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The Seljuk raids into Anatolia was of great concern as this area was important for the Empire. Romanus needed its resources and the Anatolian provinces were the source of most of its military manpower. The Seljuk raids had led to the near collapse of the eastern frontier and many Turkish nomads had entered the area. The Emperor assembled a large army to reestablish the security of the Byzantine Empire’s regions. In 1071 Romanus led his army into areas of Armenia that had been seized by the Turks, with the aim of regaining key defensive fortresses <ref> Runciman. Steve. A History of the Crusades. — Cambridge University Press, 1987, vol. I) p. 62-63</ref>. Romanus’ army was mainly mounted heavy cavalry with some militia, it was also accompanied by large contingents of mercenaries. The tactics of Romanus was very unusual, as the Byzantine’s were usually reluctant to engage in offensive actions. Near the town of Manzikert, he divided his army, sending a large contingent to besiege a fortress <ref>Runciman, p. 70</ref>. The Seljuk army was under the command of Sultan Alp Arslan. The Turks had excellent intelligence and they were all mounted. When Alp Arslan heard that the Byzantines had divided his forces he rapidly advanced to Manzikert, where he confronted the emperor’s army, which he outnumbered <ref> Haldon, John. The Byzantine Wars: Battles and Campaigns of the Byzantine Era. Stroud: Tempus, 2001), p. 245</ref>. The Byzantines were taken completely by surprise and Romanus abandoned Manzikert, to reunite his forces. However, Alp Arslan attacked the Byzantine’s as they retreated, and his mounted archers inflicted heavy casualties on the Christians. Romanus had failed to scout the area and he had blundered into a trap. Romanus fought valiantly, and his men attacked the enemy with such ferocity that they seemed to be on the verge of victory. The Byzantines knights smashed into the lightly armored Turkish horsemen with great success. However, many of his mercenaries were Uz Turks and they defected to their kinsmen in the Seljuk army. One of the Byzantine generals saw this and decided to retreat, but other sources claimed that he retreated because of his personal hatred of the emperor <ref>Haldon p. 246</ref>. The Byzantine army was destroyed, and Romanus was taken, prisoner and ritually humiliated. Alp Arslan who was regarded as a gallant soldier treated Romanus very well and later released the Emperor. The absence of the Emperor from Byzantium and the defeat at Manzikert resulted in a usurper seizing power. Romanus returned and tried to regain his Empire but was defeated in battle, blinded and killed in 10701072<ref>Haldon, p. 247</ref>.