Editing Alp Arslan

{{Short description|Sultan of the Seljuk Empire from 1063 to 1072}}
{{for|the ruler of Aleppo in 1113–14|Alp Arslān al-Akhras}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}   
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Alp Arslan
| title        = {{ubl|[[Shahanshah]]<ref name=davidmus/>{{efn|King of Kings}}|Al-Sultan al-Mu'azzam<ref name=davidmus>{{cite web|url=https://www.davidmus.dk/en/collections/islamic/dynasties/seljuks/coins/c504?show=design|title=THE SELJUKS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS: IRAN AND CENTRAL ASIA, C.1040-1250 Coin no. 3 of 14|quote=This coin was struck at the mint of al-Ahwaz, the capital town of Khuzistan, which, together with al-Basra, was the main trading city at the head of the Persian Gulf. On it, Alp Arslan clearly states his power and prestige as "the Exalted Sultan, King of Kings, King of Islam." In the inscription on his coins his name appears as Alb because Arabic lacks the letter "p", but to Persian and Turkish speakers his name is pronounced "Alp".}}</ref>{{efn|English: The Exalted Sultan}}|Malik al-Islam<ref name=davidmus/>{{efn|King of Islam}}| }}
| image        = File:Alp Arslan on throne Majma al-Tawarikh by Hafiz Abru (cropped).png
| image_size   = 
| caption      = Miniature from the Majma al-Tawarikh by [[Hafiz Abru]] circa 1425; which depicts accession to the throne by Alp Arslan
| succession   = [[List of sultans of the Seljuk Empire|Sultan of the Seljuk Empire]]
| reign        = 4 October 1063 – 15 December 1072
| predecessor  = [[Tughril]]
| successor    = [[Malik-Shah I]]
| spouse       = {{unbulleted list|Safariyya Khatun|Akka Khatun|Shah Khatun|Ummu Hifchaq|}}
| issue        = {{unbulleted list|[[Malik-Shah I]]|[[Tutush I]]|[[Bori-Bars]]|Ayaz|[[Toghan-Shah ibn Alp Arslan|Toghan-Shah]]|[[Arslan-Shah ibn Alp Arslan|Arslan-Shah]]|Tekish|[[Sifri Khatun]]|Aisha Khatun|Zulaikha Khatun|Sara Khatun|Others two daughters}}
| dynasty      = [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuk Dynasty]]
| father       = [[Chaghri Beg]]
| mother       = 
| birth_date   = 20 January 1029 <br>({{small|1 Muharram 420 [[Islamic calendar|AH]]}}){{sfn|Kafesoğlu|1989|p=526}}
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = {{death date and age|1072|11|24|1029|1|20|df=y}} <br>({{small|10 Rabiʻ I 465 AH}})
| death_place  = Barzam Fortress, near [[Amu Darya]], [[Khwarezm]]
| religion     = [[Sunni Islam]]
}}
'''Alp Arslan''', born '''Muhammad Alp Arslan bin Dawud Chaghri''',{{sfn|Cahen|1986|p=420}} was the second [[List of sultans of the Seljuk Empire|sultan of the Seljuk Empire]] and great-grandson of [[Seljuk (warlord)|Seljuk]], the [[eponym]]ous founder of the dynasty. He greatly expanded Seljuk territories and consolidated his power, defeating rivals to the south, east and northwest. His victory over the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] at the [[Battle of Manzikert]] in 1071 ushered in the [[Turkoman (ethnonym)|Turkoman]] settlement of [[Anatolia]].<ref name="anatolia">{{cite web |last1=Cahen |first1=Claude |title=Alp-Arslan |url=https://www.britannica.com:443/biography/Alp-Arslan |website=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=12 February 2024 }} "But the Battle of Manzikert opened Asia Minor to '''Turkmen conquest'''"</ref>

==Early life==
Historical sources differ about Alp Arslan's birth date. Some 12th- and 13th-century sources give 1032/1033 as his birth year, while later sources give 1030. According to [[İbrahim Kafesoğlu]], the most likely date is 20 January 1029 (1 Muharram 420 [[Islamic calendar|AH]]), recorded by the medieval historian [[Ibn al-Athir]].{{sfn|Kafesoğlu|1989|p=526}} He was the son of [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]] and nephew of [[Tughril]], the founding sultans of the [[Seljuk Empire]]. His grandfather was [[Mikail (son of Seljuk)|Mikail]], who in turn was the son of the warlord [[Seljuk (warlord)|Seljuk]]. He was the father of numerous children, including [[Malik-Shah I]] and [[Tutush I]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alp-arslan-saljuq-sultan |title=ALP ARSLAN |author=K. A. Luther |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |volume=I Fascicle 8 |pages=895–898}}</ref> It is unclear who the mother or mothers of his children were. He was known to have been married at least twice. His wives included the widow of his uncle Tughril, a [[Kara-Khanid Khanate|Kara-Khanid]] princess known as Aka or Seferiye Khatun, and the daughter or niece of [[Bagrat IV of Georgia]] (who would later marry his [[vizier]], [[Nizam al-Mulk]]).<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ahmad-b-nezam |title=AḤMAD B. NEẒĀM-AL-MOLK |author=Bosworth, C. E. |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica |volume=I, Fasc. 6 |pages=642–643}}</ref> One of Seljuk's other sons was the Turkic chieftain [[Arslan Isra'il]], whose son, [[Qutalmish|Kutalmish]], contested his nephew's succession to the sultanate. Alp Arslan's younger brothers Suleiman ibn Chaghri and [[Qavurt]] were his rivals. [[Kilij Arslan I|Kilij Arslan]], the son and successor of [[Suleiman ibn Qutalmish|Suleiman ibn Kutalmish]] (Kutalmish's son, who would later become [[Sultanate of Rum#Dynasty|Sultan of Rûm]]), was a major opponent of the Franks during the [[First Crusade]] and the [[Crusade of 1101]].<ref>Peacock, A.C,S., ''Great Seljuk Empire'', Edinburgh University Press, 2015, pgs. 179, 183</ref>

== Campaigns and Battles ==
[[File:Dinar of Muhammad Alp Arslan, AH 455-465.jpg|thumb|right|Coin minted in the name of Alp Arslan with the title [[Shahanshah]]]]
[[File:Sultanalparslan.jpg|thumb|right|A miniature depicting Alp Arslan. [[Rashid al-Din Hamadani|Rashid al-Din]], ''[[Jami' al-tawarikh]]'', 1654 Ottoman copy, [[Topkapi Museum]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yıldız |first1=Osman Fikret |title=Büyük Selçuklular Ve Nizamül-Mülk, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, (Yüksek Lisans Tezi), Isparta 2019,(Great Seljuks and Nizamal-Mulk) |date=1 January 2019 |page=93 Fig.4 |url=https://www.academia.edu/41950842 |quote=Miniature from [[Rashid al-Din Hamadani|Reşîdüddîn]], ''[[Jami' al-tawarikh|Câmiu't-Tevârîh]]'', TSMK, Hazine, nr. 1654, vr. 202}}</ref>]]

Alp Arslan accompanied his uncle Tughril on campaigns in the south against the [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimids]] while his father [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]] remained in [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. Upon Alp Arslan's return to Khorasan, he began his work in administration at his father's suggestion. While there, his father introduced him to [[Nizam al-Mulk]], one of the most eminent statesmen in early Muslim history and Alp Arslan's future vizier.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Dictionary of World Biography: The Middle Ages, Volume 2|last = Magill|first = Frank Northen|publisher = Routledge|year = 1998|isbn = 978-1-57958-041-4|pages = 67}}</ref>

=== Defense of Tokharistan (1043–44) ===
Taking advantage of the illness of the governor of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]] [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]], the Ghaznavid Sultan [[Mawdud of Ghazni|Mawdud]] attacked the [[Tokharistan]] region held by the Seljuks with the [[Ghaznavid]] army.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bosworth |first=Clifford Edmund |title=The Later Ghaznavids: splendour and decay the dynasty in Afghanistan and Northern India, 1040-1186 |date=1977 |publisher=Edinburgh university press Columbia university press |isbn=978-0-85224-315-2 |series=Persian studies series |location=Edinburg New York |pages=26}}</ref> Alp Arslan, who was in the city of [[Balkh]] at the time, defeated the [[Ghaznavids]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ercilasun |first1=Konuralp |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/turk-tarihinde-liderler/533754.html |title=Türk Tarihinde Liderler |last2=Özgüdenli |first2=Osman Gazi |last3=Hunkan |first3=Ömer Soner |last4=Kemaloğlu |first4=İlyas |last5=Piyadeoğlu |first5=Cihan |last6=Yıldırım |first6=Kürşat |last7=Ersan |first7=Mehmet |last8=Göksu |first8=Erkan |last9=Alan |first9=Hayrunnisa |date=2023-05-19 |publisher=Yeditepe Yayınevi |isbn=978-605-7800-58-9 |editor-last=Yeşilot |editor-first=Okan |language=tr |editor-last2=Köksal |editor-first2=Bihter Gürışık}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bosworth |first=Clifford Edmund |title=The later Ghaznavids: splendor and decay: the dynasty in Afghanistan and northern India 1040-1186 |date=1977 |publisher=Univ. Press |isbn=978-0-85224-315-2 |series=Persian studies series |location=Edinburgh |pages=26}}</ref> A subsequent [[Ghaznavid]] attack was also repelled. The defeated [[Ghaznavids]] retreated, abandoning the places they had captured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MAWDUD B. MASʿUD |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/mawdud-b-masud/#:~:text=(Rajab%20432/March,Alp%20Arsl%C4%81n |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref> Later, he defeated [[Kara-Khanid Khanate|Kara-Khanid]] Arslan Khan, who attacked the lands under the rule of [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SELÇUKLULAR |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/selcuklular#:~:text=Tirmiz%E2%80%99i%20eline%20ge%C3%A7irip%20Belh%E2%80%99i%20almak%20i%C3%A7in%20Ceyhun%E2%80%99u%20ge%C3%A7en%20Karahanl%C4%B1%20H%C3%BCk%C3%BCmdar%C4%B1%20Arslan%20Han,%20%C3%87a%C4%9Fr%C4%B1%20Bey%E2%80%99in%20o%C4%9Flu%20Alparslan%E2%80%99a%20yenilip%20geri%20d%C3%B6nd%C3%BC.%20Daha%20sonra%20%C3%87a%C4%9Fr%C4%B1%20Bey%20ile%20Arslan%20Han%20aras%C4%B1nda%20bar%C4%B1%C5%9F%20yap%C4%B1ld%C4%B1 |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Raid of Fasa ===

While [[Tughril I]] was busy with the Siege of [[Isfahan]] (1050-51), Alp Arslan attacked the city of [[Fasa]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALP ARSLĀN |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alp-arslan-saljuq-sultan/#:~:text=he%20raided%20Fas%C4%81%20in%20F%C4%81rs%2C%20still%20Buyid%20territory%2C%20without%20the%20knowledge%20of%20his%20uncle%2C%20%E1%B9%ACo%E1%B8%A1rel%20(ibid.%2C%20IX%2C%20p.%20564). |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref> belonging to the [[Buyid dynasty|Buyids]] with his army without the knowledge of his uncle [[Tughril I|Tughril]] and captured the city.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Esir |first=İbnü'l |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/islam-tarihi-elkamil-fittarih-tercumesi-10-cilt/402769.html |title=İslam Tarihi (el-Kamil fi’t-Tarih Tercümesi) (10 Cilt) |date=2016-06-09 |publisher=Ocak Yayıncılık |isbn=978-605-4659-17-3 |volume=9 |language=tr |translator-last=Özaydın |translator-first=Abdülkerim |translator-last2=Ağırakça |translator-first2=Ahmet |translator-last3=Eryarsoy |translator-first3=M. Beşir |translator-last4=Apaydın |translator-first4=Hacı Yunus |translator-last5=Tüccar |translator-first5=Zülfikar}}</ref> He then returned to [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]] to avoid falling under the command of his uncle [[Tughril I|Tughril]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul |pages=126}}</ref>  

=== Defense of Khorasan (1056) ===
Taking advantage of the internal turmoil in the [[Ghaznavid Empire]], the [[Seljuk Empire|Seljuks]] organized an expedition to [[Ghazna]] and the army under the command of [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]] advanced as far as Bust.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sevim |first=Ali |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklu-devletleri-tarihi-siyasetteskilat-ve-kultur/294338.html |title=Selçuklu Devletleri Tarihi Siyaset,Teşkilat ve Kültür |last2=Merçil |first2=Erdoğan |date=2014-01-01 |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu |isbn=978-975-16-2678-3 |language=tr}}</ref>  The Ghaznavids, who solved the problems, enthroned [[Farrukh-Zad of Ghazna|Farrukh-Zad]]. Farrukh-Zad sent his commander named Hirhiz against [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]]. Hirhiz defeated [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]] and attacked [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], defeating and capturing Gul-Sarygh and other Seljuk commanders.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul}}</ref> Thereupon, Alp Arslan received permission from his father to organize an attacked to Ghaznavids and defeated the Ghaznavids under the command of Hirhiz.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ÇAĞRI BEY |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cagri-bey#:~:text=Sultan%20Tu%C4%9Frul%20M%C3%BBs%C3%A2,kuvvetlerini%20hezimete%20u%C4%9Fratt%C4%B1 |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Battle of Rey (1059) ===
As a result of the rebellion of [[Ibrahim Yinal]], the Seljuk Sultan [[Tughril I]], who was in a difficult situation, asked for help from his brother [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]]. [[Chaghri Beg|Chaghri]] responded to this request for help by sending an army under the command of his sons Alp Arslan, [[Qavurt]] and Yakuti.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul}}</ref> The army under the command of [[Ibrahim Yinal]], Ibrahim Yinal's nephews Mehmed and Ahmed and the army under the command of Alp Arslan, [[Qavurt]] and Yakuti encountered near [[Ray, Iran|Rey]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sevim |first1=Ali |title=Selçuklu devletleri tarihi: siyaset, teşkilât ve kültür |last2=Merçil |first2=Erdoğan |date=1995 |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu Basımevi |others=Atatürk Kültür, Dil ve Tarih Yüksek Kurumu |isbn=978-975-16-0690-7 |series=Türk Tarih Kurumu yayınları XXIV. dizi |location=Ankara}}</ref> Ibrahim Yinal and his nephews, who lost the battle near [[Ray, Iran|Rey]], were taken prisoner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALP ARSLĀN |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alp-arslan-saljuq-sultan/#:~:text=referring%20his%20three%20sons%20to%20answer%20%E1%B9%ACo%E1%B8%A1rel%E2%80%99s%20call%20for%20aid%20against%20his%20rebellious%20brother%2C%20Ebr%C4%81h%C4%ABm%20Yin%C4%81l%2C%20whom%20they%20met%20and%20defeated%20near%20Ray%20(Ebn%20al%2DA%E1%B9%AF%C4%ABr%2C%20IX%2C%20p.%20645%2C%20where%20the%20dating%20is%20confused)%20in%20Jom%C4%81d%C4%81%20II%2C%20451/July%2DAugust%2C%201059 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Campaign of Khuttal (1063) ===

Upon receiving news of the rebellion of the [[Khatlon Region|Khuttal]] Emir, Alp Arslan set out on an expedition against [[Khatlon Region|Khuttal]]. The Seljuk army under the command of Alp Arslan laid siege to the [[Hulbuk]] Castle,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Siméon |first=M. Pierre |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/414211138 |title=Étude du matériel de Hulbuk (Mā wārāʾ al-nahr-K̲h̲uttal), de la conquête islamique jusqu'au milieu du XIe siècle (90/712-441/1050): contribution à l'étude de la céramique islamique d'Asie centrale |date=2009 |publisher=Archaeopress : Available from Hadrian Books |isbn=978-1-4073-0425-0 |series=BAR international series |location=Oxford |oclc=414211138}}</ref> the center of [[Khatlon Region|Khuttal]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alican |first=Mustafa |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklular-tarihu-ibnulverdi/438995.html |title=Selçuklular Tarihu İbnü'l-Verdi |date=2017-11-12 |publisher=Kronik Kitap |isbn=978-975-2430-19-8 |language=tr}}</ref> The [[Hulbuk]] Castle was built on a mountain and the castle was fortified, which caused the first attacks to be ineffective. Later, as a result of an attack in which Alp Arslan also participated, the Khuttal Emir was killed. Later, the [[Hulbuk]] Castle was captured by the Seljuks. Alp Arslan appointed one of his own men as emir to [[Khatlon Region|Khuttal]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Köymen |first=Mehmet Altay |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/alparslan-ve-zamani-kod-10h3/536600.html |title=Alparslan ve Zamanı Kod: 10-H-3 |date=2020-03-23 |publisher=Yeni Zamanlar Sahaf (2. El Kitaplar) |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Piyadeoğlu |first=Cihan |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/gunes-ulkesi-horasan-buyuk-selcuklular-donemi-/652487.html |title=Güneş Ülkesi Horasan / Büyük Selçuklular Dönemi |date=2023-06-19 |publisher=Kronik Kitap |isbn=978-625-6989-65-8 |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tokan |first=Özgür |title=Sultan Alp Arslan's Efforts to Secure Central Authority: 1 Huttelan Expedition |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ataunitaed/issue/57707/821660 |website=Dergi Park}}</ref>

=== Battle of Herat (1063-64) ===
After the death of [[Tughril I|Tughril]], [[Musa Yabghu]] captured [[Herat]], which was under the rule of Alp Arslan,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Piyadeoğlu |first=Cihan |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/buyuk-selcuklular-yeni-bir-devrin-baslangici/551528.html |title=Büyük Selçuklular / Yeni Bir Devrin Başlangıcı |date=2020-08-24 |publisher=Kronik Kitap |isbn=978-605-7635-64-8 |language=tr}}</ref> and rebelleion.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tokan |first=Özgür |date=2023-12-05 |title=Sultan Alp Arslan’ın Merkezi Otoriteyi Sağlama Çabaları 2: Herat ve Sağaniyan Seferleri |url=http://dergipark.org.tr/tr/doi/10.21563/sutad.1300543 |journal=Selçuk Üniversitesi Türkiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi |doi=10.21563/sutad.1300543 |issn=1300-5766}}</ref> In the meantime, Alp Arslan, who was dealing with the rebellion of the [[Khatlon Region|Khatlon]] emir, suppressed this rebellion and defeated the [[Khatlon Region|Khatlon]] emir, and then went on an expedition against [[Musa Yabghu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=İBNÜ'L ESİR - İSLAM TARİHİ (El-Kamil Fi't-Tarih Tercümesi) 8. CİLT - İBNÜ'L ESİR {{!}} Nadir Kitap |url=https://www.nadirkitap.com/ibnu-l-esir-islam-tarihi-el-kamil-fi-t-tarih-tercumesi-8-cilt-ibnu-l-esir-kitap27905911.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfLxzrtA9gHgJ0spg3uWNQBqCYYtTO3AlJkgkOdvixOnzulr8Y |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=NadirKitap |language=TR}}</ref> In the battle between the two armies near [[Herat]], Musa Yabghu was defeated. Alp Arslan regained control of [[Herat]] and spared the life of Musa Yabghu, who was taken prisoner.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sevim |first=Ali |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/biyografilerle-selcuklular-tarihi-ibnul-adim-bugyetuttaleb-fi-tarihi-haleb-secmeler/126143.html |title=Biyografilerle Selçuklular Tarihi İbnü'l Adim Bugyetü't-taleb fi Tarihi Haleb (Seçmeler) |date=1989-01-01 |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu |isbn=978-975-16-0142-1 |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tokan |first=Özgür |title=Sultan Alp Arslan's Efforts to Maintam Central Authority 2: Herat and Saghaniyan Expeditions |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3157501}}</ref>

=== Campaign of  Chaghaniyan (1064) ===

After Alp Arslan suppressed [[Musa Yabghu]]'s rebellion, he marched against Emir Musa, who rebelled in [[Chaghaniyan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=İBNÜ'L ESİR - İSLAM TARİHİ (El-Kamil Fi't-Tarih Tercümesi) 8. CİLT - İBNÜ'L ESİR {{!}} Nadir Kitap |url=https://www.nadirkitap.com/ibnu-l-esir-islam-tarihi-el-kamil-fi-t-tarih-tercumesi-8-cilt-ibnu-l-esir-kitap27905911.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfLxzrtA9gHgJ0spg3uWNQBqCYYtTO3AlJkgkOdvixOnzulr8Y |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=NadirKitap |language=TR}}</ref> Emir Musa was defeated and captured in the battle near [[Chaghaniyan]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alican |first=Mustafa |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklular-tarihu-ibnulverdi/438995.html |title=Selçuklular Tarihu İbnü'l-Verdi |date=2017-11-12 |publisher=Kronik Kitap |isbn=978-975-2430-19-8 |language=tr}}</ref> Later, the Seljuk army captured [[Chaghaniyan]] Castle.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lütfullah |first=Müneccimbaşı Ahmed B. |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/camiudduvel-selcuklular-tarihi-1/418851.html |title=Camiu'd-Düvel Selçuklular Tarihi 1 |date=2017-02-03 |publisher=Kabalcı Yayınları |isbn=978-605-9872-42-3 |editor-last=Öngül |editor-first=Ali |language=tr}}</ref> After suppressing this rebellion, Alp Arslan advanced towards [[Ray, Iran|Ray]] with his army.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tokan |first=Özgür |title=Sultan Alp Arslan's Efforts to Maintam Central Authority 2: Herat and Saghaniyan Expeditions |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3157501}}</ref>

=== Battle of Damghan and Alp Arslan's accession to the throne ===
{{Main article|Battle of Damghan (1063)}}
After the death of his father, Alp Arslan succeeded him as governor of Khorasan in 1059. His uncle Tughril died in 1063 and designated his successor as Suleiman, Alp Arslan's infant brother. Alp Arslan and his uncle [[Kutalmish]] both contested this succession which was resolved at the [[Battle of Damghan (1063)|battle of Damghan]] in 1063. Alp Arslan defeated Kutalmish for the throne and succeeded on 27 April 1064 as sultan of the [[Seljuk Empire]], thus becoming the sole monarch of [[Seljuk Empire]] from the river [[Oxus]] to the [[Tigris]].

=== Campaign of Northwest (1064) ===
In 1064 he led a campaign in northwestern<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALP ARSLĀN |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alp-arslan-saljuq-sultan/#:~:text=Alp%20Arsl%C4%81n%20was,string%20of%20fortresses |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref> Along with [[Nizam al-Mulk]] and [[Malik-Shah I]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=Alparslan,%20%C3%A7ocuklar%C4%B1%20aras%C4%B1nda%20en%20fazla%20sevdi%C4%9Fi%20Melik%C5%9Fah%20ile%20Horasan%E2%80%99dan%20getirdi%C4%9Fi%20eski%20veziri%20Niz%C3%A2m%C3%BClm%C3%BClk%20de%20beraberinde%20olarak%20Rey%E2%80%99den%20Azerbaycan%E2%80%99a%20hareket%20etti%20ve%20ordusu%20yolda,%20sefer%20halinde%20bulunan%20T%C3%BCrkmen%20reisi%20Tu%C4%9Ftegin%20taraf%C4%B1ndan%20da%20takviye%20edildi. |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> he then marched into [[Bagratid Armenia|Armenia]] and [[Kingdom of Georgia|Georgia]], which he conquered in 1064.{{sfn|Bosworth|1968|p=62-65}} Alp Arslan and [[Malik-Shah I]] captured the regions between Tbilisi and the Çoruh river, many cities and castles,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=G%C3%BCrcistan%E2%80%99a%20giren%20Alparslan%E2%80%99%C4%B1n,%C3%B6demeyi%20kabul%20etti. |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> especially Akhalkalaki, Alaverdi, [[Byurakan]] (Anberd), Surmari and Meryemnişin.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kafesoğlu |first=İbrahim |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/sultan-meliksah-devrinde-buyuk-selcuklu-imparatorlugu/354301.html |title=Sultan Melikşah Devrinde Büyük Selçuklu İmparatorluğu |date=2019-01-15 |publisher=Ötüken Neşriyat |isbn=978-605-155-195-1 |language=tr}}</ref><ref name="Toksoy">[https://turuz.com/storage/Turkologi-1-2019/3862-1-1018-1071_Yillari_Arasinda_Selcuqlu-Bizans_ilishgileri_Ve_Ermeniler-ahmed_toksoy.pdf 1018-1071 Yılları Arasında Selçuklu Bizans İlişkileri ve Ermeniler]
A Toksoy. Yeni Türkiye S. 60 CI Ermeni Meselesi Özel Sayısı. 2014.</ref> Alp Arslan went on an expedition to Anatolia and Subizshahr, Akkent, Ağcakale and surrounding Anatolian castles were captured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ergin |first=Ayan |title=Sultan Alparslan'ın Ermeni-Gürcü Siyaseti |trans-title=Sultan Alp Arslan's Armenian-Georgian Policy |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/155457 |website=Dergi Park |pages=18, 19 |language=Turkish}}</ref> Ani, the most fortified castle of the Byzantine Empire, was besieged. The city of Ani was defended by two Byzantine generals, Duke Bagrat and Gregor.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Honigmann |first=Ernst |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3cJCHQAACAAJ |title=Bizans Devletinin Doğu Sınırı |date=1970 |publisher=İstanbul Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Yayınları |language=tr}}</ref> After a siege of 25 days, the Seljuks [[Siege of Ani (1064)|captured Ani]], the capital city of Armenia.<ref>{{Citation |last=Köymen |first=Mehmet Altay |title=Büyük Selçuklu imparatorluğu tarihi. 3: Alp Arslan ve zamanı |date=1992 |issue=23 |series=Türk Tarih Kurumu yayınları 7. dizi |place=Ankara |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu Basımevi |isbn=978-975-16-0479-8}}</ref> After the Seljuks captured Ani, [[Kars]] surrendered to the Seljuks and was thus taken without a fight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/Alparslan#:~:text=Ani%E2%80%99nin%20d%C3%BC%C5%9Fmesi%20%C3%BCzerine%20Kars%20prensi%20Gagik%20(Hay%C4%B1k)%20Alparslan%E2%80%99%C4%B1%20Kars%E2%80%99a%20davet%20ederek%20b%C3%BCy%C3%BCk%20t%C3%B6renlerle%20kar%C5%9F%C4%B1lad%C4%B1%20ve%20t%C3%A2biiyetini%20sundu |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> An account of the sack and massacres in Ani is given by the historian [[Sibt ibn al-Jawzi]], who quotes an eyewitness saying:
{{blockquote
| The army entered the city, massacred its inhabitants, pillaged and burned it, leaving it in ruins and taking prisoner all those who remained alive... The dead bodies were so many that they blocked the streets; one could not go anywhere without stepping over them. And the number of prisoners was not less than 50,000 souls. I was determined to enter the city and see the destruction with my own eyes. I tried to find a street in which I would not have to walk over the corpses, but that was impossible.<ref>Quoted in {{cite book|last=Norwich|first=John Julius|author-link=John Julius Norwich|title=Byzantium: The Apogee|publisher=Viking|location=New York|year = 1991|pages= 342–343|isbn = 978-0-394-53779-5}}</ref>
}}

=== Qavurt Rebellion (1064) ===
Alp Arslan, who was in [[Anatolia]], ended his Campaign of Northwest  in 1064 when he received news of the rebellion of his brother [[Qavurt]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul}}</ref> the prince of [[Kerman province|Kerman]], and first went to his capital [[Ray, Iran|Ray]] and then to [[Hamadan]]. When Alp Arslan arrived in Hamadan, Qavurt sent an ambassador and asked for forgiveness. Despite his mistake, he forgave Qavurt and allowed him to remain the prince of Kerman.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=Alparslan,%20Kirman%20Meliki,edilmeleriyle%20me%C5%9Fgul%20oldu |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Expedition to Ustyurt and Mangyshlak (1065) ===

In 1065, Alp Arslan went on an expedition to the [[Ustyurt Plateau|Ustyurt]] and [[Mangyshlak Peninsula|Mangyshlak]] regions with a Seljuk army of 30,000-men.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Piyadeoğlu |first=Cihan |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/sultan-alp-arslan-fethin-babasi/408991.html |title=Sultan Alp Arslan Fethin Babası |date=2021-03-05 |publisher=Kronik Kitap |isbn=978-605-83011-1-5 |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MANGIŞLAK |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/mangislak#:~:text=Alparslan%20devrinde%20Mang%C4%B1%C5%9Flak%E2%80%99ta,%C5%9Fehrine%20gitti%C4%9Fi%20bilinmektedir |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> He defeated the Turkmen, Kipchak and Jazeks forces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALP ARSLĀN |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alp-arslan-saljuq-sultan/#:~:text=In%20457/1065,pp.%2065%2D66) |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref> Then he defeated the 30,000 men [[Kipchaks|Kipchak]] army under the command of Kafshud.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul}}</ref> Alp Arslan made conquests in [[Transoxiana]] and conquered [[Khwarazm|Khwarezm]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Köymen |first=Mehmet Altay |title=Selçuklu devri Türk tarihi |date=1989 |isbn=978-975-16-0119-3 |series=Türk Tarih Kurumu yayınları 7. dizi |location=Ankara}}</ref> Alp Arslan later visited the grave of his grandfather Seljuk in [[Jand (Transoxania)|Jand]] and attributed it to the lands ruled by his son [[Malik-Shah I]]. As a result of this expedition of Alp Arslan, the lands from the [[Caspian Sea]] to [[Tashkent]] came under the rule of the Seljuk Empire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=1065%20sonbahar%C4%B1nda%20b%C3%BCy%C3%BCk,h%C3%A2kimiyetine%20girmesiyle%20sonu%C3%A7lanm%C4%B1%C5%9Ft%C4%B1r. |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Qavurt Rebellion (1067) ===

Alp Arslan went on a campaign against [[Qavurt]], who rebelled again in 1067.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul}}</ref> [[Qavurt]] again asked for forgiveness after the army he sent was defeated by Alp Arslan's vanguard. Alp Arslan forgave him and left him as the prince of [[Kerman province|Kerman]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=Alparslan%E2%80%99%C4%B1n%20Horasan%E2%80%99a%20d%C3%B6nd%C3%BCkten,ba%C4%9Flamaya%20%C3%A7al%C4%B1%C5%9Ft%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1n%C4%B1%20g%C3%B6stermektedir. |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Campaign in Georgia (1068) ===
[[Bagrat IV of Georgia|Bagrat IV]] agreed to pay jizya to the Seljuks in 1064,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Öngül |first=Ali |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklular-tarihi-2-cilt-takim/338736.html |title=Selçuklular Tarihi |date=2014-02-05 |publisher=Çamlıca Basım Yayın |isbn=978-605-5101-66-4 |language=tr}}</ref> but the Georgians broke the agreement in 1065.<ref name="Tellioglu">[https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&user=sVgXdhMAAAAJ&cstart=20&pagesize=80&citation_for_view=sVgXdhMAAAAJ:YsMSGLbcyi4C Orta Çağ'da Türk-Gürcü münasebetlerini şekillendiren faktörler]. İ Tellioğlu. 2009.</ref> Alp Arslan invaded Georgia again in 1068. He captured [[Tbilisi]], [[Kartli]], [[Shirak Province|Shirak]], [[Vanand]], [[Gugark]], [[Arran (Caucasus)|Arran]], [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=Beraberinde%20Niz%C3%A2m%C3%BClm%C3%BClk%20ve%20%C3%BCnl%C3%BC%20kumandanlar%C4%B1ndan%20Savtegin%20de%20bulunan%20Alparslan%2C%20Tiflis%20dahil%20Kartli%2C%20%C5%9Eirak%2C%20Vanand%2C%20Nig%2C%20Gugark%2C%20Arr%C3%A2n%20ve%20Gence%20gibi%20Azerbaycan%E2%80%99%C4%B1n%20%C3%A7e%C5%9Fitli%20b%C3%B6lgelerinde%20h%C3%BCk%C3%BCm%20s%C3%BCren%20k%C3%BC%C3%A7%C3%BCk%20prenslikler%20ile%20%C5%9Eedd%C3%A2d%C3%AE%20em%C3%AErlerini%20h%C3%A2kimiyeti%20alt%C4%B1na%20ald%C4%B1 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> and [[Kars]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=SELÇUKLULAR |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/selcuklular#:~:text=Alparslan%201067%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1nda%20yeniden%20Bizans%20ve%20G%C3%BCrcistan%20s%C4%B1n%C4%B1rlar%C4%B1nda%20g%C3%B6r%C3%BCnd%C3%BC.%20Bizans%E2%80%99a%20ait%20Kars%20fethedildi.%20G%C3%BCrc%C3%BC%20kral%C4%B1%20Sel%C3%A7uklular%E2%80%99a%20t%C3%A2bi%20oldu |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> after a short battle and obtained the submission of [[Bagrat IV of Georgia|Bagrat IV]]; However, the Georgians were liberated from Seljuk rule around 1073-1074 after Alp Arslan died.<ref name="Tellioglu" /><ref name="Senol">Şenol, F. "[https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/otad/issue/59572/828453 Ortaçağ Gürcistanının Meşhur Şehri: Tiflis]". Oğuz-Türkmen Araştırmaları Dergisi 4 (2020 ): 9-100</ref> As a result of the campaigns carried out during the reign of [[Malik-Shah I]], Georgia became a invaded of the [[Seljuk Empire]] again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MELİKŞAH |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/meliksah--buyuk-selcuklu#:~:text=Sultan%20Melik%C5%9Fah%20468,Sel%C3%A7uklular%E2%80%99a%20t%C3%A2bi%20k%C4%B1ld%C4%B1. |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kafesoğlu |first=İbrahim |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/sultan-meliksah-devrinde-buyuk-selcuklu-imparatorlugu/354301.html |title=Sultan Melikşah Devrinde Büyük Selçuklu İmparatorluğu |date=2019-01-15 |publisher=Ötüken Neşriyat |isbn=978-605-155-195-1 |language=tr}}</ref>

=== Fall of Caesarea Mazaca ===
In consolidating his empire and subduing contending factions, Alp Arslan was ably assisted by Nizam al-Mulk, and the two are credited with helping to stabilize the empire after the death of [[Tughril I|Tughril]]. With peace and security established in his dominions, Alp Arslan convoked an assembly of the states, and in 1066, he declared his son [[Malik Shah I]] his heir and successor.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Dictionary of World Biography: The Middle Ages, Volume 2|last = Magill|first = Frank Northen|publisher = Routledge|year = 1998|isbn = 978-1-57958-041-4|pages = 68}}</ref> With the hope of capturing [[Caesarea Mazaca]], the capital of [[Cappadocia]], he placed himself at the head of the [[Turkoman (ethnonym)|Turkoman]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cauhen |first1=Claude |title=Alp-Arslan |url=https://www.britannica.com:443/biography/Alp-Arslan |website=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=12 February 2024 }}"On the other hand, he was aware of the necessity of keeping his influence over the '''Oğuz Turkic tribes''' (sometimes called Turkmens), which was essential to his military strength."</ref> cavalry, crossed the [[Euphrates]], and entered and invaded the city.

=== Campaign of Northern Syria and Anatolia ===

In 1070, the emirs of [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]] came under the rule of the [[Seljuk Empire]]. After [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]] came under [[Seljuk Empire]] rule, the [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimid]] Vizier Nasr-Dawla asked for help from Alp Arslan against the [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimid]]s. Alp Arslan moved with his army upon the call for help and entered [[Anatolia]] via [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Merçil |first=Erdoğan |title=Müslüman-Türk devletleri tarihi |date=1991 |publisher=Türk tarih kurumu |isbn=978-975-16-0231-2 |series=Türk tarih kurumu yayınları |location=Ankara}}</ref> Alp Arslan first captured the castles of [[Manzikert]] and [[Erciş]]. Later, he went down to the [[Silvan, Diyarbakır|Silvan]] and [[Diyarbekir]] (Amid) regions and made the emirs there his vassals of Seljuk Empire, then he came to [[Urfa|Edessa]] and besieged the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=Bunu%20f%C4%B1rsat%20bilen,bulunan%20Halep%E2%80%99e%20y%C3%B6neldi |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> When the siege was prolonged, he lifted the siege by receiving a tribute of 50,000 dinars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ŞANLIURFA |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sanliurfa#:~:text=Alparslan%20463%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1%20ba%C5%9Flar%C4%B1nda%20(Ekim-Kas%C4%B1m%201070,%20baz%C4%B1%20rivayetlere%20g%C3%B6re%205%20Cem%C3%A2ziyel%C3%A2hir%20463%20/%2010%20Mart%201071)%20%C5%9Fehri%20elli%20g%C3%BCn%20muhasara%20etti.%20Urfal%C4%B1lar%20%C5%9Fehir%20%C3%B6n%C3%BCnden%20ayr%C4%B1ld%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1%20takdirde%2050.000%20dinar%20vermeyi%20taahh%C3%BCt%20ettiler.%20Bunun%20%C3%BCzerine%20sultan%20ku%C5%9Fatmay%C4%B1%20kald%C4%B1r%C4%B1p%20Suriye%20istikametine%20y%C3%B6neldi. |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> He advanced to [[Aleppo]], which was in the hands of the [[Mirdasid]]s, and captured the Byzantine castles on his way. When he arrived in [[Aleppo]], he laid siege to the city due to the disobedience of [[Rashid al-Dawla Mahmud]], the [[Mirdasid dynasty|Mirdasid]] emir of [[Aleppo]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kafesoğlu |first=İbrahim |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklular-ve-selcuklu-tarihi-uzerine-arastirmalar/349521.html |title=Selçuklular ve Selçuklu Tarihi Üzerine Araştırmalar |date=2018-12-13 |publisher=Ötüken Neşriyat |isbn=978-605-155-188-3 |language=tr}}</ref> Realizing that the city would fall, [[Rashid al-Dawla Mahmud]] came to Alp Arslan, apologized and became his vassal.  Later, as [[Fatimid Caliphate|Egypt]] was preparing to advance, the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] envoy arrived and Alp Arslan turned his attention to [[Manzikert]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul}}</ref>

=== Battle of Manzikert (1071) ===
{{Main article|Battle of Manzikert}}
[[File:Battle of Manzikert (1071).webp|thumbnail|A painting depicting the Battle of Manzikert (Istanbul Military Museum)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8057/battle-of-manzikert/ |title=Battle of Manzikert |access-date=April 5, 2025 |language=English |work=World History Encyclopedia |surname=O.Mustafin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405130532/https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8057/battle-of-manzikert/ |archive-date=April 5, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>|300px]]

En route to fight the Fatimids in Syria in 1068, Alp Arslan invaded the [[Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty|Byzantine Empire]]. The [[List of Byzantine emperors|Emperor]] [[Romanos IV Diogenes]], assuming command in person, met the invaders in [[Cilicia]]. In three arduous campaigns, the Turks were defeated in detail and driven across the [[Euphrates]] in 1070. The first two campaigns were conducted by the emperor himself, while the third was directed by [[Manuel Komnenos (kouropalates)|Manuel Komnenos]], the brother of future emperor [[Alexios I Komnenos]]. During this time, Alp Arslan gained the allegiance of [[Rashid al-Dawla Mahmud]], the Mirdasid emir of Aleppo.

In 1071, Romanos again took the field and advanced into Armenia with possibly 30,000 men, including a contingent of [[Cuman]] Turks as well as contingents of [[Franks]] and [[Normans]], under [[Roussel de Bailleul|Ursel de Baieul]]. Alp Arslan, who had moved his troops south to fight the [[Fatimids]], quickly reversed to meet the Byzantines.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNXZAAAAMAAJ|title=A Military History of the Western World: From the Earliest Times to the Battle of Lepanto|page=402|isbn=9780306803048 |last1=Fuller |first1=J. F. C. |date=22 August 1987 |publisher=Hachette Books }}</ref> When Alp Arslan arrived in Silvan and learned that Romanos Diogenes had captured [[Malazgirt|Manzikert]], he set out towards [[Ahlat]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MALAZGİRT MUHAREBESİ |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/malazgirt-muharebesi#:~:text=Silvan%E2%80%99da%20iken%20imparatorun%20Malazgirt%20Kalesi%E2%80%99ni%20zaptedip%20halk%C4%B1n%C4%B1%20k%C4%B1l%C4%B1%C3%A7tan%20ge%C3%A7irdi%C4%9Fini%20%C3%B6%C4%9Frenince%20Erzen-Bitlis%20Bo%C4%9Faz%C4%B1%20yoluyla%20Ahlat%E2%80%99a%20do%C4%9Fru%20yola%20%C3%A7%C4%B1kt%C4%B1 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> The two armies met at the Rahve Plain near [[Malazgirt|Manzikert]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul |pages=179}}</ref> Alp Arslan sent a final ambassador to the [[Romanos IV Diogenes]], offering a peace deal. The [[Romanos IV Diogenes]] rejected the peace deal, whereupon Alp Arslan put his army in battle formation and placed some of his cavalry in ambush along the valley. Alp Arslan placed the 4,000-man force he would command in the center line. On the Byzantine side, Emperor Romanos Diogenes also put his army in battle formation. Both armies made their final preparations on August 25.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sevim |first=Ali |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklu-devletleri-tarihi-siyasetteskilat-ve-kultur/294338.html |title=Selçuklu Devletleri Tarihi Siyaset,Teşkilat ve Kültür |last2=Merçil |first2=Erdoğan |date=2014-01-01 |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu |isbn=978-975-16-2678-3 |language=tr}}</ref> Before the battle on August 26, Alp Arslan gave the following speech to his army:

{{blockquote|I want to attack the enemy at this hour when Muslims are praying for us in mosques. If we win, the result we desire will be achieved, if we are defeated, we will go to heaven as martyrs. Today, there is neither a sultan giving orders nor a soldier taking orders; I will fight with you as one of you; those who want to come with me can follow me, those who do not want to can freely return.<ref>Malazgirt Muharebesi TDV İslam Ansiklopedisi[https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/malazgirt-muharebesi#:~:text=Ben%2C%20m%C3%BCsl%C3%BCmanlar%C4%B1n%20camilerde,serbest%C3%A7e%20geri%20d%C3%B6nebilirler.%E2%80%9D]</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sevim |first=Ali |url=https://www.kitapyurdu.com/kitap/selcuklu-devletleri-tarihi-siyasetteskilat-ve-kultur/294338.html |title=Selçuklu Devletleri Tarihi Siyaset,Teşkilat ve Kültür |last2=Merçil |first2=Erdoğan |date=2014-01-01 |publisher=Türk Tarih Kurumu |isbn=978-975-16-2678-3 |language=tr}}</ref>}}
On August 26, the [[Battle of Manzikert]] began with a Seljuk attack.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turan |first=Osman |title=Selçuklular târihi ve Türk-İslâm medeniyeti |date=2019 |publisher=Ötüken |isbn=978-975-437-470-4 |edition=22. basim |series=Yayın Kültür serisi |location=İstanbul |pages=182, 183}}</ref>  As soon as the war began, the Uz and [[Pechenegs|Pecheneg]] mercenaries in the Byzantine forces immediately went over to the Seljuk Empire side. Seeing this, the Western mercenaries subsequently abandoned the battlefield as well.<ref>{{cite book|title=The First Crusade|first= Steve|last= Runciman|publisher= Cambridge University Press|year=1992}}</ref> To be exact, Romanos was betrayed by general [[Andronikos Doukas (cousin of Michael VII)|Andronikos Doukas]], son of the Caesar (Romanos's stepson), who pronounced him dead and rode off with a large part of the Byzantine forces at a critical moment.<ref>{{cite book| last = Norwich| first = John Julius| title = Byzantium The Apogee| year = 1993| publisher = Penguin| isbn = 0-14-011448-3 }}</ref> The Byzantines were wholly routed.

[[File:BnF Fr232 fol323 Alp Arslan Romanus.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Alp Arslan humiliating Emperor [[Romanos IV]] after the [[Battle of Manzikert]]. From a 15th-century illustrated French translation of [[Boccaccio]]'s ''[[De Casibus Virorum Illustrium]]''<ref>Çoban, R. V. (2020). The Manzikert Battle and Sultan Alp Arslan with European Perspective in the 15th Century in the Miniatures of Giovanni Boccaccio's "De Casibus Virorum Illustrium"s 226 and 232. French Manuscripts in Bibliothèque Nationale de France. S. Karakaya ve V. Baydar (Ed.), in 2nd International Muş Symposium Articles Book (pp. 48-64). Muş: Muş Alparslan University. [https://www.academia.edu/48958867/Giovanni_Boccaccio_nun_De_Casibus_Virorum_Illustrium_Adl%C4%B1_Eserinin_Biblioth%C3%A8que_Nationale_de_France_daki_226_ve_232_Numaral%C4%B1_Frans%C4%B1zca_N%C3%BCshalar%C4%B1nda_Yer_Alan_Minyat%C3%BCrlerde_XV_Y%C3%BCzy%C4%B1l_da_Avrupal%C4%B1_G%C3%B6z%C3%BCyle_Malazgirt_Sava%C5%9F%C4%B1_ve_Sultan_Alp_Arslan_a_Bak%C4%B1%C5%9F Source]</ref>]]

Emperor Romanos himself was captured in battle and presented to Alp Arslan. It is reported that upon seeing the Roman emperor, the sultan leaped from his throne, commanded Romanos to kiss the ground, and stepped on his neck. He repeatedly berated the emperor, including for spurning his emissaries and offers of peace. Romanos remained unrepentant, asserting that he had merely done what was "possible for a man, and which kings are bound to do, and I have fallen short in nothing. But God has fulfilled his will. And now, do what you wish and abandon recriminations."<ref name="auto">Carole Hillenbrand. (2007).[https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/18976 Turkish Myth and Muslim Symbol: The Battle of Manzikert ] Oxford University Press</ref> Purportedly declaring Romanos "too trivial... to kill", Alp Arslan then led him about the camp to sell the prisoner to one of his men. The Seljuk soldiers initially refused to spend any money on buying the emperor, until one man traded a dog for him.<ref name="auto"/> Next, wishing to test Romanos, Alp Arslan asked Romanos what he would do if their situation were reversed and Alp Arslan was imprisoned by the Byzantines. Romanos bluntly answered "The worst!" His honesty impressed Alp Arslan, who then decided to spare Romanos's life and instead ransom him back to his homeland. After agreeing on a ransom, Alp Arslan sent Romanos to Constantinople with a Turkish escort, carrying a banner above the disgraced emperor that read: "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger".<ref name="auto"/>

The reason Alp Arslan spared Romanos was likely to avoid a two-front war. The Fatimids were launching devastating raids on the Seljuk domains during this period, Alp Arslan may have worried that executing the Roman emperor might escalate his conflict with the Byzantines. Romanos himself had told the sultan that "killing me will not be of any use to you".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SJ67QgAACAAJ|title=Turkish Myth and Muslim Symbol: The Battle of Manzikert|year=2007 |page=71|isbn=9780748625734 |last1=Hillenbrand |first1=Carole }}</ref>

After hearing of the death of Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, Sultan Alp Arslan pledged: "The Byzantine nation has no God, so this day the oath of peace and friendship taken by both the Persians and Byzantines is nullified; henceforth I shall consume with the sword all those people who venerate the cross, and all the lands of the Christians shall be enslaved."<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=leqqBgAAQBAJ | isbn=9780748631155 | title=Turkish Myth and Muslim Symbol: The Battle of Manzikert|page=244|date=21 November 2007 | last1=Hillenbrand | first1=Carole }}</ref>

Alp Arslan and his successor [[Malik-Shah I|Malik Shah]] urged Turkish tribes to invade and settle Anatolia where they would not only cease to be a problem for the Seljuk Sultanate but also extend its territory further. Alp Arslan commanded the Turks as follows:
{{blockquote|Henceforth all of you be like lion cubs and eagle young, racing through the countryside day and night, slaying the Christians and not sparing any mercy on the Roman nation.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5rmHCwAAQBAJ | isbn=9781780965055 | title=Manzikert 1071: The breaking of Byzantium|page=92| date=20 August 2013 | publisher=Bloomsbury }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sExoAAAAMAAJ | isbn=9780819189530 | title=Armenia and the Crusades: Tenth to Twelfth Centuries : The Chronicle of Matthew of Edessa|pages=135–136|year=1993 | publisher=National Association for Armenian Studies and Research }}</ref>}}

Alp Arslan's victories changed the balance in western Asia completely in favor of the [[Seljuq Turks]] and [[Sunni]] Muslims. While the [[Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty|Byzantine Empire]] was to continue for nearly four more centuries, the victory at Manzikert signalled the beginning of Turkic ascendancy in Anatolia.<ref name="anatolia"/> The victory at Manzikert became so popular among the Turks that later every noble family in Anatolia claimed to have had an ancestor who had fought on that day.<ref name="anatolia2">{{cite web |last1=Cahen |first1=Claude |title=Alp-Arslan |url=https://www.britannica.com:443/biography/Alp-Arslan |website=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=12 February 2024 }} "Later, every princely family in Asia Minor was to claim an ancestor who had fought on that prestigious day."</ref>

=== Expedition of Turkestan (1072) ===

Alp Arslan launched an expedition to Turkestan in 1072 with an army of 200,000. The reason for this expedition was that the [[Seljuk dynasty|Seljuk Dynasty's]]  son-in-law, [[Shams al-Mulk Nasr|Shams al-Mulk]], killed his wife, that is, Alp Arslan's daughter (some sources say she was his sister).<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPARSLAN |url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan#:~:text=B%C3%BCt%C3%BCn%20cel%C3%A2det%20ve,etmesi%20%C3%BCzerine%20uygulanamam%C4%B1%C5%9Ft%C4%B1r |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi |language=tr}}</ref> Alp Arslan entered the [[Kara-Khanid Khanate|Karakhanid]] lands with his army. Alp Arslan and his army came to the front of Barzem Castle without encountering any resistance and attacks and surrounded the castle. After a while, the castle, unable to withstand the siege, surrendered. The castle commander Yusuf al-Kharezmi<ref>[[David Nicolle]], ''Manzikert 1071: The breaking of Byzantium.''

[[Edward Gibbon]], The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.</ref> came to the Alp Arslan and stabbed him and seriously wounded him. Alp Arslan held out for four days and died.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALP ARSLĀN |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alp-arslan-saljuq-sultan/#:~:text=After%20his%20success,in%20January,%201073 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref>

== State organization ==
Alp Arslan's strength lay in the military realm. Domestic affairs were handled by his able vizier, [[Nizam al-Mulk]], the founder of the administrative organization that characterized and strengthened the sultanate during the reigns of Alp Arslan and his son, Malik Shah. Military ''[[Iqta'|iqtas]]'', governed by Seljuq princes, were established to provide support for the soldiery and to accommodate the nomadic Turks to the established Anatolian agricultural scene. This type of military fiefdom enabled the nomadic Turks to draw on the resources of the sedentary Persians, Turks, and other established cultures within the Seljuq realm, and allowed Alp Arslan to field a huge standing army without depending on tribute from conquest to pay his soldiers. He not only had enough food from his subjects to maintain his military, but the taxes collected from traders and merchants added to his coffers sufficiently to fund his continuous wars.

[[Suleiman ibn Qutalmish]] was the son of the contender for Arslan's throne; he was appointed governor of the north-western provinces and assigned to complete the invasion of Anatolia. An explanation for this choice can only be conjectured from [[Ibn al-Athir]]'s account of the battle between Alp-Arslan and [[Kutalmish]], in which he writes that Alp-Arslan wept for the latter's death and greatly mourned the loss of his kinsman.

==Physical appearance and personality==
Contemporary descriptions portray Alp Arslan as "very awe-inspiring, dominating," a "great-formed one, elegant of stature. He had long, thin whiskers, which he used to knot up when shooting arrows. And they say his arrow never went astray.... From the top button of his hat to the end of his moustaches it was two yards".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SJ67QgAACAAJ|title=Turkish Myth and Muslim Symbol: The Battle of Manzikert|year=2007 |page=217|isbn=9780748625734 |last1=Hillenbrand |first1=Carole }}</ref>
 
Muslim sources show Alp Arslan as fanatically pious but just. Alp Arslan was so dedicated to the [[Hanafi school]] of Islamic jurisprudence that he always kept a ''[[qadi]]'' by his side, including in battles.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=leqqBgAAQBAJ | isbn=9780748631155 | title=Turkish Myth and Muslim Symbol: The Battle of Manzikert | date=21 November 2007 | last1=Hillenbrand | first1=Carole }}</ref> His vizier, [[Nizam al-Mulk]], described the young sultan in his ''Book of Government'':<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SJ67QgAACAAJ|title=Turkish Myth and Muslim Symbol: The Battle of Manzikert|year=2007 |page=6|isbn=9780748625734 |last1=Hillenbrand |first1=Carole }}</ref>{{blockquote|He was exceedingly imperious and awe-inspiring and, because he was so earnest and fanatical in his beliefs and disapproved of the [[Shafi'i school|Shafi‘i rite]], I lived in constant fear of him.}}Some authors have doubted whether the Turks, who had adopted Islam recently, completely understood such religious distinctions. Alex Mallett writes, "Whatever the case, the fact that almost all writers have good things to say about him suggests that he treated everyone more or less equally, in religious terms."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mallett |first=A. |date=2013 |editor-last=Fleet |editor-first=K. |editor2-last=Krämer |editor2-first=G. |editor3-last=Matringe |editor3-first=D. |editor4-last=Nawas |editor4-first=J. |editor5-last=Stewart |editor5-first=D. J. |title=Alp Arslan |url=https://doi.org/10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_24882 |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Encyclopaedia of Islam Three Online |publisher=Brill|doi=10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_24882 }}</ref>

== Death ==
After Manzikert, the dominion of Alp Arslan extended over much of western Asia. He soon prepared to march for the conquest of [[Turkestan]], the original seat of his ancestors. With a powerful army, he advanced to the banks of the [[Amu Darya|Oxus]]. Before he could pass the river safely, however, it was necessary to subdue certain fortresses, one of which was for several days vigorously defended by the rebel, Yusuf al-Kharezmi or Yusuf al-Harani. Perhaps over-eager to press on against his Qarakhanid enemy, Alp Arslan gained the governor's submission by promising the rebel 'perpetual ownership of his lands'. When he was produced a captive in the royal tent, the sultan, instead of praising his valor, severely reproached his obstinate folly: and the insolent replies of the rebel provoked a sentence, that he should be fastened to four stakes, and left to expire in that painful situation.  At this command, the desperate Yusuf al-Kharezmi, drawing a dagger, rushed headlong towards the throne: the guards raised their battle-axes; their zeal was checked by Alp Arslan, the most skilful archer of the age: he drew his bow, but his foot slipped, the arrow glanced aside, and he received in his breast the dagger of Yusuf al-Kharezmi, who was instantly cut in pieces.

The wound was mortal; and the Turkish sultan bequeathed a dying admonition to the pride of kings. "In my youth," said Alp Arslan, "I was advised by a sage to humble before God; to distrust my own strength; and never to despise the most contemptible foe. I have neglected these lessons; and my neglect has been deservedly punished. Yesterday, as from an eminence I beheld the numbers, the discipline, and the spirit, of my armies, the earth seemed to tremble under my feet; and I said in my heart, Surely thou art the king of the world, the greatest and most invincible of warriors. These armies are no longer mine; and, in the confidence of my personal strength, I now fall by the hand of an assassin. Four days later on 24 November 1072, Alp Arslan died and was buried at [[Merv]], having designated his 18-year-old son Malik Shah as his successor.<ref>[[David Nicolle]], ''Manzikert 1071: The breaking of Byzantium.''

[[Edward Gibbon]], The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.</ref>

==Family==
One of his wives was Safariyya Khatun.<ref name="KAÇIN">{{cite journal | last=KAÇIN | first=Bülent | title=BÜYÜK SELÇUKLULAR'DA EVLİLİK MERASİMLERİ | journal=Selçuklu Medeniyeti Araştırmaları Dergisi | publisher=Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi | issue=2 | date=2017-12-27 | issn=2651-2602 | pages=97–121 | url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/sema/issue/33414/350171 | language=tr | access-date=2024-01-13}}</ref> She had a daughter,<ref name="Richards">{{cite book | last=Richards | first=D.S. | title=The Annals of the Saljuq Turks: Selections from al-Kamil fi'l-Ta'rikh of Ibn al-Athir | publisher=Taylor & Francis | series=Routledge Studies in the History of Iran and Turkey | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-317-83255-3 | pages=155, 163 n. 1, 174, 178}}</ref> [[Sifri Khatun]],<ref>{{cite book | last=El-Hibri | first=T. | title=The Abbasid Caliphate: A History | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-107-18324-7 | page=211}}</ref> who in 1071–72, married Abbasid Caliph [[Al-Muqtadi]].<ref name="Richards"/><ref name="lambton">{{cite book | last=Lambton | first=A.K.S. | title=Continuity and Change in Medieval Persia | publisher=Bibliotheca Persica | series=Bibliotheca Persica | year=1988 | isbn=978-0-88706-133-2 | pages=259, 261, 262–63, 267, 269 n. 74}}</ref> Safariyya died in Isfahan in 1073–74.<ref name="lambton"/> Another of his wives was Akka Khatun. She had been formerly the wife of Sultan [[Tughril]]. Alp Arslan married her after Tughril's death in 1063.<ref name="lambton"/> Another of his wives was Shah Khatun. She was the daughter of Qadir Khan Yusuf, and had been formerly married to Ghaznavid [[Masʽud I of Ghazni|Mas'ud I]].<ref name="Richards"/><ref name="lambton"/><ref name="Massignon Mason 2019 p. 162">{{cite book | last1=Massignon | first1=L. | last2=Mason | first2=H. | title=The Passion of Al-Hallaj, Mystic, and Martyr of Islam, Volume 2: The Survival of Al-Hallaj | publisher=Princeton University Press | series=Online access with JISC subscription agreement: ACLS Humanities E-Books | year=2019 | isbn=978-0-691-65721-9 | page=162}}</ref> 

Another wife was Ummu Hifchaq also known as Ummu Qipchaq.<ref name="İSTEK">{{cite journal | last=İSTEK | first=Gülşen | title=Büyük Selçuklu Devleti ile Abbasi Hilafeti Arasında Gerçekleşen Siyasi Evlilikler | journal=Social Mentality and Researcher Thinkers Journal | publisher=ASOS Yayinevi | volume=6 | issue=32 | date=2020-01-01 | issn=2630-631X | doi=10.31576/smryj.542 | pages=944–961}}</ref> Another of his wives was the daughter of King of Tashir Kiurike I, who was married to the sister of the Georgian king [[Bagrat IV of Georgia|Bagrat IV]]. Alp Arslan divorced her, and married her to [[Nizam al-Mulk]].<ref name="Minorsky">{{cite book | last=Minorsky | first=V. | title=Studies in Caucasian History: I. New Light on the Shaddadids of Ganja II. The Shaddadids of Ani III. Prehistory of Saladin | publisher=Cambridge University Press | series=Cambridge Oriental Series | year=1953 | isbn=978-0-521-05735-6 | page=66}}</ref> His sons were [[Malik-Shah I]], [[Tutush I]], Arslan Shah, Tekish,<ref name="Unesco">{{cite book | title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia | publisher=Unesco | issue=v. 4 | year=1998 | isbn=978-92-3-103467-1 | page=157}}</ref> Toghan-Shah,<ref>{{cite book | last1=Fisher | first1=W.B. | last2=Boyle | first2=J.A. | title=The Cambridge History of Iran | publisher=Cambridge University Press | series=Cambridge histories online | issue=v. 5 | year=1968 | isbn=978-0-521-06936-6 | page=87}}</ref> Ayaz and Buibars.<ref name="Richards" /> One of his daughters married the son of Kurd Surkhab, son of Bard in 1068.<ref name="lambton" /> 

Another daughter, Zulaikha Khatun, was married to a Muslim, son of Quraish in 1086–87.<ref name="lambton" /> Another daughter, Aisha Khatun, married Shams al-Mulk Nasr, son of [[Böritigin|Ibrahim Khan Tamghach]].<ref name="lambton" /> Another daughter was married to [[Mas'ud III of Ghazni]] and was his first wife.<ref name="Fisher">{{cite book | last1=Fisher | first1=W.B. | last2=Boyle | first2=J.A. | title=The Cambridge History of Iran | publisher=Cambridge University Press | series=Cambridge histories online | issue=v. 5 | year=1968 | isbn=978-0-521-06936-6 | page=94}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Richards | first=D.S. | title=The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir for the Crusading Period from al-Kamil fi'l-Ta'rikh. Part 3 | publisher=Ashgate | series=Crusade Texts in Translation | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-7546-6952-4 | page=168}}</ref> Another daughter was Sara Khatun.<ref name="Richards" /> Son of Alp Arslan's sister, Dev Ali Beg (''Devle Beg'') was a royal military general who played a key role in the conquest of [[Kayseri]] and gave his name to Develi district of Kayseri. His tribal family later became known as '''"'''''Develioğlu'''''"''' (meaning "son of Develi").<ref>{{Cite journal |last=KOZAN |first=Ali |title=Sheikhs and dervishes during the Turkey Seljuks |journal=Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi |pages=144, 145}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Alp Arslan's conquest of Anatolia from the Byzantines is also seen as one of the pivotal precursors to the launch of the [[Crusades]].

From 2002 to July 2008 under [[2002 renaming of Turkmen months and days of week|Turkmen calendar reform]], the month of August was named after Alp Arslan.

The [[2nd Training Motorized Rifle Division]] of the [[Turkmen Ground Forces]] is named in his honor.

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{sfn whitelist |CITEREFKafesoğlu1989}}
* {{cite book|last=Minorsky|first=Vladimir| author-link = Vladimir Minorsky|title=A History of Sharvān and Darband in the 10th–11th Centuries|publisher=University of Michigan|year=1958|pages =1–219|isbn=978-1-84511-645-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPMHVEt_wVUC}}
* {{cite book | title = The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 5: The Saljuq and Mongol periods | year = 1968 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | editor-last = Frye | editor-first = R. N. | last = Bosworth | first = C. E. | author-link = C. E. Bosworth | chapter = The Political and Dynastic History of the Iranian World (A.D. 1000–1217) | pages = 1–202 | isbn = 0-521-06936-X | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=16yHq5v3QZAC&pg=PA1}}
* {{cite book | title = The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 4: From the Arab Invasion to the Saljuqs | year = 1975 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | editor-last = Frye | editor-first = R. N. | last = Bosworth | first = C. E. | author-link = C. E. Bosworth | chapter = The early Ghaznavids | pages = 162–198 | isbn = 0-521-20093-8 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hvx9jq_2L3EC&pg=PA162}}
* {{cite book | title = The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 4: From the Arab Invasion to the Saljuqs | year = 1975 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | editor-last = Frye | editor-first = R. N. | last = Bosworth | first = C. E. | author-link = C. E. Bosworth | chapter = Iran under the Buyids | pages = 250–305 | isbn = 0-521-20093-8 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hvx9jq_2L3EC&pg=PA250}}
* {{cite book | title = The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 4: From the Arab Invasion to the Saljuqs | year = 1975 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | editor-last = Frye | editor-first = R. N. | last = Madelung | first = W. | author-link = Wilferd Madelung | chapter = The Minor Dynasties of Northern Iran | pages = 198–249 | isbn = 978-0-521-20093-6 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hvx9jq_2L3EC&pg=PA198}}
* {{TDV Encyclopedia of Islam |last1=Kafesoğlu |first1=İbrahim|url=https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/alparslan |title=Alparslan|pages=526–530 |volume=2|author-link=İbrahim Kafesoğlu}}
* Çoban, R. V. (2020). The Manzikert Battle and Sultan Alp Arslan with European Perspective in the 15st Century in the Miniatures of Giovanni Boccaccio's "De Casibus Virorum Illustrium"s 226 and 232. French Manuscripts in Bibliothèque Nationale de France. S. Karakaya ve V. Baydar (Ed.), in 2nd International Muş Symposium Articles Book (pp.&nbsp;48–64). Muş: Muş Alparslan University. [https://www.academia.edu/48958867/Giovanni_Boccaccio_nun_De_Casibus_Virorum_Illustrium_Adl%C4%B1_Eserinin_Biblioth%C3%A8que_Nationale_de_France_daki_226_ve_232_Numaral%C4%B1_Frans%C4%B1zca_N%C3%BCshalar%C4%B1nda_Yer_Alan_Minyat%C3%BCrlerde_XV_Y%C3%BCzy%C4%B1l_da_Avrupal%C4%B1_G%C3%B6z%C3%BCyle_Malazgirt_Sava%C5%9F%C4%B1_ve_Sultan_Alp_Arslan_a_Bak%C4%B1%C5%9F Source] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518111803/https://www.academia.edu/48958867/Giovanni_Boccaccio_nun_De_Casibus_Virorum_Illustrium_Adl%C4%B1_Eserinin_Biblioth%C3%A8que_Nationale_de_France_daki_226_ve_232_Numaral%C4%B1_Frans%C4%B1zca_N%C3%BCshalar%C4%B1nda_Yer_Alan_Minyat%C3%BCrlerde_XV_Y%C3%BCzy%C4%B1l_da_Avrupal%C4%B1_G%C3%B6z%C3%BCyle_Malazgirt_Sava%C5%9F%C4%B1_ve_Sultan_Alp_Arslan_a_Bak%C4%B1%C5%9F |date=18 May 2021 }}
*{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=The Encyclopaedia of Islam |title=Alp Arslan |first=Claude |last=Cahen |publisher=Brill |volume=I: A-B |year=1986 |editor-first1=H. A. R. |editor-last1=Gibb |editor-first2=J. H. |editor-last2=Kramers |editor-first3= E. |editor-last3=Levi-Provencal |editor-first4=J. |editor-last4=Schacht }}

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Seljuq Dynasty|House of Seljuq]]||20 January 1029||15 December 1072}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Toghrul I|Toghrul-Beg]]
}}
{{s-ttl
| title = [[List of sultans of the Seljuq Empire|Sultan of the Seljuq Empire]]
| years = 4 October 1063– 15 December 1072
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[Malik-Shah I]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Seljuk dynasty}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:11th-century births]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:11th-century murdered monarchs]]
[[Category:1072 deaths]]
[[Category:Seljuk rulers]]
[[Category:Byzantine–Seljuk wars]]
[[Category:Deaths by stabbing]]
[[Category:Shahanshahs]]
[[Category:11th-century monarchs in Asia]]