Romanus IV Diogenes

Byzantinsk kejser. Blev taget til fange af tyrkene, men lsøkøbt. Dræbt efter hofintrige.

• Manzikert, 1071

Byzantine Emperor, who came to power as coregent by marrying the widow (Eudocia) of Constantine X. He was not a secure Emperor, and was aware of his unpopularity at court. He spent almost his entire reign in the field, attempting to win a military reputation for himself. Unfortunately, he found himself facing a massive invasion by the Seljuk Turks, led by Alp Arslam. He gathered a massive army and attempted to turn back the Turks at the Empires border. He was defeated at the battle of Manzikert (1071), his army destroyed, and he himself was captured. On his release and return to Constantinople he was deposed and murdered, and during the civil wars that followed the Turks were able to capture most of Asia Minor, the eastern heart of the Byzantine Empire.