And that is OTL . Under different emperors , politics , elites , and situations. Under a different dynasty , and under different geo-political circumstances , things could be radically different . That is the whole justification for AH. To deny this denies the basis of alternate history. This time-line , is an exploration of that .
I would consider a real wank if the Byzantines hold Rome and Tunis by 1500 with a POD of 1205.
Different? absolutely. Radically different? not this fast, if even at all.