Siege of Laodicea (1119)

The Siege of Laodicea, also known as the Siege of Latakia, took place in 1119 when a Byzantine army under the command of John II Komnenos successfully captured the city of Laodicea from the Seljuk Turks. Laodicea, a vital port city in Syria, had been under Turkish control for a number of years and its recapture was a significant victory for the Byzantine Empire.

John II's campaign in Syria in 1118-1119 aimed to reassert Byzantine authority in the region and reclaim territories lost to the Turks in the preceding decades. The siege of Laodicea was a key part of this strategy.

The Byzantine army, well-supplied and disciplined, invested the city. The siege lasted for a period of time, during which the Byzantines employed siege engines and relentlessly bombarded the city's defenses. The Turkish garrison, though initially resolute, eventually succumbed to the pressure.

The capture of Laodicea re-established a crucial Byzantine presence on the Syrian coast. It allowed for improved access to Antioch, which was then under the nominal control of the Byzantines, and provided a valuable strategic base for future Byzantine operations in the region against both the Seljuks and potentially, the Crusader states if needed. The victory enhanced the prestige of John II Komnenos and demonstrated the revitalized strength of the Byzantine Empire. Following the capture, Laodicea was integrated back into the Byzantine administrative system, and efforts were made to fortify the city and re-establish its economic vitality.