Chapter 33: The Dawn of a New Era
To many, it seemed the Empire did not take notice of the Mongol threat; they carried on regardless, with Prince Romanos celebrating his 16th birthday with a lavish party, and after Verona fell, the Empire marched to war against the Fatimids again, taking Medina in 1216.
This was not entirely true however. Theodora recognized the Eastern threat as legitimate, and made preparations for a possible confrontation in the future. The vast deserts of Arabia were incredibly difficult to traverse, and in the time troops could arrive from or get to Arabia, an entire war could be won or lost. Rather than have a multitude of separated duchies that would never be of use, Theodora consolidated them under the rule of her cousin, the new Despot Manuel I of Arabia.
From desert duke to desert king
1216 however, would live in the shadow of it's successor, 1217. Before his death, Chancellor Ioannes I Kometopaulos of Karvuna had accomplished his greatest mission; using obscure documents and the bribing of a few corrupt officials, he had created a tangible claim for his Empress. The Empire declared war, with the intent of taking Venice.
Theodora raised her arms above her head, and the crowd yelled louder in delight. Her silver hair framed her face in ringlets that dropped below her shoulders. Behind stood her children and her new son-in-law, King Benedek I of Hungary. Behind them was King Manuel I of Arabia and the Royal family of Arabia, and then the Council and other powerful nobles and member of the court. Standards and banners waved from poles, but they were different from the usual ones. These new ones displayed an Imperial eagle, and the letters "SPQR". Furthermore, the city was different; this was not immaculate Constantinople. The capitol had been returned to Rome, and in preparation for the ceremony, a mass cleaning had been undertaken. Even so, the city failed to compete with Constantinople. Theodora didn't mind however, one day, the city would be just as grand, if not grander, than the Rome of old. Tears formed in her vivid blue eyes. This had been her dream since childhood, and now she had achieved it.
Centuries later, suffragettes and feminists would point to Theodora as an example for women
As the crowd applauded, Theochariste stood behind Theodora with the other courtiers. Supported by a cane, she thought back on her life. The world had changed so much since she was born. She had now seen the Empire take back it's rightful place in the world. "I shan't live see much more than that." A year later, Theochariste died peacefully in her sleep. Though the Empire had become the premier power in the entire world, it's biggest challenges were yet to come; challenges that would threaten the existence of the Empire.
To many, it seemed the Empire did not take notice of the Mongol threat; they carried on regardless, with Prince Romanos celebrating his 16th birthday with a lavish party, and after Verona fell, the Empire marched to war against the Fatimids again, taking Medina in 1216.
This was not entirely true however. Theodora recognized the Eastern threat as legitimate, and made preparations for a possible confrontation in the future. The vast deserts of Arabia were incredibly difficult to traverse, and in the time troops could arrive from or get to Arabia, an entire war could be won or lost. Rather than have a multitude of separated duchies that would never be of use, Theodora consolidated them under the rule of her cousin, the new Despot Manuel I of Arabia.
From desert duke to desert king
1216 however, would live in the shadow of it's successor, 1217. Before his death, Chancellor Ioannes I Kometopaulos of Karvuna had accomplished his greatest mission; using obscure documents and the bribing of a few corrupt officials, he had created a tangible claim for his Empress. The Empire declared war, with the intent of taking Venice.
Theodora raised her arms above her head, and the crowd yelled louder in delight. Her silver hair framed her face in ringlets that dropped below her shoulders. Behind stood her children and her new son-in-law, King Benedek I of Hungary. Behind them was King Manuel I of Arabia and the Royal family of Arabia, and then the Council and other powerful nobles and member of the court. Standards and banners waved from poles, but they were different from the usual ones. These new ones displayed an Imperial eagle, and the letters "SPQR". Furthermore, the city was different; this was not immaculate Constantinople. The capitol had been returned to Rome, and in preparation for the ceremony, a mass cleaning had been undertaken. Even so, the city failed to compete with Constantinople. Theodora didn't mind however, one day, the city would be just as grand, if not grander, than the Rome of old. Tears formed in her vivid blue eyes. This had been her dream since childhood, and now she had achieved it.
Centuries later, suffragettes and feminists would point to Theodora as an example for women
As the crowd applauded, Theochariste stood behind Theodora with the other courtiers. Supported by a cane, she thought back on her life. The world had changed so much since she was born. She had now seen the Empire take back it's rightful place in the world. "I shan't live see much more than that." A year later, Theochariste died peacefully in her sleep. Though the Empire had become the premier power in the entire world, it's biggest challenges were yet to come; challenges that would threaten the existence of the Empire.
Since this AAR is now quite a few patches out of date, I've been wondering how I should continue this. I think it would be best if I made it so that each new update would summarize a period of 10 years or something like that, so as to get this AAR finished sooner rather than later, otherwise I feel as though I might never finish it. World updates would still come every 20 years. With another DLC on the way, this AAR is going to look old-fashioned.
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