Editing 1069 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* Spring &ndash;  Emperor [[Romanos IV Diogenes|Romanos IV]] begins a campaign against the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk Turks]], and marches towards the [[Euphrates]] via [[Malatya|Melitene]]. He crosses the river at [[Palu, Elazığ|Romanopolis]] (modern [[Turkey]]), and captures the strategic fortress city of [[Ahlat|Chliat]] on the north-western shore of [[Lake Van]]. Romanos leaves a Byzantine rear guard on the upper Euphrates under General [[Philaretos Brachamios]] with orders to defend the [[Mesopotamia]]n frontier.<ref>Finlay, George (1854). ''History of the Byzantine and Greek Empires from 1057–1453'', p. 35. William Blackwood & Sons.</ref>
* Seljuk forces under [[Alp Arslan]] defeat the Byzantine rear guard and advance deep into [[Cappadocia]] and [[Lycaonia]]. They plunder at will, but fail to capture the city of [[Konya|Iconium]]. Romanos retreats and returns to [[Constantinople]]. Alp Arslan takes advantage of Romanos' retreat and captures [[Malazgirt|Manzikert]]. He recaptures the strategical fortress cities of Chliat and [[Van, Turkey|Van]], consolidating his control over the Lake Van region.<ref>Carey, Brian Todd (2012). ''Road to Manzikert – Byzantine and Islamic Warfare (527–1071)'', p. 134. {{ISBN|978-1-84884-215-1}}.</ref>