WI: No 1340s Byzantine Civil war

  • Thread starter Deleted member 67076
  • Start date

Deleted member 67076

It is said that the Second Palaiologan Civil war, from 1341-47 sapped the Byzantine Empire of almost all its power, wealth and organization, leaving it a broken shell of its former self and rump state.

So, what if that never breaks out, or one side quickly wins (ether the regency forces or John Kantakouzenos)? What happens next?
 
This late period of Byzantine history really isn't my speciality, so these are just a few odd thoughts thrown out there...

The most obvious point that I can think of is that the Ottomans are unlikely to gain their foothold in Europe without being invited in by a warring Byzantine government. Now, this may happen at a later date, but it does give the Greeks a little bit more breathing space. The Empire probably retains a good deal more power and prestige, and remains a reasonably sized Balkans state, controlling Thrace, Macedonia, the Morea and several Aegean islands. Obviously it's nothing compared to Basil II's empire, but these aren't mean resources either.
 
Empire problem was also decentralization caused by Latin Empire. After all Michael VIII Palaiologos had rather sizeable realm, with pretty good perspectives on reconquering rest of Greece and regaining at least something in Anatolia. But as we know- empire shrinked instead. IMO- last 3 rulers of Byzantium really had potential. Would they inherit lands from 1340, rather than Constantinople only- we could have seen resurgence.
 

Avskygod0

Banned
But most of Greece was Serbian then, the only way for the turks to never enter Europe that way would be byzantines taking those lands during the rule of this incompetent guy and fortify them heavily. Or make Uroš not a incompetent imbecile. Or a huge Georgia to block the Turks from ever coming near.

But if there was no nasty rebellion it would just make byzantines last longer
 
But most of Greece was Serbian then, the only way for the turks to never enter Europe that way would be byzantines taking those lands during the rule of this incompetent guy and fortify them heavily. Or make Uroš not a incompetent imbecile. Or a huge Georgia to block the Turks from ever coming near.

But if there was no nasty rebellion it would just make byzantines last longer

?

Greece became Serbian as result of civil war, before civil war Serbs conquered chunk of land from Byzantines- but nothing else.
 
This is easy to do. Have the rumors of the death of Andronikos III be true, and, boom. NO Andronikos III, no John V, no regency, no civil war.
 
Top