Alternate revivals of ancient/medieval states

[Zuvarq]

Throughout history, rulers have dreamed, sometimes sanely, sometimes not, of restoring bygone empires.

The Diadokhoi wanted to restore the Empire of Alexander. Justinian tried and nearly succeeded at reconquering the West. Charlemagne of the Franks was proclaimed a Roman Emperor, and from then on the Holy Roman Empire wished it was the old Roman Empire. Russia called itself a Third Rome. The Ottoman Sultans became Caliphs. Napoleon declared himself a Roman Emperor. The Megali Idea wanted to restore the Byzantine Empire as the Kingdom of Greece. Mussolini wanted to make Italy a new Roman Empire. Saddam Hussein wanted to restore the Babylonian Empire.

What alternate revivals of this sort could have been desired, or succeeded? What revivals of this sort that failed could have succeeded?

Does not have to be before 1900, but it'll probably require a POD before it.

[Zioneer]

A surviving Sicily could go for a Norman revival, perhaps. For more megalomaniac revivals, Spain could have a Roman-esque revival; Santiago de Compostela or Toledo could become a "New Rome". Different surviving Slavic nations could see themselves as the new Byzantine Empire. Perhaps the Scandinavian nations could go for a Viking revival. A strong Ireland (unlikely, but it could happen) might see itself a revival of the ancient Celtic kings.

Any surviving Jewish state (Khazars, Himyarites) outside of Israel would likely call itself a new Israel. Heck, a lot of Christian churches call specific places a New Jerusalem, including my own faith. Any minor Judeo-Christian group that manages to become an independent state would call their capital the New Jerusalem, most likely.

Not sure about any other revivals though.

[Hörnla]

Burgund / Bourgogne established as a buffer state between France and Germany in 1815 or in case of a stalemate-end to WW1 as an enlarged Alsace-Lorraine with Luxemburg added.

[9 Fanged Hummingbird]

Owain Glyndwr had a decent shot at reviving Wales in 1415.

[Elfwine]

Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy was almost made king of a revived Lotharingia, to throw out something obscure.

[Ganesha]

Greece might try and recall the Athenian empire and democracy, while Arabia might try and claim that they are the restoration of Muhammad's empire.

[pa_dutch]

Successful indigenous movements in Bolivia or Peru that attempt to revive the Inca Empire.

[Bee]

Some revivals that have already happened:

Israel.
Ghana (the modern state does not overlap the territory of the original empire, though).
Lithuania.
Croatia.
Macedonia (?) (took over an old name, but I don't think it claims to be a revival of the ancient kingdom).
Georgia (the one in the Caucasus).

[Rex Romanum]

Stalin trying to recreate Mongol Empire. (at its largest extent)

[Cook]

Originally Posted by Bee

Some revivals that have already happened:

Israel.
Ghana (the modern state does not overlap the territory of the original empire, though).
Lithuania.
Croatia.
Macedonia (?) (took over an old name, but I don't think it claims to be a revival of the ancient kingdom).
Georgia (the one in the Caucasus).

Poland, and again, and again...

[pa_dutch]

Perhaps an Indonesian dictator would try to revive Srivijaya or Majapahit...

[SavoyTruffle]

A Czech leader with delusions of grandeur trying to revive Greater Moravia, perhaps.

[MNP]

Originally Posted by Elfwine

Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy was almost made king of a revived Lotharingia, to throw out something obscure.

Is anything with Burgundy still obscure on this forum?

How about Iran regaining their traditional heartland of Iraq?

[Elfwine]

Originally Posted by MNP

Is anything with Burgundy still obscure on this forum?

Apparently not. Is this something that was a fad at some point?

I just mentioned it as obscure because its not like Lotharingia gets mentioned very often in regards to 16th century politics.

How about Iran regaining their traditional heartland of Iraq?

That would be interesting.

Weren't there Mongol efforts to restore their former glory (not necessarily in the whole Khanate)?

[Falecius]

Originally Posted by MNP

Is anything with Burgundy still obscure on this forum?

How about Iran regaining their traditional heartland of Iraq?

I expect the Iraqis strongly objecting such a thing in ways the Iranians are not going to like.

[Falecius]

Originally Posted by pa_dutch

Perhaps an Indonesian dictator would try to revive Srivijaya or Majapahit...

Actually Sukarno tried to.

[SavoyTruffle]

Originally Posted by MNP

Is anything with Burgundy still obscure on this forum?

I think there was a time when Inevitable Burgundy was thrown around, but that was before me.

[MNP]

Originally Posted by Falecius

I expect the Iraqis strongly objecting such a thing in ways the Iranians are not going to like.

You can expect all you wish. Looking at the geopolitical situation, you could get it de facto in the next decade for Iraq proper (not the Jazira). In earlier periods such as pre-1900s when force was more accepted internationally I don't see the locals as any great obstacle.

[Falecius]

Originally Posted by MNP

You can expect all you wish. Looking at the geopolitical situation, you could get it de facto in the next decade for Iraq proper (not the Jazira). In earlier periods such as pre-1900s when force was more accepted internationally I don't see the locals as any great obstacle.

Well, pre-1900, Iran, or, better said, Persia, tried hard to take the place without much success. Of course, if you have the Ottomans weaker, Iraq might well become a part of an Iranian state... but that would mean that such a state loses part of its Persian national identity (I think that Persians won't be majority) or is plagued by Arab separatism once the national ideas spread in the region.
In the near future, I think that Iran will stay as a very influential player in Iraqi politics, but any attempt at a direct rule in any form would be heavily opposed.

[Mefisto]

Well, you can say that modern Poland is a revived early Piast monarchy, at least in territorial sense: from the Baltic Sea to the mountains (Karpathian and Sudetes) and from Oder to Bug. At least that was what our 20 century nationalists wanted and what communist propaganda claimed.