Forum:Age of Glory

These are my thoughts regarding my future AltHist, Age of Glory. The POD revolves around Romania-no, I'm not referring to the Romania of vampires, castles, and Transylvania, I'm referring to Romania of Caesars, togas, and emperors without noses.

The POD itself regards a very odd figure in Roman history, Justinian II Rhinotmetos. He was known exceptionally well for his devout religiousness, and during his second rule after his ousting, brutality and vengeance.

A particular example of this was when he fled his place of exile, Cherson, in 704. He and a handful of supporters boarded a fishing boat and headed back to Constantinople.

On the way, the little boat is consumed by a raging storm. Fearful of being drowned, Myakes begs Justinian to promise God he will show mercy on all those who have wronged him when he gets back to Constantinople. Justinian refuses, and shakes his fist at the thunderclouds shouting, "If I have mercy on even one of them, may God drown me now!"

Historically, the storm passed easily, and Justinian began a reign of terror shortly after regaining the throne. But what if the storm only threw him and some others overboard, nearly drowning them? Given Justinian's very pious nature, he most likely would have seen this as a sign from God to change his ways.

Justinian II's crew approaches the court of Tervel of Bulgaria, and Tervel agrees to assist in Justinian's coup, in return for additions to Bulgaria's treasury and territory. Also, Tervel would be elevated to Caesar (becoming Caesar Terbilius) within Romania, and would be married to his daughter.

In the spring of 705, the army of Romans and Bulgars besieges Constantinople and ousts Emperor Tiberius, whom he would later banish to Mount Athos. However, he would elevate his brothers Heralcius and Leontius to Strategoi, which would greatly affect war effort.