The Byzantine Empire existed from the fifth century AD all the way to 1453. But when was the empire at its peak? This can include territory, artistic and cultural achievement, and wealth. If you had to pick a year, what date would you choose?
The Byzantine Empire was at its peak for as long as its borders included Mt Elbrus, the highest mountain in the Caucasus Mountains (and indeed all of Europe).
Maybe, but considering that the empire endured a massive plague, brutal crackdowns, and an extremely costly war in Italy that had almost no chance of success, I wouldn't say it was exactly a second Pax Romana.During the height of Justinian's reconquests.
Easy there, Carlos.The Byzantine Empire was at its peak for as long as its borders included Mt Elbrus, the highest mountain in the Caucasus Mountains (and indeed all of Europe).
All true I was just speaking in the territorial sense.Maybe, but considering that the empire endured a massive plague, brutal crackdowns, and an extremely costly war in Italy that had almost no chance of success, I wouldn't say it was exactly a second Pax Romana.
What is the latest possible "golden age" for Byzantium?
Well, I might be biased as I'm writing exactly this scenario, but considering the cultural renaissance in the Morea and the Palaiologos Renaissance hypothesis, then a failed conquest of Constantinople in 1453 (which isn't entirely unlikely according to accounts on both sides of the walls) could lead to such a Golden Age. The sheer prestige, combined with the likely civil war between the different factions of Ottoman Viziers/Pashas and dethroning the now failed Murad (Who was NOT popular pre-conquest) leaves a window for the Romans, ranging from seizing the Bosporan forts if abandoned, and using the interlude to repeat the conquests of Athens and Thebes by Constantine in his rule as Despot of the Morea. Effectively being able to control the Bosporus, housing many of the very texts that the Renaissance was inspired by, combined with adopting Ottoman military techniques (i.e. gunpowder weapons for example), is enough of a melting pot that even if it isn't a great restoration, considering the starting point would certainly be a Golden Age for the Romans, especially culturally with philosophers like Pleithon, and integrating the cultural developments of the Ottomans if Europe can be regained. (It isn't an EASY/LIKELY possibility, but it isn't impossible or implausible when looking at the actions of Constantine at the time, who certainly seems like a big old gambler compared to others, exactly the sort of ruler the Romans need at this point.)
I think you mean Mehmet, not Murad? Mehmet was Sultan in 1453...
That aside, I love this as a brave and possibly over-optimistic, but interesting scenario for a late Byzantine resurgence.
1. Do the ideas of the philosopher Plethon get implemented? He had a pretty revolutionary program which might have revitalised the whole society had it been adopted.
2. How will the Byzantines get money to build a fleet/control the Bosporus?
3. Even with a total Ottoman implosion, by 1453 they already controlled most of the Balkans and Anatolia. Even if this fragments into tens of small beylik states, The Turks are still in control. How will they be dislodged?
4. How big will this restored Byzantium get? Will it achieve the frontiers of Andronikos III? Or are we going all out divine intervention and restoring the empire to its Komnenian frontiers?
I'm looking forward to see where this goes!
The Byzantines were plagued with many problems by that point, the tenuous control over Central Anatolia threatened the empire, the now virtually permanent loss of Italy made the empire limited to holding the Balkans and Anatolia, neither of which was particularly secure as we saw IOTL 40 years later.Nobody going to go with 1143? John II Komnenos was a powerful emperor. He may have been one of the best.
The Byzantines were plagued with many problems by that point, the tenuous control over Central Anatolia threatened the empire, the now virtually permanent loss of Italy made the empire limited to holding the Balkans and Anatolia, neither of which was particularly secure as we saw IOTL 40 years later.