Lately I have wanted to write a timeline of a Kurdish Empire, with any POD, how would you get a Kurd Empire that has coastal port, either in the Black Sea or Mediterranean, though getting both gets major brownie points.
Define "Kurdish Empire". If its monarch being a Kurd is enough then look at Saladin's domains...
Define "Kurdish Empire". If its monarch being a Kurd is enough then look at Saladin's domains...
Indeed, the Ayyubids were Kurds
Most people believe that the Kurds are descended from the Medes, who had a national identity. If the Median kingdom reached the black or Caspian sea, it would qualify. If Cyrus, didn't revolt, the Median kingdom could easily reach the Mediterranian. then would would have a pre-kurdish empire.
The ethnic identity of the Kurds only really developed in medieval times.
That said, it was a relativly widespread conception (I would say "widespread" if I knew a bit more about it and if most people didn't cared about it) during Islamic Middle Ages and Modern Era that Medes and Kurds were related.
Even if it's most probably wrong, many ethnic and national identities built themselves on such things.