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[[File: Manzikert Two.jpg|300px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|A diorama of the aftermath of the battle of Manzikert]]The Byzantine Empire was the successor to the Roman Empire and ruled a large area in Europe and the Middle East. Byzantine played a major role in the Balkans and Russia , and it successfully kept the Arabs and the Muslims out of Europe for centuries. In 1071 the Empire seemed invincible, it . It had reversed many years of decline under a series of energetic Emperors. It had recovered territory that had been lost to its enemies and had morphed into a powerful political and military force. The Battle of Manzikert fundamentally reversed this upward trend and led to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. As Byzantine collapsed, Turkish Muslims gradually gained control of Asia Minor. As Muslims took control of the Christian holy lands, European countries responded by launching the Crusades. The Battle of Manzikert is one of the most important in medieval history and its repercussions can still be felt today.

====Background====[[File: Manzikert second one.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Alp Arslan placing his foot on the throat The Battle of Emperor Romanus, after Manzikert]]By 1050 the Byzantine Empire was a very strong state, with a highly professional army, sophisticated bureaucracy and extensive territories from northern Iraq to the Danube. The Empire had enjoyed a renaissance under the Macedonian Dynasty and especially under the capable Basil II. A common Greek Christian Orthodox Culture unified the diverse peoples’ of the realm, and fundamentally reversed this was exported to the Slavs of Eastern Europe. However, after the death of Basil II, the Macedonian dynasty came to an end upward trend and the Empire was led by a series of ineffectual Emperors and was devasted by several civil wars. In 1071 to the Emperor was Romanus IV Diogenes (1068–1071), a member decline of the Cappadocian military aristocracy. He was an experienced general, but he had alienated many in the Byzantine aristocracy who saw him as a usurper and resented his authoritarianism. The strategic situation facing the Byzantine Empire was very dangerous. The Empire had appeared secure especially after its destruction of the Bulgar Empire. However, the Pencheng Turks, from the Eurasian Steppes threatened the Empire’s Balkan and Black Sea possessions. In Italy, the Normans were seizing the last remaining As Byzantine possessions in Italy. The biggest threat to the Empire was posed by the Seljuk Turks. These had been nomads in Central Asia and had been converted to Islam about 1000 AD. The Turks were led by the Seljuk family and they invaded southwestern Asia in the 11th century<ref> A.C.S. Peacock and Sara Nur Yildizcollapsed, The Seljuks Turkish Muslims gradually gained control of Anatolia: Court and Society in the Medieval Middle East, (I.B. Tauris, 2015), pAsia Minor. 29 </ref>. They were able to defeat the various Muslim dynasties that had seized power after the decline As Muslims took control of the Abbasid Caliphate. They founded an empire that included MesopotamiaChristian holy lands, Syria, Palestine, and European countries responded by launching the majority of IranCrusades. Their conquests were at the start The Battle of Turkish domination in the Middle East that was to last for centuries. The Seljuks attacked the Christian allies Manzikert is one of the Byzantines most important in the Caucasus' medieval history, and conquered Armenia. They also began to raid deep into Byzantine territory which they regarded as a Jihad and even managed to seize key fortresses on the Christian Empire’s territoryits repercussions can still be felt today.

==Battle of ManzikertWhy was the Byzantine Empire in trouble in 1071?==The Seljuk raids into Anatolia was of great concern as this area was important for the Empire[[File: Manzikert second one. Romanus needed its resources and jpg|250px|thumb|left| Alp Arslan placing his foot on the Anatolian provinces were the source throat of most of its military manpower. The Seljuk raids had led to the near collapse of the eastern frontier and many Turkish nomads had entered the area. The Emperor assembled a large army to reestablish the security of Romanus, after Manzikert]]By 1050 the Byzantine Empire’s regions. In 1071 Romanus led his army into areas of Armenia that had been seized by the TurksEmpire was a strong state, with the aim of regaining key defensive fortresses <ref> Runciman. Steve. A History of the Crusades. — Cambridge University Press, 1987, vol. I) p. 62-63</ref>. Romanus’ a highly professional army was mainly mounted heavy cavalry with some militia, it was also accompanied by large contingents of mercenaries. The tactics of Romanus was very unusualsophisticated bureaucracy, as the Byzantine’s were usually reluctant and extensive territories from northern Iraq to engage in offensive actions. Near the town of Manzikert, he divided his army, sending a large contingent to besiege a fortress <ref>Runciman, p. 70</ref>Danube. The Seljuk army was Empire had enjoyed a renaissance under the command of Sultan Alp Arslan. The Turks had excellent intelligence Macedonian Dynasty and they were all mountedespecially under the capable Basil II. When Alp Arslan heard that A common Greek Christian Orthodox Culture unified the Byzantines had divided his forces he rapidly advanced to Manzikert, where he confronted diverse peoples’ of the emperor’s armyrealm, which he outnumbered <ref> Haldon, John. The Byzantine Wars: Battles and Campaigns of the Byzantine Era. Stroud: Tempus, 2001), p. 245</ref>. The Byzantines were taken completely by surprise and Romanus abandoned Manzikert, was exported to reunite his forces. However, Alp Arslan attacked the Byzantine’s as they retreated, and his mounted archers inflicted heavy casualties on the Christians. Romanus had failed to scout the area and he had blundered into a trap. Romanus fought valiantly, and his men attacked the enemy with such ferocity that they seemed to be on the verge Slavs of victory. The Byzantines knights smashed into the lightly armored Turkish horsemen with great successEastern Europe. However, many of his mercenaries were Uz Turks and they defected to their kinsmen in after the Seljuk army. One death of Basil II, the Byzantine generals saw this and decided Macedonian dynasty came to retreatan end, but other sources claimed that he retreated because of his personal hatred of and the emperor <ref>Haldon p. 246</ref>. The Byzantine army Empire was destroyed, and Romanus was taken, prisoner, and ritually humiliated. Alp Arslan after securing the submission led by a series of the Emperor treated Romanus very well ineffectual Emperors and later released him. The absence of the Emperor from Byzantium and the defeat at Manzikert resulted in a usurper seizing power. Romanus tried to regain his realm but was defeated in battle, blinded and killed in 1072<ref>Haldon, p. 247</ref>devastated by several civil wars.

====Manzikert and the decline of the Byzantine Empire====The defeat in 10701 was a disaster for the Byzantines. The Turks in the aftermath of their victory over Romanus swept into Anatolia unopposed. They only faced local resistance from Byzantine lords in the Anatolian provinces. The Byzantine eastern frontier effectively collapsed and Turkish nomads entered Anatolia at will. Alp Arslan turned his attention to Fatimid Egypt fortunately for the Byzantines. In 1071, the immediate aftermath of the defeat of Manzikert there was no real effective Byzantine Emperor. This was a disaster as the state was very much dependent on the leadership of a strong Emperor <ref>Norwich, John Julius. Byzantium: The Apogee Romanus IV Diogenes (London: Viking, 19911068–1071), p. 267</ref>. A series a member of civil wars devasted the Empire for a decadeCappadocian military aristocracy. Manzikert led to He was an unprecedented period of instability and this was perhaps the most important consequence of the Turkish victory. Indeedexperienced general, but he had alienated many in the Byzantine Empire was only able to stabilize the situation under the capable Emperor Alexius I Comnenosaristocracy who saw him as a usurper and resented his authoritarianism. The lack of an effective government and endemic civil wars allowed strategic situation facing the Turks to overrun many Byzantine cities and townsEmpire was precarious. The Byzantine army Empire had been decimated at Manzikert and it had lost its elite forces. Many of these were impossible to replace as many had been highly trained and experienced cavalry<ref> Norwichappeared secure, p. 278</ref>. To compound especially after the disaster the loss destruction of the Anatolian Provinces meant that the Byzantines could not recruit new soldiers. Provinces such as CappadociaBulgar Empire, which had long supplied the Christian Emperor with recruits were lost to but the Pencheng Turks, forever. <ref>Haldonfrom the Eurasian Steppes, p. 312</ref>. Then threatened the loss of Empire’s Balkan and the Anatolian provinces was a blow to the economy as it reduced the tax base of the EmpireBlack Sea possessions. This meant that In Italy, the Byzantines Normans were often in financial problems and this undermined their ability to defend themselves, especially as they were becoming more dependent on mercenaries after Manzikertseizing the last remaining Byzantine possessions. It is generally agreed that The biggest threat to the defeat in 1071 can be regarded as Empire was posed by the beginning of the end of the Byzantine EmpireSeljuk Turks.

The Seljuk Turks had been nomads in Central Asia and had been converted to Islam around 1000 AD. The Turks were led by the Seljuk family, and they invaded southwestern Asia in the 11th century.<ref> A.C.S. Peacock and Sara Nur Yildiz, <i>The Seljuks of Anatolia: Court and Society in the Medieval Middle East</i>, (I.B. Tauris, 2015), p. 29 </ref> They were able to defeat the various Muslim dynasties that had seized power after the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate.  They founded an empire that included Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, and the majority of Iran. Their conquests were the start of Turkish domination in the Middle East that lasted for centuries. The Seljuks attacked the Christian allies of the Byzantines in the Caucasus and conquered Armenia. They also began to raid deep into Byzantine territory, which they regarded as a Jihad, and even managed to seize key fortresses in the Christian Empire’s territory. ==How did the Byzantine empire lose the Battle of Manzikert?==The Byzantine Empire was concerned by the Seljuk raids into Anatolia. Emperor Romanus needed its resources, and the Anatolian provinces were the source of most of its military manpower. The Seljuk raids had led to the near-collapse of the eastern frontier, and many Turkish nomads had entered the area. The Emperor assembled a large army to reestablish the security of the Byzantine Empire’s regions.  In 1071, Romanus led his army into areas of Armenia that had been seized by the Turks to regain key defensive fortresses.<ref> Runciman. Steve. <i>A History of the Crusades</i>. (Cambridge University Press, 1987, vol. I) p. 62-63</ref> Romanus’ army was mainly mounted heavy cavalry with some militia, and it was also accompanied by large contingents of mercenaries. The tactics of Romanus were very unusual, as the Byzantines were usually reluctant to engage in offensive actions. Near the town of Manzikert, he divided his army, sending a large contingent to besiege a fortress.<ref>Runciman, p. 70</ref>  The Seljuk army was under the command of Sultan Alp Arslan. The Turks had excellent intelligence, and they were all mounted. When Alp Arslan heard that the Byzantines had divided his forces, he rapidly advanced to Manzikert, where he confronted the emperor’s army. Arslan knew that he outnumbered Romanus' forces.<ref> Haldon, John. <i>The Byzantine Wars: Battles and Campaigns of the Byzantine Era</i>. Stroud: Tempus, 2001), p. 245</ref> The Byzantines were completely surprised, and Romanus abandoned Manzikert to reunite his forces.  Romanus had failed to scout the area, and he had blundered into a trap. The Byzantines knights smashed into the lightly armored Turkish horsemen with great success. Romanus fought valiantly, and his men attacked the enemy with such ferocity that they seemed to be on the verge of victory. However, Alp Arslan attacked the Byzantines as they retreated, and his mounted archers inflicted heavy casualties on the Christians.  However, many of his mercenaries were Uz Turks, and they defected to their kinsmen in the Seljuk army. One of the Romanus' key Byzantine generals retreated without warning. It is not entirely clear if the Uz Turks were defecting to the Seljuks or hated Romanus. The sources disagree on why the Byzantine general left the battle.<ref>Haldon p. 246</ref> The general's defection led to the destruction of the Byzantine army. Romanus was taken prisoner and ritually humiliated.  After securing the submission of the Emperor, Alp Arslan treated Romanus well and later released him. During the Emperor's absence and the defeat at Manzikert, a usurper seized power. Romanus tried to regain his realm but was defeated in battle, blinded, and killed in 1072.<ref>Haldon, p. 247</ref> ==Why did the Battle of Manzikert lead to the decline of the Byzantine Empire?==The defeat at Manzikert in 1071 was a disaster for the Byzantines. In the aftermath of their victory over Romanus, the Turks swept into Anatolia unopposed. They only faced local resistance from Byzantine lords in the Anatolian provinces. The Byzantine eastern frontier effectively collapsed, and Turkish nomads entered Anatolia at will. Alp Arslan turned his attention to Fatimid Egypt, fortunately for the Byzantines. In the immediate aftermath of the defeat of Manzikert, there was no real effective Byzantine Emperor. This was a disaster because the state only functioned under the leadership of a strong Emperor. <ref>Norwich, John Julius. <i>Byzantium: The Apogee</i> (London: Viking, 1991), p. 267</ref>  A series of civil wars wrecked the Empire for a decade. Manzikert led to an unprecedented period of instability. This instability dramatically weakened the grip of the Emperors. Indeed, the Byzantine Empire could only stabilize the situation under the capable Emperor Alexius I Comnenos. Still, the lack of an effective government and endemic civil wars allowed the Turks to overrun many Byzantine cities and towns. The Byzantine army had been decimated at Manzikert, and it had lost its elite forces. Many of these were impossible to replace as many had been highly trained and experienced cavalry.<ref> Norwich, p. 278</ref>  To compound the disaster, the loss of the Anatolian Provinces meant that the Byzantines could no longer recruit new soldiers. Provinces such as Cappadocia, which had long supplied the Christian Emperor with recruits, were lost to the Turks forever. <ref>Haldon, p. 312</ref> The loss of the Anatolian provinces was also a significant blow to the economy as it dramatically reduced the Empire's tax base. The Byzantines were faced constant financial insecurities after Manzikert. It is generally agreed that the Crusadesdefeat in 1071 can be regarded as the beginning of the end of the Byzantine Empire. <dh-ad/> ==Why did the Battle of Manzikert lead to the Crusades?==

Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos, concerned about the advances of the Turks in the aftermath of the defeat of Manzikert, sent envoys to the Pope in March 1095 to ask for aid against the Muslims. The Pope, Urban II , responded favorably to the request for help from the Byzantines despite the Great Schism which that had previously divided the Eastern and the Western Churches. The Pope may have hoped to reunify the Latin and the Greek Orthodox branches of Christianity.<ref>Runciman p. 101</ref>. However, Urban II decided to urge Christian soldiers to travel to the Byzantine Lands and to fight the Turk and to regain the Hold Lands. This was not what Alexios wanted but soon a huge army of Crusaders was making its way across his remaining territories. This army managed to defeat the Turks and eventually conquered Jerusalem. The Crusades many argue helped to push back the Turks and to preserve the remaining lands of the Byzantine Empire. However, the Crusades were to take an unexpected turn. In 1204 the Fourth Crusade was diverted by the Venetians and it captured the Byzantine capital and this was a devastating blow to the Eastern Christian Empire<ref>Runciman, p. 213</ref>.

====The However, Urban II decided to urge Christian soldiers to travel to the Byzantine Empire Lands and fight the West====Because of Turk and regain the loss Holy Lands. This was not what Alexios intended, but soon a huge army of the provinces in Anatolia after 1071, the Crusaders was made across Byzantine Empire sought support from the west. The Empire needed This army managed to raise revenues defeat the Turks and to increase its tradeeventually conquered Jerusalem. To do this they turned more and more to the West and especially to the rising maritime city-states in ItalyThe Crusades, such as Amalfimany argue, Genoa and especially Venice. These republics gradually began to dominate helped push back the economy Turks and preserve the trade remaining lands of the Byzantine Empire and this led . However, the Crusades was to take an unexpected turn. In 1204 the decline of Fourth Crusade was diverted by the Byzantine navyVenetians, which had once been and it captured the most feared in Byzantine capital. This betrayal was a devastating blow to the MediterraneanEastern Christian Empire.<ref>Runciman, p. 234213</ref>. By 1200 the Italians or ‘Latins’ had their own quarter in Byzantium and had many independent trading colonies in the Empire. Even after 1204 and the treachery of the Fourth Crusade the Byzantines had no choice but to turn to the Italians and others for help. Manzikert and the resulting loss of the Anatolian provinces led to the Greek Orthodox Empire becoming economically dependent on the Latin West which ultimately undermined its ability to defend itself from its many enemies.

==Why did the Byzantine Empire depend on Western Europe for their survival?==The Birth Because of Modern Turkey====Prior to the Battle loss of Manzikert, there had been no Turks the provinces in Anatolia. Howeverafter 1071, in the wake of the victory of Alp Arslan hordes of Turks entered the eastern part of the Byzantine Empiresought financial support from the west. The defeat leads Empire needed to dramatic demographic changes in Anatoliaraise revenues and increase its trade. Turkish raiders drove the Greek To do this, they turned more and other Christian populations westwards and they virtually abandoned the Anatolian plateau more to the interlopers. Individual Turkish tribes began West and especially to conquer lands after the Seljuk victoryrising maritime city-states in Italy, such as Amalfi, Genoa, and especially Venice. Members of noble Turkish families These republics gradually began to organize dominate the various Muslim freebooters and raiders and established emirates in the former eastern provinces of Byzantium. They often had good relations with the Byzantine Empire economy, and eventually, a member of the Seljuk royal family established the Sultanate trade of Rum and broke from the Turkish Empire. During the Sultanate of Rum, many more Turkish nomads settled in Anatolia and the area became increasingly Turkish and Muslim and lost it old Greek and Christian character. Many locals even converted this led to Islam and adopted the customs decline of the invaders. The dissolution of Byzantine navy, which had once been the Rum Sultanate most feared in the 14th century left behind many small Turkish principalities, among them that of the Ottoman dynastyMediterranean. They, established an Empire in the Middle East and eventually capture Byzantium in 1453<ref>HaldonRunciman, p. 292234</ref>.

By 1200, the Italians or ‘Latins’ had their own quarter in Byzantium and had many independent trading colonies in the Empire. Even after 1204 and the treachery of the Fourth Crusade, the Byzantines had no choice but to turn to the Italians and others for help. Manzikert and the resulting loss of the Anatolian provinces led the Greek Orthodox Empire to become economically dependent on the Latin West, which ultimately undermined its ability to defend itself from its many enemies. ==How did the Battle of Manzikert create Modern Turkey?==ConclusionBefore the Battle of Manzikert, there had been no Turks in Anatolia. However, in the wake of the victory of Alp Arslan, Turks entered the eastern part of the Byzantine Empire. The defeat leads to dramatic demographic changes in Anatolia. Turkish raiders drove the Greek and other Christian populations westwards, and they virtually abandoned the Anatolian plateau to the interlopers. Individual Turkish tribes began to conquer lands after the Seljuk victory.  Members of noble Turkish families began to organize the various Muslim freebooters and raiders and established emirates in the former eastern provinces of Byzantium. They often had good relations with the Byzantine Empire, and eventually, a member of the Seljuk royal family established the Sultanate of Rum and broke from the Turkish Empire. During the Sultanate of Rum, many more Turkish nomads settled in Anatolia, and the area became increasingly Turkish and Muslim and lost its old Greek and Christian character. Many locals even converted to Islam and adopted the customs of the invaders. The dissolution of the Rum Sultanate in the 14th century left behind many small Turkish principalities, among them that of the Ottoman dynasty. They established an Empire in the Middle East and eventually captured Byzantium in 1453.<ref>Haldon, p. 292</ref> ==Conclusion==The defeat of Emperor Romanus IV 's army at Manzikert was a disaster for the Byzantine Empire. Not only did it lead It led to the collapse of the Eastern Frontier but also and a ten-year period of civil war. This led to Turkish raids and eventually , which resulted in their settlement in of Anatolia. The loss of the Eastern provinces meant that the Byzantines Byzantine's military and economic resources were depleted, and this made making them vulnerable to their enemies in the east and the west.  As a result, the Empire began to lose even more lands and it became dependent on westerners. One consequence of the battle was that a request for help by an Emperor to the Pope and this led to the Crusades. The Seljuk victory effectively left the Byzantines as a second-rate- power and an Empire only in name. The loss of the eastern provinces led to a period of irreversible decline for the Christian Eastern Empire. The defeat of the Byzantines at Manzikert allowed the Turks to occupy Anatolia and this , which led to both the establishment of the Ottoman Empire and , ultimately , the modern Turkish state. ====Suggested Readings====* Kaldelis, Anthony, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0190625945/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0190625945&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8b8e1285dfa849ad5f453fa35d1f89f6 A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities: Strange Tale of Surprising Facts from History's Most Orthodox Empire] (Oxford University Press, 2017)* Hawting, G.R. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415240735/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415240735&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=06d75c26844fff0201735e07b03465a7 The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate, AD 661–750]</i> (London, Rutledge, 2000)* Haldon, John F. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052131917X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=052131917X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6842a4ec7c5dd1b5d90fa5f0351fa77b Byzantium in the Seventh Century: The Transformation of a Culture]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1990)* Meyendorff, John. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0913836907/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0913836907&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=54b9a005dc6c444f0ade105baf1f1862 The Byzantine Legacy in the Orthodox Church]</i> (Yonkers: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1982)* Davis, Paul K. "Constantinople: August 717–15 August 718" <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195143663/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0195143663&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=af9472455d3cb5895f9d3b9f349c6f4a 100 Decisive Battles: From Ancient Times to the Present]</i> (Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2001)* A.C.S. Peacock and Sara Nur Yildiz, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZZ8J4Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B071ZZ8J4Q&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=0831bbe634cf7d70b8f72e0711f71670 The Seljuks of Anatolia: Court and Society in the Medieval Middle East]'', (I.B. Tauris, 2015)* Runciman. Steve. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052134770X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=052134770X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=f6a162fe78cf2988fab6745d6635fad7 A History of the Crusades]''. (Cambridge University Press, 1987, vol. I) * Haldon, John. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0752445650/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0752445650&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d14f01cdb4c89993ee7baab0d5869b6a The Byzantine Wars: Battles and Campaigns of the Byzantine Era]''. (Stroud: Tempus, 2001)* Norwich, John Julius. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140114483/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140114483&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b9e8581af9986dab8986df1d88258eea Byzantium: The Apogee]'' (London: Viking, 1991)