Hey, so I'm working on a timeline involving a surviving Roman leadership after 1453.
I'm curious as to what parties would be interested in a Constantine XI leading a Byzantine Diaspora, largely made of pro-unionists and why.
So making the assumption that he flees the city assisted by a last ditch effort by the Byzantine fleet, and makes a stop in Morea before sailing onwards to Genoa - which parties would be interested in the Byzantine Emperor in Exile?
Ottomans - Would rather have nobody that would contest leadership of the Rum Millet.
Prince Orhan (technically part of the Exile Court) - A Turk who also has a claim to the Ottoman throne, was a commander in the defence of Constantinople
The Papacy - A Pro-Unionist Roman Emperor, whilst very weak, could have some interest, perhaps to ensure that any Roman Restoration is Catholic.
The Holy Roman Emperor - The only other person who can legitimately claim to be the Rightful Roman Emperor is at his doorstep, this could be used - but considering recently the Roman Emperor has been denegrated as King of the Greeks, would they be interested/take action?
Various Italian City States - Romans bring books, knowledge and expertise. Sheltering them could bring more, possibly creating great wealth in a "Roman Quarter" in their cities.
Constantine XI - He wants to stay relevant! Leader of the Roman People? King of the Romans (but holds no territory?)
The Romans of .. Rome. Their nomenclature is going to get confusing if they don't just use Greek and Latin as replacements
The Romans of .. Greece. Having a leadership that could protect them abroad in a Greek Millet in Christendom could be preferable to Ottoman rule. Especially as they don't have to pay Jizya.
Montferrat - as a branch of the Palialogos are in charge here, they'd likely be heavily involved - how would they react to their cousins coming to stay?
Genoa - They've just been asked to host the Roman Empire, or what is left of its political structure.
I know I've listed a load, but I think the topic could have some interesting spin offs.