Report for 1096

1096 was a year of battles, with some revolts being suppressed, some not, and some yet remaining unresolved.

Military Affairs

Danubian Frontier

Bucharest is saved in a sally by Basileus Alexios. The rebel army was completely annihilated and Roman losses were light. The Basileus remains in Bucharest for the moment.

Belgrade has come under siege. The garrison consists of 112 peasants, after Anastasios Neokaisareitis left the city. Methodios Tagaris and myself have now arrived on the scene, and are attempting to collect all the reinforcing troops that have come from the south. Only 100 soldiers could be collected at Belgrade this year, but that will grow to 600 next year, and to 800 in the following year. Though it may not be necessary, this could grow to 2000 in the year after that. Woe to him who attacks the Roman Empire!

Reports from the west say that Zagreb was garrisoned by the Hungarian army that had been nearby, and was then besieged by the rebels.

Pontic Frontier

Sinop has fallen undefended. Caesar Ioannis marches on Sinop with 380 men, while Pavlos Chrysovergos takes a further 370 away from the city.

Syria

Antioch was saved in a sally by Makedonios Ksanthopoulos and the men of the Order. The rebel army was destroyed.

Interior

Savvas ek Militou is now in Macedonia still marching towards Belgrade. He is slated to be in the 3rd wave of reinforcements.

Sufficient recruitment was performed around the Empire to equip the two private armies of the House Asteri to their minimum requirements. Except that there were no foot missile troops that could be recruited anywhere, so they will have to do for the moment with extra regiments of Scythikon, which seem to meet the "ranged" requirement of our Charter.

Civilian Affairs

Construction was started in each idle settlement.

5500 florins had to be drawn from the treasury this year due to heavy construction and recruitment. There is still a 16600 florin reserve in the treasury.

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