Is there any chance for a 5 part Alternate History. What if Julius Nepos Reconqured the Italian Pennisula. What if Charlemagne married Irene. What if Reconquista continued. What if Medici United Italy in the 1400's. What if the ottomans were partioned into a new Byzantium was restored after WW1.
I kinda like it, because like someone has to come out of this war a winner and the side at his peak and the Mongols cant touch make sense. Plus without a central form of Christianity there is no reason for Venice (whos power is in the East) to go by Western religion doctrine
@@TheDragonEevee Saying there's no remaining centre of Christianity because Rome got sacked and the Pope killed is a bit ridiculous. Especially in the wake of a literal War-Hero Saint-King in the form of St. Louis bolstering the idea of Catholicism even int he wake of the death of the Pope. Venice going heretical is insane, more likely what they'd do is set up an antipope and make them a puppet in Rome while going on their Imperial campaign, capitalising on existing institution and the secular and religious power vacuums but that's a bit less appealing to the authors so I guess we have go maximum larp with a new decentralized Christianity.
Why not though? Venice has all the commercial leverage over the Eastern Mediterranean, the Papacy is gone, and the Orthodox Church had already been subsumed into the Latin Church by the Latin Empire. If this were to happen at any time, now would be it. It's wild and uncharted territory for sure, but definitely possible.
@@MrGksarathy Because it is insanity and would result in a literal unending continuing 30 years war situation across the entire mediteranean by both Orthodox and Catholics fighting against the new heresy being imposed by the rulers of this new empire. Imagine all the nonsense that happened in Germany with the protestant reformation magnified a 100 fold across basically the entirety of south and central europe with the bulwark of Catholicism in the west, especially France and Spain taking advantage of it. The death of the Pope and the subsummation of the Orthodox Church into the Latin empire (a HILARIOUS underestimation of how remarkably stubborn the Orthodox are as a denomination) would not prevent this indeed it would magnify it, the Venetian Doge would if anything, be seen as an AntiChrist by both Catholics and Orthodox for so radically trying to subplant both Churches with his own dogma and trying to replace both institutions. Venice would be sowing its own downfall both internally and externally with literally everybody in europe, in the wake of the Mongols, finding a legitimate Casus belli to steal lands from them and support their own pretenders to the Chair of Peter and the Ecumenical Patriarchate respectively. Its an immensely stupid political and tactical error on the part of the venetians. The smart play would have been to A) Elevate the Catholic Patriarch of Venice to the position of Pope to take advantage of the vacuum of Power int he Catholic Church and to solidify influence and control over Italy, people could accuse them of supporting an Antipapacy but not heresy, an easier gordian knot to deal with overall, and they get a Puppet Pope controlling the Papal States to back their dreams of re-establishing the Roman Empire. Then B) when they subsume the Latin Empire (another wish fulfillment fantasy if ever there was one, even if there was a basis IRL) they could immediately grant clemency to the Orthodox Church rather than crush it and immediately get a more complacent Ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople to re-centre the Orthodox side of the divide in the venetian Doge's favour. A difficult political dance but one the Venetians would have been able to handle. Bam. The Venetian Doge successfully has the heads of the two main divides of the Great Schism under his control and influence and supporting his bid to re-establish the Roman Empire and to heighten his claim to legitimacy and dominance of the Mediterranean. He'd look like a Hero, a master diplomat, skilled statesman and possible Saint by the end of it depending on how he went about attempting to reconcile the two Churches rather than make the situation for Christianity so much worse with his own pet heresy. It'd be an extremely difficult thing to attempt but given the scenario presented in the series, its a golden opportunity the Venetians could have used to literally surpass the legacy of Augustus Aurelian.
I've been looking forward to this release and answering all of your wonderful comments! I can't tell you how much your support means to me. I've fallen in love with this universe, alternative history writing and animating, but it is your appreciation to the details and hard work I put into it that make this a highlight of my life. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me either here on personally in our discord!
Bruh this has been amazing, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to say good bye to this timeline yet. After the last episode, what next? I heard that you would like to do a what if on the 4th crusade(what if it reached egypt instead of Byzantium) so is that going to be next? This alternate history has been fun and I would love to see what will happen to Europe after all this, how will the holy roman empire stay after their most treacherous act with the mongols? How will Europe look upon them after all this has finished? What kind of new branch of christianity is this and is this a potential mix of Orthodox and Catholicism? If the last episode will end with a climactic show down between bela IV and batu, then what's going to happen with the rest of the crusaders and the mongol forces scattered across Northern Germany(especially Berke)? I would go on but in summary, I would like to see what will happen to this version of Europe after such devastation. I hope we get the answers to at least a few of these questions; this has been a great series and thank you to all who were involved. Hope to see you again in the future Georgie!
@@hiraynfonseka9472 A lot of work has to be put into that before I can tell you for sure, but even if it was I wouldn't want to spoil it. The only thing that I can promise is that I will continue to explore amazing scenarios such as this one, that allow us to understand history from a different PO
I think you've done a good job overall. That said, I think you leaned a bit too far into the idea of castles just being glorified bolt holes, and simultaneously made the European armies far too capable in pitched battles. Siegecraft, raiding, and controlling territory was at the absolute cornerstone of how European armies waged warfare. Even a relatively small castle, the kind you find in Germany, is going to pose problems - the Mongols can't just ignore it, because otherwise the small garrison in there is just going to use it as a base from which to ambush Mongol foraging parties, intercept Mongol messengers, and generally cause problems. At the same time, the castle is too small, and perhaps too inaccessible, for it to be worth taking by storm. I suspect the Mongol armies would have had to leave small forces investing these castles, or else take the risk of ignoring them. And there are LOTS of these castles in Germany, lots and lots. Size doesn't matter - it's the sheer numbers and density of them that would've been the issue. Don't forget, it's no coincidence that the first castles in Europe came about during the 10th century as a reaction to Magyar and Viking raids - their entire purpose is to allow a relatively small group of well-armed horsemen to control a surrounding area.
To be fair at this time the Latin Empire was tottering on the verge of collapse. In fact the reason France got hold of the Crown of Thorns in the first place was because in 1249, Louis IX bought it from Emperor Baldwin II for a exorbitant sum of money, apparently equal to two years of France's GDP at the time. Before that it was put up as collateral to the Venetians for a huge sum of gold.
@@barbiquearea precisely. They were already part-owners and the people in there knew that they relied on Venetian commerce to survive. This purchase was done with a LOT of leverage.
A ton of leverage indeed. Plus, at the time Constantinople was really strapped for cash something fierce. Wouldn't be too much longer in the grand scheme of things, before they went bankrupt. Having another power buy them and provide stability (and probably a sweet deal for the nobility) would be a good deal for them.
Batu learns a trick from the Roman Fleets in the First Punic War: when you can't win a war through naval means, force your navy bound opponents to fight a land battle on your own terms. Brilliant strategy on Batu's part. I hope the Greeks of Nicaea will get their revenge on the Venetians for having the audacity to "buy" Constantinople. Brilliant Video.
I've been keeping up with this series since the beginning, and everyone that is doing work on this series are doing a fantastic job! Seeing Venice, one of my favorite cities from the time with it's history and uniqueness, was truly a sight to behold! This series doesn't have to be the only one, I'd love to see many more alternate history series in the future, this the same writers, animators and researchers. Just to throw some ideas for future series I'd love to see: - The Byzantines won the Battle of Manzikert and continued being an Influence in Europe and the Middle East. - Fredrick Barbarossa didn't drown on his journey and arrived to the Holy Land in the 3rd Crusade. - Charles Martel lost at the Battle of Tours and the Muslim conquests continued into France and Europe.
This has certainly been one of the best alternate history series I've seen in a long time, and has been an excellent watch. Can't wait for the next episode
@@AB-fr2ei again Ditto Rome, Frances population didn’t recover till the Middle Ages when they weren’t constantly in the middle of 5 different civil wars or invasions Not defending them, just saying we shouldn’t treat them like monsters when they were a pretty standard empire, the only thing that made them special was the scale of their success
@@seanmcloughlin5983 thats not true for france, the number was lower but it wasnt as catastrophic as the areas mongols conquered Persia got hit pretty bad by the mongols, the number of their population got better with the 19th century for exemple
Love the unexpected but great twist of the Venetians using the situation to form a Second Roman Republic. Ironically it also would make sense for them to put the capital in Rome itself if the Mongol threat is ended, not just because of the symbolism and legitimacy it would provide (especially post-sack), but also because it’s effectively is a blank slate for them to rebuild upon due to the sack destroying what was originally there, which could help solve some of the architectural and city management issues Rome had at the time. A truly reborn Venetian inspired/influenced Rome is right there for the taking. On a side note the aftermath of the finale episode would probably make for a great CK3 alternative history scenario mod.
Honestly, I completely forgot about Venice and it makes sense, it was one of the European powers in the Middle Ages, not only commercial but also military. I can't wait to see how the series ends
Currently, Venice is one of the only three entities on the eastern Med with any semblance of centralized power, alongside with Serbia and Nicaea, both of which are much lower on the totem pole.
Can you make alternate history about what if Majorian was never assassin's by ricimer Thanks guys this best alternate series i hope every one be happy 👍
This series has been downright excellent! I haven’t been this absorbed by an alternate history in ages! Maybe one day we can get an alternate history where the Anglo-Saxons won the battle of Hastings!
Amazing video please create more alternate history scenarios, This is arguably the best alternate history channel right now because it tells alternate history like an actual history video! I love it!!
This is the most interesting series you ever do. I think what is interesting is the timeline we will get after with Europe divided between 2 majors decentralised powers (France and Venice). Maybe we can imagine that some free cities in France and Germany try to join the new Roman Republic, who will probably be on the long run wealthier despite having to prevent the rise of the Ottoman or anover Eastern opponent. But I think the most important part is that this different Europe will gear an invasion from the east and will probably try to conquer as much land as they can against the mongols' successors states. With maybe some centuries laters a New Roman Republic conquering China.
This really was the episode when the timeline and its possibilities started to really branch in many different directions, making my job a lot harder. Political boundaries, Religions, allegiances and entire communities will be changed forever and I can't wait to explore more of it!
This is the best series on youtube right now! I do hope the Papacy and Catholicism have a come back of some sort. I really like Venice becoming a reinvigorated Eastern Rome that turns back to its Republican roots! I hope Venice puts in some serious roots in the east and pushes to reclaim all of Eastern Rome!
Honestly even though the Papacy is very contingent on Rome and centralized, there being many more cardinals that vote means France, Iberia, and England now have the ability to elevate a cardinal to the papacy. A race to Rome will happen with someone becoming the one to put the Pope back. I’d assume that’s what would happen because whoever does gets the highest praises in Catholicism
Though I'm not really a fantasy fan (which is why I didn't pay much attention to this channel initially as opposed to K&G), this series has been excellent. It isn't over the top and there is a logical and realistic explanation/progression for every event that takes place (unlike with most other alt-history channels) and for every historical figure involved. Even as something as drastic as the "Purchase of Constantinople", which would for any other time in the city's history would have been utterly absurd, isn't so here in 1248 because of recent Nicean expansion into Thrace surrounding Constantinople causing fear and a sense of hopelessness, Baldwin II's desperation for help/protectors from the West and vast Venetian influence in the city (as well as the 1204 treaty mentioned in the video) means that it's entirely plausible that Baldwin II could have given up his rapidly disintegrating Empire's sovereignty to a fully mobilised and hegemonic Venice in exchange for wealth, protection and perhaps a spot in the country's nobility. It's this kind of creativity and attention to detail whilst respecting history that makes the series for me. This is how alternate history should be portrayed and this can easily be used as a template for future scenarios. I watched all 5 episodes in full in 1 sitting and will be anticipating the next one. A sub is well and truly deserved.
I love this channel so much! You guys cover so many of my favorite universes, and these alternate histories are super cool. The presentation being less speculative and more like how it would be if it was actual history really sets your scenarios apart from the average.
Another alternative timeline that I think would be interesting is that if China and Rome had a much bigger conflict. During this time the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were the 2 strongest empires in the world and were aware of each other. China wanted to communicate more with Rome, while the latter kinda despised them. Also during Wudi's period, there were a lot of famous generals like Huo Qubing.
I proposed this too in the comments of an earlier video of this series. I think it would be awesome to see these two ancient superpowers clash! The only way I can see this scenario happening in an interesting way would be if there was a conflict in Persia or someplace in-between since the two empires are so far apart. Because if it was a fictional invasion scenario, whoever was invading would almost certainly be the loser due to the crazy logistics required of a non-nomad empire doing war essentially on the other side of the world far away from its respective homeland.
@@daydreemurr8227 Which is why there would have to be some FICTIONAL or ALTERNATIVE HISTORY handwaving to make the conflict happen! Lol. This is a fantasy TH-cam channel after all. Maybe there is some imaginary conflict in Parthia that draws the interest of the Romans and Han such they have to face each other in one big battle, giving the channel an excuse to compare the armies, tech, strategies, institutions of the two empires at the time? (Are you the same person who mentioned this critique on my comment like 4 videos ago? I remember a "Parthian wall" comment hahaha. If so, I love the pushback and consistency! 🙂). These videos are largely using historical speculation and fantasy as an imagined context to do an exercise of thoughtful history anyways. There are comparative history books and essays written comparing Rome and Han China across various dimensions, so this request is basically we want that but in a fun engaging fantastical form!!! Hahaha
Rome and China are just too far from each other. It would take an expansion leading both empires to meet in India for such a conflict to be possible, and even then, the distances involved make war just too inconvenient since getting to each other by land would take *forever.*
This episode was such an amazing experience to watch. Really looking forward how this story concludes. The sudden Venice turnaround was something to behold. Anything can still happen. By this point of the series, I actually feel certain enough to make predictions of how the war would end and what would happen afterwards. Notably, and also somewhat ironically, the Mongols and their Turkic heirs, the Tatars, becoming a slightly more present force in Europe than in IRL history, but largely limited to the periphery, similar to IRL history. The bigger consequence would be Teupolianism siphoning away followers from Catholicism and Orthodoxy, becoming bitter rivals with both. This new religious divide, alongside the political issues between their major supporters, will probably lead to conflict and new proto-cold-wars, particularly between the new preeminent powers of Europe, France and Venice. Also, I wanted to ask, where would the new alt-hist cities of Markgrafenburg, Tumach, Kolner Neustadt, Zurmenger and Yeshua be located on the map? If there's a canonical location for them in universe, I'd like a map link of some sort.
As someone from a traditionaly Isabelan country, in fact the one that gave birth to that branch of Christianity, it's difficult for me to imagine how it would be for Catholicism to still be the main religion in Europe. Or even the world. The religious 50 Years War that devastated all of France would probably have never happened. And when the Portuguese found America, I imagine that more pious form of Christianity would had been easier on the natives.
Mt dad says the Reformation would happen much sooner in the next couple of decades, which is good because then the pope qhom is dead in this fictional idea cannot control the Christian church anymore.
@@Apollo1989V I honestly see another split between eastern and Western Europe. France and the Iberians, maybe the English following Catholicism, with those in league with Venice joining this new branch. It will definitely be hostile. Because albeit the papacy won’t be as we know it it would still continue just in a new area, and if France or the Iberians can free rome I don’t doubt they would rebuild the papacy there.
@@101magj the Papacy’s legitimacy would be under threat after this alternative history story. I would probably see a permanent western schism in this timeline. Proto Protestant faiths probably would gain more traction that Luther might not have nailed his 95 thesis to the cathedral door.
This is top tier content! Really awesome narrative and creativity for the creation of this scenario. I hope you can continue with different series like this.
Outstanding work, guys, as usual!!! I can't wait to see how this story ends. Below, some ideas for future series: 1. What if Napoléon Bonaparte had won the Battle of Waterloo? 2. What if the Ottomans had won at Lepanto in 1571? 3. What if the Mongol expeditions of the 13th century had successfully conquered Japan? 4. What if Tamerlane, instead of planning to invade China in 1405, had instead conquered the Ottoman Empire and entered Europe? Cheers
I can't believe the next episode of this series will be the final one. It feels like there's still so much to cover regarding how Europe could finally defeat the Mongols once and for all - or how the Mongols could at long last destroy the most powerful enemies they've ever faced.
And Henry V had managed to live a little longer. He could have probably dealt with the Orleans faction and not let a teenage peasant girl stir up so much unrest against the English.
Council of Forty: Welp, this is definitely the darkest timeline. What can we do? Doge Zeno: SPQR Council of Forty: SPQR? Doge Zeno: SPQR Council of Forty: .....you know, that just might work. (Also, wouldn't it have been Doge Zeno who gave the big speech and not his predecessor?)
Who is writing this?! The level of talent on display is humbling. The plot points are so convincing. I'd say you should have a crack at what if Napoleon won the battle of leipzig.
Wait! The next episode will be this series' final episode?! If that is the case, what about the politics of Europe, the Middle East and East Asia in the aftermath of the Mongols invasion of Europe? Will the legitimate sons of King James of Aragon fought against each other for the throne while their brothers by their father's mistresses seek helps from Castile and Granada to gain the throne? The point is that this Aragonese Civil War with multiple factions led by many of the King's sons will have a profound effect on the Iberian peninsula and the entire effort of the Reconquista as a whole. And with the Bulgarian Empire and the Serbs converted to this new form of Christianity that is known as Teupolianism of the Republic of Venice that just basically reorganized itself into the Second Roman Republic by annexing Constantionple, will the Patriarch of Venice be the new head of this new branch of Christianity? Also, I suspected that the Empire of Nicaea will not take the annexation of Constantinople kindly and might be plotting to recapture the city later on once the Mongol threat has been dealt with. I believed that once the Mongols have been dealt with, the Venice-based Second Roman Republic and the Empire of Nicaea will go to war with one another with one another in what is remembered in history as Venetian-Niceaen War, also known as War for Crete and Constantinple because these two are the main contested grounds. As for how the outcome will turned out, I do not know. But what I know is that if the Emperor wanted to defeat the Doge, he needed to disrupt trade between Venice and Egypt. So the Emperor might take a risky move by either allying with the Crusaders of the Outremer or hiring some pirates to do such dirty works because the Emperor might needed the entirety of the Imperial Navy to patrol and even blockade the Aegean Sea to prevent the Venetian warships and supply ships from reaching Constantinople. If he played all of these cards right, the Emperor might have a chance to recapture Constantinople and restore it as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. But even if Venice lost Constantinople, Crete and some lands in the east, the Republic gained control of the entire Italian peninsula, including the city of Rome, will definitely make the Republic of Venice to be confident enough make the declaration of the Second Roman Republic a formal one. With the recapture of Rome and Constantinople, the new age of the Romans will be born. It is the age where both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire coexisted at the same time. With the Iberian peninsula largely in political turmoil save for Portugal because of the Aragonese Civil War, the rebirth of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire roughly at the same time, France is in a possible succession crisis that might led to a civil war and even wars with some English nobles with claims to the French throne, Europe is basically and truly in religious chaos and political anarchy in the aftermath of the Mongols invasion. I have no idea how will Hungary turned out because I needed to watch the next episode first in order to see what I can predict. As for the Mongols, I have no idea who will emerged victorious between Kublai Khan and Ariq Boke because Kadan was the one who killed Alandar, the Mongol general dispatched by Ariq Boke to secure vital Central Asian trade routes for him. So with Kadan's death and Alandar remained alive, the trade routes might remained firmly in hands of Ariq Boke. And as a result, the civil war might flipped in Ariq Boke's favor instead. Not to mention that Alghu Khan, grandson of Chagatai Khan, is his ally as well. And in our timeline, he was the only ally Ariq Boke has left after Kublai Khan won many victories over him. This means that Ariq Boke has the very strong support the Ulus of Chagatai on his side and with the vital trade routes between his faction and the Ulus of Chagatai are completely secured because Alandar is still alive, Kublai Khan and his troops shall have a major trouble awaited them in the civil war. In the western part of the Islamic world, the Marinid Sultanate might seek an opportunity to exploit in the Aragonese Civil War while the Mamluk Sultanate of Masr and Bilad al-Sham still keep resisting the raids and attacks by the Mongols and the Crusaders like in our timeline. As for Hafsid Caliphate of Ifriqiya, I have no idea what is going on in there because the time when the Mongols invaded Europe also coincided with the temporary decline of the Hafsid Caliphate as well. But who knows, it might ended up becoming the Empire's most unlikely ally in the future because the rulers of the Hafsid Caliphate are, well, Caliphs. So if the Empire won, Egypt and Syria might be the next target for the Eastern Roman Empire and the capture of the Abbasid Caliph and his family and forcing him into formally giving the title of Caliph to the Hafsid Caliph by the Hafsids themselves might become a thing in the future when the prosperity of the Hafsid Caliphate was revived and when both the Empire and the Caliphate developed good enough relations with one another.
Honestly I really want to see someone make a alternate history mod for Crusader Kings III that deals with the aftermath of the next/finale episode. Great opportunity to basically let fans continue whereever this series leaves off.
an alternate series suggestion would be what if Alexander lived a Long lengthy life? his campaigns in arabia, his journey back to Greece and then subduing the tribes of the balkans, carthage and Italy
Venice amusingly just decides to "buy" an empire, then expand it by rapidly intimidating/bribing everyone into their modern version of the Delian league. Legit probably the coolest part of this series. Also I just have to say, as far as Alt-History scenarios go, this one is by far the most interesting. It doesn't feature ideas that are just flatly impossible (nazis invading america) but also is very imaginative and actually takes into account the characters who would've been involved in everything and gives a reasonable approximation of how they would react.
In a prior episode, when you mentioned the fall of Constantinople, I actually took it to mean the Mongols sacking the city like they did to Rome. I could have never guessed that the Fourth Crusade still happened in this timeline with the Byzantine Empire still getting overthrown by the Crusaders.
This would be cool but I think at some point they would need to wrap things up. The butterfly effect means such changes would only grow exponentially over time, and past a certain point the timeline would be so different from ours any comparison is rendered pointless.
Great work, I appreciate the Serenissima's role this time and also that you are (apparently) not going for a happy ending. Please, release a Mod for EUIV and you will make a LOT of people very happy (a bit Templin Institute stile with the GTU and Antares). Thank you for your work and passion!
A happy ending for who? If the Mongols lose, it won't be a happy ending for them. To be fair, I am desperately huffing that hopium. I know the Europeans can still fuck this up.
From the game EU4 I can not stand Venice so this episode is hard to swallow lmao However I did find myself rooting for them. At the beginning of this series I was rooting for the Mongols. You guys are outstanding storytellers.
The best outcome possible would be for Venice and the Mongols to gut each other. Two of history's greatest villains smashing each other into paste would be poetically fitting. Assuming that the Niceans view Constantinople as out of reach for the near future, they might correct what is commonly seen as an eventually fatal error in neglecting Asia Minor in favor of Thrace. If they could take advantage of the Mongol victories over the Turks and regain control over the entire region, pushing to the natural barriers that served the empire so well during the Romano-Arab Wars, it might make their eventual move to retake Constantinople that much more effective and prevent the neglect that doomed the empire's Asiatic holdings and ultimately allowed the Ottomans to become a superpower.
The "thing" about Europe that gets characterized unironically by its history both in physical maneuvering of resources, people, and its use of symbolic victories, is that you can come in and enter with pretty good ease... but good luck trying to get out!😃
So you took part of my advice, and used the Venetian fleet to block the Mongols, although it was just for one battle along a river. It would've been better to take the passes in the Alps and block them in Italy, but hey at least this way we get one more episode out of this series. Nice series, BTW.
Nah. It's weird how this series turned from pretty pro Mongol to super pro European. The Mongols had pride, sure. And yes that caused them to make mistakes. But their pride wasn't so great that they went looking for fights for no reason. Time and again, you've shown the Mongols to basically be an Orcish horde just barreling at the enemy "after trying a view feigned retreats that failed". One of the Mongols greatest strengths was that they didn't fight risky battles or put themselves in a position that would lead to a risky battle.
Pretty much what I've been saying in the last episode. The Orda defeat in episode 1 was a given, but repeatedly falling into traps, making questionable decisions and straight up losing every major field battle due to so and so just happening to work out for the European side is getting ridiculous. Subutai taking that all or nothing gamble was completely out of character and not what they would've done in reality. The K&G podcast with Jackmeister even corroborated saying that Subutai was not gonna needlessly waste men or take unnecessary risks, he would've gone all the way, even if it took a long time. Then again, these writers don't want to drag out the series for too long so yeah.... "Euros for the win!" I wasn't expecting the Mongols to easily roflstomp their way through Europe, but the way things have gone here, yeah.......
Oh could you guys almost make this series like what if ogedei khan didn't die and the mongols invaded Europe but also what they didn't collapse and we see there effects around the rest of the world and threw the world's history with other stuff like what if they also conquered Japan and found the Americas as well in this series
Absolutely wonderful episode! Hail to Venice and their spectacular victory! May their new plans succeed. A new branch of Christianity and the revival of the Roman Republic would be a fascinating shift in society. I can see the world has already changed. I also noticed England showing itself. Is it time for the English Lion to release its roar? I am excited to see what happens next! A Mongolian charge being struck down by the English longbows would be a sight to see!
*" Yo george Great video as always, loving your work"* 👍👍 Gonna react to this video and edit this comment *Reaction* What a great penultimate end to this series Although the mongols didn't make it to the Atlantic coasts in the west The severe destruction they wrought and the last stand the Christians made reminds me of the Battle of Ain jalut where the muslims put everything on the land to hold back the Mongol tide Amazing storyline It was word for word one of the best alternate histories I've seen in a while Even the new sectarian divisions hadn't gone unnoticed The end of the papacy will definitely change the identity of Europe forever The coming religious wars are going to be far worse than the Protestant reformation and might last longer As for demographic and economic changes It's going to be very interesting seeing how eurpoean economy evolved from here As the Mongol invasions will make the west far more economically reliant on the east. I wonder how religion and culture will change With byzantium gone for good (Atleast for a while) Will the slow turkish push east have less competition ??? Will further Mongol push into europe leave a long-term subjugation of the Rus???? Will this change where timurs conquest lead?? How will the mongols in the east react to this loss, will they send more reinforcements ??? So many questions, this is a sign of a good and properly thought out story 👍👍👍👍 Can't wait for any future projects
I highly doubt that the Papacy would cease to exist entirely or that a new form of Christianity would emerge, even if the Mongols sacked Rome. Other than that this is a pretty believable scenario.
Yes and no, I can't give too much away without spoilers, however the true answer would be = reshaped fundamentally. One thing is for sure it would never again have the power it did in our timeline. You bring up good arguments, but the problem with them is that in this timeline every other place possible is weaker and it would suit the leader there for the clergy to have less power. Think about it, when you are struggling against rebellions, opportunists, Mongol invasions, pestilence, severe levels of hunger and trade collapse do you really want to give tax exemptions or even pay your clergy that now has a reduced function
One of the most captivating stories i have watched in ages, keep up the good work, if you have the time and interest to make, an alternative history take on world after the battle of Yarmouk, only this time, the Byzantines won! :)
I will be honest: of all the possible outcomes, Venice, the one that sold intel of Europe before 1241's Mongol invasion on Eastern Europe, would be the last candidate to attempt replace the vacuum left by utter destruction of Papal States. But with Genoa being landbase city, Frederick II of Sicily and Germany being a Mongol ally now, and Venice being a seafaring power, it seems the Levant and Nicea would pay their existance by a near future for the Venetian-Roman Republic ... or would be Adriatic-Roman Republic? But in the end, personal interests and regional agencies always taken over. I would bet France going in a civil war, with Englishmen and Amadeus IV of Savoy's eager to watch it enroll on the backseat before pouncing. Heck, I recall one of Count of Savoy's brothers was invited to England, the Little Charlemagne if I recall my history. I wonder if Poitiers and Toulouse would still end up become part of France's royal domains by current infant Saint Louis' heir. As well the what ifs, since I also recall that Sweden and Scotland would soon get infant King's regencies in around 1250's, and Bela IV being rescuing by a quasi "Ottoman assassination plot to Vlad III" type plot by the scheming descentants of 8 centuries long roman refugees, Serbia would started economical boost with their mining explorations, and Bela IV's heir becoming too "Mongol" (rather Cuman), ... I wonder who would become Bela IV's new "baby mother".
@@georgekolev6247 Oh, I am curious now: with both Bulgaria and Epirus literally brought by the Venetians, would this make Nicea seek out vassalage to the Mongols in exchange [like Cicilia Armenia did with Ilkhanate and get especial privileges], in order using their very existencial threat as the same diplomatic vein that Alexios Komnenos used with the crusaders, as well like did canon Danylo Romanovych did to enforce a marriage between a Belá's daughter and Danylo's heir? It would be tragic that Venice-Hungary faction get a Tactical Victory against Batu but for exchange of Strategic Defeat in the Balkans war theater. Heck, Theodore II Laskaris was already wed and having daughters with Maria of Bulgaria, and the Papacy would more akin a spiritually vindication by the Orthodox folks, John III Vatatzes might make a counter-coalition against the Venetian radical branch of Christianity. And Sultanate of Rum was already a vassal to the Mongols and sent their share of menpower at the start of this AU Europe's campaign.
I was writing what If's if the mongols innovated Hot air balloons. Rome became industrialized with the help of train networks and conquered the entire world. I know it wouldn't be possible, but I just can't help having to play with my imagination. A big fan of this channel.
3:14 "and King Henry VIII" Gonna have to tap the breaks for you there, W&W. Love you lots, but Henry VIII wasn't born until 1491! Henry III however had been crowned in 1216 at just 9 years old, and in our timeline lived to rule until 1272, a remarkable 56 years! A minor nitpick, but I feel obligated to point it out since you've put so much effort and detail into this piece, and since I'm currently studying English history this particularly stuck out. Looks like it was a typo.
Some suggestions of what if out there, like: What if Frederick I of Germany didnt die drowing while going to the crusade? What if Harald Hardrada was the one who conquered England? What if Henry V of England didnt die so soon? What if the kingdom of Aragon won the Battle of Muret and secured its claim as overlords of Tolouse? What if the muslims didnt actually cross to Iberia? What if the muslims didnt completely obliterated the Persian Empire and something remained? Maybe the persian managed to stop them in the Zagros. What if Alfonso "El Batallador" defeated his wife Urraca of Leon and unified Castille-Leon and Aragon way sooner? What if the mongols actually managed to conquer Japan?
It would be great to make an alternate series where Constantinople wasn't sack in 1204...or better where the romans did not lose the battle of Manzikert...
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Meh
You should do an alternate what if England won the hundred years war.
Maybe Henry the 5th had lived to secure the French Crown.
I need Warhammer where is Warhammer?!
Got a new idea for ya in the "What if" series.....What if Julius Caesar was never assassinated?
Is there any chance for a 5 part Alternate History.
What if Julius Nepos Reconqured the Italian Pennisula.
What if Charlemagne married Irene.
What if Reconquista continued.
What if Medici United Italy in the 1400's.
What if the ottomans were partioned into a new Byzantium was restored after WW1.
The Venetians founding a new Christianity and succeeding is actually probably the most unbelievable aspect of this entire series.
I kinda like it, because like someone has to come out of this war a winner and the side at his peak and the Mongols cant touch make sense. Plus without a central form of Christianity there is no reason for Venice (whos power is in the East) to go by Western religion doctrine
@@TheDragonEevee Saying there's no remaining centre of Christianity because Rome got sacked and the Pope killed is a bit ridiculous. Especially in the wake of a literal War-Hero Saint-King in the form of St. Louis bolstering the idea of Catholicism even int he wake of the death of the Pope. Venice going heretical is insane, more likely what they'd do is set up an antipope and make them a puppet in Rome while going on their Imperial campaign, capitalising on existing institution and the secular and religious power vacuums but that's a bit less appealing to the authors so I guess we have go maximum larp with a new decentralized Christianity.
@@TheDragonEevee The Patriarch of Venice could have been elevated to be the new Pope of Catholicism
Why not though? Venice has all the commercial leverage over the Eastern Mediterranean, the Papacy is gone, and the Orthodox Church had already been subsumed into the Latin Church by the Latin Empire. If this were to happen at any time, now would be it. It's wild and uncharted territory for sure, but definitely possible.
@@MrGksarathy Because it is insanity and would result in a literal unending continuing 30 years war situation across the entire mediteranean by both Orthodox and Catholics fighting against the new heresy being imposed by the rulers of this new empire. Imagine all the nonsense that happened in Germany with the protestant reformation magnified a 100 fold across basically the entirety of south and central europe with the bulwark of Catholicism in the west, especially France and Spain taking advantage of it. The death of the Pope and the subsummation of the Orthodox Church into the Latin empire (a HILARIOUS underestimation of how remarkably stubborn the Orthodox are as a denomination) would not prevent this indeed it would magnify it, the Venetian Doge would if anything, be seen as an AntiChrist by both Catholics and Orthodox for so radically trying to subplant both Churches with his own dogma and trying to replace both institutions. Venice would be sowing its own downfall both internally and externally with literally everybody in europe, in the wake of the Mongols, finding a legitimate Casus belli to steal lands from them and support their own pretenders to the Chair of Peter and the Ecumenical Patriarchate respectively. Its an immensely stupid political and tactical error on the part of the venetians. The smart play would have been to A) Elevate the Catholic Patriarch of Venice to the position of Pope to take advantage of the vacuum of Power int he Catholic Church and to solidify influence and control over Italy, people could accuse them of supporting an Antipapacy but not heresy, an easier gordian knot to deal with overall, and they get a Puppet Pope controlling the Papal States to back their dreams of re-establishing the Roman Empire. Then B) when they subsume the Latin Empire (another wish fulfillment fantasy if ever there was one, even if there was a basis IRL) they could immediately grant clemency to the Orthodox Church rather than crush it and immediately get a more complacent Ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople to re-centre the Orthodox side of the divide in the venetian Doge's favour. A difficult political dance but one the Venetians would have been able to handle. Bam. The Venetian Doge successfully has the heads of the two main divides of the Great Schism under his control and influence and supporting his bid to re-establish the Roman Empire and to heighten his claim to legitimacy and dominance of the Mediterranean. He'd look like a Hero, a master diplomat, skilled statesman and possible Saint by the end of it depending on how he went about attempting to reconcile the two Churches rather than make the situation for Christianity so much worse with his own pet heresy. It'd be an extremely difficult thing to attempt but given the scenario presented in the series, its a golden opportunity the Venetians could have used to literally surpass the legacy of Augustus Aurelian.
I've been looking forward to this release and answering all of your wonderful comments! I can't tell you how much your support means to me. I've fallen in love with this universe, alternative history writing and animating, but it is your appreciation to the details and hard work I put into it that make this a highlight of my life.
Thank you to everyone who reached out to me either here on personally in our discord!
Bruh this has been amazing, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to say good bye to this timeline yet.
After the last episode, what next? I heard that you would like to do a what if on the 4th crusade(what if it reached egypt instead of Byzantium) so is that going to be next?
This alternate history has been fun and I would love to see what will happen to Europe after all this, how will the holy roman empire stay after their most treacherous act with the mongols? How will Europe look upon them after all this has finished? What kind of new branch of christianity is this and is this a potential mix of Orthodox and Catholicism? If the last episode will end with a climactic show down between bela IV and batu, then what's going to happen with the rest of the crusaders and the mongol forces scattered across Northern Germany(especially Berke)?
I would go on but in summary, I would like to see what will happen to this version of Europe after such devastation.
I hope we get the answers to at least a few of these questions; this has been a great series and thank you to all who were involved. Hope to see you again in the future Georgie!
@@hiraynfonseka9472 A lot of work has to be put into that before I can tell you for sure, but even if it was I wouldn't want to spoil it. The only thing that I can promise is that I will continue to explore amazing scenarios such as this one, that allow us to understand history from a different PO
I think you've done a good job overall.
That said, I think you leaned a bit too far into the idea of castles just being glorified bolt holes, and simultaneously made the European armies far too capable in pitched battles. Siegecraft, raiding, and controlling territory was at the absolute cornerstone of how European armies waged warfare.
Even a relatively small castle, the kind you find in Germany, is going to pose problems - the Mongols can't just ignore it, because otherwise the small garrison in there is just going to use it as a base from which to ambush Mongol foraging parties, intercept Mongol messengers, and generally cause problems. At the same time, the castle is too small, and perhaps too inaccessible, for it to be worth taking by storm. I suspect the Mongol armies would have had to leave small forces investing these castles, or else take the risk of ignoring them. And there are LOTS of these castles in Germany, lots and lots. Size doesn't matter - it's the sheer numbers and density of them that would've been the issue.
Don't forget, it's no coincidence that the first castles in Europe came about during the 10th century as a reaction to Magyar and Viking raids - their entire purpose is to allow a relatively small group of well-armed horsemen to control a surrounding area.
Thank you for the excellent work!
It's awsome. Please make the Mongols win.
Anyone else blown away by the fact that the Venetians could just *buy* Constantinople?? That is *money* ! 🤯
I was staggered when I heard that
To be fair at this time the Latin Empire was tottering on the verge of collapse. In fact the reason France got hold of the Crown of Thorns in the first place was because in 1249, Louis IX bought it from Emperor Baldwin II for a exorbitant sum of money, apparently equal to two years of France's GDP at the time. Before that it was put up as collateral to the Venetians for a huge sum of gold.
@@barbiquearea precisely. They were already part-owners and the people in there knew that they relied on Venetian commerce to survive. This purchase was done with a LOT of leverage.
A ton of leverage indeed. Plus, at the time Constantinople was really strapped for cash something fierce. Wouldn't be too much longer in the grand scheme of things, before they went bankrupt.
Having another power buy them and provide stability (and probably a sweet deal for the nobility) would be a good deal for them.
@@georgekolev6247 Genius purchase, at that. There's no way the Mongols could take Constantinople without a navy, and *A LOT* of artillery.
Batu learns a trick from the Roman Fleets in the First Punic War: when you can't win a war through naval means, force your navy bound opponents to fight a land battle on your own terms. Brilliant strategy on Batu's part. I hope the Greeks of Nicaea will get their revenge on the Venetians for having the audacity to "buy" Constantinople.
Brilliant Video.
Thank you very much! I love your attention to detail
I've been keeping up with this series since the beginning, and everyone that is doing work on this series are doing a fantastic job! Seeing Venice, one of my favorite cities from the time with it's history and uniqueness, was truly a sight to behold!
This series doesn't have to be the only one, I'd love to see many more alternate history series in the future, this the same writers, animators and researchers. Just to throw some ideas for future series I'd love to see:
- The Byzantines won the Battle of Manzikert and continued being an Influence in Europe and the Middle East.
- Fredrick Barbarossa didn't drown on his journey and arrived to the Holy Land in the 3rd Crusade.
- Charles Martel lost at the Battle of Tours and the Muslim conquests continued into France and Europe.
Great choices!
What a wonderful comment and suggestions. Thank you!
This has certainly been one of the best alternate history series I've seen in a long time, and has been an excellent watch. Can't wait for the next episode
Thank you for stopping by to comment!
Love this series. Mongols standing shoulder to shoulder with Orcs, Daemons, Dragons and Sith.
That’s a bit unfair
The Mongols weren’t evil or even monsters, they were conquerors like a dozen others
No one considers Romans orcs or Daemons
@@seanmcloughlin5983 go tell that to the area they destroyed
Some places havent recovered till the 19th century
@@AB-fr2ei again
Ditto Rome,
Frances population didn’t recover till the Middle Ages when they weren’t constantly in the middle of 5 different civil wars or invasions
Not defending them, just saying we shouldn’t treat them like monsters when they were a pretty standard empire, the only thing that made them special was the scale of their success
@@seanmcloughlin5983 thats not true for france, the number was lower but it wasnt as catastrophic as the areas mongols conquered
Persia got hit pretty bad by the mongols, the number of their population got better with the 19th century for exemple
Britain, France and Spain conquered similar amounts of land and destruction if not worse. But I am okay with calling all of them orcs and demons
Love the unexpected but great twist of the Venetians using the situation to form a Second Roman Republic.
Ironically it also would make sense for them to put the capital in Rome itself if the Mongol threat is ended, not just because of the symbolism and legitimacy it would provide (especially post-sack), but also because it’s effectively is a blank slate for them to rebuild upon due to the sack destroying what was originally there, which could help solve some of the architectural and city management issues Rome had at the time. A truly reborn Venetian inspired/influenced Rome is right there for the taking.
On a side note the aftermath of the finale episode would probably make for a great CK3 alternative history scenario mod.
I'm already speaking to the modding community and trying to make that happen!
Honestly, I completely forgot about Venice and it makes sense, it was one of the European powers in the Middle Ages, not only commercial but also military.
I can't wait to see how the series ends
Currently, Venice is one of the only three entities on the eastern Med with any semblance of centralized power, alongside with Serbia and Nicaea, both of which are much lower on the totem pole.
Can you make alternate history about what if Majorian was never assassin's by ricimer Thanks guys this best alternate series i hope every one be happy 👍
That would be interesting. If theres any real LAST chance for the Western Roman Empire its Majorian.
I remember the fury I felt after that Dovahatty episode.
I will def explore that possibility and thank you!
That would make me so happy fr
Up
This series has been downright excellent! I haven’t been this absorbed by an alternate history in ages! Maybe one day we can get an alternate history where the Anglo-Saxons won the battle of Hastings!
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Amazing video please create more alternate history scenarios, This is arguably the best alternate history channel right now because it tells alternate history like an actual history video! I love it!!
This is the most interesting series you ever do.
I think what is interesting is the timeline we will get after with Europe divided between 2 majors decentralised powers (France and Venice). Maybe we can imagine that some free cities in France and Germany try to join the new Roman Republic, who will probably be on the long run wealthier despite having to prevent the rise of the Ottoman or anover Eastern opponent.
But I think the most important part is that this different Europe will gear an invasion from the east and will probably try to conquer as much land as they can against the mongols' successors states. With maybe some centuries laters a New Roman Republic conquering China.
This really was the episode when the timeline and its possibilities started to really branch in many different directions, making my job a lot harder. Political boundaries, Religions, allegiances and entire communities will be changed forever and I can't wait to explore more of it!
This is the best series on youtube right now! I do hope the Papacy and Catholicism have a come back of some sort. I really like Venice becoming a reinvigorated Eastern Rome that turns back to its Republican roots! I hope Venice puts in some serious roots in the east and pushes to reclaim all of Eastern Rome!
Honestly even though the Papacy is very contingent on Rome and centralized, there being many more cardinals that vote means France, Iberia, and England now have the ability to elevate a cardinal to the papacy. A race to Rome will happen with someone becoming the one to put the Pope back. I’d assume that’s what would happen because whoever does gets the highest praises in Catholicism
Thank you for the high praise my friend!
Though I'm not really a fantasy fan (which is why I didn't pay much attention to this channel initially as opposed to K&G), this series has been excellent. It isn't over the top and there is a logical and realistic explanation/progression for every event that takes place (unlike with most other alt-history channels) and for every historical figure involved.
Even as something as drastic as the "Purchase of Constantinople", which would for any other time in the city's history would have been utterly absurd, isn't so here in 1248 because of recent Nicean expansion into Thrace surrounding Constantinople causing fear and a sense of hopelessness, Baldwin II's desperation for help/protectors from the West and vast Venetian influence in the city (as well as the 1204 treaty mentioned in the video) means that it's entirely plausible that Baldwin II could have given up his rapidly disintegrating Empire's sovereignty to a fully mobilised and hegemonic Venice in exchange for wealth, protection and perhaps a spot in the country's nobility. It's this kind of creativity and attention to detail whilst respecting history that makes the series for me.
This is how alternate history should be portrayed and this can easily be used as a template for future scenarios. I watched all 5 episodes in full in 1 sitting and will be anticipating the next one. A sub is well and truly deserved.
Damn someone should do something about this Batu guy.
Ah, hello there. Enjoyed your Channel
I love this channel so much! You guys cover so many of my favorite universes, and these alternate histories are super cool. The presentation being less speculative and more like how it would be if it was actual history really sets your scenarios apart from the average.
Thank you so much for your support!
Another alternative timeline that I think would be interesting is that if China and Rome had a much bigger conflict. During this time the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were the 2 strongest empires in the world and were aware of each other. China wanted to communicate more with Rome, while the latter kinda despised them. Also during Wudi's period, there were a lot of famous generals like Huo Qubing.
I proposed this too in the comments of an earlier video of this series. I think it would be awesome to see these two ancient superpowers clash! The only way I can see this scenario happening in an interesting way would be if there was a conflict in Persia or someplace in-between since the two empires are so far apart. Because if it was a fictional invasion scenario, whoever was invading would almost certainly be the loser due to the crazy logistics required of a non-nomad empire doing war essentially on the other side of the world far away from its respective homeland.
You forget there’s a large Parthian/Persian shaped wall between the two.
@@daydreemurr8227 Which is why there would have to be some FICTIONAL or ALTERNATIVE HISTORY handwaving to make the conflict happen! Lol. This is a fantasy TH-cam channel after all. Maybe there is some imaginary conflict in Parthia that draws the interest of the Romans and Han such they have to face each other in one big battle, giving the channel an excuse to compare the armies, tech, strategies, institutions of the two empires at the time? (Are you the same person who mentioned this critique on my comment like 4 videos ago? I remember a "Parthian wall" comment hahaha. If so, I love the pushback and consistency! 🙂).
These videos are largely using historical speculation and fantasy as an imagined context to do an exercise of thoughtful history anyways. There are comparative history books and essays written comparing Rome and Han China across various dimensions, so this request is basically we want that but in a fun engaging fantastical form!!! Hahaha
Rome and China are just too far from each other. It would take an expansion leading both empires to meet in India for such a conflict to be possible, and even then, the distances involved make war just too inconvenient since getting to each other by land would take *forever.*
@@daydreemurr8227and multiple eastern iranian and turkic states
What a great episode! This series is awesome. Go Khan Sid, awesome writer and gamecreator :)
Thank you so much my friend!
This episode was such an amazing experience to watch. Really looking forward how this story concludes. The sudden Venice turnaround was something to behold. Anything can still happen.
By this point of the series, I actually feel certain enough to make predictions of how the war would end and what would happen afterwards. Notably, and also somewhat ironically, the Mongols and their Turkic heirs, the Tatars, becoming a slightly more present force in Europe than in IRL history, but largely limited to the periphery, similar to IRL history. The bigger consequence would be Teupolianism siphoning away followers from Catholicism and Orthodoxy, becoming bitter rivals with both. This new religious divide, alongside the political issues between their major supporters, will probably lead to conflict and new proto-cold-wars, particularly between the new preeminent powers of Europe, France and Venice.
Also, I wanted to ask, where would the new alt-hist cities of Markgrafenburg, Tumach, Kolner Neustadt, Zurmenger and Yeshua be located on the map? If there's a canonical location for them in universe, I'd like a map link of some sort.
Loving this Alt History - Nicely done
Thank you so much my friend!
As someone from a traditionaly Isabelan country, in fact the one that gave birth to that branch of Christianity, it's difficult for me to imagine how it would be for Catholicism to still be the main religion in Europe. Or even the world.
The religious 50 Years War that devastated all of France would probably have never happened. And when the Portuguese found America, I imagine that more pious form of Christianity would had been easier on the natives.
Mt dad says the Reformation would happen much sooner in the next couple of decades, which is good because then the pope qhom is dead in this fictional idea cannot control the Christian church anymore.
... Catholicism is still the main religion in Europe.
@@simonbourdin2952 in alternate history, it may not.
@@Apollo1989V I honestly see another split between eastern and Western Europe. France and the Iberians, maybe the English following Catholicism, with those in league with Venice joining this new branch. It will definitely be hostile. Because albeit the papacy won’t be as we know it it would still continue just in a new area, and if France or the Iberians can free rome I don’t doubt they would rebuild the papacy there.
@@101magj the Papacy’s legitimacy would be under threat after this alternative history story. I would probably see a permanent western schism in this timeline. Proto Protestant faiths probably would gain more traction that Luther might not have nailed his 95 thesis to the cathedral door.
It would be cool to see an attempt of invasion of the british islands, in parallel of the attempt mongol invasion of Japan
LET'S GO VENETIANS FOR THE WIN. The doge is very happy for this. I'm hyped for thee last episode of this alternate scenario.
Thank you man!
Was this win because of what the huns did to Aquileia?!? That was hundreds of years ago! And a different steppe ppl...
@@leonardoaguilar7343Well, the Huns are believed to be the ancestors to the Mongols soooooooo....
As much as I don't want the Mongols to win, the Venetians just "buying" Constantinople makes me die a little inside.
Based Venitian Gameplay. Straight up Bought their way into being the Third Rome.
Typical Venetians :D
This is top tier content! Really awesome narrative and creativity for the creation of this scenario. I hope you can continue with different series like this.
Thank you so much!
loved the vibes of this vid, you inspired me to make animated, small history videos
thank you!
We wish you the best of luck!
These alternate history stories are amazing. Please continue.
This series has been great. Some of the best alternate history on youtube.
Outstanding work, guys, as usual!!! I can't wait to see how this story ends. Below, some ideas for future series:
1. What if Napoléon Bonaparte had won the Battle of Waterloo?
2. What if the Ottomans had won at Lepanto in 1571?
3. What if the Mongol expeditions of the 13th century had successfully conquered Japan?
4. What if Tamerlane, instead of planning to invade China in 1405, had instead conquered the Ottoman Empire and entered Europe?
Cheers
All great ideas that I will consider. Thank you!
Someone should make this series into a novel and comics or maybe series or movies
Maybe one day!
I can't believe the next episode of this series will be the final one. It feels like there's still so much to cover regarding how Europe could finally defeat the Mongols once and for all - or how the Mongols could at long last destroy the most powerful enemies they've ever faced.
You should do an alternate what if England won the hundred years war.
Maybe Henry the 5th had lived to secure the French Crown.
And Henry V had managed to live a little longer. He could have probably dealt with the Orleans faction and not let a teenage peasant girl stir up so much unrest against the English.
Next episode is the final one already? I'm not sure if I'm ready to say goodbye to this timeline yet...
For Season 1 at least :D
Amazing videos, thank you very much for them!
Council of Forty: Welp, this is definitely the darkest timeline. What can we do?
Doge Zeno: SPQR
Council of Forty: SPQR?
Doge Zeno: SPQR
Council of Forty: .....you know, that just might work.
(Also, wouldn't it have been Doge Zeno who gave the big speech and not his predecessor?)
One of my favorite comments :D
Who is writing this?! The level of talent on display is humbling. The plot points are so convincing. I'd say you should have a crack at what if Napoleon won the battle of leipzig.
12:10 you'd think its more fitting for a hungarian prince to become a steppe horseman like his magyar ancestors...
The best series on this channel return's for an amazing episode once again
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Wait! The next episode will be this series' final episode?! If that is the case, what about the politics of Europe, the Middle East and East Asia in the aftermath of the Mongols invasion of Europe? Will the legitimate sons of King James of Aragon fought against each other for the throne while their brothers by their father's mistresses seek helps from Castile and Granada to gain the throne? The point is that this Aragonese Civil War with multiple factions led by many of the King's sons will have a profound effect on the Iberian peninsula and the entire effort of the Reconquista as a whole. And with the Bulgarian Empire and the Serbs converted to this new form of Christianity that is known as Teupolianism of the Republic of Venice that just basically reorganized itself into the Second Roman Republic by annexing Constantionple, will the Patriarch of Venice be the new head of this new branch of Christianity? Also, I suspected that the Empire of Nicaea will not take the annexation of Constantinople kindly and might be plotting to recapture the city later on once the Mongol threat has been dealt with. I believed that once the Mongols have been dealt with, the Venice-based Second Roman Republic and the Empire of Nicaea will go to war with one another with one another in what is remembered in history as Venetian-Niceaen War, also known as War for Crete and Constantinple because these two are the main contested grounds. As for how the outcome will turned out, I do not know. But what I know is that if the Emperor wanted to defeat the Doge, he needed to disrupt trade between Venice and Egypt. So the Emperor might take a risky move by either allying with the Crusaders of the Outremer or hiring some pirates to do such dirty works because the Emperor might needed the entirety of the Imperial Navy to patrol and even blockade the Aegean Sea to prevent the Venetian warships and supply ships from reaching Constantinople. If he played all of these cards right, the Emperor might have a chance to recapture Constantinople and restore it as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. But even if Venice lost Constantinople, Crete and some lands in the east, the Republic gained control of the entire Italian peninsula, including the city of Rome, will definitely make the Republic of Venice to be confident enough make the declaration of the Second Roman Republic a formal one. With the recapture of Rome and Constantinople, the new age of the Romans will be born. It is the age where both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire coexisted at the same time. With the Iberian peninsula largely in political turmoil save for Portugal because of the Aragonese Civil War, the rebirth of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire roughly at the same time, France is in a possible succession crisis that might led to a civil war and even wars with some English nobles with claims to the French throne, Europe is basically and truly in religious chaos and political anarchy in the aftermath of the Mongols invasion. I have no idea how will Hungary turned out because I needed to watch the next episode first in order to see what I can predict. As for the Mongols, I have no idea who will emerged victorious between Kublai Khan and Ariq Boke because Kadan was the one who killed Alandar, the Mongol general dispatched by Ariq Boke to secure vital Central Asian trade routes for him. So with Kadan's death and Alandar remained alive, the trade routes might remained firmly in hands of Ariq Boke. And as a result, the civil war might flipped in Ariq Boke's favor instead. Not to mention that Alghu Khan, grandson of Chagatai Khan, is his ally as well. And in our timeline, he was the only ally Ariq Boke has left after Kublai Khan won many victories over him. This means that Ariq Boke has the very strong support the Ulus of Chagatai on his side and with the vital trade routes between his faction and the Ulus of Chagatai are completely secured because Alandar is still alive, Kublai Khan and his troops shall have a major trouble awaited them in the civil war. In the western part of the Islamic world, the Marinid Sultanate might seek an opportunity to exploit in the Aragonese Civil War while the Mamluk Sultanate of Masr and Bilad al-Sham still keep resisting the raids and attacks by the Mongols and the Crusaders like in our timeline. As for Hafsid Caliphate of Ifriqiya, I have no idea what is going on in there because the time when the Mongols invaded Europe also coincided with the temporary decline of the Hafsid Caliphate as well. But who knows, it might ended up becoming the Empire's most unlikely ally in the future because the rulers of the Hafsid Caliphate are, well, Caliphs. So if the Empire won, Egypt and Syria might be the next target for the Eastern Roman Empire and the capture of the Abbasid Caliph and his family and forcing him into formally giving the title of Caliph to the Hafsid Caliph by the Hafsids themselves might become a thing in the future when the prosperity of the Hafsid Caliphate was revived and when both the Empire and the Caliphate developed good enough relations with one another.
Honestly I really want to see someone make a alternate history mod for Crusader Kings III that deals with the aftermath of the next/finale episode. Great opportunity to basically let fans continue whereever this series leaves off.
an alternate series suggestion would be what if Alexander lived a Long lengthy life? his campaigns in arabia, his journey back to Greece and then subduing the tribes of the balkans, carthage and Italy
Venice amusingly just decides to "buy" an empire, then expand it by rapidly intimidating/bribing everyone into their modern version of the Delian league. Legit probably the coolest part of this series.
Also I just have to say, as far as Alt-History scenarios go, this one is by far the most interesting. It doesn't feature ideas that are just flatly impossible (nazis invading america) but also is very imaginative and actually takes into account the characters who would've been involved in everything and gives a reasonable approximation of how they would react.
Jamaica love this channel 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 home of legendary Bob Marley
Please make two finals for this series. One for European Victory and another for Mongol Victory.
These are so well done. Perhaps an alternate history scenario about what would have happened, had the Franks lost the battle of Tours?
God, I need more of this. Love the alt-history feels real too.
Thank you so much!
Today is my birthday. What an excellent birthday present! Thank you!
Happy birthday!
In a prior episode, when you mentioned the fall of Constantinople, I actually took it to mean the Mongols sacking the city like they did to Rome. I could have never guessed that the Fourth Crusade still happened in this timeline with the Byzantine Empire still getting overthrown by the Crusaders.
But wait... the 4th crusade already did happen in this timeline 40-ish years earlier :D
@@georgekolev6247 Yeah. Foolish of me to think the Mongols could take Constantinople without a navy in those parts.
I love this series. It is very interesting to see events happens and factors and motivations that go
I want to see this turned into an ongoing series that covers things after the Mongol invasion. How would this effect the rest of western history?
That is the dream!
This would be cool but I think at some point they would need to wrap things up. The butterfly effect means such changes would only grow exponentially over time, and past a certain point the timeline would be so different from ours any comparison is rendered pointless.
@@perrytran9504 Well yeah, at a certain point it stops being speculation and becomes fanfiction. But, it would still be fun to explore.
After watching this, I'm not worried about AI outpacing human progress anymore
This needs to be a continuous series like to ww1 or Victoria Era.
With the support from people like you, it just as well may become one!
Loving this series. And I've only just realized that the Ring of Fire series by the late great Eric Flint would be a shoe in for this channel.
Another idea: what if the Great Game erupted into a full scale war between Britain and Russia.
This TL has been so awesome! Thanks a ton for this!🎉🎉🎉
Wait wait wait, the next one is the final episode?! Noooo, I could watch a ton more episodes of this timeline! :(
Restauring the roman republic instead of the roman empire is the ultimate pro gamer move
Great work, I appreciate the Serenissima's role this time and also that you are (apparently) not going for a happy ending. Please, release a Mod for EUIV and you will make a LOT of people very happy (a bit Templin Institute stile with the GTU and Antares). Thank you for your work and passion!
not a happy ending? The Mongols are being beaten, are they not?
History rarely leads to a happy ending. Thank you!
A happy ending for who? If the Mongols lose, it won't be a happy ending for them.
To be fair, I am desperately huffing that hopium. I know the Europeans can still fuck this up.
@@MrGksarathy The happy ending that the mongols get their shit kicked in by the euros.
Have much too long been in the non-fiction. Fascinating, first time over many years spectating YT videos...
As a long time history writer, this journey has been very interesting for me as well. Glad you enjoy it !
From the game EU4 I can not stand Venice so this episode is hard to swallow lmao
However I did find myself rooting for them. At the beginning of this series I was rooting for the Mongols. You guys are outstanding storytellers.
Please continue this series
I want an alternate history about what if the Crusade of Varna succeded
The best outcome possible would be for Venice and the Mongols to gut each other. Two of history's greatest villains smashing each other into paste would be poetically fitting.
Assuming that the Niceans view Constantinople as out of reach for the near future, they might correct what is commonly seen as an eventually fatal error in neglecting Asia Minor in favor of Thrace. If they could take advantage of the Mongol victories over the Turks and regain control over the entire region, pushing to the natural barriers that served the empire so well during the Romano-Arab Wars, it might make their eventual move to retake Constantinople that much more effective and prevent the neglect that doomed the empire's Asiatic holdings and ultimately allowed the Ottomans to become a superpower.
The "thing" about Europe that gets characterized unironically by its history both in physical maneuvering of resources, people, and its use of symbolic victories, is that you can come in and enter with pretty good ease... but good luck trying to get out!😃
So you took part of my advice, and used the Venetian fleet to block the Mongols, although it was just for one battle along a river. It would've been better to take the passes in the Alps and block them in Italy, but hey at least this way we get one more episode out of this series.
Nice series, BTW.
Thank you very much for your comment and advise ;)
also a what if of Majorian not being assassinated would be a cool new series after this one.
Nah. It's weird how this series turned from pretty pro Mongol to super pro European.
The Mongols had pride, sure. And yes that caused them to make mistakes. But their pride wasn't so great that they went looking for fights for no reason. Time and again, you've shown the Mongols to basically be an Orcish horde just barreling at the enemy "after trying a view feigned retreats that failed". One of the Mongols greatest strengths was that they didn't fight risky battles or put themselves in a position that would lead to a risky battle.
Pretty much what I've been saying in the last episode. The Orda defeat in episode 1 was a given, but repeatedly falling into traps, making questionable decisions and straight up losing every major field battle due to so and so just happening to work out for the European side is getting ridiculous. Subutai taking that all or nothing gamble was completely out of character and not what they would've done in reality. The K&G podcast with Jackmeister even corroborated saying that Subutai was not gonna needlessly waste men or take unnecessary risks, he would've gone all the way, even if it took a long time. Then again, these writers don't want to drag out the series for too long so yeah.... "Euros for the win!"
I wasn't expecting the Mongols to easily roflstomp their way through Europe, but the way things have gone here, yeah.......
Oh could you guys almost make this series like what if ogedei khan didn't die and the mongols invaded Europe but also what they didn't collapse and we see there effects around the rest of the world and threw the world's history with other stuff like what if they also conquered Japan and found the Americas as well in this series
Absolutely wonderful episode!
Hail to Venice and their spectacular victory! May their new plans succeed. A new branch of Christianity and the revival of the Roman Republic would be a fascinating shift in society. I can see the world has already changed.
I also noticed England showing itself. Is it time for the English Lion to release its roar? I am excited to see what happens next! A Mongolian charge being struck down by the English longbows would be a sight to see!
Just Asking how would the English get to Germany and/or Hungary.
I look forward to the final episode, I can't believe the series is almost over!
Thank you so much!
When is the next video coming?
The very first Battle of the Isonzo.
And luckily it's just one this time :D
Pls make an alternate history about the Vikings conquered England, Scotland, Ireland and parts of France and Germany
*" Yo george Great video as always, loving your work"* 👍👍
Gonna react to this video and edit this comment
*Reaction*
What a great penultimate end to this series
Although the mongols didn't make it to the Atlantic coasts in the west
The severe destruction they wrought and the last stand the Christians made reminds me of the Battle of Ain jalut where the muslims put everything on the land to hold back the Mongol tide
Amazing storyline
It was word for word one of the best alternate histories I've seen in a while
Even the new sectarian divisions hadn't gone unnoticed
The end of the papacy will definitely change the identity of Europe forever
The coming religious wars are going to be far worse than the Protestant reformation and might last longer
As for demographic and economic changes
It's going to be very interesting seeing how eurpoean economy evolved from here
As the Mongol invasions will make the west far more economically reliant on the east.
I wonder how religion and culture will change
With byzantium gone for good
(Atleast for a while)
Will the slow turkish push east have less competition ???
Will further Mongol push into europe leave a long-term subjugation of the Rus????
Will this change where timurs conquest lead??
How will the mongols in the east react to this loss, will they send more reinforcements ???
So many questions, this is a sign of a good and properly thought out story 👍👍👍👍
Can't wait for any future projects
What a wonderful comment. Thank you so much my friend!
Meanwhile in the Empire of Nicaea and in England: "Did y'all hear something?"
Enjoying this look at an alternative history 😊
Thank you!
Damn! That's good. Posted 35 seconds ago and already 35 views. Well done W&W. Cheers from Tennessee
I highly doubt that the Papacy would cease to exist entirely or that a new form of Christianity would emerge, even if the Mongols sacked Rome. Other than that this is a pretty believable scenario.
Yes and no, I can't give too much away without spoilers, however the true answer would be = reshaped fundamentally. One thing is for sure it would never again have the power it did in our timeline. You bring up good arguments, but the problem with them is that in this timeline every other place possible is weaker and it would suit the leader there for the clergy to have less power.
Think about it, when you are struggling against rebellions, opportunists, Mongol invasions, pestilence, severe levels of hunger and trade collapse do you really want to give tax exemptions or even pay your clergy that now has a reduced function
One of the most captivating stories i have watched in ages, keep up the good work, if you have the time and interest to make, an alternative history take on world after the battle of Yarmouk, only this time, the Byzantines won! :)
Thank you so much for your comment and suggestions!
Mongols reporting on the escape of the Hungarian king: "Somehow, Bela returned!"
(I'm sorry, I had to. 😅)
Hhahahaha thanks for comparing my writing with one of the worst lines in human history I guess :D
I will be honest: of all the possible outcomes, Venice, the one that sold intel of Europe before 1241's Mongol invasion on Eastern Europe, would be the last candidate to attempt replace the vacuum left by utter destruction of Papal States. But with Genoa being landbase city, Frederick II of Sicily and Germany being a Mongol ally now, and Venice being a seafaring power, it seems the Levant and Nicea would pay their existance by a near future for the Venetian-Roman Republic ... or would be Adriatic-Roman Republic?
But in the end, personal interests and regional agencies always taken over. I would bet France going in a civil war, with Englishmen and Amadeus IV of Savoy's eager to watch it enroll on the backseat before pouncing. Heck, I recall one of Count of Savoy's brothers was invited to England, the Little Charlemagne if I recall my history. I wonder if Poitiers and Toulouse would still end up become part of France's royal domains by current infant Saint Louis' heir.
As well the what ifs, since I also recall that Sweden and Scotland would soon get infant King's regencies in around 1250's, and Bela IV being rescuing by a quasi "Ottoman assassination plot to Vlad III" type plot by the scheming descentants of 8 centuries long roman refugees, Serbia would started economical boost with their mining explorations, and Bela IV's heir becoming too "Mongol" (rather Cuman), ... I wonder who would become Bela IV's new "baby mother".
Venice selling intel was actually a well debunked myth. Other than that you are very spot on
@@georgekolev6247 Oh, I am curious now: with both Bulgaria and Epirus literally brought by the Venetians, would this make Nicea seek out vassalage to the Mongols in exchange [like Cicilia Armenia did with Ilkhanate and get especial privileges], in order using their very existencial threat as the same diplomatic vein that Alexios Komnenos used with the crusaders, as well like did canon Danylo Romanovych did to enforce a marriage between a Belá's daughter and Danylo's heir?
It would be tragic that Venice-Hungary faction get a Tactical Victory against Batu but for exchange of Strategic Defeat in the Balkans war theater.
Heck, Theodore II Laskaris was already wed and having daughters with Maria of Bulgaria, and the Papacy would more akin a spiritually vindication by the Orthodox folks, John III Vatatzes might make a counter-coalition against the Venetian radical branch of Christianity. And Sultanate of Rum was already a vassal to the Mongols and sent their share of menpower at the start of this AU Europe's campaign.
I watched this with the screen off so i dont know about the animation but i love your content guys.
🐢
Great excuse to watch it again :D
Venice seeing Northern Europe fail to follow up their victories
“Fine, I’ll do it myself.”
hahahaha 10/10 meme
Hopefully Bela IV gets his revenge for his earlier loss.
I was writing what If's if the mongols innovated Hot air balloons. Rome became industrialized with the help of train networks and conquered the entire world. I know it wouldn't be possible, but I just can't help having to play with my imagination. A big fan of this channel.
That's an interesting take and thank you for your support!
3:14 "and King Henry VIII"
Gonna have to tap the breaks for you there, W&W. Love you lots, but Henry VIII wasn't born until 1491! Henry III however had been crowned in 1216 at just 9 years old, and in our timeline lived to rule until 1272, a remarkable 56 years!
A minor nitpick, but I feel obligated to point it out since you've put so much effort and detail into this piece, and since I'm currently studying English history this particularly stuck out. Looks like it was a typo.
Is this series going to get a continuation? There was suppose to be a final video but its been 6 months since then.
this is an amazing series and make an alternative history series on the three kingdoms period
I would see the final episode the mongols invasion of Europe.
Will there be continuation series that focus on specific regions? That would be cool
Some suggestions of what if out there, like:
What if Frederick I of Germany didnt die drowing while going to the crusade?
What if Harald Hardrada was the one who conquered England?
What if Henry V of England didnt die so soon?
What if the kingdom of Aragon won the Battle of Muret and secured its claim as overlords of Tolouse?
What if the muslims didnt actually cross to Iberia?
What if the muslims didnt completely obliterated the Persian Empire and something remained? Maybe the persian managed to stop them in the Zagros.
What if Alfonso "El Batallador" defeated his wife Urraca of Leon and unified Castille-Leon and Aragon way sooner?
What if the mongols actually managed to conquer Japan?
very nice episode. I love how feets on the ground the entire story is. Looking forward to the final episode :D And later the long video :D
Thank you so much!
The lion of Venice roared and killed many Mongols, Bela's now on the run back to Hungary. Good video.
Very well said!
It would be great to make an alternate series where Constantinople wasn't sack in 1204...or better where the romans did not lose the battle of Manzikert...
What about a series where Manzikert is averted and there never is a sack in 1204, two for the price of one :D
@@georgekolev6247That would be incredibly interesting 🤞
Chupo .. what
Nice creativity in naming
Id like to see alternate history modern battles.
4:00-4:10 ah, its two heads marching in flying armor without body, save yourself.
I like how the only scenario where the mongols could possibly lose is where Venice goes crazy and Venices on everyone
Please continue this series! It so good
Thank you so much!