Manzikert (Malazgirt)

The Battle of Manzikert, fought in 1071 near modern-day Malazgirt in Turkey, was a significant conflict between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks. The Byzantine army, led by Emperor Romanos IV, faced a skilled Seljuk force commanded by Alp Arslan. The Byzantine defeat opened Anatolia to Turkish settlement and marked the beginning of the decline of Byzantine power. This battle is often seen as a pivotal moment in history, leading to the rise of Turkish influence in the region and significantly affecting the course of Christian-Muslim relations in the Middle Ages.