Ioannes II attacked Neokaisareia in appalling conditions

Summary:
Beyond Kinte Ioannes II faced extreme cold and an enemy much more expert than the Romans in the conditions, who inflicted heavy casualties. Horses and beasts of burden suffered terribly, and when they died they were often eaten. He collected surviving warhorses and gave them to experts in heavy cavalry (often Westerners), thus cutting through the Turks and reaching Neokaisareia 
Dates:
1140 
Emperor Ioannes II Komnenos (Ioannes 2)
  • He had fought near Neokaisareia in appalling conditions, without horses and food, sometimes forced to eat horsemeat, and still he nearly captured the town: what would he have done with cavalry and food? (:) Prodromos, Historische Gedichte XIX.21-40
  • The cliché of the emperor struggling while his subjects enjoyed life had never been so real: Ioannes, his sons and the rest of the army were hungry and suffered terribly, while even poor Prodromos had enough food (:) Prodromos, Historische Gedichte XIX.172-191
Muhammad ibn Danishmend (Muhammad 17001)
  • He had nearly been defeated in battles on the Lykos near Neokaisareia in appalling conditions, where Ioannes 2 had no horses or food: what would have happened if he had cavalry and supplies? (:) Prodromos, Historische Gedichte XIX.21-40