Alternate history of the byzantines.:). Here are two Byzantine Empire alternate history questions: 1. What if Emperor Manuel I had a son in the 1150s in place of one of his two daughters? That way, he would have had a son who would have been in his 20s instead of being a preteen at the time of his death. Would this have resulted in.
Short History of Byzantine Empire and its Capital Constantinople
At the beginning of the 4th century, the Roman Empire was tired of fighting the barbarians in the West and the Sassanids (Persians) in the East. These developments caused the eternal capital Rome to lose its importance. Emperors, who wanted to be close to critical regions both in the West and East, were in search of another capital instead of Rome.
Diocletian was the first emperor to move the center of the empire to the East. He lived in Nicomedia in the early years of his reign. However, it was Constantine, who was known as the Great, who would permanently change the capital.
The Foundation Of Constantinople
Roman Empire had vast borders when Constantine managed to be the sole ruler of Rome. He wanted to create a new city in the east. For this purpose, he chose Byzantium, a small Greek city. Romans reconstructed and adorned the city and named it “New Rome” (330 AD) which eventually became the famous Constantinople.
It was not an arbitrary decision for Emperor Constantine to establish such a city. This decision was based on political and economic reasons. The fact that Istanbul was surrounded by the sea on three sides made it impossible for the barbarians to take over the city. At the same time, it was a great advantage to be close to the Eastern Mediterranean, the center of trade at that time.
Constantine built the Great Palace, Hippodrome and Forum of Constantine in the new city, where he lived until his death. When he died, he was buried in Church of the Holy Apostles.
The Division of the Roman Empire as East and West
After Constantine’s death, the empire began to decline. Theodosius I ascended the throne when the Roman Empire was in great danger. Theodosius showed a very successful administration and secured the borders. But he died unexpectedly in his 40s.
After the death of Theodosius, the empire was divided into east and west. One of Theodosius’ sons, 12-year-old Honorius, became the Western Roman Emperor, while his 18-year-old son, Arcadius, became the head of Eastern Rome.
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However, after a while most of Western Europe (formerly the heartland of the empire) fell to barbarian invaders (476 AD). According to some historians, Emperor Constantine predicted this disaster. This was the main reason why he moved the capital to the East 150 years before the fall of Rome.
Western and Eastern Roman Empires in 395 AD
Why Eastern Roman Empire is called Byzantine?
The conquest of Rome by the barbarians brought the end of Western Roman Empire. however, the Eastern Roman Empire survived for a thousand years until 1453, the year of the fall of Constantinople.
The Eastern Roman Empire was renamed by the historians in the modern age as the Byzantine Empire. The reason for this was that the Greek-speaking eastern half of the empire developed a different culture as time went on.
The Pagan Roman Empire of ancient times and the Christian Byzantine Empire of the Middle Ages were quite different. No matter how much Byzantine Empire was still on the military, administrative and legal basis established by the Roman Empire, another culture had emerged. Historians derived this new name from the Byzantium, the Greek name of the city of Constantinople.
History of Byzantine Empire and Constantinople
Rise of Byzantine Empire under Justinian’s Rule
Emperor Justinian became the greatest emperor who ruled the Byzantine Empire. Justinian, a great statesman, was known for his hard work. Under Justinian, great conquests were made and magnificent structures were built. The generals Belisarius, Mundus and Narses conquered in the name of Justinian.
Justinian’s greatest goal was to take back Rome, the eternal capital of the empire. Without the Italian peninsula, it was impossible to claim rights over the Roman Empire‘s legacy. Justinian, expanded the Eastern Roman Empire’s borders into Middle East, Northern Africa and Western Europe.
Today Justinian is known for Constantinople’s greatest building, Hagia Sophia. Finished in 537, it reigned as the largest and greatest church of Christendom for a thousand years.
Justinian is also famous for creating Codex Justinianus, which is the codification of Roman law. He left a vast but ready-to-collapse empire to his successors.
Byzantine Empire Map
Byzantine Empire Under Attack
After the death of Justinian, Arabs, Slavs and Turks attacked the Byzantine borders. Emperor Heraclius managed to secure borders temporarily, but it did not last long. In a short time, many important cities such as Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria were lost.
In the 11th century, the Seljuk Turks migrated from Central Asia and built a powerful empire in Persia. The Turks, having a strong land army, posed a great danger to the eastern borders of Byzantium. A war between the Seljuk Turks and the Byzantines had become inevitable.
The Seljuks won a great victory in the Battle of Manzikert and swiftly advanced into Anatolia. The fact that Muslim forces were so close to Europe triggered the Pope to take urgent measures.
Byzantine Empire and Seljuk Turks
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Sack of Constantinople by Crusaders
Following the Pope’s order, the Crusader armies of Europe marched through Constantinople in the 12th and 13th centuries. They battled with the Seljuk Turks and overran them. Byzantines took back majority of the Anatolia from Turks until they lost it to another Turkish kingdom: Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.
The crusaders continued to attack the East for several centuries. However, when it came to the Fourth Crusade, they attacked Constantinople, the heart of Orthodox Christianity. Latin invasion lasted from 1204 to 1261 and it was finally repelled by a Byzantine prince.
Yet, the Byzantines and the Eastern Church never forgot these terrible events. Some even claimed “Better Turkish turban than Latin Miter” before the fall of Constantinople.
It should be emphasized that the Eastern and Western Churches have never been able to establish healthy communication for centuries. it was only in the 1950s that the leaders of the two churches came together.
Latin Armies in Constantinople
Fall of Constantinople and The Byzantine Empire
Alternate History Byzantine Empire Wiki
By the late 13th century, Byzantine Empire’s power was much reduced in Anatolia. The Byzantine army had never really recovered and strengthened after Latin invasion. Turkish warlords on its eastern borders around Nicaea became serious threats.
One of these Turkish principalities, established by a chieftain named Osman Ghazi (aka Othman), grew into the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Turks conquered the imperial capital of Constantinople in 1453 and proclaimed it their capital. Constantinople once again became the capital of a rising empire.
Byzantine Empire History Tour in Istanbul
If you are interested to see the Byzantine heritage in Istanbul, consider joining the history tours by Serhat Engul. Please check Private Tour of Byzantine Istanbul website for more information.
History of Byzantine Empire and Constantinople by Serhat Engul
Bulgarian Sultanate
Could Bulgaria become a sultanate between 700-850? How would Bulgaria be different from OTL? How would it affect history?(My first time here btw)- Thread
- balkans bulgaria bulgarian empirebyzantineempire islam umayyad caliphate
- Replies: 16
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Kilij Arslan I lives longer?
Kilij Arslan I, sultan of Rum, was the first Muslim leader to face the Crusaders, being defeated by them during the First Crusade but eventually scoring a victory in 1101. He was defeated in a battle near Mosul in 1107 and drowned in a river shortly after at the age of 27.What if he hadn't...- Thread
- byzantineempire crusader states crusades kilij arslan i komnenian restoration seljuk sultanate sultanate of rum
- Replies: 17
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Slavs/Avars take Thessalonica in 615/617?
While the Sasanians were running amok in Syria and Anatolia during their climatic final war against the Eastern Roman Empire, the Slavs (615) and later a combined force composed of them and the Avars (617) tried to capture Thessalonica, probably the empire's second most important city in the...- Thread
- avars byzantineempire constantinople slavs thessalonica umayyad caliphate
- Replies: 14
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
ERE reconquers Egypt in 646 AD?
Four years after the fall of Alexandria to the Arab troops led by Amr ibn al-A'as, the young emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, Constans II made an attempt to recapture the rich province of Egypt, which grew the grain that fed the population of Constantinople. The expedition, led by an officer...- Thread
- ali byzantineempire eastern roman empire egypt first fitna heliopolis nikiou umayyad caliphate
- Replies: 6
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
The Persian Dynasty of Byzantium: A TLIAW
The Persian Dynasty of ByzantiumKonstantinos VII Theophobos(838-853)Mikhael II had been an usurper, plain and simple. In 820 several of his friends and allies had burst into the Imperial chapel during the Christmas mass and hacked the basileus to pieces, even as he defended himself with a...- Word Count: 4.4k
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- byzantineempire iconoclasm khurramites persian theophobos
- Replies: 6
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Constantine V conquers Bulgaria?
Constantine V was one of, if not the, best emperor of the Byzantine Isaurian dynasty. He was a competent administratior and, most famously, launched several campaigns against the Bulgars, but despite scoring many victories (and some defeats) and their turmoil, he failed to subjugate them.What...- Thread
- bulgars byzantineempire constantine v iconoclasm
- Replies: 11
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI Manuel Komnenos dies at Myriokephalon?
The Battle of Myriokephalon was the Byzantine Empire's last, unsuccessful attempt to reconquer the interior of Anatolia from the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. However, although they lost around a quarter of their forces in the battle, it wasn't a really severe defeat for their military, who managed...- Thread
- byzantineempire kilij arslan ii manuel komnenos seljuk sultanate sultanate of rum
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
That must be the 100000th thread about a plausible Byzantine wank, but I NEED to ask this...
Okay, let's pretend that Justinian chose to not conquer the west for whatever reason that is (anti-barbarian sentiment, I don't know) and focus in the eastern border with Persia. The effects of the plague are less worse than OTL and the empire was able to survive the arabic conquests (but the...- Thread
- byzantineempirebyzantine wank romans sassanids trajan
- Replies: 27
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Effects of Iconoclasts 'winning' in the Byzantine Empire?
Let's say that Iconoclasm is never abandoned by the Byzantine Empire. What are the effects of this? Here's some I can think of:-The East-West Schism probably happens earlier.-Italian regions of the empire might break away.-Eastern European Christianity is largely Iconoclastic.-Byzantine...- Thread
- byzantineempire iconoclasm
- Replies: 4
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Alternate Capitals of the Eastern Roman Empire?
What would be some good alternate Capitals of the Eastern Roman empire? I imagine that a City controlling the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardanelles straight would do well. What do you guys think?- Thread
- alternate capitals byzantineempire constaninople new rome roman empire
- Replies: 44
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Middle East/North Africa without 1204 Siege
Good evening. As it says on the title what would the Middle East look like if the sacking of Constantinople in 1204 is avoided? For starters either the crusaders avoid Constantinople, and also avoid sacking Zara or at least stay on good terms with the Pope somehow. Regardless the don't get...- Thread
- 1204 barbary states byzantineempire ere mameluks middle east mongol timur the lame
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Things to consider when making an Alternate Emperor Alexios I Komnenos timeline
What are some possible scenarios that can happen to his reign?- Thread
- alexios komnenos byzantineempire first crusade what if
- Replies: 52
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Byzantium Resurrected: A Second Alexiad
In 1294, the ambitious prince Theodoros Palaiologos was bribed into submission by his brother, the emperor Andronikos II, taking a woman from the House of Libadarios and receiving lands in western Anatolia. What if this marriage never took place?Table of ContentsAndronikos II...- Word Count: 120k
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- alexios philanthropenos byzantineempirebyzantine ottomans byzantine revival byzantine wank but it's actually a byzantine screw early ottomans late byzantines
- Replies: 229
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
What if the Byzantine Komnenoi were never overthrown by the Angeloi?
Introduction: The Komnenos dynasty presided over an era of prosperity for the Byzantine Empire known as the Komnenian Restoration. Their overthrow led to the rise of the incompetent house of Angelos, which failed to stop the Turks, Bulgarians, and Crusaders, and Isaac II Angelos' Latin-backed...- Thread
- bulgaria byzantinebyzantineempire georgia komnenoi komnenos latin empire seljuks trebizond turks
- Replies: 32
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI: A surviving Byzantine Empire and its effects on world history
Suppose the Byzantine Empire successfully defeated the burgeoning, nascent Ottoman Empire when it was still a confederation of Turkish beyliks in Anatolia and managed to reclaim lost territory from the beyliks.What would the effects of a surviving Byzantine Empire on world history?Would the...- Thread
- byzantineempire ottoman empire
- Replies: 61
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI: Nogai Khan Becomes Roman Emperor?
Nogai Khan, the de facto ruler of the Golden Horde in the late 13th century, was a very unique figure among Mongol warlords and he had a very interesting history with the Byzantines under Emperor Michael VIII. After a short raid into Thrace in 1265, Michael gave him his daughter’s hand in...- Thread
- byzantineempire mongol empire
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Bulgaria Shall Not Fall: Old Great Bulgaria TL
Chapter One: An Oath of Sons'Heed me, my sons, as when I am no longer here, you shall either lead our people to greatness or to despair.' - Khan Kubrat in the 16th-century play Sons of Bulgaria'The Bulgarian Oath' by Dobri BozhilovKhan Kubrat of Great Bulgaria was approaching his dying...- Word Count: 2.1k
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- bulgaria bulgars byzantineempire old great bulgaria
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
DBWI: No Plantagenet Dual Monarchy of England and France
How would the politics of Europe change without the formation of the Plantagenet Dual Monarchy otherwise Known as the Royal Plantagenet Commonwealth or the Plantagenet Empire change the history and geopolitical situation of Europe? The Dual Monarchy officially traces its origin to King Henri V...- Thread
- angevin empirebyzantineempire dual monarchy england france henry v henry v of england hundred years war plantagenet dynasty
- Replies: 22
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Holy Roman Empire seen as a real Roman Empire?
Holy Roman Empire is usually seen as an imposter to the Roman Empire (Byzantines being the true heir). What would it take for the HRE to be seen as a worthy successor state to the Roman Empire?- Thread
- ancient rome byzantineempire holy roman empire
- Replies: 33
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
DBWI: Byzantines Dont Discover Gunpowder Before The First Crusade
Otl, gunpowder was discovered independently in the byzantine empire, and in contemporary china, most dating the difference by only 70 years, in favor of China. In any case, the Byzantines were in dire straits, and Alexios Kommenos ordered as much development of the explosive powder into weapons...- Thread
- byzantineempirebyzantine gunpowder crusades dbwi gunpowder kievan rus
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900