Siege of Claudiopolis

The siege of Claudiopolis was a Byzantine victory over a Seljuq Turk army in February–March 1179.

Siege of Claudiopolis
Part of the Byzantine–Seljuq wars
Date February–March 1179 Location Claudiopolis, Bithynia (modern-day Bolu, Turkey) 40°43′59.99″N 31°36′0.00″E Result Byzantine victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire	Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm
Commanders and leaders
Manuel I Komnenos	Unknown

Background

After the Byzantine annihilation of a Seljuq Turkish army at the Battle of Hyelion and Leimocheir in 1177, the Byzantines laid waste to Turkish encampments along the Meander River.^[1] Emperor Manuel I Komnenos drove out Turkish forces encamped near Lakerion and Panasion.^[1] A Byzantine attempt to capture the town of Charax failed when the Byzantine commander, Andronikos Doukas Angelos, panicked after facing a few Turks in the night and led his entire force in a rout.^[2]

Siege

In February 1179, the Turks laid siege to the town of Claudiopolis in northern Bithynia.^[3][4] The Byzantine garrison was prevented from sallying out.^[3] The defending forces threatened the emperor with a capitulation unless prompt help arrived, claiming to not have the strength to withstand a siege attack or starvation blockade.^[3] Manuel set out for Claudiopolis with an army a day after receiving the message.^[3] He proceeded via Nicomedia, with only his horse and armor, unburdened by imperial luxuries.^[3] The emperor slept little and rested on the ground, earning him the admiration of his men.^[5][4] Upon catching sight of the approaching Byzantine banners and glittering armaments, the surprised Turks turned tail and fled.^[4][6] Manuel did not let up, pursuing them back to their lands.^[6]

Aftermath

The Byzantine success demonstrated that the frontier in Anatolia remained intact.^[4] Manuel concluded an advantageous peace with the Seljuqs by the end of 1179.^[7]