The emperor who led the decayed Byzantine army against the Seljuk Turks at Manzikert in 1071. Brownworth describes him as betrayed both by his commanders and by the unreliable nature of mercenaries, resulting in his army's annihilation and his own capture — a disaster that dispelled the myth of the invincible Byzantine army.
Also known as: Romanus IV Diogenes
What each episode says
Episode 14 (3 mentions)
The emperor who led the decayed Byzantine army against the Seljuk Turks at Manzikert in 1071. Brownworth describes him as betrayed both by his commanders and by the unreliable nature of mercenaries, resulting in his army's annihilation and his own capture — a disaster that dispelled the myth of the invincible Byzantine army.
“nobles, that the Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes had taken in 1071 to the town of Manzikert”
“Instead, the weak emperors who followed Romanus, lost in their petty court struggles, didn't”
Related