The Alternate History Wiki has quite a few, naturally. 1983: Doomsday involves a world where a worldwide nuclear exchange between the Soviet Union and the United States happens on September 26th, 1983. The United States has ceased to exist, the Soviet Union is a rump state in Siberia (still called. Create your own what if meme contest is still going on! The eastern romans survived for a millennia after the fall of the west before their own demise from the ottomans. The sack of constantinople is often thought as the end of the medieval age and the start of another. Politics of the past forgotte watch what if the byzantine empire survived? An idea I'm currently formulating sees the Byzantine Empire as a reformed sort of republic fighting in the first world war. They control Greece, Bulgaria and around the southern half of the Balkans as well as the southern half of Italy they presumably took from Spain at some point in the 18-19th century, citing historical claim to Italy in the process. This is essentially a modern day Byzantium, whose tale is altered in the battle of menzikert in 1066. Over the years, through a series of competent emperors from all walks of life (Byzantine politics also become more meritocratic during this stage, due to an influx of ambitious young nobles from conquered territories), the Byzantine empire regains much of its lost territory, eventually. Byzantine Period Byzantion was founded by a Greek colony-Byzas before it was conquered by a Roman Emperor. This little sea shore town -Byzantion flourished to a capital of the empire of Constantine the Great who reunited the West & East Rome under his rule and renamed the city as ‘’Constantinople’’.
Byzantium Resurrected: A Second Alexiad
In 1294, the ambitious prince Theodoros Palaiologos was bribed into submission by his brother, the emperor Andronikos II, taking a woman from the House of Libadarios and receiving lands in western Anatolia. What if this marriage never took place?Table of ContentsAndronikos II..- Word Count: 63k
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- Replies: 181
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
What if the Byzantine Komnenoi were never overthrown by the Angeloi?
Introduction: The Komnenos dynasty presided over an era of prosperity for the Byzantine Empire known as the Komnenian Restoration. Their overthrow led to the rise of the incompetent house of Angelos, which failed to stop the Turks, Bulgarians, and Crusaders, and Isaac II Angelos' Latin-backed..- Thread
- Replies: 32
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI: A surviving Byzantine Empire and its effects on world history
Suppose the Byzantine Empire successfully defeated the burgeoning, nascent Ottoman Empire when it was still a confederation of Turkish beyliks in Anatolia and managed to reclaim lost territory from the beyliks.What would the effects of a surviving Byzantine Empire on world history?Would the..- Thread
- Replies: 61
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI: Nogai Khan Becomes Roman Emperor?
Nogai Khan, the de facto ruler of the Golden Horde in the late 13th century, was a very unique figure among Mongol warlords and he had a very interesting history with the Byzantines under Emperor Michael VIII. After a short raid into Thrace in 1265, Michael gave him his daughter’s hand in..- Thread
- Replies: 5
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
They Who Dreamed of Empire - History of the Basileia Rhōmaiōn and the World after the Battle of Manzikert
Threadmarks: Chapter 1: Where Everything ChangedSo.. This idea had been running through my head for ages now, I wanted to finally write about it and get it out of my system. I don't know if it's going to be my first Successful Timeline or not, but my other Timelines are too novice for me to even look at anymore, so I'm willing to give this..- Word Count: 3.2k
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- Replies: 19
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Bulgaria Shall Not Fall: Old Great Bulgaria TL
Chapter One: An Oath of Sons'Heed me, my sons, as when I am no longer here, you shall either lead our people to greatness or to despair.' - Khan Kubrat in the 16th-century play Sons of Bulgaria'The Bulgarian Oath' by Dobri BozhilovKhan Kubrat of Great Bulgaria was approaching his dying..- Word Count: 2.1k
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- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
DBWI: No Plantagenet Dual Monarchy of England and France
How would the politics of Europe change without the formation of the Plantagenet Dual Monarchy otherwise Known as the Royal Plantagenet Commonwealth or the Plantagenet Empire change the history and geopolitical situation of Europe? The Dual Monarchy officially traces its origin to King Henri V..- Thread
- Replies: 22
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Holy Roman Empire seen as a real Roman Empire?
Holy Roman Empire is usually seen as an imposter to the Roman Empire (Byzantines being the true heir). What would it take for the HRE to be seen as a worthy successor state to the Roman Empire?- Thread
- Replies: 33
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
DBWI: Byzantines Dont Discover Gunpowder Before The First Crusade
Otl, gunpowder was discovered independently in the byzantine empire, and in contemporary china, most dating the difference by only 70 years, in favor of China. In any case, the Byzantines were in dire straits, and Alexios Kommenos ordered as much development of the explosive powder into weapons..- Thread
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Venetian-Greek / Catholic-Orthodox relationship. 9th to 16th century
I had an Idea, but needs a few pointers to finalize what I had envisioned:Earlier and more 'fair' greaco-venetian trade before the first crusade, no Greek Massacre of the Latins 1182 - no Fourth Crusade in 1204 aimed at orthodox Byzantium, more east-west christian cooperation against Muslim..- Word Count: 110
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- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
What are some maps of An Age of Miracles - Revival of Rhomaion that go in chronological order?
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- Forum: Alternate History Maps and Graphics
DBAHC: Make The Bishop of Rome A Political Figure
OTL, after the fall of Rome in 476, while the Goths had the northern portion, the Patriarch of Rome quickly contacted the Eastern roman empire and asked for their protection. While they were there they also took southern italy, just in case. However, this ended any ideas that the spiritual..- Thread
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- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
DBWI: What if the Roman Empire lost against the Arabs?
The Roman Empire is undeniably the most powerful nation in the Mediterranean, controlling Anatolia, Italy, The Balkan Peninsula, Egypt, and the rest of North Africa. However there was one moment in history when the empire seemed on the verge of losing everything, Islam had risen in Arabia and..- Thread
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
The House of Komnenos, Like a Phoenix From the Ashes: An Eastern Roman Timeline
Hi everyone, this is my first attempt at a historical timeline. I've always been a history buff with a passion for Classical Roman and later Eastern Roman history. I've always wanted to explore the possibilities of a more successful restoration of the Byzantine Empire after 1204 under the House..- Word Count: 5.5k
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- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Challenge: Make the Romans reintroduce Gladius, Scutum and Pilum wielding legions after Justinian
For Byzantine timeline lovers, this one may be interesting. The date is not set and you can choose whatever POD from 532 to 1453 as long as its set on the Byzantine period.The typical roman legionary that lurks in the collective mindset is that of the Gladius wielding, Pilum throwing armored..- Thread
- Replies: 20
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Mongol Byzantium
The idea of the Mongols (or an independent Mongol warlord) taking over Constantinople, adopting Greek traditions, converting to Orthodoxy, and subsequently establishing a new Eastern Roman dynasty during the 13th century is commonly brought up, but how and when could this happen, and who could..- Thread
- Replies: 14
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
DBWI: Roman Victory at the Last Persian War
As you may know, the Last Persian War in the 7th century was one of the many reasons that Khosrow II is called 'the Great' in many places in the world. His victory pratically restored the Achaemenid Empire's borders and changed the world order and history forever.But let's go to the question..- Thread
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- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI: Justinian and Theodora have male issue
What if Justinian I and his wife Theodora had at least one healthy son? How might history have been altered?- Thread
- Replies: 6
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI: Justinian and/or Theodora killed in the Nika riots
What if the Nika riots had played out differently, and Justinian, Theodora or both were killed during them? How might history have been altered?- Thread
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
WI/AHC: No Pronoia
What if the Byzantine Empire never developed the semi-feudal Pronoia system? And how would you prevent the system from becoming an institution?- Thread
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Alternate History Discussion: Before 1900
Author | Harry Turtledove |
---|---|
Cover artist | J. K. Potter |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Congdon & Weed |
Publication date | 1987 |
Media type | Print (Hardback and paperback) |
Pages | x + 244 |
ISBN | 0-86553-183-8 |
Agent of Byzantium is a collection of short stories by Harry Turtledove, centred on the exploits of Basil Argyros, a Byzantine secret agent. The stories are set in an alternate 14th century, where Islam never existed and the great ancient empires of Byzantium (the Eastern Roman Empire) and Sassanid Persia survive.
Setting[edit]
The world of the Agent of Byzantium series.
In this universe, the point of divergence occurs when the Prophet Muhammad (Mouamet), instead of developing Islam, converted to Christianity and became a celebrated prelate and saint. Without the Muslim conquests, the Eastern Roman Empire remained the pre-eminent power in the Mediterranean world. The Emperor Constans II subdued the Lombards in Italy, and the Iberian peninsula (Ispania) and the southern coast of Gaul were also recovered. Most of Gaul, Britain and Germania are in 'barbarian' hands, and have broken away from Byzantine orthodoxy, following the doctrine of filioque and a separate line of Popes. In the East, the Byzantines are still—as it was in our history up to the advent of Islam—involved in a never-ending cold war (occasionally flaring up into actual fighting) with its Persian arch-enemy, represented in the series by the female spy Mirrane.
Argyros works as an army scout, and later as a magistrianos for the Master of Offices, under the (fictional) Emperor Nikephoros III, and as such is sent across the Empire to solve problems — sometimes as a spy, sometimes as a negotiator, and sometimes as a soldier. The cover of the 1994 re-issue compares Argyros to James Bond and Dominic Flandry.[1]
Stories and publication history[edit]
![Alternate history byzantine empire study guide Alternate history byzantine empire study guide](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/ae44ffaa-7c54-4c6f-b2a6-ea57a82b8131/d84zw4y-be569054-0b76-491c-a1b5-a57373431dca.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTpmaWxlLmRvd25sb2FkIl0sIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi9hZTQ0ZmZhYS03YzU0LTRjNmYtYjJhNi1lYTU3YTgyYjgxMzEvZDg0enc0eS1iZTU2OTA1NC0wYjc2LTQ5MWMtYTFiNS1hNTczNzM0MzFkY2EucG5nIn1dXX0.HFZR7wmfgfZo7iRlshsyE4NrcMNLv8CgWzwovWquNe4)
Stories in the Agent of Byzantium universe (in order written) are:
- 'Unholy Trinity', first published in the July 1985 issue of Amazing Science Fiction Stories. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6824 (AD 1315/16) in the Abbey of Saint Gall
- 'Archetypes', first published in the November 1985 issue of Amazing Science Fiction Stories. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6825 (AD 1316/17) in the frontier city of Dara
- 'The Eyes of Argos', first published in the January 1986 issue of Amazing Science Fiction Stories. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6814 (AD 1305/6), dealing with an invasion by nomadic Jurchens across the Danube frontier
- 'Strange Eruptions', first published in the August 1986 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6816 (AD 1307/8), and is set during an epidemic in Constantinople
- 'Images', first published in the March 1987 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6826 (AD 1317/18) and is set in Constantinople during an ecumenical council dealing with the question of iconoclasm
- 'Superwine', first published in the April 1987 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6829 (AD 1320/21), and takes place in Alania
- 'Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire', first published in the December 1989 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. It takes place on Etos Kosmou 6818 (AD 1309/10), and takes place in Alexandria
- 'Departures', first published in the January 1989 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. It is the only story that does not feature Argyros, and instead focuses on the future St. Mouamet (formerly Muhammad) during his time in a monastery in Syria.
The first six stories comprise the first edition of Agent of Byzantium, published in 1987 by Congdon & Weed. 'Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire' and 'Departures' were first published in the Departures collection in 1993. 'Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire' was included in the second edition of Agent of Byzantium, published in 1994 by Baen Books. 'The Eyes of Argos' was also published in the There Will Be War IV: Guns of Darkness collection in 1987.
Reception[edit]
Orson Scott Card praised Turtledove as 'a very talented science fiction writer, with a gift for finding a way to present a fascinating idea through strong, believable characters.'[2]
Differences[edit]
Turtledove, who has a PhD in Byzantine history, created a setting for the series in which the world of Late Antiquity is projected seven centuries into the future. In each story, several familiar inventions and social institutions crop up far ahead of schedule, and under very different circumstances than they did in our world. Far cry 4 third person mod. Among these are:
- The telescope, discovered among the shamans of the Jurchen nomads who threaten the Byzantine Empire from the north.
- Vaccination for smallpox, which is discovered during a terrible plague afflicting Constantinople itself.
- Trade unions and strikes, appearing first among the builders engaged in the dangerous rebuilding of a great lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt (an Egyptian village, Deir el-Medina, is where the first recorded strike in history occurred in 1152 BC).
- Black powder, developed by the monks in the Abbey of St. Gall and used with great effect by the empire's Frankish enemies — until stolen by Argyros, with the help of agents from an Anglo-SaxonEngland which has known no Norman Conquest.
- Printing, invented by the Byzantium's Persian enemies and used to foment sedition and dissension inside its borders, until this secret is also apprehended by Argyros.
- Distilling, invented by a wine-seller in Constantinople and purchased for the empire by Argyros.
Alternate History Byzantine Empire Movie
References[edit]
Alternate History Byzantine Empire
- ^Turtledove, Harry. Agent of Byzantium. Baen, 1994.
- ^'Books to Look For', F&SF, May 1987
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