Lone Wolf
Deity
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2006
- Messages
- 9,908
The revival of Byzantine military glories was accompanied by a cultural revival and growth of landed aristocracy. The growing regionalism of landed lords and their tensions with the bureaucracy destabilized the situation in the Empire. So far, however, the tensions didn't have much of a noticeable effect.
Constans II was succeeded by his son, Constantine (1036-1078), who took part in campaigns with his father.
Constantine V. The three-quarter military representation, abandoned in the sixth century, was now back in style
Constantine started a campaign to conquer Egypt from the weakened Arabs.
The campaign took longer then expected - the War Elephants of the Arabs were a surprise to Byzantine horses.
While the Emperor was fighting in Egypt, the governor of Asperon seceded from the Empire with support from the Russian Duchy of Kiev - a sign of the growing feudalizaiton of Byzantium.
In 1060, Kairo was finally captured by the Byzantines. However, the Patriarch suggested that all the Muslims of Egypt should be forcefully converted. The pragmatic Emperor refused, stating that as long as the taxes are coming, he doesn't care. Since most learned people in the Church considered the Patriarch's position to be too harsh, Constantine managed to have the Patriarch deposed. Still, the eruption of a long-dormant Asia Minor volcano was interpreted by some as a sign of God's displeasure with Constantine.
Byzantine economy, however, grew. A new class of merchants started to appear, the most prominent of which being a certain Zemarchos.
And the international prestige of Byzantium was rising.
In 1075, the Byzantine forces triumphantly entered Alexandria. For the first time since more then four hundred years ago, Egypt was ruled from Constantinople.
Constantine died an old man, greatly respected for his conquest of Africa. Only a few zealots were still protesting. Here's what the Empire was like after his conquests:
Constans II was succeeded by his son, Constantine (1036-1078), who took part in campaigns with his father.

Constantine V. The three-quarter military representation, abandoned in the sixth century, was now back in style
Constantine started a campaign to conquer Egypt from the weakened Arabs.

The campaign took longer then expected - the War Elephants of the Arabs were a surprise to Byzantine horses.

While the Emperor was fighting in Egypt, the governor of Asperon seceded from the Empire with support from the Russian Duchy of Kiev - a sign of the growing feudalizaiton of Byzantium.

In 1060, Kairo was finally captured by the Byzantines. However, the Patriarch suggested that all the Muslims of Egypt should be forcefully converted. The pragmatic Emperor refused, stating that as long as the taxes are coming, he doesn't care. Since most learned people in the Church considered the Patriarch's position to be too harsh, Constantine managed to have the Patriarch deposed. Still, the eruption of a long-dormant Asia Minor volcano was interpreted by some as a sign of God's displeasure with Constantine.

Byzantine economy, however, grew. A new class of merchants started to appear, the most prominent of which being a certain Zemarchos.

And the international prestige of Byzantium was rising.

In 1075, the Byzantine forces triumphantly entered Alexandria. For the first time since more then four hundred years ago, Egypt was ruled from Constantinople.

Constantine died an old man, greatly respected for his conquest of Africa. Only a few zealots were still protesting. Here's what the Empire was like after his conquests:
