Post by istanbul on Dec 15, 2015 20:38:34 GMT
I'm posting this again, because, why not?
Khosrau II "the Great" and the world he made
The Roman-Sassanian war of 603-630 was catastrophic for Christendom: observers in the west despaired at what was rightly seen as the final fall of the Roman Empire. In many way, it was even more of a shock than the fall of Rome nearly 200 years prior. Heraclius’ promising eastern salient ended in disaster when—in 622— he was killed in a battle against the capable Shahrbaraz, in Eastern Asia Minor. His 10 year old son, Constantine, was hardly the replacement the Eastern Roman Empire needed at the time. Divided, demoralized, and without major victories for more than a decade, Constantinople falls to the Avar-Sassanian siege of 626. With Egypt, the bulk of Asia Minor and the Levant occupied by the victorious Sassanians, the last few years of the war was a largely a cleaning up operation. Khosrau II—later given the epitaph of “the Great”— then turned his attention to the realization of his dream of a multi-ethnic, multi-faith Empire. He would be a Cyrus the Great for the modern age. And his heirs something like Alexander, too.
Like the Macedonians who questioned Alexander’s dreams of integrating and breeding with his Asian provinces, the Great Houses, old guard and traditionalists of the Sassanian Empire had always been skeptical of Khosrau’s eccentricities. However, with millions of new Christian and Jewish subjects—and Khosrau II’s seeming invincibility, they were forced to adapt. In time, a new system was born, one which bares a striking resemblance to that of the Romans and indeed Cyrus’ own Achaemenid Empire: ethnic and religious pluralism. Instead of being alienated, oppressed or otherwise disenfranchised, Christianity—starting with the long time friendly miaphysite churches in Egypt, Armenia, and parts of the Levant—is empowered. It helps that Khosrau’s wife was an sometimes-Nestorian, sometimes-Miaphysite. The Shahansah—while remaining Zoroastrian—becomes a patron and benefactor to the religions of the empire. Whether this was a result of his eccentric ambitions, or a pragmatic response to nearly doubling the size of the empire (largely with Christians), is a matter of debate. However, it is undeniable that Khosrau was very friendly to his Christian subjects, to the point that some foreign observers wondered if he himself was a Christian. It should be mentioned that he patronized his Zoroastrian subjects as well, building fire temples and donating great amounts of treasure to their organizations. Khosrau would die in A.D. 651.
In Constantinople, it is a matter of supreme irony that the Patriarch, many of the elites and the bulk of the upper classes, flee to the Sassanian Empire, when the Avars prove to be less than friendly to their new subjects. Although rapprochement with the Chalcedonian churches would take centuries, they would soon find themselves far less uncomfortable with the Shahanshans than they could have ever imagined. Thus, with the crossroads of the world under their thumb, the Sassanians turned to the hard work of consolidating and integrating their empire into something rather different. Khosrau the Great would die in A.D. 651, having established an empire the rivals Rome at its height. It should probably be mentioned that the Lakhmids, having conquered their long time Ghassanid rivals, raided far and wide across the upper Arabian peninsula, as well as penetrating far into the interior. Many desert tradesmen and merchants were killed or enslaved….
Three hundred years after the death of Khosrau the Great, the Sassanian Empire sits atop the world as its wealthiest, eldest and most powerful empire. I will provided some region by region—and in some cases, nation by nation—information.
The Sassanian Empire, known to its inhabitants as Ērānshahr.
Three centuries after the conquests of Khosrau and 200 years after the far western conquests of his grandson Peroz IV, the Sassanian Empire remains the single most powerful empire in the world. While the annexation of most of the Eastern Roman Empire might have led to disaster, it is likely a good thing that it occurred: the Great Houses, the opulent Zoroastrian priesthood and the old guard were somewhat sidelined by the addition of an Empire’s worth of Christians and the vast wealth that came with it. The miaphysite churches, long quite sympathetic to the Sassanians happily resumed their lives under a regime disinterested in matters of theological minutia. As long as they acknowledged the authority of the shahanshah, and as long as he in return continued their rather enlightened patronage, things went smoothly.
By the middle 900s, even the Chalcedonian *Orthodox Churches had fallen in line. The jarring political separation of four (and eventually all five) of the Patriarchates from the rather less than impressive western Christians, eventually resulted in a permanent schism (about half a millennium early), that freed them of any obligation to that upstart in Rome. The devastating and apocalyptic collapse of what was once seen as God’s Kingdom on Earth, has had a major impact on the psyche of Christians everywhere. Why would God allow his people to be conquered by eastern Pagans? With this in mind, the Eastern Chalcedonian churches came to terms with their lot in life. The freedom provided to them by the Shahanshans (and without a Christian Roman Emperor) has not been the worst thing in the world. Now if only they could keep those blasted favored miaphysites from running too rampant… Hell, the Shahanshans have even presided over a number of ecumenical councils, perhaps one day some accommodation could be reached. Obviously, not with those damn Nestorians of course.
Christianity (in all its increasingly diverse forms) underwent a renaissance of sorts in the Iranian sphere. Nestorian missionaries wandered far and wide in Central Asia, Arabia (encouraged by the Nestorian Lakhmids) and even India and China. The miaphysites found greater and greater numbers of converts in the Iranian plateau and Mesopotamia. The Chalcedonians, freed from any western responsibilities quickly diverged, culturally, from their western cousins. This blossoming of eastern Christianity ultimately had a positive effect on the then flailing Zoroastrian religion. The rather moribund and opulent religion was heavily influenced by the more vibrant Christianities and was given a new lease on life. Manichaeism, too, found numerous converts within and without the empire.
The Avars eventually proved themselves to be less than worthy of Constantinople, and it was quickly snatched up by the Sassanians, with Hagia Sophia reconsecrated as a Church for all of the Empire’s Christians, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate was returned from Nicaea. The Great Palace now serves as the Sassanian court’s winter residence. Ctesiphon, however, is the true Queen of Cities. With resources and knowledge available from across the Near East, from the Great Libraries of Alexandria and Constantinople, and from their contacts with the Chinese and Indians in the East, the city has been enriched by massive infrastructural works, great churches, temples and universities.
Rome on the other hand is a mess. Although conquered by the Sassanians in the mid-700s, it remains a somewhat depopulated town under the control of a Greek speaking puppet Satrap. Full annexation is discussed, but is still in the works.
The Empire looks strong for the time being, with their Central Asia borders secure and no real challengers from the West. However, it looks like for now, their expansion is limited by geography and competition from India increasing and threats from the Turks and Uighurs on the horizon.
The Sassanian Sphere:
Centuries upon centuries of existence has allowed the disparate Sassanian Empire to perfect their methods of client management. Although Peroz IV washed his hands in the Western Ocean near the Pillars of Hercules, crowned his own Bishop of Rome in Saint Pauls Basilica, and established a great Fire Temple on the Indus, direct rule for many of these conquests was impractical at best, and impossible at worst. I will provide an overview of some of the most important allies and vassals from west to east.
The Maurian Kingdom: Only a century in the making, the Maurians are likely the most powerful nation in the western Mediterranean, and are a strong ally of the Sassanians. Only 50 years ago they conquered the fracturing Visigothic successor states in the southern half of Hispania, and is currently in the process of absorbing the Romano-Moorish kingdom to their east. They remain Chalcedonian, but have come into communion with the prestigious Coptic church, under an arrangement that resembles that of the Eastern Rite Catholics in our timeline. They are expert sailors and quite influenced by the culture and traditions of mighty Iran. The weakened states of northern Hispania are looking rather choice at the moment…
The Exarchate of Carthage: The survival of this significant *Byzantine splinter state is rather remarkable, considering the odds. After the implosion of Roman authority across the whole Mediterranean, thousands of Greek exiles found refuge in this relative island of calm. By the time of Peroz IV’s conquests, the Exarchate was efficiently ruled by the Nikephorian family. After the fall of neighboring Tripoli, the Exarchate submitted to the authority of the Shahanshah and were allowed to retain their institutions and laws, much like the *Byzantine statelets and principalities in Morea, and Asia Minor.
The Shahdom of Avaria: The Avars were key players in the fall of the Roman Empire, but have since played a small role in history. The loss of Constantinople was a major blow to their prestige. By 950, the place is looking rather Slavic, but with heavy Iranian influence. Their alphabet is based on the Persian one and a localized Zoroastrianism is the most widely held faith. A few *Orthodox Christians still live in the eastern coast. There are often rumors that the Sassanians will march in an install their own satrap, but this is largely unfounded: they basically run the place already…
The Kingdom of Bulgaria: Pushed through Avaria a few hundred years ago, the Bulgars established a kingdom in what was once central Greece. They quickly assimilated into their largely Greek and Slavic subjects and the nation is now one of the most devout and traditional "Greek" *Orthodox “independent” nations. The language is a *heavily* Slavicised form of Greek.
The Lakhmid Kingdom: Although they briefly lost their independence after a disagreement with Khosrau II, Sassanian annexation proved to be impractical. After the defeat of the Romans, they absorbed their long time rivals, the Ghassanids. Now, three hundred years later, they’re the Sassanian's staunchest and arguably most powerful allies. Their influence extends far into the Arabian peninsula and even into the Levantine provinces. They’re largely Nestorian, but have significant miaphysite, Arab pagan* and Zoroastrian minorities. Increasingly Iranianized.
The Sogdian Shahdom: This Indo-Iranian polity was only fully united around 150 years ago. They are a *major* center of trade, culture, and learning. They also make a pretty penny in the slave and prostitution trade. They are currently in the process of getting permission to move on their weaker neighbors. Along with the Maurians, this is another power to watch.
Heathen Europe:
Christendom has been quite stunted or even rolled back outside of Hispania and the Mediterranean coasts. The seeming endless waves of barbarian invasions from the east, were amplified by the fact that Sassanian strength in Central Asia has denied them Southern lands to conquer. First the Slavs, then the Magyars, and finally the Turks have pushed back into the interior of what would have been called Europe. Without a strong Christian state in the East, and with Charlemagne butterflied, Christianity is undergoing hard times. The cultural pull of the Sassanians is incredibly strong in both Christian and non-Christian Europe.
The Kingdom of Saxony: Pushed west by first the Slavs and then the Magyars, Saxony remains the only surviving Germanic kingdom, or rather, the most unchanged. With boundaries on the Seine and the Rhine, they have preserved their unique Germanic culture with remarkably few influences from both Christianity and the rising religions of the East. Wodenism remains strong.
The Magyar kingdoms: After being rebuffed by the Slavs in the western Balkans, the Magyars were fully pushed out of the Ukraine by the approaching Turks. They now reside in three independent kingdoms in what would have been Germany and Bohemia. In the long term, it is likely that they will largely assimilate into their (admittingly rather sparse) Germanic and Norse subjects, with the exception of the *Bohemian kingdom, where the mountains and slightly heavier settlement will preserve their culture and language. Currently having trouble with Turkic interlopers…
The Norse: Denmark, Norway and Sweden are thoroughly pagan, thank you very much. Population pressure and Magyar invasions have provided a strong impetus to migrate west. The Danes and Norwegians have established several kingdoms in England, Brittany, Galicia, and the Irish coasts. Without Alfred and without a strong local Christianity, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms are looking at a pretty Scandinavian future. The Norweigans and Danes have established their respective control over the English kingdoms, as well as over Galicia in Hispania.
The Slavs: Besides an outlier kingdom in near Novgorod, the Slavs are largely a Balkan and middle European affair. Religiously—aside from the Kingdom of Lombardiya—they are in flux. Manichaeism and Nestorianism are filtering in from the Turkish east, while some areas retain their traditional *paganism. Slavic migration was heavy and their territories are largely assimilated into them, instead of the other way around.
The Turks: Although the Turks have been filtering into Europe for centuries, the latest wave of Oghuz tribes has been the most significant and populous so far. By far the largest and most powerful of the entities is the Seljuk Shahdom, based around the Volga. They are quickly assimilating the few remaining Slavs, Balts and earlier Turkic peoples. At the moment, they have just united a large portion of the tribal kingdoms and are currently looking west at their still independent cousins. Their extended stay near Iranian central Asia have had a deep impact on them culturally and religiously, with much of the ruling classes Nestorian/Tengrist. Being from the Steppe, they’re definitely playing fast and loose with Christian theology and they don’t much care. The language of the court is (like much of this part of the world) Persian.
“Free” Christian Europe
Western Christianity has taken quite a few hits. The Pope is largely powerless (residing in Bordeaux) with absolutely no power over the Celtic churches. However, these westerners remain proud of their religion, independent as it is from the “Persian controlled Churches.” However, the specter of the mighty Sassanian Empire dominates their culture perceptions, much as Rome once did.
The Kingdom of Burgundy: The Franks were deflected and crushed, with the Burgundians ascendant. Aquitaine is currently subordinate and not long for this world. Burgundy is by far the most powerful remaining nation in western Christendom, and they aren’t going anywhere. Although they don’t always get along with the Saxons, the threats from the north and east have driven them together for now. They speak a rather Germanized Romance language (a result of significant recent migration out of German, in addition to their ancient Germanic roots) and are a proud bastion of Roman law and institutions.
The Celtic Fringe: The wily Celts have survived and all things considered, thrived. Their eccentric form of Christianity is slowly being spread by devout and “enthusiastic” missionaries throughout the British Isles. They’ve struggled with the Norsemen for years, but in recent years, even they have transitioned from “raiding” to “settlement.”
And the rest: From the Basques in the mountains, to the remnant “Romans” on the Peninsula, western Christians are struggling, but they will survive, one way or another.
Asia:
Although the butterfly effect took a bit longer to reach Asia, by the mid-10th century, we can see significant changes. Christianity (though not as we know it), Zoroastrianism, and Manichaeism is spreading far and wide without the advent of Islam to prevent it. Even China finds itself in a rather new situation…
The Gōng Dynasty: The Kyrgyz hordes, too far east to take advantage of the move into Europe, and denied the chance to move into Central Asia, took advantage of the impossibly imploded Tang Dynasty, to establish their own. Claiming relations to the aforementioned dynasty, they took the name Gōng, meaning Duke, as a symbol of their legitimacy. However, they have brought their weird syncretic religion from the Steppe, where such things are often made. Even the most eccentric Persian Christian would probably not recognize them as proper Christians, and some rather odd things are happening with Jesus, Ahuramazda, and Sky Father Tengri… Although a few Chinese kingdoms survive in the South--left over from the period of chaos before their arrival--they are no threat to the consolidating Gōng. In an ironic twist of fate, the Tang court has taken up residence in eastern Sassanian Empire, the only nation they ever treated as equals.
The Tibetan Empire: The fluky circumstances surrounding their collapse in our timeline were butterflied, and the Tibetans look like they will be sticking around for at least a little while. Their influence is spreading in India and Southern China, especially with the Gōng Dynasty still subduing the last Tang resistance. How long the Tibetans can survive as a Tibetan Empire is yet to be seen.
Rashtrakutan Empire: A well organized, power, literate and culturally rich empire. Although it remains to be seen, the OTL humiliations of the later 10th century may yet be avoided. They are currently seeing a major influx of Coptic and Arab merchants, traders and of course missionaries. Competition with the Sassanians and Tibetans is certainly going to be heated in the coming century…
Well, there it is! Thanks to NikoZnate for his extensive input!
Khosrau II "the Great" and the world he made
The Roman-Sassanian war of 603-630 was catastrophic for Christendom: observers in the west despaired at what was rightly seen as the final fall of the Roman Empire. In many way, it was even more of a shock than the fall of Rome nearly 200 years prior. Heraclius’ promising eastern salient ended in disaster when—in 622— he was killed in a battle against the capable Shahrbaraz, in Eastern Asia Minor. His 10 year old son, Constantine, was hardly the replacement the Eastern Roman Empire needed at the time. Divided, demoralized, and without major victories for more than a decade, Constantinople falls to the Avar-Sassanian siege of 626. With Egypt, the bulk of Asia Minor and the Levant occupied by the victorious Sassanians, the last few years of the war was a largely a cleaning up operation. Khosrau II—later given the epitaph of “the Great”— then turned his attention to the realization of his dream of a multi-ethnic, multi-faith Empire. He would be a Cyrus the Great for the modern age. And his heirs something like Alexander, too.
Like the Macedonians who questioned Alexander’s dreams of integrating and breeding with his Asian provinces, the Great Houses, old guard and traditionalists of the Sassanian Empire had always been skeptical of Khosrau’s eccentricities. However, with millions of new Christian and Jewish subjects—and Khosrau II’s seeming invincibility, they were forced to adapt. In time, a new system was born, one which bares a striking resemblance to that of the Romans and indeed Cyrus’ own Achaemenid Empire: ethnic and religious pluralism. Instead of being alienated, oppressed or otherwise disenfranchised, Christianity—starting with the long time friendly miaphysite churches in Egypt, Armenia, and parts of the Levant—is empowered. It helps that Khosrau’s wife was an sometimes-Nestorian, sometimes-Miaphysite. The Shahansah—while remaining Zoroastrian—becomes a patron and benefactor to the religions of the empire. Whether this was a result of his eccentric ambitions, or a pragmatic response to nearly doubling the size of the empire (largely with Christians), is a matter of debate. However, it is undeniable that Khosrau was very friendly to his Christian subjects, to the point that some foreign observers wondered if he himself was a Christian. It should be mentioned that he patronized his Zoroastrian subjects as well, building fire temples and donating great amounts of treasure to their organizations. Khosrau would die in A.D. 651.
In Constantinople, it is a matter of supreme irony that the Patriarch, many of the elites and the bulk of the upper classes, flee to the Sassanian Empire, when the Avars prove to be less than friendly to their new subjects. Although rapprochement with the Chalcedonian churches would take centuries, they would soon find themselves far less uncomfortable with the Shahanshans than they could have ever imagined. Thus, with the crossroads of the world under their thumb, the Sassanians turned to the hard work of consolidating and integrating their empire into something rather different. Khosrau the Great would die in A.D. 651, having established an empire the rivals Rome at its height. It should probably be mentioned that the Lakhmids, having conquered their long time Ghassanid rivals, raided far and wide across the upper Arabian peninsula, as well as penetrating far into the interior. Many desert tradesmen and merchants were killed or enslaved….
Three hundred years after the death of Khosrau the Great, the Sassanian Empire sits atop the world as its wealthiest, eldest and most powerful empire. I will provided some region by region—and in some cases, nation by nation—information.
The Sassanian Empire, known to its inhabitants as Ērānshahr.
Three centuries after the conquests of Khosrau and 200 years after the far western conquests of his grandson Peroz IV, the Sassanian Empire remains the single most powerful empire in the world. While the annexation of most of the Eastern Roman Empire might have led to disaster, it is likely a good thing that it occurred: the Great Houses, the opulent Zoroastrian priesthood and the old guard were somewhat sidelined by the addition of an Empire’s worth of Christians and the vast wealth that came with it. The miaphysite churches, long quite sympathetic to the Sassanians happily resumed their lives under a regime disinterested in matters of theological minutia. As long as they acknowledged the authority of the shahanshah, and as long as he in return continued their rather enlightened patronage, things went smoothly.
By the middle 900s, even the Chalcedonian *Orthodox Churches had fallen in line. The jarring political separation of four (and eventually all five) of the Patriarchates from the rather less than impressive western Christians, eventually resulted in a permanent schism (about half a millennium early), that freed them of any obligation to that upstart in Rome. The devastating and apocalyptic collapse of what was once seen as God’s Kingdom on Earth, has had a major impact on the psyche of Christians everywhere. Why would God allow his people to be conquered by eastern Pagans? With this in mind, the Eastern Chalcedonian churches came to terms with their lot in life. The freedom provided to them by the Shahanshans (and without a Christian Roman Emperor) has not been the worst thing in the world. Now if only they could keep those blasted favored miaphysites from running too rampant… Hell, the Shahanshans have even presided over a number of ecumenical councils, perhaps one day some accommodation could be reached. Obviously, not with those damn Nestorians of course.
Christianity (in all its increasingly diverse forms) underwent a renaissance of sorts in the Iranian sphere. Nestorian missionaries wandered far and wide in Central Asia, Arabia (encouraged by the Nestorian Lakhmids) and even India and China. The miaphysites found greater and greater numbers of converts in the Iranian plateau and Mesopotamia. The Chalcedonians, freed from any western responsibilities quickly diverged, culturally, from their western cousins. This blossoming of eastern Christianity ultimately had a positive effect on the then flailing Zoroastrian religion. The rather moribund and opulent religion was heavily influenced by the more vibrant Christianities and was given a new lease on life. Manichaeism, too, found numerous converts within and without the empire.
The Avars eventually proved themselves to be less than worthy of Constantinople, and it was quickly snatched up by the Sassanians, with Hagia Sophia reconsecrated as a Church for all of the Empire’s Christians, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate was returned from Nicaea. The Great Palace now serves as the Sassanian court’s winter residence. Ctesiphon, however, is the true Queen of Cities. With resources and knowledge available from across the Near East, from the Great Libraries of Alexandria and Constantinople, and from their contacts with the Chinese and Indians in the East, the city has been enriched by massive infrastructural works, great churches, temples and universities.
Rome on the other hand is a mess. Although conquered by the Sassanians in the mid-700s, it remains a somewhat depopulated town under the control of a Greek speaking puppet Satrap. Full annexation is discussed, but is still in the works.
The Empire looks strong for the time being, with their Central Asia borders secure and no real challengers from the West. However, it looks like for now, their expansion is limited by geography and competition from India increasing and threats from the Turks and Uighurs on the horizon.
The Sassanian Sphere:
Centuries upon centuries of existence has allowed the disparate Sassanian Empire to perfect their methods of client management. Although Peroz IV washed his hands in the Western Ocean near the Pillars of Hercules, crowned his own Bishop of Rome in Saint Pauls Basilica, and established a great Fire Temple on the Indus, direct rule for many of these conquests was impractical at best, and impossible at worst. I will provide an overview of some of the most important allies and vassals from west to east.
The Maurian Kingdom: Only a century in the making, the Maurians are likely the most powerful nation in the western Mediterranean, and are a strong ally of the Sassanians. Only 50 years ago they conquered the fracturing Visigothic successor states in the southern half of Hispania, and is currently in the process of absorbing the Romano-Moorish kingdom to their east. They remain Chalcedonian, but have come into communion with the prestigious Coptic church, under an arrangement that resembles that of the Eastern Rite Catholics in our timeline. They are expert sailors and quite influenced by the culture and traditions of mighty Iran. The weakened states of northern Hispania are looking rather choice at the moment…
The Exarchate of Carthage: The survival of this significant *Byzantine splinter state is rather remarkable, considering the odds. After the implosion of Roman authority across the whole Mediterranean, thousands of Greek exiles found refuge in this relative island of calm. By the time of Peroz IV’s conquests, the Exarchate was efficiently ruled by the Nikephorian family. After the fall of neighboring Tripoli, the Exarchate submitted to the authority of the Shahanshah and were allowed to retain their institutions and laws, much like the *Byzantine statelets and principalities in Morea, and Asia Minor.
The Shahdom of Avaria: The Avars were key players in the fall of the Roman Empire, but have since played a small role in history. The loss of Constantinople was a major blow to their prestige. By 950, the place is looking rather Slavic, but with heavy Iranian influence. Their alphabet is based on the Persian one and a localized Zoroastrianism is the most widely held faith. A few *Orthodox Christians still live in the eastern coast. There are often rumors that the Sassanians will march in an install their own satrap, but this is largely unfounded: they basically run the place already…
The Kingdom of Bulgaria: Pushed through Avaria a few hundred years ago, the Bulgars established a kingdom in what was once central Greece. They quickly assimilated into their largely Greek and Slavic subjects and the nation is now one of the most devout and traditional "Greek" *Orthodox “independent” nations. The language is a *heavily* Slavicised form of Greek.
The Lakhmid Kingdom: Although they briefly lost their independence after a disagreement with Khosrau II, Sassanian annexation proved to be impractical. After the defeat of the Romans, they absorbed their long time rivals, the Ghassanids. Now, three hundred years later, they’re the Sassanian's staunchest and arguably most powerful allies. Their influence extends far into the Arabian peninsula and even into the Levantine provinces. They’re largely Nestorian, but have significant miaphysite, Arab pagan* and Zoroastrian minorities. Increasingly Iranianized.
The Sogdian Shahdom: This Indo-Iranian polity was only fully united around 150 years ago. They are a *major* center of trade, culture, and learning. They also make a pretty penny in the slave and prostitution trade. They are currently in the process of getting permission to move on their weaker neighbors. Along with the Maurians, this is another power to watch.
Heathen Europe:
Christendom has been quite stunted or even rolled back outside of Hispania and the Mediterranean coasts. The seeming endless waves of barbarian invasions from the east, were amplified by the fact that Sassanian strength in Central Asia has denied them Southern lands to conquer. First the Slavs, then the Magyars, and finally the Turks have pushed back into the interior of what would have been called Europe. Without a strong Christian state in the East, and with Charlemagne butterflied, Christianity is undergoing hard times. The cultural pull of the Sassanians is incredibly strong in both Christian and non-Christian Europe.
The Kingdom of Saxony: Pushed west by first the Slavs and then the Magyars, Saxony remains the only surviving Germanic kingdom, or rather, the most unchanged. With boundaries on the Seine and the Rhine, they have preserved their unique Germanic culture with remarkably few influences from both Christianity and the rising religions of the East. Wodenism remains strong.
The Magyar kingdoms: After being rebuffed by the Slavs in the western Balkans, the Magyars were fully pushed out of the Ukraine by the approaching Turks. They now reside in three independent kingdoms in what would have been Germany and Bohemia. In the long term, it is likely that they will largely assimilate into their (admittingly rather sparse) Germanic and Norse subjects, with the exception of the *Bohemian kingdom, where the mountains and slightly heavier settlement will preserve their culture and language. Currently having trouble with Turkic interlopers…
The Norse: Denmark, Norway and Sweden are thoroughly pagan, thank you very much. Population pressure and Magyar invasions have provided a strong impetus to migrate west. The Danes and Norwegians have established several kingdoms in England, Brittany, Galicia, and the Irish coasts. Without Alfred and without a strong local Christianity, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms are looking at a pretty Scandinavian future. The Norweigans and Danes have established their respective control over the English kingdoms, as well as over Galicia in Hispania.
The Slavs: Besides an outlier kingdom in near Novgorod, the Slavs are largely a Balkan and middle European affair. Religiously—aside from the Kingdom of Lombardiya—they are in flux. Manichaeism and Nestorianism are filtering in from the Turkish east, while some areas retain their traditional *paganism. Slavic migration was heavy and their territories are largely assimilated into them, instead of the other way around.
The Turks: Although the Turks have been filtering into Europe for centuries, the latest wave of Oghuz tribes has been the most significant and populous so far. By far the largest and most powerful of the entities is the Seljuk Shahdom, based around the Volga. They are quickly assimilating the few remaining Slavs, Balts and earlier Turkic peoples. At the moment, they have just united a large portion of the tribal kingdoms and are currently looking west at their still independent cousins. Their extended stay near Iranian central Asia have had a deep impact on them culturally and religiously, with much of the ruling classes Nestorian/Tengrist. Being from the Steppe, they’re definitely playing fast and loose with Christian theology and they don’t much care. The language of the court is (like much of this part of the world) Persian.
“Free” Christian Europe
Western Christianity has taken quite a few hits. The Pope is largely powerless (residing in Bordeaux) with absolutely no power over the Celtic churches. However, these westerners remain proud of their religion, independent as it is from the “Persian controlled Churches.” However, the specter of the mighty Sassanian Empire dominates their culture perceptions, much as Rome once did.
The Kingdom of Burgundy: The Franks were deflected and crushed, with the Burgundians ascendant. Aquitaine is currently subordinate and not long for this world. Burgundy is by far the most powerful remaining nation in western Christendom, and they aren’t going anywhere. Although they don’t always get along with the Saxons, the threats from the north and east have driven them together for now. They speak a rather Germanized Romance language (a result of significant recent migration out of German, in addition to their ancient Germanic roots) and are a proud bastion of Roman law and institutions.
The Celtic Fringe: The wily Celts have survived and all things considered, thrived. Their eccentric form of Christianity is slowly being spread by devout and “enthusiastic” missionaries throughout the British Isles. They’ve struggled with the Norsemen for years, but in recent years, even they have transitioned from “raiding” to “settlement.”
And the rest: From the Basques in the mountains, to the remnant “Romans” on the Peninsula, western Christians are struggling, but they will survive, one way or another.
Asia:
Although the butterfly effect took a bit longer to reach Asia, by the mid-10th century, we can see significant changes. Christianity (though not as we know it), Zoroastrianism, and Manichaeism is spreading far and wide without the advent of Islam to prevent it. Even China finds itself in a rather new situation…
The Gōng Dynasty: The Kyrgyz hordes, too far east to take advantage of the move into Europe, and denied the chance to move into Central Asia, took advantage of the impossibly imploded Tang Dynasty, to establish their own. Claiming relations to the aforementioned dynasty, they took the name Gōng, meaning Duke, as a symbol of their legitimacy. However, they have brought their weird syncretic religion from the Steppe, where such things are often made. Even the most eccentric Persian Christian would probably not recognize them as proper Christians, and some rather odd things are happening with Jesus, Ahuramazda, and Sky Father Tengri… Although a few Chinese kingdoms survive in the South--left over from the period of chaos before their arrival--they are no threat to the consolidating Gōng. In an ironic twist of fate, the Tang court has taken up residence in eastern Sassanian Empire, the only nation they ever treated as equals.
The Tibetan Empire: The fluky circumstances surrounding their collapse in our timeline were butterflied, and the Tibetans look like they will be sticking around for at least a little while. Their influence is spreading in India and Southern China, especially with the Gōng Dynasty still subduing the last Tang resistance. How long the Tibetans can survive as a Tibetan Empire is yet to be seen.
Rashtrakutan Empire: A well organized, power, literate and culturally rich empire. Although it remains to be seen, the OTL humiliations of the later 10th century may yet be avoided. They are currently seeing a major influx of Coptic and Arab merchants, traders and of course missionaries. Competition with the Sassanians and Tibetans is certainly going to be heated in the coming century…
Well, there it is! Thanks to NikoZnate for his extensive input!