WI John I Tzimiskes Doesn’t Die In 976. Does He Reconquer the Levant?

Teejay

Gone Fishin'
I mean Anatolia still borders Muslim Mesopotamia and Iran, it's not exactly super safe. Preventing Manzikert is just one step, you need more stuff down the line.
However the Byzantine empire still has control over Anatolia which is a major advantage, before invasion of the Turks. The Byzantine heartland held up against the advance of Islam for four centuries.

Also it could be possible in the early modern period, if the empire survives the Mongol invasions. It could extend into the Levant, Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Ottoman Empire managed to achieve this in OTL, why can't the Byzantines. The spread of the Byzantine Empire into Egypt would make the Spanish and Portuguese more likely to conqueror areas of North Africa.
 

Teejay

Gone Fishin'
And Mongols, of course. IOTL, their invasions were generaly towards Arab world. IOTL, Byzantine might be it main target. Byzantine's inherent political instability would make it a perfect target.

With the Byzantine Empire still being strong, the Mongols who converted to Islam in OTL could have very well converted to Christianity instead. For example; Timur being Orthodox or Nestorian Christian would be very interesting.

Even if the Mongols defeated the Byzantine Empire, it might very well result in a Mongol dynasty ruling from Constantinople. In OTL there was a essentially French dynasty ruling from Constantinople from 1204-1261.
 
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However the Byzantine empire still has control over Anatolia which is a major advantage, before invasion of the Turks. The Byzantine heartland held up against the advance of Islam for four centuries.

Also it could be possible in the early modern period, if the empire survives the Mongol invasions. It could extend into the Levant, Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Ottoman Empire managed to achieve this in OTL, why can't the Byzantines. The spread of the Byzantine Empire into Egypt would make the Spanish and Portuguese more likely to conqueror areas of North Africa.
It can definitely, I just don't think it's guaranteed by just preventing Manzikert, it simplifies to much the core factors that went into Byzantine decline.
 
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