Turks used tactic of feigned flight, enticing Romanos far from his camp & confusing the ranks

Summary:
Romanos began the battle unexpectedly while the the Turks were still discussing his conditions for peace. Having limited troops, he left his camp undefended and attacked with all his forces. Partly through surprise, partly out of set tactics, the Turks withdrew, pursued by the Roman forces. More than once the Turks made a stand and captured Roman generals, then turned again to flight. The pursuit continued till the evening, when the Romans, surprised to be facing little resistance, were exhausted. Romanos was far from his camp, and only too well aware that it was undefended. He decided that he should return there by nightfall, and ordered the imperial standard to turn back 
Dates:
1071 
Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (Romanos 4)
  • Having few forces he left the Roman camp unguarded and pursued with all his men until they were exhausted late in the evening the Turks who were retreating following his unexpected attack (:) διὰ τὸ μηδ᾿ εὐπορεῖν ἱκανοῦ πλήθους Attaleiates: History 161.2-9 / 119.21-120.1
  • Faced with no resistance in his pursuit of the retreating Turks but fearing that they might attack the unguarded camp, he decided to return lest night falls and the enemy turns back again, and ordered the imperial standard to be brought back (:) τὴν βασιλικὴν σημαίαν ἐπιστρέψας νόστου ἐπιμνησθῆναι διήγγελλεν Attaleiates: History 161.4-15 / 119.23-120.6
  • Declared war unexpectedly while the the Turks were discussing his conditions for peace, and pursued late into the evening the Turkish troops who, surprised at his sudden decision, pretended to be preparing for battle although intending to retreat (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 148.14-24
  • Facing no resistance in his pursuit of the Turks (near Mantzikert) but fearing that they might attack the unguarded Roman camp and hurrying to return lest night falls, he ordered his forces to retreat with the imperial standard (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 148.24-149.6
  • Advanced slowly expecting to encounter the Turks and wage war so that the outcome would be decided, but they dispersed and then turned back, defeated the right wing, the rearguard withdrew and they encircled the emperor chasing away the left wing (:) τὸν βασιλέα οἱ Τοῦρκοι κυκλώσαντες ἔβαλλον πάντοθεν Bryennios 117.6-14
  • When the enemy saw his advance, wishing to lure him on and ensnare him, ran ahead with the cavalry then retired again as if they planned flight; by doing this several times they seized and captured some of the generals (:) βουλόμενοι τοῦτον ὑπαγαγεῖν εἰς τὸ ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ἐντὸς ἀρκύων ποιήσασθαι Psellos: Chronographia VIIb 19.10-15