Danishmendids

   Emirs of Cappadocia (qq.v.), and rivals of the Seljuks in Asia Minor (qq.v.). Emir Danishmend established his domain in Sebasteia (q.v.) around 1086, and extended it to the north as far as Ankara (q.v.) and Neokaisareia; in 1101, he conquered Melitene (q.v.). The Danishmendids existed by plundering neighboring regions. They fought against John II Komnenos (q.v.), but they became allies with Manuel I Komnenos (q.v.) against the Seljuks. However, that alliance came to naught when the Seljuks defeated Manuel I's army at Myriokephalon (q.v.) in 1176. Two years later Melitene fell to the Seljuks, and by 1180 the Seljuks had put an end to the Danishmendids.