The Byzantines were at a point in time where their fortunes dictated more then just a survival mode. They could actually and realistically look forward for the first time to regain the lost provinces and rebuild there wealth. There fleet could hold there own against all but Venice, and in a raiding and denial of base strategy they could expect to win.
Their army was now well trained and had built a foundation that could use a combined arms strategy to fight any force they were likely to encounter. Economically they had developed a solid tax base protected from raiders and the Black sea trade was there monopoly. Diplomatically they had alienated the Turks from the Persians and the Mamaluks. They had created zones of trade with Venice. They had their northern base covered with alliances with the Rus and the Hungarians, with the Ottomans being a dependent.
There army began a slow careful advance towards Ankara three weeks after the Persians had attacked the Turks in the East. This delayed march had forced the Sultan of Rum to take 60 % of his army and march east through the Anatolian Plaines. The Venetians landed at the Sultans capital of Sidon and leveled the town.
The Mamaluks advanced on Tripoli and Antioch laying siege to both locations. The Sultans army was weak everywhere and strong nowhere as his forces rushed from one location to another to defend there empire. Ankara and Iconocm were captured by the Byzantines.
The Sultans forces decided to concentrate on the Byzantines. Leaving small forces to defend the Taurus mountain passes and hoping they could defeat the Byzantines before the besieged cities of the east had fallen to the Persians and Mamaluks.
IN a great battle east of the Taurus Mountains the Byzantines and Turks came to battle. Much like the Battle of Manzikert fought centuries before the Turks formed a crescent before the advancing Byzantines and kept away from there firepower. Attempting instead to kill there horses and isolates small units. For three days the battle or non battle raged. The Byzantines kept up the pressure but could not pin the Turks against a barrier. The Turks could not really hurt the Byzantines because of there massed firepower.
On the night of the 3rd day the Janissaries left ½ of there forces and made a wide sweep around the Turks. During the 4th day of battle the Turks continued to withdraw but their stock of horses were becoming seriously depleted by the gunfire of the Byzantines. At the same time the Turks had successfully destroyed several of the supply convoys supporting the Byzantines.
As the Turks with drew to wards a small flood swollen river they swung north to avoid being trapped against this obstacle. They were unconcerned since they had several hours to make this move. At that moment the Janissaries appeared. They dismounted and using there firearms and bows held the Turks repeated charges. 1500 Janissaries were killed holding the Turkish forces from moving north of the river. The Byzantine army began to drive in the flank guard of the Turks until the Turks were pressed against the river. Unable to maneuver only 10% of the Turks escaped across the river. Many of the Turkish cavalry were drowned or shot for sport by the Byzantines standing on the bank.
The remaining Turkish strong holds were quickly overcome in the next two years. However the Byzantines were also forced to go back to there slow recon quest of Anatolia as wandering tribes of Turks roamed the hinterland.
Edessa fell to the Persians and Tripoli and Antioch fell to the Mamaluks later that year. By treaty the Venice’s received additional trading rights and confirmed the treaty to carve up the Mamaluks territory in a future war. The Persians received all land north of Antioch to the Taurus Mountains. Negotiations were begun to align Persia, Byzantine, and Venice to split up the Mamaluk Empire.
IN the mean time trade had dropped for Venice as the western powers were importing spices across the Atlantic. The alliance with the Persians and Venice was signed in 1568 and the plans were laid for simultaneous attacks along the entire border beginning in March of 1569. The Persians would receive Damascus, Baghdad, Krek, and Mecca. Venice would receive 63% of the revenue from the capture of Suez as well as Alexandria. Byzantium would receive Damatti, and the eastern bank of the Nile, as well as Antioch to the Nile River including Jerusalem, Lebanon, and Palestine. Persia would also receive 10% of the Suez revenue for 5 years as well as import duties for its bases in the Red Sea.
The Persians placed three armies totaling 70,000 troops along the border. 15,000 would support the Byzantines in the costal invasions. 30,000 would drive to Baghdad and the remaining 24,000 would drive on Damascus. The Byzantines would land 20,000 troops at Acre cutting the Mamuluk forces north of this off. Another 25,000 troops would drive towards Antioch. Venice would land troops at Damatti to tie up Mamaluk troops with a further 15,000 Mercenaries supporting the Byzantine drive south.