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Anno Domini, 831-November-3
Pov of Marinos
''Yes, yes. As soon as we receive more reliable reports about what happened in Aegyptus, we will be able to speak with greater propriety about the division of the lands and the necessary agreements so your sons may receive military posts worthy of their lineage'' I said with a smile, looking at one of those aristocrats who, during the last few days, had not stopped flattering me with gifts.
For the most part, the aristocracy had been flattering the entire imperial family, since there was great confidence that the strategos of Crete, Basil, would lead the campaign to a favorable result. The man could be a brute, rough and of little education, but even his enemies had to admit that he knew how to employ the necessary stratagems to subdue our adversaries in the quickest possible way.
Aegyptus was within our grasp. We were only waiting for the result of the capture of the seat of government of the region. With the fall of that city, it was almost certain that we would receive the information that mattered most to all the aristocrats: what would be done with those lands.
Not long ago, the strategos had reported that his intention of using the Coptic networks to draw them to our side had failed. Because of that, he requested authorization from the basileus of the Romans, Theophilos, stating that it was completely necessary to apply a severe punishment to all the inhabitants of those lands. The basileus accepted, since the entire Roman aristocracy was interested in controlling those fertile and extremely wealthy provinces.
That decision was received with pleasure by everyone. It was a popular measure among the great lineages, and since it had been accepted by the basileus, the lands of Aegyptus, the Nile Delta and the banks of the great river would have no other legitimate owner than the imperial throne. Because of that, it was vital that those possessions be divided according to the needs of the empire and, of course, according to the dignity of those who could best serve it.
Everyone wanted to take part in that division. For that reason, it was essential to secure administrative posts from which the sale of the best lands could be managed, leaving the less valuable ones to the themata. I did not believe those troops would participate in a new war anytime soon, even if they were gathered in haste. Their immediate usefulness would be another: to occupy, guard and work the land the empire decided to grant them.
Only one more piece was missing within the imperial system so nothing would escape our reach. We had already secured the main positions of power, but the domestikos ton Scholon still remained, the highest military dignity of the empire. That was the post we needed in order to better control the military offices and close the circle of influence around the throne.
The post had been vacant since the death of its last holder. Apparently, the climate of Armenia had not been kind to the Domestikos ton Scholon, since while he was directing the strengthening of our eastern frontier, fevers ended his life. Now we were all waiting for Theophilos to pronounce himself on that vacancy, since whoever received such dignity would hold in his hands an essential part of Roman military power.
It was something of the utmost importance, since with the birth of my grandson Constantine, it was only a matter of time before the basileus rhomaion was blood of my blood. Then our family would rise as one of the most powerful in the empire.
Although, of course, we still had to keep working to limit the power of our strategos of Crete and governor of the foederati. It worried me that Maria had not managed to influence him in the slightest. On the contrary, she had only made him much more hostile. Instead of both of them rowing in favor of the interests of our family, she had caused a schism between us.
And it was no small matter that the man had an army of barbarians at his disposal, in addition to gold mines that were proving to be far more productive than many of the mines under state control. It was necessary to prevent Basil from accumulating too much power, especially if our fragile alliance ended up breaking.
''As I was saying, we have not yet decided who will occupy the military commands, but I will be attentive to see which families deserve that prize with the greatest justice. The protection of Aegyptus must be taken with the greatest seriousness'' I said, looking at another aristocrat, who answered me with a faint smile.
''I understand. We will be attentive to that military commission, but be certain that we will do everything in our power so your help is properly rewarded, patrikios Marinos'' said the aristocrat, perfectly understanding what I wanted from him.
Long minutes passed in the court while I began to choose, with discretion, who would occupy the future posts of the administration of the region. It was only a matter of time before Basil handed over the entire administration to Theophilos, and he would place some men of his trust there. The rest, however, would remain in my hands to fill with aristocrats who would owe me favors and who, without doubt, would know how to repay them many times over.
While I was focused on speaking with the patriarchs of several aristocratic families, a servant approached me, lowering his head until he was close to my ear.
''The basileus rhomaion is celebrating the great news that the province of Aegyptus has returned to the imperial fold. Apparently, the strategos Basil has obtained victory against the sarakenoi'' said the servant.
After delivering the message to me, he withdrew and continued with his duties, serving wine and offering food to all the aristocrats.
I could not help but smile. It was the news we had been waiting for during several months, since the siege of the sarakenoi fortress had taken a long time.
''If you will excuse me, I must discuss some matters with the basileus rhomaion regarding what we have been discussing'' I said calmly, while withdrawing from the gathering of the aristocracy and walking toward the room that Theophilos used to administer the affairs of the empire.
I advanced through the long corridors of the palace. The scholai let me pass after a brief glance, opening the doors of the room. It did not take me long to hear my son-in-law celebrating with a joy difficult to hide.
''Aegyptus is ours! Aegyptus is ours! We have recovered all the borders of the East, Theodora! It is only a matter of time before the restoration of Roman glory continues. We are only missing a few more territories and we will have recovered the borders of Justinian'' I heard Theophilos say.
He was incredibly happy. I even saw him jumping for joy because of the news.
''It seems we have good news, from what I can hear'' I said, walking slowly, while I saw my daughter in Theophilos's arms, celebrating the victory with him.
''Yes. Basil finally managed to break the city of Al-Fustat, although they almost broke him. The Abbasid caliph appeared before his gates with a great army to try to lift the siege, but Basil's forces withstood the blows they received and forced him to withdraw. Not only have we recovered lands of enormous importance, but it is also said that the spoils are immense. It may finance many of the works needed for the capital, as well as the construction of cities in the new themata. It will be an enormous help'' said the basileus rhomaion.
Theophilos quickly stopped embracing Theodora and began reviewing some books and letters spread across the table.
''The province of Aegyptus was always a source of immense wealth for all Roman rulers. Once that province returns to paying its taxes to its legitimate lord, we will have many more resources to secure our influence, will we not?'' I said with a faint smile.
''Yes. Although the censuses and other minor matters still need to be carried out in order to decide how we should organize and administer Aegyptus. There is a large population there. We may move hundreds of thousands of Copts to several more depopulated areas of the empire, so those frontier regions will have their own thematic forces capable of defending the area. Once that is done, we will have to prepare for the great offensive against the Carolingians. We must recover the old heart of the empire and the last seat of the Pentarchy. When that happens, we will have restored the most important borders and stripped those Franks of the only legitimacy they possess to rule lands that belong by right to the Romans'' said my son-in-law with a great smile, straightening himself while reviewing the books.
''Then we must begin the preparations for the next war. I doubt it will be a brief conflict, considering that the Carolingians will defend those lands tooth and nail. Because of that, I believe we should begin as soon as possible the selection of new candidates for the administrative posts of Aegyptus. We will need those taxes and those harvests to sustain a long open conflict against the false emperors who usurp our lands'' I said calmly, staring directly at Theophilos.
''True, true. Although I do not think it will be necessary to do that'' said Theophilos, taking out some letters and books.
''Eh… what do you mean you do not think it will be necessary? There are many aristocrats from good families who would be very interested in administering those lands, especially in taking part in the division of the lands of the Nile Delta, so their harvests may be properly managed'' I said, licking my lips at Theophilos's answer while observing the surprise on Theodora's face.
''Basil sent a list of trusted officers to occupy those posts and…'' Theophilos began to say.
''But he had never done that before'' I said, interrupting Theophilos because of the surprise that that hard-headed man would try to secure Aegyptus for his own men.
''Yes, exactly, that is what left me quite puzzled when Basil began placing a pile of requests before me. He asked that Aegyptus be divided into three themas, and along with that, he offered me a list of candidates to occupy the post of strategos in each of them. In addition, he included an extensive list of his trusted officers to occupy the posts of tourmarches, droungarios, kentarchos and the administrative posts. The provinces are already practically ready to be administered. All that remains is to send the signal of approval. Besides that, he asked for his reward to be precisely that'' said Theophilos, showing me the letters and the lists with the names of those he recommended.
''But… that would be all the posts… Eh… it would not be advisable to give him everything. That could make the court nervous because of the strategos's influence. He already possesses an enormous army of foederati at his disposal, and now, if he also obtains strategos loyal to his person, such a concentration of power could prove harmful to imperial stability'' I said, almost losing my composure.
''That is so, my lord husband. Giving everything to the strategos Basil could be a clear sign of favoritism. It could even unsettle the Church, especially because of his closeness with those pagan foederati. That could bring with it the loss of the ecclesiastical support we have worked so hard to preserve'' said Theodora, supporting me in that.
''Although I could tell Basil no, who in their right mind would reject being handed an entire group of experienced officers? Basil's officers are, without exaggeration, some of the most veteran men in the entire empire. They have fought in almost all our latest wars and are clearly the ideal candidates to occupy those posts. They would train the best thematic forces. Several times, I have asked Basil to give me some of his men so I could assign them military posts in empty areas, and now he is offering me hundreds of veteran officers who, without a doubt, will form incredibly professional themata'' said Theophilos, tilting his head with a faint smile.
I held back my reaction. I had worked for a long time to secure those posts, only for Basil to try to keep all of them. Worse still, I could not find a clear way to attack him.
''And what about the Domestikos ton Scholon? Surely you would consider Bardas a good candidate for that post'' said Theodora after swallowing, remaining fixed on me.
''Yes, I have him under consideration. I had offered it to Skleros, but he refused the post, saying that he was already too old to accept such a great responsibility. However, he recommended that I give it to Basil. Once he returns, he will need the highest military authority for the campaign against the Carolingians, so he can give orders to the other strategos in the area without having to request special permissions. So, when we celebrate Basil's return, I will offer him the post. After that, we will gather the army and begin the march toward Rome'' said Theophilos, still very pleased.
''That is far too great an accumulation of power, my basileus rhomaion. I recommend that you reconsider. We are speaking of a man who already controls the foederati, and in addition, he would be given the highest military office in the empire. That could indeed cause a dangerous uproar. It could even convince his general that perhaps the purple would suit him better'' I said seriously.
''Basil is my friend, and he will not betray me. I already said it once, and I do not want to hear that from you again. Basil is not like the viperous filth that inhabits this city'' said Theophilos, frowning.
''Certainly, my basileus rhomaion. Your decision is the correct one. I only sought to offer a divergent point of view'' I said, lowering my head and beginning to withdraw.
I had to think about what to do.
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