# Battle of Manzikert (1071)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1071-battle-of-manzikert
Location: Manzikert, Anatolia
Themes: War

The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine army and capture Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, opening Anatolia to Turkish settlement. Byzantine appeals for Western help after the defeat helped set the stage for the Crusades. At this point in the timeline (1071), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Alexander II (30 September 1061 – 21 April 1073).

## Why it matters
It began the long decline of Christian Anatolia and led directly to the call for the First Crusade.

Pope at the time: [Pope Alexander II](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-alexander-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Manzikert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manzikert)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Manzikert](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Manzikert)
- [Wikipedia — Medieval Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church#Middle_Ages)