What if Justinian focused of deafening Persia, instead of reconquering Western Roman Empire? Lets say he wanted to be second Alexander.
>>3190613
One does not easily conquer into Persia. All attempts after Alexander, failed.
He still gets his ass blasted by the Plague and has all his work and Belisarius's work come undone
>>3190624
Should also mention that the Ostrogoths remain strong in Italy and would probably fight off the Lombards, which might lead to a Roman revival in the west, considering how meshed with Roman culture they were.
>>3190613
Considering how his top generals suffered major defeats against Kavadh I and his best commanders, that wasn't going to happen. And the second war with Khosaru I was definitely not going to give the Byzantines that sort of success militarily speaking.
Seriously look up the Iberian War and Lazic War.