Post by Alexi I Comnin on Dec 8, 2008 21:52:20 GMT
image:farm1.static.flickr.com/41/123739012_b1e0cafb59.jpg
Tikidion fortress
Headquarters of The Holy grave guard military order
___________________________________________________
It was built in the early 7th century by early emperors as second line of defence against Sassanid invaders.Massive walls have made it almost unbreachable and now it stands as the first line of defence and main base for military campaigns against the Eastern enemies of the Empire.
After some failed crusades it became main base and headquarters of The Holy grave guard,military christian fanatic knights who are in a permanent struggle with muslim neighbours their only commander is the emperror himself as they do constant practices and interceptions of muslim caravans for information on the Muslim miltary forces in Asia minor.
The fortress has two wall rings and is being protected by 15000 knights of the order,also in the middle is the bastion of the fortress almost inpregnetable.Its one of the marvels of Byzantine architecture and ornamentation.The only greater buildings are the Saint Sophia in Constantinople and the Constantinople walls.
The order has selected this fortress as their main base because its very close to once Byzantine cities of Heraklion,Ikonia and because its the closest Byzantine border point to the Holy land,Antioch and Jerusalem.
Fast reinforcment routes to the fortress disable the possibility of maintaning long term siege of the casstle without fearing the reinforcements.Incredibly thick walls,high towers and very steep and rocky terrain have made many attackers to flee and lift sieges of Tikidion.The jewel of Byzantine defence system has newer been conquered by force,but it has changed hands through its history.It was held by Byzantine Empire,Crusaders,Suljucs and curently is again in Byzantine hands after Manuel I Comnin's victory at Nicopolis against Mehmed Arslan III deceased ruler of the Seljuc Sultanate.Aside from the Holy guard there is a regiment of mounted-toxotai close to the fortress who patrol the countryside around it.Their strenght is 2000 all mounted horse-archers.
The fortress overviews the main road through the Asia minor and it was strategicly built to defend the road and to halt any advancing armies heading deeper inland of Asia minor.
Military reforms of Alexi I Comnin have made Tikidion Byzantine's first line of defence and he invested a lot of money in the reconstruction of the mighty fortress.When the fortress garison arived it stoped raiding Turk bands pillaging of the surounding countryside and cities so they are now living in prosperity.
Tikidion fortress
Headquarters of The Holy grave guard military order
___________________________________________________
It was built in the early 7th century by early emperors as second line of defence against Sassanid invaders.Massive walls have made it almost unbreachable and now it stands as the first line of defence and main base for military campaigns against the Eastern enemies of the Empire.
After some failed crusades it became main base and headquarters of The Holy grave guard,military christian fanatic knights who are in a permanent struggle with muslim neighbours their only commander is the emperror himself as they do constant practices and interceptions of muslim caravans for information on the Muslim miltary forces in Asia minor.
The fortress has two wall rings and is being protected by 15000 knights of the order,also in the middle is the bastion of the fortress almost inpregnetable.Its one of the marvels of Byzantine architecture and ornamentation.The only greater buildings are the Saint Sophia in Constantinople and the Constantinople walls.
The order has selected this fortress as their main base because its very close to once Byzantine cities of Heraklion,Ikonia and because its the closest Byzantine border point to the Holy land,Antioch and Jerusalem.
Fast reinforcment routes to the fortress disable the possibility of maintaning long term siege of the casstle without fearing the reinforcements.Incredibly thick walls,high towers and very steep and rocky terrain have made many attackers to flee and lift sieges of Tikidion.The jewel of Byzantine defence system has newer been conquered by force,but it has changed hands through its history.It was held by Byzantine Empire,Crusaders,Suljucs and curently is again in Byzantine hands after Manuel I Comnin's victory at Nicopolis against Mehmed Arslan III deceased ruler of the Seljuc Sultanate.Aside from the Holy guard there is a regiment of mounted-toxotai close to the fortress who patrol the countryside around it.Their strenght is 2000 all mounted horse-archers.
The fortress overviews the main road through the Asia minor and it was strategicly built to defend the road and to halt any advancing armies heading deeper inland of Asia minor.
Military reforms of Alexi I Comnin have made Tikidion Byzantine's first line of defence and he invested a lot of money in the reconstruction of the mighty fortress.When the fortress garison arived it stoped raiding Turk bands pillaging of the surounding countryside and cities so they are now living in prosperity.
