Catalan Campaign (Asia Minor)
- Catalan Campaign (Asia Minor)
Infobox Military Conflict
partof=the Byzantine-Ottoman wars
conflict= Catalan Campaign in Asia Minor
caption=
date=1303 to c. 1313
place=Asia Minor
strength1=6,500 Catalan Company
strength2=20,000+ Ottomans [Norwich reports that 18,000 Turks lay dead only at Philadelphia]
casualties1=Few; many fought their way to Thessaly and Athens
casualties2=At least 18,000 (see above reference)
result=Tactical Byzantine victory
combatant1=
combatant2=Ottoman Turks|
In 1303, the Byzantine Emperor Andronicus II hired 6,500 Catalan mercenaries under Roger de Flor to campaign against the Turks in the Spring and Summer of 1303. Their costly service came with success, driving back the Turks in parts of Asia Minor. At Philadelphia, 18,000 Turkish soldiers (possibly those of Aydin) were left dead, the work of the Catalans. The campaign was Byzantium's few decisive victories in a poorly managed war.
However, the Byzantines got more than what they bargained for; the mercenaries were difficult to restrain and consequently much of the reconquered territory was laid to waste. When Roger de Flor was assassinated, the mercenaries began a 2 year pillage in revenge and crossed over to Thrace and Macedonia where further raiding occurred. Eventually the Catalan Mercenaries claimed the Duchy of Athens for themselves in 1313, leaving behind a devastated Byzantium. After this, the Turks found much support amongst those who suffered and reoccupied land that had been lost.
Thus, it was a short term Byzantine victory, but a long term Turkish victory.
Notes
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