Let's say that, for whatever reason, Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I decides against invading Italy or going further West. Let's say he still invades the territories held by the Vandals in Tunisia, and that he's able to cling on to power. But that's as far West as he goes. Instead, he focuses on consolidating his Eastern holdings, with maybe a couple wars in the Middle East and the Balkans.
What do you think are the short term and long-term effects of this decision? Will the Emperor be able to hold onto power? Would the Eastern Roman Empire, less spent from costly wars trying to reconquer the West, be able to defend better against future Arab invasions? How do Ostrogothic Italy and Visigothic Iberia develop?
What do you think are the short term and long-term effects of this decision? Will the Emperor be able to hold onto power? Would the Eastern Roman Empire, less spent from costly wars trying to reconquer the West, be able to defend better against future Arab invasions? How do Ostrogothic Italy and Visigothic Iberia develop?