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Gallia
Imperial Republic of Gallia
Timeline: Gaul Survives

OTL equivalent: France
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Capital Durocotorum
Largest city Lutetia
Other cities Lugdunum, Massalia, Burdigala
Language
  official
 
Gallic
  others Catalonian, Gothic
Religion
  main
 
Celtic Christianity (97%)
  others Protestantism (2%) other (1%)
High King Anyon I (as of 2000)
Area 580,000 km²
Population c. 71,100,000 
Independence 43 BC
Currency Euro (as of 1998)

Gallia[]

Gallia is one of the oldest continuous nations in Europe, from its inception in 43 BC to the present. It is one of the largest nations in Europe, and also one of the more powerful, although the growing cooperation in Europe has rendered this less important lately.

History[]

Gallic history can be traced from its origins as Celtic tribes settled it in the 1000s BC, but as a state it is typically traced to its inception in 43 BC. The rulers at the time, a council of chiefs from the most prominent tribes in the area, realized they would have to create a centralized state to be able to resist the power of Rome. To do this, they nominated a High King, to rule over all the tribes and oversee the creation of an imperial state. This led to the precedent of Dynastic election. Rather than electing a single ruler, as in a traditional elective monarchy, the chiefs elected a ruler and his line, meaning that until they were very dissatisfied with the dynasty's rule they would allow this dynasty to continue ruling. This allowed for a centralized, effective state but also kept dynastic disputes from arising.

An important development occurred in 60 AD when missionaries sent by the apostle Paul introduced Christianity to the region. While the Pagans hated these new preachers, their message was very popular and spread despite resistance by much of the aristocracy and merchant class. because of this grassroots approach, a decentralized, congregational, devotional faith took hold, much like that espoused by Paul. Without a church hierarchy to imperialize it, this "Celtic Christianity" remained much less affected by Roman beliefs than did Roman Catholicism. The biggest difference between the two was that the Gauls believed in Salvation by Faith alone, by Grace, rather than faith and works. By 100 AD, the King had converted, and the nation became a Christian state. The ensuing cultural differences between Gallia and Rome led to confrontations with Latin societies for much of history.

After the fall of Rome, the Germanic migrations posed a problem for Gallic rulers. As enemies of Rome, they had aided them, and allowed them free passage through Gallia, allowing for the setup of a visigothic Kingdom in Iberia. However, they would not allow the Germans to settle in their land, for fear of a takeover. because of this, in 501, they closed their borders to Germanic migrants and opened up communications with the Byzantine Empire this led to an alliance between Justinian and the Ruler of the time, Brian, which endured until the breakup of the Byzantine Empire in 1918.

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