In real history, Constantine XI was the last Emperor of Rome, killed in melee during final assault on Constantinople by Osman Turks in 1453. In alternative history, Constantine Augustus rules an Empire stretching from Ireland to Egypt.
Roman Empire, restored by his ancestor in 1200s has no equals on the world stage. Even combine powers of Timurids and Arabs couldn't break though the great armies that Empire conscripted from it's vast territories.
Constantine spent most of his life however, fighting Sunni Islamic states of Spain and west Africa. During his rule the 700 hundred years Reconquista almost reached it's goal. Last city still in hands of Muslims in Mercia was a pitiful reminder of the times when whole Peninsula was hidden in the shade of Crescent Moon.
Meanwhile legions crossed Gibraltar and took hold of north Morocco, set to conquer sea-side provinces and connect with Roman-controlled Algeria.
Central and eastern Europe remained under control of their local rulers. Germany, Poland, Bohemia and Ruthenia had to accept however, living in the shadow of a giant. Bulgaria, one of the oldest and most reliable ally to Rome recently fell into a state of civil war, turning hungry eyes of many Imperial Despotes to the fragmented lands, located so close to the old Imperial capital. More remote states - like Rus was busy carving out their own empire from the leftovers of Golden Horde. Northern Europe hid however a new enemy for the Orthodox states - Catholic Kingdom of Sweden begun expanding south, converting pagan Lithuanians to Christianity, promising resurgence of religious conflict between followers of Jesus.
Middle east, since arrival of first Mongol hordes in 1220s, saw very little peace. Constant struggle between Arabs and their eastern foes shook the region with wars, and rebellions in conquered territories. In 250 years very little changed in the region; Muslims were defending their eastern border, while Mongols pressed against them, meanwhile dealing with series of rebellions in their own backyard. This back-and-forward was strongly supported by Romans, supporting either Muslim or Mongol rulers in their endless struggle.
Coming centuries will show, if Roman Empire truly escaped the fate of being wiped from the world map - as the age of exploration, discovery and renaissance will shook the traditional values of Roman mind. Today however Constantine XI can look with hope at the world at his feet.
His ancestors look down upon him now, expecting great deeds worth of their blood.
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