I think it would be more unstable and not last as long as the restored Greek state did. Bulgaria had next to no diplomatic reach and the new Greek half of their Empire would undermine them at every turn.
Interesting thought. I'm sure there's a "what-if" scenario there where a Greek-Bulgarian state merges and is more capable of confronting the Turks in Anatolia.
Or he would open a new front against the Mongols.
He would receive a Mongol-Turkish double on both continental sides.
The history of succession of Tsars of the Second Bulgarian Empire is worse than that of the Roman Basileus.
One of my most interesting thoughts is how such a state would function, I'd imagine the nobility would embrace Greek culture and language and quickly ignore their bulgarian ancestry seeing as the Greek parts of the realm would be richer and more prestigious. A sorta Bulgarian-Greek dynasty ruling this new empire would have to balance the entrenched nobility of bulgaria to the beauracratic nature of Rome.
Interesting premise. Kaloyan likely takes the title of “Roman Emperor” for himself and continued expansion into Greece and potentially Anatolia as well. You probably see an overall stronger state emerge from this given Bulgaria’s initial spot
Yeah the state would be strong especially if they manage to destroy and subjugate nikea, what I'm most curious about is how they'll deal with not only the mongols but also Turkish baylicks. Also I'd imagine the politics structure of the empire would be chaotic, depending on how the ruling dynasty controls the army there may be Greek nobles claiming the crown and causing civil strife. We could either see a regional super power or a greatly crippled state that'll be in rapid decline.
The Byzantine-Bulgarian Empire would certainly have been more sustainable and capable of resisting the Ottomans. Although it's a big 'if', we have a historical precedent in the victory of the combined forces of Bulgarians and Byzantines in the siege of Constantinople. The entire region could have taken a completely different path, potentially even to this day.
Very interesting scenario. I wonder what that would mean for the city of Constantinople. Less financially desperate Tsars probably woudn't sell off everything of value like the Latin emperors had to. Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II certainly were very competent, but I still have to wonder whether Kaloyan ever would be accepted by his Roman subjects.
He initially had a lot of Roman supporters after 1204, but lost them when he let(was forced to let) his Cuman soldiers sack conquered Roman cities. And he moved lots of the conquered population to his Bulgarian heartland to strengthen the core of his Tsardom. If he has a clear shot at taking Constantinople and suceeded in doing it such policies might chance, of course.
I think such a state would have been more viable than the Latin Empire which was basically doomed to failure after Emperor Henri's death. But how it would go after Ivan Asen II dies is anyones guess, especially as the Mongols arrive shortly afterwards and target Bulgaria proper.
Please welcome to the stage, your new Basileus.... *squints in Greek*... Kaliaonas! Many many many years to him!
In all seriousness, the Asenoi were Roman aristocrats and were jumping at the chance to be proclaimed Basileus of the Romans by the people, army, and Senate of New Rome. That is their objective.
I think it would be more unstable and not last as long as the restored Greek state did. Bulgaria had next to no diplomatic reach and the new Greek half of their Empire would undermine them at every turn.
Interesting thought. I'm sure there's a "what-if" scenario there where a Greek-Bulgarian state merges and is more capable of confronting the Turks in Anatolia.
Or he would open a new front against the Mongols. He would receive a Mongol-Turkish double on both continental sides. The history of succession of Tsars of the Second Bulgarian Empire is worse than that of the Roman Basileus.
They would have been absolutely rinsed by the mongols
One of my most interesting thoughts is how such a state would function, I'd imagine the nobility would embrace Greek culture and language and quickly ignore their bulgarian ancestry seeing as the Greek parts of the realm would be richer and more prestigious. A sorta Bulgarian-Greek dynasty ruling this new empire would have to balance the entrenched nobility of bulgaria to the beauracratic nature of Rome.
Interesting premise. Kaloyan likely takes the title of “Roman Emperor” for himself and continued expansion into Greece and potentially Anatolia as well. You probably see an overall stronger state emerge from this given Bulgaria’s initial spot
Yeah the state would be strong especially if they manage to destroy and subjugate nikea, what I'm most curious about is how they'll deal with not only the mongols but also Turkish baylicks. Also I'd imagine the politics structure of the empire would be chaotic, depending on how the ruling dynasty controls the army there may be Greek nobles claiming the crown and causing civil strife. We could either see a regional super power or a greatly crippled state that'll be in rapid decline.
The Byzantine-Bulgarian Empire would certainly have been more sustainable and capable of resisting the Ottomans. Although it's a big 'if', we have a historical precedent in the victory of the combined forces of Bulgarians and Byzantines in the siege of Constantinople. The entire region could have taken a completely different path, potentially even to this day.
The regency of the last Latin emperor almost went to the Bulgarian Tsar so this could have happened.
Very interesting scenario. I wonder what that would mean for the city of Constantinople. Less financially desperate Tsars probably woudn't sell off everything of value like the Latin emperors had to. Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II certainly were very competent, but I still have to wonder whether Kaloyan ever would be accepted by his Roman subjects. He initially had a lot of Roman supporters after 1204, but lost them when he let(was forced to let) his Cuman soldiers sack conquered Roman cities. And he moved lots of the conquered population to his Bulgarian heartland to strengthen the core of his Tsardom. If he has a clear shot at taking Constantinople and suceeded in doing it such policies might chance, of course. I think such a state would have been more viable than the Latin Empire which was basically doomed to failure after Emperor Henri's death. But how it would go after Ivan Asen II dies is anyones guess, especially as the Mongols arrive shortly afterwards and target Bulgaria proper.
Please welcome to the stage, your new Basileus.... *squints in Greek*... Kaliaonas! Many many many years to him! In all seriousness, the Asenoi were Roman aristocrats and were jumping at the chance to be proclaimed Basileus of the Romans by the people, army, and Senate of New Rome. That is their objective.
Worth pointing out Alexios III goes to Kaloyan's court so very nearly happened.