Battle of Ephesus (1147) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Ephesus |
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| Part of the Second Crusade | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of France | Sultanate of Rum | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Louis VII of France | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Ephesus happened on December 24, 1147. It was part of the Second Crusade. A French army, led by King Louis VII of France, fought off an attack. They were ambushed by the Seljuks of Rum near the town of Ephesus. The French army won this fight.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
King Louis VII led the French army on a long journey. They were marching across Europe and Asia Minor to reach Jerusalem. The army chose to travel along the coast of Asia Minor. This was because an earlier battle showed that marching inland was too risky.
A Dangerous Path
Emperor Conrad of Germany and his army had been defeated. This happened at the Battle of Dorylaeum. This loss made it clear that the inland route was very dangerous.
Resting in Ephesus
In early December 1147, the French army stopped to rest. They stayed in the ancient town of Ephesus. After resting, they planned to go through the Meander Valley. Their goal was to reach the important port of Adalia.
A Warning from the Emperor
When they arrived at Ephesus, King Louis got a warning. Messengers from the Byzantine Emperor Manuel told him something important. They said the area around Ephesus was full of Seljuk Turks. Emperor Manuel advised Louis to keep his army safe. He suggested they stay in the strong castles of the empire for a while. Manuel also warned that the local Greek people could not help them. They could not provide information or military support.
Louis's Decision
King Louis did not listen to this advice. He decided to lead his troops out of Ephesus. This happened at the end of December.
The Battle Itself
The Turks set a trap for the Crusaders. They ambushed them in the Decervium Valley. This valley was just outside Ephesus. The Crusaders were resting when the attack began.
Few Details Known
We don't have many details about the battle. But a witness named Odo of Deuil wrote about it. He said the Crusaders fought very bravely. Their courage stopped the Turks from winning completely. Odo also claimed that the Muslim forces were led by Greeks.
What Happened Next
The Battle of Ephesus was not a huge battle. It was a smaller fight during the Second Crusade.
A Minor Event
A historian named William of Tyre wrote about the crusade. He mentioned that the army rested at Ephesus. But he didn't even say there was a battle there. This shows it was not considered a major event.
More Attacks to Come
The Turks kept attacking the Crusader army. They caused a terrible defeat for the Crusaders later on. This happened at the Mount Cadmus in January 1148.
