The Battle of the Pyramids

The Battle of the Pyramids took place on the outskirts of Giza, Egypt on 20 August 1479, and was fought between pro-Republican forces led by the Maiden-General Zoe, and the heir apparent to the Roman Empire, Constantine XI, also known as Octavius. It was the last major military operation of the Roman-Byzantine Usurper Crisis, disregarding the subsequent conquest of Egypt from loyalist forces. It ended with an overwhelming victory for the Roman Synkletos and the Maiden-General, as Constantine was executed amid the fighting — setting the stage for Zoe to be crowned as the Roman Empress just one year later.

The battle is often seen as a turning point in Rome's history — not just in terms of power or military might, but in ideology as well. Under Zoe, Rome became a multi-cultural entity that transcended race and religion, while Constantine openly advocated for nothing short of genocide for what he saw as barbarians, as was shown with the reconquest of Anatolia. With his death, and the civil war won, Zoe was free to shape the Empire to her liking.