A History of the Basileia Rhōmaiōn, 1081 through the Present

[OverKnight]

A History of the Basileia Rhōmaiōn:
1081 through the Present

This thread will be similar to my History of the Holy Roman Empire. It will serve as a chronological summary and link to the various LotR threads, with the main focus being on the Magnaura, Megas Logothetes' and Senators' Reports, Battle Reports and Stories threads.

Please do not post in this thread. If you want something included that I missed, send me a PM with a description and a link to the relevant post.


Part I: Basileus Aleksios Komnenos's Term as Megas Logothetes, 1081 -1095


Prologue

On Power


Dramatis Personae:

Makedonios Ksanthopoulos

Methodios Tagaris

Ioannis Kantakouzinos

Princess Anna Komnenos

Markianos Ampelas

Kosmas Mavrozomis

Caesar Ioannis Komnenos

Aleksios ek Ikoniou

Ioannis Kalameteros

Anastasios Neokaisareitis

Anna and Makedonios

Apionnas Vringas

Armatos ek Naksou


The Houses in 1081:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri

The Tagamata

The Tepaki


The Hippodrome in 1081


1081

Ioannis Kantakouzinos attempts to woo Anna.

An Egyptian Mamluk in Basileus Aleksios's Court

The First Senate Session opens. Basileus Aleksios automatically assumes the position of Megas Logothetes.

The Legislation voted on at the First Session.

Patriarchal Proclamations concerning Antioch and Churches

Anastasios Neokaisareitis dreams of conquest.

Princess Anna cuts a swath through the Bachelors of the Empire, parts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven.

The Barbarian Merchant, parts one and two.

An Introduction to Iakovos ek Kallipoleos

The Merchant and the Princess

The Princess and the Heathen

An Investigation into Apionnas Vringas, parts one, two, three and four.

The Megas Logothetes' report for 1081: With the new term just begun there is little news. However, the Basileus warns against any unauthorized attack on the unwalled settlement of Durazzo.

Princess Anna visits the Order of St. John, parts one and two.


1083

The Megas Logothetes's report for the year: Senators and armies fan out to conquer rebel settlements while the Empire struggles with military and economic weakness.

Caesar Ioannis reclaims lost cities in Anatolia.

Strator Methodios Tagaris ponders the Durazzo land rush.

Nevoulas ek Philadelpuis remembers the past as he approaches Rhodes.

Anna and the Basileus discuss marriage and negotiations.


1084

The Megas Logothetes's report: Canakkale, Rhodes and Arta are besieged.

Methodios Tagaris conquers Durazzo.

Caesar Ioannis assaults Canakkale.

Nevoulas ek Philadelpuis at Rhodes.

Basileus Aleksios storms Sofia.


1086

The Megas Logothetes' report: Canakkale, Durazzo and Sofia are conquered.

Nevoulas continues to reminisce at Rhodes, parts one and two.

Ioannis marches back to Nicaea on a rough road.


1087

The Megas Logothetes' report: The Empire enters into an alliance with Hungary.

An Introduction to Methodios Tagaris, parts one, two, three, four, five, six and seven

Anna negotiates with the Hungarians and has difficulties with the help.

Anna and Ioannis


1089

The Megas Logothetes' report: An alliance is reached with the Kievan Rus.

Ioannis Kalameteros seizes Rhodes. The attack brings back a flood of memories, part one.

Arms and Templars

Savvas ek Militou seizes Arta.

The March on Sinop

An Invitation from Zagreb


1090

The Megas Logothetes' report: Caesar Ioannis marries a Kievan Rus Princess, further cementing the new alliance. Arta and Rhodes are added to the Empire.

Methodios Tagaris takes Zagreb.

Antioch is sacked.

Hypatios Machonios conquers Smyrna.

A Stranger in a Strange Land


1092

The Megas Logothetes' report: Antioch, Belgrade and Zagreb are taken, however the last is rioting.

Debate begins in the Magnaura over how the Empire should proceed.

Basileus Aleksios assaults Bucharest


1093

The Megas Logothetes' report: An alliance is reached with the Republic of Novgorod. Bucharest is conquered.

Ioannis Kantakouzinos's Northern Destiny

Pavlos Chrysovergos liberates Sinop.

Intrigues and Assignations

The Godfather


1095

Basileus Aleksios's last report as Megas Logothetes: Sinop is taken.

[OverKnight]

Part II: The Term of Megas Logothetes Markianos Ampelas, 1095 - 1110


The Houses in 1095:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri

The Tagamata

The Tepaki


The Hippodrome in 1095


1095 continued

The Second Senate Session opens: The candidates for Megas Logothetes are Markianos Ampelas and Methodios Tagaris.

The Basileus and the Caesar

The Price of Conversion

The voting for Megas Logothetes and on Legislation during the Second Senate Session.

A Letter of Resignation

The Price of Expansion, a Game Event

A Patriarchal Proclamation

Vissarionas ek Lesvou's Nightmare

Politics makes strange bedfellows.

Aleksios and Makedonios

Vissarionas seeks penance for Antioch.

Pavlos Chrysovergos retreats from Sinop.

Anna visits Antioch.

Father and Daughter

Markianos Ampelas's first report as Megas Logothetes: The frontiers of the Empire face revolt. Zagreb is sold to the Hungarians.

Basileus Aleksios blunts the rebel force moving on Bucharest.

Storm clouds gather in Zagreb as Methodios ponders what to do.


1096

Rebels have besieged Belgrade, Bucharest, Antioch and newly Hungarian Zagreb. Sinop is captured.

Areovindos ek Samou's arrives in Antioch.

The Order sallies from Antioch, routing the besiegers.

Basileus Aleksios eliminates the rebels besieging Bucharest.

The Tepaki reorganize.


1098

The Megas Logothetes' report: Two out of the five rebel armies have been destroyed.

Markianos Ampelas divulges his past.

The Unique Leadership of Apionnas Vringas

Methodios Tagaris relieves Belgrade from a rebel siege.

Murky Dealings

The Dangers of Academia


1099

The Megas Logothetes' report: Belgrade is relieved. A Catholic Crusade is called on Jerusalem.

Homecoming

Winning Hearts and Minds

Anna visits Belgrade.


1101

The Megas Logothetes' report: Trebizond, beseiged by the Turks, may become a Casus Belli.

Anna prepares for her marriage to Ioannis Kalameteros.

A Slow March to Sinop

Dealing with Heresy

The Honeymoon

In Vino Veritas

A Sponsor


1102

The Megas Logothetes' report: Preperations for war with the Turks continue.


1104

The Megas Logothetes' report: Sinop is recaptured while Trebizond falls to the Turks.


1105

The Megas Logogthetes' report: The Empire declares war on the Turks and besieges Trebizond. The Germans declare war on the Empire, their Crusade army disappears, it's location now unknown.

The Art of Diplomacy

Cloak and Dagger

The Organization


1107

Vissarionas takes in the sights and smells of Cairo.

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Pavlos Chrysovergos assaults Trebizond.


1108

The Megas Logothetes' report: Trebizond is taken from the Turks. Peace is restored with the Germans.


1110

The Megas Logothetes' report: Iconium is beseiged.

Markianos Ampelas has problems.

[OverKnight]

Part III: Caesar Ioannis Komnenos's Term as Megas Logothetes, 1110 - 1125


The Houses in 1110:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri

The Tagamata

The Tepaki


The Hippodrome in 1110


1110 continued

The Third Senate Session opens: Savvas ek Militou and Caesar Ioannis are candidates for Megas Logothetes.

Event Three: The Egyptian Crusade, the Story, Proclamation and Rules

Cold Feet

Distant Enemies

Absolution

The voting for Megas Logothetes and on Legislation during the Third Senate Session.

Anna and Makedonios discuss politics.

Armatos ek Naksou meets an oddly familiar German.

Makedonios Ksanthopoulos seizes Adana.

Anna gains a servant.

A Face from the Past

Hypatios Machonios exterminates Iconium. The Senate reacts. Princess Anna witnesses the aftermath.

Pacification

Order and Organization

A Call to Crusade

A Chance Meeting

Keeping the Balance

Wheels within Wheels


1111

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Sabotage and the Response

Bait and Switch

Anna and Makedonios investigate the Organization.


1113

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Ioannis Kantakouzinos routs a Rebel army north of Bucharest.

Apionnas enters the Underworld.

The Crusade progresses south through the Aegean.

Makedonios speaks out in the Magnaura against how Caesar Ioannis is running the Empire.

Retaliation

Lisas Attaleiatas and Pavlos Chrysovergos meet in Trebizond.


1114

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Makedonios Ksanthopoulos attacks an Egyptian army near Antioch.

The Crusade continues south.


1116

Riposte

A Patriarchal Proclamation

Parley

Creating the Kingdom of God

Despite the Jihad, the Crusade continues south.

Caesarea is lost to resurgent Turk forces. Markianos Ampelas is lost valiantly defending the city, the Senate mourns his passing.

Change of Command

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius the Archaeologist


1117

The Megas Logothetes' report.

The Crusade continues as a new year begins.


1119

Ioannis Kantakouzinos kills some rebels near Nicaea.

The vanguard of the Crusade lands in Egypt.


1120

Apionnas Vringas returns to Egypt, parts one and two.

Damned by Faint Praise

The Crusade besieges Alexandria and approaches Cairo.


1122

The Megas Logothetes' report.

The Order destroys the Egyptian Sultan and his Jihad army near Antioch.

Death joins the Crusade. The Senate reacts to the loss, as does Efstathios Laskaris.

Savvas ek Militou defeats an Egyptian landing force near Corinth.


1123

The Megas Logothetes' report.

All the Crusaders are now in Egypt.

Tears of a Clown.


1125

The last report of Megas Logothetes Ioannis Komnenos.

Egyptian Intrigues, parts one, two and three.

The Agents' Argument

Chrysovergos and Kontakouzinos discuss the future.

[OverKnight]

Part IV: The Term of Megas Logothetes Makedonios Ksanthopoulos, 1125 - 1140


The Houses in 1125:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri

The Tagamata

The Tepaki


The Hippodrome in 1125


1125 continued

The Fourth Senate Session opens: Makedonios Ksanthopoulos and Savvas ek Militou are candidates for the office of Megas Logothetes.

Iakovos limps into the Session.

Going Negative, but Observed

A Patriarchal Proclamation

Rabble Rousing

The voting for Megas Logothetes and on Legislation during the Fourth Senate Session.

Clerical Error

The Election for Megas Logothetes is tied, a second round of voting commences.

Trouble on the Horizon

Memories of the Past

Dark Rendezvous

The Synod of 1125.

Methodios Tagaris avenges the death of Kosmas Mavrozomis by sacking Alexandria.

The Crusade takes Alexandria and closes in on Cairo.

A Botched Rescue.

Nikiphoros Manouelitis is late for the retaking of Caesarea.

The Crusade led by Vissarionas ek Lesvou repulses an Egyptian counter-attack east of Cairo.


1126

The Megas Logothetes' report.

The Crusade besieges Cairo, while Alexandria borders on revolt.

Nevoulos ek Philadelphias encounters Catholic ex-Crusaders.

Poison, Blade and Grief

Makedonios remembers a meeting with Iakovos.

Megas Logothetes Ksanthopoulos reveals in the Magnaura a supposed plot of the Caesar to destroy the Order. Chaos ensues and word takes to the streets.

The Crusaders led by Vartholomaios Ksiros take Cairo.


1128

The Megas Logothetes' report.

The Crusade, having conquered Alexandria and Cairo, is over.

Church and State, part one

The Bonds Forged by the Crusade

The Dean and the Grandmaster talk.

Vissarionas After the Fall, parts one and two.


1129

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Basileus Aleksios vanquishes a Turk Jihad army bound for Constantinople at the Battle of Adrianople.

Efstathios Laskaris dies in battle outside Alexandria.

Pavlos and Makedonios talk about the limitations of power.

Basileus Aleksios opens an Emergency Session of the Senate.

Patriarch Nicholas and the Vault of Mystery

The Patriarch enters the Magnaura.

Church and State, part two

The Caesar storms into the Magnaura to defend himself.

Isaakios Komnenos focuses on more earthly concerns.

The Senate votes on the legislation proposed at the Emergency Session.

Nikolaos Aristenos buys some land and has a chance encounter.

Senators Tagaris and Manouelitis feud over the ownership of Scopia, the Basileus proposes an interesting way to settle the dispute.

The Megas Logothetes and the Basileus meet.

Vissarionas sacks Thebes.


1131

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Isaakios Komnenos has a classic nightmare.

Methodios Tagaris retakes Cairo in the Battle of the Pyramids.


1132

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Senators Tagaris and Manouelitis settle their dispute over Scopia in a trial of Chariots.

Isaakios the Suitor


1134

The Megas Logothetes' report.

The Chariot Race for Scopia is tainted and fails to resolve the issue. The Basileus proposes an alternative and Manouelitis and Tagaris make their case.

Rafi and Makedonios discuss the rising madness of Vissarionas.

Pavlos Chrysovergos seizes Dyarbakir

Anna and Makedonios versus the Tenth Commandment

Megas Logothetes Ksanthopoulos sallies out of Antioch to defeat the besieging Templars.

Makedonios plans some shady dealings.

A Royal Bastard

Makedonios takes his son to Cyprus.


1135

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius destroys an Egyptian Jihad army between Iconium and Adana.


1137

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Pavlos Chrysovergos destroys some Turkish raiders near Yerevan.

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius attends to family matters.

The Order storms Tortosa, ending the Templar threat.


1138

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Annios Solomon perishes trying to take Medina. The Senate mourns his passing.

The Basileus announces his decision about Scopia.

Nevoulas travels on the road to Constantinople.

Vissarionas ek Lesvou takes Dongola.


1140

The Megas Logothetes' report.

[OverKnight]

Part V: The Term of Megas Logothetes Nevoulos ek Philadelphias, 1140 - 1155


The Houses in 1140:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri and Tagamata Alliance

The Ilios Korakas


The Hippodrome in 1140


1140 continued

The Fifth Senate Session opens. Nevoulas ek Philadelphius and Caesar Ioannis Komnenos are candidates for the office of Megas Logothetes.

An Introduction to Nikolaos Aristenos

The voting for Megas Logothetes and on Legislation during the Fifth Senate Session.

On Leadership

Family, the Election and Counting Votes

Venetian Intrigues

Basileus Aleksios sallies out of Constantinople and destroys the Moor besiegers.


1141

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Methodios Tagaris seizes Gaza.


1143

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Family Ties


1144

The Megas Logothetes' report.

1146

The Megas Logothetes' report: Basileus Aleksios Komnenos is dead. Ioannis Komnenos is the new Basileus with Methodios Tagaris as the new Caesar.

An Introduction to Tiverios Indikoplefstis.

Apionnas Vringas swears fealty to the new Basileus.

The prodigal brother returns.

The Coronation of Ioannis Komnenos.

Basileus Ioannis calls an Emergency Session and asks the Senate to swear allegiance to him.


1147

The Megas Logothetes's report.

The voting on legislation proposed at the Emergency Session.

A Patriarchal Proclamation


1149

The Megas Logothetes' report.

The Basileus and his Family


1150

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Event Four: al-da'wa al-jadīda

Efthymios ek Herakliou sets forth.

Aleksios ek Ikoniou inherits a Veteran Soldier.


1152

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Delays plague the Megas.

Vartholomaios Ksiros seizes Damascus.


1153

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Vissarionas destroys some rebels south of Medina.

Pavlos defends Yerevan from the Turks.


1155

The last report of Megas Logothetes Nevoulos ek Philadelphias.

[OverKnight]

Part VI: 1155 - 1170


The Houses in 1155:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri and Tagamata Alliance

The Ilios Korakas

The Accord


The Hippodrome in 1155


1155 continued

The Sixth Senate Session opens. Klimis Dokeianos and Pavlos Chrysovergos are candidates for the position of Megas Logothetes.

Vissarionas puts his boot down.

The Brotherhood strikes again.

The question of Royal Marriage once again rears its head in the Senate, argument ensues.

Apionnas Vringas the Chancellor

Nikolaos Aristenos has problems with his associates.

A Fable

The voting on Legislation and the election for Megas Logothetes during the Sixth Session.

First Blood for the Hashshashin

Caesar Methodios Tagaris defies the Basileus, marrying his daughter to a man not of Ioannis's choosing. The two highest nobles in the Empire are now at war, the Basileus demands that the Senators choose a side.

The War of the Princess widens as Basileus Ioannis lashes out at unsupportive Senators and declares war on the Order of St. John.

The Personal Diary of Nevoulas ek Philadelphius


1156

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Nikolaos the Godfather


1158

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius invades Crete, but loses his life.

A Eulogy for Nevoulas.


1159

The Megas Logothetes' report.


1161

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Isaakios Komnenos, angered that his ships have been stolen, declares war on Theophylaktos Petzeas.


1162

The Megas Logothetes' report.


1164

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Cardinal Error


1165

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Apionnas Vringas calls for a Summit to settle the dispute between the Basileus and Methodios Tagaris.


1167

The Megas Logothetes' report.


1168

The Megas Logothetes' report.

Memories of Venice


1170

The Megas Logothetes' last two reports.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

[GeneralHankerchief]

Part VII: 1170 - 1185


The Houses in 1170:

The Order of St. John

The Komnenodoukai

The Asteri and Tagamata Alliance

The Ilios Korakas


The Hippodrome in 1170


1170 continued

The Seventh Senate Session opens. The (serious) candidates for Megas Logothetes are Basileus Ioannis Komnenos and Aleksios ek Ikoniou.

Savvas, fed up with the candidates, announces the candidacy of Blacky.

The Basileus calls for peace.

The voting on Legislation and the election for Megas Logothetes during the Seventh Session.

1171

Two Senators fall.

The Megas Logothetes's Report: The castle of Benghazi is bought from the Sicilians for a hefty sum.

The siege of Zagreb

Armatos follows the will of the late Makedonios Ksanthopoulos.

Kousinos Sophianos is revealed to be Constantine Ksanthopoulos, with a destiny.

1173

1174

The year is a particularly trying one for the Empire. Basileus Ioannis steps down as Megas and then Ioannis Erotikos betrays and murders Armatos ek Natsou.

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Alexios ek Ikoniou replaces the Basileus as Megas Logothetes. Durzzo is besieged by the Venetians.

1176

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Antiokhea is besieged by the Turkish Sultanate, the city of Kosmopolis revolts.

1777

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Kosmopolis rebels, riots break out in Damascus and the siege of Durazzo is broken.

Ioannis Erotikas senses an opportunity.

1179

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Theopolis is besieged by the Turkish Sultanate, the treasury is at a defecit of 2500 florins.

1180

The Megas Logothetes's Report

Ragusa is taken, Magnentios the Bastard dies in the battle.

1182

Treason of the Heart. (Note: This is the fifth in-game event.)

Civil war breaks out again amongst the Senators.

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Zagreb is besieged by the Venetians.

The death of a brother.

Ammonathas' letter to his mother.

Before and after the battle of Apulia.

The battle of Apulia. Markos ek Sinopis is defeated and captured by Helarionas Anargiros.

1183

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Damascus is besieged by the Turkish Sultanate, Markos ek Sinopis is released by Helarionas Anargiros.

Zagreb is attacked by the Venetians, Aleksios ek Pigis is defeated and killed.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Part VIII: 1185-1200

1185

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Damascus is captured by the Turkish Sultanate and the Megas bring to attention the military state of the Levant.

Arintheos Voutoumatis, Ioannis Erotikos and Markos ek Sinopis all announce their candidacy for the position of Megas Logothetes. As the two latter lack the prerequisites to assume the position, they are disqualified.

Markos ek Sinopis'report and recommandations and Iakob's addendum.

The Basileus Ioannis Komnenos demand that all Senators make peace with Helarionas Anagiros.

Ceasar Methodios Tagaris secedes from the Empire. His vassal, Markos ek Sinopis surrenders to the Basileus, the Protoasecretes is displeased. Moments later, an underling of Helarionas Anagiros rescues Markos ek Sinopis. Anagiros later joins the secession

The siege of Theopolis is broken.

The Basileus' counsel.

A bad omen.

Nikitas Moschos ponder his past.

Helarionas seeks the approval of Methodios.

1186

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Cairo and Alexandria rebel against the Despot of Egypt. Meanwhile administrators of the Empire give the wrong financial figures to the Megas Logothetes causing the Empire to fall into debt, they are hung in punishment.

The real identity of Helarionas Anargiros is revealed.

A sick Basileus.

1888

The Megas Logothetes's Report: The economy of the Empire is in shambles. Basileus Ioannis Komnenos dies and his successor Basileus Methodios Tagaris dies a week later. The son of the latter, Ioannis Tagaris, is crowned Basileus while Andronikos Komnenos, brother of Ioannis Komenos, is named Ceasar.

Theo Petzeas fight the Turks north of Theopolis.

Discord and doubt in Helarionas' camp.

1190

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Amidst the financial crisis of the Empire, Senator Erotikos and Kousinos continue their march on the capital.

The Protoasecretes announces the new Basileus and Ceasar, amongst other things. Isaakios Komnenos replies and declares war on Ioannis Erotikos and Kousinos Sophianos.

A task accepted.

Riding to the rescue.

1191

The Megas Logothetes's Report: The financial crisis continues unabated. Senator Erotikos and Kousinos continue their march on the capital, the former declaring himself rightful Basileus.

Arintheos Voutoumatis follows the example of Isaakios Komenos. Most of the Senators then declare themselves neutral.

Kousinos Sophianos reveals that he is in fact Constantine Ksanthopoulos, the son of Makedonios Ksanthopoulos and Anna Komnenos. He claims he is the rightful Basileus by blood and declares war on Ioannis Tagaris, Andronikos Komnenos and Ioannis Komnenos III. Ioannis Erotikos does
likewise.

1192

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Ceasar Andronikos Komnenos secedes with much of Georgia and the Northern Anatonlian coast, with Tbilisi as his capital. Ioannis Komnenos III also secedes with the cities of Constantinople, Niceae and Dardanellia; taking Constantinople as his capital. Jerusalem becomes the new capital of the Empire. Riots erupt throughout the Empire.

Basileus Ioannis Tagaris makes his first appearance.

Ioannis Komnenos III secedes, as his uncle, Andronikos Komnenos, also secedes with an announcement in the Hippodrome. Ioannis Tagaris responds by moving the capital to Jerusalem.

Ioannis Komnenos III and his wife.

1194

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Zagreb is ready to fall and more military saving are made. Riots overwhelm Trebizond and Yerevan and both towns become independent. The economy still has not recovered, the loss of two cities only worsening the deficit. Senators Erotikos and Kousinos still march on, their destination now unknown.

A bloodless victory for Venice. Ammonathas Kalameteros attempts to rectify the situation.

1195

The Megas Logothetes's Report: Senator Petzeas defeats and kills the sultan of the Turks, Ioannis Tagaris besieges Damascus.

Ioannis Tagaris signs a peace treaty with Ioannis Komnenos III.

1196

The Megas Logothetes's Report

Iosif ek Artas is defeated at Damascus by a large force of Turks while Ioannis Tagaris relieves the siege at Tortosa.

1198

The Megas Logothetes's Report: An overview of the last fifteen years reveals massive financial losses. With no resolution of the civil wars expected in the near future, the Empire is worse off than ever.

Andronikos Komnenos, moving quickly to secure territory, meets an outnumbered Theophylaktos Petzeas in the Battle of Edessa.