Battle of Myriocephalon

WI: This battle never occurred. Manuel makes preparations, but is forced to change them, due to a projected Norman invasion or perhaps a rebellion in Bulgaria. He later makes peace with the Seljuks and is able to strengthen the Anatolian frontiers without the risk of a major battle.
 
It is a very good idea!a good opportunity by the Byzantines to exterminate the Bulgarians:D make the Danube the Northern frontier and preserve the Empire.
 
...and then proceed south east in Asia minor and deal...approprietly with that impertinent upstart Kilig Arslan...
 
Even with a treaty in hand with the Seljuk Sultan, Turkish raids on Byzantine territory will continue - a strong victory against the lot of them would really be the only thing that could stop them from continuing to attack the Empire.

It's not hard to see why Manuel wanted to win a major set piece battle against them.
 
Even with a treaty in hand with the Seljuk Sultan, Turkish raids on Byzantine territory will continue - a strong victory against the lot of them would really be the only thing that could stop them from continuing to attack the Empire.

It's not hard to see why Manuel wanted to win a major set piece battle against them.
With a treaty,Manuel buys the necessary time to deal with the Balcans first and then organize a two-pronged offensive against Kilig Arslan converging on a certain place and entrapping his army;the same way that Omar was defeated in 863 AD by the converging thematic armies.
 
The time period and location was one where a single individual leader or outcome of one battle was very important. Winning Myriocephalon simply postpones the point of decision by keeping the Byzantines able to launch strategic offensives. It doesn't guarantee they can keep winning.

The Seljuks were too powerful at this time to go away because of one battle. There is always the possibility that in some future battle they'll defeat the Byzantines and begin their decline again. Or maybe they won't, and the Byzantines keep winning.

However, a big enough victory might weaken the turks enough so that the combined strength of the Christian states (Byzantium, Armenia, Georgia, and Antioch/Crusader states) to keep Anatolia Christian. Or it might not. Things really depend on chance during this time so no one can say with any certainty what will happen a few decades after the POD.
 
The time period and location was one where a single individual leader or outcome of one battle was very important. Winning Myriocephalon simply postpones the point of decision by keeping the Byzantines able to launch strategic offensives. It doesn't guarantee they can keep winning.

The Seljuks were too powerful at this time to go away because of one battle. There is always the possibility that in some future battle they'll defeat the Byzantines and begin their decline again. Or maybe they won't, and the Byzantines keep winning.

However, a big enough victory might weaken the turks enough so that the combined strength of the Christian states (Byzantium, Armenia, Georgia, and Antioch/Crusader states) to keep Anatolia Christian. Or it might not. Things really depend on chance during this time so no one can say with any certainty what will happen a few decades after the POD.
The Seltzuks were not so strong.They were weakened by internal struggles and they were divided into many states,in some years their states were infiltrated and subdued from within;Byzantium had an extensive espionage system;they could easily find out that the Ottomans or Turks from Central Asia could be their future concern...
 
suggestions

You have an opportunity to look into creating a dual Monarchy,Byzantine(Greek)/Hungarian with excellent relations with Russia (a door of Future imports to create a world power) and assimilate minorites into the greek language and culture(Serbs,Bulgars) via the creation of an advanced sy stem of Education which will ensure the permanent domination of the Balcans.
OR, If not dual monarchy maintain excellent relations with Hungary and Russia that will be useful against Ottomans and Mongols later;the contacts of the Empire with Cathay can give the use of gunpowder to Byzantium which can be smuggled out the same way lik the silkworms.
 
The Seltzuks were not so strong.They were weakened by internal struggles and they were divided into many states,in some years their states were infiltrated and subdued from within;Byzantium had an extensive espionage system;they could easily find out that the Ottomans or Turks from Central Asia could be their future concern...

They are strong enough so that the outcome still remains uncertain. All we can say is that region remains in play which could lead to the Byzantines reasserting their dominance, or losing the initiative again by losing the next big battle. Your scenario is certainly possible - I am not disagreeing - but neither is it the most likely scenario. Many different final results are equally plausible depending on what happens next.
 
They are strong enough so that the outcome still remains uncertain. All we can say is that region remains in play which could lead to the Byzantines reasserting their dominance, or losing the initiative again by losing the next big battle. Your scenario is certainly possible - I am not disagreeing - but neither is it the most likely scenario. Many different final results are equally plausible depending on what happens next.
Many results?such as?
 
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