During his 37-year reign, Emperor Manuel I Komnenos gained Syrmia, Bosnia and Dalmatia from the Kingdom of Hungary, and attempted to conquer Apulia (and possibly all of Southern Italy when it rose up in support of his invasion), Egypt and Central Anatolia (at least as far as Iconium).
These conquests failed for various reasons, but what if Manuel's conquests of these areas had been successful?
If Southern Italy fell to the Byzantines, could they have taken Sicily as well?
Despite these setbacks, Manuel was called "the Great" IOTL. ITTL, would he be seen as a new Constantine/Justinian/Heraclius?
How would these conquests affect relations between Manuel/the Byzantines and Western Europe (the Papcy especially)?
Any thoughts?
These conquests failed for various reasons, but what if Manuel's conquests of these areas had been successful?
If Southern Italy fell to the Byzantines, could they have taken Sicily as well?
Despite these setbacks, Manuel was called "the Great" IOTL. ITTL, would he be seen as a new Constantine/Justinian/Heraclius?
How would these conquests affect relations between Manuel/the Byzantines and Western Europe (the Papcy especially)?
Any thoughts?