Gangrid Empire

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Gangrid Empire
from 256 - 294
CapitalGangris
Common languagesFragran (official), regional/local languages
Religion
Imperial cult, Qubdic faith, Laimiaic ancestor cult
GovernmentMixed, functional absolute monarchy
Historical eraClassical Era
Today part of

The Gangrid Empire or the Gangrid Aroman Empire are names used for a breakaway part of the Aroman Empire that formed during the chaotic 3rd Century. It functioned as a de facto separate state from 259CE to 294CE.

History

Origins

End of the Gangrid Empire

In 287, the second triannular meeting between the Venerabilii decided that they would attempt to bring the Gangrid Empire back under Aroman rule. The old usurper, Vetrianus, had died and Mausaeus, his successor, had also passed away. A new, more vigorous ruler, Domitillan, had taken over. However, he was unable to secure the backing of Acirii in the same manner, and the Aromans sensed a potential weakness. The campaign that started in 289 was one of the largest launched since the invasion of Vanarambaium in 60. Auxentius would lead the main thrust into the heartland of the Gangrid Empire in Aexpurtia, whilst Petronius would attack Vanarambaium.

The campaigns were bloody but ended up bringing both Vanarambaium and Aexpurtia back into the Aroman fold. However, the campaign dragged on until 294, with numerous legions eventually being drawn from other parts of the empire in order to complete the pacification. Domitillan was able to escape and fled to the homeland of the Acirii, where he eventually committed suicide. Several Aroman generals carved a name for themselves as the Venerabilii had to pay attention to other parts of their districti. Due to the size of Vanarambaium, Auxentius felt he was forced to make it into another districtus, called Catanensis. He also appointed another pair of senior and junior emperors. This was partially to help with the administration of the expanded empire but also to try to reward the generals who had helped conquer the island, in case they started to think about breaking the stability of the New State.

The Venerabilius appointed was Aemillianus, and the Cotta, Methodius. They were able to bring stamp out the final pockets of organised resistance to Aroman rule, although the packs of brigands that had plagued Arome since the crisis earlier in the century were as common on Vanarambaium as everywhere else. For the first time in over thirty years, the Pax Aromana had been returned to the heartlands of the empire.

One of the reasons for the campaign taking longer than initially hoped for by Auxentius was that the Magister utriusque Classae (Commander of the Navies) Lysandrus Tagares revolted against the plans put forth by the Octarchy. Lysandrus had led the defence of the remaining southern provinces of the empire for some time and felt he deserved the position of Venerabilius, if not a leading role in the conquest of the breakaway empire. Instead, he was snubbed by Auxentius, who took the usual Aroman line of virtually ignoring the navy and had never considered Lysandrus in the first place. This came to a head in 288CE, when Lysandrus revolted and took much of the naval forces, as well as many land garrisons, in the Mare Ragas with him, leaving Europa and eventually ending up in Aurelia. This is suggested to have caused the reconquest of the Ganrid Empire to have lasted several years longer than had been planned.

Causes

List of Emperors of the Gangrid Empire

  • Vetrianus (256-263)
  • Ecdicius (263-267)
  • Mausaeus (267-286)
  • Aromanus (286)
  • Domitillan (286-294)