Christopher Andreou

Christopher Andreou (January 8th 1631- September 23rd 1703) was a Rhomanian general, Senator, and statesman. Though once tipped as the most important statesman in the Empire at the beginning of the Restoration Era, he was relegated to the sidelines by the young genius Basil Psaras, and was forced to play second fiddle to Psaras for much of the last decade of his life. Nonetheless, his achievements are impressive, and, to this day, his descendents remain important political players, close to the Imperial family.

 EARLY LIFE 

Andreou was the son of one Dionysos Andreou, a member of the lower gentry. On his mother's side, he had Syrian Christian blood, and he grew up in the city of Emesa, a Christian stronghold. Following his failure to pass the entrance exams neccesary to study law at the refounded University of Berytos, Christopher Andreou joined the army in 1652, and rose to the rank of Turmarch by the time of the Republican revolution. Initially an Imperialist, Andreou was captured by the Republicans at the Fall of Corinth, but his immediate defection meant he kept his rank. He was not present at the Battle of Ankyra, having been sent by General Michael Efthisiou to evict the Imperialists from Egypt. Following his quick and relatively bloodless campaign in Egypt, he returned to Constantinople, where he was promoted to the rank of Exarch of Calula on account of his competence and relative popularity, by general Michael Efthisiou. He was defeated attempting to force the African client kings of Rhodesia to submit to the Republic, and spent much of 1666 hunkered in Calula, attempting to force them to submit. His demoralised forces, though, stood little chance against the hardened Persian soldiers and sailors who brought back the Imperial family to the city the following year. Once more, Andreou defected, becoming an Imperial adviser to the Empress Eirene Miroyan.

 IMPERIAL REBEL 

Following his return to the Imperial cause, Andreou waged a second campaign in Rhodesia, which ended in success. In 1669, he led an army to India, and confirmed the loyalty of the local government, and the Exarch of Taprobane, to the Empress in Calula. With this proof of loyalty, he was officially confirmed as Exarch of Calula, and quickly became one of the most important figure at Eirene's court. In 1673, he launched a hit and run attack on Egypt, precipitating a religious crisis that became the great Inquisition of Taros and Trichomanis. The defeat of this Egyptian expedition, though, weakened Andreou's influence, which may also have been impacted by the interjections of the Empress' husband, Theophilus Miroyan. He became a tutor to the children of the Imperial family (along with John Makonnen), and Eirene began to focus her attention upon a new young favourite, Romanus Agrotis. It appeared as though Andreou's career was doomed to end in relative obscurity.