{"slug": "arabbyzantine-wars", "label": "Arab–Byzantine wars", "wikipedia": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab%E2%80%93Byzantine_wars", "wikidata": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29100", "qid": "Q29100", "description": "series of wars between the 7th and 11th centuries", "entries": 46, "years": 44, "span": [634, 1042], "span_label": ["634 CE", "1042 CE"], "topics": [{"title": "Conflict & Security", "count": 38}, {"title": "Religion & Belief", "count": 3}, {"title": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "count": 2}, {"title": "Exploration & Expansion", "count": 2}, {"title": "Health & Medicine", "count": 1}], "related": [{"slug": "byzantine-empire", "label": "Byzantine Empire", "shared": 14}, {"slug": "turkey", "label": "Turkey", "shared": 13}, {"slug": "anatolia", "label": "Anatolia", "shared": 9}, {"slug": "umayyad-caliphate", "label": "Umayyad Caliphate", "shared": 8}, {"slug": "cyprus", "label": "Cyprus", "shared": 6}, {"slug": "cilicia", "label": "Cilicia", "shared": 6}, {"slug": "kayseri", "label": "Kayseri", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "arab-muslims", "label": "Arab Muslims", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "sicily", "label": "Sicily", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "abbasid-caliphate", "label": "Abbasid Caliphate", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "mopsuestia", "label": "Mopsuestia", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "kahramanmaras", "label": "Kahramanmaraş", "shared": 4}], "items": [{"year": 634, "year_label": "634 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Heraclius, ill, infirm, and unpopular with the Eastern Orthodox Church, is unable to personally lead the Byzantine army to resist the Muslim conquest of the Levant. He sends his brother Theodore to assemble forces to retake the newly won Muslim territories. Monophysites and Jews throughout Syria welcome the Arab invaders, as they are discontented with Byzantine rule.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1299946990#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "634", "revid": 1299946990, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 636, "year_label": "636 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Heraclius assembles a large army consisting of contingents of Byzantines, Slavs, Franks, Georgians, Armenians, and Christian Arabs. He establishes a base at Yaqusah (near Gadara), close to the edge of the Golan Heights, protecting the vital main road from Egypt to Damascus. The base is protected by deep valleys and precipitous cliffs, well supplied with water and grazing.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1267068315#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "636", "revid": 1267068315, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 638, "year_label": "638 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine War: The invading Rashidun army under Khalid ibn al-Walid moves into Anatolia, conquering (without strong Byzantine resistance) the cities of Kahramanmaraş, Caesarea Cappadociae, Sebastia, and Malatya (west of the Taurus Mountains). Arab forces march into Armenia, where they capture the cities Edessa and Amida up to the Ararat plain.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369557443#Arabian_Empire", "title": "638", "revid": 1369557443, "section": "Events › By place › Arabian Empire"}}, {"year": 639, "year_label": "639 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: The Rashidun army (4,000 men), under the command of 'Amr ibn al-'As, invades Byzantine Egypt. They capture the strategic town of Pelusium (Nile Delta) after a two-month siege. Arab reinforcements led by Zubayr ibn al-Awwam are sent from Medina to assist Amr's army. The losses incurred by the Muslims are ameliorated by Sinai Bedouins, tribes of Rashida and Lakhm; they join the invaders in conquering Egypt.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364754023#Arabian_Empire", "title": "639", "revid": 1364754023, "section": "Events › By place › Arabian Empire"}}, {"year": 643, "year_label": "643 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Arab armies continue their military expansion into North Africa and lay siege to Tripoli. The city is captured after one month.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340804491#Africa", "title": "643", "revid": 1340804491, "section": "Events › By place › Africa"}}, {"year": 646, "year_label": "646 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine War: Alexandria is recaptured by the Muslim Arabs, after a Byzantine attempt (see 645) to retake Egypt fails, ending nearly 1,000 years of rule by Greco-Roman states in the city.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340804476#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "646", "revid": 1340804476, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 647, "year_label": "647 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: An Arab army (20,000 men) under Abdullah ibn Sa'ad invades the Byzantine Exarchate of Africa. It conquers Tripolitania and the city of Sufetula, 150 miles (240 km) south of Carthage.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340804471#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "647", "revid": 1340804471, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 649, "year_label": "649 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Arab naval forces under Abdullah ibn Saad conquer Cyprus, sacking the capital Constantia after a short siege, and looting the rest of the island. The Cypriots agree to pay the same revenue as they have done to Emperor Constans II.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365938693#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "649", "revid": 1365938693, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 652, "year_label": "652 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: An Arab fleet under Abdullah ibn Sa'ad defeats the Byzantine fleet (500 ships) off the coast of Alexandria.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367635695#Arab_Empire", "title": "652", "revid": 1367635695, "section": "Events › By place › Arab Empire"}}, {"year": 659, "year_label": "659 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Constans II signs a peace treaty with the Rashidun Caliphate. He uses the pause to strengthen his defences, and consolidates Byzantine control over Armenia. Constans establishes the themata, dividing territorial command in Anatolia.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340804363#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "659", "revid": 1340804363, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 667, "year_label": "667 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Caliph Muawiyah I launches a series of attacks against Byzantine holdings in Africa, Sicily and the East.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340805207#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "667", "revid": 1340805207, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 670, "year_label": "670 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine War: The Arab fleet dominates the Aegean Sea and conquers the strategic islands, Rhodes, Cos and Chios. The shore on the southern part of Sea of Marmara is taken, providing an excellent base at Cyzicus to begin the blockade of Constantinople by sea.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367634463#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "670", "revid": 1367634463, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 692, "year_label": "692 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Muslims conquer Armenia, Iberia and Colchis, the last remaining Byzantine holdings east of the Taurus Mountains. Emperor Justinian II is forced to agree to joint Byzantine-Arab control of Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340806257#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "692", "revid": 1340806257, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 703, "year_label": "703 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: The Umayyad army under Abdallah ibn Abd al-Malik captures Mopsuestia in Cilicia from the Byzantines, and refortifies it, making it the first major Muslim stronghold in the area that will later become the Thughur.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340807078#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "703", "revid": 1340807078, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 704, "year_label": "704 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: A Byzantine expeditionary force under Heraclius (brother of Tiberios III) defeats and destroys an Umayyad army (10,000 men) at Sisium (modern Turkey) under Yazid ibn Hunayn, killing most and leading the others off in chains to Constantinople.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364468074#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "704", "revid": 1364468074, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 707, "year_label": "707 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: An Umayyad army under Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik invades Asia Minor, and lays siege to Tyana (Cappadocia). The fortress city resists, dragging the siege through the winter and into 708.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340807099#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "AD 707", "revid": 1340807099, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 708, "year_label": "708 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: The Umayyads under Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik capture and sack the Byzantine city of Tyana (Cappadocia) after a prolonged siege, and following a victory over a Byzantine relief army. Maslamah also leads another expedition in the summer, raiding and conquering Amorium (modern Turkey).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340807106#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "708", "revid": 1340807106, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 709, "year_label": "709 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: An Umayyad army under Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik raids Isauria (modern Turkey). He is appointed military governor of Armenia and Azerbaijan, succeeding his uncle Muhammad ibn Marwan.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340807109#Arabian_Empire", "title": "709", "revid": 1340807109, "section": "Events › By place › Arabian Empire"}}, {"year": 713, "year_label": "713 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine wars: The Umayyad Arabs under al-Abbas ibn al-Walid, son of caliph al-Walid I, sack Antioch in Pisidia (modern Turkey), which never recovers.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340807131#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "713", "revid": 1340807131, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 716, "year_label": "716 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine Wars: Umayyad Caliph Sulayman ibn Abd Al-Malik begins the preparations for his campaign on Constantinople; he orders new ships be built in the port-cities in Palestine, Egypt & Ifriqiya. General Umar ibn Hubayra raids southern Anatolia by sea and conquers Lycia, where another Arab fleet joins him, and they spend winter. As the navy advances, Sulayman sends land armies into Anatolia, which settle at Caesarea.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340808331#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "716", "revid": 1340808331, "section": "Events › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 717, "year_label": "717 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Muslim general Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik leads his army of 80,000 men from Pergamum to Abydos, where he crosses the Hellespont. To prevent interference by the Bulgars, or by any Byzantine forces in Thrace, he sends part of his army to a covering position near Adrianople; with his main body, Maslama builds siege lines to blockade Constantinople, which is protected by the massive Theodosian Walls.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340808622#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "717", "revid": 1340808622, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 726, "year_label": "726 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Muslim forces under Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik resume their expedition against Anatolia (modern Turkey). In a large-scale raid they plunder the fortress city of Caesarea.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340808661#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "726", "revid": 1340808661, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 730, "year_label": "730 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "September", "text": "September–October – Umayyad forces sack the Byzantine fortress of Charsianon in central Anatolia (modern Turkey), which remains a contested stronghold during the next century of Byzantine–Arab warfare.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340808684#Arabian_Empire", "title": "730", "revid": 1340808684, "section": "Events › By place › Arabian Empire"}}, {"year": 733, "year_label": "733 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine Wars: Arab forces under Mu’awiya ibn Hisham penetrate deep into Anatolia and conquer the cities of Antalya, Doralyum and Afyonkarahisar. These conquests differ from previous ones, as Arab military settling occurs in them, making them a base to raid Byzantium.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340809659#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "733", "revid": 1340809659, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 742, "year_label": "742 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab-Byzantine Wars: Arab forces under Sulayman ibn Hisham invade Anatolia, reaching as far as Herakleia, and return with much wealth and livestock.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340809740#Europe", "title": "742", "revid": 1340809740, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 746, "year_label": "746 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine Wars – Battle of Keramaia: The Byzantine navy scores a crushing victory over the Umayyad Egyptian fleet.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340809747#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "746", "revid": 1340809747, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 746, "year_label": "746 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine Wars: Taking advantage of discontent among the Muslim Arabs, Emperor Constantine V invades Syria, and captures Germanikeia (modern Turkey). He organises the resettlement of part of the local Christian population in Thrace.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340809747#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "746", "revid": 1340809747, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 747, "year_label": "747 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Constantine V destroys the Arab fleet off Cyprus, with the aid of ships from the Italian city-states, breaking the naval power of the Umayyad Caliphate.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364468436#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "AD 747", "revid": 1364468436, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 778, "year_label": "778 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Leo IV (\"the Khazar\") repulses an Abbasid invasion in Anatolia. A Byzantine expeditionary force under Michael Lachanodrakon, military governor (strategos) of the Thracesian Theme, defeats the Muslim-Arabs at the fortress city of Germanikeia in Cilicia (modern Turkey). He plunders the region and takes many captives, mostly Jacobites, who are resettled in Thrace.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1267081416#Arab_Caliphate_and_Byzantine_Empire", "title": "778", "revid": 1267081416, "section": "Events › By place › Arab Caliphate and Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 806, "year_label": "806 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine wars: An Abbasid fleet under Humayd ibn Ma'yuf al-Hajuri raids Cyprus, carrying off 16,000 inhabitants as slaves.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1292643508#Abbasid_Caliphate", "title": "806", "revid": 1292643508, "section": "Events › By place › Abbasid Caliphate"}}, {"year": 806, "year_label": "806 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine wars: Caliph Harun al-Rashid leads a huge military expedition, assembling men from Syria, Palestine, Persia, and Egypt. The invasion army (reportedly 135,000 men) departs from Raqqa, residence of Harun, and enters Cappadocia through the Cilician Gates, sacking several Byzantine fortresses and cities. Heraclea is captured after a month-long siege (August/September). The city is plundered and razed; its inhabitants are enslaved and deported to the Abbasid Caliphate.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1292643508#Abbasid_Caliphate", "title": "806", "revid": 1292643508, "section": "Events › By place › Abbasid Caliphate"}}, {"year": 830, "year_label": "830 CE", "section": "Health & Medicine", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Arab War: Muslim reinforcements from Ifriqiya and Al-Andalus (modern Spain) defeat Byzantine forces under Theodotus in Sicily, but a plague once again compels them to retreat to Mazara del Vallo, and evacuate to North Africa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1359310799#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "830", "revid": 1359310799, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 833, "year_label": "833 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine-Arab War: Emperor Theophilos signs an armistice for peace with the Abbasid Caliphate. He offers Caliph Al-Ma'mun 100,000 gold dinars, in return for 7,000 Byzantine prisoners.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340941699#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "833", "revid": 1340941699, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 845, "year_label": "845 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Arab War: A prisoner exchange occurs between the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate, at the River Lamos in Cilicia (modern Turkey). The exchanges last for 10 days, and the Byzantines recover 4,600 prisoners.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1342044538#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "845", "revid": 1342044538, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 870, "year_label": "870 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Arab War: A Muslim expeditionary force, led by Halaf al-Hadim, Arab governor of Sicily, conquers Malta. He is welcomed by the local Christian inhabitants as liberator of the agonizing Byzantine yoke. The Muslims sign a treaty with the Christians to live in peace after liberating the island from the Byzantines.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341129562#Abbasid_Caliphate", "title": "870", "revid": 1341129562, "section": "Events › By place › Abbasid Caliphate"}}, {"year": 900, "year_label": "900 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine wars: Emperor Leo VI (\"the Wise\") begins an offensive against the Abbasid army in Cilicia, Upper Mesopotamia and Armenia. He also continues the war against the Muslims in Sicily and southern Italy.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364042634#Abbasid_Caliphate", "title": "900", "revid": 1364042634, "section": "Events › By place › Abbasid Caliphate"}}, {"year": 904, "year_label": "904 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: The Byzantines under Andronikos Doukas, along with Eustathios Argyros, campaign against the Abbasids and defeat the Muslim garrisons of Mopsuestia and Tarsus, near Marash (modern Turkey).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341130856#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "904", "revid": 1341130856, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 944, "year_label": "944 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Byzantine forces are defeated by Sayf al-Dawla. He captures the city of Aleppo, and extends his control over the Al-Jazira–Upper Mesopotamia region. Al-Dawla's rule is recognized by the Ikhshidids. With the recovery of Edessa, the Greeks also obtain the fabled Image of Edessa.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341512279#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "944", "revid": 1341512279, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 950, "year_label": "950 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: A Hamdanid army (30,000 men) led by Sayf al-Dawla raids into Byzantine theme Anatolia. He defeats Bardas Phokas, but is then ambushed on his return and heavily defeated by Leo Phokas.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365260811#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "950", "revid": 1365260811, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 962, "year_label": "962 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "December", "text": "December – Arab–Byzantine wars – Sack of Aleppo: A Byzantine expeditionary force under General Nikephoros Phokas invades northern Syria, and sacks Aleppo, capital of the Hamdanid emir Sayf al-Dawla. In late December Aleppo is taken by storm, with the population killed or enslaved; the city is razed. The Byzantine army takes possession of 390,000 silver dinars, 2,000 camels and 1,400 mules.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341513175#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "962", "revid": 1341513175, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 964, "year_label": "964 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Nikephoros II continues the reconquest of south-eastern Anatolia (modern Turkey). He recaptured Cyprus through Niketas Chalkoutzes, and reorganizes the conquered lands into new themes. In the summer, they take the fortress cities of Anazarbus and Adana. Byzantine troops under General John Tzimiskes besiege Mopsuestia, but with the coming of winter he is forced to retreat to Caesarea.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1353633013#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "964", "revid": 1353633013, "section": "Events › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 965, "year_label": "965 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Nikephoros II conquers the fortress cities of Tarsus and Mopsuestia. The Muslim residents abandon the defense and flee into Syria. Nikephoros completes the conquest of Cilicia; Muslim raids into Anatolia (modern Turkey) permanently cease. Byzantine troops under General Niketas Chalkoutzes occupy Cyprus, liberating the Greek population from Muslim domination.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371364470#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "965", "revid": 1371364470, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 966, "year_label": "966 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "June 23", "text": "June 23 - Arab–Byzantine wars: A prisoner exchange occurs at the border between the Byzantine Empire and the Emirate of Aleppo at Samosata, headed by Emperor Nikephoros II and Sayf al-Dawla, the Emir of Aleppo. The Emirate receives 3,000 captured prisoners from the region of Cilicia, after its conquest by the Byzantine Emperor, as well as the poet Abu Firas al-Hamdani, who has previously been held prisoner by the Byzantines.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341513206#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "966", "revid": 1341513206, "section": "Events › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 975, "year_label": "975 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor John I raids Mesopotamia and invades Syria, using the Byzantine base at Antioch to press southwards to Tripoli. He conquers the cities of Baalbek, Damascus, Sidon, Tiberias and Caesarea, but fails to take Jerusalem.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341513424#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "975", "revid": 1341513424, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 995, "year_label": "995 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Basil II launches a counter-campaign against the Fatimid Caliphate. He leads a Byzantine expeditionary army (13,000 men) to aid the Hamdanid emir Sa'id al-Dawla, and crosses Asia Minor in only sixteen days. Basil lifts the siege of Aleppo, and takes over the Orontes Valley. He incorporates Syria into the Byzantine Empire (including the larger city of Antioch) which is the seat of its eponymous Patriarch.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360634539#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "995", "revid": 1360634539, "section": "Events › Asia › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1042, "year_label": "1042 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Arab War: The Byzantines reconquer the fortress city of Edessa (modern Turkey), returning it to Christian hands, after 400 years of Islamic rule (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1350130047#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1042", "revid": 1350130047, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}]}