Byzantine Empire, help!

[disorientalist]

Hi.

I started a campaign with the Byz. empire (Hard/Hard Diff.) and I currently own the whole of asia minor up until Cesarea Trebizond and Adana (all 3 of them are fortresses) I also sent a fleet with a german general that married my princess (Otto Von Kassel) and conquered Cario and Alexandria, I also have recently took Antioch and Aleppo.
I was at peace with all the western powers (even allied with the pope) except venice, which i took all its holdings in greece, including Iraklion. In a side note they went in a crusade to jerusalem and took it, after lots of turns of cold war they decided to attack again so i decided to take venice. I took it and sack it for money, and the papacy attacked me. After that Poland, which expanded A LOT (has almost all of eastern europe attacked me in Caffa and took it from me so I sent to stacks of armies with Honorable and chivalric generals. Then hungary which was my ally decided to betrayed me. So Im at war with: Poland, Hungary, Venice (they only have jerusalem and one full stack near constantinople (i dont know why), Papal States, Turks, and Egyptians. And the Mongols have just arrived and are nearing my Castle at Aleppo. I put a full stack in the bridge so it will be a bridge war.

I need to improve my relations with western europe. I dont mind giving venice up. I want to expand northwards and own the whole of the black sea, and keep peace with the catholics, maybe except poland and hungary, but im in poor relations with everyone.
I decided to ally with the eternal blasphemer Milan because its always an excomulgated faction. Is that okay? In short: I own the whole of greece, all the islands, the whole of asia minor, cairo alexandria caffa and kiev.
I managed to keep the money flowing, but sometimes it reaches dangerously low levels. I know that if i make a mistake in one turn all could be lost. My armies are all engaged or defending choke points, i usually end each turn with less than 5,000 florins and started it with 25 or 30.

Any strategies? Im also scared with the late game. I have no gunpowder, how will i defeat them later in the game?? How many stacks should i devote to the mongols?

Thanks!

[disorientalist]

In a long run, I'm aiming to rebuild the roman empire and bring it back to its old glory. I want to make these barbarians tremble under the mighty foot of emperor john!!! lol.. so i do want europe. just not now

[Silverheart]

Well, first of all you should not give up any regions (since you apparently have economic problems already). Focus on defending the settlements you have, especially Venice, Kiev, Trebizond, Adana, Aleppo and Sofia (if you don´t own it, put some effort into conquering it - If you manage to hold it, you can hold off all of eastern Europe).
Venice will hold off the other italian powers,
Trebizond will hold off the Turks,
Sofia can easily halt the hungarians and polish,
Kiev will stop the polish,
and Aleppo and Adana should "work together" to form a defense against the Turks, Egyptians and Mongols.
Try to build up garrisons that are effective rather than large - cheap archers, solid infantry and cavalry with high charge and stamina, and don´t skip on the Horse Archers (the Vardariotai are some of the best in the game). Also, don´t neglect building Ballista towers where you are able (and can afford). They are quite impressive.

As for campaign strategies, I think you should move south from Cairo and conquer Dongola.
Move east from Alexandria to take Gaza, then fortify and hold your ground.
Get rid of the venetian army you mentioned were standing at Constantinople.
If you don´t have Sofia, conquer it, then fortify and hold your ground.
Focus on economic buildings whenever you don´t feel that you Need something else.
send diplomats and princesses to western Europe, and negotiate trade and alliances (if possible) with them. You should also try to negotiate ceasefire with some other factions, like the Papal states, Poland and Egypt.
If you have taken an enemy settlement and have captured prisoners, release them (they disappear anyway, so the enemy can´t use them afterwards - plus, you get a better reputation) and occupy settlements , unless the population is rebelling from the start. I think there is a thread about how to increase your reputation here on this forum. Check it out for more details on reputation improvement.
Look up threads on the forum for information on defeating the Mongols. I wouldn´t call myself an expert in that field, so it´s better if you read it there.

Don´t worry about the future. The Byzantines may lack technological advancements, but they are equipped with the means to circumnavigate such problems. For example, their Horse Archers are superior to the cavalry of any catholic nation, and they have tougher Infantry than most muslims. Also, they have well trained Archers, which are perfect for wall defense.
Sure, they are primitive, but properly used, they can defeat anyone.

[Silverheart]

That was quite a bit to write... ^::^
Did I cover all your questions?

[Valandur]

Considering the Mongols are arriving, an advance further into Levant (Holy Lands) is foolish and will get you into a war with them. Just hold Antioch and Aleppo, hold your bridges and try to ward off the Mongols to the Egyptians. If you want, ally with the Mongols and that may cause them to head south to Jerusalem, and then you can let them and the Egyptians slog it out. As for your little enclave in Egypt itself, leave it as it is as you don't want the Mongols to destroy Egypt to easily.
Against the Turks, I wouldn't worry. The AI's navigation is pathetic and I doubt the Turkish AI is smart enough to get an army through Mesopotamia to attack at Aleppo or Caesarea, just garrison Trebizond as the Turks will pretty much only attack there.
Against Hungary, capture Bran and that will end all their offensive capabilities (Unless they start throwing stacks of militia at you ). You'll probably want to capture Bucharest as well so you can avoid overextending yourself. Remember, the easiest way to cripple a faction is to not wage a war of attrition against them, but strike at the source of their power and tear it out.
Against Poland, well it sounds like they are your main problem at the moment. If you have any current field armies, I'd direct them to Poland and try to stabilise a front, trying to conquer Poland itself will leave you largely overextended and vunerable. There is not much you can do in your current position so I'd sit back and defend. If the HRE are still alive and healthy, try to bribe them into attacking Poland, that'll relieve a lot of pressure.
As for Venice, simply capture Ragusa and you won't have to worry about them anymore.

Don't go on the offensive until -
1. You've dealt with the Mongols or the Egyptians (befriended/destroyed them).
2. You've destroyed Hungary or at least captured Budapest and Bran.
3. You've captured Ragusa.
4. You've transferred all available armies to launch an offensive against Poland, they should be your priority after completing the previous points.

[disorientalist]

That was quite a bit to write... ^::^
Did I cover all your questions?

Yes you did! Thanks a lot! Up until now the mongols have completly ignored all the leftover turkish positions and are advancing en masse towards Adana! The Hungarians are moving upon thessalonica while the last venetian army is facing the only other army i have in the area (the emperor) The turks, did came through the mountains and coming upon cesarea, the only provinces that are not under threat is the newly conquered alexandria cairo. Im just going to slug it out. If I manage to win every single battle I think the empire can survive. Money is still a problem, relations are still a problem.

The empire against everyone!

[petiopit]

First for relations. All hate byzantines. I think you expand in Europe too early and now you have many fronts. And this is not all. Soon or late HRE and Milan will attack Venice. And Cicily will go for Corinth or Iraclion. You need expect this. Try to stabilizate western borders. If Hungary hold Sofia try to exchange Sofia for Venice. Caffa and Kiev are not so important for now. If you can not defend Caffa give it to Polland, Russia, Hungary or Pope in exchange of peace and even alliance.
On the East. It is very important to defend Caesarea at all cost. I think You too weak for Mongols. Give them some eastern distant province and ask alliance against Turck or Egypt.Try to get Gaza, because You need castle in Egypt. And again Sofia and Caesarea must defend at all cost.
For money. Have you fleet? Firegalleys is big advantage for byzantines. Defend ports from blockade. Use merchants for resources in Antioch, Aleppo and Egypt. Convert island castles to sityes.
Do not underestimate religion. You sorrounded by catholics and muslims who convert your population. Then you need set low taxes to prevent rebel. Use assasins to kill catholic priest, cardinals and imams. Use your priest to convert population. Ortodox abbey support 2 priest for sity.