alternatehistory.com

Generally speaking, the Italian Merchant Republics were some of the most eager to maintain peaceful relations with the Islamic states of the Middle East, mainly because peace was more profitable than war. The Kingdom of Jerusalem also tended towards a similar policy often, though that tended to get hijacked by local nobles or foreign crusaders.

So, the challenge I propose is for a Merchant Republic to be established in the Levant by the Latin Christians. Conditions:
- Must have a republican form of government centered around some trading city.
- Must be established by the Latin Christians, but a certain degree of 'nativization' is allowed, so long as it remains Christian.
- Should last as an independent polity as long as the Crusades themselves, bonus points if it outlasts them.

Go for it.
Top