As the title says, the POD idea involves Alexios deciding NOT to launch an immediate attack upon the Norman armies of Robert Guiscard outside of Dyrrhachium in 1081. In 1081 Alexios certainly had an effective army at his disposal (including divisions of the Tagmata and other "native" Roman units). If he does not risk a pitched battle and instead blockades the Normans within their camp using skirmishing tactics (as was advised by George Palaiologos, the Doux of Dyrrhachium) it seems highly likely that he could have defeated the Normans without losing the core of his army (as in OTL).
If Alexios does not fight such a disastrous battle in 1081, would he have stronger forces availible to defend the Empire from the Penchengs and re-conquer Anatolia? Would he be strong enough to not make the desperate requests to Pope Urban II that triggered the 1st crusade?
Anna Komnenes' work is such a goldmine for potential PODs!
If Alexios does not fight such a disastrous battle in 1081, would he have stronger forces availible to defend the Empire from the Penchengs and re-conquer Anatolia? Would he be strong enough to not make the desperate requests to Pope Urban II that triggered the 1st crusade?
Anna Komnenes' work is such a goldmine for potential PODs!