WI: The Greek reconquest of 1261 never happens. The Latin empire somehow gets a much needed infusion of western military aid thus the Greeks find themselves limited to Asia Minor.
WI: The Greek reconquest of 1261 never happens. The Latin empire somehow gets a much needed infusion of western military aid thus the Greeks find themselves limited to Asia Minor.
Not sure I'd go quite that far. That said, a Bulgarian conquest of Constantinople is probably easier, and would still leave Nicaea as an Anatolian power, but Bulgaria (which would probably claim the title of Roman Emperor) is a much better power base to resist them.Thats ASB. The Latin Empire was from day 1 understaffed, full of infighting, deeply unpopular both in its conquered territories and abroad (well more like there was a huge indifference to the 'Empire of Romania'). The chance for resupply was basically nonexistant and the Latin Empire was living on borrowed time. Either the Bulgarians, the Epirotes or the Niceans would get take over.
Even if you delay the conquest, the Greeks would still come back. Actually you might make the Niceans stronger as once the Mongols implode the Seljuqs theyll be easy pickings for the Niceans, meaning much more of the traditional Anatolian heartland returns to the Roman fold, with all the resources that implies.
Not sure I'd go quite that far. That said, a Bulgarian conquest of Constantinople is probably easier, and would still leave Nicaea as an Anatolian power, but Bulgaria (which would probably claim the title of Roman Emperor) is a much better power base to resist them.