Editing Sardis (section)

===Later history===

Sardis began to decline in the 600s AD.<ref name="Greenewalt-2011-Steadman-McMahon" />{{rp|style=ama|p=1123}} It remained part of the Byzantine Empire until 1078 AD, by the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk Turks]]. It was reconquered in 1097 by the Byzantine general [[John Doukas (megas doux)|John Doukas]] and came under the rule of the Byzantine [[Empire of Nicaea]] when [[Sack of Constantinople|Constantinople was taken]] by the [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]] and [[Fourth Crusade|crusaders]] in 1204. However, once the Byzantines retook Constantinople in 1261, Sardis and surrounding areas fell under the control of [[Ghazi (warrior)|Ghazw]] emirs. The [[Küçük Menderes River|Cayster]] valleys and a fort on the citadel of Sardis were handed over to them by treaty in 1306. The city continued its decline until its capture and probable destruction by the [[Turco-Mongol tradition|Turco-Mongol]] warlord [[Timur]] in 1402.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

By the 1700s, only two small [[Hamlet (place)|hamlets]] existed at the site. In the 20th century, a new town was built.<ref name="Greenewalt-2011-Steadman-McMahon" />{{rp|style=ama|pp=1123–1124}}