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At the Battle of Myriokephalon, the Byzantines fail to recover Anatolia from Turkish rule

The Battle of Myriokephalon (also known as the Battle of Myriocephalum, Greek: Μάχη του Μυριοκέφαλου, Turkish: Miryokefalon Savaşı or Düzbel Muharebesi) was a battle between the Byzantine Empire and...

The Battle of Myriokephalon (also known as the Battle of Myriocephalum, Greek: Μάχη του Μυριοκέφαλου, Turkish: Miryokefalon Savaşı or Düzbel Muharebesi) was a battle between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks in the mountains west of Iconium (Konya) in southwestern Turkey on 17 September 1176. The battle was a strategic reverse for the Byzantine forces, who were ambushed when moving through a mountain pass.

In 1161, the Seljuk Sultan of Rum Kilij Arslan II and Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos concluded a peace agreement. Manuel wanted to achieve peace for his Anatolian provinces with the help of this treaty. Kilij Arslan needed to eliminate internal rivals and gather his strength.

Events Before

  1. Battle of al-Babein: King Amalric I of Jerusalem fights a Zengid army to a draw over access to Egypt

    The Battle of al-Babein took place on March 18, 1167, during the third Crusader invasion of Egypt.

  2. Giovanni di Struma is elected antipope

    An antipope (Latin: antipapa) is a person who claims to be Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church in opposition to the officially elected pope.

  3. Pope Alexander III canonizes Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

    Thomas Becket ( ), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English cleric and statesman who served...

  4. Construction of the Tower of Pisa begins, and it takes two centuries to complete

    Construction of the Tower of Pisa begins, and it takes two centuries to complete

  5. Jocelin, abbot of Melrose, is elected bishop of Glasgow

    Jocelin (or Jocelyn) (died 1199) was a Scottish Cistercian monk and cleric who became the fourth Abbot of Melrose before becoming Bishop of Glasgow, Scotland.

Events After

  1. Battle of Montgisard: Baldwin IV of Jerusalem defeats Saladin and a larger Ayyubid force

    Baldwin IV (1161–1185), known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin ascended to the throne when he was thirteen despite having leprosy.

  2. Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa is crowned King of Burgundy

    Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (German: Friedrich; Italian: Federico), was the Holy Roman emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190.

  3. BC A solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom after the Trojan War

    BC A solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom after the Trojan War

  4. Five monks at Canterbury report something exploding on the moon shortly after sunset (only known observation) [1]

    Five monks at Canterbury report something exploding on the moon shortly after sunset (only known observation) [1]

  5. Anti-Pope Callistus III gives the title of pope to Alexander III

    Anti-Pope Callistus III gives the title of pope to Alexander III

More from the 1170s

Pope Alexander III canonizes Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

Thomas Becket ( ), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English cleric and statesman who served...

Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa is crowned King of Burgundy

Frederick Barbarossa (December 1122 – 10 June 1190), also known as Frederick I (German: Friedrich; Italian: Federico), was the Holy Roman emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190.

Battle of Montgisard: Baldwin IV of Jerusalem defeats Saladin and a larger Ayyubid force

Baldwin IV (1161–1185), known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin ascended to the throne when he was thirteen despite having leprosy.

3rd Lateran Council (11th ecumenical council) opens in Rome

3rd Lateran Council (11th ecumenical council) opens in Rome

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 17, 1176?
The Battle of Myriokephalon (also known as the Battle of Myriocephalum, Greek: Μάχη του Μυριοκέφαλου, Turkish: Miryokefalon Savaşı or Düzbel Muharebesi) was a battle between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks in the mountains west of Iconium (Konya) in southwestern Turkey on 17 September 1176. The battle was a strategic reverse for the Byzantine forces, who were ambushed when moving through a mountain pass. In 1161, the Seljuk Sultan of Rum Kilij Arslan II and Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos concluded a peace agreement.
Why is At the Battle of Myriokephalon, the Byzantines fail to recover Anatolia from ... historically important?
Manuel wanted to achieve peace for his Anatolian provinces with the help of this treaty. Kilij Arslan needed to eliminate internal rivals and gather his strength.

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September 17 in HistoryYear 1176