Introduction The Smyrniote crusades (1343-1351) were two Crusades sent by Pope Clement VI against the Emirate of Aydin under Umur Beg which had as their principal target the coastal city of Smyrna in Asia Minor. Background The first Smyrniote crusade was the brainchild of Clement VI. The threat of Turkish piracy in the Aegean Sea… Read More
Introduction The Battle of Pallene occurred in 1344 between the fleets of a Latin Christian league and Turkish raiders, at the Pallene Peninsula in northern Greece. Part of the Smyrniote Crusades, 1343-1351. The Battle The battle is known through the chronicle of the Paduan jurist Guglielmo Cortusi, and the history of the Byzantine emperor John… Read More
Introduction The Battle of Imbros occurred in spring 1347 between the fleets of a Christian naval league formed as part of the Smyrniote crusades, and of a Turkish raiding fleet, possibly from the beyliks of Aydin and Sarukhan. The Turks abandoned their ships and landed on the island of Imbros, where most were captured. Opposing… Read More
Introduction The Siege of Antioch (968–969) was a successful military offensive undertaken by leading commanders of the Byzantine Empire in order to reconquer the strategically important city of Antioch from the Hamdanid Dynasty. Part of the Arab-Byzantine Wars, 629-1050s. Background Following a year of plunder in Syria, the Byzantine Emperor, Nikephoros II Phokas, decided to… Read More
Introduction The Battle of Chrysopolis was fought on 18 September 324 at Chrysopolis (modern Üsküdar), near Chalcedon (modern Kadıköy), between the two Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius. The battle was the final encounter between the two emperors. After his navy’s defeat in the Battle of the Hellespont, Licinius withdrew his forces from the city… Read More
Introduction The Battle of the Hellespont, consisting of two separate naval clashes, was fought in 324 between a Constantinian fleet, led by the eldest son of Constantine I, Crispus; and a larger fleet under Licinius’ admiral, Abantus (or Amandus). Despite being outnumbered, Crispus won a very complete victory. Part of the Civil Wars of the… Read More
Introduction The Battle of Adrianople was fought on 03 July 324, during a Roman civil war, the second to be waged between the two emperors Constantine I and Licinius. Licinius was soundly defeated, his army suffering heavy casualties as a result. Constantine built up military momentum, winning further battles on land and sea, eventually leading… Read More
