1071 AD

In 1071 AD, a pivotal battle known as the Battle of Manzikert took place between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The Seljuks defeated the Byzantines, leading to a significant shift in power. This victory paved the way for Turkish settlement and eventually the rise of the Sultanate of Rum in Anatolia, marking the beginning of Turkish dominance in the region. The battle also weakened Byzantine influence, contributing to the Muslim-Turkish expansion and influencing the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and Eastern Europe for centuries.