First Steps to Stability

He who does not carefully compare his own forces with those of the enemy will come to a disastrous end
Strategikon
Emperor Maurice

After merging the fleets from Cyprus and Greece near Smyrna, I march our army southwards across the border to retake that rebel city.



Work rebuilding the Empire starts seriously with road building projects. Rather than building up military force, creating a strong trade economy is necessary. Building a series of ports throughout the provinces is the next step



Sending our gifted daughter Anna to the Hungarians opens up an alliance with our nearest neighbours (who are just about to take Sofia).



The chance also arises to gain some tribute and to marry Anna to that Kingdom's heir Prince Kalman. Hopefully this Alliance will aid us to avoid some friction with the Pope but the prospect of joint action near Zagreb (which I know the Hungarians covet) is a possible future venture.



The Turkish diplomat who has been skulking around Constantinople finally approaches openly, and strangely enough he is amenable to alliance. I force as much money out of him as I can.



This alliance is a sham, both sides will use peace to build up forces in advance of an attack, but in the meantime I hope the Turks and the Egyptians come to blows.
The only worrying aspect of this alliance is the low opinion the Pope in Rome has of us for treating with the Infidel.

Our work in rebuilding the Empire is bearing fruit in some regards. My advisors tell me we are much respected throughout the world. We will see.



After successfully taking Smyrna, our army is ferried across to Rhodes to take control of that castle. I will however take the earliest opportunity to turn this into a thriving sea city and port.



Cyprus however will remain a strong military bastion. From this place our main blow will fall upon the Turk, and at a place of our own choosing without the forewarning an advance from Nicaea would give them



The noble families have gifted us with several regiment of horse due to our successes and this forms the basis of a new army in Greece. Marching northwards, we build a watchtower just west of Thermopylae to guard the western approaches into Achaea.



The army will march north along the new Venetian frontier and will scout some more before striking westwards towards Durazzo.

Strategy to recover Empire

It is essential to be cautious and to take your time in making plans...
Strategikon
Emperor Maurice

Initially I want to pick up as many nearby neutral provinces as possible - Smyrna, Rhodes and Crete are first on the target list. Once that occurs I'll have a strong enough base (economically at least) and have some inclination which way the wind is blowing diplomatically.



Long term I expect the Turks and the Venetians to be my main enemies. With Sicily, Egypt and Hungary possible fringe opponents. The Pope will be a major thorn in my side, Rome will be the last city on my hitlist...

The Phoenix in the East

...the fortunes of the Roman Empire had sunk to their lowest ebb.
The Alexiad
Anna Comnena


With some of the minor powers I often take the short victory conditions, as this gives a realistic objective and actually gives you an idea of who your main rivlas are. For the Byzantine Empire, nothing short of complete victory will suffice.

After the military and political disaster of Manzikert, the great Roman Empire is confined to Nicaea in Asia Minor, Greece and Cyprus (and Constantinople of course)

While the Turks are the most obvious threat, I am more concerned with the influence the Pope will bring to bear, and his influence on the perfidious Italian and Frankish factions will be vital. With objectives to take both Jersusalem and Rome I fear imperial overstretch will actually be the greatest challenge to restoring the glory of the Empire.

A useful introductory online guide
I have stolen the title to this blog-post from the book "The Rome that did not Fall"