Amorion

Remains of buildings and wall towers 80km/50mi northeast of Afyon, near Emirdag, are all that now mark the site of Amorion. It was once the key stronghold in the military district of Anatolikon, which the Byzantines established to defend their eastern border against the Arabs. After lengthy sieges and despite brave resistance, this important frontier fortress fell first in 716 to the Omayyad Caliph Süleiman and then again in 838 to Caliph Al-Mutasim. This last onslaught left the town completely destroyed and most of its inhabitants massacred. Captured officers spent seven years imprisoned in Samarra before being put to death for their faith. Since then they have been venerated by the Greek Orthodox Church as the 42 martyrs of Amorion