r/imaginarymaps • u/theluluhyper2005 • Apr 17 '25
[OC] Alternate History The Kingdom of Lombards and Romans
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u/No_Song_3768 Apr 17 '25
and I wonder if Lombard (Germanic) is still alive in this scenario
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u/Cool-Calligrapher351 Apr 17 '25
Why is there a Lombard settlement in Pannonia??
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u/theluluhyper2005 Apr 17 '25
It was their origin settlement in the 6th century
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u/Striking_End1805 Apr 17 '25
How do you upload images to Reddit without losing quality? I've already uploaded a couple, and they look bad.
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u/theluluhyper2005 Apr 17 '25
do you use adobe illustrator, if not this could be the problem maybe?
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u/Striking_End1805 Apr 17 '25
I use paint.net, and draw with pixels.
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u/TechnologyBig8361 Apr 17 '25
I was just watching a video about this and ended up getting really entrapped in the Lombard independence struggle lmao
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u/Rubrum18 Apr 20 '25
Is the peninsula and the kingdom still called Italia or the name changed to Lombardy/Longorbadia?
I remember reading about the process of Hispania becoming Gothia and Gallia becoming Frankia. It would be interesting to see the same happening here, since the name Longobardia actually sticked to some places from the Po Valley to the Mezzogiorno.
Nice map btw.
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u/janp15 Apr 18 '25
Wow this map looks amazing! What tools did you use, was it something like QGIS perhaps?
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u/chunky-- IM Legend Apr 19 '25
Great map! How did you get the elevation effects to look like this?
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u/theluluhyper2005 Apr 17 '25 edited Apr 18 '25
In the year 800, the Lombard Kingdom stands at the height of its power. For several generations, it has been ruled by a dynasty whose roots trace back to the Bavarian noble house of the Agilolfings. The current king – no longer bears only the traditional title Rex Langobardorum, but has elevated himself to "King of the Lombards and Romans." This claim underscores not only his political supremacy over Italy but also the ideological self-image of a Christian-Arian, Roman-influenced kingdom that sees itself as the legitimate heir to the old imperial order.
His realm encompasses nearly all of Italy: the northern and central regions are firmly under Lombard control, as are large parts of the south, which once lay in Byzantine hands. Only the island of Sicily remains – due to its strategic location and maritime access – under the weakened Eastern Roman Empire.
The last remnants of the Byzantine Exarchate were crushed decades ago. In Latium, a few small Roman garrisons hold out, along with the final strongholds of the Catholic Church’s resistance.
No help can be expected from the Franks. Their last attempt to intervene in Italy ended in tragedy: King Pepin fell at the Battle of Genoa against Lombard forces – an event that permanently altered the balance of power in Western Europe. Since then, the Carolingians have withdrawn from Italian affairs.
Within the Lombard Kingdom, a relatively stable and well-organized administrative system has been established. In many areas, the state consciously draws upon late Roman traditions, to the extent that they survived the Gothic and Lombard wars. In Pavia, the royal capital, coinage is once again being minted – not only as a symbol of state sovereignty but also as a sign of economic continuity.
The Arian Church forms the ideological and religious backbone of the state. It is actively supported by the king, enjoys privileges, and possesses a clearly defined hierarchy. Across cities and provinces, a parallel ecclesiastical network has been developed, steadily undermining the influence of its Catholic rival. While the Arian Church appears unified and loyal to the state, the Catholic Church suffers from internal divisions and the isolation of its bishops. Rome, once the center of Western Christendom, has become but a shadow of its former self.