Welcome to the year 470
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You are a reluctant leader of the late Western Roman Empire
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You are tasked with preserving the legacy of Rome
<img src="https://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-colosseum-960x696.jpg">
The Empire is hanging by a thread
What will you do? [[Click Here->First Choice]]Barbarians surround your cities
<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2018/09/11/13/barbarian-warriors.jpg?width=982&height=726&auto=webp&quality=75.jpg">
Roman roads and acqueducts are crumbling
<img src="https://i1.wp.com/aglobewelltravelled.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IMG_7118-1024x789.jpg?resize=1024%2C789&ssl=1.jpg">
Her many diverse people are disunited and there is still infighting between Christian's and Pagans
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/The_Triumph_Of_Christianity_Over_Paganism.Gustave_Dor%C3%A9.jpg">
Inequality is rampant and scarcities threaten to rile plebians
<img src="https://gracetennant.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/20131017-195956.jpg">
The armies of Carthage and Persia aim to raise your cities to the ground
<img src="https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/5178.jpg?v=1635488105.jpg">
What will the [[Empire->Barbarians]] have you do? Scouts have spotted large gatherings of Barbarians in the wooded hills around a nearby city. The general advises advancing to meet this threat. The general says he can send three centuries without much exerience or a costly group of mercenaries
<img src="https://weaponsandwarfare.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/bsgb.jpg">
[[Send Centuries->Sent Centuries]]
[[Send Mercenaries->Sent Mercenaries]]Your centuries are overwhelmed in the woods, some stragglers wander back to the city but it is a decisive loss. The barbarians have sacked sections of the city and destroyed roads making it difficult for large forces to travel. You can either attack the city directly with a legion of 5,000 soldiers or cut off the city by fully destroying roads and the aqueducts that feed the city in hopes to starve out the barbarians.
<img src="https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/toledo-skyline-spain-e1602078490811-1024x577.jpg">
[[Attack the city ->Attacked the City]]
[[Isolate the city->Isolated the City]]The mercenaries successfully destroyed the barbarian enclaves in the woods. Now they are demanding an extremely high price for their services. However, the city is in dire need of food and repairs.
<img src="https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/toledo-skyline-spain-e1602078490811-1024x577.jpg">
[[Pay mercenaries->Paid mercenaries]]
[[Send food and repair city->repaired city]]Your legion has difficulty crossing the terrain and takes heavy losses before reaching the city. They were able to successfully take back the city from the barbarians. However, the legions scout reports the city has been thoroughly destroyed. He also says that the barbarians have brought a pestilence (sickness) to the city that is killing many people. Do you...
<img src="https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/1200x627/2286.jpg">
[[Send Aid->Sent Aid]]
[[Quarantine the City->Quarantine the City ]]The city is isolated leading to heavy civilian casulties. However, without aqueducts or access to farms the barbarians are running out of food. Scouts say that some barbarians have begun to wander out and appear sick with a pestilence. Given this information it appears it would be easy to recapture the city and send aid. However, you cannot be sure the state the city will be in. Do you...
<img src="https://www.historynet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/16:9/GettyImages-92831444-1200x0-c-default.jpg">
[[Recapture the city and send aid->Sent Aid]]
[[Quarantine the city ->Quarantine the City ]]The mercenaries have been paid and the city is safe. However this military campaign has consumed the budget. You can either raise taxes on patriarchs, residents of the sieged city or halt all spending. Do you
<img src="https://casaromuli.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/cicc3a9ron.jpg">
[[Raise taxes on residents->Lower Classes]]
[[Raise taxes on Patriarchs->Patriarchs ]]
[[Halt all other spending->Lower Classes]]You fail to pay the mercenaries fully. They leave swearing their revenge and curse your city. However, the city's roads and acqueducts have been repaired. Food and medicine have been sent to the city and its citizens are prospering again. Yet, recent crop failures have decimated the wealth of your fellow Senators and patriarchs. They demand that you either raise taxes on the lower classes or halt all government spending. Do you...
<img src="https://casaromuli.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/cicc3a9ron.jpg">
[[Raise taxes on lower classes->Lower Classes]]
[[Ignore the Patriarchs->Patriarchs ]]
[[Halt All other Spending ->Lower Classes]]Sending food and medicine has seemed to only marginally help. Many of the cities residents have perished or appear sick. On top of this soldiers returning to Rome have started to show symptoms and doctors are worried the sickness could spread. Do you...
<img src="https://www.history.com/.image/c_fit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTU3ODc4NjAyNzE3MzQxNDA3/image-placeholder-title.jpg">
[[Lockdown the city ->Lockdown ]]
[[Continue sending aid->Continue to send aid]]The city has been in quarantine, many of its residents have died. However the sickness has not spread throughout the empire. Now though, a senator representing the city is arguing for compensation and threathens to publicize the event by bringing surviving residents to Rome some of whom may still be carriers of the sickness. The senator demands for you to raise taxes on the lower class citizens of Rome to pay for damages to their city. Do you...
<img src="https://casaromuli.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/cicc3a9ron.jpg">
[[Ignore the patriarch->Patriarchs ]]
[[Tax the lower classes->Lower Classes]]
[[Halt All Other Spending->Lower Classes]]The Patriarchs are infuriated with your leadership. Some reluctantly pay; however, several refuse to pay more and several others are conspiring against you in the open. You can make an example of the few senators and seize their estates or capitulate and raise taxes on the lower classes.
<img src="https://forums.civfanatics.com/attachments/empire-council-jpg.498433/">
[[Raise taxes on lower classes->Lower Classes]]
[[Seize Estates->Join Uprising ]]Enraged the citizens of Rome take to the streets protesting your higher taxes. They have burned some public squares, attacked Senators, and destroyed statues of Roman heroes. You can join the uprising becoming a populist leader, usurp power from the senate and seize their estates or you can harshly put down the protests, making examples of a few, and put in place punitive taxes on wine, clothes and food.
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[[Join the Uprising ->Join Uprising ]]
[[Put down the protest->Put down protest]]You lockdown the city in an attempt to slow the spread of the pestilence (sickness) instead the citizens of Rome have rebelled. Taking to the streets the citizens of Rome have burned public squares, attacked Senators, and destroyed statues of Roman heroes. Sensing weakness some Roman Senators have begun to plot against you. You can reassert control and put down the protests and conspiring Senators or join the populist uprising and seize the estates of Senators
<img src="https://foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rome-temple-jerusalem-GettyImages-587489868.jpg">
[[Put down protest->Put down protest]]
[[Join populist uprising->Join Uprising ]]The aid is beggining to show a difference; however, it appears the sickness is spreading throughout multiple cities. Several Senators spotting weakness in your leadership have begun to conspire against you. To pay for your recent military campaigns and aid they have given you an ultimatum that you must raise taxes on the lower classes. If you refuse they will attempt to despose you. You hear of rumors of populist uprisings against these Senators in the cities they represent. You can either seize the estates of the Senators and crush their conspiracy or consolidate your rule by raising taxes on the lower classes and putting down the populist uprising. Do you...
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c5/22/2a/c5222aa07815a75f69ec080f07c81270.jpg">
[[Join the populist uprising->Join Uprising ]]
[[Put down the protests and consolidate power in the senate->Put down protest]]You seize the estates of the patriarchs, you execute several Senators that were conspiring against you, in making several speechs to the public and refusing to raise taxes on the lower classes you quell the protests. You are cemented in place now as a populist ruler. However, several of the Senators and generals escaped and are now amassing a resistence to your rule. They have made aggreements with mercenaries and barbarians to usurp your rule and destroy Rome in exchange for land. You can send the sigil of Rome into the East and flee Rome or meet the rebellion in the field of battle.Do you...
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[[Flee to the East ->Flee to the East ]]
[[Face your enemies on the field of battle ->Meet on the Battlefield]]In attempting to put down the protest you execute several leaders, your soldiers become overzealous and show incredible cruelty to citizens and protestors. Although, the city is now quiet many protestors fled the city along with several populist Senators. They now sit on the outskirts of Rome and have made agreements with mercenaries and barbarians to usurp your rule and destroy Rome in exchange for land. You can either flee to the East and reestablish a new Rome or meet your enemies on the field of battle.
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[[Flee to the East->Flee to the East ]]
[[Meet on the Battlefield->Meet on the Battlefield]]Barbarians, mercenaries, and rebel Senators overwhelm the city and it quickly falls. Rome is completely destroyed, citizens rush to ships in attempt to flee for many it will be too late. Safely from your ship, miles away you can see still see the flames from Rome illuminating the night sky. However, the Sigil of Rome with all its power and symbolism rests safely with you as you sail towards the new capital Constantinople. Whether history will remember you as a failed tyrant or the savior of Rome has still yet to be decided.
<img src="https://www.wallpapertip.com/wmimgs/226-2268596_roman-empire-wallpaper.jpg">
[[Click here to continue->End of Pt. 1]]Your armies are entirely overwhelmed and quickly overrun. The city of Rome has gone up in flames. This will be your last day; however, as a precaution you sent the Sigil of Rome with all of its power and symbolism to its new home in the East of Constantinople. Although it is the end for you, whether the Empire will share your dying breath or be reborn has yet to be decided.
<img src="https://www.wallpapertip.com/wmimgs/226-2268596_roman-empire-wallpaper.jpg">
[[Click to Continue->End of Pt. 1]](input-box:"=XX=","What were some of the issues you faced as a leader?")
(input-box:"=XX=","What is something you would have done differently?")
(input-box:"=XX=","What were some other issues the late Roman Empire faced?")
<img src="https://istanbultravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Roman-Empire-Division-Modified.jpg">
[[Click here to continue ->Byzantine]]After Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into four administrative districts, certain areas of the Empire continued to prosper while others began to decline.
<img src="https://www.daviddarling.info/images3/Roman_Empire_under_Diocletian.jpg">
The Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople
<img src="https://istanbultravelblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Roman-Empire-Division-Modified.jpg">
After 476 AD the Western Roman Empire had essentially collapsed leaving the Eastern or Byzantine Empire to continue the legacy and traditions of Rome.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/21/7e/d9/217ed997dde36d851cdeeaaca06b986d.png">
[[Click to continue->Byzantine II]]Coming into this new city you decide to explore
<img src="https://i0.wp.com/talesoftimesforgotten.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Istanbul-is-Constantinople.jpg?fit=900%2C675&ssl=1">
[[Check out Hagia Sophia ->Hagia Sophia ]]
[[Check out Hippodrome->Hippodrome]]The Hippodrome takes at least a few minutes to walk the course of it is over 400 meters or 1,600 feet long. Designed to sit over 100,000 people for chariot and horse races the Hippodrome is one of Constantinoples greatest building achievements. Even though the city feels like it is reaching its prime this structure is already a couple hundred years old. After exploring the Hippodrome you decide to explore a bit more you can either go to the markets or the waterfront
<img src="https://thehistoryofbyzantium.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/the-hippodrome-by-antoine-helbert.jpg">
[[Explore waterfront->Waterfront]]
[[Explore Markets->Markets]]The Hagia Sophia is being built by the Emperor Justinian as the seat of the Patriarch of the church. Justinian believes he and the Patriarch are the co rulers of the Empire with Justinian leading the government and the Patriarch leading the church.
<img src="https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2020/07/GettyImages-1191505160.jpg">
The central dome soars 160 feet high and is over a 100 feet in diameter. Its marble was taken from as close as the nearby Bosphourous to as far away as Egypt. It frames some of the greatest art, mosaics, and possessions of the Byzantine Empire.
<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/07/23/opinion/23hagia_print/merlin_159497028_90a3bcb5-f68f-4262-99cb-474ecf102154-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale">
After exploring the Hagia Sophia you choose to continue looking at the city and can either go to market or the waterfront
[[Explore Waterfront->Waterfront]]
[[Explore Markets->Markets]]At the waterfront you can see great ships coming and going. Fishermen going out for the day. Constantinople sits on the Bosphourous between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea it is the gateway between Europe and Asia. At the waterfront you can see wine, olive oil, and grains from Western Rome transported to Constantinople meant to go on to the coasts of Africa and great Persian kingdoms.
<img src="https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/constantinople-from-the-entrance-thomas-allom.jpg">
As the Western terminus for the Silk Road you also see ships full of spices, tea, and silks all the way from China.
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/View_of_constantinople_by_evening_light.jpg/1200px-View_of_constantinople_by_evening_light.jpg">
As you walk along the edge of the waterfront an advisor comes to tell you of an issue that needs your immediate attention.
[[Click to continue->New Arrivals ]]As you enter the markets you can see how Constantinople is the gateway to both Europe and Asia. Olive oil, wine and grains from the Meditteranean can be seen at first.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/6d/d8/bf6dd823440c33e1cd27a3bdb0c55322.jpg">
As you wander in farther though you can see teas, medicines and food from the interior Persian empires. Farther in you see the great silks, spices, and porcelain that has made it all the way from China along the Silk Road to end at the Western terminus of Constantinople.
<https://ist01.mncdn.com/ist_items/attraction/spice-bazaarcover-5d809d6933040.jpg">
As you leave you decide to walk along a ridge line to the top of the hill where you can see the sun set over the whole city. An advisor finds you and states their is an issue that needs your immediate attention.
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[[Click to continue->New Arrivals ]]The Byzantine Empire speaks Greek and practices Christianity; however, recent migrants from the fall Western Roman Empire speak Latin and some even though they say they are Christian practice pagan worship.
<img src="https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/crusaders-right-wing-01.jpg?quality=85&crop=0px%2C157px%2C2400px%2C1256px&resize=1200%2C628&strip">
Your advisor tells you there has been recent fighting between citizens of Constantinople and recent arrivals. You can either guard these new arrivals, allowing them to practice their religion, and charge them a tax or force them to speak Latin and rid them of all Pagan practices.
[[Guard New Arrivals->Guard]]
[[Force them to change->Force Change]]In deciding to guard the new arrivals, letting them practice some Paganism, you have showed an inclination for religious tolerance which will make the Byzantine Empire more diverse.
<img src="https://orthodoxtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EZMjF3_WAAArQsB.jpg">
However, some of the residents are now enraged at this decision claiming it threatens the stability of the Byzantine Empire. One of these angry citizens is the Patriarch, the leader of the Byzantine church. He insists you stop the flow of migrants from the Western Empire. Do you...
[[Ignore the Pope->Ignore the Pope ]]
[[Ignore the Patriarch ->Ignore the Patriarch]]The presence of Pagans openly practicing has decreased and new arrivals are learning to speak Greek. Some citizens hail your efforts while others condemn you as a tyrnat. The Patriarch has asked you to halt new migration from those coming to the Byzantine Empire. Meanwhile, the Pope has demanded you to allow increased migration from the Western Empire and recognize the legimitimacy of Latin as a languange in the Byznatine Empire. Do you
<img src="https://colosseumrometickets.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lateran-Basilica-Basilica-of-St.-John-Lateran-810x542.jpg">
[[Ignore the Pope->Ignore the Pope ]]
[[Ignore the Patriarch->Ignore the Patriarch]]By ignoring the Patriarch you allow more migrants from the Western Empire to enter the city. To show his appreciation the Pope has sent a delegation with gold to help pay for the influx of new arrivals. The Patriarch however is infuriated demanding you to turn the delegation away and recognize him officially as the leader of the Roman church or face excommunication. Do you...
<img src="https://english.aawsat.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_img_top/public/2019/11/27/old_gold_coins.jpg?itok=xn3kdN4I">
[[Accept delegation->Accept Patriarch Delegation]]
[[Deny Delegation->Deny Patriarch Delegation ]] By ignoring the Pope you have halted new migration to the city. The Patriarch applauds your decision in preserving the stability of the city and validating the Eastern Empire. He has offered a delegation of advisors that bring gold to help with future projects. However, the Pope is infuriated and demands that you deny the delegation. The Pope gives you an ultimatum of recognizing the Pope as the official leader of the church or face excommunication. Do you...
<img src="https://english.aawsat.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_img_top/public/2019/11/27/old_gold_coins.jpg?itok=xn3kdN4I">
[[Accept delegation of the Pope->Accept Pope delegation]]
[[Deny delegation of the Pope->Deny Pope Delegation ]]By accepting the delegation from the Patriarch you recognize him as the true leader of the church. The Pope sends you a letter officially excommunicating you from the Western Church.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a8/e3/ac/a8e3ace2e70fe8862181d9a073fcaba4--ecumenical-council-nicene-creed.jpg">
[[Click to continue->The Great Schism]]You deny the Patriarchs delegation and in so doing directly disobey the Patriarch. He publically condemns you and excommunicates you from the Byzantine church.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a8/e3/ac/a8e3ace2e70fe8862181d9a073fcaba4--ecumenical-council-nicene-creed.jpg">
[[Click the continue->The Great Schism]]In accepting the Pope's delegation you recognize him as the true leader of the church. You have some extra advisors and gold to complete projects however the Patriarch in his anger publically condemns you and excommunicates you from the church.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a8/e3/ac/a8e3ace2e70fe8862181d9a073fcaba4--ecumenical-council-nicene-creed.jpg">
[[Click to continue->The Great Schism]]In denying the Pope's delegation you have appeased the Patriarch by recognizing him as the true leader of the Roman church. The Pope in his anger however publically condemns and excommunicates you.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a8/e3/ac/a8e3ace2e70fe8862181d9a073fcaba4--ecumenical-council-nicene-creed.jpg">
[[Click to Continue->The Great Schism]]Conflicts like this occuring again and again eventually led to the Great Schism in 1054
<img src="https://billtammeus.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834515f9b69e20240a497993e200d-800wi">
This was one of the first major splits in Christianity were the church divided into the Catholic Church in the Western Empire and Eastern Orthodox in the Byzantine Empire
<img src="http://slideplayer.com/slide/9239982/27/images/28/The+Division+of+Christianity.jpg">
To this day much of Eastern Europe follows the Orthodox practice led by the Patriarch of Constantinople in modern Istanbul. While the Catholic church is led by the Pope at Vatican City in modern Rome.
<img src="https://www.catholicireland.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Pope-Francis-and-Patriarch.jpg">
Although this division served as a challenge within the Byzantine Empire. The Ottomon Empire rising out of the Islamic Golden Age posed a much larger external challenge.
<img src="https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/1/1-two-battle-scenes-between-christians-and-saracens-francesco-giuseppe-casanova.jpg">
[[Click to continue->Byzantine Problems]]Now it is 1400 the great Byzantine Empire has now lasted almost a thousand years after the fall of Western Rome. However the empire has been plagued with challenges that threaten it's end. Trade flourishes in Constantinople but smugglers and tax avoiders have undermined the Empire's income. The Empire itself doesn't make enough on it's own without taxes from trade.
<img src="http://chapter12byzantine.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/4/5/39455713/4917307_orig.jpg">
Trade has also brought new plagues that have regularly caused sickness and death
<img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1400/1*-iWH0Ivo1K9xaoZ-MeU2Pg.jpeg">
The Pope Urban II called crusades to the Near East for Christians to conquer Muslim territory. These newly claimed lands are Christian territory that is not Byzantine and also weak and isolated.
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/The_Crusader_States_in_1135.svg/1200px-The_Crusader_States_in_1135.svg.png">
The Ottomon Empire grows daily, encroaching on Byzantine lands and threatening the fall of Constantinople
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Walka_o_sztandar_turecki.jpg">
[[Click to continue->Antioch]]Ottomons have laid siege to the city of Antioch one of the Christian kingdoms in the Near East. Eddessa and the Kingdom of Jeruselem have sent soldiers and aid to help the city of Antioch but they are still in need of reinforcements. Do you...
<img src="https://www.history.com/.image/ar_4:3%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1200/MTU3ODc5MDg1ODk5MzkyMzI5/syria-damascus-musee-national-de-damas-12th-century-surrender-of-richard-i-lionheart-before-saladin-after-battle-of-hattin-1187.jpg">
[[Send Reinforcements->Send Reinforcements]]
[[Ignore calls for aid ->Ignore Calls for Aid ]]Although there are heavy losses on both sides with reinforcments the city of Antioch is saved from siege.
<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/7/2020/07/GettyImages-587492330-27ce216.jpg?quality=90&resize=768,574">
To cover losses advisors say you will need to recruit heavily or raise taxes on imports to hire mercenaries. Do you...
[[Recruit new soldiers->Recruit new soldiers]]
[[Raise taxes->Raise taxes]]Without aid or reinforcements the city of Antioch falls to the Ottomon empire. Now only a handful of Christian kingdoms remain disconnected amongst the Ottomon Empire. To continue trading with the city the Ottomons are imposing a punitive new tax. You can either cease trade with the city or pay the high taxes.
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Eug%C3%A8ne_Ferdinand_Victor_Delacroix_012.jpg/1200px-Eug%C3%A8ne_Ferdinand_Victor_Delacroix_012.jpg">
[[Cease Trade->Cease Trade]]
[[Pay higher taxes to the Ottomons->Pay higher tax ]]The Pope has called for a renewed Crusade making it difficult to recruit new soldiers. Rather it seems your already existing soldiers are leaving your army to fight with the Kingdom of Jerusalem. You can either make an example soldiers abandoning their posts arresting or executing those that leave or join the cause of the Crusade.
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YR0jIYnpDeo/V75vSYqsbEI/AAAAAAAAQhA/HAZqDZ8w0QQ1iK-ww4c5gK0yaNicSWMLwCEw/s1600/Kingdom%2BOf%2BHeaven%2B3.jpg">
[[Join the crusade->Join the Crusade]]
[[Refuse to Join ->Refuse to join the Crusade ]]The raised import taxes successfully raises funds. However it is impossible to recruit new soldiers as the Pope has called for a renewed Crusade. You can either forcefully recruit citizens and refuse to join or pledge to the Crusade
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YR0jIYnpDeo/V75vSYqsbEI/AAAAAAAAQhA/HAZqDZ8w0QQ1iK-ww4c5gK0yaNicSWMLwCEw/s1600/Kingdom%2BOf%2BHeaven%2B3.jpg">
[[Join the Crusade ->Join the Crusade]]
[[Refuse to join ->Refuse to join the Crusade ]]In ceasing trade the city of Antioch becomes quickly isolated and you have no word of how Christians fair there. The Pope has called for a renewed Crusade to take back the city Edessa and the Kingdom of Jerusalem have pledged to join. Thousands flock from Europe to Constantinople in hopes of fighting in the Near East. You can either join the crusade or refuse to join or send your own soldiers.
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YR0jIYnpDeo/V75vSYqsbEI/AAAAAAAAQhA/HAZqDZ8w0QQ1iK-ww4c5gK0yaNicSWMLwCEw/s1600/Kingdom%2BOf%2BHeaven%2B3.jpg">
[[Join the Crusade->Join the Crusade]]
[[Refuse to Join->Refuse to join the Crusade ]]With the city of Antioch now under Ottomon control and you paying higher punitive taxes the Ottomons now desire to take the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Eddessa under their control. In reaction the Pope has called a new crusade against the the growth of the Ottomon Empire. Thousands from Europe flock to Constantinople in hopes of fighting in the Near East. Do you...
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YR0jIYnpDeo/V75vSYqsbEI/AAAAAAAAQhA/HAZqDZ8w0QQ1iK-ww4c5gK0yaNicSWMLwCEw/s1600/Kingdom%2BOf%2BHeaven%2B3.jpg">
Join the Crusade
Refuse to join The Battles are not going in the Churchs favor, the city of Eddessa has fallen and only Constantinople and the Kingdom of Jerusalem remain as Christian kingdoms in the Near East. The Ottomons are well organized, well trained, have a home field advantage, and are growing in strength. Do you...
<img src="https://cdn.wallpapersafari.com/72/32/U5fviM.jpg">
[[Retreat to defend Constantinople ->Defend Constantinople]]
[[Advance to defend the Kingdom of Jerusalem ->Defend Jerusalem ]]The Battles are not going in the Churchs favor, the city of Eddessa has fallen and only Constantinople and the Kingdom of Jerusalem remain as Christian kingdoms in the Near East. The Ottomons are well organized, well trained, have a home field advantage, and are growing in strength. You can either send aid and advance your armies to the Kingdom of Jerusalem or consolidate your power and defend Constantinople
<img src="https://cdn.wallpapersafari.com/72/32/U5fviM.jpg">
[[Consolidate and defend Constantinople->Defend Constantinople]]
[[Advance to defend the Kingdom of Jerusalem ->Defend Jerusalem ]]The forces at Jerusalem are overwhelmed the city and the last of the Christian Kingdoms besides Constantinople have fallen in the Near East. The Byzantine Empire is spread too thin and is too far from Europe to expect reinforcments before the Ottomon Empire invades. You can meet the enemy on the battlefield or retreat into the city in attempt to outwait a seige. Do you...
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59e512ddf43b55c29c71b996/1508700725232-C75YGICXS8MIM1FRGGX8/Kingdom-of-Heaven-still-1024x664.jpg?format=1000w">
[[Meet on the battlefield->Battlefield ]]
[[Outwait the Siege->Siege]] The forces at Jerusalem are overwhelmed the city and the last of the Christian Kingdoms besides Constantinople have fallen in the Near East. The Byzantine Empire is spread too thin and is too far from Europe to expect reinforcments before the Ottomon Empire invades. You can meet the enemy on the battlefield or retreat into the city in attempt to outwait a seige. Do you...
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59e512ddf43b55c29c71b996/1508700725232-C75YGICXS8MIM1FRGGX8/Kingdom-of-Heaven-still-1024x664.jpg?format=1000w">
[[Meet on the battlefield ->Battlefield ]]
[[Outwait the Siege ->Siege]]On the Battlefield your armies scatter and are quickly overwhelmed by Ottomon forces. It is a clear loss. Cut off from allies and surrounded by Ottomon territory Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire falls in 1453. This is after 1,000 years of Byzantine rule and 1,000 years before that of Roman dominance in the Meditteranean.
<img src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cdn.greekherald.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/05174809/Untitled-design-13.jpg">
[[Click to Continue->Empire Today]]Despite high and sturdy walls surrounding the city, Constantinople surrounded by the Ottomon Empire and isolated from any allies falls after a 55 day siege. In 1453 this Siege effectively ends the 1,000 year rule of the Byzantine Empire and the 1,000 years before that of Roman rule.
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[[Click to Continue->Empire Today]]After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottomon Empire became the dominant power in the Near East. After changing the name from Constantinople to Istanbul the Ottomon Empire moved its capital there and enjoyed a Golden Age
<img src="https://www.nomadepicureans.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/One-Day-in-Istanbul-Feature-Image.jpg">
However the remains of the Roman Empire can still be seen today all the way from Hadrian's Wall in Northern England
<img src="https://www.history.com/.image/t_share/MTU3ODc4NjA0MDU5MzIyMDc5/istock_41785482_large-2.jpg">
To amphitheaters in Egypt and the Near East
<img src="https://amayei.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2019/07/Roman-Mosaic.jpg">
Rome and the subsequent Byzantine Empires were some of the largest, most diverse and longest lasting empires. At their peak they covered most of Europe
<img src="https://previews.123rf.com/images/peterhermesfurian/peterhermesfurian1407/peterhermesfurian140700021/29938592-the-roman-empire-at-its-greatest-extent-in-117-ad-at-the-time-of-trajan-plus-principal-provinces-vec.jpg">
It's republican form of government would be hugely influential on democracies that would model some of Rome's political philosophy
<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/7/2020/08/Roman-Republic-2-222f8f4.jpg?quality=90&resize=600%2C400">
At first Rome oppressed Christians, but after the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Rome was largely responsible for the spread of Christianity and established the Catholic church's later power in Midieval Europe
<img src="https://www.sopranovillas.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/vatican-City.jpg">
Finally Rome's influence on arts and architecture is undeniable and can still be seen to this day
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Colosseo_2020.jpg/1200px-Colosseo_2020.jpg">
[[Click to Exit Ticket->Exit Ticket]](input-box:"=XX=","What were some of the issues the Byzantine Empire faced?")
(input-box:"=XX=","What would you have done differently?")
(input-box:"=XX=","How were the Byzantine and Roman Empires similar?")
(input-box:"=XX=","How were the Byzantine and Roman Empires different?")
(input-box:"=XX=","What is the biggest idea you learned while playing the game?")