The Komnenus System, a Byzantine Empire AAR

[Basil II]

Romain Emperors of this AAR:


Alexios I "The Great" Komnenus (1075-1120) (45)
Michael VII "The Brief" Komnenus (1120-1123) (3)
Heraculis II Komnenus (1123-1146) (23)
Sofia I Komnenus (Co-Empress) (1141-1155) (14)
Konstantinos XI Komnenus "Dragases" (1146-1156) (10)
Ambrosia I Komnenus (Co-Empress, Regent) (1156-)
Justinian III Komnenus (1156-)


I'm finally going to tackle a major AAR.

Here's the setup:

- 1.03b

- Normal/Normal (to be increased later)

- No WC, will only conquer territories that the Byzantine Empire has historic claim to. I'm not Peter Ebbesen anyway

- I start out as Alexios Komenus, who is the best character in the Byzantine Empire, as far as ability.

- I will seek to replace those awful Dukases as soon as possible. After all, Issakos I should have named ME, not Constantine X as his sucessor

- The "Komnenus System" will be implimented (some historians call it thus), Komeni will be placed in charge of as much of the Empire as possible, and even moved into other realms. We shall be the Habsburg's of the East.

- The style of updates will vary. I may do letters sometimes, like Peter (I love that style), I may do updates "in character" of my current character or related character, etc. Sometimes I will do updates in the style of a historian.

- I do intend to make use of breeding, including inbreeding between family branches to keep my heirs strong. Whether or not this will have an effect on my characters later on... Read on...

- I will give updates of the rest of the world when occasion merits.

- I intend to play to the end of a "normal" CK game, but I may convert to EU2, or elect to use an unlimited time patch to continue beyond 1452.

- No cheats will be used (except nofog when making screenshots), but I will be making use of CrusaderEd to change portraits and edit names if I don't like what I get in game. As that is purely aesthetic, it's not cheating

 

[Basil II]

The Set Up Part II

The domain of Alexios Komnenus, Prince of Kappadokia:

Alexius Komnenus and his new bride, Adelias De Ponthieu:

 

[Fall of Stars]

I will point out that Peter himself explicitly denied going for a WC in Byzantine Letters, and look where he is now.

Still, best of luck, both with game and AAR.

-D.

 

[Basil II]

Thanks. There should be a small update tonight. I hope to at least get the throne. The Komnenus Division of Assasinations, Marriage, and Inbreeding shall be very active when needed

If the rest of the world chooses to bow before the One True Emperor, well, the Komeni will oblige them

 

[Basil II]

Chapter I: 1066-1075 The Prince

I, Alexios Komnenus, do start this journal of my journey from being a jilted prince in Asia to Basileos. I shall supplement it from time to time with correspondance, with writings that please me, and other miscellary.

I, of course, am the proper heir to the throne. I should have been chosen by Issakos I. I am yet still young, and my ambition yet large. The old fool Dukas pretender on the throne shall yet have to yield it to myself.

1/15/67

I have managed to convince Phillip Capet, barbarian king of the Franks to allow me to marry his chancellor, Adelais De Ponthieu, a beautiful Frankish woman who shall bear the Komenus family a strong and capable heir.

2/10/1067

Salerno has agreed to become my vassal! Chancellor Valsamon is to be commended! Thanks to this development, I am now second in line of sucession.

2/11/1067

Thanks to my superior skill on the battlefield, Adelias is expecing the first child of Alexios I, The Great. I am almost as proud of my young and beautiful barbarian wife as I am of my acomplishments in Salerno.

2/22/1067

I have decided that Salerno is too fine a province to not be part of my personal demense. The barbarian count has, of course, accepted my proclimation.

6/30/1067

The old fool Dukas has started a war with the Mohammedians in Al-Jazeera. So, I've built a recruiting center in my capital in preparation of the day I must intervene to save his incompetent arse.

9/6/1067

My first child is born, and her name is Stania. Unfortunately she shall not inherit the Imperial Throne, but the marriage she will attract will further the Komneni cause.

1/1/1068

Dukas seems to be doing better than expected in Al-Jazeera, so I've declared war on the next infidel petty kingdom, Palmyra. To keep the old clubfoot from getting in my way, I've declared war on all their petty puppet lackeys.

Proving that Old Dukas is an unfit fool, my tactic worked! They bypassed Aleppo to take on the lesser provinces. Aleppo was immediately beseiged by the Komeni armies.

4/21/1068

A letter from my dear wife and future Empress, Adelais Komnenus:

My Basielios:

I am expecting once again!

I knew that the spirits you found yourself in the night before leaving for your campaign to oust the infidels from the Holy Land would find favor with our Catholic God.

May he be our first son and heir.

Shall we name him Charlemagne?

With Love

Adelais

 

[Basil II]

3/31/1068

Victory!

My armies have defeated the infidel rabble infesting the great city of Aleppo. Dukas's clubfoot was nowhere to be found as the Komneni coat of arms was raised above the city, along with the Roman Eagle.

Since Dukas has beseiged the last remaining province of Palmyra, I have decided to let my troops return home. Why spend my own money to further the cause of the old fool!

4/1/1068

At last! I, Alexios I Komnenus has now been acknowledged the sucessor of Konstantious Dukas, the Pretender.

1/21/1069

Perhaps I am now paying for my arrogance. My lovely wife, Adelais has died in childbirth.

1/26/1069

Unfortunately, there is no time to mourn. There is an heir to be sired. I have married a courtier from Croatia, Jadvisa Kosaca, a spinster spymaster. However, she is a very lustful woman, and I believe she shall bear me my heir in short order.

Note to self: Have Marshall Petros schedule more practice for my gladius and shield skills. I need all the stamina I can get.

3/17/1069

Jadvisa is pregnant! This proves that God has not taken offense to my pride.

May he please grant me a son who shall lead the Empire to greater glory!

5/24/1069

The peasants want the end of Serfdom. Who do they think THEY are?

12/18/1069

AT LAST!

Other than my inevitable sucession to the throne of Issakos I Komnenus, I have accomplished my other great goal: My son and heir, Michael Komnenus has been born!

 

[Basil II]

7/13/1070

Our researchers in Ankyra have discovered Divine Rights. I thought this was already known.

7/23/1070

Jadviga is once again expecting. May we have another son and heir to join Michael.

12/16/1070

I have decided to further strengthen the Imperial position in South Italy. The old fool, Dukas has entered into an alliance with the Duke of Apulia, so I've made my quite legitimate claim to the province of Capua. The invasion shall begin at once!

3/28/1070

Capua is again part of the Empire! With Naples, Capua, and Salerno once again loyal to the Roman Empire, we now have a solid base to launch the reconquest of South Italy from the Norman barbarians.

4/15/1071

Another daughter! Eudokia is born. I shall find a cousin to marry her off to in due course.

5/1/1071

A thieves guild has set up operation in Pappalagoia. I have begun construction of Courts of Imperial Justice in all provinces in the Komeni demense. It is a sad testament to the degeneracy of the Dukas farce that this sort of thing has spread throught the Empire.

8/29/1071

Jadviga is expecting again! I hope that it is a prince to serve my heir Michael.

11/4/1071

Dukas proves his ineffectiveness once again! He launches foreign adventures (of which he did little but steal glory from) while ignoring the greater good of the Empire... A smuggler's ring has spread to my demense.

"Emperor" Clubfoot continues to degenerate, yet somehow hold on to life. Satan must be his ally.

5/29/1072

Another daughter! Simonis has been born. I hope my ageing wife manages to have another son or two lest I have to set her aside...

 

[Basil II]

7/9/1072

My good friend, and most faithful servant, Chancellor Valsamon has died. His dimplomacy helped gain us Salerno without bloodshed. May he rest with God.


2/1/1073

Jadviga is once again expecting! We don't need many more daughters...

Ah, but I shouldn't be such a pessimist. God has granted me such great fortune so far!

2/19/1073

I have decided that Stania, my firstborn daughter, and only child of my first marriage with Adelais shall be educated in the court. She shall make a fine Steward some day.

9/13/04

A letter from my dear wife Jadviga:

My Basileous:

That daughter of your first marriage has killed her pets! Whatever shall we do with her? Is that what those Franks do for entertainment?

With Love,

Princess Javiga, Spymaster of Kappadokia

Prince:

Your daughter, Stania, has taken up revenge against those who give her the slightest insult. She takes being called a "Frank" personally.

Your Servant,

Anna Gidos, Steward of Kappadokia

9/29/1073

It seems we have now discovered how to refine salt. For some reason, this makes the idea of eating fried string cut potatoes dipped in crushed and refined tomato sauce more appealing. Certainly it's a finer food that Lutefisk, something I've only heard rumors of from our Varagnian Guard, but never fortunately experienced.

10/5/1073

I shall hope my next child is a daughter in a test of inverse psychology. I have another daughter, Zoe Komnenus.

2/26/1075

New recruits to our Varagnian Guard from the broken barbarian North have reported to me that the Pictish Kingdom has collapsed. It seems the Normans who have overrun our former British posessions are responsible.

3/2/1075

At last! Years overdue, but finally the Empire has a proper Emperor! Great times are ahead. May God have mercy on the infidel and barbarian, for there shall be none from the Komeni!

Roman Empire at the beginning of Alexios I Komnenus's reign, March 2, 1075

Alexios I Komnenus's Demense and Vassals

 

[Solmyr]

Looking good. Playing the Komneni is something I've been planning to do myself.

 

[stnylan]

A very good start. By the sounds of it Alexios should be thankful that he has at least the one son!

 

[unmerged(15557)]

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩ ΝΙΚΑ!

 

[Basil II]

Chapter II: Fixing the mess (1075-1084)

From the Chronicles of Imperial Princess Stania Komnenus "My father, Alexios The Great: In my own words"

1075

My father Alexios had become Emperor by 1075 at the death of Konstantinos Dukas, and he inherited an Empire weakened by years of civil wars.

Alexios I's first act as Emperor was to create himself King of Bulgaria and Serbia, thus helping bind those areas to the Romaion Empire. Next, he changed the disasterous Elective sucession law to Semisalic Consagnuity. There was much grumbling among the princelings, some of whom plotted to later amend this deed.

But for the time being the coffers of Constantinople managed to soothe the transition.

One of Father's first acts was to pursue an agressive policy towards crime. The smugglers ring that had plagued us in Kappadokia was put down as an example of what happens to those who seek a dishonest life. He then embarked on constructing Imperial Courts of Justice throught his realm.

1076

Alexios, ever seeking to rebuild the Romaion position in Italy, pulled off a coup. We became allied with Anslem, Patriarch of Rome. This was done to help isolate the Normans of Apulia, in preparation for their conquest.

Asas, a province taken from the Mohammedians in the Dukas Wars converted to the One True Faith, the Church of Constanople.

Also this year, father decided to have my brother Michael educated at court, as well as my sister Eudokia.

In October, word reached our court that smallpox had broken out in Capua. Father ordered the Patriarch to pray for our new Imperial citizens there, and God's grace came down ending the epidemic just a month later.

1077

Father elected to allow the Church to collect extra tithes from the peasants.

In August, our Chancellor, Konstantinos died and was eulogiezed by Emperor Alexios himself in the Hagia Sophia.

Father then decided that he'd had enough of the encroachment of the Venetian traders... He revived our quite legitimate claim to own Venice. He intended to go to war with them the following year.

 

[Basil II]

1078

My sister Simonis was sent off for a court education early in the year. But the big event was on March 26th, when Father Alexios declared war against the Venetian traitors.

The Patriarch of Rome mobilized in support of the Empire and sent 3,000 troops to aid in the seige of Venice. Father himself led over 20,000 Romaion troops, an invincible force...

In April, my brother Michael took an interest in the Church.

By August, Venice surrendered to Father! Constantinople became the unquestioned center of world commerce.

Father then returned home in triumph, embarking on construction projects aroind the Empire to cement the people's loyalty.

A thieves guild made up of degenerate sympathizers of the last Dogue of Venice formed later in the year. A court of justice was constructed to hang these traitors.

1079

My sister Simonis became the object of every cruelty of her playmates. Did they not know that it's unwise to invite the VENGEANCE of an Imperial Princess?! They would find out...

Simonis became isolated from her parent's love around that time. Being a middle child, she didn't have the attention that Michael and myself had.

Around this time, Father decided to honor Marshall Petros Chamaretos for his faithful service.

1080

The bandit Robert De Hauteville became controller of the Patriarch of Rome. We gave that event little concern, as while he may "control" the Patriarch, we were his ally. And we could mass many times the pitiful Norman forces.

Around this time, my brother Michael took an interest in religion. Father encouraged this, but it resulted in his becoming selfish.

 

[Basil II]

1080 Continued

Later that year, a miracle happened at court! My step mother Jadviga became pregnant! There was much celebration in Constantinople as Father hoped that a second son to serve Michael would be born.

Father sent Eudokia to the Patriarch for religious training to repay God for the favor He'd shown.

 

[Basil II]

Chapter II Part II: Rebellion, Rebellion and Justice (1081-1084)

From the Journal of Alexios I Komnenus, Basileos Romaion

1/9/1081

I did not have long to bask in the victory at Venice and the greater victory of the Empress's unexpected fertility (a greater trumph than 10 Venices if she has a son!) when the Prince of Ladikeia rebelled, declaring himself Emperor.

Naturally, this could not stand, and we invaded.

2/24/1081

Ladikea's assault on Smyrna failed as I personally led our powerful Praetorian Legions against them. From then it was on to their capital.

5/1/1081

The rebel capital has fallen and Ladikeia is now once again part of the Romaion Empire. I have assumed the title of Prince in the interim with the intent of granting it to a son later.

5/29/1081

My loyal courtier, Anna Gidos, who has at times served as Spymaster and Steward, has retired from my court due to growing illness related to her intestinal worms. Being a generous Emperor, she shall be well cared for, as all who are loyal to Constantinople shall be.

9/16/1081

Though I hid my disappointment from dear Jadviga, she has had a daughter. We named her Theodora. May she be as wise as the great Empress who advised Justinian.

3/26/1082

My son and sole hope for the Empire, Michael has taken up riding wild through the woods in Thrace... I have decided to encourage it, lest he become lazy...

Fortunately, he has come to no injury so far.

5/28/1082

My daughter Zoe has been killing her pets. She is cruel. She shall be forbidden any more pets.

10/5/1082

TREASON!!!

The Prince of Serbia, the bandit Konstantin Vujoslav declared himself independant. My legions march immediately with the goal of bringing his head back to Constantinople. Preferably divorced from his body.

12/20/1082

A famine has occured in Constantinople. I have opted to mitigate it, as a true Romaion would. Our forces have defeated and now lay siege to the bandit of Serbia's demense.

 

[Basil II]

4/10/1083

The Prince of Strymon has decided to join Serbia in rebellion! The backstabbing CUR!

I am avoiding general mobilization at this time to avoid injuring the loyalty of other Princes... But I have asked Michael Dukas, who has the closest force to them to mobilize and invade.

Yes, this is a great injury to my pride, to ask anything of a Dukas.

The Rebellion of 1082-83

 

[Basil II]

5/4/1083

We have defeated Serbia in Hum. Their fall is but days away.

5/7/1083

My beloved first daughter Stania, sole child of my first wife Adelais has become known as a Charismatic Negotiator. She has told me she wants to write a chronicle of my reign. I've let her start reading my journal.

5/13/1083

Serbia has surrendered! They are once again part of the Empire, and I've decided to retain the title Prince of Serbia until I have a son to grant it to.

Now that Serbia has been dispatched, the full fury of the Empire will now march on Strymon! Michael Dukas deserves credit for keeping their forces occupied... I shall reward him, someday.

No, he will NOT marry Stania...

8/5/1083

I have begun my siege on Strymon itself. This Rebellion is near it's end.

8/30/1083

Strymon surrenders!

The Eternal Empire once again controls the Balkans.

9/11/1083

Venice has been converted to the One True Faith and decided to acknowledge the Patriarch of Constantinople. Also, Greeks dominate the province.

12/27/1083

A sad day, and a glorious day. Imperial Princess Stania has come of age, and I've married her to Nikephoros Katotiko, a very talented man. I've also made her my Chancellor. Her children should be strong in diplomacy and stewardship...

5/22/1084

I've opted to not call the Senate (Estates General). I do not need to bow before anyone and lose prestige, no matter how nice the gold would be.

6/5/1084

Michael, heir to all my hopes has taken up with a merchant. I've opted to encourage him to seek lessons from others.

 

[Basil II]

Romaion Empire in 1084

Demense of Alexios I Komnenus in 1084

 

[Basil II]

How do you all like my AAR so far? Which style do you prefer?

 

[stnylan]

It's a good AAR. What I like is the mix of styles, it a bit like reading from a sourcebook, rather than one or t'other.

Plus its always nice to see the Venetians put in thier place