Laodikeia

   Two cities bore this name. One was the capital of Phrygia, in Asia Minor (qq.v.), in the theme of Thrakesion (q.v.). Captured by the Seljuks (q.v.) after the battle of Mantzikert (q.v.) in 1071, during the next two centuries Byzantine forces recaptured and lost it to the Seljuks several times. The second city with this name was the renowned seaport in northern Syria (q.v.). It was lost to the Arabs (q.v.) sometime around 640, recovered by Nikephoros II Phokas (q.v.) in 968, and it was then successively occupied by Seljuks and Crusaders until in 1108 the Treaty of Devol delivered it to Alexios I Komnenos (qq.v.). It was lost to the Crusaders later in the 12th century.