Against the Odds

Needs Roads to Power and a 1178 start, and the Re-Establish the Theodosian Borders decision wants a LOT: Syria, Jerusalem and Egypt, plus specific duchies (Diyarmudar, Amman, Shammar, Syrte) and every Byzantine kingdom bar Serbia, Croatia, Armenia and Georgia. The wiki's route is a heel-turn for the ages: play Saladin. Holy-war Jerusalem immediately, conquer the southern requirements while banking piety, then convert to Christianity, swear fealty to Byzantium, adopt Administrative government and use his superb stats to scheme your way onto the imperial throne. Seize whatever's left and take the decision. In Good Estate falls out of the estate you'll build along the way.