AHQ/AHD: Developments in a surviving Western Roman Empire

Deleted member 97083

I think that surviving Western Roman Empire will eventually evolve to what we now know as Charlemagne's Empire (which is basically OTL's continuation of the WRE). Italy is just too out-of-position to be ruling Britannia, Gaul, and the Rhine.
Well, Italy ruled the Mediterranean longer than the Frankish Empire existed, and much longer than the Franks controlled Italy. Rome ruled the entirety of Gaul for 500 years while Francia ruled northern Italy for 40 years. Later French attempts to expand into Italy, when France was more powerful and centralized, were even more transient.
 
Well, Italy ruled the Mediterranean longer than the Frankish Empire existed, and much longer than the Franks controlled Italy. Rome ruled the entirety of Gaul for 500 years while Francia ruled northern Italy for 40 years. Later French attempts to expand into Italy, when France was more powerful and centralized, were even more transient.

For much of that time you're speaking of, Rome's opponents (in the West) were disunified, scattered tribes who stood no chance against the more developed Romans. As time progresses, we're going to eventually see those tribes learn and adapt, forming powerful confederations (such as the Franks and Suebi). Eventually, they are going to pose a significant threat to the empire; which arguably led to the WRE's demise IOTL.

It should also be noted that the Carolingian Empire is virtually France + the Holy Roman Empire combined, who collectively ruled Italy for pretty much all of the Middle Ages.
 
The western empires survival IMHo depends on holding or retaking north Africa. Such a divergence would I think in any case strengthen the eastern empires reaction against Islam... if nothing else it means they have one less from to deal with and an ally in the Balkans.

Long term even if the Po valley and Gaul are lost if the empire keeps North Africa, the rest of Italy and Iberia they can survive IMHO.
 
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