Siege of Sozopolis
{{Infobox Military Conflict
|conflict=Siege of Sozopolis
|image=
|caption=
|partof=the Byzantine–Seljuq wars
|date=1120
|place=Sozopolis, Pisidia
(modern-day Uluborlu, Isparta, Turkey)
|result=Byzantine victory
|combatant1=Byzantine Empire
|combatant2=Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm
|commander1=John II Komnenos
|commander2=Unknown
|strength1=
|strength2=
|casualties1=Unknown
|casualties2=Garrison killed, captured or routed
}}
{{Campaignbox Byzantine-Seljuk War}}
The siege of Sozopolis saw the Byzantine Empire conquest of the Seljuk dynasty-held town of Sozopolis in 1120, improving byzantine communications with the city of Attaleia.
Background
After re-conquering the city of Laodicea from a Seljuk Turkish garrison of 700 men in 1119, the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos continued his campaigns against the Turks in 1120 after a brief stay in Constantinople.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}} The 1120 campaign target was the town of Sozopolis in Pisidia, which controlled the lines of communication to Attaleia.{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}}
Siege
Sozopolis was protected by an armed garrison and steep hills.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}}{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} A large-scale siege attack was thus impossible.{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} The town could only be attacked by small forces.{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} John was initially at a loss how to proceed but later came up with a plan.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}}{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} He ordered a force of missile-armed cavalry under Paktiarios and Dekanos to attack the town gates and shoot at the Turkish soldiers manning the walls.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}}{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} The Turks took the bait and poured out of the gate.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}} The Byzantine force then executed a planned retreat, drawing the Turks far out beyond the town.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}}{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} The rest of the Byzantine army had lain hidden in the thick undergrowth and assaulted the undefended town after the Turks had passed them.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}} The fleeing Byzantines turned about and faced the pursuing Turks.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}}{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} The Turks were trapped between the Byzantine cavalry to their front and the army to their back and were largely killed or captured, with a handful making it out of the encirclement.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|p=9}}
Aftermath
Next, the fortress of Hierakokoryphitis capitulated to John without a fight, along with many other towns and fortifications near Attaleia, after which John returned to Constantinople.{{sfn|Magoulias|1984|pp=9–10}}
=Analysis=
The combat at Sozopolis demonstrated the discipline of the Byzantine troops, who could feign flight without panicking.{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} The Byzantine cavalry could fight effectively with both missile and close-combat weapons.{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=89}} John showed himself a competent general, carrying out a complex tactical maneuver at the very beginning of his reign.{{sfn|Birkenmeier|2002|p=90}}
Citations
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book |editor-last=Magoulias |editor-first=Harry J. |title=O City of Byzantium: Annals of Niketas Choniatēs|location=Detroit|publisher=Wayne State University Press|year=1984|isbn=978-0-8143-1764-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O8arrZPM8moC}}
{{refend}}
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book|last=Birkenmeier|first=John W.|title=The Development of the Komnenian Army: 1081-1180|location=Boston, Massachusetts|publisher=Brill|year=2002|isbn=90-04-11710-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p8OOoGWRC2EC}}
{{refend}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{coord|38.073|30.467|type:event_globe:earth_region:TR|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sozopolis}}
Category:Sieges of the Byzantine–Seljuk wars
Category:Sieges involving the Byzantine Empire
Category:Sieges involving the Sultanate of Rum