What if a ruler similar to Vlad the Impaler had taken power in the mid-11th century, after Basil II but well before Manzikert. Obviously not the man himself, but someone with similar methods for dealing with rebellious nobles and the Empire's enemies.
Since he actually has an impressive army at his disposal here, unlike Vlad who was barely able to last as long as he did with his paltry force, this ruler could actually be aggressive and expansionist, perhaps aiming to retake Sicily and the Levant if the latter was even possible.
Out of curiosity, would you consider George Maniakes to be as brutal as Vlad Tepes, even though he perhaps was never given the opportunity to show it on as wide a scale?
Since he actually has an impressive army at his disposal here, unlike Vlad who was barely able to last as long as he did with his paltry force, this ruler could actually be aggressive and expansionist, perhaps aiming to retake Sicily and the Levant if the latter was even possible.
Out of curiosity, would you consider George Maniakes to be as brutal as Vlad Tepes, even though he perhaps was never given the opportunity to show it on as wide a scale?