Personally, their early history fascinates me, when the Byzantines were still "proper" Romans (ie speaking some Latin, ruling much of the Mediterranean, squabbling with the Sassanids). So how about these possible PODs?
1. Justinian and Theodora have a son and heir.
2. Belisarius is able to complete the reconquest of Italy in 540, rather than having it drag on until 553.
3. The Plague of Justinian "burns out"; it decimates one or two towns, but so quickly it does not spread to the main cities of the Roman Empire.
4. Maurice is a bit less mean, ensuring his soldiers are happier, and there is no revolt by Phokas.
5. Heraclius, after recieving his letter from Muhammad, orders an audience with the Prophet at Jerusalem. I just made up that last one on the spot, but it could be very interesting...
What do you think of these ideas?
1. Justinian and Theodora have a son and heir.
2. Belisarius is able to complete the reconquest of Italy in 540, rather than having it drag on until 553.
3. The Plague of Justinian "burns out"; it decimates one or two towns, but so quickly it does not spread to the main cities of the Roman Empire.
4. Maurice is a bit less mean, ensuring his soldiers are happier, and there is no revolt by Phokas.
5. Heraclius, after recieving his letter from Muhammad, orders an audience with the Prophet at Jerusalem. I just made up that last one on the spot, but it could be very interesting...
What do you think of these ideas?