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Thread: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 08/05/2021)

  1. #281

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 20/7/15)

    Chapter LXXXII


    The approaches to Rome were slicked from recent rain and pedestrian and animal drawn transports were minimal. The Flaminian way was particularly quiet, with the occasional dawdling oxen cart lumbering out of the city as cold wind swept the birthplace of Rome, pushing swollen clouds which dumped intermittent showers. Trees stood naked to the elements, with raindrops hanging like tiny crystals on the branches. Small tombstones dotted the approaches, dedicating the memories of many unknown and forgotten people that called this city home. It was an ancient city, of many traditions, buried by time and recounted in myths and semi truths. So old….so irrelevant today.

    Corialanus Phocas noted to himself the sweep of history, which he so studiously devoured in his spare time, of the Empire, in particular the shifting importance of its old capital which had slowly but inexorably drained away eastwards to Constantinople. Hardly anyone of significance spent much time here, not even Julian had stepped foot in Rome, even when it was the heart of the cults of old that had been ferverously worshipped and sacrificed to by the superstitious Romans. For Phocas, God was in ascendance, no matter the efforts of this Pagan on the throne. Try as he might, he did not believe that the Emperor could ever turn public thought back to the way things used to be. Phocas did not really think of ill of the Emperor but felt he was at least two hundred years too late. He recognised his intelligence and hard working nature and thought he may have been a fine Emperor to follow on from Marcus Aurelius but in these times, he was like an ancient monument to a past that the Empire had left behind, which everyone else marched pass and did not offer much more than a passing glance.. The Phocan dynasty he was preparing to leave would ensure that these notions, policies and ideologies would be confined to the past permanently. Even when he suffered his intermittent crises of faith, he still held firm to the Christian God, whom all would come to see as the one true God. The pagans, those who were unashamedly so, would soon die off, they couldn’t live forever, no matter their slaughtering of oxen and the lighting of candles and other offerings.

    Still, the Senate resided here in Rome, even in its irrelevances still constituting a large body of extremely wealthy men and it was here that Phocas needed to come. Even after its castration in the reforms of Diocletian, a man Phocas regarded as a tyrant for his futile persecutions which he noted that Julian had not resorted to such bloody and useless endeavours...yet, to his credit, the Senate still represented a large body of men capable of been difficult in the right circumstances. He hoped that the letters he had distributed prior to his arrival had sown enough doubt in these men’s minds that they’d see that Corlianus Phocas ’Germanicus’ was correct in his actions. Though he didn’t exactly know the Senate’s views on Julian, he could reasonably believe that they would be supportive of him. It would be a tough sell but he was confident of success...backed with a threat or two.

    Through the Porta Fontinalis they went, as a formidable and obvious display of power and wealth, drawing many gazes and outright stares from those in the haphazard streets and crowded insulae and other buildings that made up the architect's nightmare that was Rome. Phocas and his candidati found the Curia lulia a hive of activity, with men waiting outside and men seated inside. As Phocas exited his carriage and begun walking towards the Senate house, the show of arms was unmistakable.

    As Phocas entered, the Senate quietened. Though forewarned of Phocas’ intentions in the carefully distributed letters, it was still an unpredictable moment for all involved. The most esteemed among them Marcellinus Pulcher, stood forth and greeted Phocas with as much flattering terms as could be dredged from his mind, without going so far as to call him “Germanicus”

    ‘Esteemed men of Rome, I thank you for assembling at such limited notice. I can sense amongst you anxiety and worry but be assured among you, that I mean no ill, I desire no troubles for Rome or for our dear Augustus Flavius Claudius Julianus. I only come here seeking what is rightfully mine. To march through the streets of Rome in triumph, for I have quietened the frontiers of Rome for the safety of all. The might of the barbarians has been utterly quelled through my utter diligence and patience and martial vigour…”

    One wag among the crowd had no desire to be flattering to the Caesar. ‘What of the diligence to your troops? How does such rashness flourish from a supposed care towards the attitudes of your men. Have you not written of it many times?’ A number of murmurs rippled amongst the Senate, others blanched at the open defiance and few called out to him to be quiet.

    ‘Life for the soldier is difficult, dirty and extremely violent, Senator. It is hardly surprising that in such times they may give themselves over to excitability and hasty outbursts...you speak as one who has never endured the tumult of battle...the terror of the moment when lines clash!” Phocas glowered at the outspoken man. ‘If you had even made a cursory examination of “De Re Militaris” then you will realize that those words relate to the actions of soldiers in the field. Do not twist my words!”

    “How do we know that YOUR words are not twisted, the ones you have so carefully disseminated among us?” the senator continued unperturbed, a large calloused hand pointing in his direction..

    ‘I am a man of honour Senator. I have no wish to lie and manipulate you or others for my heart is always beating to the interests of the Empire. Do you not have the interests of the Empire at your heart?”

    Another man stood up and pointed. “I feel you protest your loyalty a little too often Caesar. Be wary of those who loudly trumpet their loyalties”

    One other man stood up, ‘It must be at the behest of the Emperor, Caesar. No matter your words to us, your explanations to the Emperor, the decree must come from him. I cannot abide this!’ his voice quavered with age. A few others murmured in agreement. The majority however sat silently. Marcellinus Pulcher had gone a slightly pale shade. Amongst his allies he had been informed of a cautious support for Phocas’ actions however he had not anticipated such sudden fierce objections.

    Phocas grew ever slightly red in the face at the resistance, having been used to unquestioning obedience on the frontiers. The objections though were small and he brushed aside the aging Senator’s refusal. ‘You can wait if you wish for the Emperor’s approval but...’

    ‘Then I would wait for it!’ one senator called out, which brought murmurs of approval. Phocas raised his hands for silence, steadily growing hotter at the increasingly haughty congregation. ‘I do not ask for much! It is not like I am demanding your support to be the Emperor. I have served Rome in her darkest hour and met her needs. I am absolutely certain that the Emperor would understand the current situation, for he is not hasty in his deliberations. It has been many a year since such a wise man has worn the purple” He attempted to appeal to those who supported the Pagan Emperor.

    A number of Senators abruptly stood up, no longer interested in the Caesar’s attempts to sway them. They begun to make their way to the floor of the building. Phocas realized then that for all his abilities with the penna, his political skills put in word, his oratorical skills were inadequate. Inspiring or placating soldiers was one matter but swaying men of wealth to his ways was an entirely different matter. Damn them! Words would not be enough. Phocas glared at Pulcher who could only look back helplessly and then turned to the entrance and called out the name of the captain of his guard. Marching inexorably onto the Senate floor were Phocas’ own domestics. Swords were drawn, held menacingly, their boots stomping rhythmically as they formed a tight ring around the bottom seating of the Senate. A number of them marched up the stairs and flanked the terrified Senators.

    Pulcher remained the only Senator on the floor. ‘Please Caesar, be reasonable!’ he stammered. ‘It is you who should be reasonable!’ Phocas shouted at him and to everyone else. ‘Cease quoting legalities at me, I carry weapons! I have been reasonable you bloated fools!’

    ‘Caesar, please, think of how the Emperor would see this...the Senate massacred in Rome...an, an act of unforgivable horror...it would be an usurpation...he would surely destroy you!’ Pulcher went on. The red mist that coloured Phocas’ vision slowly receded at Pulcher’s words and here the reality of his own impertinence and arrogance slapped him across the face. How could it have so badly spiralled out of control? Again, soldiers and Senators were two very different creatures. Still surrounded by the menacing domestics, a number of the old men called out pleadingly to Phocas. Desperate to escape with their lives, they implored Pulcher to accept the acclamation and allow the triumph. Pulcher did the only thing possible in the situation and gave Phocas what he wanted. His racing heart started to slow and the shades of anger in his complexion slowly faded. Phocas ordered the domestics to stand down and, with some reluctance, they backed away from the Senators and left the floor.

    ‘You will not regret this!’ Phocas said, attempting to regain a measure of self control as the Senators begun to grovel and flatter the Caesar, still fearful of what Phocas may do even though the immediate threat had passed. A glorious triumph would be arranged, the spoils of victory paraded through the streets of Rome and its people thronging the streets to see a glimpse of the heroic Phocas. Phocas had in mind a spectacle unlike no other, to suit his own self importance. However as he left the Curia, a gnawing thought nibbled away at his conscious. ‘They may not regret this….but will I?
    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
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  2. #282
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 27/7/15)

    There is exciting drama here, I enjoyed the debate in the Senate about a triumph for Phocas and look forward to finding out whether someone will make him regret his actions.

  3. #283

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 27/7/15) (ON HOLD)

    Chapter LXXXIII

    Heave!’

    The call was greeted in return with grunts, groans, swearing and loud roars. Muscles were tensed as the giant city takers slowly rumbled into motion along their prepared tracks to the walls. Roman attempts at piling up dirt to level the walls were halted by a determined sortie by the defenders and were driven back, thus forcing the use of the siege towers. Men with crossbows and scorpions fired relentlessly at the top of the walls to drive back those holding the defences so that the ground could be prepared for the final assault. In spite of constant harassment, men came to and fro with wooden segments to strengthen the ramps and quickly and expertly placed the reinforcement beams. Casemates close to the walls were littered with rubble thrown stone and masonry. One had been flattened by a large piece of the crenellated walls that had been simply pushed over the walls and onto the wooden structure. Men had scattered just before it fell and some were shot in the back as they fled for safety.


    The Emperor was as satisfied as he could be with every single aspect of the siege. The preparations had been undertaken, all necessary materials had been procured from local villages and the surrounding countryside. For as far as the eye could see, no tree stood, cut down to meet the incessant demands created by a siege of a city as large as Antioch and formidably defended.


    The Emperor even inspected every single sentry post to see that they were properly garrisoned (and they were), ensure the officers were diligent in maintaining proper scouting parties to protect the rear of the siege, for all attacks would come from the north, the city as it was buttressed against the twin mountains the watched the city and protected on its left by the Orontes. Considerable detachments of Aurelianus’ forces were left in reserve in the advent of a relief force. The Emperor rode past every single ballistae and observed that there were adequate missiles for the task at hand. They were periodically loaded and fired. One section of the defences had been smashed by an Antiochean projectile and hastily reinforced by additional wood and iron plates.


    Men had come to and fro from the river to supply the thirsty troops in such hot and dirty conditions and the river too was suitably garrisoned. There was no boat patrols for the boats were used to supplement the wood needed for the weapons. Every single useful piece was used;



    Sections of the walls were in disarray but still held firm even after the onagers had fired large boulders at the north walls and caused the frontal sections to crumble. Huge cracks formed but frenzied repair works from the defenders stabilized the beleaguered sections. Julianus, well out of harms way, sat upon his horse and watched a fresh detachment of cross bow wielding troops replace a battle weary detachment that had suffered modest casualties. Some of the men had shields peppered with darts and arrows and were rendered useless. Men were carried off to the aid station as Julianus thanked a few individuals here and there, highlighting their bravery.


    As the order for the assault rang out, a storm of missiles begun blasting the defenders that remained. Large projectiles overshot the walls and smashed into buildings behind, causing rubble to litter the streets. These were then used to arm the defender's own weapons. Fire pots crashed into the towers and spewed fire through the viewing ports and a number of the defenders were badly burned, some even hurled themselves from the walls in crazed agony. After a period of time the Helepolis’ had begun moving into position, covered by the artillery barrage that scoured the northern sections that were under assault. By the time the assault was well under way, the numbers manning the city were much reduced, through the constant circumvellation of the Romans and general deprivations brought about by the siege.


    As the towers closed in, men within the wall towers begun firing back at the towers but the flaming missiles bounced harmlessly off the metal plated machines. Those within the behemoths had nothing to fire back at, the walkways barren of men having either been killed or hiding in the towers. Little did they know that only several cohorts held the city, along with its governor, Gratianus.


    As the Emperor watched the towers closed in, scouts came to him. A moderate relief force had arrived. In fact they had navigated the river on small boats and disembarked at the far west section that joined the river walls, overwhelming the small force that arrived to try and turn back the relief force. Here it was learned that the new rebel Roman Emperor was present, Ursicinus, a man understood to be military genius and one who could very well spoil the day with an assault. They found themselves well inside the no man’s land.


    Julianus saw a golden chance. The assault with the towers was now proceeding unmolested, so word was sent to Avidius to assume overall command of the attack. To his domestics he spoke. ‘Come men! To their rescue comes the Emperor of the rebels, who finally shows his face in battle. Ursicinus the Horseman they call him...well, let us knock the horse from under him and demonstrate to him his folly!’ The domesticorum peditum, the Germanic scholae and the domesticorum equitum and Julianus’ own cavalry at once begun a quick charge to the rebel leader.


    Entirely unopposed, save the occasional harassing missile fire from the towers, one by one the helepolis’ begun lining with the walls. As soon as they were in place, the Roman soldiers begun to make their way up the machines, cheered on by those manning the unused ballistae. They began disgorging from the machines unchallenged and rampaged through the towers, killing those that remained and securing them for the attackers. The gates northern gates too came under Julianus’ uses. Only a handful of the attackers had fallen in taking the walls but they would still be mourned.
    With the loss of the towers, a single unit of the Lanciarii Seniores spearmen came under fire from their counterparts. They were driven to distress and attempted to march away from the walls.

    Whilst the Emperor shadowed the rebel Emperor, whose forces strangely halted on the plains before the north eastern gates, the Romans simply poured through the streets unchecked. The Lanciarii had been driven off. The Imperial Palace watched impassively as the surge of troops rounded residential areas. The Sarmatian allies and a cohort of mercenary pedites were the first to reach the square and found a full strength wing of missile cavalry.


    Missiles were traded between the enemy Romans and the Sarmatians, resulting in casualties on both sides. The mercenary pedites entered the city square and engaged the cavalry.
    As the Sarmatians rode across the locked gates of the Palace, Gratianus, the impertinent city Dux emerged from a narrow alleyway and surprised the Sarmatians who fell back after suffering moderate casualties. The Herculiani Seniores cohorts now thundered down the lane way leading to the city square and decisively tipped the balance towards the invaders.

    Outside the walls, the Emperor had halted his forces in three lines, with the infantry at the front. He watched bemused at the spectacle before him. ‘What on earth are they doing?’ he said to no one in particular. ‘Nothing it appears, Augustus’ one officer replied anyway. Indeed, they had halted outside the north eastern gates making no effort to enter the city or at least attack and use their superiority in numbers. Even more baffling was the fact that after what seemed like an age, with no word as to how the assault was proceeding, the rebel Emperor’s forces begun moving. A half strength unit of hired Savaran seemed to trot slowly past the Emperor’s position. ‘He is a coward!’ one cavalryman yelled out. “Let us attack them Augustus, are arms are superior’ In an instant they clamored for battle and unable to resist such eager exultation's that the thrill of battle would bring, Julianus decided that it was time to smash this rebel. Julianus needed to say nothing and and nodded at an officer who quickly shouted orders to advance.


    The battle that ensued was surprisingly sharp and contested. The Emperor’s own cavalry circled around as the pedites attacked the infantry and proceeded to rout the auxillia cavalry. The bodyguard of the rebel leader was then caught between the equitum and mounted scholae and begun destroying the Stablesiani. No one had noticed as the enemy dwindled in number, so caught up in destruction, that Ursicinus had escaped and was now seen riding to the city. The Emperor saw this and roared in frustration, an uncharacteristic outburst for the usually mild mannered man. ‘Chase him down!’ His Candidati and the mounted Scholae turned around and began chasing him. Yet his head start was too great and the Emperor made a wild bid for safety. Only half of the city walls had been taken by Julians men and Ursicinus was now in the safe range of the walls as he fled. He would not be found again and would manage to escape undetected and end up south of the city.


    The Emperor clenched his fists and let out an exasperated sigh. With nothing to be done about the fleeing rebel leader, he regrouped with the entirety of his bodyguard and at once made for the north eastern gates. As they approached, thin columns of black smoke began to rise high above the walls and into the hazy blue sky. The Emperor grew alarmed at this and as they approached the gates, they creaked open. Readying themselves for a possible attack by the enemy, it turned out to be a cohort of the Herculiani legions. The Emperor rode ahead to the meet the cohort.


    ‘Quickly! What is going on in the city?’ he asked hurriedly. ‘Augustus, the city has been taken, all the defenders killed but the soldiers are now running riot….’


    The Emperor once more filled the air with rarely heard invective. ‘This cannot be! They will undo everything!’ Ignoring everyone else, even his own guard he galloped into the city and was met with unfolding chaos that slowly swamped each street and lane way. He saw his own troops, even recognizing several of his veterans all the way from Gallia, burst into houses and begin ransacking them. Men were dragged into the streets and slaughtered. Greedy legionaries carried arms full of valuables and deposited their new found wealth. It was not long before wretched slave trains began shuffling, wailing at their gross misfortune, towards the city square and the Imperial palaces for processing. Even as the metaphorical horse had bolted from its stable, the Emperor dismounted and ran to a group of soldiers and furiously upbraided them for ruining innocent Roman lives. More groups he gave tongue lashings to, very much chastened by the man they followed unquestioningly, baring instant shame and regret for their hotheadedness. Growing increasingly out of breath from the weight of his own body armour and frantic attempts to halt the carnage, the Emperor staggered into one of the main thoroughfares and collapsed to his knees, watching through heat haze and smoke parts of the grand Imperial Palace burn like a funeral pyre. Through the chaos, fire fighting parties attempted to put the fire out.


    ‘I am sorry Augustus! I have failed you’


    The Emperor turned to his right and made out the form of Avidius, who appeared genuinely distressed at the carnage as he ran to the Emperor. ‘The damage Avidius...the damage!’ the Emperor moaned. ‘I did everything I could to disabuse their notions of plunder but their tempers ran too hot’ Julianus got to his feet. ‘Take my domestics, end this madness. Round up the ring leaders and imprison them...’ the Emperor said weakly, unable to say anymore and heartbroken at the sheer ferocity of the sack. It was never meant to end this way, Romans flaying Romans to death, beheading them, stealing their wealth, raping away their innocence, incinerating their dwellings. As the darkness approached, with fires still burning but order largely restored, close to thirty five thousand Antiochians had been slaughtered and a large deal of their wealth appropriated by the legions. The damage had well and truly been wrought and now Julianus fought to minimize its ramifications.
    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  4. #284

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 30/05/2016)

    Welcome Back!!

  5. #285
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 30/05/2016)

    An exciting return for this epic tale!

  6. #286

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 30/05/2016)

    It's nice to be back! I just couldn't stay away...re listening to Mike Duncan's "The History of Rome", in particular the later episodes got me in the mood again.
    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  7. #287
    waveman's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 30/05/2016)

    I'm excited this is back up again, I've gone and reread it (I'm on page 8 now, I think), and going through all those epic battles again, the twists is quite epic. And you capture some great pictures of the carnage of the battlefields, and of the intrigue of Rome

    My AARs/writing: Link
    Letters for writing: þ, ð æ Æ

  8. #288

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 30/05/2016)

    Hai Justinian Australis, i can see and imagining the character emotion, politic intrigue, clash of battle from many words you wrote, this is one hell epic AAR, i salute you my friend,and last but no least like the other was said to you "Welcome back!"

    Sent from my Smartfren Andromax AD688G using Tapatalk
    My name is John, Tribune of Legio Ripenses IX Tertiae Italica and loyal servant to the computer generated Emperor, Julianus Flavius Augustus "The Apostles". And I will have my vengeance again The Quadi tribes, barbarian scums who decimated half of my legio in Mediolanum City Siege almost a year ago and Gratianus Flavius "The Traitor", the former Caesar who convince a half of precious my legio to his petty scheme rebellion just 3 months ago in this save game or the next
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    IB:Restitutor Orbis Signature courtesy of Joar

  9. #289

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 30/05/2016)

    Thanks waveman and Johnadwi26! I hope I don't get myself too twisted up in knots when it comes to detailing the backstabbing and intrigue of Roman politics and totally contradicting in game events. I'm having a lot of fun coming up with the twists and turns.

    **I will be looking to update this every two weeks, so it gives me enough time to prepare chapters. I've already got a few written from nearly a year back so things are good for now. Occasionally I'll do the chapters in the form of a historical manuscript by authors contemporary of the times, for smaller, less relevant occasions and also to explain wider issues that would just make a narrative way too overblown.

    * * * *


    Chapter LXXXIV

    “Thus his end was ignominious, more befitting a common criminal or a rascal of disrepute, than one who bore the purple with dignity, in which dignity was not afforded to him in his last days. For the fall of Antioch stole away any last vestiges of legitimacy, for the advance of Julianus continued unchecked in his desire to reunite the Rome under one Emperor. Even as events within the eastern capital spiraled out of control, through no malicious design by the Emperor when ill mannered soldiers burned and looted to fill their grasping need for such things, elsewhere it was dawning as does the sun each day that the continued defiance before the will and purpose of Flavius Claudius Julianus was untenable, no matter one's views or inclinations in faith and that he was a man of limitless clemency and boundless intelligence, for those who had unleashed terror upon his own citizenry, men who had followed him from Gallia, were afforded no leniency in the punishments meted out to them.

    The ring leaders were put on trial and in their guilt, executed by beheading and any stolen property returned. Those subordinate to the wrongdoers but still of their own mind were banished to far off postings or much reduced in their rank to that of nothing more than a common miles. All that damage as was wrought upon Antioch was mended by the hands of those who had lit the firebrands, for the great centers of learning where hastily repaired, after the city defenses had been tended to. Even the great Christian cathedral was rebuilt, demonstrating the Emperor’s even handedness in matters of religion but at once the long abandoned pagan temples were reopened, as the Emperor personally attended the opening of a new temple in which the pantheon of Gods had been redefined by a certain Plotinus, as I understand it (I profess difficulty in understanding this), a strange hybrid of religious philosophy to rival the monotheistic religions that held sway, a new belief that held the Emperor in his thrall and promoted heavily by him.

    This ‘One’, as defined by him and routinely debated and philosophized during the late hours among other like minded companions, was as baffling to the common man as it was to those in the higher echelons, where one attempted to define the existence of evil and the notion that personal salvation was attainable in life and not waiting for death for one to be meeting the supreme God one worshiped, to be saved. As much as the Emperor tried with Antioch, the people never saw ‘the One’ as much more than high minded contemplation that educated fools waffled over and instead went back and worshiped those they had worshiped before, causing all manner of consternation for the Emperor. It appeared, due to the hindsight afforded those who look back and write about such events, that seeing to the administration among the citizens of a collection of antiquated gods into one unified religion to rival that of Christianity was a daunting prospect. For these Gods worshiped in happier times had never shared much in common and had no unity to compare to those that worshiped God, by this time their worship and worship places having fallen into obscurity. No matter the resistance, the Emperor persisted, such was his stubborn will in relation to such things and he could never see if he was ever wrong in pursuing such passions once embarked upon.

    Though as all of this happened, it was increasingly clear that there was no profit in disunity and that it was better to preserve one’s station and in turn, life, that Julianus was the true Roman Emperor and like a trickle of water over the levees of a dam, those racing to hail the Emperor before he reached their walls turned into a flood and that levee holding back resistance broke. Firstly the cities along the coast of our sea sent men to the court of Julianus and at once were accepted without conditions put upon them. Even the ever quarrelsome and headstrong Alexandrian s could not deny the advance of the Emperor and all of Egypt from the far west to the southernmost parts went to the Emperor.

    The local garrisons of the great fortresses of Amida and Nisibis cast aside their respective governors who had advocated independence, such as they were sick themselves of this unending, tedious business of civil war. The rebel Emperor Usurcinus had retreated to Damascus to reorganize and take council. but on arrival had found those closest in a state of anxiety, for the fall of Antioch had created fear and a sense of doom, for would it not be unreasonable to assume, they argued, that such a fate would befall them at Damascsu? In any case, as the others cities once under the banner of Ursicinus went over to Julianus, the circumstances were greatly against the haughty Emperor and his insistence of standing against his nemesis grated against his compatriots. There was nowhere to flee to and assured destruction awaited them when the Emperor finally marched against them.

    In a clamor of disagreement, several of the members of Ursicinus’ court struck out against their master, knocking him from his feet. Emboldened, others too set upon Ursicinus who was killed without pity. From the governor's residence his corpse was dragged, his name denounced and that of Flavius Claudius Julianus’ called out as the true Emperor of the Romans. His head was removed and his body tossed outside the walls. His family was rounded up and then killed by vengeful mobs, in fear for themselves at what the Emperor may do to them if they had shown any support towards Ursicinus and believing that such actions would win the favour of the Emperor. It did nothing of the sort, from such savage cruelty came a well of anger from the Emperor, who desired no more of this bitter carnage, even if this Ursicinus had been a constant thorn in the Emperor’s side since the death of Constantius II, for peace between Romans was all he sought and that such actions were befitting of no one..

    All manner of merriment occurred at Antioch where the Emperor based himself, planning to personally travel to each of the cities and decide upon the course of action for each but firstly he had begun, with what funds available in the Imperial treasury, to initiate hasty troop levies now that the Empire was whole again and Julianus found himself facing the Persians, who had so far remained in a state of apparent silence as to the goings on in the Roman civil war. So a tense silence thus hung in the east as the clamour of civil war was put to rest. This merriment was slightly singed by the fact that Bezabde, a Roman city in southern Armenia still retained its independence from Rome and for all that could be deduced, styled itself as the last of the eastern rebels Julianus had so long fought. For now, little could be done of it as there was suddenly much in the way of dilemmas that the Emperor found himself facing as reports arrived from the west….”


    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  10. #290

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 14/06/2016)

    Great update as usual my friend and i like your new approach of writing style.

    Sent from my Smartfren Andromax AD688G using Tapatalk
    My name is John, Tribune of Legio Ripenses IX Tertiae Italica and loyal servant to the computer generated Emperor, Julianus Flavius Augustus "The Apostles". And I will have my vengeance again The Quadi tribes, barbarian scums who decimated half of my legio in Mediolanum City Siege almost a year ago and Gratianus Flavius "The Traitor", the former Caesar who convince a half of precious my legio to his petty scheme rebellion just 3 months ago in this save game or the next
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    IB:Restitutor Orbis Signature courtesy of Joar

  11. #291
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 14/06/2016)

    Clearly, being a rebel Emperor - or even a family member of a rebel Emperor - is very dangerous! I am intrigued by the Emperor's plan to visit each city, I wonder what the Emperor will learn from this journey and whether this might make him vulnerable to enemy spies or assassins.

  12. #292

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 14/06/2016)

    Quote Originally Posted by Alwyn View Post
    Clearly, being a rebel Emperor - or even a family member of a rebel Emperor - is very dangerous! I am intrigued by the Emperor's plan to visit each city, I wonder what the Emperor will learn from this journey and whether this might make him vulnerable to enemy spies or assassins.
    Very..very dangerous my friend..but the prize is worthy to taken

    Sent from my Smartfren Andromax AD688G using Tapatalk
    My name is John, Tribune of Legio Ripenses IX Tertiae Italica and loyal servant to the computer generated Emperor, Julianus Flavius Augustus "The Apostles". And I will have my vengeance again The Quadi tribes, barbarian scums who decimated half of my legio in Mediolanum City Siege almost a year ago and Gratianus Flavius "The Traitor", the former Caesar who convince a half of precious my legio to his petty scheme rebellion just 3 months ago in this save game or the next
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    IB:Restitutor Orbis Signature courtesy of Joar

  13. #293

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 14/06/2016)

    Thanks guys.

    I believe the Emperor may have to put aside his plans to tour the cities of the east for the time...there is always something getting in the way...

    Chapter LXXXV


    The Emperor did not mind the carrying on by rowdy troops. Antioch represented an end, at least to the seemingly never ending civil war that had lumbered on for over ten years and cost the lives of thousands upon thousands of Romans. Antioch brought about the final collapse of resistance in the east, save for a brief dalliance of defiance at Damascus and now two tiny rump states in Bezabde and Trapezus existed but as it was, it was all over. It had taken the horrible massacre at Antioch, unintended as it was, for all resistance to melt away like the thawing of ice and Julianus to be recognised as sole Roman Emperor. Now he beheld a monolithic Empire in his hands, all his now to shape as he saw fit. His religious policies he could turn to with vigour and turn Romans away from such foolish faiths as that the Galileans professed to. With a sudden influx of wealth, far greater than he had ever seen, the temples could be reopened, the armies replenished to its proper strengths, old fortresses repaired and re-manned, long vacant administrative posts in the provinces filled ,civil amenities restored and upgraded where needed. A campaign into Persia, ultimately. Though there was nothing coming from Ctesiphon, diplomatically or militarily, he knew it was not long in coming.

    He was excited at the challenges ahead but simultaneously daunted, for though two Imperial legions, plus a half legion under the recently promoted Laelius with four cohorts of mercenaries and a contingent of Gothic troops, were on hand, the cities were garrisoned by poor quality troops, mostly militia. Even mercenaries had been paid to man walls at Nisibis and Carrhae, not something that the Emperor was fond of but found necessary. At least two more legions were needed. One excellent piece of news was that Tiberius Secundus had finally extracted himself from the Rhine frontier and was making his way through Pannonia with a full legion under his banner. The other piece of news was not so welcoming.

    The Emperor wracked his brains attempting to work out just who Numerius Ventidius was. In Avidius’ words, he appeared ‘nothing more than a startlingly useless garrison commander with delusions of grandeur’. All the way from Africa he had come, which now the Emperor recalled having sent for a number of their better administrators to fill vacant posts in Achaea. He had been given command of a full legion, containing the Herculi and loviani seniores but appeared to be easily swayed or foolishly ambitious...or both. Right now, he sat before the walls of Sirmium threatening all manner of havoc. Ventidius, sent to be the Comes Macedonica, now styled himself Augustus.

    This appeared not to bother the Emperor too greatly. His old compatriot from the Achaean campaign, Serrenianus was on hand with troops, there too was Julius Athanaes to crush the ridiculous usurper. That’s all it was, just ridiculous, little more than a mild irritant that would be gone inside a month if that. No, greater things other than the slaughter at Antioch and the interminable disputes to be settled for these ungrateful wretches, for ever wailing and complaining and grasping! Worse than the looming threat of the Persians.

    It was what happened on the Rhine frontier and what was supposed to be happening in the streets of Rome that greatly concerned the Augustus.. So very far away the Emperor was and even before he had settled down to take on the mantle of the sole ruler of Rome, his Caesar had gone right ahead and accepted acclamations he shouldn’t have and was either in Rome or about to be in Rome demanding the Senate do as he wanted. The letter from Phocas sat in his lap, a report condensed from many sources sat at his right and on his left was another distracting letter, one from Oribasius.

    The Emperor rubbed his face tiredly, scarcely paying any attention now to the sounds of revelry from outside. Phocas pleaded his case over the troops hailing him as Imperator and calling him Germanicus, fearing for his life and the stability of the Rhine which he, in his own words, had worked tirelessly to pacify for the glory of the Emperor’s reign. It all felt so very similiar; his own letter to Constantius II over ten years ago after his troops hailed him Augustus. Of course he felt anger at the turn of events but he was not a paranoid despot like his uncle. He sympathised somewhat with Phocas but thought that it perhaps had played into any ambitions that Phocas had. Small mercies that he had not been hailed Augustus himself and acted on it. Either he still professed loyalty for Julianus, as his letter implied or it was all a careful smokescreen.

    He decided to stand up and began pacing the room in which he, Aurelianus, Avidius, Laelius (the junior member of the Emperor’s inner circle), numerous military staff and other court officials resided in, deep inside the palace that sat in the middle of the Orontes; a heavily fortified part of the city where the administration of the city and surrounding regions occurred and officials lived.. Deep in thought, he begun to drive those present to distraction by his constant pacing. He suddenly stopped. “Thoughts?” The Emperor was not surprised by the reactions of some. ‘March back west and crush him!”

    “He may have access to the Rhine troops but your men will smite them across the countryside!” Avidius watched the chatter among the officers and officials. He disagreed. ‘It is too delicate here to be marching back to confront Phocas, who it appears has not declared himself as Emperor, unlike that idiot Numerius”

    “It's only a matter of time before he declares his hand!” others disagreed.

    ‘Avidius is right. I can’t possibly return to Rome...his demands though unorthodox are not immediately threatening’ said the Emperor. ‘You will do nothing then Augustus?’ Laelius asked. ‘Where did that implication from my words come from Laelius?’ the Emperor demanded of his junior colleague. ‘I do not advocate letting him getting away with this, if that’s how you all view this. I cannot send men from here, nor can I send men from Pannonia or Illyria for’ the Emperor picked up his sheets of summaries and shook it ‘the Goths are trying to break down the defences AGAIN and Marcianopolis is on the verge of revolt, for those who do not know. The Sarmatians are still in large enough numbers that they would pour unchecked once more across the river. Some of you are too young to remember the outrages those barbarians inflicted on the region.

    ‘Not to mention the Franks’ Avidius interjected. Julianus bristled at the interruption but continued on. ‘As Avidius mentioned, the Franks too are still a problem. They may have been ejected from their ancestral homelands but they now wander the lands of the Vandals and Quadi like destitute beggars and still present a major threat to Pannonia. They will be desperate and if they evict the Vandals, then we have a potential catastrophe on our hands. So much so that even the Vandals and Quadi have formed an alliance of protection’

    ‘There are troubling words from Tiberius Secundus that gives me pause for thought. From these words it also appears that my words have been used to support innapropriate actions for whatever ends by those involved, what they are I cannot say but it appears to me, after sleepless nights engaged in thought, that this has lead to our present situation in the West. Imperial agents have been found murdered in Augusta Treverorum. Based on the facts I have about these men and what has been relayed to me...calling them men is perhaps a stretch of the imagination, they represented me in visiting Phocas and Tiberius whilst along the Rhine to lay down the law so to speak. Indeed what they elaborated upon in on the frontiers I have spoken about but I never intended the use of despicable men to back my words. Offers were made that I never authorised. I will not say exactly who is behind this but I have my suspicions’.

    The Emperor stopped and turned to Aurelianus, who inwardly shrunk from the stern gaze of the Emperor, remembering the encounter he had before the siege of Antioch. ‘Claim the titles for yourself Augustus’ Laelius spoke up, the young commander was clearly a confident person and not in the slightest intimidated by his surroundings. ‘Flavius Claudius Iulianus Augustus Germanicus Maximus” the Emperor rolled the name of his tongue. ‘It does indeed have a ring to it” Several others stood up. ‘Don’t forget, victor over the Alemanni, the Berbers, the Gaels’

    ‘Restitutor Orbis!’ Laelius cheered, as did others.

    ‘Laelius is right’ said the Emperor, waving and calling for order among the excitable staff. As ever, Avidius sat stone faced. ‘What do you say Avidius? You council is always welcome’ The giant Goth stood up. ‘Fight political maneuvering with political maneuvering. I concur with Laelius. His youth is clearly deceptive...take the title of Germanicus and issue proclamations detailing your triumph over the Franks. Issue coins as well and do not forget the troops. A hefty donative for them will do wonders for your popularity’

    ‘Yes, yes...undercut Phocas. His credibility will be harmed’

    ‘To me this seems preferable than having to march back to Gallia and confront him or anything else militarily’ said Avidius. “I’d have any ringleaders identified and removed from the Rhine as well”

    ‘He may still force the issue and acclaim himself Augustus and take control of the west. He does have a large number of men at his disposal Augustus and the Rhine is more or less quiet. What is really to stop him from doing so?’ mentioned Aurelian. Julian regarded his words carefully. If he indeed does have something in this, then he is playing is hand quite efficiently. ‘I do not believe him to be that rash’ said Avidius. ‘I think that these measures will give him a great deal of pause’

    ‘Making demands of the Senate isn’t rash Tribunis?’ queried one of the courtiers.

    ‘He is a careful deliberate man, Phromius, I do not believe him to be so reckless that he would blunder his position away with threats of violence or the like” the Goth replied.

    ‘I think sending word to the Senate and relieving them of their fears in this matter will be prudent’ the Emperor observed. ‘To let them know that there is no ill feeling if this matter is pursued by them. He may have his triumph but he will not take Germanicus. It is my right. The coins will be minted and the donatives issued. Let us see where this take us. You are dismissed”

    The Emperor then sat back down, ignoring everyone else as they left, putting aside the letter of Phocas and picked up the one from Oribasius. He sighed heavily. He had been decisive in other issues but dithered with this one. Oribasius’ insisting letter simply demanded that he deal with this once and for all. For his good and for Helena’s.
    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  14. #294

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 27/06/2016)

    "Fight political maneuvering with political maneuvering", ah so much clever decision!

    Sent from my Smartfren Andromax AD688G using Tapatalk
    My name is John, Tribune of Legio Ripenses IX Tertiae Italica and loyal servant to the computer generated Emperor, Julianus Flavius Augustus "The Apostles". And I will have my vengeance again The Quadi tribes, barbarian scums who decimated half of my legio in Mediolanum City Siege almost a year ago and Gratianus Flavius "The Traitor", the former Caesar who convince a half of precious my legio to his petty scheme rebellion just 3 months ago in this save game or the next
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    IB:Restitutor Orbis Signature courtesy of Joar

  15. #295

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 27/06/2016)

    Without giving too much away, our Emperor is developing into quite the politician...Oh, if anyone is wondering where the pictures are, I must apologise. I am having issues with CTD's when ever I zoom in on units so its out of the question for now until I buy my new PC which hopefully is in the next month or so.

    Chapter LXXXVI

    The Battle of Sirmium- by Justinianus (The Histories of the Roman Empire under Flavius Claudius lulianus)





    11.‘Numerius Ventidius, of low birth and equally low intelligence, recalled from Africa perhaps of Hippo or Saldae, it is unknown, arrived in Arelate to begin a new assignment as ordered by Caesar to fill vacant posts of administration and military. It was decided that Numerius would fulfill the post as the Consul of Macedonia and to take command of the freshy raised legion comprising of the Herculi and Jovii seniores as well as the local Illyrian levies.

    Numerius, as mentioned before, was wholly unremarkable save for his knowledge of military matters but it was unknown as to whether he had any practical experience commanding men owing to the circumstances that Africa found itself in, in that it was wholly pacified with the threat of Berber raids extinguished under Verennianus and Numerius Atticus. No need was there for the forts dotting the mountain passes anymore and just a single legion was provided to maintain any security for the entire region, as only partially Romanized bandits occupied the far distant cities of Ghardia and Dimiddi, long abandoned by Rome as worthless cesspits of violence and sin fit only for beggars and criminals.

    Numerius had come upon Sirmium and wondered at its impressive fortifications and its riches brought by its standing as an Imperial city and subsequently endowed by the riches afforded by such standings. It was around this time, his arrival, that the troubles with Marcellus Barbatus and the Sarmatians had reared its ugly head before the untimely death of Barbatus at the hands of an officer. Julius Athanaes had scarcely arrived back in Pannonia, escaping the clutches of the Sarmatians with barely any men remaining and begun revitalizing his forces. He had learned from Imperial officials this arrival and had desired to meet with the new Consul but owing to his difficulties could not do so.

    Whilst encampment during the inspection of the troops, certain elements among the officers had learned that they would be put on campaign to deal with the Sarmatians, which for their own reasons which are not clear, caused all manner of anxiety and a degree of anger among them, who appeared to have imagined a life watching the frontiers and not dealing with the dreaded horse archers of these steppe peoples. Lead by the legatus Corbulo, a duplicitous man of barbaric origin, he begun to ingratiate himself with Numerius and before long had swayed the Consul over to his side. It soon became apparent that, or was made apparent, that Numerius Ventidius beheld a strong force at his disposal and with the spread of disconcerting words among the officers to the men, he was convinced of his own right to rule the Empire.

    He was raised upon the shields of his men and hailed Augustus and the standard of revolt had thus been raised. All manner of promises emanated from Ventidius and these were agitated for by the troops. Realizing, owing to his lack of intellect and wisdom, he owed his succession to his troops as much as his own delusions, he set about plundering the countryside, launching a punitive expedition across the Danube before returning and causing all manner of hardship to the people he was supposed to be ruling. Still in a state of unreadiness, Julius Athanaes was unable to meet the rebel head on and instead set word to Achaea, Thessaloniki to be precise, to Serrenianus, the Consul of Greece. Showing no alacrity for the matter, the general, loyal to the Emperor, begun gathering men in particular the freshly raised Brachiati and Cornuti legions and also raising fresh Illyrian levies.

    Upon marching to Sirmium, the forces of Numerius were in the process of gathering victuals when Serrenianus happened upon them. The rogue general was able to form up his lines fairly quickly and what followed just ten miles from the walls of Sirmium equaled the carnage of that of Magnentius and Constantius II. The battle raged most of the day, for the men of Numerius were skilled and courageous and fiercely held their ground, against troops of lesser skill but of equal courage. Both sides did not want for cavalry but it was Serrenianus who triumphed in the battles between the horsemen. It begun an ugly and desperate melee between Romans, neither side daring to give an inch of ground. Numerius Ventidius though, even as his men continued their stubborn stand, lost heart in a protracted engagement and was shamefully put to flight, fleeing away from pursuing Sarmatians who had earlier lost heart and turned and fled only to return at the encouragements of Serrenianus. Now leaderless, the battle swung into the ascendancy of the Consul and with exhortations and the constant to and fro of his exhausted household guard, saw his men hold their ground and wear down the rebels.

    They soon found themselves fighting to the bitter end. Some broke free of the battle and staggered desperately away, not bothering with the safety of Sirmium, instead disappearing into the woodlands beyond. As they begun their flight, Serrenianus halted the battle, himself weary of the awful carnage. He himself had lost ten thousand men, where the enemy was nearly wiped out completely with less than one thousand escaping the field. A thorough search was conducted of the countryside and not far, some three miles, was the body of Numerius Ventidius, alone and disgraced having fallen on his sword. All dreams of Imperial glory were crushed and the pathetic rebellion extinguished. Thus was the battle of Sirmium and Serrenianus at once sent back the troops for refitting and new recruits”

    12. Arcadius Corbulo had brought victory over the Goths most handsomely, as the ever threatening Tervingi had attempted to break through again into Moesia and were besieging the fort at Tregulicium. The Goths under Theodahad fell back into Dacia at the coming of Corbulo, who rapidly forded the river at two points and begun assembling his line of infantry. The Goth cavalry was numerous and irritating to the Romans, who had no missile cavalry of their own and only four wings of the Scutarii and Promoti. The Goths attacked in a large wave of cavalry from the Roman left and the sky darkened under deadly showers of javelins. The cavalry that had crossed to the right of the bridge rapidly arrived at the scene and seeing the threat of the Slavic horsemen Corbulo was forced into the battle to drive off the Gothic host

    A hard fought infantry battle was had as the Romans begun to successfully repulse the Slavs and were able to surround Theodahad’s men and steadily cut them down. Impetuosity of the Romans got the better of a cohort of the Thebanorum legion who had joined in the pursuit of Goth’s. Thinking easy plunder was at hand, they ran into a second host of Goths and were almost to a man crushed under the weight of the enemy bearing upon them. Corbulo could not affect a rescue but was aided by the flight of Theodahad’s forces after his death, allowing him to reorganize his battered forces for the second attack. This armed force under Totilla was less resolute than Theodahad’s and did not stand long against the tired but angry Romans. Much slaughter ensued, countless dead strewn along the river bank and towards the foothills and easy takings for plunder hungry soldiers. It is though estimated some thirty thousand Gothic warriors were killed.

    The victory was absolutely total, utterly eliminating any Gothic threat along the entirety of the Moesian frontiers. Local chieftains bargained for peace with the Romans, sending many men into Roman service and some going to Marcianopolis to deal with the growing troubles.

    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  16. #296
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 11/07/2016)

    I'm sorry to hear about the CTD problem, that sounds frustrating. Your writing more than makes up for the absence of images. I enjoyed the political intrigue in the previous chapter and the dramatic history-book account of the rebellion of Numerius Ventidius and the fighting against the Goths. It seems that no-one can stand against the Emperor's armies and that potential enemies now fear Rome's legions.

  17. #297

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 11/07/2016)

    Thanks Alwyn. It's nice to stomp your enemies under your caligae but admittedly my biggest fear is my armies just steamrolling and the AAR becoming one big snoozefest as Rome racks up victory after victory. I've had to carefully manage the save game to try and keep things interesting. As for the little 'rebellion', it was a little silly seeing that happen. Typical generals from far flung parts of the Empire...give them some authority and troops and what do they do? They stab you in the back!

    Chapter LXXXVII


    A voice boomed from the steps of the Curia lulia , the elderly Marcellus Pulcher betraying his age with his masterful control of voice and oratorical skills that still held great value for the learned and important men of the Empire. His calloused and bony hands firmly held an unravelled scroll and all before him was people of all walks of life who had eagerly hurried to the Senate house as word quickly spread about a proclamation from the Emperor. News from the east had been long overdue, nothing heard about the interminable civil war that appeared as if it would drag on. The news they received was beyond anything that they had anticipated, hopefully or fearfully.

    “Citizens of Rome, let it be known that Rome is once more united under one ruler” The assembled throng began cheerly loudly, pumping their fists in the air, a few tossed objects they beheld carelessly upwards. Pulcher continued onwards in spite of the tumult. “I have demonstrated my right to the throne under no uncertain terms. Now we all may bask in the warm glow of unity, where a Roman will see a fellow Roman as a friend and not an enemy, where we trade goods and the like for the benefit of all instead of trading swords and spears in return for death. We stand united!” Pulcher stopped and let the crowd continue with its noisy approval. Marcellus Pulcher had time prior to peruse this short but forceful declaration and could not help but feel a tinge of anxiety when Corialanus Phocas learned of it. A compliment tempered with a slap, a hefty slap, one that Phocas would not soon forget.

    “While we shall mourn the Romans that have fallen, let us celebrate the victory over the Franks, that race of ever troublesome beasts that have finally been brought to heel. Let there be games the likes that Rome has yet to see, under the patronidge of Corialanus Phocas, who has capably led the forces of Rome to victory. Let there be a triumph, as is my right to decide, for Corialanus Phocas so that the people may gaze upon a valiant servant to the Empire, his pietas to Rome honoured. Let also there be a donation to each and every person of Rome, of 250 denarii” At this, whatever had been dredged up in a hurry from the treasury, coins begun been handed about by lictors

    One man in the crowd having just arrived in the city, had followed the eager throngs of people along out of curiosity. He carried a small chest with him under his arm, followed by several companions, an Iberian and a Pannonian. The visitor himself was a native of this crowded, dirty city but had spent time in Augusta Treverorum recently and upon completing his work had hurried back to confer with his master who had travelled at speed to conduct important work amongst high profile men. He drifted with the crowd and had listened to everything that the old man on the steps had proclaimed. He betrayed nothing as he listened, his sharp mind not failing to pick up on the implications of the words. He watched as the crowd clamoured as soon as the donations were been handed out. Closer he nudged his way and managed to grab a handful of the coins, freshly minted and closely examined them. He quickly put them into a pouch and then beckoned his companions to follow with a curt nod of the head.

    Corialanus Phocas was unaware of the commotion, caught up in his own little world, in fact actively planning a short campaign to recover Sardinia and Corsica which still remained outside the Roman orbit. He had begun collecting mercenary pedites from associates who knew some hard men looking for an adventure, old hands in the Roman forces content now only to march to the tune of the highest bidder. Phocas, at a private residence on the Palatine Hill, had taken a moment to relax in the villa’s courtyard and ate a light meal. He had not planned to remain this long in Rome, let own this part of the Empire but had taken the time to travel to Syracuse as he awaited news from the Senate in regards to his triumph, tending to civic amenities like the good governor he portrayed himself to be. For now, both excited and a little fearful about his encounter with the Senate several months back, he pushed the incident from his mind. A triumph through the rich and storied streets of Rome was a tantalizing prospect but he wondered about the Emperor’s reaction. Phocas now knew that the agents sent to him were not authorized by the Emperor but the deaths of the ex Caesar Marcellus Barbatus and the Prefect of Gallia Valentinianus certainly left him feeling that there was a distinct hard edge to the Pagan, if he had indeed ordered their deaths.

    Phocas was interrupted by a servant and looked up to see a member of his guard, Bossianus, who clutched a small wooden box. Bossianus saluted and stood forward at Phocas’ beckoning. The box was placed on a stone table. ‘What do you have here Bossianus? It’s fragrance is rather unbecoming” Phocas leaned forward as the domestic lifted the lid of the box and Phocas grinned at the site. “Did he go quietly?’

    A wet blanket would have been a tougher proposition” Bossianus smirked.

    “Little more than an obese wind bag” Phocas sniffed in disdain. Bossianus nodded in agreement. “Upon reflection it is clear that there is someone looking to cause trouble, not necessarily the Emperor I believe. Perhaps this someone is looking to justify their position...or build their influence by creating confusion and doubt and further their standing in the eyes of the Emperor. Almost Bossianus, almost but they were perhaps too clever by half”

    Phocas looked at the head of Hariobaudes, the malevolent agent that visited him in Augusta Cheruscorum all those months ago and could not help but think how close he was to panicking and rashly declaring his hand. He was certain that the murder of the reprobate and his associates would not come back to him, Bossianus was a careful man and at this point his ambitions remained on track. Bossianus broke his reverie. “Are you aware of the proclamation by the Senate this morning Caesar?”

    Phocas looked curiously at Bossianus. “What proclamation?’

    “One by the Emperor” he said simply “You get your triumph”

    Phocas was utterly pleased at this; his procession had been planned in his mind the moment his troops hailed him at Augusta Cheruscorum. A stupendous affair it was to be. Yet why hadn’t he been made aware of this Imperial declaration?

    “There will be games as well Caesar”

    “The people will be pleased” said Phocas dryly.

    “Only you are to fund them”

    “What?” he asked incredulously. “Me?”

    “As a valiant servant to the Empire, ever pious…” Bossianus left the implication hanging as Phocas fumbled for a response.

    Bossianus then rumagged into his pouch and produced a coin that he flipped at Phocas. He snatched it out of mid air and looked at it. A denarius, with the image of Julianus. Only it did not say Flavius Claudius Julianus Augustus. It had now added Germanicus Maximus. Phocas hurled the coin across the courtyard in anger. It should be Corialanus Phocas Germanicus Maximus, only now the Augustus had maneuvered the Caesar into a difficult position with mere words and not the need of any threat of force. It could not be more clear. It was as if the Emperor spoke to him from afar. “What now Corialanus Phocas Caesar, what will your choice be from here? Honour or ruin?”

    I underestimated him, again! Phocas trembled with barely disguised rage. Phocas was normally a reasoned and rational man, all but composed in every crisis he engaged but this slap from the Emperor looked to Bossianus as if it was too much. Phocas looked like to him that he was about to leap to his feet, rally his troops and march all the way to Constantinople. Phocas swatted at the box and it fell from the table. The head of Hariobaudes rolled across the floor. Phocas looked at the head impassively and realised that a pair of small feet in caligae stood before it. He looked up and realised it was his eight year old son Nepotianus. The small boy of just eight looked at the head with horror. There was another boy, six years of age, he too had curly blond hair and a cursory glance would lead that who beheld them to be identical twins, except for the fact that Sextus had large bright blue eyes with a wide mouth and a slightly drooping lower lip. Nepotianus was evenly proportioned and much more handsome.

    Sextus looked at the head curiously, showing no signs of revulsion or horror. “Who is this man father?” Nepotianus’ voice quavered. Phocas’ anger abated but he did not soften to his eldest son’s obvious distress. “An evil man Nepotianus, nothing more, nothing less”

    “Did he deserve to die?”

    “Yes, yes he did. He acted unjustly and without authority. There are many men like them in this world Nepotianus”

    “But you killed him...does that not make you evil as well?”

    Phocas sighed. Nepotianus, for all his intelligence, and he appeared to the Caesar to be a scholar in the making, was distressingly naive. Perhaps it was just his age...yet Phocas found it difficult to harden the boy to such realities, even when having followed Phocas on campaign in Francia. Sextus on the other hand, appeared not to be bothered by such matters. The six year old spurned the classics and other scholarly activities and instead found delight in roughhousing with the Caesar’s bodyguard and doing pretend soldierly activities. The guard themselves had taken to the fidgety six year old and was a mascot of sorts.

    “You are too young for such thoughts. When you grow older you will realise that such matters are never so clean cut as the stroke of a sword. You will need to come to this understanding boy, for your life will never be straightforward and simple”

    “What do you mean?” he quizzed.

    “What I mean boy, and perhaps your youth precludes you from seeing it just now, is your destiny and that of your brother is one of power. There will be never anything as mundane in your life as such things as selling fish or driving oxen carts, where it is your only thought, simple and uncomplicated. Instead, as I have been marked as the Augustus’ right hand man, you too, should anything become of him, will become thrust inevitably into this world of complication whether you like it or not. You will then see that perhaps in the case of this evil man before your feet, that things are never as they seem. There are twists within twists, plots within plots, two different sides to people and actions that they take that may appear contradictory or in direct contrast to laws.”

    Sextus by now had already scurried off, following Bossianus who had taken his leave when Phocas begun his little sermon to his son, who had no time for his father’s explanations about such things. Sextus had by now, without Phocas picking up on such things due to other distractions, begun to resent his bookish brother. Likewise Nepotianus harboured a dislike for his rough and crude brother. Lately the pair had begun physical skirmishers over trivial matters, the kind that siblings would inevitably quarrel over. They were particularly ferocious skirmishes however…

    Nepotianus appeared to understand...somewhat. He had another question though. “Why were you angry father? I have not seen you angry before. It worries me”

    “I suspect you have never seen me berate a miles for cowardice then” he half smiled. “It was just something relayed by Bossianus, from the Emperor. Do not trouble yourself, the Emperor though appears to be displeased with myself” For his naivety, Nepotianus had read enough that for some Emperor’s, having them displeased with you was not a good thing. Nepotianus looked as if he was about to cry “Will he kill you father?”

    “No, no of course not boy” he said brusquely. “Augustus is a man of clemency, he does not murder those who merely displease him”. Phocas was not about to tell the boy the entire story butthe thought though set of a tiny little tick in the back of his mind. He wouldn’t would he? What of Marcellus Barbatus and Valentinianus? Did he actually order their deaths or did a disgruntled soldier kill Barbatus? Did Valentinianus actually die of disease whilst awaiting trial in Constantinople, as he had heard?

    A man popular with his troops, who had won victories for the Empire and had stabilised, yet again, the Rhine frontier. By all reports, those on the other side of the Rhine, amongst the Agri Decumantes Prima had grown fond of Phocas and was popular among them. That may have put Constantius on edge but Julianus did not appear to be the paranoid sort. No, he convinced himself, he would not kill him.

    “But what of Valentinianus or Marcellus Barbatus? Didn’t he have them killed?” Nepotianus persisted.

    “They were foolish men but he did not have them killed. Enough boy or you will work yourself into a shameful fit” Phocas looked away from the boy and noticed that a servant had brought forth Plautianus, the boy’s eminently capable tutor. “Put your mind to what Plautinus is about to teach you, you will do better to concentrate on your studies instead of allowing your mind to reach such fanciful destinations” Plautinus bowed as he approached and quietly shepherded the distraught boy down the corridor towards the study room. Phocas sat back into his chair and rolled his eyes. As he looked at the head of Hariobaudes, he could consider himself lucky that he had gotten away with such a minor slap, as it was now been rationalized in Phocas’ mind, with his bold move in Rome. Financially he would take a large hit, after all the citizens of Rome were gluttons for festivals and races. Small wonder then that anything ever got done in the place but with deep pockets, it wasn’t that big a problem. There was no hailing him as Germanicus Maximus but he would get his triumph and the detested Hariobaudes was out of the picture.

    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  18. #298
    Alwyn's Avatar Frothy Goodness
    Content Director Patrician Citizen

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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 24/07/2016)

    Great chapter, the idea of the Emperor putting Phocas into a position where he must choose between honour and ruin sounds like authentic Roman political intrigue. I wonder if Phocas will find a way to regain the money which he will lose to the gluttons of Rome.

  19. #299

    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 24/07/2016)

    Hi all, sorry for the slowness in updating. My old computer packed it in a couple of weeks back, so right now I cant update this until I get it sorted and all the information I need for it retrieved. I do have a brand spanking new PC however. For the time been though this is on hold and once I find my Kingdoms disc, I will probably start a Byzantine AAR on Stainless Steel as a bit of a place holder. Cheers!
    'The Last Pagan Emperor'- An Invasio Barbarorum Somnium Apostatae Juliani AAR
    MAARC L 1st Place
    MAARC LXXI 1st Place

    'Immortal Persia' A Civilization III AAR

    Prepare to imbibe the medicine of rebuke!

  20. #300
    waveman's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: [IB SAI:AAR] The Last Pagan Emperor (UPDATED 24/07/2016)(ON HOLD)

    Ah, sorry to hear that. On the other hand, I'd love to see a Byzantine AAR from you!

    My AARs/writing: Link
    Letters for writing: þ, ð æ Æ

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