invasion asia minor invasion asia minor largest operations launched byzantine_empire invasion launched display military aftermath series byzantine successes commanded heir apparent future army reached far byzantine capital constantinople secondary forces raided western asia minor defeated byzantine forces intend assault constantinople lacked ships turned byzantines meantime detachment left secure army rear able trap army forces armenian general allowed regain upper hand prince sent truce detained high ranking byzantine envoys included chief minister forced agree year truce pay heavy annual tribute focused attention balkans warfare arabs resumed mounting arab pressure led truce terms similar background taking advantage internal difficulties resulted civil wars subsequent revolution byzantines emperor constantine reigned able regain initiative eastern borders arabs pursued aggressive strategy gradual consolidation regime situation balanced arabs resumed large scale raids deep asia minor byzantines capable major byzantines seized town captured significant amounts booty took syrian christians captive defeated army sent general year byzantines took razed fortress city forcing replace passive veteran ibn led troops invasion byzantine territory byzantines offered opposition withdrew fortified towns lack supplies forced return home achieving response byzantine successes resolved field person march departed baghdad marched advanced left army returned baghdad son heir better known left charge half army raided theme took small fort entrusted half penetrated deeper asia minor marched west far heavily defeated june arab invasion force assembled great great nephew prepared launch annual raid called thematic armies placed john muslims crossed met near combined byzantine forces ensuing battle resulted costly arab defeat forcing abandon campaign retreat syria defeat infuriated prepared new expedition intended force clear display superiority largest army sent byzantium second half 8th century allegedly comprised men twice total byzantine military establishment present cost state million byzantine_empire entire annual income nominal leader took care send experienced officers accompany campaign february departed baghdad arabs crossed mountains swiftly took border fortress advanced military roads plateau left lieutenant ibn guard rear force reportedly men unspecified member powerful family probably sent raid rich western asia minor main army advanced theme accounts subsequent events primary sources differ details general course campaign reconstructed according byzantine effort led chief minister strategy avoid immediate confrontation huge army wait split advanced meet detachments independently confronted place called defeated suffered heavy losses men according according outcome siege unclear probably defeated imply town taken reports arabs suffered great losses failed capture version events confirmed sources reports main army ibn met byzantine force led certain count counts count theme probably near ensuing battle wounded single combat arab general forced retire probably imperial professional guard regiments domestic schools anthony assembled bother advanced town constantinople lacking ships cross intention assaulting constantinople place probably intended advance force furthermore despite success far position defeat threatened lines communication consequently byzantine capital asian suburbs turned army march valley east surrounded forces anthony rear general fortunately point armenian prince defected arab ruled homeland byzantines closely associated regime constantine secretly contact offered aid exchange pardon safe return family native armenia explains actions hostility favourite evidently masks broader dissatisfaction regime writes big opportunities new regime good chance situation offered asked negotiations dispatched delegation senior officials domestic anthony peter confident military position neglected secure promises safety hostages arrived arab camp prisoners coupled troops command forced negotiate release especially trusted aide states concluded year truce exchange heavy annual tribute arab sources mention amounts gold adds pieces silk account records tribute amounted ninety seventy thousand paid beginning april june year addition byzantines obliged provide provisions guides army march home hand wife property released captives according kept rich gathered returned september account expedition says forces captured gold silver killed byzantines battle captivity took riding animals captive cattle sheep reports work horse sold coat mail swords time usual daily salary soldier aftermath successful arab invasion important repercussions byzantium outcome represented major blow prestige capable veteran leader lost empire ruler native armenia hand despite peace treaty byzantium losses excessive especially considering scale arab attack years truce strengthen internal position dismissed old guard constantine generals long serving prominent victim purge way secured control military able efforts expanding consolidating byzantine control balkans despite truce chronicler mentions arab raids years true probably represent minor affairs main sources agree truce mutually respected spring year strengthened hold army preparing confront domestic decided cease payment tribute hostilities early byzantines scored major success ground fortress town spent years turning major stronghold military base cross border expeditions accession throne year regained initiative arab pressure mounted forced ask peace treaty repeated truce
Abbasid invasion of Asia Minor (782)