Changes

::The Byzantines traditionally had 150,000 men under arms, smaller than the Roman Empire before them, but they weren't really a military empire and preferred to spend their money in other ways.  They counted on quality of troops above quantity.  It is possible their numbers were down significantly after Manzikert, as they no longer had the rich lands of Anatolia from which to raise armies - an area where at one time they could raise up to 120,000 men when pressed to do so.  The 75,000 men number in the battle comes from the Encylopedia of Military History.  Remember that the Byzantine army that was coming to help turned away believing the situation was hopeless, an unlikely move if there were only 30,000 men coming to enforce the siege.  If you have extra information on the Battle of Ascalon, then you are welcome to add it. [[User:Learn together|Learn together]] 13:39, 19 August 2008 (EDT)

::The Byzantines traditionally had 150,000 men under arms, smaller than the Roman Empire before them, but they weren't really a military empire and preferred to spend their money in other ways.  They counted on quality of troops above quantity.  It is possible their numbers were down significantly after Manzikert, as they no longer had the rich lands of Anatolia from which to raise armies - an area where at one time they could raise up to 120,000 men when pressed to do so.  The 75,000 men number in the battle comes from the Encylopedia of Military History.  Remember that the Byzantine army that was coming to help turned away believing the situation was hopeless, an unlikely move if there were only 30,000 men coming to enforce the siege.  If you have extra information on the Battle of Ascalon, then you are welcome to add it. [[User:Learn together|Learn together]] 13:39, 19 August 2008 (EDT)