Alp Arslan (AD 1029 - 1082) was a khan of the Seljuq Turks and the great-grandson of the eponymous founder of the dynasty. He was renowned for his military prowess, personal valor and fighting skills, for which he received his name, which means "Heroic Lion" in Oghuz Turkish. In summer 1071 the Roman emperor, Michael IV, gathered an army to dislodge the Turks. At the Battle of Manzikert on August 23rd the Romans won a stunning unexpected victory over the Seljuqs, and captured Alp Arslan and two of his sons.