Roman Empire (Principia Moderni III Map Game)

The Roman Empire, sometimes referred to as the Empire of the Greeks or the Greek Empire, is a state that borders the Aegean Sea and controls the majority of Greece. The Empire is one of the three survivor states of the classical Roman Empire, the other states being the Empire of Trebizond and the Despotate of Epirus. The Germanic Holy Roman Empire is a claimant to the same title, but has different origins.

Following centuries of political, economic and cultural success, the Roman Empire went into decline. When the Arabs took Egypt and the Levant from the Empire, the Empire went into constant decline, interrupted only by occasional periods of resurgence.

The Fourth Crusade in 1204 took Constantinople and signaled the virtual death knell of the Empire. Even as the Empire recovered Constantinople in 1261, the Empire continued to decline. Despite the efforts of the Palaiologos dynasty, the majority of whom were capable rulers, external factors continued to reduce the empire's territory and economy.

This reversed at the turn of the 15th century, when Manuel II marshaled aid from Western Europe and successfully recaptured several important cities like Thebes, Nicomedia, and Sinope. Famagusta was the greatest prize, and helped to restore the Empire's rapidly declining economy.

The Empire proceeded to defeat the remaining Latin states in Greece as well as expand its trade across the Aegean and Black Seas. The internal structure of the Empire was improved by the Palaiologan Reforms initiated by Manuel II's son and successor, John VIII.

Before 1400
For more information see main article: History of the Roman Empire

1400 - 1410
The Empire was in a tough spot in 1400, with the capital Constantinople being blockaded by the Ottoman Empire over diplomatic disputes. As such, Emperor Manuel II traveled across Europe, requesting aid to drive the Ottomans away from the capital. He visited many nations, such as Aragon, Castile, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. Manuel II would be the first Roman Emperor to travel to England in many centuries.

Back in the Empire, the Emperor's rebellious nephew and former Emperor John VII commanded the defense. While John VII was rebellious in the past, he stayed loyal to the cause, and the Ottomans never attacked the city. In the Despotate of Morea, Roman troops were able to seize several more towns and outposts that were deserted or owned by the Latins. This increased the defense and economy of the Empire, if only slightly.

Manuel II managed to get a wide array of nations to contribute troops to the defense of the capital. England, France, Castile, Aragon, Venice, Bavaria, Holland, Saxony, Novgorod, Muscovy, Naples, Sicily, the Papacy, and Genoa all contributed troops or ships. This massive influx of support vastly increased morale in the Empire.

The Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, and Venice met for negotiations regarding territorial and political disputes. The negotiations concluded with the blockade of Constantinople ended and the Empire gaining back some land, including the Anatolian city of Nicomedia. This resecured Roman control over the Bosphorus Straits.

This agreement would later play an important role in the following months. The Latin Duchy of Athens was broken away from Venetian control and came under the control of a Florentine, Antonio I Acciaioli. Venice countered, and as a reward for Roman service in the war, the Empire received half of Attica and all of Boeotia.

Soon after, general war with Genoa erupted in Western Europe. Wanting a more satisfying conclusion to the Roman-Genoese War in the previous century, the Roman Empire attacked Genoese trading ships, as well as the Genoese trading colony of Galata, in 1407. The war ended with the Empire getting much wealth and many ships, as well as control over Galata and Famagusta.

The Empire began to recover from its problems in this phase, as new territory had been reconquered, the military, while small, was effective enough, and the treasury began to fill again. This new found power attracted the attention of the Empire of Trebizond, who entered into Roman vassalage. These reconciled nations together invaded and organized the disordered Emirate of Sinope, and soon made quick work of the country. The invasion added another trade port to the Empire, along with a sizable shipyard.

1410 - 1420
The next ten years were ones largely of peace for the Empire, although there were some instances of war. Following the continues attempts of Savoy to get involved in the Aegean, the Empire along with Naples and Florence defeated the Savoyards and the Empire received some Aegean islands, as well as guaranteed independence for its relatives in Montferrat.

Following this war, the Empire and Naples attempted to annex the nation of Cyprus in order to further each others influence in that area, but the attack was a failure due to a miscommunication between the Neapolitan and Roman forces. A Cypriot followup attack on Famagusta ended in failure, making the war end in the status quo.

The Empire's influence did expand in this time period, as the Emperor's son-in-law King Stephen of Theodoro submitted to Roman vassalage, and the Empire of Trebizond, already a Roman vassal, rejoined the Empire, ending the Roman schism present since the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

With this part of the nation's history behind it, the Empire turned its focus towards defeating the rest of the Catholic Latin states that also claimed to be the heirs to the Roman Empire, through the Latin Roman Empire that ceased to exist in 1261.

1420 - 1430
Determined to end it once and for all, the Empire invaded Cyprus in 1423 and 1424, and Achaea in 1424. Both of these states were defeated and their kings imprisoned. This finally ended the schism of the Empire in its entirety, except for the Venetian-ruled dominions in Greece.

By 1425, the Empire was becoming increasingly multicultural once again. The Latins in Greece were still a sizeable minority, and despite the freedom of the Greeks from serfdom, they still occupied several important positions in local commerce and governance, as well as the military. Crimean Goths also immigrated to the Empire, in part because of the rich trade links between the Empire and Theodoro. In the east, the population of Armenians and Georgians also rose.

This was a cause of celebration for the Empire, who saw it as further proof the Empire was expanding once more. The death of Emperor Manuel II in 1425 saddened the Empire, but the ascension of John VIII was a cause for celebration, and John took to reviving the Empire with vigor.

One of the major reforms carried out early in the reign of John VIII was a major military reform for the army. These reforms dismissed many of the Latin mercenaries working in the army, and altered the structure of the army as well. These reforms would be crucial in combating the Latin revolt two years later.

With the Latins pacified, the Empire expanded its control over the rich Black Sea trade routes by annexing Theodoro as the Despotate of Taurica. Land was also gained in Rhodes and Pylos, gifted by John VIII's brother-in-law Vittorio de Luca, the grandmaster of the Knights Hospitaller.

1430 - 1440
The start of the 1430s heralded a new era for the Empire, in which its wealth was increasing due to lucrative trade routes, its culture was expanding due to new cultures in the Empire once again, its military was strong and growing due to numerous reforms, and the capital had recovered. Another Roman Renaissance had occurred.

Politics
The Empire is an absolute hereditary monarchy. The current emperor is John VIII Palaiologos of the Palaiologos dynasty.

The Empire is also governed by the Eastern Orthodox Church, which follows the Patriarch of Constantinople, who in turn is appointed by the Emperor.

There is also a Roman Senate that meets in Constantinople, but over the years the title of Senator meant little and the Senate now exists in name only.

Subdivisions
Due to the loss of land over the last two centuries, the empire is now largely composed of several territorial divisions called Despotates. *Athens, while technically the capital of Attica, is jointly governed by the Romans and the Venetians.

The capital of Constantinople has a population of about 150,000, and the total empire is estimated to have 5,000,000 inhabitants.

International Relations
Currently, the Empire has positive relations with Venice and Naples, who have helped double the Empire's navy and re-equip the Empire's army. Relations are also positive with England, due to the massive reception that Emperor Manuel II received when he visited there.

Military
The Roman Military is the descendent of the legions and navy of the classical Empire. While famous for its history and prior strength, the armed forces are in a state of disrepair and disrepute.

Army
The Roman Army is based on the organizational unit called the allagion, and each regimental commander is known as an allagatōr. The overall commander of the armed forces, other than the emperor, is known as the protallagatōr. The army numbers around 15,000 total soldiers, most of them being native Greeks, Latins, or Crimean Goths. Imperial guard units include the Varangian Guard, the Paramonai, and the Vardariotai.

The weapons commonly used in the army are spears and crossbows. Shields are common, as well as chain mail or scale mail. Hand Cannons are becoming increasingly popular for use because they are cheaper to manufacture than crossbows and require much less training.

Navy
The Roman Navy was once the most powerful navy in the world, but now the navy is a shadow of its former self. The Empire has a major shipyard at Sinope, and it hopes to construct similar shipyards at Rhodos, Patras, and Constantinople.

The navy is still known for its recipe for Greek fire, but this weapon has not been used for some time.

Economy
In 1400 the Imperial Treasury is empty, and the Empire was having an increasingly difficult time managing to pay its dues. By 1410, this has reversed dramatically, and while not the economic powerhouse it once was, the cities of Galata and Famagusta have restored the Roman economy considerably.

Trade
The capital of Constantinople was once the capital of world trade, and the Empire was made rich from its strategic location. Now the Empire has captured Galata from Genoa, the capital is once again a major trade city and is increasing in size.

The most economic location of the Empire is the the city of Famagusta on Cyprus, which attracts a wide variety of merchants and is one of the richest cities in the world.

Currency
The currency of the Empire is the Stavraton, which was issued in silver coins of one, one-half, one-eighth, and one-16th of its value. Also issued was the copper follaro. Gold currency was discontinued in 1367.

The currency was reformed by Emperor Manuel II in 1420, standardizing the currency and also officially re-introducing gold currency. The currency is now officially known as the Stavraton regardless of gold or silver composition, while the Follaro remained the copper currency and became the subdivision of the Stavraton.

Art
The Empire is known for its many versions of art. The medieval art of the Empire is known as Icons, and it is a characteristic part of medieval Roman culture.

Cuisine
Roman cuisine has evolved over the millenia, but at the current mostly consists of seafood, vegetables and fruits, along with luxury foods like honey.

Calender
The Roman Empire uses the "Byzantine" calendar, which puts the current date of 1401 AD as 6909 AM (Anno Mundi, or Year of the World).