Greece & Byzantium

The Greeks are primarily living at this time in the region of Greece, a large peninsula at the top right of the Mediterranean surrounded by the Mediterranean sea, the Black sea, the Aegean & Ionian seas. To the north is eastern Europe. They generally view themselves as Roman at this point, though there is a movement where many are calling for the full Greek City States to be reinstated. Also there seems to be regions in the mountains & surrounding islands where the old Hellenistic beliefs are still strong. These also seem to have the old pagan & military structures still in place. The Greeks are now controlled from the Byzantium empire.
They still have a strong culture of their own, contributing to the arts, sciences, literature, politics, philosophy, trade, architecture and politics to name but a few. The Eastern Orthodox church is the dominant religion, though there has been a shift in some to the old ways. This has also influenced the military might of the country, with some states have reintroduced some old military tactic & units, keeping the core of their armies based on Roman tradition, and gathering better intelligence on what the future might hold for them militarily. Because of their regional location they have become powerful traders, allowing for trade into and out of the Black Sea, and the Middle East, and Europe. Many goods going between these regions pass through their territory. In some cases they also can trade with the very north of Europe due to the Rus Vikings travelling up and down the waterways between the Baltic sea and the Black Sea.

Nominally, the empire is controlled from the capital of Byzantium, the city Constantinople, under the Byzantine Empress Irene of Athens, who is part of the Isaurian Dynasty. Large armies, good navy with Greek Fire assets, and mercenaries are all present here to help out.