Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/45

 PROGRESS OF THE SELJUKS. 27 became the Commander of tlic Faithful and Protector of the Mussiihnans.' Togrul died in 10G3. His successor was Alparslan, "the Strong Lion," who reigned from 10G3 to 1073. It is unnecessary for my purpose to attempt to follow in detail the career of this sultan— a career which was one long series of attacks upon the dominions of the empire in Asia Minor and upon the neighboring- states of Georgia and Armenia. The latter had developed a laro-e amount of industry, commerce, and civilization. Ani, the capital of Armenia, was taken by storm in 1064. The Prince of Kars, in consequence of its capture, made a degrading sub- mission, and was allowed to retain his principality as a vassal under the sultan. Shortly afterwards he ceded his territories to the emperor in exchange for the city of Tzamandos. The inhabitants of Kars, feeling that there was no security against the next Moslem invasion, fled westwards into Cappadocia or southwards to their brethren, who were yet to make a bold stand for independence under their native princes. In 1070 Alparslan besieged and captured Manzikert. Various small principalities were established, the rulers of which endeavored unsuccessfully to stem the advance of the Seljuks. The barriers of the border states being thus broken down, They attack the Turkish hordes began to pour into the dominions Asia Miuor. q£ ^j^^ empcror in an irresistible flood. The con- dition of Asia Minor offered a strong temptation to the in- its present vadcrs. We know it to-day as a country which condition. ^j^gg j^^^ contain a single city except Smyrna that would be considered as of third or fourth rank in Eno-land, France, or Germany. Smyrna is, indeed, rich and flourishing because of its irrepressible Greek population, and of its having had for centuries large colonies of Franks who, by means of the capitulations, are not under the curse of Turkish rule. Else- where the fertile districts of Asia Minor lie idle for want of roads to convey the produce to market. The absence of 1 It is doubtful whether the investiture of Togrul was before or after the invasion of the empire. Cedrunus and Zonaras place it before. Weil, "Geschichte der Chalifen," iii. 87, places it after. Von Hammer avoids giving his opinion.