get another victory, but to show the Empire that victory was attainable.
More reports, abandoned thanks to the state of war, started to accumulate on Manrike's desk. Worrying news came from the East, but nothing could preoccupy the Emperor more than the war he was fighting on.
A big army Shia army had landed near Jerusalem, and the Antiochean Thema had to quickly race to face it and avoid letting the infidel hordes to flood the countryside of Syria. It would be a difficult battle, but the Romans had stationated their troops on mountains, controlling the terrain and using it to their advantage. They had to hold the East until the Hungarians arrive, giving them the possibility of go back West and reinforce the capital. But, as they were willing to fight without any support, the Exarch of Antioch order them to retreat back to the capital. He wasn't going to risk his entire army without guarantees.
-While weakened, the Fatimids were no joke-
The Antiochian strategy also had an unexpected side effect: confident, their leaders seemed to have brought less water than needed, an so their numbers dwindled, but with reinforcements on the horizon they still surpased Roman numbers.
Even more good news came from Avlonas, where the local army still managed to repelar much bigger armies. The Adriatic Thema were slowing turning in legend with their unrelenting defense of the Empire, with stories of their bravery and sacrifice traleving from Belgrade to Tripoli.
Meanwhile, in Rome, things seemed to be going much better than expected. After getting excommunicated by the Pope for such "Crusade", the rest of Western Europe didn't really pay attention to what was happening on the Papal States. Few even thought that the Romans would even dare to attack the heart of Catholicism while being invaded... but they did.
Of course, this was but one of the battles Despot Makarios would have to fight but, for now, he had time before the Crusaders could react.
And while Rome was being taken, Belisarios' trap became reality. Ten of thousands of Crusaders were camping near the capital, preparing the siege. He just had to wait some days for reinforcements... if they even arrived.
Finally, the Hungarians had arrived to the Levant, and the Thema Antiocheia united forces with King Arpad. Quickly, both forces pursuited the invading Shia, locking them into battle with even more Hungarian troops incoming. Victory was assured that day.
Luckily for Belisarios, his trap was a resounding success: Latins from all Europe were gathering outside the walls of Constantinople, with their giganteous fleet cutting off the capital from her Empire. Trebuchet were already aiming to the city, with some succesful tests on the southern section of the Theodosian Walls. They have been hearing about the complications over the northern and western land routes, and how the Roman armies had hold their positions without much problems. While that sounded bad for the crusade, the Latins on Constantinople understanded it as the Empire focusing on its borders, leaving the Queen of Cities free for the taking.
That day Belisarios had to bet the destiny of the Roman Soul: The Sacking of Rome, in 410 AD, was a sign of the Western Empire's demise. If something like that could happen to Constantinople, then the days of Eastern Rome would be counted. This could not happen under his rule, he couldn't allow it... but still, he needed this; The Empire needed this. It was the only way to destroy all coordination, to scatter their leaders, and finally win this dreadful war.
Only by offering his heart to the enemy, Belisarios could take theirs.
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THE SIEGE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
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The first hits made by the trebuchet projectiles were felt on April 12, 1226. After some weeks of minor battles on Thrace, the Imperial Army had vanished, and now almost a hundred thousand men camped outside Constantinople. The Italian ships, unable to break through the chain that closed the Golden Horn, maintained their positions around the coastal walls, not getting too close until the general assault began. Three flags waved over the ships' masts: The Republics of Pisa, Genoa, and Venice, a sight that the citizens of Constantinople would hardly forget.
The Theodosian Walls were fully manned by soldiers and conscripts, as the defense of the city was vital. The red and purple flags of the Empire stood high as boulders started to fly over the defender's heads, with only half of the projectiles actually hitting the walls. The rest fell before the moats, or going beyond, destroying houses and ruining some of the inner farms.
Without the Basileus to lead the city's defenses, the populace was paralized. While the city guard kept order in the streets, inside their houses every citizen was thinking if they would survive the next day; after all, had anyone ever mustered an army so big before to siege only one city? Whatever supplies the Crusaders might have, they weren't going to last, and the city would come next.
What was worse than zealous, barbaric Crusaders? Surely, starving crusaders was not nice mental image, and every family inside the walls feared that such foes would end up plundering the city to the ground. Soon, after few days, conflict started to brew between the guard and the populace, demanding a way out of the city, like boats to escape through the Golden Horn. This was impossible, the guard said, as they would be massacred by the crusaders as the civilians dared to put one feet outside the walls.
A week after, and with more trebuchets firing at the gates, the city was about to explode. Half a million souls -making Constantinople the biggest city in Europe, and maybe the world-, desperate to run away from an army about one fifth of their numbers, started to physically clash with the guard. The Queen of Cities was about to have a civil uprising in the middle of a siege, and not because of food scarcity, but fear.
Then, fire would come from the darkening afternoon sky: gigantic boulders set on flames, coordinated to fire at the same time, started to violently attack the city. That wasn't all; new projectiles, lesser in size but more on numbers, started to hit the coastal towers. Every conflict between civilians and the guard stopped with a single gasp across Constantinople.
The assault had begun.
-Made by Callmevargo-
As fire started to propagate through the roofs and the guard tried to control it before it could engulf entire districts, the citizens fell into chaos. Imagining swarms of Latins striking at the walls, with unending hunger of blood and bread, fathers and mothers hold their children hands as they started marching to the northern harbours, those protected by the chain that stretched from Constantinople to Galata. Soon the streets were flooded by desperate people, hitting themselves as they tried to escape the seemingly inevitable demise of the Empire.
The ininterrupted onslaught was heard over all the city. Screams, buildings crumbling, and the sound of swords and pikes clashing with each other did nothing but to increase the chaos. Even closer to the city core was the attack on the south, where Venetian ships were coordinated the Republican effort to take the outer walls and divide the attention of the defenders. Ships crashing against the stone and their floating siege towers could be seen from the tallest buildings of Constantinople, something that the guard had no way to avoid. Rumours of the walls beign breached and its troops surpassed by Catholic savages easily spread over the people, who started running without direction and stepping over the poor fools that were thrown into the ground.
But then, an strage and inexplicable image stopped all the civilian movement. Marching down from the Palace district, with Hagia Sophia at her back, Basilissa Eudokia lead the Great Palace's garrison -the Noumeroi- to the outer walls of the city. Wearing full armour while also keeping her majesty untouched, the Empress opened her way through the desperate Romans. Her sight, so calmed and yet so determined while being closely followed by a portion of the Varangian Guard, made the populace open at her.
Then, feeling thousands of eyes over her, she raised the right hand, closing it in a fist.
After all, there was an Emperor leading the city at its darkest hour.
Basilissa Eudokia Komnenos.
-Made by Gambargin-
The sheer number of attackers was frightening. Uncountable ladders and siege towers could be seen approaching and assaulting the walls, as even more boulders were indiscriminately being fired while Crusaders were climbing, many times dying because of friendly fire. As days had passed, and Italian engineers landed on the Latin camps, their trebuchets had dangerously increased their accurency. Many towers were crumbling after repeated hits of flaming rocks, dispersing defenders for a moment and opening windows of time to unleash concentrated attacks on those zones.
Heavily damaged, the Theodosian Walls still stood against the enemy, has they had done before for centuries. While one wall was breached, another two defensive lines remained to hold the ground. Only one spark was enough to set ablaze the Roman banners, leaving uncountable golden eagles burning at the eyes of the Crusaders, who took it as a sign of unavoidable victory. The City of Constantine was at their grasp.
-One of the biggest armies of their time, the Fourth Crusade's forces were savage and impulsive-
The fight continued for days, only the nights giving relative rest to the defenders as the trebuchets continued firing, not caring if they hit the walls or the city buildings. Empress Eudokia constantly surpervised the troops on the superior wall, visiting the wounded and relieving commanders if they needed rest. Feeling her presence, the entire city began to calm down a cooperate with the guard, helping putting down fires and opening the roads for the soldiers. While the Basilissa never was force to pull out her sword at the enemy, soon the populace started to call her the "Fearless" Empress, as she stood over the walls even when arrows and rocks flew over her head, valiantly facing the enemy at the side of her people. Truly, she had Imperial blood on her veins, even when the Komnenos occupied the throne briefly.
-With 17 martial points, she could perfectly be one of my commanders-
With their attention focused on the walls, the Latins never thought possible to be attacked from the rear. The never ending shouting and the constant fall of projectiles against the walls distracted the zealous Catholics from the heavy charge that was coming from Thrake. At first it was just a small tremble, followed by dust on the horizon. After that, the flying banners of red, yellow and purple made a blurred line over what seemed to be an stampede.
Once again, the charge of the cataphracts would save a city.
-Made by Proxygreen-
By the time that the Italians realized the war cry wasn't theirs, it was too late: Belisarios' forces, lead personally by him, had already reached the camps. The bells of Constantinople, with its churches full of the faithful, rang when the news of the return of the Basileus arrived to Patriach Stephanos III. Confused, the Latins troops found themselves trapped between the unmerciful push of the Imperial Army and the damaged Theodosian Walls. Still, their command wasn't lost, and soon they managed to reorganize a pike line to stop the cataphract charge. Forming a disciplined line, the previously savage Crusaders became a unified force in the name of survival. At the shout of "Deus Vult", the pikes clashed with the metal armour of the Palaiologoi Tagmata. Loosing the momentum, the Roman Cataphracts had to retreat, only to leave behind a charging line of shields carrying the Chi Rho Cross painted over the red, and the sight of trebuchets on fire at their back.
The siege had failed, but the Crusaders would not leave without taking their toll on lifes.
In the aftermath of that crushing victory, the Italian Fleet would be defeated at the Battle of Kallipolis, trapped before they could leave the Marmara Sea: The Karabisianoi, or Imperial Navy, were still lords of the Mediterranean.
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Sadly, such success had its costs. One third of Belisarios' army was wounded, or dead, and one of his most trusted commanders, Exarch Polikarpos, had died in battle. Sacrifices had to be made, but no one said it would be easy.
-In his place, the new Exarch named Petros was a better commander, so it wasn't all that bad-
Battles on Syria had become much more crude, and the Antiochian Theme didn't find any moment to support the troops fighting Latins. In coordination with the Hungarians, they kept expulsing wave after wave of Shia fanatics.
Alarming reports were arriving from Italy, where the siege against the Papal State was still ongoing. While the mercenaries that Belisarios had paid to boost the troops of the Despot of Sicily, two big Toloussan armies had been seen walking down the Italian boot. It was obvious: they were going to relief the Pope.
It was a race against time, since another force of eighteen thousand men were following the vanguard. The mercenaries needed to arrive soon. No, now!
And so they did.
Once Belisarios heard the news, he was the one relieved. Those mercenaries were emptying the Imperial Treasury, but they surely were worthy if they had helped the siege of Rome to continue.
Things weren't looking so good in the East, though...
An Hungarian defeat near Tarsos and a new Jihad, this time a Sunni one, started to pressure even more the Empire from the East. While at the beginning the Fatimids seemed more like a distraction against the true threat, now both -or three?- sides were equally dangerous.
Then, bells sounded all over Europe, all because of the same, but with different meanings: Rome had finally been taken by the Empire.
The plan, originally made by Prince Gennadios, had seen its sucess under the unexpected capacity of Despot Makarios. Sailing in a sea of enemies, he had managed to hold and conquer at the same time. Now all the continent was in shock. How powerful truly was the Empire of the Greeks? While the Italians and Germans had breached their defenses, it was all a trap to corner their armies and destroy them. Even fighting Christians and Muslims at the same time, they were resisting, even if some fronts they were slowly losing terrain.
And today, the Pope was at their mercy, running for his life.
After a small battle near Nicopolis, Basileus Belisarios received a new notification: Finally, King Mtsislav was dead.
Even in the middle of war, those words brought happiness to the heart of the once abandoned child. His mother was coming home, after so many decades. He felt younger that week, more energetic, determined to preserve an Empire where he could receive his mother and let her, finally, meet his own family.
As time kept passing, money started to dissapear from the Crusader's treasuries. Suddenly, thousands of men began to return home, tired of almost three years of ininterrupted war and no salary. Many mercenary companies even betrayed their original contractors, joining the Roman side of the war under the promise of coin. While it was true, the Imperial coffers weren't able to support that many companies: time was running short on both sides of the conflict.
While the battle in the Western Front was holding, and the Crusader armies collapsing on themselves, the sitiation in Syria and Eastern Anatolia had quickly deteriorated. After a series of defeats under the combined but not coordinated effort of the Shia and Sunni forces, Hungary's reinforcements and the Antiochian Thema were almost annihilated on the Battle of the Taurus Mountains, leaving open the way for the Anatolian Plateau...
One last try would be made over the Strait of Otranto, where more Toloussan troops -totally ignoring the fact that the Papal States were being siege down, and the Pope on the run- tried to cross and open a new flank to flood the country side of Graecia, which had managed to stay completely untouched by the ill Crusade. Getting closer to stupidity than bravery, the French-Hispanian troops would be beaten, again, by the now acclaimed Adriatic Thema, reinforced by the local militias.
With victory at the grasp, Belisarios new he needed to reach peace soon with the West and focus on the Muslims invading the East. While the superior tactics, discipline and coordination of the Imperial armies had definitely won this war, the resources of Eastern Rome were limited, and soon his own personal money -which he had been using to pay personally to mercenaries and commanders- was almost gone, and the Themas and Tagmas of the Empire had lost too many men on already stretched thin positions. If one faction could be defeated, and one front permanently pacified, then all of the remaining resources would be reasigned to the East, and who knows, maybe even finish some unifinished business over there. He only needed one more victory, one more devastating success that could shatter the will of the entire Catholic to keep waging the war.
-The mountains of Phillipolis, the last refuge of the Crusader Armies that attacked the Empire-
"My Kyrios" said Mystikos Manrike, hastingly riding a horse to finally reach the Emperor as he marched to the mountains of Phillipolis, where some Crusaders were taking refuge. "I have... news".
"Good? Bad? Reports from Syria?" asked the Belisarios.
"No. Italy." answered the Spy Master, without detailing the nature. An unconfortable silence followed.
"Speak, Manrike, at once." insisted the Basileus, intrigued.
"Is the Pope, my Emperor. He's been captured."
"That's... surprising! Is that true? Does that mean that we have won the-...?"
"Pope Benedictus has been mutilated, executed, and his body hangs from the walls of Rome. Despot Makarios Palaiologos... expects new orders."
A dark expression took over Belisarios' face, conflicted.
While a part of him wished to be the one giving the order, and seeing the Pope paying for the sins of his people, his common sense told him a truth:
Catholic Europe would never forgive the horrendous image of the Holy Father's remains gutted over the Aurelian Walls.
_______________________________
The Empire, though, resists!
Thanks for reading! And remember, THE EMPIRE NEEDS YOU TO DO YOUR PART!
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THEN THE CATAPHRACTS ARRIVED
COMING DOWN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Fantastic chapter btw. Things are starting to become dire in the East, lets hope that the Romans can survive relatively unscathed against the Latins
COMING DOWN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Fantastic chapter btw. Things are starting to become dire in the East, lets hope that the Romans can survive relatively unscathed against the Latins
Thanks! And indeed, Byzantium did, is and will fight to the end!
THEN THE CATAPHRACTS ARRIVED
COMING DOWN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Fantastic chapter btw. Things are starting to become dire in the East, lets hope that the Romans can survive relatively unscathed against the Latins
THEN THE CATAPHRACTS ARRIVED
COMING DOWN THEY TURNED THE TIDE
The war against the Latins is almost done, and I have to thank Queen Ase of Jerusalem for holding the Seljuks back while their Caliph decc'ed on me! If not, Armenia would be probably lost at this point.
Oof! That strategy was crazy. I had promised myself that if Constantinople fell, I wouldn't care about the warscore and surrender to the Pope, shattering the Empire! Luckily for me, Belisarios is a great general and the Latin forces were joining one by one to the battle, getting crush one after the other, lol!
That's what i call charge of rohirrim
CONSTANTINOPLE CALLS FOR AID
DEATH, DEATH, DEAAATH!
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I want to say that I got quite some defeats on the East, but I clicked Enter and lost the Battle Summaries too many times. That's why my 12k men on Antioch got reduced to 3k in the screenshots.
See you soon! Thank you all for your comments!
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