The kingdom of God.
Prologue.
The 16th Century was a time of what many called “The Great Fracture.” This was the time where many wars were fought across Europe as many nations fought against each other in a battle of dominance and unity.To better explain this period, we must first look at the great powers of the day.
The Papal States
“God's Kingdom On Earth”
Politics and Religion“God's Kingdom On Earth”
The Papal States was, in terms of Politics, treated the same as the surrounding kingdoms such as Napoli and Venice. The Papal States started an intensive campaign to unify the Italian region. By the year 1448, The Papal States had total control. Boasting an army unmatched in skill, experience, and technology with its navy, taken from the Italian kingdoms, grew to an impressive size capable of defending the newly gained land making it a strong nation that many nations feared during this time period.
The Papal States is controlled by the Holy Father (or more commonly known as Pope) who was also considered the leader of Catholicism. During the 11th to the 15th most of Europe was unified under the religion and by extension, the Holy Father. However the brutal wars waged in Italy have made some people uneasy with Catholicism and started to form their version of Christianity called Protestantism. While the nation was not affected, the Papal States considered it as a direct attack to the Pope and gave a very hostile reaction starting many wars in “the name of God”.
Military and Culture
The Formation of the Holy Army
The Holy Army was formed at the year 1152 when a small Viking raid struck Rome and killed many citizens. While Rome was defended but the defenders were local guards who were unable to fight the raiders, the death toll was reported to be 204. The Holy Father was determined to protect Rome from any of attacks and formed The Holy Army.
When the raiders attacked again in 1157 the Holy Army successfully defended the city and gained enough experience to work as a real army. The Papal States started their task of securing the local lands and gained control over the Latium province.
The Holy Army Composition
The Holy Army were made from infantry and a small scouting force made from cavalry. Even though the Cavalry was first used often the Holy army became more focused towards Infantry to the point where many Cavalry troops were considering if they became obsolete, With cavalry forces being a mere 10%, there was small wonder.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance started in the 13th century and peaked at the 15th when the Papal States took matters within its own hands and helped many aspiring artists and theologians flourish which added an already rich culture into a wave of innovation that swept across the world.
It created many wonderful works of art such as the Statue of David and many more arts that we know and love.
The Kingdom of Judea
“The Holy Land Reborn”
Politics and Religion.
While theologians debated at length the Kingdom of Judea history and its reformation, one thing remained the same. It's impressive size allowed it total control on the middle east. While it was a Vassal it gained considerable size due to the Holy Farther giving most of its holding away to them.
However while it was large it was also considered to be a backwater nation in comparison of other nations surrounding it. Some historians believe that if the Holy Farther made it independent then it would have been conquered by Iraq. Others say that the Holy Farther simply could not trust the Lords within Judea.
The Kingdom of Judea lands stretch from Egypt to Armenia (northward) down to Modern day Saudi Arabia. It borders the local power Iraq who held of the Hordes that roams most of Asia. In the north it borders the shattered remains of the Ottomans where many tribe fight for dominance.
The Religion of Judea Is Catholicism but within its Egyptian holdings Protestantism and Reformed remained. The Holy Father have kept a close eye on these holdings.
Army composition
While the Kingdom of Judea is a large empire, the army is composed of about 60,000 men. In comparison, The Papal States have around 248,000 men. This meant that the Holy Father is forced to send around 40 thousand men to their borders. The Navy of Judea however is feared by all living around the Mediterranean due to its size and quick actions that helped the war against Castillo turn a bitter loss to a great victory. It keeps a 60/40% ratio of Infantry/Cavalry.
Culture
The Culture is theology and technology combined due to 3 major religions and nations that resided within the kingdom. The advanced medical technology have been used worldwide and being the Kingdom of Judea allowed many pilgrims to visit the many shrines and temples from Islam,Christian and Judaism. This created a tolerant kingdom but as the Holy Farther continues to rule,the nation is still narrow-minded.
(more to come later. sorry for the large pictures.)
