Alexander Constantinus (Premysloides Dynasty)

Early life
Alexander Constantinus, full name Alexander Aurelian Constantinus, was military strategist and governor of four emperors (Andronikos II, Theodore III, Arcadius II and Valerianus II).

He was born in 1317 in Athens as son of local educator on Athens Grammary School builded by local governor. In 1330, as 13 years old, he joined imperial military training course and decided for military career.

Military career
During reign of Emperor Andronikos II, he achieved position of subcommandant of Bosnian District and in 1342, he was named Chief Infantry Inspector and Educator in Bosnia, where he was responsible for military preparedness and military infrastructure. During his tenure, Bosnian garrison increased from 3,000 troops to 5,000 troops and about 5 barracks and training camps were builded, as well as fortification of four towns.

His service during "Dark Age" is unknown, but after Dark Age, he was still Bosnian commander and Bosnia was one of least intact province of Empire.

In 1358, he was appointed as Military Governor of Imperial Province of Balkan and so his responsibility and tasks, previously executed only in Bosnia, expanded to Dalmatia, Serbia, Macedonia and western Bulgaria.

As military governor, he increased garrison of Balkan from 8,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry to 12,500 infantry and 4,500 cavalry and builded 17 barracks, forts, outposts and training camps.

He was very popular among civilians and soldiers. Among civilians, because he many times ordered his troops to help with repairing or building houses and on construction projects. Among soldiers, because he lived with them and never separate from low ranks. He did not lived in military governor villa and rather remained in barracks or encampment.

Among his non-military projects were building of dams and irrigation to improve food production on Balkan and prevent floods.

Alexander Constantinus played crucial role in defeat of rebel armies in northern borderland of Roman Empire and defeat of anti-Hohenstaufen rebels in northern Italy during latest period of First Pan-European War.

Despite his victorious campaigns, he was not able to turn tide of war, as Hohenstaufen dynasty was nearly extinct and their armies were exhausted and existed only because of large armament support from Roman Empire.

He received nickname "Bastard of Rijeka", because of last battle of First Pan-European War. When aristocratic house of Frankopan declared independency, they asked rebels and newly formed Saint Atlantis for help to separate Rijeka and Istria from Roman Empire.

17,000 Saint Atlantis troops marched to Rijeka and were joined by 6,000 Frankopan troops. Alexander Constantinus deceived enemies and sent 1,500 troops against Rijeka, but largest part of his army 10,000 archer cavalry and 4,500 cataphracts, invaded northern Italy, captured Istria and cut off all connections between Saint Atlantis army and their territory. Alexander also sent for naval reinforcements that shelled Rijeka for many days, until most of city were ruins and rebels and Saint Atlantis troops inside of city starved and surrendered.

After reconquering Rijeka, Alexander Constantinus secured control of Empire over Istria and Slovenia and expanded Roman territory by 12,000km2.

Political activities
Concurrently with his military career, Alexander Aurelian Constantinus was active in political life and in 1348, or 1358 (shortly before, or shortly after Dark Age), he joined party of Populares. In primary elections among members of Balkan Populares, he received 47% of all votes (second placed candidate had only 15%) and Alexander Constantinus was placed on 1st place of candidacy charter.

In November 1359 elections, Alexander Aurelian Constantinus won elections.