alternatehistory.com

Could Manuel I have won this battle by campaigning directly on the Anatolian Plateau or the Plain of Philomenion instead of the Meanander Valley? Was his decision to attack Konya directly simply too rash and doomed to failure in the first place? Are their any possible scenarios where the Romans win this battle and continue their "Reconquista" of Anatolia?

It seems that the founding of the Castles of Dorylaeum and Sublaeu, following the early creation of the Theme of Neokastra signaled that the Romans were going to use a policy of fortification to subdue the nomads. Could Manuel simply have settled on a less risky campaign by striking say, Amaysa or Ankara instead, or perhaps simply by building more forts on the plateau. I think that this policy, reminiscent of that of his father John Komnenos, combined with Manuel having a son earlier who could continue such camgaigning could well have led to an eventual (albeit long) re-assertion of Imperial authority throughout Anatolia.

I know that Elfwine used an excellent POD with Manuel accepting the Sultan's peace terms in 1176 rather than continuing his invasion as a means of "maintaining" Roman momentum in this reconquest. Can the Basileus be successful on this front with more achievable goals?

Happy weekend to all of the great folks here!
Top