Alp Arslan

Alp Arslan älp ärslänˈ [key], 1029–72, Seljuk sultan of Persia (1063–72). In 1065 he led the Seljuks in an invasion of Armenia and Georgia and in 1066 attacked the Byzantine Empire. The success of his campaign was crowned (1071) by his brilliant victory over Romanus IV at Manzikert. After defeating the Byzantines, he wrested Syria from the Fatimids. In Dec., 1072, while campaigning beyond the Oxus River (Amu Darya), he was murdered by one of his captives. He was succeeded by his son Malikshah, who consolidated the victories his father had won.

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