Rome Broken But Alive

Here's something I've been thinking up for a while, a Rome that fell apart much differently from the one we know. I didn't do specifics, but the general idea is pretty solid I think.

Rather than collapse into Eastern and Western Roman Empires, a few things happened that resulted in an unusual situation. When the emperor died and left no heir, the Senate quickly grabbed power with the support of loyal legions. Meanwhile, in Byzantium, generals squabbled over power until only one was left. This new Emperor of Byzantium claimed the whole empire, but had no power west of Pannonia where the senate controlled. In Alexandria, a young, ambitious general took Memphis and secured Aegyptus, claiming all of Rome's possessions in Africa and declaring himself emperor. With two emperors and the senate all trying to take power, it was decided in 416 AD to divide the Roman Empire into three separate entities: the Roman Republic, under the control of the senate; the Byzantine Empire, under the control of the Emperor of Byzantium; and the Empire of Rome-in-Africa, under the control of the Emperor of Africa ruling from Carthago (Carthage).

For six centuries this arrangement would last without change, each Rome gaining new territory in its own time. The Byzantines had the biggest ambitions of all the Romes, with a desire to conquer east all the way to India. Wars of conquest were launched into Mesopotamia, Regnum Parthicum, Armenia, and even Iberia throughout the late 400's and early to mid 500's. Settlers moved to Sarmatia, which was annexed by the second Emperor of Byzantium in 639. Wars with the Arabs began almost immediately, and between 418 and 464 all of Arabia would be conquered little by little. Equally as difficult was the conquest of Persia, which began when Persia attacked in 912. Although conquest of India seemed ever more unlikely as the years passed, trade with India did open up as Arabia came under Byzantine control. Trade with India also resulted in contact and trade with Siam and China. The conquest of Persia was partially due to desire to control the Silk Road, as the Roman Republic and Rome-In-Africa grew a fine taste for luxuries as Byzantines revel in the fruits of trade with the East.

Meanwhile in Africa, war was everywhere. In the west, barbarians from the south were trying to expand their kingdoms into Roman lands. In the east, the borders were being pushed south in Kush in an attempt to conquer the land of Punt and all its riches. Eventually the barbarians were conquered, their namesakes being the provinces named after the people who once called those lands home. Some tribes, like the Malinke (whom the Romans simply called Mali), aided the Romans and were rewarded with larger provinces. After the conquest of Punt in 786, the Emperor of Africa declared it his divine right to be unite all of Africa under his rule (believing it would give him the strength to reunite the Roman Empire and rule the world). Despite all the war, Rome-In-Africa became a center for the scholarly world. Alexandria became a city of books, with multiple libraries and a rebuilt Great Library.

In the West things went smoothly. A more democratic government was established, and although it was primitive the society began shifting towards a more liberty-focused attitude. Peace was made with the peoples of Germania, and trade was even established with them if circumstances permitted. The Romans also traded with India and some of southern Africa, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and making a long journey for foreign goods. Unlike the Byzantines, which traded with western India for spices, the Romans landed in southern India where they traded for tea. The drink became immediately popular throughout Europe and trade for it became as profitable as trade for spices. However due to the long trip, there was a desire for larger, more durable ships that could haul more cargo. Londinium and Britannia in general became a major factor in turning the Roman Republic into a naval military and economic powerhouse. The need to secure Britannia led to the Wars of Caledonia, during which Caledonia (Scotland) and Hibernia (Ireland) were conquered. The Germans joined the Roman Republic in 1011, however they were not like the other members of the republic. They had more than a "representative" say relative to the size of their population, and they received large swaths of territory. Germania Magna remains autonomous within the Republic, obeying only which laws it chooses to and making whatever ones it likes within its own borders. However they provide many ports and much strength and security. It's also good to have them as an ally, after they failed twice to create a "Reich" ruled by a Kaiser; a German Rome. It would be horrible to think Rome might be overrun with Germanic barbarians!

There will be a sequel, if only to wrap things up. Whether or not Rome will be reunited or finally fall apart, I don't yet know...