Siege of Ani (1124)

The Siege of Ani in 1124 was a military event in which King David IV of Georgia laid siege to the city of Ani, then held by the Shaddadids, a Kurdish dynasty. This siege was part of David IV's broader policy of expanding Georgian influence and incorporating historically Armenian lands into the Kingdom of Georgia.

Ani, located in present-day Turkey, was a significant cultural and economic center. Its capture was strategically important for David IV as it would solidify Georgian control over a key trade route and provide a strong defensive position against incursions from the south.

While detailed accounts of the siege itself are scarce, historical sources indicate that David IV's forces successfully captured Ani in 1124. This victory marked a crucial point in Georgian history, extending Georgian power further south and establishing a period of relative stability and prosperity in the region. Following the siege, David IV installed a Georgian governor in Ani, though control of the city would fluctuate in subsequent years. The capture of Ani demonstrated the military prowess of David IV's army and further cemented his reputation as a powerful ruler.