15th century French painting of Alp Arslān humiliating Emperor Romanos IV after the Battle of Manzikert.
Sultān Alp Arslān asked: “What would you do if I was brought before you as a prisoner?”
Romanos answered: “Perhaps I would k*ll you, or exhibit you in the streets of Constantinople.”
Sultān Alp Arslān: “My punishment is far heavier. I forgive you, and set you free.”
#AlpArslan #Seljuks #SeljukEmpire #Manzikert
