Siege of Sozopolis

Siege of Sozopolis
Part of the Byzantine–Seljuq wars
Date1120
Location
Sozopolis, Pisidia
(modern-day Uluborlu, Isparta, Turkey)
Result Byzantine victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm
Commanders and leaders
John II Komnenos Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Garrison killed, captured or routed
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Byzantine–Seljuk wars

The siege of Sozopolis saw the Byzantine conquest of the Seljuk Turk-held town of Sozopolis in 1120, improving Byzantine communications with the city of Attaleia.

Background

After re-conquering the city of Laodicea from a Seljuk Turkish garrison of 700 men in 1119, the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos continued his campaigns against the Turks in 1120 after a brief stay in Constantinople.[1] The 1120 campaign target was the town of Sozopolis in Pisidia, which controlled the lines of communication to Attaleia.[2]

Siege

Sozopolis was protected by an armed garrison and steep hills.[1][2] A large-scale siege attack was thus impossible.[2] The town could only be attacked by small forces.[2] John was initially at a loss how to proceed but later came up with a plan.[1][2] He ordered a force of missile-armed cavalry under Paktiarios and Dekanos to attack the town gates and shoot at the Turkish soldiers manning the walls.[1][2] The Turks took the bait and poured out of the gate.[1] The Byzantine force then executed a planned retreat, drawing the Turks far out beyond the town.[1][2] The rest of the Byzantine army had lain hidden in the thick undergrowth and assaulted the undefended town after the Turks had passed them.[1] The fleeing Byzantines turned about and faced the pursuing Turks.[1][2] The Turks were trapped between the Byzantine cavalry to their front and the army to their back and were largely killed or captured, with a handful making it out of the encirclement.[1]

Aftermath

Next, the fortress of Hierakokoryphitis capitulated to John without a fight, along with many other towns and fortifications near Attaleia, after which John returned to Constantinople.[3]

Analysis

The combat at Sozopolis demonstrated the discipline of the Byzantine troops, who could feign flight without panicking.[2] The Byzantine cavalry could fight effectively with both missile and close-combat weapons.[2] John showed himself a competent general, carrying out a complex tactical maneuver at the very beginning of his reign.[4]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Magoulias 1984, p. 9.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Birkenmeier 2002, p. 89.
  3. ^ Magoulias 1984, pp. 9–10.
  4. ^ Birkenmeier 2002, p. 90.

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

  • Birkenmeier, John W. (2002). The Development of the Komnenian Army: 1081-1180. Boston, Massachusetts: Brill. ISBN 90-04-11710-5.