The Battle of Manzikert took place on August 26, 1071, between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks. The Byzantine army, led by Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, faced a much larger Seljuk force commanded by Alp Arslan. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Seljuks, significantly weakening Byzantine control in Asia Minor. This defeat marked a turning point in the history of the Byzantine Empire, leading to the loss of territory and the rise of Turkish power in the region. The aftermath of the battle contributed to the eventual decline of Byzantine influence and set the stage for the later Crusades.