Siege of Sozopolis

After re-conquering the city of Laodicea from a Seljuk Turkish garrison of 700 men in 1119, the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos continued his campaigns against the Turks in 1120 after a brief stay in Constantinople.^[1] The 1120 campaign target was the town of Sozopolis in Pisidia, which controlled the lines of communication to Attaleia.^[2]

Sozopolis was protected by an armed garrison and steep hills.^[1][2] A large-scale siege attack was thus impossible.^[2] The town could only be attacked by small forces.^[2] John was initially at a loss how to proceed but later came up with a plan.^[1][2] He ordered a force of missile-armed cavalry under Paktiarios and Dekanos to attack the town gates and shoot at the Turkish soldiers manning the walls.^[1][2] The Turks took the bait and poured out of the gate.^[1] The Byzantine force then executed a planned retreat, drawing the Turks far out beyond the town.^[1][2] The rest of the Byzantine army had lain hidden in the thick undergrowth and assaulted the undefended town after the Turks had passed them.^[1] The fleeing Byzantines turned about and faced the pursuing Turks.^[1][2] The Turks were trapped between the Byzantine cavalry to their front and the army to their back and were largely killed or captured, with a handful making it out of the encirclement.^[1]