Just finished re-reading this timeline! (Probably not the first time since it's been years).
A couple of questions to satisfy my understanding of the TTL World.
- Manuel I is dubbed Megas Basileus, with his major feats being putting down the Serbian revolt, the
ecumenical council, and repelling a brief German invasion. I'd say only the 2nd achievement qualifies as a "great" one. Is there anything I'm missing?
Manouil I is given this title primarily for the church unification, that's correct- but also partly for his physical presence. A tall, loud and imposing man, he was quite literally a "great" Emperor. Add into this too the fact he achieved unquestioned military dominance on all frontiers, and he is looked upon extremely favourably by later historians. n
- Alexander III seems to go from a relatively average player in the game with some agency, to a complete non-entity whose death is only given 1 brief line. What happened to him? Did his wife beat him down so much that he became entirely submissive?
Alexandros III, we are told, became increasing "melancholy" as the 1180s went on. Without doubt his wife was an intimidating figure, and the massacre of many of his relatives in 1187 perhaps contributed to this further. You should probably understand him as a man who hoped to be a great emperor being beaten down into depression by the events of the 1180s, and the slow realisation he would never hold power in his own right, instead becoming a pawn of his wife and her family.
- The 1st Jusen army to invade European is spectacularly destroyed by Greek fire. Given that they were still significant enough to be able to menance Anatolia afterwards and the Roman army was still in shambles, why didn't they try to gobble up Eastern/Central Anatolia?
Eastern Anatolia- they did, but don't underestimate the importance of the Tauros as a defensive border. The Turkish conquests of the 1070s and 1080s IOTL were in large part down to the lack of determined Roman defence of the plateau, and Roman generals actively inviting Turks in to garrison cities. ITTL, there is determined resistance to stop the Jusen establishing themselves on the plateau.
- Constantine X didn't appear to be particularly beloved or looked upon favourably by the Imperial Court (despite how he was viewed post the Jusen siege), what stopped anyone from "accelerating" his impending demise?
Konstantinos X was a legitimate emperor, always a point in his favour, and his relatives had a good deal of power and influence in his court already. Most notable and powerful amongst them, his brother-in-law the
Kaisar Gregorios Maleinos was a notable loyalist, and kept the ambitions of others very much in check. Konstantinos' legitimacy assured him a good deal of popular support too, as his rebellious nephew the "one day Emperor" Konstantinos Maleinos (son of Gregorios) found in May 1303.
Would appreciate any clarity you can provide, it was great to re-read this fantastic TL again!
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Really glad you enjoyed- and thanks for the detailed comments!
Whays the capital of the Anglo-Normans? Doesn't say on the map
It's a roving court, though the major administrative centre in England is London.
I wonder how the Assyrians are going to be impacted in this timeline.
Good question, they're not a group I'd considered. They're a heretical Christian group, so better than Muslims from the perspective of the authorities, but still to be considered with some suspicion, especially given their links with Iranian Mesopotamia. I think they'd be largely ignored, occasionally harassed, and probably subject to occasional forced population transfers to Italy and the Balkans.
And that there wouldn't be any ATL versions of him either.
Correct.
Took the last week to re-read the timeline from the beginning-- just as great as I remember it being! Kinda funny to run across comments I made back in like 2013/14. Also great to see that you've also hopped on the Kaldellis train over the past few years. I've definitely had the History of Byzantium podcast to thank for introducing him and his recent books.
Can't wait for the next chapter!
Great to see you again- and glad you've enjoyed re-reading!
So, next chapter...
I'd promised the Normans, but I've written essentially nothing on them and their kingdom. What I do have in my back pocket is Chapter Twenty Nine, which is (I would say this...) I think my favourite IE chapter I've ever written. However, Chapter Thirty is only about a third done, so I don't have much in my "back pocket" after C29, so putting it out there would risk another five years of silence!
Shall I release 29 in the next 24hr, or would the consensus be to wait until C30 is done, then release C29?