ITALY (Roman Empire)aar
This is an alternative to history aar,
a what if things happened different before 1492 that caused some of the feuding duchies and lords of north italy to unite rather than stay seperate.
One thing is clear, that attempts were made to unite italy back then, however they failed for different reason. Lets say events took place that allowed north italy to unite, it could have happened quite easily as a matter of fact. Gian Galeazzo of Milan who subdued much of the romagna and as far south as tuscan city states. Milan who virtually controlled genoa by mid 15th century. Venice who had become a powerful force in the region, emerging as a world power, already a trade empire. What if the royal marriages between milan and Venice had drawn them closer rather than their pride split them apart. What if pressures from france and turks caused nobles of n italy to seek protection. Which they did when Venice, Florence, Verona and other city states joined a league of protection for 25 years in 15th century. Lastly what if Cesare Centurione had survived past his prime and his dream and work to unite n italy come to being. He already had the italian culture melding, had he lived longer he may have gotten more done. what if?
This Italian Scenario was created simply by joining Venice (capital), Milan, Genoa, Modena, Tuscany into one. Leaders have been changed to include folks from all the united countries (im playing under venice but not all the leaders are venetian from the game) Because genoa and Venice were strong republics at that date, i suppose italy is a republic, the duchies just falling in line having seats in the senate. Im also playing in version 1.8 igc 2.0 (awesome) with poor taxes with bad stability setting, free ireland, free norway, and austria and spain share the dutch. This scenario will be played on a somewhat game/story line basis. meaning im going to play it and add in some historical stuff and some of my own, what if, stuff too. Please let me know if the format is good or not, i dont write these for my own enjoyment but for everyones.so if it sucks, ill go back to drawing board.
1488 Augustino Barbarigo, the Doge of Venice is elected by the now, Italian senate to be the Doge of the united Republic of Italy. He will basically share power in the republics beginnings with Giovanni Galeaz of Milan to help with the unification process as stability is low, trade and taxes suffering and lords and dukes not for the unification resist the new government. Pressure from the Pope also comes as he refuses to recognize the new country as it threatens his control of the region. The beginnings of Italy would be troublesome for sure.
1492 To further unite the nobles of Italy Augustino steps down allowing Giovanni Galeaz to become the Doge of Italy. this is approved by the italian senate who met in Venice and drew up new laws and plans for the country. Giovanni would calm fears and keep peace in Italy. Stability was now at highest levels and taxes flowed in from the rich states.
In Jan Spain conquered Grenada and further demanded the new Italian republic honor the pope and revert back to seperate states. Near excommunication, Giovanni basically payed off the Pope for leniancy in the matter. However relations with Spain were critical.
Seeking a friend incase of French or Spanish intervention in the fledgling country affairs. Giovanni sought to improve relations with Austria. A loan was taken for funds to help in the campaign to ally with Austria, which did normalize relations, infact the emperor Maximilian payed a visit to Venice which he greatly enjoyed. However he was under pressure from Spain and France and refused both a royal marriage and alliance with the new Italy. This was a crushing blow to Giovanni as he desperately needed an ally incase of invasion from the west or even the turks.
Hope came in mid 1492 when turkey invaded the mamelukes, relieving some pressure there. Hungary entered into a royal marriage with Giovanni. Poland also entered a royal marriage with Italy but both Hungary and Poland refused to ally with her as Italy seemed like a lamb prepared for the slaughter as french and spanish eyes gazed upon her.
News from spain that they had discovered new land far west would take their attention from conquest in Italy to focus on exploration. France declared war on England and Naples to spite englands royal marriage to Naples and try to gain calais. That war would drag on into 1494 where in august england would cede calais to France. That war may have saved Italy some time however as france and her allies averted attention from them.
500 ducats spent and still no ally, Giovanni failed to gain a friend but did build a tax structure in the new republic and helped to unite and nationalize the north italian states.
1493
Russia upon the request of Portuguese nobles accepted Italy into their alliance in March. Portugal wanted Italian support incase Spain decided to challenge portuguese exploration efforts. Russia truely cared less about Portugals explorations or Italys troubles as they had their eyes on Kazan which they invaded in July. Giovanni knowing he could do nothing to help russia, joined the war but it was known only to a few in high places that Italy was even at war. Basically russia was on her own as Italy negotiated in peace with Portugal on how to defend against any Spanish or French aggression.
Venetian trade was still dominant in the mediteranean. Italy prospered from its monopoly there and in genoa. the economy thrived as taxes flowed into the new treasury. United Italy had some advantages especially in the way of money. This also helped to unite the Italian nobles, once culture and people meshed Italy would grow stronger still.
Oct 25 another member of the Italian-Russo alliance, Pskov was invaded by the knights and Prussia. Italy and Russia joined in the war. Yet again Giovanni did this only to keep relations with allied members strong, he knew no war would come to Italy through this. Italy gained favor in europe due to its efforts to gain acceptance in the world community. Most still considered Italy just Venice but it would soon be apparent that Venice was just another part of a greater whole.
1494 Giovanni Galeaz passes away and the senate elects once again. Augustino Barbarigo to be Doge. Augustino the unifyer as he was called. Really was pro venetian but he was into the unification to draw money out of other italian states thinking once the italy idea fell apart, Venice would be stronger. He was mistaken after Giovannis rule however. So now he realized Venice power was just a thing of the past and it was now Italy power. As a venetian in rule of Italy he was under the watchful eye of the italian senate to make sure he doesnt try to run away with power.
The economy of 1494 was 36.5d, tax that year was 130d, treasury was at 429d and debt at 200d with stabiity at +3
The navy had (Venice fleet 28/30/5) (Genoa fleet 29/2/5)
The arsenal of Venice was able to pump out ships of quality at incredible rates as well, Italies main naval base. The army with the support of the Borgia. Was 42,000 infantry, 13,000 cavalry and 3 cannon. It was split up among the states of the republic.
Feb 1494 Ferdinand II of Naples seiges Papal territory in the Romagna , all papal attacks are repulsed. However that august France and England make peace and Naples siege comes to an end. (england gives calais to france as stated before)
Italy was still at war, but the distant wars in russia had no effect on her.
Also the Mamelukes gave Lebanon to the turks for peace. The Mamelukes shared strong relations with Italy as they traded heavily and had a common enemy.... Ottoman Turks!
Oct 9th a new war would bring allot of europe to fear. France with allies savoy, navarra, the pope, and helvetia declare war on Austria and her ally Hungary. The seesaw battles in the mountains of Helvetia cost the lives of many. Emperor maximilian moved his troops through Italy to get to papal states. Augustino respected and worked with the holy roman emperor, which was healthy for Italy in the long run
The year 1494 ended with celebrations in Milan, Genoa and Venice to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the signing of treaty of Verona. Which created the Republic of Italy.
screenshots coming
more later
This is an alternative to history aar,
a what if things happened different before 1492 that caused some of the feuding duchies and lords of north italy to unite rather than stay seperate.One thing is clear, that attempts were made to unite italy back then, however they failed for different reason. Lets say events took place that allowed north italy to unite, it could have happened quite easily as a matter of fact. Gian Galeazzo of Milan who subdued much of the romagna and as far south as tuscan city states. Milan who virtually controlled genoa by mid 15th century. Venice who had become a powerful force in the region, emerging as a world power, already a trade empire. What if the royal marriages between milan and Venice had drawn them closer rather than their pride split them apart. What if pressures from france and turks caused nobles of n italy to seek protection. Which they did when Venice, Florence, Verona and other city states joined a league of protection for 25 years in 15th century. Lastly what if Cesare Centurione had survived past his prime and his dream and work to unite n italy come to being. He already had the italian culture melding, had he lived longer he may have gotten more done. what if?
This Italian Scenario was created simply by joining Venice (capital), Milan, Genoa, Modena, Tuscany into one. Leaders have been changed to include folks from all the united countries (im playing under venice but not all the leaders are venetian from the game) Because genoa and Venice were strong republics at that date, i suppose italy is a republic, the duchies just falling in line having seats in the senate. Im also playing in version 1.8 igc 2.0 (awesome) with poor taxes with bad stability setting, free ireland, free norway, and austria and spain share the dutch. This scenario will be played on a somewhat game/story line basis. meaning im going to play it and add in some historical stuff and some of my own, what if, stuff too. Please let me know if the format is good or not, i dont write these for my own enjoyment but for everyones.so if it sucks, ill go back to drawing board.
1488 Augustino Barbarigo, the Doge of Venice is elected by the now, Italian senate to be the Doge of the united Republic of Italy. He will basically share power in the republics beginnings with Giovanni Galeaz of Milan to help with the unification process as stability is low, trade and taxes suffering and lords and dukes not for the unification resist the new government. Pressure from the Pope also comes as he refuses to recognize the new country as it threatens his control of the region. The beginnings of Italy would be troublesome for sure.
1492 To further unite the nobles of Italy Augustino steps down allowing Giovanni Galeaz to become the Doge of Italy. this is approved by the italian senate who met in Venice and drew up new laws and plans for the country. Giovanni would calm fears and keep peace in Italy. Stability was now at highest levels and taxes flowed in from the rich states.
In Jan Spain conquered Grenada and further demanded the new Italian republic honor the pope and revert back to seperate states. Near excommunication, Giovanni basically payed off the Pope for leniancy in the matter. However relations with Spain were critical.
Seeking a friend incase of French or Spanish intervention in the fledgling country affairs. Giovanni sought to improve relations with Austria. A loan was taken for funds to help in the campaign to ally with Austria, which did normalize relations, infact the emperor Maximilian payed a visit to Venice which he greatly enjoyed. However he was under pressure from Spain and France and refused both a royal marriage and alliance with the new Italy. This was a crushing blow to Giovanni as he desperately needed an ally incase of invasion from the west or even the turks.
Hope came in mid 1492 when turkey invaded the mamelukes, relieving some pressure there. Hungary entered into a royal marriage with Giovanni. Poland also entered a royal marriage with Italy but both Hungary and Poland refused to ally with her as Italy seemed like a lamb prepared for the slaughter as french and spanish eyes gazed upon her.
News from spain that they had discovered new land far west would take their attention from conquest in Italy to focus on exploration. France declared war on England and Naples to spite englands royal marriage to Naples and try to gain calais. That war would drag on into 1494 where in august england would cede calais to France. That war may have saved Italy some time however as france and her allies averted attention from them.
500 ducats spent and still no ally, Giovanni failed to gain a friend but did build a tax structure in the new republic and helped to unite and nationalize the north italian states.
1493
Russia upon the request of Portuguese nobles accepted Italy into their alliance in March. Portugal wanted Italian support incase Spain decided to challenge portuguese exploration efforts. Russia truely cared less about Portugals explorations or Italys troubles as they had their eyes on Kazan which they invaded in July. Giovanni knowing he could do nothing to help russia, joined the war but it was known only to a few in high places that Italy was even at war. Basically russia was on her own as Italy negotiated in peace with Portugal on how to defend against any Spanish or French aggression.
Venetian trade was still dominant in the mediteranean. Italy prospered from its monopoly there and in genoa. the economy thrived as taxes flowed into the new treasury. United Italy had some advantages especially in the way of money. This also helped to unite the Italian nobles, once culture and people meshed Italy would grow stronger still.
Oct 25 another member of the Italian-Russo alliance, Pskov was invaded by the knights and Prussia. Italy and Russia joined in the war. Yet again Giovanni did this only to keep relations with allied members strong, he knew no war would come to Italy through this. Italy gained favor in europe due to its efforts to gain acceptance in the world community. Most still considered Italy just Venice but it would soon be apparent that Venice was just another part of a greater whole.
1494 Giovanni Galeaz passes away and the senate elects once again. Augustino Barbarigo to be Doge. Augustino the unifyer as he was called. Really was pro venetian but he was into the unification to draw money out of other italian states thinking once the italy idea fell apart, Venice would be stronger. He was mistaken after Giovannis rule however. So now he realized Venice power was just a thing of the past and it was now Italy power. As a venetian in rule of Italy he was under the watchful eye of the italian senate to make sure he doesnt try to run away with power.
The economy of 1494 was 36.5d, tax that year was 130d, treasury was at 429d and debt at 200d with stabiity at +3
The navy had (Venice fleet 28/30/5) (Genoa fleet 29/2/5)
The arsenal of Venice was able to pump out ships of quality at incredible rates as well, Italies main naval base. The army with the support of the Borgia. Was 42,000 infantry, 13,000 cavalry and 3 cannon. It was split up among the states of the republic.
Feb 1494 Ferdinand II of Naples seiges Papal territory in the Romagna , all papal attacks are repulsed. However that august France and England make peace and Naples siege comes to an end. (england gives calais to france as stated before)
Italy was still at war, but the distant wars in russia had no effect on her.
Also the Mamelukes gave Lebanon to the turks for peace. The Mamelukes shared strong relations with Italy as they traded heavily and had a common enemy.... Ottoman Turks!
Oct 9th a new war would bring allot of europe to fear. France with allies savoy, navarra, the pope, and helvetia declare war on Austria and her ally Hungary. The seesaw battles in the mountains of Helvetia cost the lives of many. Emperor maximilian moved his troops through Italy to get to papal states. Augustino respected and worked with the holy roman emperor, which was healthy for Italy in the long run
The year 1494 ended with celebrations in Milan, Genoa and Venice to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the signing of treaty of Verona. Which created the Republic of Italy.
screenshots coming
more later
Last edited:
