Taid Empire grew in size under the rule of Esfandiar and his son Bahram, as the Caliphate entered a serious dynastic crisis - calming much of the most important cultural sites of Middle East between Tigris and Euphrates.
Persian rulers begun to seek alliance with Romans, as borders of both states grew closer during the dark chapter of Muslim Caliphate.
Muslim World
In the first half of the 11th century, series of events led to massive disruption within the Islamic world; first of which being a long conflict over the Abbasid Caliphate succession after death of Mahdi II in 996.
Leadership of the Caliphate was claimed by his brother, Aram, who had to deal with a wide part of Muslim leadership displeased with the Caliphate policy. Lasting 8 years civil war ended with victory of the rebels, and replacement of Aram with Azam of the Tabghach clan.
During those years, Caliphate became subject of audacious attacks by the Persians, including fall of Bagdad.
In the year 1019 Shia Muslim declared Jihad against Persia to reclaim the city. Religious differences prevented their Sunni brothers from joining the conflict - including Persian greatest enemy - Caliphate of Abbasid, now called, properly, Caliphate of Tabghach.
After weeks of marching from Shia controlled Africa, armies of Jihad found themselves ill-matched against awaiting them Persian counterparts, and while conflict lasted till 1025 after initial failed invasion, Shia couldn't threaten Taid Empire in any way.
Jihad however was renewed just two years later, this time called by Sunni leaders - surprisingly however, Caliph of Tabghach refused to take part in the religious war, forcing the weight of the conflict on Umayyad Caliphate and smaller Egyptian Emirates.
Few months after Umayyad forces left Iberia, 3rd Crusade for Aquitania was called by the Pope, forcing Andalusians to fight on two fronts. Jihad not only failed, but cost Umayyads control over Aquitaine, which became, once again, a Christian-controlled part of Europe.
Claim on Bagdad had to be abandoned, for now.
In 1035 new civil war begun in the Caliphate, installing, anew, member of the Abbasid family as the Caliph.
By the end of the first half of the 11th century, Islam was weakened both in the West and East.. it is difficult to comprehend by outsiders - for the first time in a 400 years of history, a holy place of Muslim faith was claimed by the infidels.
Roman Empire
Using weakness of it's Muslim nemesis, Roman Empire had time to expand their Balkan domain, claiming small gains in Italy along the way. Despite internal conflicts, Ooryphas family remained on the throne in Constantinople, guaranteeing stability and prosperity to the Empire.
Western Europe
With German and Slavic states in Europe being destroyed by unstable Khazar Empire, Western Europe could focus on fighting the Muslim threat in France. Reclaimed by the Crusade in 1031 Aquitania became a domain of an Italian republican government, led by Merchant Doges.
Reclaimed Christian domain separated Umayyed Iberia from their other provinces in France, beginning process of reconquista: for the first time in over 250 years tide of Islamic faith was turned.
With Khazarian Empire falling apart and many nomadic tribes settling in newly conquered provinces, Pope begun energetic campaign of christianisation of the new arrivals.
Word of God quickly penetrated deep in the nomadic society, gaining a lot of support from more progressive horse lords, who after invading Europe saw benefits of the western civilisation.
British Isles
Wessex, Northumbria and - now controlled by France - centre of England remained separated from the events on the continent. Slowly consuming smaller duchess, three great power prepare themselves to clam the crown of England.
Unification of Ireland.
Pagan Faiths
Many German and Slavic Pagans turned to Christianity after their kingdoms were destroyed by Tengri invaders.
Fractured by the Khazaria states, begun rebuilding as the unstable Khaganate became disunified after the invasion. Slavic Behemians and Germanic Silesians became most successful of the new centres of power in the unstable region.
However damage done to both Slavic and Germanic faiths seems unrecoverable, especially with almost complete fall of Scandinavia into Christian domain.
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