Year 1076. Encouraged by previous victories, Islamic rulers prepare another Holy War, this time aimed at the heart of Byzantine Empire, to break it's domination over Anatolia and eliminate threat from the weakened Empire.
Unknown to Muslim Caliph, Eventhia's heir, Hektorios, forges net of alliances with western powers. Most notable was marriage with Bavarian princess and heir to the throne - resulting in incorporation of Bavaria into the Empire. On top of that Hektorios expands African provinces and lend a hand in Christianization of norse Rus. In result, Hektorios leaves Empire to his son - Constantine VIII known as 'the Great' or 'of Rhosus' - ready to withstand another Islamic invasion - not only by the might of own strength, but web of alliances spreading across half of Europe. Constantine himself is married to an Aquitaine Princess - Margarida, and while French nobles never answered call of Constantine in coming war, this marriage will shape the future of France.
In coming years young Byzantine Emperor will be forced to call to arms all his allies, summon all his vassals and enlist all mercenary companies. In summer 1076 Imams calls to arms all warriors of the Crescent Moon and most of them answer. The war that will soon start will be the greatest struggle in war between Christianity and Islam.
Early part of the conflict is characterized by low level of fighting. Byzantium begun calling all their forces to Constantinople. Great army composed out of norse Varangians, mercenaries from across the Europe, Bulgarian, Russian and great many vassals of Constantine begun march in three columns to meet armies of Jihad, preparing to besiege the city of Rhosus in Cilicia.
So far, Muslims ravaged border provinces of Empire unmolested. But as the great armies of Constantine approached them, Muslims begun gathering forces for the great battle - both side knew the coming battle will decide the war.
Byzantines, beside their three armies knew of army fielded by Germans, lead by king Victor I, known as the Old. Those forces however, were still busy crossing Bosporus when allied armies were at the Cilician grounds preparing to attack Muslims besieging Rhosus.
Battle begun unfavorable for the Byzantines, as one of their three armies, composing mostly of Bulgarian an Russian allies was attacked by Muslim flanking forces and couldn't join the main host for the battle. Constantine, unaware of that development begun harassing Islamic forces. Muslims, knowing that Bulgarians and Russians won't join the main battle for few more days responded with massive assault. Islamic generals had one more advantage - their reserves, spread till now across most Middle East were already heading to plains of Cilicia, while only reinforcements Allies could expect were Germans, still many days away from battlefield.
Bulgars and Rus troops manage to dispose of Arab flanking force with relative ease, and reached the main battle under the walls of Rhusos within two days - supporting weaker, right wing of Byzantine Empire. With 3rd army joining the battle, both sides were of relative equal numbers - and neither side was willing to risk attacking. Both sites expected reinforcements withing coming month. Only difference was - while Constantine knew of reinforcements coming to aid Caliph and his army, Muslim commanders knew nothing of a 20.000 men army of Germans crossing though Anatolia at astonishing speed to join the battle.
Unfortunately, for Allies, Arab reinforcements reached Rhusos first, and with fresh troops at disposal, Islamic armies begun assault. Battle lasted for many days - as Constantine avoided exposing himself, content with keeping his ranks pushing back Islamic attacks. From the other side, Arabs are hesitant to renew frontal attack. They know that Byzantines couldn't defeat them in field - and they themselves weren't thrilled by risking frontal attack on Constantine's defensive position. They knew that Byzantines were at the end of their supply lines and knew nothing of their coming reinforcements, while they themselves were slowly growing in numbers all the time. They were content in harassing Christians and weakening their morale by constant but not intense fighting.
After almost two weeks of everyday fighting, both sides could barely continue operations. Field of was covered with bodies of horses and men to the point no patch of grass or dirt could be seen. At this point, Arabs learn of approaching German forces, they can't bleed and starve Byzantine out of their camp as they planned - the must finish the battle now, or they'll be hit in the left flank by incoming European Knighthood.
During the 17 day of battle they begin their final assault, trying to break though across entire Byzantine line, giving Allies no time or place to rest their troops.
Sadly, it was too little, too late. On May 8th vanguard of German Knights reached the battlefield and hit the ground running, smashing against battered left flank of Arabs routing it and killing many Muslims too tired even to flee.
Within two days whole army of Viktor the Old reached walls of Rhusos, turning an even battle into great slaughterhouse. Unable to reform their left rank, Arabs fought bravely against, now overwhelming, forces of Christians. May 12th during final, crushing charge, German knights broke though the Arab's center. That sapped Islamic spirit and sent remaining armies in the center into a rout. Left flank defended for another day, but eventually, overrun and with no hope for victory, Arabs sent envoy to Constantine and Viktor. Messenger was killed before he could say anything. Next day attack resumed and killed Muslims defenders to the man.
Aftermath of the battle.
Constantine, severely wounded during the battle, made peace with Arabs after the battle. While his armies won the day, Empire itself was at the edge of economical collapse and couldn't continue fighting. Imperial Crown was in debt for years to come.
Constantine himself died within a year after the battle. But before his death he exacted revenge on Aquitaine's King - starting a plot that would kill all relatives of the treacherous ruler that refused coming to Byzantine's aid, except his own wife - Margarida, and their only child, Aegis Makedon. Future ruler not only of Byzantine - after her father, Bavaria - from father's grandmother, but also Aquitaine.
Muslims fell pray to civil war. Those leaders of Jihad that didn't fell in the Rhusos battle, were executed and the power vacuum was ready to suck-up even more Arab blood before being filled by new dynasty claiming Caliphate.
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