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Constantine VIII was co-emperor with Basil II, luckily letting Basil II rule for that time. Constantine VIII only ruled as the sole emperor for only three years, being a pretty terrible leader during that period. Due to Basil's and subsequent Constantine's lack of male heirs, the empire plunged into turmoil and the treasury dwindled to almost nothing.

However, Basil II's empire on his death was the richest empire in the Mediterranean, and probably had the largest army in the world excluding China.

What if Constantine VIII had a son who became an officer in Basil II's army, later co-emperor in the 1020s, and succeeded Basil directly (preventing the turmoil and leaving Constantine VIII as a co-emperor?

Assume that this hypothetical emperor has a mindset similar to Basil the Bulgar Slayer.

Could a large part of the Roman Empire be retaken?
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