/r/althistory

Photograph via snooOG

Welcome to /r/althistory, the alternate history subreddit! Here you can discuss alternate history matters, whether they be books, essays, TV shows, movies, or podcasts.

Common Acronyms and Phrases:

  • AH stands for Alternate History.
  • WI stands for What If.
  • OTL stands for Our Time Line, history as it happened.
  • ATL stands for Alternate Time Line
  • POD stands for Point Of Divergence or the point at which a fictional timeline diverges from OTL.
  • ASB stands for Alien Space Bats, referring to alternate history so implausible it would have required the intervention of "alien space bats."
  • ISOT stands for Island in the Sea of Time, the S.M. Sterling novel which popularized the idea of transporting people and places to a different time period. ISOTs are, by their nature, always ASB.
  • DBWI stands for Double-Blind What-If, where OTL history is examined from an AH perspective. ex: "What if the Soviets put the first man in space?" asks a character from a timeline where the USA put the first man in space.
  • The butterfly effect, where small changes accrue over time to significantly alter events.
  • Counterfactual histories, the scholarly version of alternate history.
  • Wank, refers to when a nation is made unrealistically powerful.
  • Scew, the opposite of a wank.

Related Subreddits:

  • /r/HistoryWhatIf: An alternate history subreddit dedicated exclusively to answering traditional what-if questions.
  • /r/AskHistorians: Direct any questions about actual history to this excellent sub.

/r/althistory

15,210 Subscribers

1

Operation Sealion

Id like a discussion about the possibilities of a successful operation Sealion. I would really like this thread not to repeat previous threads which consisted of loads of very patriotic British people poo poohing the whole idea. Please do not comment if you are only going to state "why what actually happened had to happen", thats literally the opposite of what the "alt" in the sub title means. Also its not that interesting treating the problem as a simple yes-no, thats dull. We should try to deal with the factors of the problem, rather than jumping to the outcome. Eg it would be interesting to examine the relative importance of air superiority vs naval superiority. Finally I would like to hear actual historians being cited rather than poster opinions. I have been motivated to this topic by the very innovative works by Schenk (German) and Forzcyk (American) on this topic. I also liked Bungays book on the BoB - where he replaced the usual bluster about 'the Few' with hard statistics and showed that irrespective of the outcome, certain key bad decisions by the Germans could easily have been made differently and would have mattered greatly.

2 Comments
2025/01/31
21:57 UTC

3

World War 3 In Arma 3

This is the background of a World War 3 Campaign for Arma 3, where players play as the Russian Army, the US Marines, the Finnish Army, the Polish Army, the Swedish Army, and religious extremists alongside the Russian Army. We also created a series of videos for it. It is meant to be a very dark and unsettling direction for the future, which leads to a 1600mi long DMZ wall being built along the entire border of the former EU, and a nuclear attack hitting Warsaw which ends the war.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i2pEOWpQ4djvaKXC0CNeadgghtxFMjVNZjyilhHPZq0/edit?usp=sharing

Part 4, the Final Battle of Helsinki

0 Comments
2025/01/29
23:08 UTC

5

What if Sweden won the Finnish war against Russia (1808-1809)

Lets say Gustav IV had studied Napoleon and other strategists and made a big reform in the Swedish army and navy and when 1808 rolls around and Russia invades, Gustav and Sweden are much more prepared. PS You can go into detail of how the war would go down

1 Comment
2025/01/29
11:54 UTC

2

7 years war in 1914

1 Comment
2025/01/28
07:33 UTC

3

Thoughts On This Lore?

1918 - The Romanov Family aside from the Tsar and Tsarina are rescued by King George in Sevastopol

1934 - Scottish National Party is founded

1938 - Publication of "Caledonia: A History of the Scottish Spirit" by historian Dr. Fiona MacGregor sparks pride in Scotland’s religious and cultural heritage

1945 - In the wake of WWII brutality, a public distaste in the idea of innocents being doomed to Hell, and the hopelessness of Calvinism and TULIP

1945 - The publication of the Great Divorce sparks interests in the ideas of Scottish Theologian George MacDonald in regard to restorative justice and universal reconciliation come to a resurgence in intellectual circles of the Church of Scotland, Church of England, and other reformed churches

1947 - Thousands of Scottish miners go on strike, leading to a recession in Scotland that the UK fails to address

1948 - The publication of Restoration and Reconciliation: George MacDonald’s Vision by theologian Dr. James Campbell sparks renewed academic interest in universalist theology across Scotland's universities.

Late 1940’s - Rebuilding of London and the Midlands is prioritized, seeing Scots getting neglected

1950’s - Scottish industries like steel and shipbuilding decline with no support from London

1950’s - Fringe Church of Scotland churches begin adopting some Celtic Christian practices like certain prayers of the singing of psalms to folk meters

1955 - Scottish shipbuilders form a coalition to advocate for better industrial protections, marking the beginning of economic tensions with Westminster

1952 - Queen Elizabeth is coronated and spends a good amount of time in Scotland to show goodwill

1954 - The Church of Scotland establishes a committee to study and promote Scottish spiritual heritage, laying the groundwork for the eventual revival of Celtic practices

1955 - “Surprised by Joy” by C S Lewis slowly begins to move the public consciousness to reflect on God’s enduring mercy and faithfulness

1956 - Steel mills in Lanarkshire begin to close, resulting in mass layoffs. Protests against Westminster's neglect of Scottish industries gain traction.

1960’s - Oil discovered in North Sea, but Scotland sees little revenue as it’s funneled to Westminster

1960’s - With the arrival of more liberal ideals, the Church of Scotland has begun being more open to universalist ideas, specifically in line with George MacDonald’s ideologies

1963 - C S Lewis converts to the Church of Scotland and pushes for more learning on George MacDonald

1967 - The Church of Scotland holds the "Year of Scottish Christianity," a national campaign highlighting the works of George MacDonald, John Knox, and other influential figures with C S Lewis in attendance, including new discussions on universalism

1968 - C S Lewis dies of kidney failure

1968 - The Book of Kells is published for mainstream use

1970’s - Celtic imagery, aesthetics, and ideas become more mainstream in the Church of Scotland with local grassroots initiatives

1971 - A group of young clergy forms the St. Columba Society to promote the integration of Celtic imagery into Church of Scotland practices.

1972 - Bloody Sunday Happens and Scottish people protest in the streets against British brutality and English supremacy

1972 - Siol nan Gaidheal is founded as an ultra nationalist far left Scottish Party

1973 - Scotland gets more autonomy in reaction to the Troubles in efforts to accommodate the Scots with control over Education and internal commerce but do NOT get a Parliament

1973 - Scottish National Party refines itself as a centre left party supporting legal and amicable separation from the UK

1974 - “It’s Scotland’s Oil” becomes a motto as the SNP gains more seats in Parliament

1975 - The Westminster government proposes the creation of a Scottish Assembly but it fails to pass due to resentment against Scottish support of North Ireland against the UK

1976 - "The Highland Psalter" is published, featuring Gaelic psalm tunes and prayers inspired by Celtic Christianity

1977 - A major strike in Aberdeen’s oil fields is violently broken up by British forces, further fueling nationalist sentiment, leading to subsequent protests and riots across Scotland

1979 - Scotland has 38% of the total electorate vote in the the devolution referendum with a 52.6% majority for yes, but it was struck down due to not having 40% of the electorate voting

1980’s - A small but growing number of affluent Church of Scotland theologians and clergy have begun proposing universalism, pushing it more into the mainstream through books and sermons. Furthermore, grassroots movements have become minority but mainstream, with celtic imagery, prayers, and liturgical practices growing

1981 - Princess Diana married Charles, bringing new Scottish heritage to the family

1980’s - Diana patronages many charities, including homelessness, poverty, the youth, and drug addiction as well as HIV and AIDS

1981 - Prince Charles tours Scotland extensively in honor of his new bride who has deep Scottish ties

Margaret Thatcher more heavily crushes Scottish mining and industry during the 1980’s

1982 - Prince William is born at Balmoral while on Holiday

1983 - Siol nan Gaidheal publishes “A Manifesto for Scottish Sovereignty”, framing independence as essential to protecting Scottish culture, religion, and economy.

1984 Prince Harry is born - more time spent at Balmoral

1985 - Siol nan Gaidheal gains attention by organizing the "March of the Forgotten Scots," commemorating neglected industrial workers and mining communities

1986 - The Church of Scotland launches its first Festival of Celtic Faith in Iona, emphasizing the connection between Celtic traditions and Reformed theology

1986 - Thatcher implements Scottish Poll Tax

1987 - Princess Diana gains funding for the restoration of many early Scottish Christian sites such as St. Gilles Cathedral and Iona Abbey

1988 - The "Scots Anti-Tax Revolt" dominates national media, putting Scotland’s independence firmly on the political agenda

1990’s - Harry and William and Diana spend much time in Scotland

1990s - The Troubles becomes more vicious, a Scottish saying is “If this is how they treat the Irish, what will they do to us?”

1990 - The Church of Scotland's General Assembly debates the role of Celtic traditions in liturgy, ultimately voting to encourage local experimentation with Celtic hymns and prayers

1993 - The Church of Scotland commissions an optional Celtic inspired hymnal, along with an optional Book of Common Order inspired by Celtic ideals why keeping to traditional Reformed ideals like simplicity and the authority of God in response to the Troubles and growing cultural shifts

1995 - Scottish Parliament established

1995 - Siol nan Gaidheal wins smallest minority seats

1996 - The Stone of Scone is officially returned to Scotland in Holyrood House, sparking a surge of nationalist pride and calls for independence

1996 - Diana is divorced, is granted a title Duchess of Rothesay and home in Scotland as apart of divorce settlement

1997 - Diana founds a school for the Disabled in Edinburgh for the Arts

1997 - Diana dies, Harry inherits her title in Scotland due to his specific love for the country, since William is soon to be Prince of Wales. Harry takes over his mother’s charities

1997 - Harry enrolls at Gordonstoun Boarding School in Scotland following his mother’s death

1997 - Harry starts wearing the Spencer Tartan daily in honor of his mother as well as to integrate as a scottish duke

1998 - St. Columba’s Day is made an official holiday in Scotland

1998 - Failed negotiations to end The Troubles with Ireland lead to new protests of solidarity with North Ireland in regards to the UK, improving relations between the two countries

1999 - The Church of Scotland introduces “The Book of Scottish Prayers”, a collection of Celtic-inspired prayers for use in local congregations.

2000 - Prince Harry in honor of Diana’s legacy inspires the creation of The Rose Project, a Scottish charity supporting mental health awareness and arts education

2000’s - Sees Scottish cultural renaissance

2000 - A Scottish Parliament is established in efforts to curb Scottish interference in negotiations in The Troubles

2001 - The Troubles end with the Good Friday Agreement

2001 - Massive oil fields found off coast of Scotland

2001 - Harry graduates school, spends gap year in Scotland as an activist and coal miner trying to keep Scottish mining open

2001 - Harry has a party persona emerge spending weekends at clubs across Scotland

2001 - Scottish youth begin wearing the tartan in small but growing numbers as Harry starts a trend

2002 - Harry enrolls at the University of St. Andrew majoring in Scottish History

2002 through 2006 - Harry develops close friendships with many Scottish elites while at Uni

2003 - Final coal mine in Scotland shuts down

2004 - Prince Harry launches The Highland Youth Initiative, a charity to combat unemployment and substance abuse among young Scots

2005 - Harry starts charities to help mentally ill and youth unemployment

2005 - The SNP starts calling for independence

2006 - Siol nan Gaidheal publishes “Scotland Reborn: A Blueprint for Sovereignty”, gaining traction among university students

2006 - Harry Graduates and enrolls at the Royal Military Academy

2006 - Harry joins armed forces

2006 - The Church of Scotland publishes “A Hope For All Nations,” declaring Christ’s atonement was sufficient for all nations and peoples, and declares God’s absolute sovereign grace extends universally. This is controversial, with many congregationalists opposing it

2006 - Prince Harry does a pilgrimage to the tombs of St. Columba and St. Aidan before deployment

2006 - Harry is deployed to front lines of Iraq against the state’s wishes but due to public support for the prince he makes it

2006 - Many “orthodox reformers” begin to leave the Church of Scotland feeling betrayed by the shifts in theology and aesthetics

2007 - Scottish Nationalist party gains majority in Scottish Parliament

2007 - The Church of Scotland mainstream adopts specific liturgical and theological aesthetics and practices such as Morning and Evening Prayers, nature blessings, and pilgrimages in response to growing nationalism and Celtic resurgence

2008 - Scots begin to claim Scotland subsidises England due to North Sea Oil money despite the reality being Scotland is subsidized by England

2008 - Harry is deployed to Afghanistan with William

2008 - Economic Crisis

2009 - Scottish calls for independence begin due to economic crisis, English neglect, and a cultural renaissance

2009 - More young people begin to learn Scots and Gaelic

2009 - Seasonal liturgical calendars are adapted to include Celtic festivals such as Samhain (All Saints’ Day) and Imbolc (Candlemas), reframed within Christian Reformed and Universalist contexts

2009 - A national referendum on Scottish autonomy is announced for 2014, with tensions between unionists and nationalists escalating

2010: St. Andrew's University hosts a landmark conference titled Faith and Nationhood, where Church of Scotland theologians and nationalists discuss the spiritual dimensions of independence

2010 - The Church of Scotland officially declares in a declaration of faith recognizing universalism as a cornerstone of its theology. This is framed as a continuation of Reformed thought, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and grace

2011 - Harry does a North Pole Expedition for charity

2011 - Protests erupt in Glasgow after a proposed increase in oil taxes disproportionately impacts Scotland, reigniting "It’s Scotland’s Oil" rhetoric

2012 - London Olympics bring pride to UK, but leaves the Scots to feel isolated and ignored as Scottish representation is undermined by “Englishness”

2012 - Most Scottish young men and some middle aged men wear tartan as a public protest against English dominance spurred by Harry

2012 - The Church of Scotland rebounds from its slow decline, with most young men joining it as a protest to England, adopting many Celtic practices, accepting universalism, and submitting to the divine simplicity of the Church of Scotland

2012 - Siol nan Gaidheal sees growing membership from particularly young men, now competing as a competent secondary party to the Scottish Nationalist Party in response to growing feelings of English dominance and pro Scottish revivalism gaining the second largest number of seats

2012 - Most Scottish members of the Church of Scotland have accepted and adopted at least some Celtic practices likes blessings, morning and and evening prayers, and Gealic hymns all within a Reformed context

2012 - North Belfast riots get out of control

2013 - Scottish nationalists join in on Northern Irish riots, heating up

2013: The SNP launches Scotland United, a massive campaign combining cultural events, political rallies, and economic arguments to build support for independence

2013 - A standardized Book of Common Worship for the Church of Scotland is commissioned though not mandatory, inspired by Sts. Columba and Aiden, while adhering to Calvanist and Reforms simplicities and rejecting frivolity and what’s seen as Anglican and Papist extravagances

2013 - Harry leaves the armed forces and is given the Victoria Cross from the Queen for his service in active combat, a first for most royals

2013 - Harry does an Antarctic Expedition to support wounded vets

2013 - The Church launches major outreach campaigns emphasizing its universalist message of hope, reconciliation, and care for creation. These include environmental initiatives, interfaith dialogue, and anti-poverty programs, tying theology to action

2014 - Harry comes home and does campaigns for wounded soldiers

2014 - Scottish Independence Referendum is held, with 54% voting for independence, 46% voting to stay with the UK. Independence passes with a slight majority

2014 - Scotland gets Independence

2014 - Prince Harry is selected after much negotiation to become constitutional King of Scotland, taking the regnal name David

2014 - The Church of Scotland is declared the official religion of Scotland, with Prince Harry now as King David III converting to the faith officially

0 Comments
2025/01/27
19:09 UTC

1

What if Italy annexed north tirol post ww1

Setup: Italians don’t retreat from the occupation zone of north Tirol and instead directly annex it for more projection into Central Europe

2 Comments
2025/01/26
23:46 UTC

1

In search of Leon Croizat’s art!

I’ve been looking for Leon Croizat’s art for several days, but I can’t find anything. All I know is that he made watercolor paintings in the 1920’s and showed at a museum in NY. Yes, I did contact the museum, but they didn’t have any images of his art. Any help appreciated!

0 Comments
2025/01/25
16:55 UTC

2

I have a really funny idea for a mapping series

https://preview.redd.it/5kwxo252j3fe1.png?width=1702&format=png&auto=webp&s=b7a4cb13bee5b38bf354b4297275be24b00af19d

https://preview.redd.it/32opoqo2j3fe1.png?width=1702&format=png&auto=webp&s=190db55680fb297f96c04c60fa402fc03d794632

Basically, the idea of the series is that every few years of the alternate history (depending on how much is going on) is written by a completely different group of people.

The images I posted show how much of the series I've already completed. The next phase of this alternate history will be written by this subreddit

What do you guys think should happen next during the alternate history?

0 Comments
2025/01/25
08:00 UTC

3

Do you know what programs alt hist YouTubers use to make maps?

0 Comments
2025/01/25
05:40 UTC

0

WI: President Woodrow Wilson turned out to be a pedophile/rapist?

A lot of alternate history writers ramp up his authoritarian and racist views because he’s considered to be among the least qualified people to have been President of the United States.

But I think it’d be a creative and dark (if not outright disturbing) twist that deviates from how he’s usually depicted in AltHistories.

5 Comments
2025/01/23
18:01 UTC

7

Should japan have invaded soviet union instead of china in 1937 how would it go?

main reason for japan choosing war with America was it being oil sanctioned by its oil supplier, USA and being stuck in a war with china, while the world was not tolerating its aggressive actions in french Indochina

but should it have invaded the soviet union over a fight for eastern Siberia, it probably wouldn't get that much of negative response from the world and most importantly the America, as seen in battle Japanese did perform quite well and soviets had not a good performance compared to their numbers

Siberia is a place where you cant just pump unlimited amount of soldiers or supplies into, because of lack of infrastructure , so main soviet advantage(the numbers and especially the tanks) would be useless in the front

what do you think about such a scenario? would japan be able to secure a victory or at least upkeep its empire post ww2?

4 Comments
2025/01/19
19:31 UTC

8

What if the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1934?

Basically, I don’t know much about this topic but in the north of Afghanistan there were islamic radicals (I think) and to have a better diplomatic relationship with the monarchy the Soviets attacked the radicals and helped quell the rebellion. In this timeline they see this as a nice opportunity so they either coup the monarchy or just invade the two (radicals and monarchists). Anyway, correct me if I’m wrong and feel free to present better lore cus I thought of this from the top of my head.

2 Comments
2025/01/19
01:47 UTC

5

What if a large population of dinosaurs survived the Chicxulub impact on some small Pacific islands near the antipode?

On the opposite end of the Earth from the Chicxulub impact, the heat wave would have been significantly milder than anywhere else in the world. What if, by chance, one of the Southwest Pacific islands near Australia which were at that antipodal point retained a large population of surviving dinosaur lineages of the terminal Cretaceous?

Imagine that this island remained relatively isolated from the flora and fauna of the rest of the world, like Socotra or Hawai'i, until the arrival of humans during the Polynesian expansion. How would the species on the islands subsequently evolve in isolation following the impact? How would humans have dealt with some of the species, and could they have domesticated any of them? Would any of the Late Cretaceous species have been able to invade other continental ecosystems upon accidental introduction, or would they all quickly go extinct on contact with Cenozoic life?

7 Comments
2025/01/12
23:02 UTC

8

What if Manchukuo revolted against Japan in WWII?

Do you think the former Chinese Emperor and his puppet state to Japan would be able to join the allies and fight for independence? Say around 1944 when Japan was stretched thin. Losing Manchukuo would likely collapse the Japanese war effort, since the Showa Steel works in Manchukuo produced a significant fraction of Japan's steel, and their general exploitation of Manchukuo provided around 25-33% of the Japanese governments revenues. The allies could also see Manchukuo as a better alternative to Soviet or Communist control of the Region.

https://preview.redd.it/2479vwzz8kce1.png?width=615&format=png&auto=webp&s=16b0735ac6f1e167933eb2c29342f1058fd9574c

0 Comments
2025/01/12
12:56 UTC

8

Not the "Southern Victory" series.

Looking for a series of books....

A series set in the modern era where the Rebels won the Civil War. The first book starts with a Southern escapee crossing a river and being shot by a Confederate "Less lethal" .12 gauge projectile, it wasn't and its filmed for TV causing a uproar.

The old Confederate generals descendants are there as political and military birthrights, i.e. when the Confederacy is at war, the militarily leader must be a direct  descendant of Bobby Lee.  The USr closest ally is Japan. VMI is the "west point of the CSA." The CSA officer corps duels occasionally under strict protocols down to the correct verbiage.

The Germans invade and the technology superior USA must assist.  The US Pres <Male> and the Rebel pres  <Female> fall for each other.

This is not the "Southern Victory" series. Its a different author.  Turtledove is a great author and Guns of the South started the Alt History books.  But this isn't that series.
I remember it was two books, but I think there are more.

2 Comments
2025/01/11
10:51 UTC

8

What If India had joined Western bloc during Cold war

In this alternate timeline, the United States formally offered India a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) instead of merely making a verbal proposal. Nehru, in this timeline, accepted the proposal, making India a Western Bloc nation in the 1950s.

Given India's economic condition in the 1950s, the country would not have undertaken full-scale liberalization reforms. However, the government might have implemented limited liberalization measures in exchange for U.S. assistance.

India’s relationship with the Western Bloc would have been based primarily on providing moral support, while retaining some socialist policies throughout the Cold War.

The Goan Liberation War might not have occurred due to Portugal and India having a common ally, or it might have unfolded as it did in our timeline.

During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the United States would have provided greater support to India, although the ultimate outcome remains uncertain. If India had won the 1962 war, China might have rejoined the Eastern Bloc.

Pakistan’s position in this timeline would be unique. It would not have become a U.S. ally due to India’s alliance with the United States, but neither would it have joined the Eastern Bloc because of ideological differences. Pakistan would likely have adopted an isolationist, pan-Islamist, or non-aligned stance during the Cold War.

This shift would have led to U.S. and Western recognition of India’s hegemony over Kashmir, resulting in the 1965 war ending with Pakistan’s defeat as in our timeline.

India would have likely developed nuclear weapons in the 1960s with U.S. assistance.

In the 1970s, either Indira Gandhi would have continued to lead and the Swatantra Party (Capitalist Party) might have survived as an opposition force, bolstered by Western funding.

The 1971 war would have resulted in a decisive and even more significant defeat for Pakistan than in our timeline. With no pressure from Nixon, India might have succeeded in taking over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and northern regions of East Pakistan.

Although Indira Gandhi might still have imposed the Emergency, the Swatantra Party would likely have won the 1977 elections. This could have led to reforms similar to the liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG) reforms of the 1990s occurring in the late 1970s.

Under Swatantra Party leadership, India might have remained neutral during the Soviet-Afghan War, just as it did in our timeline.

The future political landscape under Swatantra Party leadership would be difficult to predict.

Potential Impacts on India, Pakistan, and China

India:
India would have become a permanent UNSC member with veto power and achieved rapid economic growth, potentially becoming the third-largest GDP in the world due to early reforms. Kashmir would likely have gained statehood, with its politics less controlled by the central government. The Khalistan issue remains uncertain, but with the Swatantra Party in power during the 1980s, its handling would likely differ significantly from our timeline.

Pakistan:
Pakistan would have evolved as either a pan-Islamist, non-aligned, or isolationist nation. It would have lost both PoK and Azad Kashmir to India during the 1971 war. Additionally, Pakistan would likely have never become a nuclear power. In this timeline, Morarji Desai would not have disclosed sensitive information about RAW operations to Zia-ul-Haq, enabling RAW agents to expose Pakistan's nuclear program to the world before it could develop fully.

China:
China would have remained estranged from the West due to Pakistan’s anti-West stance and India’s alignment with the Western Bloc. With India holding a veto power in the UNSC, China might never have gained permanent member status. Instead, China might have rejoined the Eastern Bloc, strengthening ties with the USSR or would have maintained an isolationist stance.

0 Comments
2025/01/09
19:23 UTC

3

What If Sassanid Empire won Roman Persian war 603 AD - 628 AD and Lakhmid kingdom united Arabs.

In this timeline, the Sassanid Empire never conquered the Lakhmid Kingdom. Instead, they took a route from the kingdom, and the Lakhmid Kingdom, in support of the Sassanid Persia, invaded the Ghassanid Empire, leading to the expansion of the Lakhmid Empire. Although Khosrow II was aware of the increasing Lakhmid influence, he didn’t take any action to counter it.

The initial invasion remains the same, but in this timeline, Khosrow II did not underestimate Heraclius and focused more on Anatolia than on Egypt in 615 AD. With the alliance of the Avars and Slavs in the Balkans, the Sassanid Empire would have managed to destroy Constantinople and conquered Anatolia and Constantinople itself. The Avars would have controlled the Balkans, including Greece, leading to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

After the fall of Byzantium, the Sassanids would have conquered Egypt, and Carthage would have become a vassal state of the Sassanian Empire. Meanwhile, the Lakhmid Kingdom would have stayed independent and dominated most of the Arab tribes, having already conquered the Ghassanid Empire and becoming the King of all Arabs. Though a Persian vassal, the Lakhmid Kingdom would still have kept an eye on the growing influence of Mecca and Medina.

During the Battle of Badr, the Lakhmids would have supported the Quraysh and managed to defeat the Muslims. Afterward, the Lakhmids would have deposed the Quraysh and conquered Mecca. Following the consolidation of Mecca, the Lakhmids would have used their Pagan allies in Medina to conquer it as well. With Sassanid support and the Lakhmid superiority, the Lakhmids would have succeeded in uniting almost all of Arabia under their control, with the rest of the tribes being Lakhmid allies.

By the late 620sKhosrow II would have grown suspicious of the rising Lakhmid importance and would have deposed the Lakhmid king, integrating the entire Lakhmid Kingdom into the Sassanid Empire.

There would have been no war with the Western Turks due to the early collapse of Byzantium.

Khosrow II would not have been assassinated due to his victory, and Shahrbaraz would have succeeded him.

The Sassanian Civil War would not have occurred.

If the Sassanian Empire managed to settle down and its politics remained stable, then the reign of Shahrbaraz could be referred to as the Persian Renaissance or the Persian Golden Age.

How would this impact the world?

Significantly. The early fall of Byzantium would likely have been seen by Christians in Europe as a religious threat, but it’s unclear how they would have responded. Islam would not have spread beyond Mecca and Medina due to Sassanian rule, which would cause a butterfly effect so profound that predicting how the world would look now becomes nearly impossible.

The inventions that occurred during the Islamic Golden Age would still have happened, but under the auspices of Zoroastrian Persians instead of Muslims.

2 Comments
2025/01/09
19:19 UTC

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