WI/AHC : Komenids create and exploit a trading class

GdwnsnHo

Banned
Looking to see what would happen before 1204 :(

As I've seen the idea that the Byzantines were scornful, if not bad at trading, mentioned many times in discussions about the Byzantines, I thought I'd flip the concept of them being weak in trade on its head.

Essentially, what if Alexios I and his descendants took an active interest in trade, and the potential to tax and control it, as part of this encouraged and fortified trade quarters as widely as practical, in a manner that could rival or exceed Venice and Genoa in power.

Other than perhaps spreading Roman thought around and perhaps hastening the Renaissance, what other results could their be?

Personally the idea of the Romans interceding in a trade war in Italia dangerously entertaining :)
 
I don't have much time to talk right now, but you should keep in mind that the Komnenoi were already a member of the Dynatoi- the rural Dynatoi, not the merchant one. As such, they prefered taxes and land instead of trade as means of making money, allowing city-states like Venice to fit a niche in the empire without any problems. This was viewed as a win-win- Venetian-Byzantine relations had always been good, as the Serene Republic owed most of their success to special trading rights in the Empire. That the Venetians would betray the Empire and be so opportunistic as they were was not perceived by any party, including the Venetians. Something would need to happen to get the Komnenoi to change their perceptions on this.
 
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GdwnsnHo

Banned
I don't have much time to talk right now, but you should keep in mind that the Komnenoi were already a member of the Dynatoi- the rural Dynatoi, not the merchant one. As such, they prefered taxes and land instead of trade as means of making money, allowing city-states like Venice to fit a niche in the empire without any problems. This was viewed as a win-win- Venetian-Byzantine relations had always been good, as the Serene Republic owed most of their success to special trading rights in the Empire. That the Venetians would betray the Empire and be so opportunistic as they were was not perceived by any party, including the Venetians. Something would need to happen to get the Komnenoi to change their perceptions on this.

Perhaps a particularly savvy and devious Komnenid? I have no idea if they had any Italian tutors, but if they had a tutor from Venice/Genoa/Pisa/Amalfi to introduce and foster trading as a source of power? (Unintentionally of course, maybe just to make the tutee more familiar with the West.) It'd be an interesting moment if the heir-apparent built themselves a trade empire in order to strengthen their position upon ascending to the throne. But yes, we need someone to introduce the idea to the Komnenids.

But it appears that there is a savvy logic that could be followed based on the Romans own history. If we work from the premise of a Komnenid exploiting trade for power as either an heir or the Emperor, it would be empowering, but increases the costs and liabilities of the Emperor as well, and doesn't require a tax system. If however, they were savvy enough to use trade to empower themselves, but also to encourage the development of a collection of 'Merchant Dynatoi' to create a rival faction to the 'Rurals'. Playing the 'Merchants' against the 'Rurals' could be used as a way to control the various Dynatoi, all the whilst allowing huge tax revenues to be gained from the Roman Merchants, without foreign involvement. Divide Et Impera (In short - lose the foreigners, gain a counter-faction to your main rivals).

In addition, what if trade was used to recreate/expand the Office of Barbarians? (under a different Pseudonym (I can't find sources to confirm if it was dissembled) Using merchants or others as agents, and trade quarters as small hubs to expand their operations, the information the Emperors could exploit could create significant opportunities, and allow them to exert some soft power if needed, and if they were feeling brave - stockpile supplies and weapons for invasions. (I dread to think what that would do for relations with other countries with trade quarters however).

I can imagine it could change the 'personality' of the Empire somewhat, perhaps leading them towards preferring a trade empire over a land-empire - but I think that a particularly talented tutor could drastically change things.
 
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