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|caption=
|caption=
|partof=the [[Byzantine-Seljuk wars]]
|partof=the [[Byzantine-Seljuk wars]]
|date=1146
|date=Spring 1146
|place=Near [[Iconium]], (now [[Konya]]), Turkey
|place=Near [[Iconium]], (now [[Konya]]), Turkey
|result=Seljuk victory
|result=Seljuk victory
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{{Campaignbox Byzantine-Seljuk War}}
{{Campaignbox Byzantine-Seljuk War}}


The '''Expedition to Iconium''' was a military expedition launched by the [[Byzantine Empire]] against the Seljuk capital of [[Iconium]], the siege ended in failure.
The '''Expedition to Iconium''' was a military campaign launched by the [[Byzantine Empire]] against the Seljuk capital of [[Iconium]] in the spring of 1146. The army besieged the city, but failed to capture it.


==Background==
==Background==
in 1143, the [[Danishmendids|Danishmendid]] Sultan [[Melik Mehmed Gazi]] died which resulted in a civil war between [[Melik Zünnun]] and his Uncles [[Yağıbasan]] and [[Ayn el-Devle]] which ended in the division of the Danishmend lands were divided between them with each three ruling their own territory, the Seljuk Sultan [[Mesud I]] decided to take advantage of the civil war and invaded the [[Danishmendids]],<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, Malazgirt'ten Vatana Anadolu Selçuklu Devleti Tarihi, p. 212 [https://www.google.ae/books/edition/Malazgirt_ten_Vatana_Anadolu_Sel%C3%A7uklu_D/QvSiDwAAQBAJ?hl=ar&gbpv=1&dq=Konya+1146&pg=PA212&printsec=frontcover]</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, The Eastern policy of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Emperor Manuel I 1143-1180, p. 115[https://archive.org/details/Librosbooks86_gmail_SAO/page/n122/mode/1up]</ref> Mesud captured [[Sivas]] and Yukarı Seyhan from [[Yağıbasan]], defeating him and captured [[Ceyhan]] and [[Elbistan]] from Ayn el-Devle, he then Besieged [[Malatya]] from [[Melik Zünnun]] from 1143-1144,<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 115</ref> realizing they could not withstand Mesud attack, they allied with the [[Byzantine Empire]] which put Mesud in a two front war and forced Mesud to withdraw back, in spring 1145 the Byzantine Emperor [[Manuel I Komnenos]] launched his first expedition but withdraw upon getting ill or upon learning his sister Maria Komnene was ill,<ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 116</ref> upon this hasty withdrawal, The Seljuks thought the Byzantines were having internal problems and thought they weren't ready to have a long conflict, which encouraged them to attack the Byzantines, which alerted Manuel and prepared to attack them.<ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 116</ref>
In 1143, the [[Danishmendids|Danishmendid]] Sultan [[Melik Mehmed Gazi]] died, which resulted in a civil war between [[Melik Zünnun]] and his uncles [[Yağıbasan]] and [[Ayn el-Devle]], which ended in the division of the Danishmend lands between them, with each three ruling their own territory. The Seljuk Sultan [[Mesud I]] decided to take advantage of the civil war and invade the [[Danishmendids]].<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, Malazgirt'ten Vatana Anadolu Selçuklu Devleti Tarihi, p. 212 [https://books.google.com/books?id=QvSiDwAAQBAJ&dq=Konya+1146&pg=PA212]</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, The Eastern policy of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Emperor Manuel I 1143-1180, p. 115 [https://archive.org/details/Librosbooks86_gmail_SAO/page/n122/mode/1up]</ref> Mesud captured [[Sivas|Sivas (Sebastea)]] and Yukarı Seyhan from [[Yağıbasan]], defeating him, and captured [[Adana]] and [[Elbistan|Elbistan (Plastentia)]] from Ayn el-Devle; he then besieged [[Malatya|Malatya (Melitene)]] from [[Melik Zünnun]] from 1143–1144,<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 115</ref> realizing they could not withstand Mesud's attack, they allied with the [[Byzantine Empire]], which put Mesud in a two-front war and forced him to withdraw. In spring 1145, the Byzantine Emperor [[Manuel I Komnenos]] launched his first expedition but retreated upon getting ill or upon learning his sister Maria Komnene was ill.<ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 116</ref> Upon this hasty withdrawal, the Seljuks thought the Byzantines were having internal problems and weren't ready to have a long conflict, which encouraged them to attack the Byzantines, which alerted Manuel and prepared him to attack them.<ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 116</ref>

==Expedition==
==Expedition==
in the spring of 1146, Manuel Prepared his expedition against the Seljuks, eh then forced his way to [[Akşehir|Philomelion]], the Seljuks made several ambushes during his journey, however, they were all repulsed with losses on the Seljuk side,<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 118</ref> he then reached Philomelion and successfully defeated the Seljuks there, although Mnauel was wounded in the heel, he burned the town and took the remaining Christian population there,<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212</ref><ref>Magdalino, Paul, The Empire Of Manuel I Komnenos, 1143 1180, p. 42[https://archive.org/details/magdalino-paul-the-empire-of-manuel-i-komnenos-1143-1180-2002/Magdalino%2C%20Paul%2C%20The%20Empire%20of%20Manuel%20I%20Komnenos%2C%201143-1180%2C%202002/page/42/mode/1up]</ref> Manuel then headed for [[Iconium]], Alarmed by Byzantine victories, Mesud divided his forces into 4 groups, one to protect the capital, the second stationed at [[Lake Tuz]] the ambush the Byzantines behind, the third at Outskirts of city and the last to slow down the incoming Byzantines, during their march, the byzantines were still being ambushed by the turks which inflicted losses on the byzantines, they finally arrived to Konya and began ravaging the Outskirts of the capital, the Seljuks could only skirmish them from the walls, Manuel then besieged and surrounded the city, but failed to capture it, he prolonged the siege, however he heard the new of an upcoming [[Second Crusade|Crusade]] to the east, which prompted him to retreat.<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 119</ref><ref>Magdalino, p. 42</ref>
In the spring of 1146, Manuel prepared his expedition against the Seljuks; he then forced his way to [[Akşehir|Philomelion]]. The Seljuks made several ambushes during his journey; however, they were all repulsed with losses on the Seljuk side.<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 118</ref> He then reached Philomelion and successfully defeated the Seljuks there. Although Manuel was wounded in the heel, he burned the town and took the remaining Christian population there,<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/magdalino-paul-the-empire-of-manuel-i-komnenos-1143-1180-2002/Magdalino%2C%20Paul%2C%20The%20Empire%20of%20Manuel%20I%20Komnenos%2C%201143-1180%2C%202002/page/42/mode/1up Magdalino, Paul, The Empire Of Manuel I Komnenos, 1143 1180, p. 42]</ref> Manuel then headed for [[Iconium]], Alarmed by Byzantine victories, Mesud divided his forces into 4 groups, one to protect the capital, the second stationed at [[Lake Tuz|Lake Tatta]] to ambush the Byzantines behind, the third at Outskirts of city and the last to slow down the incoming Byzantines, during their march, the Byzantines were still being ambushed by the Turks which inflicted losses on the Byzantines, they finally arrived at Ikonion and began ravaging the Outskirts of the capital, the Seljuks could only skirmish them from the walls, Manuel then besieged and surrounded the city, but failed to capture it, he prolonged the siege, however, he heard the news of an upcoming [[Second Crusade|Crusade]] to the east, which prompted him to retreat.<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 119</ref><ref>Magdalino, p. 42</ref>

⚫
During the retreat, he passed some of the rugged paths that caused the Byzantine march to be slow and unorganized, and for that, it was a chance for the Seljuks; they ambushed the Byzantines and inflicted heavy losses on the center of the army, which killed the commander Kritopolos. This attack split the army, which caused panic in the rear while they had no place to hide. Manuel attempted to reorganize his forces but failed due to heavy attacks. Manuel successfully reached safety after having great difficulty dealing with the Seljuk ambush;<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 120</ref> according to an anonymous Seljuk-nama, it claims that the Byzantines lost as many as 20,000 men.<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213</ref>


⚫
during the retreat, he passed some of the rugged paths which caused the Byzantine march slow and unorganized, and for that, it was a chance for Seljuks, they ambushed the Byzantines and inflicted heavy losses on the center of the army which killed the commander Kritopolos, this attack split the army which caused panic in the rear while having no place to hide, Manuel attempted to re-organize his forces but failed due to heavy attacks, Manuel successfully reached to safety after a great difficulty dealing with the Seljuk ambush,<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213</ref><ref>Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 120</ref> according to an anonymous Seljuk-nama, the Byzantines lost as high as 20000 killed.<ref>Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Byzantine army (Komnenian era)|Komnenian army]]
* [[Byzantine army (Komnenian era)|Komnenian army]]
* [[Battle of Myriokephalon]]
* [[Battle of Myriokephalon]]

== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 23:10, 6 June 2024

Siege of Konya (Iconium)
Part of the Byzantine-Seljuk wars
DateSpring 1146
Location
Near Iconium, (now Konya), Turkey
Result Seljuk victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire Seljuk Turks
Commanders and leaders
Manuel I Komnenos Mesud I
Casualties and losses
20,000 killed Unknown

The Expedition to Iconium was a military campaign launched by the Byzantine Empire against the Seljuk capital of Iconium in the spring of 1146. The army besieged the city, but failed to capture it.

Background

[edit]

In 1143, the Danishmendid Sultan Melik Mehmed Gazi died, which resulted in a civil war between Melik Zünnun and his uncles Yağıbasan and Ayn el-Devle, which ended in the division of the Danishmend lands between them, with each three ruling their own territory. The Seljuk Sultan Mesud I decided to take advantage of the civil war and invade the Danishmendids.[1][2] Mesud captured Sivas (Sebastea) and Yukarı Seyhan from Yağıbasan, defeating him, and captured Adana and Elbistan (Plastentia) from Ayn el-Devle; he then besieged Malatya (Melitene) from Melik Zünnun from 1143–1144,[3][4] realizing they could not withstand Mesud's attack, they allied with the Byzantine Empire, which put Mesud in a two-front war and forced him to withdraw. In spring 1145, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos launched his first expedition but retreated upon getting ill or upon learning his sister Maria Komnene was ill.[5] Upon this hasty withdrawal, the Seljuks thought the Byzantines were having internal problems and weren't ready to have a long conflict, which encouraged them to attack the Byzantines, which alerted Manuel and prepared him to attack them.[6]

Expedition

[edit]

In the spring of 1146, Manuel prepared his expedition against the Seljuks; he then forced his way to Philomelion. The Seljuks made several ambushes during his journey; however, they were all repulsed with losses on the Seljuk side.[7][8] He then reached Philomelion and successfully defeated the Seljuks there. Although Manuel was wounded in the heel, he burned the town and took the remaining Christian population there,[9][10] Manuel then headed for Iconium, Alarmed by Byzantine victories, Mesud divided his forces into 4 groups, one to protect the capital, the second stationed at Lake Tatta to ambush the Byzantines behind, the third at Outskirts of city and the last to slow down the incoming Byzantines, during their march, the Byzantines were still being ambushed by the Turks which inflicted losses on the Byzantines, they finally arrived at Ikonion and began ravaging the Outskirts of the capital, the Seljuks could only skirmish them from the walls, Manuel then besieged and surrounded the city, but failed to capture it, he prolonged the siege, however, he heard the news of an upcoming Crusade to the east, which prompted him to retreat.[11][12][13]

During the retreat, he passed some of the rugged paths that caused the Byzantine march to be slow and unorganized, and for that, it was a chance for the Seljuks; they ambushed the Byzantines and inflicted heavy losses on the center of the army, which killed the commander Kritopolos. This attack split the army, which caused panic in the rear while they had no place to hide. Manuel attempted to reorganize his forces but failed due to heavy attacks. Manuel successfully reached safety after having great difficulty dealing with the Seljuk ambush;[14][15] according to an anonymous Seljuk-nama, it claims that the Byzantines lost as many as 20,000 men.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, Malazgirt'ten Vatana Anadolu Selçuklu Devleti Tarihi, p. 212 [1]
  2. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, The Eastern policy of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Emperor Manuel I 1143-1180, p. 115 [2]
  3. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212
  4. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 115
  5. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 116
  6. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 116
  7. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212
  8. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 118
  9. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 212
  10. ^ Magdalino, Paul, The Empire Of Manuel I Komnenos, 1143 1180, p. 42
  11. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213
  12. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 119
  13. ^ Magdalino, p. 42
  14. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213
  15. ^ Mahmud Sa'eed Imran, p. 120
  16. ^ Zeki Atçeken & Yaşar Bedirhan, p. 213
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