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Battle of Mavropotamos(Mauropotamos) |
year: 844 |
| A Byzantine defeat by the Arabs | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
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enemy: Arabs (Abbasids)
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location: Mauropotamos river, Asia Minor, either in northern Bithynia or in Cappadocia
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accuracy:
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battle type: Pitched Battle |
war: Byzantine-Muslim Wars |
modern country:
Turkey |
| ▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Theodora) | ▼ The Enemies | |
| Commander: | Theoktistos | Abu Said |
| Forces: | Unknown | Unknown |
| Losses: |
| Background story: |
| In 844, the Arabs of Baghdad, under the command of the general of the Abbasids Abu Said, had invaded the Byzantine lands of Asia Minor, aided perhaps by the forces of the emir of Melitene Omar al-Aqta, who often helped the caliphs of Baghdad in their raids against Byzantium. It appears that the Arabs, moving through the provinces of Minor Asia had reached Bosporus. Empress Theodora ordered Theoktistos (Logothetes tou Dromou and one of the regents of young Michael III) to move against the invaders. Theoktistos was the head of a failed campaign to recapture Crete in the previous year. |
The Battle: |
 In the battle, the Byzantine forces suffered a crushing defeat, as a great number of soldiers were killed in the battlefield, while many others defected to the Arab camp. Immediately after his defeat, Theoktistos returned to Constantinople. |
Aftermath: |
| A civil war broke out among the Abbasids soon after the battle, and they were unable to exploit their victory. A truce was consequently concluded in 845, followed by a prisoner exchange. The peace lasted 6 years. |
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