Halames

Halames was the last king of Bal-Morath and throughout his reign he had gathered a reputation of being a cruel and despotic ruler, worrying more about his 'place in history' than about his people.

By 177 IC Halames had succeeded in bankrupting his country. Bal-Morath had been in conflict with the Empire for a few decades before finally agreeing to terms of joining the Empire in 166 IC and had invested heavily in building not just a sizeable fleet but also to pay mercenaries from Yuritan to aid in supply chains around the Imperial blockades. However, once part of the Empire, Halames became obsessed with his own image borrowed extensively from the Empire to improve the country's cities with the latest in civic amenities (including extensive sewage systems). Within a decade though the interest on these debts became crippling and Halames realised that he needed to raise capital fast to pay off his country's debts. He took the bold move of tripling taxes and demanding immediate tithes from all the Lords. In turn, the entire feudal system of the country raced to increase output far beyond its actual means.

Within three months serfs started rebelling. In six months, Knights were toppled from their position of power and the Lords’ tenuous grip on the situation started to fail. In desperation Halames imposed martial law. Civil war began with the common people emerging victorious. Halames was executed, the country became a Republic and the Council of Byzantrium was formed. The wealth of the former Lords was still largely contained within the noble houses but political power now resided with the people.

Nearly two hundred years later, Bal-Morath is doing well. Its national debt is greatly reduced and its cities are prosperous. The Empire, although initially sceptical, now accepts that the Council is capable of making rational decisions. The Empire also knows that Bal-Morath lays between Dominus and Yuritan and so is quite pleased to have a non-feudal state bear the brunt of any attacks from outside of the Empire.

As a side note of interest, the family of Halames would eventually return from exile and the great grand-daughter of Halames would later marry Emperor Justinian II.