Certainty: 2 Bagrat IV corrresponded with Alp Arslan over poll-tax (jizya)
Bagrat IV, king of Georgia, sent letters to the Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan on the subject of poll tax (jizya). Alp Arslan responded favorably to them
1064
Certainty: 2 Alp Arslan attacked towns in Georgia & Shakki (?) Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Despite poor defences at Ani, attempt was made to sieze booty from Alp Arslan as he passed Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Responding to pointless provocation, Alp Arslan besieged & sacked Ani despite its natural strength Certainty: 2
1067
Certainty: 3 Alp Arslan advanced against the empire Certainty: 3
1068
Certainty: 2 Strategy of Alp Arslan before first campaign of Romanos IV Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Psellos wrote to Eustratios Choirosphaktes, with congratulations on Romanos IV's victory Certainty: 3
1069
Certainty: 1 Psellos wrote Oratio Panegyrica 20 & 21 for Romanos IV, as he left Constantinople on campaign Certainty: 1
1070
Certainty: 2 Mantzikert captured & garrisoned by Alp Arslan Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Struggle among Turks between Alp Arslan & Erisgen; latter defected to Byzantines Certainty: 2
1071
Certainty: 2 Alp Arslan began his campaign against Byzantium Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 At Theodosioupolis Romanos took two months of provisions, because country ahead was destroyed Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Information reached Romanos IV at Mantzikert that Alp Arslan had fled to Baghdad Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Turkish forces reported nearby: Nikephoros Bryennios, sent against them, later demanded reinforcements Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Psellos implies that though Romanos knew nothing of sultan's presence, he (Psellos) did know Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Bryennios & Basilakes continued the fight, the latter taking the lead & being captured Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 The Roman camp was surrounded, & no word came from Chliat Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Turks requested peace from Romanos IV as he drew up his army, but he decided to attack Certainty: 3
Battle of Mantzikert (general factoids)Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Turkish tactics & intervention of Andronikos Doukas led to defeat & capture of emperor Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Alp Arslan reassured Romanos he would be treated honourably, kept him for 8 days & set him free
Alp Arslan the sultan, told of the capture of Romanos IV the next day, was pleased but also reluctant to believe the news. Even when presented with the captive, he was still in doubt and asked proof of his identity, which was confirmed by the envoys sent earlier and by Nikephoros Basilakes. The sultan jumped up and embraced Romanos, telling him not to fear for his safety and assuring him he would be honoured according to his position. He may have formally trodden on his neck as victor. He shared his throne, food and honours with him, entertaining him for eight days. He ordered a tent, clothing and an appropriate retinue for Romanos, and had him seated by him, talking with him twice a day, providing consolation. He considered it a great feat not only to have vanquished the emperor, but also to have enslaved him. He asked the captive emperor during one of their meetings what he would have done had the roles been reversed. At Romanos' frank response that he would have inflicted great bodily injuries on him, the sultan confirmed that he would not act so brutally. He respected his captive, treated him like a brother, and was rightly granted victory by God for showing such humane feelings, wisdom and forbearance. He agreed with the emperor on a peace treaty and a marriage alliance involving their children. Romanos was promised great gifts and released with great honour and given the freedom of as many captives as he asked and many envoys to escort him. In general the sultan was not elated by his success but humbled at his great good luck, more moderate in victory than anyone would have expected. Some later Muslim accounts make the sultan more confrontational, introducing acts of humiliation, huge ransoms and signs of the triumph of Islam
Certainty: 2 Romanos hurried westwards via Koloneia: at Melissopetri he learned that his wife had deposed him Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Romanos & Khacatur wintered in Cilicia, missing (Attaleiates says) a good chance to advance
Khacatur joined Romanos Diogenes at Tyropoion. He expelled some soldiers sent to him as reinforcements by Michael VII, but kept their horses and equipment. He spent some time with Romanos and his soldiers, and left with them to winter in Cilicia. In Cilicia he would have the mountains for protection, in order to collect additional troops in safety, and to receive the sultan's envoys, from whom much was expected. He prepared an army for Romanos, gave him money, but held the troops back until the right time to face the enemy. Some of the sources call this a significant missed opportunity to advance, after the departure of Konstantinos Doukas
1072
Certainty: 2 Turks invaded & pillaged after removal of Romanos IV Certainty: 2