MANTZICIERT(ΜαντζικιέρτConst. Porph. de Adm. Imp. 100.44), a fortress of great importance upon the Armenian frontier. In A.D. 1050, it offered so determined a resistance to Togrul Beï, the founder of the Seljukian dynasty, that he had to give up all hope of breaking through the barrier of fortresses that defended the limits of the empire, and retired into Persia. (Cedren. vol. 2. p. 780; Le Beau, Bas Empire, vol. 14. p. 367; Finlay, Byzantine Empire, p. 523.) It is identified with Melasgerdor Manaskhert, situated to the NW. of lake Ván, and the remarkable volcanic cone of Sîpân Tágh. (St. Martin, Mém. sur l'Armenie, vol. 1. p. 105; Ritter, Erdkunde, vol. 9. p. 994.)
[E.B.J]