Hail Empress Theodora of the Byzantines
- Thread starter vciver
- Start date
It's the year 4000 B.C, the dawn of civilisation. Mankind has come out of the 'nomadic ages' and has settled down. Amongst those numerous tribes, was one who called themselves the Byzantines. They were lead by their chief Empress Theodora.
We start close to the sea and we shall call it the Sea of Byzantine.
We start close to the sea and we shall call it the Sea of Byzantine.
I tell my people that Byzantium is going to be a peaceful civilization. We will not think about war or armies at least in the ancient age. We shall concentrate on developing a civilisation not a war machine !
SO, I concentrate on settler production and scientific research. In the year 1830 bc our civilisation looks like this :
SO, I concentrate on settler production and scientific research. In the year 1830 bc our civilisation looks like this :
I have made contact with the Arabs to the North-west. Arabia is a very backward civilisation. It is still illeterate and is penniless which means my options for trade with it are limited.
I have the Greeks to the west. The Greeks have the hoplite, so it is conceivable to think of attacking them.
Further to the south there are the Persians. Of the lot they seem to be the most advanced of the lot. Although I have a lead in terms of science.
I am able to produce chariots. So I plan to dissuade them from attacking by posting these chariots in frontier positions to give the impression that I have a large military.
As of now, I have little or no military. My plan is to concentrate on development and wonders. After this, I plan to produce lots of workers to develop the tiles and countryside. We need to develop the mines to increase the rate of production.
I have the Greeks to the west. The Greeks have the hoplite, so it is conceivable to think of attacking them.
Further to the south there are the Persians. Of the lot they seem to be the most advanced of the lot. Although I have a lead in terms of science.
I am able to produce chariots. So I plan to dissuade them from attacking by posting these chariots in frontier positions to give the impression that I have a large military.
As of now, I have little or no military. My plan is to concentrate on development and wonders. After this, I plan to produce lots of workers to develop the tiles and countryside. We need to develop the mines to increase the rate of production.
Fundamentality
WEE A PLANE!!!
I know whyvciver said:
and I hope you win!
It's the year 390 BC and Byzantium has entered a goldan age! We made contact with the Sumerians and the Romans who live on the continent of Alba (the other Celtic continent).
Byzantium still does not have anything resembling a proper military. So, I have decided to begin the development of one. We will need some pikeman units for defense, horsemen and swordsmen/medieval infantry for attack and perhaps artillery if that is going to be useful at all.( What do ye all think ?)
I am thinking of attacking Egypt first of all, once I develop my military and then see what happens. I have the maps below, so tell me if you agree!
Byzantium still does not have anything resembling a proper military. So, I have decided to begin the development of one. We will need some pikeman units for defense, horsemen and swordsmen/medieval infantry for attack and perhaps artillery if that is going to be useful at all.( What do ye all think ?)
I am thinking of attacking Egypt first of all, once I develop my military and then see what happens. I have the maps below, so tell me if you agree!
Fundamentality
WEE A PLANE!!!
I think you should attack Egypt first and then Greece.Remeber Greece is weak(est) so you shouldn't have a problem with that Oh and one more thing,you should occupy the area between Nicomedia and Septum
Oh and one more thing,you should occupy the area between Nicomedia and SeptumA peoples calling themselves the Byzantines had come into existence about three and a half thousand years back. In the ancient era, various Byzantine tribes were ruled by tribal chiefs and warlords in a despotic fashion. The largest among these depotates was Constantinople, named after one of its earliest chieftains, Constantine.
When, Justinian inherited the chieftainship of Constantinople, he embarked on a campaign of expansion adivsed by the chief of his armed forces. His armed forces were lead by the young but able general Theodora. Theodora was from the common people. She started her career as a commoner, a plebian, in fact as a dancer in Justinian's court. When barbarian tribes attacked Constantinople, she enlisted to join the defence of the city. She defended Constantinople heriocally and was awarded a medal by the chieftain Justinian. Because of this she was allowed the previllage to move up in rank, normally denied to commoners. Soon, she became a general. Under her, the forces of Constantinople subdued all of the Byzantine tribes. Almost all the chieftains either surrendered or were captured by the brave general Theodora.
The depotate of Byzantium was established by Justinian with its capital at Constantinople. However, discontent began to spread far and wide as the people felt that the whole of Byzantium could not be ruled as one desptotate. Revolts began to spring up in the far corners. Justinian seemed unable to deal with the revolting and rioting. Some began to demand that he abdicate. These cries began to intensify as the looting and killing became more and more regular.
During her travels for conquest, General Theodora had come across the ideas of polytheism and monarchy. She felt sure that only these ideas could save Byzantium without nullifying all her efforts of bringing all the Byzantine tribes under one ruler.
Soon, the whole of Byzantium collapsed into anarchy. Theodora felt sure that now was the time to act. With the support of the military, whose loyalty she had cultivated over the years, she mounted an attack on the palace of Chieftain Justinian. However, there was no opposition to be attacked as Theodora had seen to it that all the military units at Constantinople at that time were fearcely loyal to her. Besides, most people had lost confidence in Justinian following the collapse of Byzantium into anarchy.
Theodora ordered her troops to capture Justinian and his council of advisors. With Justinian in the dungeons, Theodora was the head of Byzantine. She proclaimed herself the Empress of Byzantium. She claimed to be a representative of the Gods on Earth. Byzantium was no longer a despotate, she said. The Gods had commanded that Byzantium be a monarchy and Theodora be the Empress of all the peoples who originated from the Byzantine tribes. This message was accepted by all those around Constantinople and the anarchy largely subsided here.
In the far off regions to the west, Justinian's brother Hectorius was leading a revolt against the Empress. With their newly discovered zeal, Empress Theodora dispatched her troops to fight the barbarian Hectorius. The supporters of Hectorius were massacred in the thousands by Theodora's troops. In the 'reconquered' cities, new governors were appointed by the Empress herself, who oversaw the execution of thousands upon thousands of suspected opponents of Theodora. Theodora herself supported and encouraged her troops to cleanse the cities of unbelievers in the Empress and her divine mission. It was only with much brutality that her opponents could be overcome.
Hectorius himself was captured finally. He was brought to Constantinople. There, the Empress ordered that he be taken through the streets of Constantinople by the guards so that the people could see what had happened to him. The people cheered as they watched the 'evil' Hectorius in chains. The Empress passed a decree that Hectorius be chained to the walls of the dungeons below the palace until she decided his future fate.
Around this time, people began to be curious about Justinian. Empress Theodora decided to hold the 'trial' of Justinian. He had been chained to the walls in the darkness of the dungeons for the last six months with only moth-infested food and a few drops of water each day. He was unaware of who had captured him or what had happened. If he asked any questions to the guards, he only received silence for the guards had been instructed not to talk to him. Thus, he was quite relieved to learn from a messenger that he was to be produced before the Empress next week.
Empress Theodora's palace boasted of a large outdoors balcony at a reasonable height from the ground. Here she had her 'outdoors court' from where she addressed the commoners who would assemble below, on various occasions. This platform was also used for public 'trials', award ceremonies etc. News went out that Justinian would be produced before the Empress next week.
The moment of truth had arrived. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside. In mid-morning, the Empress herself appeared clad in her throne and to be greeted with huge cheers. She seated herself on the throne. On the sides of the throne, two men knelt, and two others stood on either side fanning the Empress. She called for 'Lucius' who was her personal assistant. Lucius knelt down and bowed before the Empress and asked her what she wanted. The Empress commanded him to arrange to produce the prisoner.
A few minuted later, Justinian was led in chains by two guards. His hands were tied behind his back and his legs were tied together. He was shoved by his arm and asked to kneel as they approached the Empress. Justinian looked up and was shocked to see Theodora. He begged for mercy and the Empress decided not to put him to death. He was confined to the dungeons for yet another year.
Quite some time had passed since Theodora had become Empress. She now had the ardous task of appointing a council of advisors as she had imprisoned all of the previous ones.
Armenius had lead her military campaign against Hectorius. He had been loyal to her and instrumental even in the displacement of Justinian. She decided to appoint him as the military advisor. Like her, Armenius was also from the common people of Constantinople.
Constantinius, the governor of Heraklia became the foreign advisor. He was from a patrician family in Constantinople. Due to his high stature in learning and writing various scripts, he was dispatched to Heraklia to become its governor by Justinian. Later, he had accepted the Empress' message and had defected.
The Empress's daughter, Aureliana who was appointed as heir to her throne was appointed the trade advisor.
When, Justinian inherited the chieftainship of Constantinople, he embarked on a campaign of expansion adivsed by the chief of his armed forces. His armed forces were lead by the young but able general Theodora. Theodora was from the common people. She started her career as a commoner, a plebian, in fact as a dancer in Justinian's court. When barbarian tribes attacked Constantinople, she enlisted to join the defence of the city. She defended Constantinople heriocally and was awarded a medal by the chieftain Justinian. Because of this she was allowed the previllage to move up in rank, normally denied to commoners. Soon, she became a general. Under her, the forces of Constantinople subdued all of the Byzantine tribes. Almost all the chieftains either surrendered or were captured by the brave general Theodora.
The depotate of Byzantium was established by Justinian with its capital at Constantinople. However, discontent began to spread far and wide as the people felt that the whole of Byzantium could not be ruled as one desptotate. Revolts began to spring up in the far corners. Justinian seemed unable to deal with the revolting and rioting. Some began to demand that he abdicate. These cries began to intensify as the looting and killing became more and more regular.
During her travels for conquest, General Theodora had come across the ideas of polytheism and monarchy. She felt sure that only these ideas could save Byzantium without nullifying all her efforts of bringing all the Byzantine tribes under one ruler.
Soon, the whole of Byzantium collapsed into anarchy. Theodora felt sure that now was the time to act. With the support of the military, whose loyalty she had cultivated over the years, she mounted an attack on the palace of Chieftain Justinian. However, there was no opposition to be attacked as Theodora had seen to it that all the military units at Constantinople at that time were fearcely loyal to her. Besides, most people had lost confidence in Justinian following the collapse of Byzantium into anarchy.
Theodora ordered her troops to capture Justinian and his council of advisors. With Justinian in the dungeons, Theodora was the head of Byzantine. She proclaimed herself the Empress of Byzantium. She claimed to be a representative of the Gods on Earth. Byzantium was no longer a despotate, she said. The Gods had commanded that Byzantium be a monarchy and Theodora be the Empress of all the peoples who originated from the Byzantine tribes. This message was accepted by all those around Constantinople and the anarchy largely subsided here.
In the far off regions to the west, Justinian's brother Hectorius was leading a revolt against the Empress. With their newly discovered zeal, Empress Theodora dispatched her troops to fight the barbarian Hectorius. The supporters of Hectorius were massacred in the thousands by Theodora's troops. In the 'reconquered' cities, new governors were appointed by the Empress herself, who oversaw the execution of thousands upon thousands of suspected opponents of Theodora. Theodora herself supported and encouraged her troops to cleanse the cities of unbelievers in the Empress and her divine mission. It was only with much brutality that her opponents could be overcome.
Hectorius himself was captured finally. He was brought to Constantinople. There, the Empress ordered that he be taken through the streets of Constantinople by the guards so that the people could see what had happened to him. The people cheered as they watched the 'evil' Hectorius in chains. The Empress passed a decree that Hectorius be chained to the walls of the dungeons below the palace until she decided his future fate.
Around this time, people began to be curious about Justinian. Empress Theodora decided to hold the 'trial' of Justinian. He had been chained to the walls in the darkness of the dungeons for the last six months with only moth-infested food and a few drops of water each day. He was unaware of who had captured him or what had happened. If he asked any questions to the guards, he only received silence for the guards had been instructed not to talk to him. Thus, he was quite relieved to learn from a messenger that he was to be produced before the Empress next week.
Empress Theodora's palace boasted of a large outdoors balcony at a reasonable height from the ground. Here she had her 'outdoors court' from where she addressed the commoners who would assemble below, on various occasions. This platform was also used for public 'trials', award ceremonies etc. News went out that Justinian would be produced before the Empress next week.
The moment of truth had arrived. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside. In mid-morning, the Empress herself appeared clad in her throne and to be greeted with huge cheers. She seated herself on the throne. On the sides of the throne, two men knelt, and two others stood on either side fanning the Empress. She called for 'Lucius' who was her personal assistant. Lucius knelt down and bowed before the Empress and asked her what she wanted. The Empress commanded him to arrange to produce the prisoner.
A few minuted later, Justinian was led in chains by two guards. His hands were tied behind his back and his legs were tied together. He was shoved by his arm and asked to kneel as they approached the Empress. Justinian looked up and was shocked to see Theodora. He begged for mercy and the Empress decided not to put him to death. He was confined to the dungeons for yet another year.
Quite some time had passed since Theodora had become Empress. She now had the ardous task of appointing a council of advisors as she had imprisoned all of the previous ones.
Armenius had lead her military campaign against Hectorius. He had been loyal to her and instrumental even in the displacement of Justinian. She decided to appoint him as the military advisor. Like her, Armenius was also from the common people of Constantinople.
Constantinius, the governor of Heraklia became the foreign advisor. He was from a patrician family in Constantinople. Due to his high stature in learning and writing various scripts, he was dispatched to Heraklia to become its governor by Justinian. Later, he had accepted the Empress' message and had defected.
The Empress's daughter, Aureliana who was appointed as heir to her throne was appointed the trade advisor.
Minervina was one of the pre-eminent scholars in Constantinople. She was appointed Culture advisor. Honoratus was as well, so he was appointed Scientific advisor.
Clementina was a cousin of Justinian. However, she had defected to Empress Theodora's way. She had been the governess of Adrianople. Now, Theodora felt she was best served by Clementina as domestic advisor.
Thus, the council of advisors had been constituted.
On their continent, which the Byzantines called Constantia, there were the Arabs to their north. The Arabs were lead by a man called Caliph Abu-Bakr. Empress Theodora had sent emissaries to their capital Mecca and had established an embassy there. To the west were the Greeks under King Alexander of Macedonia. An embassy was also established in Athens. To the south were the Egyptians under Cleopatra and further to the South were the Persians under Shah Xerxes.
On the other continent of Alba, there were the Celts whom we met first. Our dromons had met others like the Romans, Vikings, Hittites and Sumerians. The Empress soon established the city of Amorium on the continent of Alba.
The Byzantine civilisation soon entered a Golden age. During the Golden Age Empress Theodora decided to develop a modern military.
Our military was at a decent state of development.
The Empress' plan was to build up :
Pikemen - 14
Horsemen - 12
Infantry(Medieval) - 12
Trebuchet - 4
+
all the spearmen already there.
We were close do that target, when she summoned her military advisor, Armenius.
Clementina was a cousin of Justinian. However, she had defected to Empress Theodora's way. She had been the governess of Adrianople. Now, Theodora felt she was best served by Clementina as domestic advisor.
Thus, the council of advisors had been constituted.
On their continent, which the Byzantines called Constantia, there were the Arabs to their north. The Arabs were lead by a man called Caliph Abu-Bakr. Empress Theodora had sent emissaries to their capital Mecca and had established an embassy there. To the west were the Greeks under King Alexander of Macedonia. An embassy was also established in Athens. To the south were the Egyptians under Cleopatra and further to the South were the Persians under Shah Xerxes.
On the other continent of Alba, there were the Celts whom we met first. Our dromons had met others like the Romans, Vikings, Hittites and Sumerians. The Empress soon established the city of Amorium on the continent of Alba.
The Byzantine civilisation soon entered a Golden age. During the Golden Age Empress Theodora decided to develop a modern military.
Our military was at a decent state of development.
The Empress' plan was to build up :
Pikemen - 14
Horsemen - 12
Infantry(Medieval) - 12
Trebuchet - 4
+
all the spearmen already there.
We were close do that target, when she summoned her military advisor, Armenius.
Constantinius, the foreign adviser opined that we must prepare thoroughly before launching the assault and should try the 'diplomatic path'. The Empress agreed.
The plan was drawn up by Armenius. The Empress herself, was a brilliant military general and was involved in fine-tuning the plan. In its final state the plan looked like this :
The plan was drawn up by Armenius. The Empress herself, was a brilliant military general and was involved in fine-tuning the plan. In its final state the plan looked like this :
Armenius himself left for the city of Naissus with the blessings of the Empress in 170 BC. Armenius would coordinate the attack. Messengers would be dispatched to the Empress as soon as any significant events occurred.
In 150 BC, Heliopolis and Elephantine were captured by Byzantine troops. Upon hearing this the Empress and her five advisors held a grand banquet. Pi-Ramses itself fell in 130 BC. The governors of these cities had been captured and brought to the dungeons of Constantinople to stand 'trial' by the Empress.
In the year 90 BC, the medieval infantry and ancient cavalry regiments prepared for the final assault on the capital Thebes. Asyut was captured first. As Thebes was being attacked, the Queen of Egypt - Cleopatra escaped southwards to an unknown city. Soon, Thebes fell to the Byzantines. Byzantium now included a new layer of towns.
Soon, the news reached the Empress Theodora who was overjoyed. We should negotiate peace with Cleopatra was her first reaction. 'I want to see Cleopatra in the dungeons' was Constantinius' retort. The military advisor - Armenius had sent a communique that the military was intact and could proceed further without too much trouble. Besides, the trade advisor Princess Aureliana said that there was no saltpeter in the present boundaries of Byzantium, but there was saltpeter in Egypt. The Empress was still unconvinced about continuing the war.
A messenger was dispatched to the court of King Xerxes of Persia. He agreed to join the war against Egypt in alliance with the Empress of Byzantium. Also, a messenger was sent to Cleopatra saying that she must negotiate peace as the armies of the great Empress were nearing her towns and cities. Cleopatrs refused. Thus, the Empress decreed that the war shall continue in alliance with the Persians but only until saltpetre was obtained.
In 150 BC, Heliopolis and Elephantine were captured by Byzantine troops. Upon hearing this the Empress and her five advisors held a grand banquet. Pi-Ramses itself fell in 130 BC. The governors of these cities had been captured and brought to the dungeons of Constantinople to stand 'trial' by the Empress.
In the year 90 BC, the medieval infantry and ancient cavalry regiments prepared for the final assault on the capital Thebes. Asyut was captured first. As Thebes was being attacked, the Queen of Egypt - Cleopatra escaped southwards to an unknown city. Soon, Thebes fell to the Byzantines. Byzantium now included a new layer of towns.
Soon, the news reached the Empress Theodora who was overjoyed. We should negotiate peace with Cleopatra was her first reaction. 'I want to see Cleopatra in the dungeons' was Constantinius' retort. The military advisor - Armenius had sent a communique that the military was intact and could proceed further without too much trouble. Besides, the trade advisor Princess Aureliana said that there was no saltpeter in the present boundaries of Byzantium, but there was saltpeter in Egypt. The Empress was still unconvinced about continuing the war.
A messenger was dispatched to the court of King Xerxes of Persia. He agreed to join the war against Egypt in alliance with the Empress of Byzantium. Also, a messenger was sent to Cleopatra saying that she must negotiate peace as the armies of the great Empress were nearing her towns and cities. Cleopatrs refused. Thus, the Empress decreed that the war shall continue in alliance with the Persians but only until saltpetre was obtained.
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