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
The Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan began a campaign to destroy the Byzantine empire. He marched in autumn with huge forces against the nothern parts of the empire's eastern borders, intending to winter there, ready for a decisive attack the next year
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
The sultan Alp Arslan advanced not far from the Roman camp, preparing for battle and planning to capture the emperor. He sent cavalrymen to reach the Roman camp and then pretend to withdraw. Nikephoros Basilakes, initially accompanied by Nikephoros Bryennios and his forces, followed them. But then Bryennios abandoned the struggle, and Basilakes was left alone with his followers to pursue the Turks. When he reached their camp his horse was hit, he fell under the weight of his armour and was captured and taken to the sultan. Bryennios meanwhile had to fight his way back to the Roman camp, being seriously injured on the way. When he reached the camp he told the emperor of Basilakes' capture and his own struggles. He was asked to remain in his tent to heal his wounds, which he did [Note that Bryennios' account may be read as a vindication of his relative, and it is tempting to do so]
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