This is a timely new Osprey for me by Si Sheppard, as my current Turkish TV addiction is Alp Arslan - The Great Seljuks. I have mixed views on the 'Combat' series, as they often cover armies that already have a dedicated title. However, for wargamers who often build both armies for a conflict, the series is helpful, and in this case, while there are several titles covering the Byzantines, there is little on the Seljuks. They tend to get forgotten in favour of the latter Ottomans.
This book covers the period just after the TV series, from the battles of Manzikert to Myriokephalon, 1071–1176. The TV series, a mere 82 one-hour episodes (you need stamina for Turkish historical drama), covers Alp Arslan before he becomes Sultan. The history is a bit dodgy, although in fairness, it's a drama, not a documentary, and the producers only claim it is based on history. And cracking drama it is too, with plenty of action and intrigue in every episode. Turkish historical dramas remind me of British WW2 or American Cold War films. You are left in no doubt about who the good guys are, and even the Turkish traitors can be spotted from the outset. That said, it wouldn't be difficult to get the military dress correct. The Turks are generally fine, if a little underarmoured and narrowly drawn from Turkmen, but the Byzantines are hopelessly wrong. They are portrayed as 13th-century medieval knights with pot helmets, more like later crusaders than Eastern Roman warriors. The producers needed this book badly. I can forgive the fight scenes, where mounted warriors almost always dismount, because training actors to be horse archers is probably a step too far.
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| The actor Baris Arduç embodies the heroic Alp Arslan |
The book gives us an introduction and an outline of the two armies, including their equipment and tactics. There are excellent colour plates of a Byzantine heavy infantryman and a Seljuk horse archer, neither of which is represented in the TV series, sadly. In practice, both armies consisted of a diverse range of troop types, with Turks on both sides. Byzantine military science focused on avoiding risks, seeking battle only on favourable geographical terms and anticipating ultimate victory through superior professionalism and discipline. Tactical doctrine emphasised drawing the enemy into a protracted deadlock with successive lines of Byzantine infantry, whose role was to hold the enemy in place and wear them down by attrition, with missile fire and flanking harassment contributing to the enemy’s frustration. While the Seljuks relied on classic horse archer tactics, including feigned retreat, they were more than capable of fighting hand-to-hand. The Byzantine historian Michael Attaleiates styled the Seljuks as the boldest and most aggressive of the Turks, eager to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
The core of the book covers three key battles. The first is Manzikert (1071), the encounter between Alp Arslan and Romanos IV Diogenes near Lake Van, in eastern Anatolia, modern Türkiye. Poor intelligence dragged the divided Byzantine army deeper into the newly conquered Seljuk territory. On the battlefield, they were again lured forward by feigned flight before being surrounded and destroyed. Undoubtedly aided by treachery in the Byzantine ranks. Militarily, the battle was less decisive than often claimed. The Byzantine army was largely intact, but political infighting broke out, allowing the Seljuks to establish themselves in Anatolia. Alp Arslan also died soon after the battle, and the Seljuks engaged in their own succession crisis.
The book moves on to the Battle of Philomelion 1116, fought between Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and the Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Malik Shah. Philomelion (modern Akşehir) is in western Anatolia. This battle was far from decisive, although it did demonstrate a return to Byzantine military efficiency and secured their position in Anatolia. Alexios adopted a hollow square formation, which the Seljuks struggled to weaken, and the Byzantines were disciplined enough not to be drawn out.
Finally, we have Myriokephalon 1176, which pitted Emperor Manuel I Komnenos and the Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Kilij Arslan II. It took place in mountainous terrain near the fortress of Myriokephalon in southwestern Anatolia. The Byzantines were caught in the narrow Tzibritze Pass; if not destroyed, they had to withdraw and concede more territory in subsequent negotiations. The Byzantine–Seljuk conflict settled back into its regular pattern of small border skirmishes. Thus, while Manzikert had opened up the heartland of Anatolia to the Turks, and Myriokephalon had confirmed they were there to stay, the latter campaign in no way predetermined they would ultimately inherit the entire peninsula.
All three battles have colour plates and excellent maps, and the author finishes with a clear analysis of the overall conflict, strategy and fighting styles. While Manzikert is well known, the broader conflict isn't. So, this is a welcome addition to the series.
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| My 28mm Byzantine cavalry. |
