Editing 1071 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[August 26]] &ndash; [[Battle of Manzikert]]: The Byzantine army (35,000 men) under Emperor [[Romanos IV Diogenes|Romanos IV]] meets the Seljuk Turk forces of Sultan [[Alp Arslan]] near the town of [[Malazgirt|Manzikert]]. Although the armies are initially evenly matched, as the Byzantines advance, the Seljuk Turks withdraw before them, launching hit-and-run attacks on the Byzantine flanks. While attempting to withdraw, the Byzantine army falls apart, either through treachery or confusion; the battle ends in a decisive defeat for the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Romanos is captured (though released by Alp Arslan within a week) and much of the elite [[Varangian Guard]] is destroyed; this will prove catastrophic for the Byzantine Empire.
* [[October 24]] &ndash; Romanos IV is deposed by [[John Doukas (Caesar)]] and his political advisor [[Michael Psellos]] after his return to [[Constantinople]]. [[Michael VII Doukas]] is crowned co-emperor and his mother [[Eudokia Makrembolitissa|Eudokia]] is forced to retire to a monastery.