Certainty: 2 Bagrat IV corrresponded with Alp Arslan over poll-tax (jizya) Certainty: 2
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
The sultan Alp Arslan, motivated by the killing of his peaceful soldiers and the vengeful reactions of his men, interrupted his march, returned in great anger to Ani and started to besiege the city. During the siege both the governor and the imperial representative wished to exercise full control, confusing the defence. The sultan captured the city together with the surrounding area. The inhabitants were massacred, apart from those officials who survived the massacre and took refuge in the citadel. But these had to surrender because of a lack of food supplies
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
A dispute arose between Erisgen, the Turkish captor of Manuel Komnenos, and the sultan Alp Arslan. The latter sent a general with an army against Erisgen in order to capture him. Erisgen, who was forced to become a rebel without enough troops to succeed, was convinced by his captive Manuel Komnenos to become an ally of the Romans. He went to Constantinople bringing Manuel, and was received and honoured with great gifts by Romanos IV
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 Certainty: 2
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 Certainty: 2
1072
Certainty: 2 Turks invaded & pillaged after removal of Romanos IV Certainty: 2