PART NINETEEN: Trajan Horse (1281-1285)

The early reign of Traianos (Trajan) II is a difficult to assess historically. He was obviously extraordinarily talented in all the arts of statecraft– especially his silver-tongued diplomacy, which had been instrumental during his mother’s reign, and for rallying the nobles of Sicily behind him to reclaim his father’s throne for himself. By the time he inherited the throne at the age of 46, however, he was already content with his lot in life, and the state of the empire. He saw himself as a steward of the accomplishments of Valeria the Apostle, rather than a conquerer in his own right.

This caused some friction with the expansionist Senate.

Perhaps the best window into his early reign is his public proclamations…

Public Proclamations of the Emperor Traianos II

Regrettably, with the death of our beloved Empress Valeria the Apostle, the alliance between the Roman Empire and Castille has been dissolved. Our soldiers are presently evacuating Iberia, and will be safe and home several months from now.

To celebrate both the memory of Valeria and two centuries of Komnenos rule, I have ordered celebratory games and races held in Constantinople.

Furthermore, I have decreed that my son Kyriakos be granted the title of Symbasileus. This way, an adult heir will be able to step in should– God forfend– anything happen to me.

Regrettably, Khan Boroghul of the Golden Horde has died, and the Mongols have backslid into pagan barbarism. Rest assured, I have dispatched my most talented clergy to rectify this setback to the true faith.

In fact, the Ecumenical Patriarch Gregorios II himself has elected to go east to convert these heathens.

To celebrate my return to Constantinople from Iberia, I have ordered a grand tournament to be held. Let the martial prowess which has restored Rome to glory now be proudly displayed before the people of our city!

I shall dedicate these games to my beloved wife Empress Farida— my partner in all things.

Following the more martial displays of the tournament will be additional games. I myself shall participate in tzykanion!

And should events conspire so that I lose the day– well, then, so be it! I am not Commodus on the sands of the Colosseum. I shall be gracious in defeat.

Humility is a virtue to which we can all aspire.

And how better to show humility to both my ancestors and God than to visit the city of the apostles not as the son of its liberator, but a humble supplicant.

I am pleased to announce that, with the support of the New Byzantines who have looked after the Empire’s stewards for decades, continued my mother’s tireless efforts to improve the infrastructure of the empire.

To celebrate the new year of 1282, I shall sponsor a grand series of races at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. As is traditional in my family, I shall place a small bet on the Greens. Should they lose to the Blues— well, then I shall be honored to contribute some small portion of my fortunes to the upkeep of these grounds.

There is no such thing as the Black Chamber. I am, in truth, slightly offended that I should ever be accused of such underhanded and dishonorable conduct.

It is true that I have used the not inconsiderable powers of the empire to try to influence foreign nations. But my only desire is to bring the grace of God to those foreign despots who have shunned it.

For I am a pious man.

A humble man.

And a virtuous man.

And I shall remain resolute in the face of adversity.

No matter what.

Assassination Scorecard:
Tsars Killed: 2
Badshahs Killed: 2
Sultans Killed: 7 (plus 1 battle death)
Nosy Chancellors Killed: 2
Katepanos Killed: 1
Mad Bishops Killed: 1

The Senate session is beginning soon! If you have a subparty to create, or if your subparty is under the wrong main party, or if I just missed a party somehow, please let me know ASAP!

Here are the current parties and laws:

The Old Romans (OR)

The New Byzantines (NB)
–Steppes and Republics (SR)
–Loyalists (LY)
–Fraternalists (FR)
–Centrists (CN)

The Milvians (ML)

The Komnenians (KM)
–Hellenic Restoration (HR)

The Discordians (DC)
–Unitas (UN)
–Hellenic Restoration (HR)
–Guiding Light (GL)
–True Religion’s Advocates In Time Of Rebellion & Strife (TR)
–The People (TP)

LAWS OF THE EMPIRE

Directives completed during the reign of Valeria are struck through, and no longer on the books.

Italian Re-Conquista Act (Reconquer Italy! But, um, in a non-Old Roman way)
NewMars (NB) (15)
The Pilgrimage Protection Act (Protect Pilgrims by starting a bloody, chaotic war in the Holy Land to annex it) (5)
The Nova Mediterranean Act (conquer Black Sea coast) (5)
University Construction Act (Build a university) (13)
Anatolia-so Act (Reconquer the Anatolian interior)
Use Caution, Empress Act (Try to avoid wars the empire can’t win)