The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) Government Type:Monarchy Official Language(s):Medieval Greek(it's like ancient Greek,but slightly different) Official Currency:Gold & silver coins Name of Capital:Constantinople National Anthem: - Faction Leader:Basileus Markos Phokas Official Religion(s):Orthodox Christianity Faction Color: Imperial Purple(red: 102, green: 2, blue: 60) Faction History: Byzantium is the shadow that remains of the old Roman Empire. It is a mere shadow because despite retaining the civilised ways of the Roman legacy, the Byzantines have done little to further it. In fact, it is their reverence of the old ways that has brought the empire to a point of stagnation, in a world that has gradually kept moving on. The differences between the thinking in Byzantium and the west were most profoundly highlighted with the Great Schism, the division of Christendom. Eastern Rome and the others Duchy of Yorkshire ~ Unconcerned Western Roman Empire ~ Friendly;alliance,trade La Republique de France ~ Friendly;alliance,trade The Democratic People's Republic of Zolland ~ Neutral;trade Kingdom of Castille ~ Neutral New Numeror ~ Unconcerned Kingdom of Finland ~ Unconcerned United States of Japan ~ Neutral;trade Republic of Laraish and Tingis ~ Neutral The Granadine Sultanate of Egypt ~ Neutral;trade Protectorate of Decinryos ~ Neutral;border agreement,trade Medium Khaganate of Turkestan ~ Neutral Patatje Joppie Clan ~ Unconcerned The Great Bohemian Empire ~ Unconcerned The Confederation of United Baronies ~ Unconcerned Ordre de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem/Malteserorden ~ Neutral States of Baltica ~ Unconcerned People's Republic of Arstotzka ~ Unconcerned Polish Commonwealth ~ Neutral;Seeking diplomatic relationships
An envoy from the Western Empire arrives in Constantinople. It humbly begs an audience with the great Basileus.
"Sure" the guards say."We shall escort you to our Basileus". When they reached the throne room,the guards say:"Your Majesty,this foreign emissary needs to speak to you". Then,the Basileus says to the Western Roman diplomat:"What can I do for you,then?"
The envoy bows low to the Emperor. "Great Augustus, my Dominus has a proposition for you, and your noble Roman nation."
"I'm listening.Please,go on..."
"My Dominus has suggested that we, as the only true descendants of the glorious Roman Empire of Augustus, should enter into a trade pact and an alliance"
edited
A French emmisary suddenly breaks in through a window in the throne room. He drunkenly walks towards the Basileus and leans against the Western Roman envoy. "Nous offer baguettes and croissants to vous, les Byzantines so you know we have good intentions!" he yells The Varangians brace to take him out but another French emmisary enters the throne room. (by door) "Excussez-il, please! He had a little bit more Bordeaux than he should've had." (quietl) "Jacques, what the ***** you doin' !? Get beside me!" He begins to talk again. "I am Guillaume de Normandie and I offer you, most noble Roman heirs, a trade agreement and also a Glorious! Alliance!" "VIVE LA REVOLUTION! MORT POUR LE ROI! HAHAHA ! VOLTAIRE, JJRouseeau! Hahaha!" "Jacques, shut the hell up!"
The Basileus replies to both emissaries:"We see no reason to decline your offers.We happily accept your proposals." Then he tells to Guillaume de Normandie"Next time,do not let your friend behave like this when negotiating with foreign lords.He makes a complete fool of himself"
The western diplomat remains composed, and smiles, despite looking slightly perplexed at the French. "I thank you, great Basileus. The Augustus will be pleased."
~ An Ambassador from Crete Arrives ~ "Once out of nature I shall never take My bodily form from any natural thing, But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make Of hammered gold and gold enameling To keep a drowsy Emperor awake; Or set upon a golden bough to sing To lords and ladies of Byzantium Of what is past, or passing, or to come." Ambassador Ariadih and her entourage sail to Konstantinoúpolis, capital of the Eastern Imperium Romanum. A sprawling metropolis, this magnificent city rivals that of Knossos. Ariadih is especially impressed by the great architectural monuments; the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, and the Imperial Palace. The latter is where the Cretans stop, for it is their ultimate destination. Some representatives from France pass by, one being very loud and obnoxious. Ariadih covers her ears as the man yells about revolutions and baguettes. "Well, this city is certainly the 'crossroads of the world,'" an aid remarked. "Truly, people from all over do indeed come here." "I pray to the goddesses that those men never come to any of our cities," Ariadih said. She turns to the palace guards, smiles, and says, "I request an audience with your noble Basileus, on behalf of my people, to establish proper diplomatic relations. Shall we be welcomed?"
The Western envoy, upon leaving the Imperial Palace, spots and recognises the Cretan envoys. He stops and smiles politely, and bows his head in respect, before continuing on his journey back to Rome.
"Let us escort you to our ruler" the guards say. When they reached the throne room,they say:"Your Majesty,this lady and her retinue are seeking diplomatic relations with us". Then,the Basileus replies to ambassador Ariadih: "So what can I do for you then?"
Antonis, please post all your trade agreements and alliances that you have made in the Diplomacy thread. I need that to keep track.
"Merci, may both out nations prosper."
Originally Posted by AntonisTheGreek The Basileus replies to ambassador Ariadih: "So what can I do for you then?" "Greetings, your majesty," Ariadih bows. "I come to propose two treaties: a border arrangement and a trade agreement." Her aid comes forth and unrolls a scroll, displaying a map of the Eastern Mediterranean. "We the people of Crete seek to liberate and enlighten the people of the Aegean Isles. Our priestesses especially desire to secure the temple complex on Samothrace. It is sacred to the Divine Mother and we wish to see it restored. Would you be willing to leave this particular region," she taps on the north Aegean shore, "independent until we have the forces to evict the barbarian tribes there? As for trade... Crete can offer saffron spice, olives, fish, pottery and ceramics. From Byzantium you could provide us with silk, weapons and other manufactured goods. Our merchants would lower their tariffs so that commerce may prosper between our realms. Special sections of our magnificent ports would be devoted to Byzantine merchants to easily conduct business. Would you, noble lord, be willing to sign such an agreement?"
Then the Basileus unfolds one of his maps and tells Ariadih: "The island that you marked as one of your claims is Thasos and not Samothrace.Samothrace is the island that is marked with pink on this map,and comes with the pink region above it": "We shall leave this region alone,if it is so important for your people.But I would like you to leave the entire Macedonia for us,as you see in this map": "Now,as for the trade,we accept your trade agreement.We will see what tradeable goods we have,and we will sell them to you.Your merchants will be always welcome in our docks,and we will give them their own space in the docks,so they can easily conduct business".
Guillaume de Normandie returns. This time without Jacques. "Bonjour, I have come back to tell you a desire of our Leader. We have taken interest in the Black Sea and we wondered if you could gift our nation the city of Sinope. In exchange, you shall obtain a fleet in the Mediteranean. Is that good enough of a deal?"
"We do not own any Sinope,and therefore we cannot do anything to satisfy you,noble ally" the Basileus replies."This map was only a map of our claims.However,if you need a region near the Black Sea,we can take a region,and then gift it to you.To be more precise,I am thinking of giving you this region".Then the Basileus opens a map and shows Guillaume the region he is talking about: "Now,even if we offer you that region,you have no fleets to offer us in return.First build a fleet so you can offer it to us when we gift you the region,and then we will try to get the region for you."
"It is all talk about future. We accept Dobruja too."
