New scenario I've been trying to think up. In 1261 the Empire of Nicaea took back Constantinople from the Latin Empire and much of the Balkans from the Bulgarians, Latins and Despotate of Epirus. But, if I remember right, they over-taxed and neglected their territories in Asia Minor, which led to an easier conquest of Asia Minor by the Seljuks and later the Ottomans.
What I'm wondering is, what would happen if the Nicaeans decided to focus on the Turks instead of the Latins?
A few scenarios I'd imagine would be:
1. Constantinople would be reconquered by the Despotate of Epirus, the only other successor state in a position to do so, as I think they were doing quite well against the Latins. But, how long could they hold onto it? Who would they fall to? The Bulgarians, the Hungarians, the Serbians, the Sicilians, Venice or Genoa?
2. Nicaea sticks to the coastal territories it's already got and becomes a great trading and naval power. That is, unless the Venetians and Genoese don't already have a monopoly on Aegean trade like in Avitus' TL.
3. Nicaea decides to gradually expand inland and deal with the Turkish threat, at least for a time. Perhaps they would try and seek an alliance or merging of kingdoms with Trebizond.
Any thoughts. I might need to brush up on my knowledge of Byzantium around this time.
What I'm wondering is, what would happen if the Nicaeans decided to focus on the Turks instead of the Latins?
A few scenarios I'd imagine would be:
1. Constantinople would be reconquered by the Despotate of Epirus, the only other successor state in a position to do so, as I think they were doing quite well against the Latins. But, how long could they hold onto it? Who would they fall to? The Bulgarians, the Hungarians, the Serbians, the Sicilians, Venice or Genoa?
2. Nicaea sticks to the coastal territories it's already got and becomes a great trading and naval power. That is, unless the Venetians and Genoese don't already have a monopoly on Aegean trade like in Avitus' TL.
3. Nicaea decides to gradually expand inland and deal with the Turkish threat, at least for a time. Perhaps they would try and seek an alliance or merging of kingdoms with Trebizond.
Any thoughts. I might need to brush up on my knowledge of Byzantium around this time.