Why did Alp Arsalan release the Byzantine emperor Romanos after

Kings don't kill kings.

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>Alp Arslan: "What would you do if I were brought before you as a prisoner?"

>Romanos: "Perhaps I'd kill you, or exhibit you in the streets of Constantinople."

>Alp Arslan: "My punishment is far heavier. I forgive you, and set you free."

What did he mean by this?

>>2974778
pretty humiliating letting your opponent go displaying he is not a challange for you

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>>2974774
>t. Saladin

in all seriousness, from a strategic point of view would it even be a good idea to kill the enemy king?

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>>2974785
could be part of it. The Byzantines descended into civil war right after and Romanos ended up getting blinded and dying from the infection

He knew the romans themselves would fuck Romanos over
I mean it was in their genes to kill their own kinsmen over literally everything

>>2974764
Can't have a civil war without two sides.

Also, he had beaten him once and knew he could do it again.