[M Kehoe]

And the Muslims invade Constantinople.

5.56mm

[Red Badger]

Sviatopolk I dies and is succeeded by his brother Yaroslav I (the Wise). He becomes with the support of the Novgorodians and the help of Varangian (Viking) mercenaries the Grand Prince of Kiev. Yaroslav consolidates the Kievan state through both cultural and administrative improvements, and military campaigns.[1]

[Fiji Hill]

And the Muslims invade Constantinople.

That happened back in 683 and 716-717, and the Muslim invasion failed both times.

The current outlook for the Roman Empire for 1019 is quite positive. Earlier this year, Bulgaria was finally subdued. Although the powerful Fatamid Caliphate currently poses the main threat to the empire, relations between Constantinople and Cairo have improved and should expect to remain cordial for the time being.

To the east, the once-powerful Abbasid Caliphate, headquartered in Baghdad, has weakened considerably, but a new group in the region, the Seljuq Turks, is on the rise and should be seen as a major potential threat down the road.