Best place to place a major fleet

I am wondering the best place to base the main fleet of a Byzantine fleet. For the sake of simplicity, lets say they control Balkans, Sicily, Anatolia, the Levant, Egypt and Libya.

When i give the list, i would perfer you put the places in 1-5, with you explaining the answer and why you chose to base the fleet there. Well here it is:

1. Constantinople.
2. Salonika.
3. Dyrrhachium.
4. Alexandria.
5. Trapezous (modern day Trebizond).
6. Limassol.
7. Smyrna.
8. Piraeus.
9. Heraklion.
10. Syracouse.
11. Leabanese Tripoli.
12. Benghazi.

Also please take into consideration the stragetic and tactical value of the basing.

Thanks.
 
I'd say the best place to base an imperial fleet is probably where it was based IOTL- southern Anatolia and the Aegean Isles. That way, you're centrally located in the Mediterranean to control the vital Egypt-Constantinople corn routes, and able to watch for piracy.

Although, really, when controlling such an area, a large fleet is probably not particularly necessary.
 

Rex Mundi

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It really depends on the geopolitical circumstances of the Byzantine Empire and her neighbors. Is this Empire similar to its equivalent in OTL? What countries are around her? A Byzantine Empire trying to extend further into North Africa might find it useful to base her fleet in Libya; one focused on Mediterranean domination might prefer Sicily, while a Byzantine Empire faced with a Russia-analogue might choose to base a large fleet in Constantinople and bottle them up in the Black Sea.

Basically, what powers are around the BE and what are its immediate aims? The Empire existed for a 1000 years, during which the political situation fluctuated dramatically, and we don't know the circumstances the BE is facing in this hypothetical.
 
The main Byzantine naval base shouldn't even be in Constantinople. I would consider some place on the outskirts, like towards the east at Avcilar. I don't know the geography but it appears to be a good place. I consider the waters near the capital to probably be too busy with other craft.

There should be a major base on the Black Sea. Alexandria is always a good choice.
 
It really depends on the geopolitical circumstances of the Byzantine Empire and her neighbors. Is this Empire similar to its equivalent in OTL? What countries are around her? A Byzantine Empire trying to extend further into North Africa might find it useful to base her fleet in Libya; one focused on Mediterranean domination might prefer Sicily, while a Byzantine Empire faced with a Russia-analogue might choose to base a large fleet in Constantinople and bottle them up in the Black Sea.

Basically, what powers are around the BE and what are its immediate aims? The Empire existed for a 1000 years, during which the political situation fluctuated dramatically, and we don't know the circumstances the BE is facing in this hypothetical.

For the sake of simplicity, lets assume it is surrounded by Russia to the north, Iran to the East, Italy to the West, Hungary and Germany to the north, Algiers to the west on the African continent and Eithiopia, Somolia and other African countries to the south.
 
What period of the Empire did you imagine? Does it get Sicily?

Decentralized. Think purposed squadrons or U.S. fleet structure. Sinope, Trebizond, or something on the Crimea Peninsula for the Black Sea. Smyrna and Heraklion to cover the Aegean & approaches to the City. Alexandria and something on Cyprus for the E. Med/Levant. Syracuse and Tunis/Carthage (assuming Byzantine control--perhaps an earlier empire POD) for the Central Med. Constantinople wouldn't be a major Fleet Base but perhaps it gets a squadron as well.
 
What period of the Empire did you imagine? Does it get Sicily?

Decentralized. Think purposed squadrons or U.S. fleet structure. Sinope, Trebizond, or something on the Crimea Peninsula for the Black Sea. Smyrna and Heraklion to cover the Aegean & approaches to the City. Alexandria and something on Cyprus for the E. Med/Levant. Syracuse and Tunis/Carthage (assuming Byzantine control--perhaps an earlier empire POD) for the Central Med. Constantinople wouldn't be a major Fleet Base but perhaps it gets a squadron as well.

But wouldn't the normal traffic through the Bosprous and Dardanelles clock up the routes in case of war?
 
But wouldn't the normal traffic through the Bosprous and Dardanelles clock up the routes in case of war?

I'm sorry, but "clock up" in what sense? I'm confused with your use of this idiom. Jam up or make the route a greater imperative in the event of war? In any event, what I proposed covers the most strategic sea lanes in the Byzantine sphere of influence.
 
I would suggest having several bases, one large one, perhaps at Herkalion (in between the Egypt/Constantinople) with smaller bases at:
1. Constantinople.
2. Alexandria.
3. Limassol.
4. Smyrna.
With even smaller ports in Albania, across the Aegean Islands, at Syracuse, and in Levant.
 
So, ERE ITTL basically has what it did OTL before Arabs? Then, lets see:

Operational areas:
- Mediterrean: possible enemies: Italy, Spain, maybe France, Hungary.
Main base: Pireus (especially if there's Corinthian Channel) - shields capital, allows fast reaction against threats on Eastern Mediterrean
Forward bases: Patras/Preveza; Tripoli; Palermo/Syracuse
- Black Sea: possible enemies: Russia. Although there most likely won't be conflict. Same faith and all.
Main base: Constantinopole. Shields capital (obviously). Central position.
Auxilliary bases: Burgas/Varna/Constanca, Sinop/Trebizonid
- Red Sea: possible enemies: Iran
Main base - depends: if there's ERE controled Yemen - Aden. Shelds Red Sea, good position for raiding Iranian shipping
otherwise: Berenice (or Suez - if there's Suez Canal)
 
I'm sorry, but "clock up" in what sense? I'm confused with your use of this idiom. Jam up or make the route a greater imperative in the event of war? In any event, what I proposed covers the most strategic sea lanes in the Byzantine sphere of influence.

I meant clog up the sea lanes.
 
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