Battle of Philomelion (1116)

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The Battle of Philomelion (1116) occurred in autumn 1116 near Philomelion in Asia Minor (modern Akşehir). It was a Byzantine victory in the ongoing Byzantine–Seljuk wars. The combatants were the Byzantine Empire, led by Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, and the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, commanded by Malik Shah.

Context and campaign
After the success of the First Crusade and a later slowdown, the Seljuqs had recovered central Anatolia. Emperor Alexios, though old and ill, moved into northwestern Anatolia with a sizeable army. He based his forces at Lopadion and later Nicomedia, winning a small battle at Poemanenon before driving inland toward Philomelion. He aimed to show strength through a strong display of force and to evacuate Christian towns as his army moved through Turkish-dominated lands. He helped defend his army with a new defensive formation that he had devised.

Parataxis formation
The Byzantines fought in a new formation described as the parataxis: a hollow square with baggage in the center, infantry on the outside, and cavalry in between. This setup was designed to defend against the fast, horse-archer tactics of the Turks and to allow rapid counterattacks.

The fighting and tactics
The Byzantines captured Philomelion by assault after dispersing Turkish resistance. Scouts evacuated the local Christian population to safer Byzantine-controlled areas. As Malik Shah learned of a larger Seljuk force approaching from the north, Alexios retreated back toward Byzantine territory, keeping the civilians with the baggage in the center of the formation.

Malik Shah’s attack and the turnover of momentum
When Malik Shah arrived with his army, the Turks attacked the Byzantine line from the front and rear. The Byzantine cavalry mounted two counterattacks; the first was not successful, but the second, led by Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger (Alexios’ son-in-law), decisively broke the portion of the Turkish force led by the Sultan, and the Turks began to retreat.

Night and day actions
The Byzantines repelled a night assault, and the next day Malik Shah pressed his attack again. The Turks were unable to break the Byzantine line, and they were repulsed with heavy losses.

Peace and aftermath
After continued fighting, Malik Shah sent terms for peace. The two leaders met, and Alexios reportedly offered symbolic gestures of respect to the sultan. The peace included limits on Turkish raids, and while some later accounts claimed Malik Shah would evacuate Anatolia, that is probably exaggerated. The campaign demonstrated the high discipline and mobility of the Byzantine army under Alexios.

Impact
The victory boosted Byzantine prestige and showed that Alexios could march through Turkish lands with disciplined troops. Malik Shah’s prestige suffered, and he was soon deposed and killed by his brother Mas'ud. Alexios died in 1118, leaving the reconquest of Asia Minor to his son, John II Komnenos.