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There were a number of advanced neolithic settlements in the Balkans, so I think a civilization arising from the Danube is quite probably. The Po valley and the Rhone are also potential candidates IMO.

I suppose a lot of it depends on how effective and innovative they are. The Ottomans were very often in the right place at the right time, but they also made very effective use of gunpowder weapons, and elite infantry to name some advantages. I expect whatever other Turkish Beylik that arises...

That does raise another big batch of questions for me, mostly relating to Portugal. Without the Netherlands to seize their Asian colonies, what would become of Portugal/Spain's colonial policy? Focus on India and the Indies? The Dutch as protestants generally didn't push Calvinist Christianity...

For much of modern history, the world was/is dominated by the nations of western Europe. The civilization built on western Christianity, and a fusion of old Latin and Germanic cultures among others grew to dominate the world economically, politically, culturally, technologically, and militarily...

Also, I should've mentioned if the Dutch would be as likely to revolt for both religious and economic concerns being within the Catholic Habsburg sphere, but not the Spanish empire. From what I've read most of these fellows were relatively tolerant, at least up until the prelude to the 30yrs...

I know this is a pretty popular thread about having the Netherlands being inherited by someone other than Phillip II. However, as is often pointed out one of the more likely candidates for this is Charles's daughter Maria of Austria and by extension her husband Maximillian II, the son of...

Interesting stuff, so one follow-up. How different would Catholic England be in its colonial policies and ventures? And how would the Protestant minorities fit into this? Perhaps even more immigration to the New World?

Interesting, thanks for clarifying. Though I guess it was a little obvious given the relation of Catholic France, Italian city-states, or even the Holy Emperors. Good point. Protestantism did also take off in Scotland on its own, maybe a Calvinist preacher could have success up there, and...

Imagine that if either Catherine had given Henry VIII a son that reaches maturity, or Arthur Tudor survives his illness and does the same, or some other variant. Basically, no need for anyone to break with Rome for over divorce, confiscate church land, appoint their own bishops, invite...

Well, one immediate problem is getting gunpowder from China to the Occident. IOTL was done first via the Mongols and then by the Arabs and Turks into the Middle East and Europe. What could fill that role here? China did not have much contact with the outside world prior to the Han dynasty, so...

Well here's what I think, the Golden Horde is able to conquer more of Eastern and Central Europe. Annexing or at least vassalizing many countries like the Baltics, Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Wallachia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Croatia. All the while inflicting heavy raids and destruction. Then...

Fair point, though 1204 is just one date, plenty of other ones work as well, and if it fits the scenario better than a later date like 1401 works just as well. But you are right that dynastic inheritance is going to vary wildly regardless of POD, perhaps the Portuguese inherit Castille in the...

Perhaps the Dutch remain in the HRE and the counter-reformation is more successful? If the Habsburgs don't inherit Spain then would the Spanish make better use of their newfound wealth rather than being dragged down by wars in Central Europe?

anyone else?

As it says in the title. What would be the fate of Egypt, the Ptolemaic dynasty, Rome, and the rest of history had the last pharaoh been born as a boy? Let's call him Cleopatros, and say that his personality is mostly the same as his IOTL counterpart. Let's also say that he might get into a feud...

Interesting. Do you think if the Seljuks keep pushing they can conquer Egypt as well? Assuming everything either stay quiet in Anatolia or they are decisively beaten back by the Byzantines. Also given how fragmentary the Seljuk state often was do you imagine that Seljuk Egypt might break away on...

Behold! America! The lightbringer!

Say in a world where Manzikert is never fought nor any other major battles between the Byzantines and Seljuks that result in the loss of Roman Anatolia. Instead, the Seljuks go after their original target, the Fatimids of Egypt. So how does the Turkic empire fare against the Shia Caliphate...

In another 1492 where Columbus never sails the ocean blue, what would we call the two western continents? For the sake of simplicity lets say that Vespucci has no involvement here either and that no voyages like Colombus's happen. Simply put, North America is discovered via New England around...

Thanks for correcting me. More or less yes, it is a hypothesis I personally put stock into, although I should certainly do some more research. I do agree that western Europe is ultimately safe from about the 13th century onwards, so besides perhaps a heavier reliance on older styled...