The Renaissance of the Byzantine Empire in EU4 / RP storytelling

[@thebigflop3118]

Constantine could have saved the empire, all he needed to do was | > debug_mode > annex tur > winwars

[@ihatebritain3942]

Or he could've merced up

[@requiem6465]

Tech 50 Money 1000000 Adm 99999 Dip 99999 Mil 99999 Reformprogress 1000000 Prestige 200 Armyprofessionalism 10000 Armytradition 100 Navytradition 100 Winwars

[@deppresedonion5146]

cash*@@requiem6465

[@joshuasepeda3289]

​@@requiem6465thanks for the tips.

[@SubjectYeti]

tech 32 cash 99999999 adm 99999999 mil 99999999 prestige 200 reformprogress 99999999 winwars yesman annex tur

[@samwill7259]

You make all the thoughts I have while playing historical games sound as cool as I think I am.

[@P-Mushu]

Hearing other people do the same makes me less of a weirdo, do you also stop because you get into your thoughts?

[@samwill7259]

@@P-Mushu Man I do that while just like...walking around during my day

[@P-Mushu]

@@samwill7259 same, but I was thinking like while playing games like eu4 or vic2

[@samwill7259]

@@P-Mushu I do often find I've been staring at a paused screen for 20 minutes, yes

[@martinrosenberger]

@@samwill7259 same, although I do it with CK3

[@synthetic_history]

Took a little longer than two weeks, but it is what it is.

[@THEchainsawmaniguess]

great content

[@TheQuadradus]

Waiting is nothing if this is the prize

[@michaelsurratt1864]

Bro how do you only have 4K subs

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

It's a masterpiece!

[@BasilTheBased]

Very epic! I find it interesting how even though Rome endured, it ended up almost repeating the history of the Ottomans, being the scourge of Catholic Europe. I enjoyed this! Roma Invicta!

[@youthoughtaboutit6946]

Now I’m curious about a successful Latin Empire storyline from you. Also a successful and centralized HRE that isn’t just a greater germsny, but if it’s greatest historical boundaries and forward, and a culture that actually gradually either combines its constituent cultures, or latinizes/romanizes over time

[@n00b5lay3r]

Yes. I think the best way for a centralized HRE I'd by having Charlemagne and Irene of Athens marry. And then making it so Charlemagnes eldest son inherits the entirity of his and Irene's realm. The disparity between Greco and Frank culture would be immensly overshadowed by the Romanization of the Empire. I could see a sort of bilingual system developing where Greek and a Germanic-Latin tongue become the main languages of the HRE. I dont think the language will be called French in this timeline perhaps it would be called Romance? It would most likely be based on Frankish Latin (French) So in this timeline well see a centralized HRE that actually holds Gaul, Italy, all of Germania, Greece, Anatolia and possibly Hispania (Iberia) and North Africa.

[@pohiena2666]

Really liked the story, especially how you adapted historical/gameplay elements into the narrative, but I am curious what was the population of the empire at the end of the video?

[@synthetic_history]

20 million

[@jaydensouth4502]

​@@synthetic_historygod damn

[@martinrosenberger]

@@jaydensouth4502 pretty low compared to the population of those regions in the Roman Empire

[@kakyoin9688]

@@martinrosenbergerif this EU4 doesn’t this follow the Black Death? If I remember the Roman Empire was once again devastated.

[@martinrosenberger]

@@kakyoin9688 by the 15th century Europe had already passed through the Black Death, in fact this time Period was the most populated and rich of all medieval history, if you compare it to prime Roman Empire its worse

[@DarkBuddhist]

This is a wonderful piece of work. I've been thinking of something similar as well, and it encapsulates well the internal narrative of playing these games as it happens. Great job!

[@GasMan1918]

Oh hey, I know you! Really enjoy your videos! (Especially your Byzantine Tale one)

[@DarkBuddhist]

@@GasMan1918 Haah, yeah thats me :D Im glad you liked it!

[@martinrosenberger]

Love your videos man 🇦🇱 🇦🇱 🇦🇱

[@aetu35]

i think this guy likes byzantium (not sure though)

[@Loalrikowki]

That was a fun ride. I imagine that another century of consolidation by the empire would result in a modest expansion of the western borders to include Corsica and Sardinia, the conquest of northern Italy to the Alpine border, completing the conquest of the Adriatic coast. A campaign to convert Hungary and transform it into a border march would be a prudent way of keeping the Austrians in check and insurance against any diplomatic breakdown with Poland, which seems to be becoming a less reliable ally as they grow in strength. Similarly, I expect a further expansion into the Arabian peninsula and east Africa would be attempted in the interest of securing the Red Sea to secure a more easily controlled trade route for access to goods from south and east Asia. A more ambitious program of containment against Poland could be achieved through the establishment of a border march in the Caucasus mountain range.

[@CrisisHedgehog]

I swear to God, if this doesn’t get a bunch of views I’m gonna be very upset

[@josephpentecost401]

i think it would be intresting for a part 2 in this as it could be based around a set of kings being obsessed about the restoration of the roman empire

[@malaysianmapping9767]

ngl tho, a mega campaign similar to that of Isorrow combined with the storytelling would be dope but unfortunately hard to make😔. Regardless, great video :D

[@synthetic_history]

There will be one day.

[@fallingphoenix2341]

​@@synthetic_history I think you had a fair point at the end of this video, EU4 doesn't punish too much growth. There's no natural way for a player state to see a relative decline without intentionally making subpar decisions as a player. But the game needs it, a way that expansion leads to weakness, a way for outperforming to be possible in the short term, but not without eventual regression to the mean. Paradox games are essentially story generating engines, at least in single player. A good story has set backs, and tension throughout.

[@ythunderboy8694]

@@synthetic_history Erm tomorrow...

[@NezerCz]

Renaming the Rome was heresy, but still this playthrough is brilliant

[@santiagobarreto9357]

BROOO WHERE HAS THIS CHANNEL BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE?!?!??? Amazing, quality content, cheers mate!

[@alexisareia1226]

This is exactly the kind of content I've wanted regarding Paradox games. This was stellar, thank you.

[@Vadim_Korolev]

Great video! Glad there were no colonization going on, I always found this stuff ridiculous as for the Byzantium. The wait was worth it honestly. Keep up the high quality content!

[@thecatfather857]

Oh, I'll bet that's gonna be in Part 2... or 3.

[@big_chungus_is_based9668]

Loved the video, an hour went by like minues, I really hope for a second part

[@m.a.t.a.s]

I love it man! One of the most immersive things to listen to while actually playing EU4

[@brandonbeilbymcleod6546]

I'm only a minute into the video but this mod makes the game look 10 years older

[@Zakkious]

it makes it look good, yes

[@saarthel8532]

Great video! I love how the footages made it look even more like a documentary and it helped visualized what was happening to make the whole more immersive. I love CK3, but never got the courage to try EU4 (I always tell myself that I'll introduce myself to EU when the fifth comes out eventually someday...) and was able to follow what was happening despite having little to no idea of what was happening gameplay wise.

[@Yes-qj4bi]

I really loved this video and I just have to ask how did you recreate certain things like Eretna and Karaman declaring war on the Ottomans was it really just a coincidence of you being lucky. also these peacedeals too you got a lot of land for doing little like in that war for Macedonia. But yeah your channel is criminially underrated it's a fun to watch documentary I hope your channel massively grows in popularity wishing you a prosperous future.

[@mordreek]

I really had fun with this and have been watching it over and over like i would a history documentary. For what it is worth this is easily one of yoru best movies and I'd love to see more like it if not a sequel. As for what I think of what will happen to the Eastern Roman Empire, I think ultimately it would depend on how much it was able to adapt. The main issue of the ottomans was that they stagnated and kept to their spheres of influence while europe went all over the world and as a result grew far past them. If the romans were able to keep up with those developments, and continue to make advances of their own, I can see them taking advantage of their control of the Egyptian territories to essentially skip africa via the red sea and maintain a trade advantage in the Asian sphere. This could coincide with their focus on reclaiming the territories of Alexander's great conquest as well. Another key point is if the Orthodox church is able to maintain good relations if not convert Poland and settle matters with the Lutherans, as it would avoid a case of hte russian/greek orthodox split as happened IRL in the case of the former and in the case of the latter it'd avoid many years of religions wars or at least would be easier for them to find common ground with the lutherans "The pope was indeed a greedy asshole." vs the ottomans just being straight up the enemy of all christians.

[@Slime.]

I completely forgot this was a eu4 video during the historical context part of the video and thought I was just watching a normal documentary for some reason Great video

[@BasileusOriginal]

Just found your Video and channel, absolute great work! I think everyone RPs his EU4 Campaigns in his head (me at least lol), but you really displayed that to your viewers in a fantastic way. Keep it up! Also love to see people playing with M&T, as i never played EU4 without it for several years.

[@pashauzan]

I love how the Ottomans gradually migrated east

[@Sober-Sane]

Wow... This is some crazily high-quality content for someone with only 6k subs. Cheers, man! Good fortune to ya.

[@dannyrooker7012]

Epic video, so glad it popped up on my feed a year later

[@Code-Imp]

You made a great story of a great game, thank you sir

[@gters.kluihn5etrikul]

just discovered your content out of coincidence, using farya farajis music adds so much flavor

[@Ceesarps]

I am half way through the video and im just amazed at how much work you put into it. Incredible!

[@Eazy-ERyder]

This is really kewl. I like how you tell it and the visuals make it more interesting. Thanks!

[@lospuppets5421]

loved your video so much, please continue this history. Greetings from chile.

[@perubieber2516]

It seems this is one of those videos that have such a great production and a lot of work behind of it, but doesn't get by far the support and popularity it deserves.

[@Hannibal-fe3cp]

I love you so much, this is the kind of thing I want... So glad youtube recommended your channel, going to watch every single rp/narrative like it's a drug

[@kirillp.4630]

This is the content I've been looking for. More MEIOU and taxes please!

[@Ksescel]

Amazing video. FOR THE ALGORITHM!

[@benjaminobienu5297]

This is amazing, Mr. Synthist. I like the rebirth of the Byzantine Empire and the entering of regrowth and full strength of its former glory. I believe the Byzantine Empire would not repeat the Ottoman mistakes, for Byzantium would have political leaders along the Emperor needed to focus on domestic issues, like the Pentary that caused some division in the empire, and what they are planning to do is have some way culture and religion that can be tolerated and accepted by the empire as long it did cause any problems and could separate the churches' influences. It would then Byzantines' interest to go east and maybe could achieve Julius Caesar's dreams of conquering Persia, Rome's long-time enemy. Just imagine Rome being mighty with Persia in its control along with the middle east; it would give Rome major economic and consequential defensives in the future against the Anti-Rome coalition. Anyway, this a remarkable alternate history, my friend; I love the narrative and passion details along with the history of this video. Please keep up the excellent work; these videos are penetrating and educational simultaneously!

[@kobegreen1504]

Absolutely amazing video, I can't believe you only have four thousand subscribers

[@roastedturtle0820]

Goodness gracious this was such a well put together video! You have a knack for entertaining storytelling. Keep it up dude!

[@yoanitsa5059]

Amazing video dude! I thank you for the great effort you put in this masterpiece, the details and time you put in it are simply astonishing. I hope you continue with this type of story telling/eu4 gameplay. Thank you!

[@fuadlabib703]

Noooo why 15k likes I really loved the video but sadly people might not discover this underrated channel I would really love part 2

[@apilolomi]

This was incredibly interesting especially with the all attention to the development and reforms.

[@miko5742]

really enjoyed the video!!! earned a sub, keep it up

[@TheColombianSpartan]

'Explaining to a person that a new patch was released on his religion" Man you just keep hitting us with the funniets lines out of nowhere

[@LinusEhlers]

this was great so i am leaving a comment for the algorithm

[@proxyepsilon4172]

Best video ever, subscribing.

[@givemeawand]

If you do ever make a sequel it may be interesting to play a different state (France, Tunis, or Sweden for example) and watch what Rome does/actively go against Rome. Edit: A Timurid resurgence may be interesting and would keep with the spirit of this video.

[@arno_groenewald]

Would love to see this resume as a mega campaign.

[@Pan_Z]

Going to play this audio without video whenever anyone asks what happened to Constantinople. I find this version of history more reassuring.

[@chadgoose7886]

What an insanely awesome video, keep it up

[@code0714]

As a Greek I loved the video and would like a continue of the story

[@CrisisHedgehog]

Absolutely fantastic content here

[@dino-bk7vh]

Awesome video honestly makes me want to see how you would do a greater Roman Empire in imperator Rome since I can only imagine how epic that would be given your RP abilities

[@fredrikjonsson-bj5ru]

I really liked this hope you make more of this style of content

[@thenamesianna]

I love this video. You are very good at making up history and explaining it !

[@VineFynn]

Thanks for playing our mod!

[@leviathanseeker7229]

Your videos are spectacular.

[@urrrr]

Great video! I appreciate the subtitles

[@TheColombianSpartan]

"And from the genoese ports, such exclusice chinese goods as silk, porcelain and _plague_ made their way to Europe" lmfao

[@SUDMONEYBAGS]

44:29 Rome is literally the heart of the empire

[@gabe5819]

As a HOI4 nerd I can say, this is pretty cool

[@Texolotl]

Loved this! Do you have any plans to do more videos of stuff like this? A video as Japan or Colonial Britain would be so sick!

[@Vadim_Korolev]

Dam you Jacob! Now YT started recomending me playthroughs of Byzantium restoration!

[@whatsup8583]

I did like it, the role play was good^⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠^

[@nasisimo]

I loved it would like to see your continuation

[@directrulefromgamerchair3947]

The song playing during the John VII section is Hikanatoi by Farya Faaji, in case anyone was wondering

[@David-bh7hs]

This is an incredible video

[@andremitreuter5397]

That was amazing. It really felt like a historic youtube video. Just one question: What mods did you use? They look very interesting

[@jevusbrice]

Great video bro!

[@glue6143]

I really hope you do more of these

[@mathieugariepy2948]

Impressive work!

[@iseeyou5061]

Speaking of Enlistment reform, i think it's good to refrence how France Gendarmes build their own standing army. Aside from recruiting from their own noble retinue they convert mercenary in Fremch to join rank on the France standing army, forcefully for those that refuse.

[@belisarius1453]

Great storytelling!

[@brabius2695]

The byzantines in that play was like the otomans

[@Razorcarl]

I love these types of videos

[@sbeaber]

This was awesome!

[@lakepod577]

this is my favorite video of eu4

[@vincedaprince]

Great video!

[@TheQuadradus]

I see you like Florence very much!

[@mymejojo2]

Loved this!

[@ЯреЯреДазеОраораоров]

such nice content, even i now wish to re-instal meiow&taxes 3.0

[@jalllaaavg]

More Meiu story videos like this. There is no other active channels that do this. EDIT: fixed spelling of “other”

[@Aureus_]

I really enjoyed this

[@medwut]

Awesome video

[@willgaltney7376]

Such a cool video thanks

[@maxminer9157]

That was awesome!!

[@kjlat]

Very nice video. I liked the detailed narration of politics/enconimics instead of to much focus on warefare. It makes the story much more alive then just beting everyone because your not an ai and thats it. Maybe make the starting narration a bit shorter tho, if thats possible.

[@neridega]

splendid idea pls keep it

[@ankard4]

Now we need 12.500 likes more to part 2

[@deciusantonius7606]

Nice video! Although the only issue in RP part i see is total neglection of Poland, which is catholic, annexing all Rus' lands (which were under Constatinopole Patriach rule by the time) and Rome be like "meh" :D

[@thecatfather857]

Synthist: "I will leave this ope-ended, as I do not intend to make a sequel. But if this video gets an, let's say an unrealistic number of likes so that I won't have to make a sequel. Say... fifteen thousand likes. Then, I will make a sequel." *Theoretical near future* Metatron: "Salve, Noble Ones, just doing a little quick video today. I'm giving a shoutout to this underappreciated channel for its use of beloved Grand Strategy games for immersive roleplay in making fantastic alternate history videos. Be sure to check out his channel and give his 'Byzantine Renaissance' video a thumbs up enough times that it reaches fifteen thousand likes. So that he has to make a sequel video to this one like he says he will under this condition. Now, I will catch you all in the next video, and remember: The Metatron has spread its wings." Synthist the next day: *[Confused Screaming]*

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

I thought you would conquer down the Tigris and establish Trajan's Dream of direct trade with China.

[@Empiriarch1945]

I hope you can continue this series

[@Anjana-]

This is so wholesome

[@BrazilianDreemurr2008]

Byzantine in the Early Video: Pls dont declare war on me, I'm too weak!! 😭 Byzantine in the Late Video: Greetings, I've come to spread Christianity.

[@jngvny]

Very well made

[@sasi5841]

Rome is a really difficult start because you start off with 20+ out of a maximum of 30 war exaustion, as well as a modifier that makes it very difficult for it to die down untill 1368. It is not possible to use diplomana to reduce it. Also because of the war exaustion means you start off with -22% discipline and morale, -34% siege ability and defensiveness, also war exaustion kills off your economy and makes it very difficulty to keep your country stable. I my first try as rome, i was allied to Bulgaria adn poland. ottomans declared a crusade against me. But due to polish and bulgarian ships and bulgarian troops and careful engagements i managed to got a lot of warscore. It was enough to reduce ottomans to an opm. Unfortunately the expansion didnt increase my income or force limit. Instead it decreased my force limit and increased my state maintenance cost. The bigger i got the more the avg autonomy and realm expenses and corruption increased. I managed to become as big as hungary. Somehow the bigger i got the weaker i became economically and militarily. So i eventually rage quit.

[@PrinceNation]

I think with roleplays like this where you are playing as an empire in decline, you should roleplay some kind of reform and internal conflict before going full expansionism, just to insert realism for the tipping point that brought about revival in the Empire. You might have to make up some kind of genius influential figure that set policy for the Emperor or rewrite the story of the Emperor himself to reflect this. It'll help the story make more sense instead of just one opportunistic moment that allowed the Romans to reverse centuries of decline.

[@timmyturner327]

Rome can survive if it got this long. However, it will face longer odds with expansion. Though, that's assuming a "realism play" and frankly I like this video for cheese, not for playing things completely realistically. If it gets to 15k likes, which it does, I would like want more cheese.

[@MarshyMellow1223]

The Roman Empire vs The Great Coalition would lead to the War of the Great Scourge, where Rome would steamroll and plunder through Italy and Hungary , meeting up at Vienna, where the Great Battle of Vienna would occur, leading to a decisive coalition victory and the death of John VIII. Becoming the cause of the slow and painful downfall of Rome, leading to it becoming the sick man of Europe, the Empire though would last until 1918 where it was abolished in the treaty of Versailles, replaced by the Greek Republic, powers like Bulgaria, Serbia, and the Neo-Ottoman Empire (or just the Turkish Empire). That’s just a scenario I made up at the end lol.

[@Jon-ch6sr]

23:08, future marxist historians would consider the following revolts fought Emperor John as one of the first burgeois revolutions in history, and ascribe the adoption of early capitalism as one of the reasons for imperial dominance. No parallel would be found in the west until the English civil war.