[quote=@Vilageidiotx]
There is always something defeated feeling about the Byzantines, like they are the Rome that lost it all but stubbornly refused to jump off the boat. They switch to Greek, and after Justinian dies they become very regional in their politics so that it is clear the rest of Europe no longer belongs in their sphere.
[/quote]

Byzies were more sophisticated than Classical Rome in many respects, and losing most of their territory to the Islamic Conquests actually helped in that, to the point where the Byzies had 1700s Political institutions in the 1000s.

Also, [url=http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=315303&highlight=Byzantine+Trade+Merchant]this[/url] might help outline my potential policies.

So does [url=http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=340376&highlight=Renovation]this[/url].