WI: Romanos IV dies at Manzikert?

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Deleted member 67076

So, what would happen if instead of getting captured, emperor Romanos was killed during the battle of Manzikert? Does the ensuing civil war occur happen back at Constantinople? Who becomes Byzantine emperor after this?
 
So, what would happen if instead of getting captured, emperor Romanos was killed during the battle of Manzikert? Does the ensuing civil war occur happen back at Constantinople? Who becomes Byzantine emperor after this?

Michael VII Doukas, son of the previous emperor Cosntantine X. OTL, he was an indifferent, incompetant imbecile (I love illiteration!). Not sure how the civil wars would occur differently though.

Although, if Romanos IV is killed, presumably no deal is made with Alp Arslan. If I recall correctly, OTL, it was Michael VII's refusal to honor that agreement which helped hasten the fall of Anatolia to the Seljuks.
 
There will probably be a civil war because his heir was weak and disliked by many and there exist better competitors just around the corner.
 
Agreed. Civil war and betrayal all around with the great families jockeying for power in their own little "game of thrones". ;)

So, to be clear, let me list off the potential families and other usurpers:

Komnenodoukai:

John Doukas (Caesar, brother of Constantine X)
Constantine X's sons - Michael VII, Andronikos, Constantius
Alexios Komnenos & any of his brothers

Other candidates:

Nikephoros Botaneiates (OTL Nikephoros III)
Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder
Romanos IV's sons - Constantine, Leo, Nikephoros.

Would there have been any support for the last three? Constantine was already an adult and married to Alexios Komnenos's sister and Leo & Nikephoros were born in the purple.

BTW, if Romanos IV saw a decisive victory (which is what Manzikert should have been) as the key to securing his hold on the throne, if he had won, would he have been untouchable? (Apologies if this constitutes as thread hijacking)
 
Doukas clan would worsen everything they are pretty bad.

I imagine John Doukas as senior emperor Michael VII as co emperor. The reason I say this is because John Doukas is the strongest of the clan and Michael is a weak ruler. Andronikos Doukas may also be co emperor and quite powerful assuming he didn't die at the slaughter at Manzikert.

Nicephorus Boataneiates and Bryennios could also be candidates for emperor.

I imagine the Seljuks tearing into Anatolia and taking the region a lot more quickly and who knows they may even lead attacks into Thrace.
 
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Doukas clan would worsen everything they are pretty bad.

I imagine John Doukas as senior emperor Michael VII as co emperor. The reason I say this is because John Doukas is the strongest of the clan and Michael is a weak ruler. Andronikos Doukas may also be co emperor and quite powerful assuming he didn't die at the slaughter at Manzikert.

Nicephorus Boataneiates and Bryennios could also be candidates for emperor.

I imagine the Seljuks tearing into Anatolia and taking the region a lot more quickly and who knows they may even lead attacks into Thrace.
come now dnt give doukas so much flak. I mean it was due to John Doukas arguably that ALexius could becom e emperor and as megas doux it was John who revitizaled the imperial navy and was a notable military commander to boot. In fact I doubt that without John Doukas and Nikephoros Melissanos support Alexius would have become emperor.

Though I do agree Michcael was an idiot and Andronikos a traitor.
 
come now dnt give doukas so much flak. I mean it was due to John Doukas arguably that ALexius could becom e emperor and as megas doux it was John who revitizaled the imperial navy and was a notable military commander to boot. In fact I doubt that without John Doukas and Nikephoros Melissanos support Alexius would have become emperor.

Though I do agree Michcael was an idiot and Andronikos a traitor.
I do not think John Doukas is a bumbling idiot he was the most competent of the Doukai clan which is why he would most likely be the senior emperor and I don't think that Alexios would have rose to power at all in the scenario that Romanos is killed.
 
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