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After establishing his succession by putting down, with Byzantine assistance, a revolt by his brother Shâhânshâh, Qïlïch Arslan extended Seljuq influence over northern areas of the Dânishmendid territory. When the Zangid Nûr al-D§n Ma¢mûd died in 569/1174, he also gained control of lands in the south. The Byzantine emperor, Manuel Comnenus, considered that this violated the terms of the treaty he had negotiated with Qïlïch Arslan and, angered by sporadic raids into Byzantine territory by Seljuq tribesmen, he decided to show his authority by leading an Army into Anatolia to curb the Seljuqs. In the event, a major battle at Myriokephalon in Rab§‘ I 572/September 1176 resulted in Manuel’s complete defeat. Secure in his control of Central Anatolia, Qïlïch Arslan spent the next ten years establishing a prosperous and well ruled state but at the age of 71 he made the mistake of retiring to Konya and dividing the country into eleven principalities, each ruled by a son or relative with the title of ‘Malik’. (Broome). |
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