Sebasteia (theme)

The troops of various emirs gather before the unwalled city of Sebasteia in August of 1059.

Initially they hesitate to sack it, mistaking that the domes of the several Christian churches are tends of military camps.

As soon as they realize that the city is defenseless, they burn it for eight days, slaughter a large part of its population and take many prisoners.

Sebasteia is the first important city of the Empire to be plundered by Turkish tribes.