Chapter 7: Baptism of Fire
The newly inherited retinues of Anatolia, along with newly raised legions, would not see their first combat in the service of the Emperor against rebels as many had thought, but against the old enemies along the eastern border.
King Davit V of Georgia found himself in a dangerous position. His capitol in the county of Tao was seperated from the rest of his Kingdom by the Empire and the Uqaylids were on the lookout for ways to expand their power. He had previously been able to protect his Kingdom from threats with his marriage to Princess Theodora, the youngest child and daughter of Alexios I, and the youngest sister of Alexios II. With the death of Alexios II however, he found himself without any real allies; as though his wife Theodora was the Aunt of Philippos, Byzantine customs did not demand Philippos to offer any help, and in some cases, forbid it. With this in mind, Davit took to drinking and became known as 'the Drunkard' by many.
In 1158 King Davit found his Kingdom's existence threatened. The Uqaylid Emirate had declared a holy war against the Georgians, bringing nearly 20,000 soldiers to the fight. Georgia could only raise 2,000.
He did not however believe that doom was upon him. Most of what remained of Georgia was hidden behind the Empire, unaccesible to the Uqaylids. However Davit still found himself facing the possiblilty of losing his capitol of Tao, which would leave him with only one county left for himself, and the other for a disgruntled vassal.
He had men in Constantinople though, and they sent word about the new Emperor. That he was a zealous defender of the faith who despisced heretics and heathrens. With this in mind, Davit send a plea to Philippos, begging for help, not on account of being his Uncle by marriage, but that he was a zealous defender of Orthodoxy like Philippos (word of Davit's drunkeness, sin, and all around poor behavior unbefitting of a crowned monarch had not reached the Emperors ears).
As was expected, Philippos answered Davit's call, seeing a way to prove himself to the people and more importantly, the nobility. The Council saw a oppurtunity to test the new soldiers in actual battle. The nobles who had not yet picked a side in the conflict over crown authority, independance and even who the rightful Emperor was, saw a way to test Philippos in a baptism of fire.
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Davit has a good reason to be glad
Unlike his father, Philippos had no desire for military glory. He desired the growth of the Empire yes, but his main goal was peace, to be achieved by the destruction of anyone who refused to follow the Orthodox Church and it's teachings.
In line with his principles, Philippos left most of the planning to his generals. This relieved them, who feared that he might want to lead the army himself like his father had.
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Instead, Philippos received periodic reports from the appointed generals
One of these generals was the famed Gennadios Caesarea, the Doux of Sinai and the leader of those who sought to increase the power of the Douxs at the expense of the Emperor. He had been entirely loyal to Alexios, so it came as a surprise to many when he spoke in favour of decreasing the Emperors authority.
Warfare had taken its toll on Gennadios however, and on 14 December 1159 he died, at 59 years old.
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He was a great general, and had a great name
While initially relieved by the death of Gennadios, Philippos found out that Gennadios son and successor disagreed with him on more than one issue...
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Heretics?! In my Sinai?!