Imperial Alliance - Page 2 - Historum

Julius Nepos · August 19th, 2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucius

Well, I can imagine lots of possibilities for the Germans helping the Byzantines over the centuries. But I really can't see what would have been in it for the Germans. Spoleto and Benevento perhaps? Sicily? Sardinia?

Oh boy

I mean if a Byzantine Emperor had convinced a German Emperor to enter into a military alliance on the grounds that if he didn't, the Turks eventually would being knocking on the gates of Vienna, the German Emperor would have reckoned that Constantinople would be the best place to make a united defensive stand(in terms of military geography). That would have defeated the whole purpose from the Byzantine point of view, wouldn't it have?

I think that with assistance from the Germans in Italy and Eastern Europe and later against the Venetians they could have proved useful. With the European theature pretty much secure with the might of the Holy Roman Empire and Catholic Church on their side the Byzantines would be free to concentrate their resources in the east. Maybe going so far as to recapture Alexandria. The Germans could use the Byzantines and their numerous bishops (assuming the churches successfully reconciled) in any battle of wills against the pope, and any threats that come from Eastern Europe to the Holy Roman Empire. Would the Empires divide Italy amongst themselves? North to HRE and south to the Byzantines? Im sure their are more bonuses for the Germans in this alliance I cant think of.

**Lucius** · August 19th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Well, Otto I defeated the Magyars at Lechfeld in 955 and absorbed the Kingdom of Italy in 961, both without any help from the Byzantines. Likewise, the Byzantines were doing well around then, recovering Crete(961), Cyprus(965), Antioch(969), as well as the nearer Armenian principalities. They eliminated the West Bulgarian Empire(1018), made the Serbs their vassals and absorbed Vaspurakan(1022), Edessa(1032), all without any help from the Germans.

Frankly, Romanus would have done better to enlist in Alp Arslan's drive against the Fatamids. They could have signed the alliance at Manzikert.

Julius Nepos · August 19th, 2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucius

Well, Otto I defeated the Magyars at Lechfeld in 955 and absorbed the Kingdom of Italy in 961, both without any help from the Byzantines. Likewise, the Byzantines were doing well around then, recovering Crete(961), Cyprus(965), Antioch(969), as well as the nearer Armenian principalities. They eliminated the West Bulgarian Empire(1018), made the Serbs their vassals and absorbed Vaspurakan(1022), Edessa(1032), all without any help from the Germans.

Frankly, Romanus would have done better to enlist in Alp Arslan's drive against the Fatamids. They could have signed the alliance at Manzikert.

Diggity Damn

**Lucius** · August 19th, 2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julius Nepos

Diggity Damn

I thought you'd like that