Varronianus the Good

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**Varronianus** (6 March 1192 – 29 November 1245), sometimes called **Varronian**, was Roman emperor from 1241 to 1245. His short, but vital, reign helped re-stablize the empire, which was still reeling from the Anno Chao. With his rule initially confined to Italy, the Balkans, parts of Anatolia and Gaul, and the provinces of Africa and Mauretania, Varronianus campaigned rigorously for four years against the Empire's enemies, and was able to reconquer large swaths of territory.

Varronianus spent the first year of his campaign defending Italy and the Balkans from several barbarian raids. With his territory secure in 1242 Varronianus sent his brother Jovianus to secure southern Gaul, while he himself embarked on a two invasions of the Palmyrene Empire. In his first campaign Varronian swiftly reconquered Egypt, which he left in the command of his friend Diaco. While Varronian took Egypt some of his generals retook most of Anatolia. After his victories in the east, in 1243 Varronianus, upon hearing news of his brothers death, returned west, where he defeated the Burgundians expelling them from the Rhone valley and reducing them to federate status.

Later that year Varronianus consolidated Roman control of Hispania, and his generals launched a campaign against the Suebi in northwest Hispania, defeating and reducing them to federate status as well. In 1245 Varronian defeated a large Ostrogothic invasion of Italy and Illyria.

Varronian also passed numerous laws and reforms during his reign, weeding out corruption and increasing the efficiency of the empire. His laws also increased the level of religious freedom, ending the harsh persecutions of Marcian and reducing the power of the church. This brought him into conflict with Gelasius, the Pope or Patriarch of Rome, and in July of 1245 Varronianus moved to depose Gelasius. Gelasius however preemptively had already secretly secured the loyalty of Alypius, the Comes Domesticorum, who was piously loyal to the bishop of Rome. Upon ordering the deposition of Gelasius, Varronianus was arrested by his own guard, who imprisoned him in Rome. Constantine II was made emperor, and Varronianus died in prison some time after, though the exact nature of his death is unclear. Some sources report he was buried alive while others say he died of disease in prison, regardless of the cause he is recorded to have died on January 8 1246.

## Legacy

Varronianus' reign for a brief moment stabilized the empire, though much of his work would be undone by his successors. Many of his reforms, especially religious ones, died with Varronianus. In general, Varronianus receives the favor of many historians, ancient and modern. He is described by his contemporaries to be educated, polite and affable. Varronianus is referred to by the 19th century historian Cedrenus as being:

*"...the only man between Aetius and Belisarius to hold the imperial throne and possess the virtues of heroism, magnanimity, and greatness."*

And a modern historian once stated that:

*"Varronian possessed a courage and greatness only rivalled by the lions of antiquity."*

It is also worth noting that Varronianus was the least Roman Emperor to lead soldiers into battle until Belisarius.

He is descended from the OTL emperor Jovian