alternatehistory.com

Throughout history, rulers have dreamed, sometimes sanely, sometimes not, of restoring bygone empires.

The Diadokhoi wanted to restore the Empire of Alexander. Justinian tried and nearly succeeded at reconquering the West. Charlemagne of the Franks was proclaimed a Roman Emperor, and from then on the Holy Roman Empire wished it was the old Roman Empire. Russia called itself a Third Rome. The Ottoman Sultans became Caliphs. Napoleon declared himself a Roman Emperor. The Megali Idea wanted to restore the Byzantine Empire as the Kingdom of Greece. Mussolini wanted to make Italy a new Roman Empire. Saddam Hussein wanted to restore the Babylonian Empire.

What alternate revivals of this sort could have been desired, or succeeded? What revivals of this sort that failed could have succeeded?

Does not have to be before 1900, but it'll probably require a POD before it.
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