The Battle of Ani (Armenian: Անիի ճակատամարտ) was fought between the forces of the Kingdom of Armenia under Vahram Pahlavouni and the Byzantine Empire in 1042. The Byzantine Empire was soundly defeated, with up to 20,000 dead.[3]
| Battle of Ani | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Byzantine-Seljuk Wars | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Seljuk Empire |
 Byzantine Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Alp Arslan | {{flagicon image|Byzantine imperial flag, 14th century, Roman Digoen | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 100,000[2] | ||||||
Background
editVahram selected a body of 30,000 infantry and 20,000 cavalry, forming three divisions, which fought against the Byzantines, numbering 100,000.[2][1] A battle ensued in which the invaders were routed with great slaughter. The fight was so ferocious that the effusion of blood flowing into the Akhurian River is said to have coloured its waters completely red.[1]
The Byzantines were defeated.[1] This victory allowed Vahram Pahlavuni along with Catholicos Petros Getadarts to crown Gagik II king of Armenia and subsequently take the fortress of Ani, which had been in the hands of Vest Sarkis.[1]
See also
editReferences
editSources
edit- Ch'amch'yants', Mik'ayel (1827). History of Armenia by Father Michael Chamich from B.C. 2247 to the Year of Christ 1780, or 1229 of the Armenian era. Vol. 2.
- F. Macler. Armenia, The Kingdom of the Bagratides. The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. IV.
- Tupper, H. Allen. Armenia: its present crisis and past history.
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