Erdogan threatens Greece: I will follow the footsteps of Sultan Alpen Aslan, who defeated the Byzantine Empire

Turkey's President Erdogan, referring to the tense situation with Greece, said today that he wants to revive history and follow the footsteps of Turkish Sultan Alp Aslan, who defeated the Byzantine Empire at the Manziert Battle in 1071.

Erdogan will be praised in the same country as the Sultan before being transferred to the battlefield.

Speaking to members of the ruling party today, the Turkish president said he wanted to revive history by following in the footsteps of Alp Arslan, who, at his 26-minute reign over the troops of Byzantine Emperor Romano IV Diogenes, laid the groundwork for Seljuku's East rule.

Turkish journalist Abdullah Bozkurt posted on his personal account in the social media the characteristic fragment from today's speech of Tayip Erdogan.

HManziker's battle story

On August 26th 1071, the armies of the Seljuke Turks and the Byzantine Empire crashed into the Manziker Plain in what is now east of Turkey Muş. The battle ended in a decisive victory for the Seljucs.

Sultan Alp Arslan's (Luan of Heart) victory accelerated the fall of the Byzantine Empire and led many Turkish tribes to settle in the region, paving the way for both the Ottoman Empire and the modern Republic of Turkey.

The battle also won a unique place in Turkish military history, as the Seljuk won the battle despite their difficulty and slim prospects. Their army was few in number in proportion to nearly two to one, with only 25,000 soldiers compared to 50,000 in the Byzantine army.

Sultan Alp Arslan's half-way strategy played a key role in the battle. In this traditional Turkish maneuver, the wings of the Seljuds tried to surround the Byzantines, while their central forces forged a lure to create confusion.

The outcome of the battle weakened control of the Byzantine Empire in Anadol and eventually led to its dissolution as well as the formation of the new Turkish beylics (principats), and even centuries later, the mighty Ottoman Empire.

Yesterday, tens of thousands of Turks marked the anniversary of this battle as they gathered on the Malazhir Plain, where a festival for this victory was held.

Organisers expected more than 200,000 people to participate in the festival, which, in addition to celebrating history, also aimed at strengthening national unity and awareness.

Participants also enjoyed a series of traditional Turkish archery, horse bow, spear-throwing and wrestling activities. They also enjoyed performances by folk groups performing traditional dances.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was at the event, along with other prominent Turkish leaders, and delivered his speech on the importance of the battle before thousands of people who had gathered.

Erdogan wished that God would have mercy on all those “horej” who remained during the battle of Malazhirt, a historic victory for the Turks in Anadol nearly a thousand years ago.

He also stressed that regions where their ancestors ruled peacefully, safely, and developed over the centuries have today been “fighting in cruelty and misery”.

No political or economic interest can prevent us from telling the truth, standing with the truth, and supporting the oppressed and victims,” said Erdogan.

Speaking to the “Victory Week”, meaning the historic battles that took place between August 26th and August, Erdogan said Malazhirt opened the way for Turks to Anadol

Erdogan added that these victories encouraged the Turkish nation and paved the way for a better future for the country after the establishment of the Turkish Republic. <

He honoured the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Sultan Alparslan, and wished divine mercy to those who lost their lives in these battles.

Turkish control over Anatolia began with the Battle of Malazhirt on 26 August 1071, in which the Seljuc Turks led by Sultan Alparslan defeated a much larger Byzantine army.

Centuries later, foreign conquest sparked Turkey's 1919 Independence War, in which Turkish forces led by General Mustafa Kemal eventually expelled invaders from Anadol.

From August 26th to August 30th 1922, Turkish forces fought the Dumlupinar Battle in Turkey's western Qutah province, where the invading Greek army was staunchly defeated.

By late 1922 all foreigners had left territory that would become the New Republic of Turkey a year later.