Abyssinia-Rhomaion Empire

Probably a dynastic marriage resulting in a union between the two countries, for which you'd need a way to (a) make such a marriage worthwhile (Abyssinia wasn't really that strategically important to the Romans) and (b) make their territories such that a union could work out (not much chance of that happening after the two became separated by thousands of miles of Muslim lands).

Maybe have the Byzantines keep hold of Egypt, but nevertheless be hard-pressed by the Arab invasions. As part of their defensive strategy they seek to form an alliance with Abyssinia, who can harass the Muslims in Arabia and the Red Sea and distract them from Roman land. To seal the alliance the two states conclude a dynastic marriage, then however many generations later the Abyssinian royal house dies out and the country passes to the Byzantine Emperor.
 
Well, have the Byzantine Empire last until the Age of Colonialism, and have them annex Abyssinia as their domain; the Byzantine Emperor pulls a Victoria and is crowned "Emperor of Abyssinia" alongside other titles.
 
Probably a dynastic marriage resulting in a union between the two countries, for which you'd need a way to (a) make such a marriage worthwhile (Abyssinia wasn't really that strategically important to the Romans) and (b) make their territories such that a union could work out (not much chance of that happening after the two became separated by thousands of miles of Muslim lands).

Maybe have the Byzantines keep hold of Egypt, but nevertheless be hard-pressed by the Arab invasions. As part of their defensive strategy they seek to form an alliance with Abyssinia, who can harass the Muslims in Arabia and the Red Sea and distract them from Roman land. To seal the alliance the two states conclude a dynastic marriage, then however many generations later the Abyssinian royal house dies out and the country passes to the Byzantine Emperor.

That is pretty well thought out. What century would be the best start for such an alliance ? Maybe there could be an intense economic trade between Axum, Ethiopia and Konstantinopel which leads to an increased diplomatic contact and theological/cultural exchange. Wonder how this alliance could influence the situation in Yemen and the pre islamic Christian Nubian Kingdoms.
 
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