Byzantine Aftokratorate

The Byzantine Aftokratorate, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinople (formerly Byzantium). It survived the fragmentation and fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD and continued to exist until the modern era. During most of its existence, the empire was the most powerful economic, cultural and military force in Europe.

Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591
The Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591 was a war fought between the Sasanian Empire of Persia and the Eastern Roman Empire, termed by modern historians as the Byzantine Empire. It was triggered by pro-Byzantine revolts in areas of the Caucasus under Persian hegemony, although other events contributed to its outbreak. The fighting was largely confined to the southern Caucasus and Mesopotamia, although it also extended into eastern Anatolia, Syria, and northern Iran. It was part of an intense sequence of wars between these two empires which occupied the majority of the 6th and early 7th centuries. It was also the last of the many wars between them to follow a pattern in which fighting was largely confined to frontier provinces and neither side achieved any lasting occupation of enemy territory beyond this border zone. It preceded a much more wide-ranging and dramatic final conflict in the early 7th century. Following the war, Justin II helped restore Khosrow II to the Sasanian throne, sparking the beginning of warmer Byzantine-Sasanian relations. However, Tiberius, heir to the Byzantine throne, was killed in action in Armenia. After Justin II's death, Maurice ascended to the throne, having been labelled by Tiberius as his successor.

Arabian Campaigns
Following his ascension, Maurice turned his sights to the rich cities of Mecca in Arabia and sought to conquer these regions or at least expand Byzantine influence there. His armies were sent to capture the region in 588, taking large swathes of land straddling the Red Sea and controlling Mecca and neighbouring cities. Eventually, invasions by the Lombards in Italy led to the rerouting of these troops northwestwards, leaving Mecca with little to no protection from bandits.

Defense of Italy
With Theodosius, eldest son of Maurice on the throne, men were conscripted from various parts of the empire to help repel the Lombards. Among these was young Moameth (Muhammad) from Mecca, who eventually became a decorated general and bodyguard of Theodosius. Eventually, Moameth ascended to the throne after Theodosius' death in 627, and successfully repelled the Lombards for the better part of the century via superior tactics. He is regarded as an excellent tactician and military genius.

Ascension of the Macedonian Dynasty
macedonians kool

Frankish Invasions and Occupation of Rome
stupid franks sacked rome

Byzantine-Mongol Wars
By 1244, the Mongols had already punched through Persia and were knocking on Byzantium's doors. Anticipating the threat since their war with Persia, the Byzantines had constructed forts along the Tigris and Euphrates, which posed a great obstacle to Mongol advances. Aside from the Armenian Incident of 1265, the Mongols could not get a long term foothold in Mesopotamia, and the wars ended after the collapse of the Mongol Empire.

End of Macedonian Dynasty and Succession Crisis
if only the macedonians were still here

Involvement in Napoleonic Wars
stupid napoleon stole italy

World War I
Allying the United Kingdom, Iberia and Sweden, the Byzantine Aftokratorate provided a massive advantage to the war against the Franco-Russian Entente. Wars of attrition were fought in the Caucasus and Alps, whereas northern Italy was reclaimed in a long campaign. Stagnant Russo-Byzantine front lines broke during the communist uprisings in Russia, permitting the conditions for Byzantine forces to storm Crimea and the Moldau.

World War II
The Byzantine Aftokratorate remained neutral during WWII, however skirmishes with Soviet troops still occured in the Caucasus. Leaning towards the Allied Powers, they permitted military access for coordinated assaults on France and Germany. This did not come without consequence, however, such as the sinking of the Byzantine liner vessel Thessaloniki by French submarines and raids in Lybia by Berber raiders funded by the French military government.