Century begun with more fighting between Mongols and Arabs. Muslims eventually pushed the Asian hordes back, giving them enough breathing space to prepare war against Romans. Jihad that lasted almost six years saw it's conclusion after both sides decimated each other, with neither side gaining real advantage in the conflict. From over 100.000 men Romans put to defend their borderline, less than 25.000 came back alive, despite constant reinforcements of 2.000-3.000 soldiers every month. Emperor Constantine IX, son of Valentinian IV, never saw end of combat, he died in 1350. His son Constantine X continued the war for another four years. Eventually Jihad ended with white peace after parley instituted by Romans.
Constantine was eager to finish the war since another conflict against Muslims was just heating up in Spain - another Jihad, this time lead against Roman, controlled-Aragonia was already in progress when Roman legionnaires eventually left the blood-soaked lands of Anatolia.
Second Jihad was met by Spaniard nobles and their levis (never called to eastern borders). Spanish armies kept Muslim invaders at distance, trying to disrupt concentration of their armies, eventually retreating north where they waited for reinforcements coming from the war to the east. Islamic armies broke against the veterans of the Legions during short and brutal campaign that begun as soon as battered Roman armies reached the new front lines. Once Jihad was repelled, Constantine X kept core of his forces in Spain, to destroy Muslim resistance once and for all, returning whole Iberian Peninsula back to the Roman control.
Golden Horde squared against Muslims for first half of the century with mixed luck, eventually to be split by the rebelling Cumans into north part - holding lands of Perm, east of Rus and south - facing Islam.
Slow decline of Golden Horde lasted till 1370, but the final blow wasn't dealt by Cumans nor Arabs.
New force broke into the known world - Timur the Great, leading his horse army destroyed Golden Horde and within few years pushed Islam away from eastern Roman borders. His armies run though Roman-controlled Armenia within weeks, forcing legions to postpone subjugation of Spanish provinces and rush across Europe to fight Timur's armies. Mongols were pushed away after few battles in difficult, hill-scarred terrain of eastern Anatolia, Romans however lost many of their newly-reformed troops.
This is a key aspect of next few years for the Empire, while they won all their wars, it diminished combat-quality of troops and left Imperial Treasury empty. With death of Constantine X, Julius - his son, ascended to the throne. Julius was born alongside his brother - Brutus. Both boys took part in Jihad wars on both fronts in their early age. Brutus was killed during battle against Timur's armies, leaving Julius as the only rightful heir to the throne.
Julius however wasn't the type of ruler his father or grandfather were, and without gold to keep his position on the Imperial throne secured, he faced a rebellion of his lords. England, Portugal, Armenia, parts of France, Africa, Italia and Croatia rose against new Emperor. During long civil war Julius, veteran of many battles tried to defeat the rebellion in one, massive battle - rebels however, spread across the Empire slowly drained Imperial resources. Eventually Empire managed to reclaim most positions in France and Italy, recapture Constantinople and key cities of Low Provinces. Despite England falling in the hands of rebels, end result of civil war was total victory of the more experienced young Emperor. It is noteworthy that vengeful ruler executed or imprisoned for years leaders of the rebellion - including king of England.
Turn of the new century meets the Roman Empire still licking wounds of the passing years. Other nations however deal with their own internal turmoil too. Timur deals with Islamic rebellion, lead by descendant of Yusifids, that ruled whole Muslim east for 3 generations. Arab world is fractured as well, with power slowly refocusing in hands of new ruling dynasty - Murkharids.
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