Nikephoros II Phokas vs Qalawun

Nikephoros II led a campaign that recaptured the island of Crete from the Arabs after a long siege of Chandax. This victory eliminated a major pirate base and restored Byzantine control over the eastern Mediterranean.

Nikephoros II Phokas was proclaimed emperor after the death of Romanos II. He was a successful general who had recaptured Crete. His accession was supported by the military aristocracy.

Nikephoros II launched a series of campaigns against the Hamdanid Emirate, recapturing Tarsus, Adana, and other cities in Cilicia. He also invaded Syria, capturing Aleppo in 962. These victories expanded Byzantine territory.

Nikephoros II was assassinated in his palace by a conspiracy led by his nephew John Tzimiskes and his wife Theophano. He was stabbed to death in his bedchamber. John Tzimiskes then became emperor.

Qalawun seized the sultanate after deposing his predecessor Al-Said Barakah, son of Baybars. He was a former Mamluk commander under Baybars. His accession marked the beginning of the Qalawunid dynasty, which ruled Egypt for over a century.

Qalawun defeated a Mongol invasion led by Abaqa Khan of the Ilkhanate at the Second Battle of Homs. The Mamluk victory prevented Mongol incursions into Syria. This battle solidified Mamluk control over the region and deterred future Mongol attacks.

Qalawun captured the Crusader fortress of Margat (1285) and the port of Latakia (1287). These conquests further reduced Crusader territory in Syria. The fall of Margat was a significant blow to the Knights Hospitaller.

Qalawun signed a truce with the Crusader County of Tripoli. However, he soon violated the treaty and captured Tripoli in 1289. The fall of Tripoli eliminated one of the last major Crusader states and paved the way for the capture of Acre.

Qalawun died in Cairo while preparing a campaign to capture Acre. He was succeeded by his son Al-Ashraf Khalil, who completed the conquest of Acre. Qalawun's reign established the Qalawunid dynasty and strengthened the Mamluk state.