Siege of Claudiopolis

12th century Byzantine battle
Siege of Claudiopolis
Part of the Byzantine–Seljuq wars
DateFebruary–March 1179
Location
Claudiopolis, Bithynia
(modern-day Bolu, Turkey)
Result Byzantine victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm
Commanders and leaders
Manuel I Komnenos Unknown
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Byzantine–Seljuk wars

The siege of Claudiopolis was a Byzantine victory over a Seljuq Turk army in February–March 1179.

Background

After the Byzantine annihilation of a Seljuq Turkish army at the Battle of Hyelion and Leimocheir in 1177, the Byzantines laid waste to Turkish encampments along the Meander river.[1] Emperor Manuel I Komnenos drove out Turkish forces encamped near Lakerion and Panasion.[1] A Byzantine attempt to capture the town of Charax failed when the Byzantine commander, Andronikos Doukas Angelos, panicked after facing a few Turks in the night and led his entire force in a rout.[2]

Siege

In February 1179, the Turks laid siege to the town of Claudiopolis in northern Bithynia.[3][4] The Byzantine garrison was prevented from sallying out.[3] The defending forces threatened the emperor with a capitulation unless prompt help arrived, claiming to not have the strength to withstand a siege attack or starvation blockade.[3] Manuel set out for Claudiopolis with an army a day after receiving the message.[3] He proceeded via Nicomedia, with only his horse and armor, unburdened by imperial luxuries.[3] The emperor slept little and rested on the ground, earning him the admiration of his men.[5][4] Upon catching sight of the approaching Byzantine banners and glittering armaments, the surprised Turks turned tail and fled.[4][6] Manuel did not let up, pursuing them back to their lands.[6]

Aftermath

The Byzantine success demonstrated that the frontier in Anatolia remained intact.[4] Manuel concluded an advantageous peace with the Seljuqs by the end of 1179.[7]

Citations

  1. ^ a b Magoulias 1984, p. 110.
  2. ^ Magoulias 1984, pp. 110–111.
  3. ^ a b c d e Magoulias 1984, p. 111.
  4. ^ a b c d Magdalino 1993, p. 99.
  5. ^ Magoulias 1984, pp. 111–112.
  6. ^ a b Magoulias 1984, p. 112.
  7. ^ Magdalino 1993, p. 100.

References

Primary

  • Magoulias, Harry J., ed. (1984). O City of Byzantium: Annals of Niketas Choniatēs. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8143-1764-8.

Secondary

  • Magdalino, Paul (1993). The Empire of Manuel I Komnenos, 1143–1180. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-52653-1.