Battle of Manzikert

The Battle of Manzikert, or Malazgirt (Turkish: Malazgirt Sav) was fought between the Byzantine Empire and then Seljuq Empire. The Seljuq forces attacked on August 26, 1071 near Manzikert, (modern Malazgirt, Turkey).^[2] Its result was one of the most decisive defeats of the Byzantine Empire and the capture of the Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes. The Battle of Manzikert played an important role in breaking the Byzantine resistance and preparing the way for the Turkish settlement in Anatolia.^[3]

Battle of Manzikert
Part of the Byzantine-Seljuk wars
In this 15th-century French miniature showing the Battle of Manzikert, the combatants are clad in Western European armor of the time.
Date August 26, 1071 Location Manzikert, (modern Malazgirt) Result Decisive Seljuk victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire	Seljuk Empire
Commanders and leaders
Romanus IV, Nikephoros Bryennios, Theodore Alyates, Andronikos Doukas	Alp Arslan
Strength
Up to 200,000[1] (More than half deserted) ~ 20,000 - 30,000 took part.	~ 20,000 - 30,000
Casualties and losses
Very high	Unknown

References

1. Konstam, Angus (2004). The Crusades. London: Mercury Books. p. 40.
2. Hewsen, Robert H.; Salvatico, Christoper C. (2001). Armenia: a historical atlas. The University of Chicago Press. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-226-33228-4.
3. Ann Katherine Swynford Lambton; Bernard Lewis (1977). The Cambridge History of Islam: A. The central islamic lands from pre-islamic times to the First World War. Cambridge University Press. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-521-29135-4.

• Haldon, John F. (2000). Byzantium: A History. Tempus Publishing Limited.

Other websites

• Battle of Manzikert: Military Disaster or Political Failure? Archived 2007-05-13 at the Wayback Machine By Paul Markham
• Debacle at Manzikert, 1071: Prelude to the Crusades Archived 2012-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, by Brian T. Carey (Issue 5 - January 2004)