16 Years' Crisis
The 16 Years' Crisis, also known as the Crisis of the 5th Century, or the Makedonian Crisis, was a period of political and economic instability that nearly led to the downfall of the Makedonian Empire. Lasting from 445-461, most of the Crisis dominated the reign of Alexarchus, who's various reforms and campaigns were largely intended to restore stability to the Empire. Most historians consider the crisis the closest point the Empire came to collapse until the Burning Plague and its aftermath four centuries later.
The crisis began in 445 with widespread food shortages and famine in central Syara and Ruvelka owing to crop failures in Galania, which threatened the collapse of the Empire's food supply. This induced rebellious strife across various provinces of the Empire, further heightened by the fluctuating nature of the Empire's borders. Compounded by currency devaluation and populace decline owing to centuries of conflict, the Empire would struggle to retain control of its territory and restore proper infrastructure and economic function for the better part of a decade. The crisis was deepened by rebellions in Ruvelka, Mansuriyyah, and the rise of the Bosrei warlord Jarpr, all of which would require Alexarchus to embark on campaigns to suppress. Although he was killed by Jarpr in 459 CE, his brother Eurymedon successfully defeated Jarpr in 461, which is generally used to mark the end of the crisis.
Surviving the crisis eventually allowed the Makedonian Empire to enter into the 6th Century in a position of power that would see it triumph over its long time rival Serikos. This was later followed by the conquest of Quenmin and victory over the Sabrian Empire in the Sabrian Wars, culminating in the Empire reaching its greatest territorial extent.
Background and causes
By the 5th Century, the Makedonian Empire appeared to be in decline. Since the conquests of Orestes II, Makedon had steadily expanded into Mansuriyyah, Arkoenn, Khaltia, and Boreas, coming into contact with the other major continental powers of Siduri, namely Serikos and the Hannashka Empire. The subsequent Discovery Wars and Makedonian-Hannashka Wars lasted for centuries, forcing the Empire to wage war on two fronts. While the Makedonians originally enjoyed success against the Hannashka, the reign of Kamadyu the Magnificent brought defeat and reversals to Makedonian fortunes, and by the 4th Century the Empire had been driven out of Khaltia entirely and had been reduced to coastal holdouts in Nalaya.
Back and forth wars against the Han of Serikos further drained the Empire's already overstretched manpower and resources. Although the Makedonians had been able to restore the border to the boundary of Chihon, the fighting had depleted the Empire's treasury. Mass conscription and drawing up of levies had further depopulated many regions of the Empire, leading to demographic decline and loss of taxation revenue and tribute. Maintaining such a large military force had forced the Empire to mint coins on a massive scale that led to inflation and devaluation of the drachma, which inhibited trade and economic growth. As price of goods rose, trade revenue declined and the Empire's internal trade network began to falter as merchants struggled to sell their wares and turn a profit. Increased banditry due to the breakdown of social order further dampened trade and travel, leading to coordination across the Empire declining in both political and economic matters.
Further adding to the disruption was the social upheaval brought about by the rise of Zobethos, which had gradually replaced Hellenic polytheism among the lower classes of Syara. Zobethos, originally a heavily pantheistic faith that worshiped the Titan Gaia, was popular among Syara's many slaves and poor owing to the promise of eternal salvation for all followers of the faith. This was generally considered a more appealing choice for many of the downtrodden and less fortunate of the Empire, as no such promise could be found in worship of the traditional pantheon of Hellenic gods. By the 5th Century the majority of the population of Syara was Zobethians, which led to internal unrest eventually culminating in the Zobethos Civil War from 431-434. The conflict strained the Empire even further and devastated much of Syara and Ruvelka, essentially the heartland of the Empire.