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Post by Barachiel the Archangel on Feb 14, 2013 11:54:18 GMT
A merchant ship from Tarraco arrived in Constantinople today carrying the news that King Theudis of the Visigoths defeated the 45,000 man expedition of Magister Peditum Florian Iberianus outside of Tarraco. Florian Iberianus fought to the death with his most loyal men refusing to surrender. However the majority of the army did surrender and their fate is unknown. The fleet of 100 Dromons that had carried the Magister Peditum over to the Visigoth Kingdom was also captured on the beaches outside of the city.
The merchants report that young Florus Iberianus, son of the late Magister Peditum was wounded during the battle leading a counterattack aimed at the Visigoth King. The lady Spania Liberius, daughter of Petrus Marcellinus Liberius and Florian's other children were captured with the baggage train.
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Post by John Dukas on Feb 14, 2013 21:35:46 GMT
The wife to be of Florus Iberianus, Mother in law & Priest sent by the Patriarch to Spain are just a bit put out on finding the bridegroom to be has got himself cut up and captured by that charming and lovely man (And supplier of fine Chariot and race horses) King Theudis......talk about a stag do gone bad!!!
Showing the grace and beauty plus the iron determination of a junior member of the Constantinople Ladies sewing guild and the horse trading skills of her father Maria Dukas flatters & charms a (low?) ransom price out of the Great King for Florus & the rest of the captured Army.
Maria is happy to pay what is left of her dower of 10,000 wealth as a downpayment to get the wounded Florus and family back. She rather hopes Great Uncle Narsus & Great Uncle Patriarch Sergius will be able to help ransom all those poor Catholic's back from the Arian's. Assume Theudis will want some political and trade concessions as well?
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Post by Petrus Marcellinus Liberius on Feb 14, 2013 22:03:58 GMT
This should be discussed by others as well my daughter and grand child are also held.......
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Post by Barachiel the Archangel on Feb 14, 2013 23:10:22 GMT
Gentlemen, send your orders in and we'll go from there
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Post by Petrus Marcellinus Liberius on Feb 15, 2013 9:31:05 GMT
Mine are in already.
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Post by John Dukas on Feb 16, 2013 22:51:08 GMT
News from Maria Dukas in Spain
1) Her young man is safe & well and the Wedding will now continue as planned. With god willing the first son of the couple to be called Florian Theudis Iberianus.
2) Peace has now been made in Spain which is good news for Merchants and Teams who need to import high quality Spanish Bloodstock to take on the Arabian steeds of the Reds. Not that Maria is bothered by this being a "Red"
3) The cost of this unhappy event to the Empire is 100 Ships, 23,000 of its best Armenian troops, 45,000 sets of weapons & equipment plus 5,000,000 wealth to ransom the 22,000 troops and other survivors. The troops not only need equipment, kit & armour etc but many months of rest to get over their wounds etc.
The worry now is that 45,000 troops and the general most feared by the Persians have been removed from the Eastern Armies Order of Battle and most of the Empires reserves are fighting in the west. The Persian Treaty was with Justinian........exactly how far do we trust the Fire Eaters?
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Post by Petrus Patricius on Feb 16, 2013 23:06:19 GMT
The survivors were private troops under the pay of Florian Iberianius. They were never in the Eastern Army's order of battle.
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Post by Petrus Patricius on Feb 16, 2013 23:13:43 GMT
I might add that the "cost to the Empire" in wealth did not cost the Imperial Treasury a single solidus, and the men of Florian Iberianus' army are being refitted and nursed to health at the personal expense of the Patricii.
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Post by Bacchus Solomanos on Feb 16, 2013 23:15:54 GMT
Yes, I'm not sure where this rumor started, but this little crusade, while tragic, was neither supported by nor sponsored by the empire.
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Post by John Dukas on Feb 17, 2013 19:07:11 GMT
I a mere clerk in the civil service and his daughter (a young and silly girl....she follows the Reds) stand corrected by the Military.
Sorry for any confusion caused but when the Magister Peditum takes 45,000 troops from Armenia (The Eastern Empires main recruiting area) and losses half of them in Spain I kind of assumed it might have some impact on the ability of Armenia and the other Eastern Provinces to defend themselves.
Likewise when the Noble Senator from North Africa pays out 5,000,000 in ransom to the Visigoth King I was speaking in general terms as in cost to the Empire rather than in "cost to the Imperial Treasury."
Just was well it did come from a certain private bank box rather than from the Imperial Treasury since after recent comments it seems that the Treasury could not have meet the bill. Mind you I do find it a bit odd that the Imperial Treasury is reported as being nearly bankrupt while some senators can pay 5,000,000 from private funds. Perhaps the senators of Rome should consider a 20% tax on portable wealth over say 10,000?
Since if I am not mistaken does not the Treasury have to pay a bonus to the troops on a new Emperor?
If I am wrong or its already been paid 1000 apologies
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Post by Bacchus Solomanos on Feb 17, 2013 19:27:43 GMT
I can appreciate your never ending need to be right, but things like this are best dropped.
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Post by John Dukas on Feb 23, 2013 14:11:27 GMT
Never ending need to be right? ? If thats the case not doing very well: 1) I support the Greens ..........my team are getting thrashed by the Reds! Would like to know who the secret Red sponsor is. 2) Organise wedding for daughter....... and her husband to be gets taken captive by the Goths. 3) I am a Catholic (safe option?)..........and we end up with a Arian Government. 4) Being effectively the civil servent in charge of Constantinople try and avoid the Nike Riots wrecking the place, think its possible...perhaps a small tax concession.....introduce Emperor to the people. Speach all ready to thank the Dictator & Master of Horse for the services before sending them to the Eastern Front as Pro Counsuls.............When someone sends in the troops and I get blood (inc mine) all over Streets and my new Toga. Starting to think if there is a theme its not "Dukas is right" its "Lets see how wrong Dukas can be"
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Post by John Dukas on Feb 23, 2013 14:13:21 GMT
Never ending need to be right? ? If thats the case not doing very well: 1) I support the Greens ..........my team are getting thrashed by the Reds! Would like to know who the secret Red sponsor is. 2) Organise wedding for daughter....... and her husband to be gets taken captive by the Goths. 3) I am a Catholic (safe option?)..........and we end up with a Arian Government. 4) Being effectively the civil servent in charge of Constantinople try and avoid the Nike Riots wrecking the place, think its possible...perhaps a small tax concession.....introduce Emperor to the people. Speach all ready to thank the Dictator & Master of Horse for the services before sending them to the Eastern Front as Pro Counsuls.............When someone sends in the troops and I get blood (inc mine) all over Streets and my new Toga. Starting to think if there is a theme its not "Dukas is right" its "Lets see how wrong Dukas can be"
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