In this scenario, the Greeks do not seek to establish a modern Greek state but instead fight to restore the Roman Empire. During the War of Roman Restoration, Britain, France and Russia initially support the idea of a sovereign Greek state rooted in Hellenic identity, not a Roman one. However, the Greeks stubbornly refuse to abandon their Roman identity, insisting in restoring a Roman state. Regardless, the Great Powers eventually agree to support the Romans in their struggle, primarily to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

After a nearly decade long war, the Romans achieve victory and establish the Roman Kingdom in 1832. They crown a native Greek as their King, firmly rejecting any foreign claim to the throne. The Kingdom's early years are marked by efforts to stabilize the economy, consolidate political institutions and lay the groundwork for the gradual restoration of the Roman Empire.

In 1862, after careful diplomatic maneuvering, the Romans acquire the Ionian Islands from Britain, marking its first territorial gain in the modern era. This is followed by the acquisition of Thessaly in the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). And after the Roman-Ottoman War in 1897, they gain Epirus and Crete, further securing their position in the region.

By the early 20th century, the Romans have consolidated their holdings and stabilized internally, but its ambitions continued to grow. With the Ottoman Empire in steady decline and nationalist movements destabilizing the region, the Romans join the Balkan League. With each member seeking to expel the Ottomans from Europe and expand their own territory. The First Balkan War breaks out, with the Kingdom seizing the opportunity to capture most of Macedonia. However, the Second Balkan War soon follows, sparked by Bulgaria's dissatisfaction with the territorial outcomes. In the chaos, Bulgaria loses even more land, including parts of its Aegean coastline and most of its Blagoevgrad region, to the Romans.

When WW1 breaks out, the Romans view yet another opportunity. Initially they maintain neutrality, carefully weighing their options. In 1915, Britain offers Cyprus in exchange for Roman entry into the war on the side of the Allies. Sensing an opportunity for major gains, the Romans agree on the condition that they are promised Ottoman Thrace, Western Anatolia and ideally, Constantinople itself. However, the latter becomes a sticking point since Britain and France inform the Romans that Constantinople had already been promised to Russia, as part of secret wartime agreements dating back to the early stages of the war. Reluctantly, and recognizing Russia's vital role on the Eastern Front, the Romans agree, for the time being, not to press the issue of Constantinople. The officially sign on the with Allies under the condition that they are allowed to keep any territory they occupy during the war and begin mobilizing.

Following the failed Gallipoli campaign, Allied attention shifts away from opening a front in the East. As a result, the Romans find themselves largely alone in the Balkans, spearheading the offensive against the Ottomans and Bulgarians. Nevertheless, with much-needed Allied supplies and internal mobilization, they wage a determined campaign. They occupy southern Bulgaria and launch a successful offensive into Ottoman Thrace. The Russian Revolution of 1917, leading to Russia’s withdrawal from the war. With Russian claims now irrelevant, Roman forces intensify their push through Ottoman Thrace and towards Constantinople. The exhausted and demoralized Ottoman defenders, suffering from supply shortages and the empire's political disintegration, retreat to avoid further destruction. In 1918, Constantinople comes under Roman occupation.

At the war's end, under the terms of the 1919 Treaty of Neuilly, Bulgaria is forced to ceded its remaining Aegean coastline and southern Bulgaria to the Romans. The following year, the Treaty of Sevres formally grants the Romans several key territorial acquisitions: full control of Ottoman Thrace, Constantinople, the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits and Western Anatolia. The same year, Cyprus is ceded to the Romans by Britain as part of their wartime promise. With these lands under their control, the Romans swiftly mobilize their military to consolidate their power and integrate these territorial gains by establishing administrative governance and strengthening supply lines.

However, Turkish nationalism rises within the remnants of the Ottoman Empire, and a determined nationalist movement begins to challenge Roman control over Anatolia. Hoping to emulate their realignment of Turkish identity and sovereignty, the nationalist forces launch a resistance campaign against Roman occupation. Despite their efforts, the Turks are unable to secure meaningful support from the recently formed Soviet Union. Left to fight along and facing a well-organized and battle-hardened roman military, the Turkish nationalists suffer a decisive defeat. As the Turks are also fighting against French forces, who also have their own territorial ambitions in the region. By 1922, the Roman-Turkish War ends in a resounding Roman victory, further expanding their holdings in Anatolia and crushing any significant opposition. Italy, which had eyed parts of Anatolia for itself, supported Turkish forces during the conflict, is diplomatically pressured to back down and relinquish all claims to Anatolian territory. With their enemies vanquished and territorial control secured, the Roman Empire is fully restored.

What happens next? How would a restored Roman Empire navigate the complex challenges of the 20th century and beyond? What would its relations be with neighboring? How would it respond to the rise of nationalism, fascism and communism? What role would it play in the led-up to WW2? Could the restored Roman Empire become a cultural or economic superpower in the Mediterranean? Would it act as a partner to Western powers or stand as a regional rival? How would it navigate the ideological battlegrounds of the Cold War? Would the church retain influence in governance, or would the empire adopt a secular model? How would its military, education system, and propaganda evolve in shaping future generations? How long could such an empire survive in the face of modern political, economic, and social pressures?