alternatehistory.com

The reign of Nicephoros saw a repopulation of Greece by Anatolian Greeks. His aim was to strengthen the revenues of the Empire, by taxing also the clergy.

During his reign, a series of campaigns led to victories against the Ghassanids, forcing them to pay tribute.

A decade of chaos followed, and several claimants to the imperial throne arose, yet none could solidify his position for a stable period until Michael II of the Amorian dynasty was proclaimed emperor in 820.
Michael II tried to win over the poor by reducing taxation ; yet his Judeo-Christian roots did not win him much support among the Orthodox clergy.

In 829 he was succeeded by Theophilos, who waged war against the Ghassanids, resulting in conquering the middle Orontes valley by 837, giving Antioch a safe hinterland

This was followed by commencing a new war with Bulgaria. Bulgaria in this time was to be understood as corresponding to the Lower Moesia and Dacia. In the wars, a newly unified Serbia was deployed as Rhomaic proxies. The war ended with status quo ante.

Michael III reigned from 842-to 867. His reign saw a conflict with the Paulicians. The Paulicians were a Gnostic-Christian Armenian-speaking sect, based in Eastern Anatolia. They have founded a principality around the city of Tephrike.

The warfare with the Paulicians palgued a greater part of Anatolia; meanwhile the Empire was fighting Bulgaria in the north, for the Bulgarians sought to seize Zagora (northeastern Thrace) and Mesembria.

One must however not forget to mention one last deed. Perhaps the most important deed of the Amorian dynasty. The Christianisation of the Slavs..