Emperor Tiberius IV (Premysloides Dynasty)

Emperor Tiberius IV the Conqueror

Tiberius IV the Conqueror
God-Emperor of Roman Empire, Supreme Autocrator and Imperator Augustus, Ruler and Basileios of Constantinople and Rome, Basileios Rhomaion, Protector of Saint Mother Orthodox Church, Theos-Krator
Tiberius the Conqueror on Socotra, 1455
166th Roman Emperor
Imperial Autocrat	June 10, 1432 - December 29, 1469
Coronation	June 10, 1432, Constantinople, Roman Empire
Predecessor	Valerianus III
Successor	Basil III
Born	Tiberius Valerianus Flavius
Born	September 8, 1405 Constantinople, Roman Empire
Died	December 29, 1469 Sinai, Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo
Burial	March 3, 1470 Imperial Crypt of Constantinople, Constantinople, Roman Empire
Consort	Constantina
Issue	Arcadius Maria Basil III Theodoric Romanos VI Anna Marcos (illegitimate)
Era name and dates
Second Golden Age: 1432-1590
Regnal name
Tiberius
Posthumous name
Imperator Tiberius Angelos-Premysloides Caesar Augustus
Native Language	Czech
Other	Latin, Simplified Latin, Greek, Portugese
House	Angelos-Premysloides (patrilineal)
House	Angeloides (Roman Empire), Premyslid (Bohemia) (de iure, claim de facto lost)
Father	Valerianus III the Scholar
Mother	Adriana Angelos-Premysloides
Religion	Imperial Orthodox Cult
Occupation	Emperor, Ruler

Early life and Caesar of Roman Empire

In some cases, Valerianus III was very similar to his father. In other cases, Tiberius IV was extremly similar to his grandfather Arcadius the Restorer.

Tiberius was born as last child of Emperor Valerianus III on September 8, 1405. Tiberius mother Adriana was in that time very old. She was 46 when she gave birth of Tiberius and was very weaken after birth, but she was happy and protected her last child.

Tiberius was very wild, curious and brave kid since earliest days. He crawl everywhere, he ran everywhere, he observed everything, but most of time, he observed soldiers, rifleman and swordsman, cavalry and infantry, barracks and shooting ranges and especially Varangian Guards. Very soon, he became some kind of Varangian Guard mascot and observed all military marches and parades under his father reign, which were sporadic contrary to Arcadius the Restorer era.

Tiberius started train with sword at age of 6 and with bow at age of 7. To much relief of his father, who was worry that Tiberius will be something like "dull hulk", Tiberius on his own started learning reading and writing, but when he was capable of read in Czech, Greek and Simplified Latin, he wanted to read all military books. He read "De re militari" of Publius Flavius Renatus, "Arts of War" of Sun C´, Caesar "Commentarii de Bello Civili" and "Commentarii de Bello Gallici", "Strategikon" of Emperor Maurice, "Tactica" of Emperor Leo VI, "War Treatises of Empire", "On Imperial Military" and "On Imperial Fleet" of Alexios Strategopulos and "Tactica" of Nikephoros Ouranos, one of greatest military leader of Emperor Basil II the Bulgar-slayer.

Tiberius also many times visited Imperial Arsenal of Constantinople and learned some basics in maintaining firearms and other infantry weapons and in Bureau of Weapons and Ammunition, he observed engineer and technician works and studied their achievements, but also failures. He studied artillery and using mathematic and geometry in artillery fire and military.

He also followed example of Marius Palaiologos and studied economics and social sciences to understood all advantages and disadvantages of every military campaign, every enemy, or ally and every battle and war.

At age of 14, in 1419, Tiberius joined Imperial Military Academy of Constantinople, but very soon, he left because local teachers favoured him as Emperor son. In Autumn 1419, Tiberius ran away from Constantinople and from Imperial Court and joined mercenary company in Portugal, where he fought against Arabs and Spaniards.

"Vexillum de Lacunae" was mercenary company of 4,000 infantry and cavalry troops, who claimed to be descendants of imperial soldiers and officers or mercenaries, who participated in Fall of Venice. It was probably only legend, but they used imperial purple banners with slayed golden lion of Venice.

They were not only classical sellswords, but they also served as military advisors and strategist for various lords, dukes, emirs or kings and were regular clients of Kingdom of Portugal. In this time, Tiberius learned Portugese and seduced Martha, daughter of local duke and she gave him son Marcos, who later moved to Constantinople and became managing official in Imperial Arsenal of Constantinople.

Tiberius participated in "Siege of Ceuta" in 1419 and after liberation of Ceuta and fall of Marinid Dynasty in to succession war, "Vexillum de Lacunae" helped Portugal King John to expand Portugal territory in to North Africa. Tiberius heroically fought, despite his age and was able to summon veteran and experienced troops in to victorious assaults on Arab positions. He was promoted to position of sub-commandant de Vexillum and was rewarded by John I with small title and some lands in southern Portugal.

In 1423, Tiberius left mercenary company and joined Lisbon General Study, where he studied architecture and trade and also joined "Cadet Corps", basic military education of Portugese Army. In 1425, Tiberius graduated with above average marks and returned to Constantinople. He expected harsh punishment, but it was revealed that Emperor Valerianus III for whole time knew about his son fate, as Vexillum was in contact with Portugal Court and Portugal Court was ally of Emperor Valerianus.

In that moment, however, Valerianus did something what gravely damaged their relations. Publicly, at Imperial Court, Valerianus said to his son:"I am so proud of you, your courage and your abilities and I am so happy, that you will never ever be Emperor of our Empire, because you would destroy us," Tiberius never forgive his father words and for long time, he ignored his father. In that time, Valerius was still alive and Romanos still did not declare his despise to rulling.

After disappearance of Valerius and Romanos threat about killing himself, if he will be forced to rule, Emperor Valerianus initiated negotiations with Imperial Senate of transforming Roman Empire back in to Roman Republic with elected president. Two weeks later, on November 8, 1429, imperial troops include Varangians, stormed Imperial Palace and forced Emperor Valerianus to proclaim Tiberius Caesar and Co-Emperor of Roman Empire, as Roman Imperial Army dreamed about new "Arcadius the Restorer" or "Basil the Bulgar-slayer".

Caesarian military reforms

Immediately after proclamation as Caesar, Tiberius was appointed in to Imperial Government as deputy of Supreme Stratégos and he frequently travelled through Empire and visited barracks and fortress. He negotiated and discussed with military commanders, low rank troops and non-commissioned officers, with military judges, agent, with Imperial Intelligence and declared necessity to reconstruct Imperial Military in to better army.

Tiberius military reforms initiated in 1430 by establishing military offices for recruitment, logistics and inspections, are accepted as establishment of modern Imperial Military. Tiberius applied in to Imperial Military scientific methods, planning and organization based on new improved hierarchy, deep ties between various military institutes and new wave of professionalization.

Reign

Reign of God-Emperor Tiberius IV has began on June 10, 1432, four days after death of his father Valerianus III the Scholar. God-Emperor Tiberius was coronation was large feast and ceremony, as it was also wedding with Constantina, former slave and prostitute, who was saved from Arab slavers, during Tiberius fighting in Ceuta.

Coronation, however, was very unique and foreshadow his future reign. Tiberius was elevated on Varangian Guard shield, hled by dozen Varangians and he was coronated by Leader of Varangian Guard, veteran warrior Haakun, one of very few survivor of siege of Isfahan and most authoritative leader of Imperial Military. Very few state officials or clergy was present on coronation. Most of present were soldiers and commoners.

Feast and ceremony was monumental as Imperial Army and Imperial Fleet supported Tiberius and so they were able to gather him massive popular support. Feast took 3 days and culminated with large gladiator games and chariot races in expanded Hippodrome.

Imperial Military reforms and domestic policy (1432-1450)

First act as Emperor and first act as military reformer, continuing in previous "Caesarian Military Reforms" of his earlier Co-Emperor reign with his father, was establishing "Imperial Academy of Military Sciences" as military version of Imperial Academy of Sciences. Academy of Military Sciences was focused on development of tactics and strategy, overall development of military thinking, application of scientific methods and practices in to military to reach top grade of military professionality.

Aside of professional bureaucratization of Imperial Military, Tiberius reforms improved military education, military research and development, opened Imperial Army and Imperial Fleet to women, reorganized army units structures and rank hierarchy and increase citizen participation on military activities.

Revenues for Wars

In 1435, Emperor Tiberius IV assigned his magister of finances Avragam Stroganov and prefect of economy Anna Rugerin, to increase revenues for Emperor war campaigns against Arabs and other enemies.

Both members of government had different, but not contradictory approach. Stroganov presented series of measures to decrease expenditures and wasting in administrative (mostly by improving technological capabilities, decreasing number of bureaucrats, abolishing obsolete laws and regulations and dissolving obsolete offices in similar way like during Arcadius reign). Barbara Fugger, wealthy merchant with books, printing press and textile, wanted to increase revenues by finding new one and proposed using "tabaco", herb smoked by Native population of Varronia, that improving health condition, make people relaxed and is popular among colonists, but did not spread in Old World.

Emperor, aside of accepting austerity measures of Stroganov, ordered spreading tabaco in optimal locations and established mixed public/private monopole of tabaco production. Private companies and merchants could produce and trade tabaco only as subordinates of Imperial Trade Company and under strict conditions (this measure, at first implemented to secure revenues for Empire, became crucial as prevented collapse of food production in favour of tabaco). In few years, many old provinces (mostly Smyrna, Achaea, Thessaloniky and Macedonia) became large producents of tabaco. Until 1442, Empire sow 1,250,000 hectares of tabaco with production about 30,000 tonns and 30 billion cigarets produced yearly with about 1,000,000 daily sold packets. This increased revenues by 146 million Hp (7,3 billion $) and it is not count foreign export. This increasment secured Emperor revenues necessary for his war campaigns.

Another revenues came when ended "Indian War of Succession", which was destructive and bloody civil war among dozens factions in whole India after fall of Delhi Sultanate. Delhi Sultanate fall apart because of Tamerlane raid, which killed Delhi Sultan, last member of his dynasty, which was used by Hindu rebels and revolutionaries in uprising against islamic government and muslim dynasties. In 1434, during latest years of Valerianus reign, muslim governors and regents of India asked Valerianus for military help, but Tiberius, who was in that time already powerful Caesar, persuaded his father to let fall of muslim dynasties, as they could be dangerous threat, if they will move toward Arab Caliphate and Mamluk Sultanate. In 1437, last muslim governors and regents were defeated by Great Hindu Army of local rulers, military leaders, wealthy magnates, landlords, town and city rulers and peasant leaders. New "Hindustan Communion" became largest republic, or precisely, federation of republics, city states and local dynasties and very soon restored full relations with Roman Empire, because Empire did not support regents and governors.

Restoring "Persian Highway" increased trade volume in Hindu-Roman trade by 25 million tonns and about 10 million Hp.

Environmental Policy

One of less known and unexpected policy of Emperor Tiberius IV was his environmental policy, or precisely, that he formed first and earliest imperial ecological and environmental policy. This progressive policy helped with building traditional, more-or-less effective, protection of environment in Roman Empire.

• Recycling: with widespread development of printing press and book production, paper-making industry rapidly increased their production. Empire declared that damaged, destroyed or thrown out books will be recycled for new usage of paper. Similar recyclation measures were applied on iron scraps, carcass and non-biological waste in late years. Recycled materials were pay out by various rates (1 copper per glass bottle, 50 coppers per 1 kilogram of iron scraps etc.)
• Park Decree: Emperor Tiberius, based on scientific works of Constantinople Dome of Wisdom and suggestions from scientific community, established system of protected parks, areas protected from industry, trade and with very low influence of agriculture (mostly only fishing or fruit collecting). During Tiberius reign, 7 parks were established (3 in Bulgaria, 1 in Judea, Greece, Transylvania and Macedonia). Trespassing, mining, hunting or cutting woods in these parks was punishable by 10 years of forced labour.
• Cleaners and dustbins: Existing system of cleaners in large cities expanding to smaller cities and to rural service. Cleaners collecting garbage, recycle it or burn it. Dustbins installed in all villages, towns and settlements. Financed by Empire, fined in case of lackness.
• Filter system: All large workshops were obliged to install basic and primitive filters on chimneys. These filtred only largest particles, but partially improved air condition in large cities.

Crusader Emperor (1450-1469)

Invasion of Arab Caliphate (1450 - 1452)

After Fall of Baghdad during Great Crusade, destruction of Abbasid Caliphate and Ayyubid Dynasty, center of islamic power was divided between more secular and powerful Mamluk Sultanate and more religious and fundamental Arab Caliphate (or Caliphate of Arabia).

After Great Crusade, Imperial and Mongol forces left conquered Medina and Arab Caliphate integrated all territories southern of Al Wajh-Kuwaiti line. Since that time, Arabian Caliphate was among poorest and backwarded countries, as it lost land contact with many realms and seas were under Imperial Fleet control and aside of fishing, Imperial Fleet prevented all naval trade and exchange. Territory was largely overpopulated (15 million people) with lack of water sources and low output agriculture. Food was secured from Socotra, richest of Caliphate territories and water from few reservoirs.

Stratégos Fattih al-Hussin, Egyptian-born imperial military officer and strategist, proposed to led Imperial Crusade of Arabian Peninsula in two directions. From Aqaba Bay alongside of Red Sea Shores to Aden and from Kuwaiti to Oman and then to western direction to Aden. In last phase, Imperial Forces will regroup and invade Socotra as last bastion of Caliphate.

Emperor declined this and presented his own plan, which was much harsher, difficult and much more dangerous, but was enhanced by moment of surprise against Arabs. Imperial Forces will gather in Kuwaiti, then move to south-western direction, right in to Arabian deserts, invade city of Hajr and then strike on Mecca and Medina.

This plan was very difficult in logistic and supply questions, but just like Emperor Tiberius expected, most of Arab forces (dangerous Bedouine cavalry, tribal bandits, mercenaries, emigres from fallen Delhi Sultanate and some Mamluk forces) will be stationed in direction of Aqaba Bay and Kuwaiti.

Invasion started on March 8, 1450 and to much surprise, Emperor plan, while extreme costly (about 17 million Hp/850 million $) and difficult to execute, was successfull. Especially swift speed of Imperial Cavalry Corps and light armed troops from Kuwaiti and Al-Faw to Hajr was crucial, as in Hajr, Army replenished their supplies of water, corrupted local officials and find out best ways to movement against Mecca and Medina. Also, in Hajr many local people welcomed Imperial Army as liberators, because they were aware of prosperity and richness of Baghdad and Jerusalem and had faith in Roman Empire. Only about 72 troops died in Arabian desert because of heat and lack of water. Mostly of fallen invading troops (2,995) died during conquest of Mecca and Medina.

While many troops were lost (8,955 killed, wounded or died because of climate), it was much fewer than Arab forces, which lost about 150,000 troops. Victory was quick, as Imperial Army attacked in enemy rear and caused terrible chaos of enemy ranks and fall of their organized resistance.

For Emperor Tiberius, another crucial step to secure Peninsula, was declaration of Mecca as special holy territory for Sunni Muslims and allowing worshipping of Sunni Islam on Arabian Peninsula. This prevented prolonged armed resistance against Imperial Army.

Invasion of Central Asia (1452 - 1455)

Imperial invasion of Central Asia was series of attacks and campaigns against Uzbek Khanate, Siberian Khanate, Bukhara Khanate and large Kazakh Khanate. Persian and Caucasian Legions of Imperial Army were sent to execute this strikes.

Emperor wanted to end islamic rule over Central Asia and spread Imperial Cult and also reach control over Aral Sea and Kazakh steppes to expand imperial agriculture and distribute new lands among landless peasants and citizens.

Emperor sent his armies in two ways - through Caucasus and by Caspian Sea to attack Siberian Khanate from west and from Persia to north-east, to invade Uzbek, Bukharan and Kazakh Khanate. Caucasus Army had 6,500 troops and Central Asian invasion army had 22,000 troops. "Great Khanate Army", loose alliance of khanates, had 100,000 troops.

Most of enemies were nomadic tribes, "empires" weakened by Tamerlane raids or primitive states with obsolete technologies to be able resist Roman Empire. Length of campaign was consequence of climate conditions, logistics problems and length of route itself.

First battle occured when Great Khanate Army tried pre-emptive strike against Astrakhan, in that time many years imperial city near Caspian Sea. At first, they were successfull and city defense collapsed. City was plundered, but when Great Khanate Army plundered city, they were ambushed by Caucasus Army and massacred. Caucasus Army lost 27 troops, Great Khanate Army lost 4,106 troops and was forced to retreat.

Chimgi-Tura was important city, center of Uzbek Khanate and Siberian Tatars. Town was well-fortified and clash with Tatar raiders and cavalry was bloody. Imperial Army lost 896 troops and cavalry, Great Khanate Army lost 9,551 troops and cavalry.

Uzbek Khanate fall with fall of city Iasy in early 1454, when Imperial Army conquered last bastion of Uzbek Khanate and executed Abu Khayr Khan, first and only Uzbek Khanate ruler.

In late 1454, Imperial Army defeated Kazakh Khanate armies near Sozaq. 11,500 imperial troops clashed with 45,000 Kazakh cavalry and cossacks. 1,041 imperial troops were killed or wounded. Khanate casualties are estimated on 37,000 killed or wounded.

Khanate of Bukhara was most prosperous and stable of Khanates. When regents of Samarkand, who ruled in name of 3-years old Muhammad Shaybani, seen power and might of Imperial Army, they sent emissars to Imperial Army and offered conditional surrender: Khanate will be transform in to Imperial Province of Central Asia, but local dynasty will be governors of province and local people will be allowed to follow Sunni Islam. Emperor agreed in first condition and second condition was slightly changed. Sunni Islam was allowed to follow for local people only in Samarkand. And also all local militia and levies were disarmed.

Campaign ended in Autumn 1455 with fall of Siberian Khanate and its fortress-city Tyumen, which was besieged by Imperial Army for three bloody weeks.

Invasion of Afghanistan (1456 - 1460)

Fall of Timurid Empire allowed large political, economical and military expansion of Mihrabanids Dynasty in Afghan territories. Mihrabanids were emerging power in Central Asia and as that, they were rivals of both, Roman Empire and Hindu Communion.

Under rule of Nizam al-Din Yahya, Mihrabandis implemented rule of terror and fear over Afghan territory and initiated "cleansing" of Afghan lands. He transfered capital city in to Kabul and was welcomed as liberator by Pashto civilians, while Uzbeks, Slavics, Hindu and Romans living in Afghan lands flee away. Nizam tear down all churches and old temples and declared "New Era" under which he claimed that everything before his enthronment was era of "decay and corruption".

In 1453, Nizam pruged Afghan lands and killed 50,000 "impure" civilians, mostly foreigners, whos property and finances were granted to poor Pashto peasants and Nizam loyalists. When Emperor Tiberius demanded compensation for killing 4,000 Romans and Greeks living in Afghan land, Nizam killed 800 Greeko-Roman hostages and threatened another thousand hostages.

In 1455, Tiberius contacted rebels in Afghan land, composed of national, ethnical and religious minorities and formed Western Alliance, as most of their forces controlled western Afghanistan. Rebels publicly declared Afghanistan as imperial province and asked Roman Empire for protection from terror and prosecutions. In early 1456, 10,000 Roman troops crossed Afghan frontiers and attacked former heartland of Mihrabandis in Zaranj. For Nizam, it was embarassment, as it was his former homeland.

Western Alliance conquered Herat and for next two and half years, Western Alliance and Roman Empire slowly and steady moved toward Kabul, conquering smaller cities, expulsing Pashto civilians and imposing military and political control. Plan for final attack was to reach Panjab and Ghazni by Westerners and Romans, secure them, unite their forces and besiege Kabul.

What Romans, nor Westerners knew, was that Nizam prepared traps in both cities. When they arrived to cities, they moved through cities and continued to Kabul, but when they pass cities, hidden Nizam troops attacked their rear and ambushed both armies.

30,000 rebels and 9,000 Roman troops were killed or captured. Only few hundred rebels and one thousand Roman troops flee away and most of them died in harsh climate of Afghanistan. After this crucial defeats, Emperor Tiberius recall all military attempts to conquer Afghanistan and Roman Empire annexed only territory to line Herat-Kandahar, which was still success, but result of war was much greater political victory and prestige for Nizam rule.

Invasion of Madagascar (1461 - 1462)

Invasion of Madagascar was proposed by Julius "Africanus" Palaiologos, who claimed that Madagascar is infested by pirates and pirate fleet raiding imperial and Hindu merchant convoys in Persian Gulf and near Ethiopia from their bases and positions on Madagascar and even claimed these pirates are under command of defected Roman and Saint Atlantis navy officers.

Imperial Intelligence sent to Madagascar evaluated this claims and returned with extensive informations about local terrain, situation, population, resources, infrastructure and about massive pirate fleet anchored in northern Madagascar, commanded by admiral Georgios Matziulos, former military commander of Black Sea Imperial Fleet, who went missing in 1437.

Intelligence also claimed these pirates are consolidated in to political realm "Pirate Republic", with very loose government structures based on democratic elections, discussions and decision process among all captains, not only captains of large fleet, but even captains of smallest ships. They also claimed there are about 500,000 people, but only 10,000 of them were pirates. Rest were their families, slaves or local peasants.

Intelligence claimed that pirates conquering whole island and securing other islands to expand and build "largest fleet in the history" (which was according Intelligence declared on special meeting of captains in 1438 and initiated by Matziulos in 1439). Pirates conquering forests and woods, building shipyards, training new crews and planning start "Conquest of Seven Seas". They were also able to produce and process iron and gunpowder.

In Autumn 1460, Pirate Republic form "Supreme Command" as new body to led great naval campaign "... against all!" Georgios Matziulos is elected as "Grand Admiral", while Elise Eskilsdotter, Norwegian pirate, was appointed as First Rear Admiral and Ali Kemal Reis, Turkish pirate and captain as Second Rear Admiral. Another dozen titles and positions were assigned to best experienced and most capable naval officers.

During same time, Emperor Tiberius commanded Imperial Arsenal of al-Faw to build fleet against pirates, include new and modern warships like Galleons. He appointed Joshue ben Ibram, Jerusalem-born captain and admiral, as commander of new fleet and gave him blank chequé to destroy pirates. Joshue immediately declined all attempts to prepare land invasion of Madagascar and rather decided focus on destruction of enemy fleet and destroying shipyards and land invasion later, when naval resistance will be broken.

Joshue already had experiences with fight against pirates and various naval enemies, despite he was among youngest (31 years old) admirals. Because of that, he was careful in his stances and strategy.

First part of Madagascar War started on November 25, 1460, when "Great Pirate Armada" attacked Ethiopian Fleet near African Horn, south-western from Socotra. Massive fleet of 465 warships ambushed 110 Abyssinian war and trade ships. 89 Abyssinian ships were destroyed and 21 captured, while about 12,000 sailors were killed, enslaved or defected to pirates. Pirates lost only 7 ships.

Next pirate attack occured against Hindu Communion and Hindu naval forces on December 26, 1460. 458 remaining ships attacked and raided ports and shipyards on Indian coasts. About 362 Hindu vessels, warships and cargoships were sunken or captured and more than 25,000 sailors killed, enslaved or defected. Another 72 ships were captured and Pirate Armada reached total number 503 ships (include casualties).

In this time, Imperial Fleet understood terrible mistake of sole focus on European Imperial Fleet. Admiral ben Ibram accepted that only chance to defeat Pirate Armada is at Strait of Hormuz, as it is neck of bottle, where maneuvers and movement of such massive fleet will be difficult.

Invasion of Adal (1462 - 1464)