Why does everybody play Bayzantium in Paradox games?

[Kanaric]

I play as them because they are the oldest europeon empire in the game by far.

[Sir Furlong]

I think a lot of people, especially people who are fond of history and the Roman Empire in particular, have a romantic idea of the ERE, and want to save it from it's sad fate and take it back to glory. And like other have said, it is usually a challenge.

[YuriVII]

I liked to play as Byzantines with these medieval era games for one reason only: Their geography. Constantinople in real life has to be the most well placed city in history. Geographically you have so many possibilities and can play the naval game real hard like England but also the huge land army game like Germans or Rus'. Also none of your neighbors are weaklings.

[Disgruntled Persian]

Because people like a game which requires alot of luck with a tiny bit of skill sprinkled on top.

[Emperor PooMan]

because the Byzantine Empire is awsome

[Dragontail]

I have never played as the Byzantines in any game what so ever. But now I will do it. Thanks for the tip!

[Campylobacter jejuni]

I never played Byzantium in a Paradox game.

[Ciciro]

I never played Byzantium in a Paradox game.

[Campylobacter jejuni]

Ottomans are way cooler.

[Emperor PooMan]

Ottomans are way cooler.

Lolwat, the Ottomans destroyed one of the greatest empires ever seen by man. (not good)

[Campylobacter jejuni]

Lolwat, the Ottomans destroyed one of the greatest empires ever seen by man. (not good)

Replaced it with another great empire, so there wasn't a real loss. Also it kickstarted the renaissance. Yay for the destruction of Byzantium!

[Vlad Dracul]

Dunno if anyone will feel more comfortable about all this, but if I'll ever play a Paradox game I won't pick the Byzantine Empire.
I'll chose the Teutonic Order or the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation instead.

[Emperor PooMan]

I guess, but. The Byzantines were still cooler

[Mithridates VI]

Ottomans are way cooler.

But Pontic Empire is the coolest.

[Emperor PooMan]

But Pontic Empire is the coolest.

na man Byzantines FTW

[Ciciro]

na man Byzantines FTW

n ma Ryukyu tw

[Emperor PooMan]

n ma Ryukyu tw

na
FTW

[Campylobacter jejuni]

We know there can be only one...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Emperor PooMan]

We know there can be only one...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

agreed, but that one belongs to the Byzantines, because they did it before it was cool.

[Campylobacter jejuni]

I mean only one Empire. And the HRE definitely does it with way more style.