Vikings: Lords of the Ice Sea

Chapter 391 The Eternal City
After Basil ascended to the throne, in order to enhance his legitimacy and prestige, he launched a series of wars, first destroying the Kingdom of Bulgaria, then developing the navy and reclaiming Crete from the Saracens.

This time, he assembled a massive army of 50,000 men, two-thirds of whom were his own soldiers and the remaining third were mercenaries from Eastern Europe.

In addition, Basil also provided substantial financial support to southern Italy and the Balkans. Now, with barbarian invasions raging, the Italian people are eager to fight, and more than 20,000 militiamen have gathered. They have received weapons and armor from the Eastern Roman Empire and are impatient to drive out the Vikings.

On September 15th, Basil led a thousand armored cavalry, two thousand nomadic cavalry, and two thousand Varangian warriors to set off first.

During the march, nomadic cavalry and Varangian warriors traveled on horseback. The armored cavalry, however, were of a higher rank, each possessing three mounts.
One horse was used for riding, while the other carried the rider's armor, the warhorse's armor, and provisions. The warhorse used for combat was not burdened at all.

Thanks to this, Basil's marching speed reached thirty miles per day, and he was expected to reach Rome in ten days.

"Logically speaking, militias from all over the country are gathering in Rome. If they can't even hold out for ten days, it's not my fault."

March 872, 9 AD.

The autumn sun, having shed the harshness of summer, gently bathed the Latium Plain. After a long journey, Basil embarked on the final stretch of the road to Rome—the Via Appian.

The road surface is no longer as smooth as it was in the imperial era. The inscriptions on the roadside milestones are blurred. Some of the stones have been used by farmers to build houses or as pig troughs.

The once-prosperous villas and bustling markets that lined both sides of the road have long since vanished. In their place lie vast farmlands and marshes, where reeds sway in the autumn wind, exuding a damp, slightly decaying scent.

After walking for about two hours, Basil arrived at the southern outskirts of Rome, where the massive Aurelian Walls stretched out on the horizon like a giant gray serpent.

Ahead lay the Gate of Saint Sebastian, where priests and nobles came to greet them. Basil offered a few perfunctory words, then dismissed the crowd and led a small contingent of guards on a patrol of the city.

The magnificent Baths of Caracalla are located on the left side of the main road. The huge walls still stand, but the interior has long since ceased operation, and some facilities have been demolished to provide stone for churches and noble residences.

The situation at the Maxentius Arena was even worse, reduced to an open-air pen for raising sheep, pigs, and cattle, with the ground and walls covered in filth and emitting an unbearable stench.

Basil covered his mouth and nose as he approached to observe, silently heading north. The area he passed through was sparsely populated, cultivated by residents into wheat fields and vegetable gardens. Under the dim autumn sun, the sight of farmers and shepherds working among the ancient ruins seemed particularly ironic.

"How did such a beautiful eternal city get ruined like this?"

Gazing upon the dilapidated state of the former imperial capital, Basil's mood suddenly soured.

After an unknown amount of time, he arrived at the inhabited core area.

The Colosseum also ceased operation, its interior becoming an open-air market, and the stones from its exterior walls were removed to build churches and other facilities.

Palatine Hill—the former site of the royal palace—is also now abandoned.

On the dimly lit banks of the Tiber River, the emperor carefully avoided the sewage dumped at the street corner and made his way to a spacious square.

Centuries have passed, and the square's ground level has risen several meters compared to ancient times. The Arch of Seville still stands, but its base is now buried in soil, surrounded by weeds and rubble. Many temple columns now only have their upper halves protruding above the ground.

“Where is the Curia Julia (the site of the Senate)?” Basil grabbed a vendor and shoved two gold coins bearing his own image into his hand.

"Huh?" The vendor, scratching his messy, light yellow hair, didn't understand what the Greek was talking about.

Basil spent a long time explaining before finally making the vendor understand the specific meaning of "Curia Julia".

"So it's Julia Market. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

A peddler, pushing a cart selling figs and cheap wine, led the emperor and a group of royal guards through the streets, then pointed to the square ahead, saying, "It's right there."

The main structure of the Senate building still exists, and the open space in front of it has become an open-air market where vendors sell pottery, fruits and vegetables under the colonnades.

Beside the remaining relief base, many donkeys carrying loads were tied up, and the air was filled with the stench of livestock dung.

Above the steps is a huge bronze door, with a broken Latin inscription "SPQR" (Senate and People of Rome) on the lintel. According to historical records, Marcus Antony delivered a speech here after Caesar's assassination.

As darkness fell, Basil headed to the last famous landmark – the Pantheon.

Outside the temple, the statues of the gods had been removed. He went inside, where dust floated in the beams of sunlight streaming through the domed skylights. The floor still retained the colorful marble mosaics of ancient Rome, though some areas had had their patterns scraped off or been covered with a layer of concrete.

Basil looked up and saw that most of the gilded bronze plates above the dome were missing, presumably melted down for money.

Ten minutes later, he walked out the gate, just as the last rays of the setting sun were sinking below the horizon. At that moment, a guard quietly reminded him that the city's dignitaries had prepared a banquet.

"They've ravaged Rome to this extent, and they still have the mood to enjoy themselves?"

After spending most of the day touring the city, Basil's beautiful impression of the former imperial capital was completely shattered. The city was filled with endless ruins, and its population was no more than 40,000, less than one-tenth of Constantinople's.

The following day, Basil began to strengthen the city's defenses while dealing with the local Italian nobles, mainly the Franks who had risen to power during the reign of Charlemagne, as well as a small number of Lombards who remained from the past.

In recent decades, Naples in the southern part of the peninsula has broken away from the rule of the Eastern Roman Empire. During this period, the Duke of Naples proactively relented, stating that everything he had done was out of necessity, but that his heart remained loyal to the Roman Empire.
Basil, a master of court politics, was unlikely to be fooled by such tricks. He suppressed his disgust and spoke with the Duke, secretly plotting his next move:

"The Duchy of Naples is close to Greece. If the Eastern Roman Empire wants to control Italy, it must reclaim Naples. Perhaps, it would be better for most people to die on the battlefield."

September 28th.

The number of troops in Rome exceeded 20,000, most of whom were untrained militia. Basil was busy sorting out the command structure while sending out scouts to gather intelligence.

Four days later, news came from the front that more than 60,000 Viking soldiers were besieging Siena, a city about 100 miles from Rome.

The Viking army is coming!

(End of this chapter)