In 447 the walls of Constantinople were extremely damaged by an earthquake, causing many towers to collapse and creating gaping holes in many sections of the wall. Attila was on his way and had already finished sieging many roman cities in Moesia and Thrace he had already destroyed every Roman army they threw at him. In OTL the people of the city were able to repair the walls in an unprecedented 60 days.
What if the repairs were not effective, or they simply did not finish in time? Attila now has the chance to enter the city and give it a thorough sacking. I don't think he will be able to even destroy the city, and nor would he want to. Attila was well aware such a great city would be worth much more as a tax base than as pile of rubble.
To make it more interesting, what if Theodosius II dies during the siege or is deposed afterwords. I think the possible rulers of the empire are Chrysaphius the Eunuch who always supported appeasement to Attila. The Empress Pulcheria was an enemy of his, but if Theodosius is dead perhaps she could persuade the Senate to put her in as sole ruler or she could quickly find a husband like OTL, or would Zeno the Isaurian and master of soldiers launch a coup.
I was thinking if there if Zeno does take power it would be very interesting for there to be Pagan emperor at this time. I don't know too much about him, but apparently he planned to murder Theodosius 450 AD.
What if the repairs were not effective, or they simply did not finish in time? Attila now has the chance to enter the city and give it a thorough sacking. I don't think he will be able to even destroy the city, and nor would he want to. Attila was well aware such a great city would be worth much more as a tax base than as pile of rubble.
To make it more interesting, what if Theodosius II dies during the siege or is deposed afterwords. I think the possible rulers of the empire are Chrysaphius the Eunuch who always supported appeasement to Attila. The Empress Pulcheria was an enemy of his, but if Theodosius is dead perhaps she could persuade the Senate to put her in as sole ruler or she could quickly find a husband like OTL, or would Zeno the Isaurian and master of soldiers launch a coup.
I was thinking if there if Zeno does take power it would be very interesting for there to be Pagan emperor at this time. I don't know too much about him, but apparently he planned to murder Theodosius 450 AD.
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