'Sultan Alp Arslan opened the gates of Anatolia to Turks'

Sultan Alp Arslan (the Lion-Hearted), who opened the gates of Anatolia to Turks in 1071 by defeating the Byzantine army, is remembered for his heroism and war strategies, Turkish historians said.

Arslan became the second ruler of the Great Seljuk Empire in April 27, 1064.

His victory on Aug. 26, 1071 on the plain of Manzikert (Malazgirt), what is now Mus in eastern Turkey, accelerated the decline of the Byzantine Empire and led to more Turks settling in the region, paving the way for both the Ottoman Empire and the modern Republic of Turkey.

Arslan was the greatest sovereign in Seljuk Turkish history, said Mustafa Alican, an expert in medieval history at Mus Alparslan University.

“The Battle of Manzikert was a defensive war in which the Seljuk Turks aimed to protect themselves and the Islamic world against the Byzantines,” he added.

“Sultan Alp Arslan achieved a great victory on the plain of Manzikert and captured a Byzantine Emperor -- who is Romanus IV Diogenes -- for the first time in history,” Alican said.

Alican underlined the Byzantine Empire recognized a subordination to the Seljuk Turks in the Manzikert agreement which was signed after the battle.

Rahmi Tekin, a history professor at the Van Yuzuncu Yil University, said Arslan was a unique commander fighting for the unity of the Islamic world.

He added that Arslan was one of the most important figures in history with his statesmanship and quick decision-making.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz