The Crisis of the Fifth Century

[Frederick II of the HRE]

The Crisis of the Fifth Century​

by : Frederick II of the HRE

The Fall of Rome​

Start of the Crisis​

From the Battle of Adrianople and the death of Valens until the death of Gratian​

Rise of Magnus Maximus​

From the elevation of Magnus Maximus until the ascension of Victor​

The Reign of Victor​

From the ascension of Victor until his death in 406​

Prelude to the Chaos​

From the death of Victor until the ascension of Anthemius​

Chaos​

From the invasion of North Africa until the Battle of Verona​

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

Start of the Crisis​

From the Battle of Adrianople and the death of Valens until the death of Gratian

Battle of Adrianople​

In the Eastern Roman Empire, the Emperor Valens faced an enormous influx of barbarians across the Danube. These barbarians mostly consisted of Goths, who were fleeing from the those even they feared, the Huns. But rather than be resettled, they were exploited by corrupt imperial officials, and they soon took up arms, followed by some Alans and even Huns. At the time, Valens was in Anatolia, preparing for an invasion of the Sassanids. While Valetinian the Great's son, Gratian, was distracted in the west, by the Germanic invasions. Eventually, Valens arrived across the Aegean, and attacked the invading Goths. Valens met the Goths at the city of Adrianople, where he lost his army and even his own life. Now all of the Balkan provinces, from Thrace to Moesia became vulnerable to raiding. Fortunately, the cities were able to hold their own against the barbarians, who had no siege equipments, though the countryside continued to suffer from raids and pillaging.

With the Goths raiding and pillaging Moesia and Thrace in 378 , only Gratian stood in their way. However, Gratian thought that a single emperor alone couldn't repel the Gothic invaders, so Gratian appointed Flavius Theodosius, the son of the commander who fought during the reign Valentinian the Great, as augustus on 19 January 379 to govern the east. During Theodosius' reign, he was able to partially re-establish the Roman position in the East, and by 380, Theodosius controlled not only the East, but also the province of Illyricum. However, a problem began to arise, as Theodosius began relying more and more on barbarian mercenaries who had little to no loyalty to Rome, as he was unable to recruit enough Roman troops. Something which would doom the Roman Empire in the following decades.

In the West, Gratian had become unpopular due to his perceived favoritism, and soon he faced a powerful usurper, Magnus Maximus, a general from Britannia who unexpectedly declared himself emperor in 383. Maximus then invaded Gaul, leaving Britannia in the hands of Barbarian mercenaries. Maximus caught Gratin unprepared, and Gratian then fled to Lugdunum, where he would be captured and executed.

Beginning what historians call the Crisis of the Fifth Century.

 

[UnaiB]

What will be the POD?

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

What will be the POD?

The POD begins when Gratian was executed in 383, though the main difference occurs later on, when Maximus was able to defeat Valentinian II and Theodosius.

Though i'm currently working on the earlier parts of the crisis, mainly the start of it.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

Rise of Magnus Maximus​

From the elevation of Maximus until the ascension of Victor

Solidus of Magnus Maximus
​

With Gratian dead, Magnus Maximus was accepted as Augustus by the Western legions, he elevated his son, Flavius Victor, as his co-emperor, and then invaded Italy, forcing the young Valentinian II alongside Justina to flee to the East. Now, Theodosius had to contend with Magnus Maximus, whom he refused to recognize as the Western Augustus, and later invaded. Their forces met at the Battle of Save in 388, though the details of the battle are lost to us, we do know that Maximus won the battle and that both sides suffered heavy losses. Soon after this defeat, Theodosius attempted to regroup, only to die of an illness several days later, while Valentinian II alongside Justina and a frankish general named Arbogast were all executed, cementing Maximus' rule over the whole Empire. He then appointed his co-emperor son, Flavius Victor (henceforth be known as just Victor; who was in Gaul at the time), to rule the eastern provinces.

As emperor, Maximus' reign was marked with increased persecution of heretics in the West (he was even responsible for the first official executions of Christian heretics in around 383), the increasing use of the foederati in the military, and the decline of Pagan influence in the West. Maximus's was also known for his edicts, which censured Christians at Rome for burning down a Jewish synagogue and pushed for further persecutions of heretics.

In the east, Victor came to rule an east that was continuing fall rapidly into disorder after the death of Theodosius. Several revolts have occurred all across the east, while the balkans had been pillaged and ransacked by another Gothic invasion, and Syria was being invaded by the Sassanids, led by their new ruler, Bahram IV, who invaded after hearing of Theodosius' death. Despite this, Victor was able to maintain control, and he quickly suppressed the revolts and then met and repelled the Goths at the Battle of Naissus. Soon, he focused his attention on the Sassanids who have reached as far as Antioch. Victor marched his army there, and they met at the Battle of Hierapolis, where Victor's 20,000 Comitatense, decisively defeated Bahram's 30,000 troops. Despite this victory, Victor was forced to give up lands which had been conquered by Diocletian and Galerius several decades back, to the Sassanids as a part of the peace treaty.

In 394, despite this great victory in hand, Victor received news that his father was dying.

For back in the west, Maximus had fallen gravely ill, for as it turns out he had been infected with Malaria. Victor quickly left to Ravenna, where he met his father on his deathbed for the last time. Finally, Maximus had died after almost 12 years of rule, he was succeeded by Victor, the now sole Emperor of Rome.

 

[Deleted member 147978]

Liked and Watched, it's nice to see another Late Antiquity TL on here.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

Liked and Watched, it's nice to see another Late Antiquity TL on here.

Thanks, i'm currently working on the next installment.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

The reign of Victor​

From the ascension of Victor until his death in 406

Solidus of Victor
​

With Victor now being the sole Emperor of Rome, a sense of calm had returned to Rome. For during his 6 year reign, the empire began to recover from the events of Adrianople and the previous Civil Wars. Trade and commerce began to recover and the economy was rebounding. This short period of peace, became known as the Pax Victor. Yet it was not to last, for it was only the calm before the storm.

For in early 406, the Germans and Alans Crossed the Rhine. Bringing unmanageable numbers of barbarians into Roman territory. These barbarians may have been trying to get away from those even they feared, the Huns, eastern barbarians that had advanced to occupy the Great Hungarian Plains. For the next few years, even after the death of Victor, these barbarian tribes would ransack and pillage Gallia, while Roman forces fought each other in the civil wars that followed.

With this newfound crisis at hand, the governor of Britannia, Constantine (no relation to the Constantinian dynasty), usurped power, and declared himself Emperor, taking the name Constantine III. Constantine III moved rapidly. He crossed the Channel at Bononia, and arrived in northern Gallia, where the Legions also declared for him. Hearing of this crisis and the revolt against him, Victor marched north, but was halted at the city of Lugdunum, for the city refused to grant passage to him. And so, Victor besieged the city, all while the Germans were ransacking Gaul, and Constantine III marshaled his forces.

During the siege, his troops became disaffected, especially they suffered from starvation. Having had enough, several of his soldiers charged into his camp and assassinated him, his son, and their officers. With their heads cut off, placed on poles, and carried to Rome by horsemen.

Truly beginning the Crisis of the Fifth Century.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

Prelude to the Chaos​

From the death of Victor until the ascension of Anthemius

Constantine III • Pompeianus • Heraclianus • Anthemius​

With Victor's death in Lugdunum in 406, the legions previously under Victor returned to their stations in Italy, while the Hispanian legions proclaimed Constantine III as their emperor. Despite this, Constantine was unable to march on Rome. For his forces had become tied up fighting against the Germans in the Rhine, and who were now invading the defenseless island of Britain, whose legions Constantine had previously taken all.

Hearing of Victor's death, the Senate then proclaimed the western Consul Gabinius Barbarus Pompeianus as emperor. Though Pompeianus had the backing of the Senate, he did not have the support of the plebs and he only had the support of Army due to their distaste of Constantine. Despite these setbacks, Pompeianus was able to control Italy, and even expand further, incorporating Dalmatia and Raetia into his rule. However, his grain shipments from North Africa had suddenly been cut off by the governor, Heraclianus. For as it turns out, Heraclianus had declared himself emperor and cut off grain supplies to both Constantine and Pompeianus, hoping to starve them out, and finish them off.

In the east, the consul Flavius Anthemius finally heard the news, and he was livid. He had been consul for the year alongside Pompeianus, but Anthemius wasn't even recognized back in the west. And now with Pompeianus acclamation, Anthemius also rose up, and declared himself emperor. Despite being the highest ranking civic official in the east, Anthemius was challenged by the general Rufinus, but before any eastern civil war occurred, Rufinus was murdered by some Gothic foederati. To this day it is unknown whether these Goths killed Rufinus by the orders of Anthemius or by their own volition.

Soon after the death of Rufinus, Anthemius received more great news. In Aechea, Aegyptus, and Cyrenaica, the legions there also proclaimed him as emperor, with the governor of Aegyptus even cutting off the few shipments of grain to the west to continue to starve both Constantine and Pompeianus.

And so the Roman Empire had fallen to the hands of 4 usurpers. Each attempting to take over the entire empire, and mold in their vision. But who will come out on top?

 

[Whiteshore]

The POD begins when Gratian was executed in 383, though the main difference occurs later on, when Maximus was able to defeat Valentinian II and Theodosius.

He truly was the best and the greatest ITTL.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

He truly was the best and the greatest ITTL.

Yeah!

Anyways, what do you think of TL so far?

I'd love to hear your opinions on this.

 

[Marc Anthony]

Yeah!

Anyways, what do you think of TL so far?

I'd love to hear your opinions on this.

its good but could you perhaps go in to more detail?

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

its good but could you perhaps go in to more detail?

Perhaps. These are just me skimming over the timeline. I could be more detailed, but currently i'm more focused with establishing the overall story.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

Chaos​

From the invasion of North Africa until the Battle of Verona

Battle of Verona
​

In Pompeianus' domain, the shortage of grain supplies caused by Heraclianus was taking it's toll, with Italy and even Rome itself in famine. That was the final straw, as Pompeianus refused the let Italy starve, and began amassing his army and fleet, in preparation for an invasion of North Africa. Heraclianus in contrast, wasn't worried about an invasion, for he has the North African fleet under his command. Yet Pompeianus was undeterred, and in March of 407 his army led by Junius Quartus Palladius, a politician, noblemen, and general, invaded Sicily. Palladius soon gained a foothold on Sicily at the city of Messana, allowing for further invasion of the rest of island. Palladius then laid siege to Syracuse, the largest city on the island, and a Heraclian stronghold. Meanwhile, Heraclianus responded by sending his army and fleet under the command of his son-in law, Sabinus. Sabinus and his forces attempted to lift the siege, but was heavily defeated at the Battle of Akragas. Hearing of the news, the Heraclian garrison escaped that same night and Palladius seized the city. With Sicily secured, Pompeianus and Palladius began to draw up plans for the invasion of North Africa.

Finally, their plans came to fruition in late 407, when Palladius' army arrived in North Africa. By then, Heraclianus had gathered his forces, including the more experienced legions alongside new recruits and the remnants from Sabinus' failed relief of Syracuse. Both forces met at the decisive Battle of Tunis in January 14, 408. Heraclianus had the home field advantage, while Palladius had superiority in cavalry. The battle was fierce, but in the end Palladius' cavalry drove the Heraclian cavalry from the field, before returning and attacking the Heraclian rear. The Heraclian formation collapsed; Heraclius was one of the few to escape the field. After this defeat, he killed himself in Carthage. Finally ending the famine in Italy.

Meanwhile, to the north of Italy, Constantine had continuously fighting the Germans marauding across Gallia. He allied with some of them and met the rest at Lugdunum, the very city in which Gratian and Victor had both died in. Finally, in early 408, both the Romans and barbarians clashed. Despite Constantine being outnumbered, he was able to inflict a decisive victory. Pushing back the Germanic invaders. But despite this victory, Constantine had to face another revolt, this time led by a nobleman named Maximus Tyrannus (henceforth be known as just Maximus), and his father, Gerontius, in Hispania.

Constantine didn't care much for this revolt, for he sent his general Nebiogastes to pacify the revolt. Nebiogastes failed to pacify the revolt, and Maximus' revolt would last well into 421. Instead, Constantine marched on Italy, and without Pompeianus or Palladius the north fell easily. He finally met a senatorial army led by the consul for 409, Flavius Lucius, at the Battle of Verona. The city of Verona was a military strongpoint in the northern part of Italy, for it was naturally strong as it sat in a loop of the River Adige, also its fortifications formed a formidable barrier to attack. Constantine arrayed his troops to begin a formal siege of Verona; however, Flavius Lucius led his army out to offer battle, whereupon Constantine's troops defeated them and forced them back into the city. Constantine then proceeded with the Siege of Verona. Flavius Lucius managed to escape from the city before this was completed and rode south to gather reinforcements and prepare Rome for a siege. With their commander fleeing, the city surrendered to Constantine, who allowed his soldiers to loot the city.

 

[Flavius Iulius Nepos]

A V century timeline? I am in. Waiting for the next installment.
Btw I assume ATL Constantine III has nothing to do with the OTL one, right?

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

​

A V century timeline? I am in. Waiting for the next installment.
Btw I assume ATL Constantine III has nothing to do with the OTL one, right?

Thanks!

I'm just starting to work on the next one, stay tuned.

This Constantine III is the Western Roman emperor who indeed existed in OTL (though not to be confused with the Constantine III of the Byzantines), however in here he plays a much bigger role.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

Chaos II​

From the Battle of Florence to the Battle of Aquilea

Battle of Florence
​

With Constantine now invading Italy, both Palladius and Pompeianus returned to Rome with their army, leaving a garrison in North Africa to secure their supply lines.

 

[Flavius Iulius Nepos]

​

Thanks!

I'm just starting to work on the next one, stay tuned.

This Constantine III is the Western Roman emperor who indeed existed in OTL (though not to be confused with the Constantine III of the Byzantines), however in here he plays a much bigger role.

I am a bit surprised since the circumstances that historically allowed him to rise to the purple have been butterflied in your timeline. But it doesn’t really matter. Curious to see who will emerge on top and whether this is going to be a roman screw or a timeline where the Romans manage to sort out their problems.

 

[Frederick II of the HRE]

I am a bit surprised since the circumstances that historically allowed him to rise to the purple have been butterflied in your timeline. But it doesn’t really matter. Curious to see who will emerge on top and whether this is going to be a roman screw or a timeline where the Romans manage to sort out their problems.

Constantine isn't butterflied away since the Crossing of the Rhine still occurs, and he still exists in britannia. I do think that his rise to power is different but he still rises to power in here. Anyways, this isn't the most realistic scenario but it's a scenario, that's all i'm gonna say.

 

[Flavius Iulius Nepos]

Constantine isn't butterflied away since the Crossing of the Rhine still occurs, and he still exists in britannia. I do think that his rise to power is different but he still rises to power in here. Anyways, this isn't the most realistic scenario but it's a scenario, that's all i'm gonna say.

Don’t worry too much about realism, this was an age where everything could happen after all. Except a barbarian emperor maybe. I’ll probably root for the emperor from Britannia.