In 1176, a single mountain pass ambush ended the Byzantine dream of reclaiming Anatolia
Emperor Manuel I Komnenos led a massive army into a narrow mountain pass, only to see his dreams of a restored Roman Empire shattered by a devastating Seljuk Turk ambush.
The Battle of Myriokephalon in 1176 marked the end of the Byzantine Empire's last great offensive to reclaim the heart of Anatolia. Emperor Manuel I Komnenos led a massive force toward the Seljuk capital, but the army became trapped in a narrow, winding pass. Seljuk archers rained arrows from the heights, decimating the Byzantine baggage train and siege engines.
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