1626 Winter(December)

I’ve spent my Christmas in Naples.

‘Cough’

Judging from my state of health, which is weakening day by day, I realized I won’t be able to visit Naples or other Italian regions again next Christmas.

So, I’ve ordered at least the Sicily and Naples area, let alone other Italian city-states, to start compulsory education.

Also

“How can the Bishop of Rome own the Rome, Lazio, Marche, Umbria and Romagna and Emilia as his fief when the Roman Empire is revived?”

“B, Basileus?”

“Does the Bishop of Rome think of himself as the co-Augustus of the New East Roman Empire?”

“T, that’s...”

“The Bishop of Rome must return his fief and concentrate on ecclesiastical matters only!”

In short, I declared the abolition of the Papal States, which was established in 756 with the Donation of Pepin and lasted for 900 years till now. At first, I wished to start it with more relaxation, but since my health was getting worse day by day, I wanted to complete it before it’s too late.

And it was a declaration that the old conflict between the ecclesiastical power and secular power has become and will be the complete victory of the latter. If Pope can’t own his fief, how can mere bishops or archbishops have it?

Reformists and Calvinists cheered at my decision, while Lutherans and Roman Catholics expressed disapproval. Meanwhile, Eastern Orthodox Church, which didn’t have any fief in the first place, didn’t express any official comments.

‘Well, seeing no church faction expressed strong objection, my authority as the 1st Imperator and Basileus of the New Roman Empire isn’t a paper tiger!’

Meanwhile, secular feudal lords’ opinions split as well.

Some strongly favored my opinion, expecting their fief might increase from receiving the church’s fief, others kept silent out of fear that they might face the church’s anger. And the rest took the church’s side, claiming that Catholic Church has contributed a lot to the Christian community ever since the fall of the Old West Roman Empire.

At the same time

“Basileus has a point!”

“I, Imperator?”

“How can the Church, which is supposed to serve the Holy Father and lead the sheep and flock, can oppress the disciples as a secular power?”

“T...that’s...”

“The Church must return to itself, just like the Bible says!”

My eldest son Richard, Augusts of the West, and the 2nd Imperator of the New West Roman Empire just expressed the almost same opinion as to the Calvinists, making dispute more tangled.

So, the public mind was the final blow. Since the citizens were still thinking that they were living in a legendary, mystical era, with the revival of the Roman Empire, they accepted my decision, without a doubt.

“Basileus wants it!”

“The Church must follow suit to Eduardo Ivlivs Caesar Avgvstvs, the 1st Imperator and Basileus of the New Roman Empire, the greatest ruler since Solomon, the one who revived the Roman Empire in his lifetime!”

So, without the support of his believers, the Bishop of Rome had no choice but to throw in the towel.

1627 Spring(March-May)

Papal State was abolished, with all its’ fief returned to the Emperor – Basileus, to be exact, since Italy belongs to the New East Roman Empire.

“The Bishop of Rome can own St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, and Apostolic Palace, which will be called as Vatican City.”

“T, thank you for your mercy, B, Basileus.”

“The rest of the Papal state is now the territory of the Kingdom of the Naples and Two Sicilies!”

“Yes, Basileus.”

“From now, the Kingdom of Naples and Two Sicilies will be called as the Kingdom of Italy, with its’ judicial capital as Rome, executive and legislative capital as Naples!”

“I, it shall be done, Basileus.”

Of course, it led to the doom of the Italian city-states, which enjoyed autonomy till now.

Patriciates had no choice but to accept the fall of their old home country – city-states like Milan, Florence, etc – and the rise of the new nation, Italy.

‘Just as I expected. They have no physical power that can challenge against the New East Roman Empire, no authority stronger than the Basileus that even Pope had to obey!’

Without Venice and Papal States, which could have been the representative of their resistance, they had no choice but to follow suit.

In the end, Patriciates dedicated their own fief to me, to survive. I bestowed it to them again, promising their autonomy once again, under 2 conditions.

“First, disband all private armies of the city-states. Second, I shall establish Italian self-ruling Parliament, and all city-states will belong to Electoral and administrative districts of the Kingdom of Italy!”

In short, I promised their autonomy but warned them not to cross the line that I’ve drawn.

“Y, your wish is our command, Basileus.”

“T, thank you for your benevolence, Basileus.”

The Italian Patricates accepted those 2 conditions without dissent, while the Italian citizens cheered.

“SPQR!” “SPQR!” “SPQR!”

“Now, the Roman Empire has perfectly revived once again!”

“Long live Basileus!”

“Hurray for the Kingdom of Itlay!”

Joyful crowds marched on the streets voluntarily, cheering for the unification of the Italian peninsula. To support the parade, I’ve held a massive Easter holiday festival for the entire March.

Of course, during the festival with all the drinking and joy, voices affirming the unification of Italy and cheering my decision grew louder. Adding icing on the cake, I’ve ordered compulsory education, which was being conducted in Naples and Two Sicilies, to be expanded into the entire Italian peninsula in 5 years.

Victor Emmanuel II, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Camillo Benso, you’re all fired!