Fall of Constantinople NEW VIDEOS

Fall of Constantinople NEW VIDEOS Jan 28, 2020 18:58:50 GMT vegalyra likes this

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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Jan 28, 2020 18:58:50 GMT

Jan 27, 2020 19:20:30 GMT vegalyra said:

I have to imagine if the Fourth Crusade hadn't happened the Empire would have been on better grounds to defend itself from the Ottomans 2 centuries later. Definitely one of the worst events in Western history.

I think the Empire started it's terminal decline after Manzikert. The battle coupled with the political instability that followed. Alexis I restored some of it but he couldn't retake all of Anatolia. And Manuel I lost a lot of Alexius' gains at Myriokephalon (don't trip on my spelling). The Empire had been overextending itself militarily for all of Basil II's reign. 2nd time it happened. Hearclius fought the Empire to a frazzle defeating the Sassanids and it left them handicapped in defending against the armies of the Caliphate. Basil II fought the Empire to a frazzle conquering the Bulgarians and left the Empire handicapped in defending against the Seljuks and the Normans.

If Basil II had produced an heir instead of leaving things to his worthless brother...