CITIES OF THE BALKANS
The Balkans, apart from Greece and Thrace, for most of the imperial history have been a hinterland in comparison to places such as Anatolia or Syria. During the early Komnenid Empire the Balkans were one of the bastions of the growing Roman state, but the civil wars that have marked the first third of the 13th century have checked that growth. In 1216 especially, the Balkan lords chose their allegiance poorly and the region suffered.
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1. THESSALONIKA.
Population (1240): 50,000
Since the days of Konstantinos, Thessalonike has been a major commercial and political hub of Greece and all of Illyria. For much of imperial history, the empire served as a co-capital, so great was its importance. Despite losing that prestigious title since the rapid expansion of the Empire, the Metropolitan of Thessalonike is still the second most revered theologian in the Patriarchate of Konstantinopolis, and its port and wharves are constantly filled with merchants and wares. Part of the Imperial
demesne as an imperial city, under the control of an imperial
Katepanos who reports directly to the Emperr.
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2. ATHENAI.
Population (1240): 25,000
Long removed from her pagan glories, Athens has emerged as the capital of the
theme of Athenai, as well as the leading city of Greece proper. Even though Plato’s famed Academy was closed in the 7th century, the city remains a leading center of learning, and the kernel of a neo-Aristotlean school of examining the physical world is slowly emerging under the shadow of ancient giants.
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3. ADRIANOPOLIS.
Population (1240): 20,000
Capital of the
theme of the same name, and second city of Thrace after Konstantinopolis. The city famously serves as the traditional marshalling ground of the Imperial armies for Balkan campaigns—a duty that is rarely needed these days. Now the city serves as an important intersection of roads linking Imperial Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia to the capital as well as each other.
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4. RAGUSA.
Population (1240): 15,000
Once a semi-independent city state that was a vassal of the Empire during the 10th and 11th centuries, Ragusa has since been absorbed into the Empire formally, becoming a major port on the Illyrian side of the Adriatic. Ragusa, while not the capital of the
theme of Dioclea, is by far its largest and most important city.
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5. KORINTHOS.
Population (1240): 15,000
Korinthos occupies a historically strategic position covering the isthmus of the same. Capital of the
theme of Achaia, Korinthos serves as a weak second to the increasing light of Roman Athens inside Imperial Greece.
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6 .DYRRACHION.
Population (1240): 15,000
Dyrrachion has long been the economic hub of Epieros, and serves as capital of the
theme of Dyrrachion. The city is renowned for the Walls of Anastasios, built during the 6th century and wide enough that four horsemen can ride abreast on the works.
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7. SERDICA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Serdica has gone from being a capital of the old Bulgarian
khanate to now being the largest city and economic center for the lands of the Bulgars. The Bulgars themselves have long since become sedentary, settling down to become farmers and herdsmen. Serdica is the center of their trade and markets, from which goods are sent down the so called Red Road to Adrianopolis, and thence Konstantinopolis.
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8. NIKOPOLIS.
Population (1240): 10,000
Adriatic trading port. Capital of the
theme of Epieros.
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9. ZARA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Adriatic trading port, and part of the Imperial
desmense, ruled by a
tribunos who answers to the Emperor.
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10. SPALATO.
Population (1240): 10,000
Adriatic trading port, and part of the Imperial
desmense, ruled by a
tribunos who answers to the Emperor.
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11. SIRMION.
Population (1240): 10,000
Sirmion has an ancient and illustrious heritage. For all of its history, it has served as a border fortress, and base for military operations across the Danube. It is also the home of Emperors… the Illyrian junta that brought the Crisis of the 3rd Century to an end were born and raised here. Today, Sirmion sits quietly in empty grandness—the Palace of Diocletian is falling into ruin, and her walls now host soldiers from the
thematakoi of Croatia, not imperial legions.
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12. PHILLIPOPOLIS.
Population (1240): 10,000
Phillipopolis serves as capital of the
theme of Thrake, and is the second largest administrative and population center in Thrace..
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13. LARISSA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Larissa has been the chief city of Thessalia for time immemorial, and now serves as capital of the
theme of the same name.
CITIES OF ITALY
Of all the regions of the Komnenid Empire, few have served as a battleground between competing interests as much as Italy. During the 1140s-60s, southern Italy was a contest between the Roman Empire and her Norman occupiers. In the 1190s, central and northern Italy became battlegrounds in Roman wars of conquest. Between 1202 and 1209, northern Italy broke free while southern Italy became seat of a rump empire that had to be brutally suppressed. In 1216-1220, northern Italy split into great violence during Andreas Kaukadenos’ attempted coup, and at present, parts of Italy are still under the control of Michael Komnenos, son of Bardas. Southern Italy has been fortunate—it has had all important time to recover mostly from war, with violence returning anew only recently. Northern Italy is only just starting to recover from the violence and destruction of the 1216 civil war…
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1. NAPOLI.
Population (1240 estimate): 70,000
Napoli has been the imperial center of power in southern Italy since the days of the Exarchate of Ravenna. An enormous trading port that also features a huge depot for Imperial armies, it remains a bastion of support against Michael Komnenos. Napoli has been officially designated a ‘Lesser Capital’ for Imperial visits to Italy, and its ruled by a
Katepanos who manages the affairs of the city on the behalf of the Emperor.
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2. VENICE.
Population (1240): 60,000
Before 1216 Venice was an enormous trading hub, easily the queen of Adriatic trade and the gateway for eastern goods into the Germanies. The approach of Imperial armies in 1219 caused many to flee, and the city is still recovering. While her 60,000 souls are huge and impressive, they do not compare to the near 100,000 in her borders before that fateful war. Since her conquest, Venice has been designated an Imperial City, watched over by a
Katepanos.
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3. PALERMO.
Population (1240 estimate): 50,000
The chief city of Imperial Sicily, grain-basket of the Italian portions of the Empire, and residence of the imperial
Hypatos, or Consul, who governs the island in the Emperor’s name. Before the Imperial reconquest, Palermo paled in comparison to the cities on the east of the island. However, since the Spanish Empire’s independence, the city, along with Carthage, has come to be a common meeting ground between officials and merchants of the two realms. As such, Palermo’s villas and residences are stately and ornate, almost befitting an imperial capital, not the home of a mere governor.
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4. MESSINA.
Population (1240 estimate): 40,000
Guardian of the straits of the same, Messina is the site of the famous battle of the same where Emperor Thomas I was killed fighting his nephew Alexios I in 1202. The port still serves as a major stopping point for shipping headed west towards Barcelona. Messina itself is governed by a Council which reports to a
tribunos who answers to the
Hypatos of Sicily.
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5. GENOA.
Population (1240): 40,000
A major trading city before its introduction into the Empire, Genoa was one of many cities that knelt before the Empire in peace during the 12th century. She still serves as a major port for trading crawling up the north shore of the Mediterranean, and she has been fortunate to avoid most of the destruction that befell northern Italy in the last few decades. While Genoa is an imperial city, her Senate is left to run her day to day affairs, reporting to her
Katepanos as needed.
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6. ROME.
Population (1240): 35,000
Once the center of the world, Rome is now a large city surrounded by even more massive ruins. The siege of 1217 has left its mark on the city, and the absence of the Papacy has left St. Peter’s Basilica bare, but its citizens have seen worse. Rome falls directly under the purview of the Imperial government, with its own
Katepanos—a position that is considered a great honor in the Roman bureaucracy. A Roman Senate still exists, even at this late a date, but the body never convenes and its membership is almost completely honorary.
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7. FLORENCE.
Population (1240): 25,000
Florence has long been a hotbed of anti-imperial rhetoric in northern Italy, but the city has managed to avoid the devastation that affected places such as Milan. She is home to Nikolaios Komnenos, brother of the late Emperor Thomas II, and Prince of the
Theme of Toscania. Nikolaios’ low key rule has only emboldened many of the city fathers, and its only a matter of time before they start more trouble.
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8. RAVENNA.
Population (1240): 25,000
Once capital of the West, then an Exarchate, medieval Ravenna retains the same basic quality that made it attractive in more ancient eras—its excellent defensive position. To this end, Konstantinos Chryselios, Prince of the
theme of Ravenna, has made it is capital, treasurehold, and fortress. Wisely, the Price has continued to build and refurbish the city’s older ramparts, turning it into perhaps the most formidable fortress outside of Konstantinopolis…
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9. SALERNO.
Population (1240): 20,000
One of the first Italian additions to the Komnenid Emprie, Salerno hasn’t been as fortunate as some of her comrades—the city was sacked in 1210, an act from which it is still recovering. Her population is only 2/3rds what it was in 1200. Salerno is part of the imperial
demesne with her own
tribunos.
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10. TARANTO.
Population (1240): 15,000
The traditional Komnenid invasion point into southern Italy, Taranto has become little more than a massive armed camp, with marshalling fields for vast armies and harbor provisions for a full
stolos of the Imperial Navy. As such it currently serves as the capital of Michael Komnenos, renegade Prince of Apulia and Calabria and self-declared
Despotes of Italy.
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11. PISA.
Population (1240): 15,000
Part of the
theme of Toscania, Pisa serves as the
thematic port.
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12. BRINDISION.
Population (1240): 10,000
Ancient Roman Brindisi, part of the
theme of Apulia. Sacked in 1210, and again by Adrianos Komnenos in 1239.
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13. BOLOGNA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Capital of the
theme of the Po, and sacked by Bardas Komnenos in 1218. The city, while splendid, is still a shadow of itself, its famed university in ruins.
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14. VERONA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Part of the
theme of the Po. Sacked in 1218.
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15. PADUA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Part of the
theme of the Po. Sacked in 1218.
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16. BARI.
Population (1240): 10,000
Adriatic port, part of the
theme of Apulia.
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17.MILAN.
Population (1240): 10,000
Once the capital of a powerful duchy, Milan at present is a shattered ruin of her former glory. The Milan listed is technically a new city—the site of the former rebellious city was leveled, its walls demolished and buildings burnt, and then converted into a latrine for the use of Bardas Komnenos’ armies in 1219. The new city, built half a mile from the ruins, hosts many of the survivors. Shoddily built and poorly designed, the city serves as the ramshackle capital of the local border
comes.
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18. REGGIO.
Population (1240): 10,000
Largest city in Calabria, and sister port to her much larger neighbor Messina.
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18. SIRACUSA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Once the largest city on Sicily, Siracusa is today the third largest city on the island. A large trading port, the volume of grain that passes through her wharves pales in comparison to Palermo, let alone Messina.
CITIES OF THE MIDDLE EAST
The Valley of the Two Rivers and Persia have both historically been heavily urbanized areas, a fact which remains true in the Komnenid Empire. While Persia is still recovering from the Roman conquest and attempted Mongol invasion, Mesopotamia has begun to flourish demographically. However, the Roman Empire presently controls only half of what has historically been known as Persia—while great cities such as Shiraz and Isafahan are under the banner of the double eagle, ancient metropolises like Merv, Balkh, and Heart are not. No doubt if the Mongols were not present, the Romans would be soon adding those to their banners…
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1. BAGHDAD
Population (1240 estimate): 110,000
Baghdad has recovered greatly from the wars that crisscrossed Mesopotamia during the reign of Thomas II. Her mosques, schools and government buildings remain the toast of the Middle East, as the Komnenid Empire has done little to dismantle the existing religious apparatus in the city for fear of sparking civil unrest.
While the city remains
the center of Muslim scholarship in the world, it has also emerged as a nascent center for long suppressed and forgotten branches of Christianity. Most notably, the Syriac Church has moved its base to the great streets of the city, and is finding many more converts than Byzantine Orthodoxy across the region. The growth of this heretical branch of Christianity, coupled with the large remaining Muslim population, has attracted the attention of the Patriarch of Konstantinopolis, who has long been calling for some higher-level prelate to take Mesopotamia under his wing to ‘properly convert the region.’ These calls gained little traction, until the purported discovery of relics left by St. Thomas in Samarra, a “clear and unabiding indication of the inherent Christian nature of the region,” to quote the Patriarch of Jerusalem.
The former home of the Caliph’s now serves as the palace of the puppet “King of Mesopotamia,” Alexios Komnenos, son of the Prince of Edessa-Coloneia. So far the King, now 12, has exercised little of what limited duties he has—the region is effectively ruled by his father and a military junta of his father’s principal commanders. It doesn’t seem likely this arrangement will change once Alexios comes to age…
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2. ISFAHAN
Population (1240): 45,000
Isfahan has traditionally been an important trading city in southern Persia, and for a time also served as the capital of the once-monumental Seljuk Empire. While those days of imperial glory have long gone, the city is now home to the Despotate of Persia, and will likely serve as the base for Gabriel Komnenos’ defense of Persia from the oncoming hordes of Hulagu. Should Persia survive the onslaught, the city is well positioned geographically, historically, and culturally, to resume its place as a center of political importance in whatever power arrangement takes hold in Roman Persia…
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3. SHIRAZ.
Population (1240): 40,000
Like Isfahan, Shiraz has been an important political and economic center in southern Persia under the Seljuks, and will likely remain so under the Romans. Shiraz is noted for being one of the capitals of the Buwayid Sultans, and its extensive palaces and plazas make it an attractive base for a powerful ruler. Like Isfahan, it falls under the personal domains of Gabriel Komnenos, in his capacity as Despotes of Persia.
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4. TABRIZ.
Population (1240): 35,000
Capital of the
theme of Tabriz, and home of the fabled Blue Mosque. Tabriz has traditionally been the chief city of Gilan—a rough and mountainous region in the northwestern parts of Persia. The local populations are still renowned for their warrior attributes, and the region was among the last to fall to the Roman conquerors in the 1230s.
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5. MOSUL.
Population (1240): 30,000
Capital of the
theme of Mosul in the Kingdom of Mesopotamia, and the regional economic center for the northern areas of the same.
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6. HAMADAN.
Population (1240): 25,000
Capital of the
theme of Hamadan. Hamadan in ancient times was one of the summer residences of the Parthian king, and at present Prince Thomas Dadiani has converted one of the successor Sassanid era palaces into his temporary home.
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7. RAYY.
Population (1240): 25,000
Fortress city in northeastern Persia, and site of Gabriel Komnenos’ famous defeat of Hulagu. Since then has become the lynchpin of a series of fortress cities in northeastern Persia, including Amol and Sari.
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8. KARBALA.
Population (1240): 25,000
Site of the martyrdom of Hussein, and thus the holiest site in Shi’a Islam. Also is the capital of the
theme of Karbala.
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9. MAZADARAM.
Population (1240): 20,000
Fortress city in the north of Persia, capital of the
theme of Mazadaram. The peoples of this region, like those of neighboring Gilan, have traditionally been tough fighters and independent minded. Historically, this region produced many generals and leaders during the Abbasid Caliphate who were secretly or openly Zoroastrian—extensive pockets of Zoroastrianism remain in the countryside, untouched by centuries of Muslim rule. This city is also the site where the purported fingers and toes of St. Bartholomew were uncovered in 1239.
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10. SAMARRA.
Population (1240): 20,000
Site of the tallest minaret in the world. Purported resting place of St. Thomas the Apostle.
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11. YAZD .
Population (1240): 15,000
Part of the
theme of Shiraz. Yazd is remarkable in that it is built in the middle of what would otherwise be harsh desert—underwater aquifers and acqueducts, called
qanats, keep the city’s wells full. The city is also renowned for its beautiful windcatchers—tall towers designed to cool the buildings underneath.
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12. KHORRAMABAD .
Population (1240): 10,000
Khorramabad is the capital of the
theme of Luristan. Provisionally Prince Leon Gabras plans to name the city Gabrasipolis, but this name change has obviously not received any outside approval. The city is also home to the
Falak-o-Aflak, or Heaven of Heavens, castle—a formidable fortress remnant from the Sassanid era Prince Leon has turned into his residence.
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13. AMOL.
Population (1240): 10,000
An ancient city, Amol is part of Mazadarram
theme, and a fortress that is part of a chain designed to repel Mongol incursions.
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14. SARI.
Population (1240): 10,000
Ancient capital of Tabaristan, Sari is presently within the
theme of Mazadarram. The city’s defenses were reconstructed during the 1230s at the hands of Gabriel Komnenos, to serve as a forward fortress against future Mongol incursions.
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15. SHIRVANSHAH.
Population (1240): 10,000
Capital of the
theme of Azeribijian, and the Despotate of Shirvan. Home of Zoe Komnenos, sister of Emperors Thomas III and Gabriel I.
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16. JEDDAH.
Population (1240): 10,000
Port city on the Red Sea, capital of the Kingdom of Arabia and home of House Donauri.
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17. SOLTANIYEH.
Population (1240): 10,000
Soltaniyeh is a city located in northwestern Persia, and part of the
theme of Tabriz.
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18. MEDINA.
Population (1240): 10,000
The site of the Prophet’s Tomb, the religious importance of the city of Medina cannot be overstated. However, the economic importance remains as well—outside of Jeddah it is the largest city in the Kingdom of Arabia, outstripping Petra, Madaba and Amman by healthy margins.
CITIES OF EGYPT AND NORTH AFRICA
Egypt and North Africa, considering the vast tracts of lands covered, are likely the most sparsely populated areas of the Empire. However, where there is population, it is highly concentrated—both the Tunisian coast and Egypt are densely populated, with Egypt hosting many towns who only barely do not fit the category of over 10,000 people. Both areas also have benefited from being on the sidelines of the Komnenid political struggles for the most part…
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1. ALEXANDRIA.
Population (1240 estimate): 140,000
Alexandria—crown jewel of Komnenid Egypt, and despite the devastation of the Great Flood Tide, still the second city of the entire Roman world. With the Komnenid reconquest of Egypt in the 1140s, Alexandria, which had become something nearing a backwater port under the rule of the Fatimids, has rapidly regained its old stature as a major trading center. The primary exit point for Egyptian grain and Red Sea trade into the Mediterranean the world, this new Alexandria is both graceful and haphazard—much of the city has been hurriedly rebuilt over the ruins of Alexandria’s gone before, with a mishmash of architectural designs.
In addition to her commercial importance, Alexandria also serves as the official “southern residence” of the Roman Emperor—the city is officially a part of the Imperial demense, with the immense if ugly
Basilikon Palati still looming over the city’s damaged waterfront. In the shadow of the great palace of stone is the residence of the Patriarch of Alexandria, a now crumbling structure that is well approaching nine centuries old. Nestled amongst these giants is the residence of the imperial
Katepanos, by tradition a relative of the Komnenid Prince of Damietta.
While the city is recovering from the Great Flood Tide, much work remains to be done—if not for the massive loss of life that spring day of 1238, Alexandria would be a third the size of Konstantinopolis, approaching 200,000 souls. Many of the wooden docks that lined her harbor were swept away and need replacement, and many of the stone quays not swept away were damaged and need repair. Temporary warehouses already exist on her waterfront, but it will be some time before permanent replacements come to the fore. Barring disaster, however, the city appears to have little direction to go save upwards in prestige, size, and wealth…
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2. CARTHAGE.
Population (1240): 100,000
“Carthage” in its current incarnation is the third rebirth of the ancient city and its fabled harbor. Its strategic position, natural harbor, and blatant Roman preference for the site over neighboring Tunis have meant its explosion in size over the last century. The newest Carthage incorporates many of the remaining streets and ruins of the old into its buildings and design—the Komnenids have even partially rebuilt the city’s famed double harbor, hoping to turn the city into yet another major Roman naval base in the Western Mediterranean. Protected by a double wall, thirty feet and fifteen feet high respectively, the city is a positive fortress.
Carthage’s size, prestige, and ancient lineage have also made the city ripe for the seat of a new Patriarchate. Since the Komnenid conquest the Christian faith has regained a foothold in the Mahgreb, and with a pressing need for new dioceses that are rapidly straining the existing Church structure, many see it as only a matter of time before Carthage not only holds the African Imperial Palace (a small, cozy structure in comparison to the immense edifices of Konstantinopolis and Alexandria), but a Patriarchal Palace as well.
The city is officially under direct imperial rule, supervised by a
Katepanos.
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3. CAIRO-FUSTAT.
Population (1240): 40,000
Fustat is the proper name for this city, with Cairo being the name of the Fatimid palace complex that still hovers over the metropolis. Since the Komnenid conquest, the seat of power in Egypt has shifted northwards to Alexandria, pulling many residents out of the once immense city. Cairo-Fustat still has a great deal of importance, however—it’s main role is now as an administrative center for the
Theme of the same name, as well as a waypoint for grain being shipped up the Nile towards the harbors and quays of Alexandria.
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4. KAIRUOAN.
Population (1240): 35,000
Kairuoan is likely one of the holiest Islamic sites within Roman North Africa, and also serves as the capital of the rich and powerful
theme of the same name. Kairuoan historically was a stronghold of the Kosaca family, until Andreas Kaukadenos’ civil war in 1216. After successive members of the family attempted to overthrow the Komnenid throne, Emperor Thomas stripped them of Kairuoan and temporarily placed the
theme under immediate Imperial supervision. In 1230, the
theme was handed to Zeno Komnenos, son of the Prince of Samos and distant descendant of the Emperor Manuel.
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5. DAMIETTA.
Population (1240): 25,000
Damietta serves as capital of the
theme of the same name, and traditional home of the descendants of Eudoxios Komnenos. The city is a ‘second-port’ of sorts for Egyptian trade, mostly handling cotton, as the Egyptian grain trade by law must go through Alexandria.
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6. MANSURAH.
Population (1240): 15,000
Second city of
theme of Damietta, traditionally serves as a gathering place for cotton and grain from the Egyptian Delta to be shipped to Damietta and Alexandria respectively.
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7. QUS.
Population (1240): 15,000
Qus is the capital of the
theme of Aswan, the southernmost stretch of Roman presence in Africa. The city has grown as a regional marketplace for trade goods from the Far Upper Nile.
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8. LEPTIS MAGNA.
Population (1240): 10,000
Built on an ancient site, the Komnenid Leptis Magna is a completely medieval creation. The city was originally built as a staging ground for Christophoros Komnenos’ invasion of Beni Halal, and later gained some prominence as a waypoint for merchants seeking to avoid Sicilian tolls on their goods.
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9. FAYYUM.
Population (1240): 10,000
Fayyum is a part of the
theme of Egypt, formerly ruled by the Dau family. Amongst the Romans of the Empire, the city is commonly known as Gizeh.
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10. SFAX.
Population (1240): 10,000
Once an independent city-state, Sfax for a short period of time served as capital of the kingdom of Beni Halal, before its destruction at the hands of Christophoros Komnenos in the 1130s. Since then, the city has slowly grown to become the chief trading port of the
theme of Kairuoan.
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11. BILBEIS.
Population (1240): 10,000
Part of the
theme of Cairo, Bilbeis stands at the first major fork that marks the beginning of the Nile Delta.
Funny...
