futurist
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Post by futurist on Sept 18, 2016 17:30:12 GMT
What if, for whatever reason, the Crusaders don't sack Constantinople in 1204?
Any thoughts on this?
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 18, 2016 18:44:22 GMT
It would depend on what the reason was. I.e. does the empire avoid the infighting that gave an excuse for the crusaders intervention and made their victory possible. Or simply the attempted attack is defeated, possibly with heavy crusader losses. Or even for some reason the Papacy's opposition to the operation becomes known and persuades the crusaders not to attack the city.
If the empire is better lead, defeats the attack and has a period of relative stability it might be able to stage a recovery, albeit more difficult than in earlier centuries. Without the western intervention and establishment of the assorted Catholic ruled states while there might be more tension between Orthodox and Catholic churches the empire is at the very least going to be able to resist the Ottomans and other Turks longed and might even be able to drive them back substantially.
Mind you by this stage the Mongols are aready on the march so at some point in the following decades large steppe armies are likely to threaten both the Danube and Anatolian frontiers. This could be a disaster for the empire if it is strong enough and rich enough to decide to oppose the Mongols and prompt an all out attack. Or they could end up allying with the Mongols against the Muslims and ending up winning massively. [At least unless and until someone like Tamerlain comes along].
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Post by puffyclouds on Sept 22, 2016 0:56:40 GMT
I think the "why" is very crucial to this scenario.
Stevep, my thought is that they would ally with the Mongols, but as you said, that is only a temporary condition.
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Sept 22, 2016 17:31:08 GMT
I think the "why" is very crucial to this scenario. Stevep, my thought is that they would ally with the Mongols, but as you said, that is only a temporary condition. I would hope so for their sake but it is an ancient empire with a lot of prestige. Which could make paying tribune, as I can't see the Mongols accepting equality with any neighbours by this stage. However if they did it could mean help in resecuring much on Anatolia and as the Mongol state decays they could pick up further territories. If their influence means that the Mongols also tend toward Christianity, especially the Orthodox form, this could help further in regaining eastern lands.
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