Siege of Laodicea (1119)
| Siege of Laodicea | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Byzantine–Seljuq wars | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Byzantine Empire | Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
John II Komnenos John Axouch | Alp-qara | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 17,000 - 20,000 | 700–800 | ||||||
The siege of Laodicea resulted in the Byzantine capture of the Seljuq Turkish city of Laodicea in 1119.
Background
[edit]Upon ascending the throne in 1118, the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos was faced with the continued presence of Turks in Phrygia and along the Meander river.[1][2] John planned to reconquer the city of Laodicea and led an army against it in the spring of 1119.[2][1]
Siege
[edit]When the army reached the Byzantine city of Philadelphia, John built a fortified camp and sent a force under the Grand Domestic John Axouch to attack Laodicea.[2] The city was defended by 700–800 Turks under the experienced commander Alp-qara.[2][1] Somewhat later, John's army marched on Laodicea and built fortifications around the city.[1] The city fell with little resistance.[2]
Aftermath
[edit]John appointed a garrison and restocked the city with sufficient supplies.[3] He then returned to Constantinople.[3][1]
Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Magoulias 1984, p. 9.
- ^ a b c d e Brand 1976, p. 14.
- ^ a b Brand 1976, p. 15.
References
[edit]- Brand, Charles M., ed. (1976). Deeds of John and Manuel Comnenus, by John Kinnamos. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-04080-6.
- Magoulias, Harry J., ed. (1984). O City of Byzantium: Annals of Niketas Choniatēs. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8143-1764-8.