Editing 964 (section)

=== Byzantine Empire ===
* [[Arab–Byzantine wars#Byzantine resurgence, 863–11th century|Arab–Byzantine War]]: Emperor [[Nikephoros II Phokas|Nikephoros II]] continues the reconquest of south-eastern [[Anatolia]] (modern [[Turkey]]). He recaptures [[Cyprus]], and reorganizes the conquered lands into new themes. In the summer, they take the fortress cities of [[Anazarbus]] and [[Adana]]. Byzantine troops under General [[John I Tzimiskes|John Tzimiskes]] besiege [[Mopsuestia]], but with the coming of winter he is forced to retreat to [[Kayseri|Caesarea]].<ref>W. Treadgold. ''A History of the Byzantine State and Society,'' p. 948.</ref> 
* [[October 24]]–[[October 25|25]] &ndash; [[Siege of Rometta]]: Nikephoros II sends an expedition to [[Emirate of Sicily|Sicily]]. The Byzantine army (40,000 men) is sent to break the Muslim siege at [[Rometta]], and to regain Sicily for the [[Byzantine Empire]]. For two days a battle takes place in the area between the beach and the besieged citadel of Rometta. The [[Saracens]] (under [[Al-Hasan ibn Ammar]]) manage to defeat the Byzantine relief force.