WI Theodore Dukas restores Byzantine Empire in 1230?

In 1225 the Despot of Epirus Theodore Theodore Dukas arranged for his coronation as emperor by the autocephalous archbishop of Ohrid, Demetrios Chomatianos. Theodore's forces advanced through the Aegean coast of Thrace and in late 1225 seized Adrianople and the surrounding portions of Thrace from the Nicaeans. Worried by the alliance of Ivan Assen II of Bulgaria with the Latin Empire of Constantinople, Theodore broke his treaty with Ivan Asen and invaded Bulgaria with an army of 85000 men reinforced by western mercenaries in 1230. Allegedly affixing the text of the broken treaty to one of his spears as a flag, Ivan Asen II rallied 25000 soldiers and defeated Theodore in the Battle of Klokotnitsa on 9 March 1230. Theodore was captured and remained a prisoner in the Bulgarian capital Tarnovo for seven years.
WI Theodore had defeated the much lesser Bulgarian army in 1230 (Theodore was taken by surprise and his army was annihilated in OTL) and proceeded in recovering Constantinople from Crusaders?
How is this altering History? Any thoughts?
 
Byzantine Empire.

I don't think Epirus is strong enough. I think something similar to this came up before. You still have the Latins in Athens and Achaia, although they lose Constantinople. The Nicean Greeks are close to the height of their power, and with a strong base in western Asia Minor, they would not take the re-capture of the imperial city by a rival very lightly. Perhaps a compromise could be worked out, whereby the 2 Greek states merge.
 
I don't think Epirus is strong enough. I think something similar to this came up before. You still have the Latins in Athens and Achaia, although they lose Constantinople. The Nicean Greeks are close to the height of their power, and with a strong base in western Asia Minor, they would not take the re-capture of the imperial city by a rival very lightly. Perhaps a compromise could be worked out, whereby the 2 Greek states merge.

John III Emperor of Nicaea was already defeated and kicked out of Thrace by Theodore Dukas in 1227... If Theodore manages to defeat Bulgarians too (remember Bulgarian victory in Klokotnitsa was a very lucky one... Ivan II Asen was heavily outnumbered) then he has the upper hand...
 
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