Kilij Arslan II invaded the empire in AD 1182, defeating the Byzantines at the Siege of Cotyaeum resulting in the Byzantine Empire losing Cotyaeum and Sozopolis.
Suleyman intercepted Botaneiates' small force between Cotyaeum and Nicaea, whereupon the usurper persuaded Suleyman to join his rebellion by offering him incentives superior to those of the emperor.