AHC : Trebizond Restoration of the Eastern Roman Empire

As title really - after 1204, have Trebizond restore the Eastern Roman Empire with the entirety of the Balkans, Armenian Highlands, Anatolia, Cilicia and Georgia under their rule.

No converting to Islam allowed, tis cheatin'.

They can be a vassal state for a period, but they aren't allowed to be annexed unless they have a functioning Government-in-exile.
 
As title really - after 1204, have Trebizond restore the Eastern Roman Empire with the entirety of the Balkans, Armenian Highlands, Anatolia, Cilicia and Georgia under their rule.
I'm afraid getting all of these lands is too tall an order.
The most i can see them getting are the imperial borders after the nicaean restoration.
Anyway, i think the best PoD for this would be snuffing out Nicaea as a contender for "unifier of the empire". Since i made a thread about it, a defeat at the Battle of Antioch-on-Meander (1211) against the seljuks would be the best starting point we have, IMO. But the problem lies in that there would still be other powers wanting to conquer Constantinople from the latins -- the bulgars, the epirotes, the seljuks themselves and, lastly, Trebizond. For a small state so geographically unfavourable to conquer Constantinople in this scenario is improbable to me.
 
Hmm. you could have Timur pillage and burn most of Anatolia, but skip Trebizond for some reason. What's left of Turkish Sultanates would be of no threat to anyone for a long time. Trebizond could capitalise on power vacuum better than Nicea, absorb it after it too was weakened by Timur, and then conquer Constantinople from Latins.
 
I'm afraid getting all of these lands is too tall an order.
The most i can see them getting are the imperial borders after the nicaean restoration.
Anyway, i think the best PoD for this would be snuffing out Nicaea as a contender for "unifier of the empire". Since i made a thread about it, a defeat at the Battle of Antioch-on-Meander (1211) against the seljuks would be the best starting point we have, IMO. But the problem lies in that there would still be other powers wanting to conquer Constantinople from the latins -- the bulgars, the epirotes, the seljuks themselves and, lastly, Trebizond. For a small state so geographically unfavourable to conquer Constantinople in this scenario is improbable to me.

The Ottomans started later, with less, and did better - so I'm not going to agree on that point. However, this starts on the premise that Trebizond and Nicaea take each other out early. If Trebizond reacts to the situation and makes a Greco-Turkic Roman state, hopefully converting some Turks in the process, then they could exist as a long-term fragment of the Empire, pushing the Nicaean Empire back over time. Which Constantinople has the advantage of controlling the Black Sea, an Anatolian Trebizond has the advantage of being able to expand in the Middle East, whilst Nicaea has to fight a successful Trebizond, or Europeans with all the diplomatic difficulties that entails.

Hmm. you could have Timur pillage and burn most of Anatolia, but skip Trebizond for some reason. What's left of Turkish Sultanates would be of no threat to anyone for a long time. Trebizond could capitalise on power vacuum better than Nicea, absorb it after it too was weakened by Timur, and then conquer Constantinople from Latins.

Perhaps Trebizond see the writing on the wall and submit early, essentially pulling a Muscovy and becoming an enforcer for Timur? Nicaea and the Latins fight each other, whilst Trebizond takes control over Turkish Anatolia, Armenia and Georgia - sending mountains of tribute back to Timur with the hope it all collapses and they can stop paying? I dunno if Ghazis were a thing, or if they'd even co-operate, but if Trebizond didn't restrain them invading Nicaea, but instead took 10% of the loot, and 30% of the loot went to Timur, that could be a game-changer. The problem would be bringing them back under control....
 
I believe the Nicaean Empire made a temporary alliance with the Seljuks to divide David Komnenos' territory in Paphlagonia between them in 1211-1212. So maybe instead Trebizond can make a deal with the Seljuks, maybe by using their famous marriage diplomacy, to divide the Nicaeans between them.

Trebizond also had a somewhat cordial relationship with the Latin Empire, although it was probably more an enemy of my enemy type of situation between them with Nicaea being the mutual enemy. Perhaps have the Latins be more successful against the Nicaeans allowing Trebizond to be coalesce the Anatolian Greeks around themselves. The Latin Empire will likely collapse regardless of how well it does considering how unstable it was.

Once the Nicaeans are dealt with Trebizond will have to deal with the Mongols and it probably would be best to kowtow to them and Timur as well if he still shows up. The Empire of Trebizond will only really be able to take Constantinople after the Mongols have been placated and Nicaea has been beaten. Once they get Constantinople though, they should be in decent shape provided they play their cards right.
 
One aspect left out of the discussion I think is Georgia - which is important.

Post-Mongols, the previously very strong Georgia fell apart slowly like the Seljuks - if the Megas Komnenos can reclaim the mantle of "Protector of Christians in the East", and convince others they continue Queen Tamars work, they could turn that to their advantage too. Especially if they've already proven themselves strong by Moscovy-Enforcing Mongol rule, but with Christian protections.

Plus, I think the reality of position might force them, with successes to become more naval - taking lands in the Crimea happened historically, but being able to project power across the Black Sea would be a game changer.
 
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