The Politics of the Byzantine Empire under the Rule of John II Komnenos against the Seljuks

Authors:

Pages: 24-38
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/JRMI1852

Abstract:

The change of rule in Constantinople in 1118 and the ascension to the throne of Emperor John II Komnenos did not lead to any changes in the primary goals of Byzantine foreign policy towards the East. The new basileus started immediately with great energy to realise the so called “Roman reconquest“ in Anatolia. It was no coincidence that the first march he organized in the spring of 1119 was against the war-torn Rum Seljuk Sultanate. The constant pillaging raids of the nomad Turkic hordes gave him a reason to do this, and he ended up not only countering the nomad hordes but also conquering the city of Laodicea on the Lycus. The next year, another very important urban centre was captured – Sozopolis. The Emperor did not limit himself to only military methods in his policy regarding the seljuks, and when presented with an opportunity, he also intervened in their home affairs. He responded to the appeal for military and financial help of one of the heirs of the late Kilij Arslan I, the future Sultan Mesud I, in the fight against his brother Malik Arap. The prolonged crisis brought to the weakening of the Sultanate and turned it into a secondary power in the region. The forces that took advantage of this were mainly the Byzantine Empire and the Beylik of the Danishmendids. The territory of the Sultanate was reduced to Konya and it’s hinterland. The decrease of the intensity of their relations did not bring to their end and the Empire, in every suitable moment, continued with the reconquering of their “old“ lands in Asia Minor.

Keywords:

John II Komnenos, Mesud I, the Danishmendids, beylik, Seljuk, diplomacy, military action, the Battle of Manzikert.

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