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thyreos

Byzantine Battles

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Abydos, 989
Ad Decimum, 533
Ad Salices, 377
Adramyttium, 1205
Adrianople, 324
Adrianople, 378
Adrianople, 813
Adrianople, 1254
Adrianople, 1369
Ajnadayn, 634
Akroinos, 740
Aleppo, 637
Aleppo, 962
Aleppo, 969
Alexandretta, 971
Altava, 578
Alexandria, 641
Amida, 502-503
Amida, 359
Amida, 973
Amorium, 838
Anchialus, 708
Anchialus, 763
Anchialus, 917
Andrassus, 960
Ani, 1064
Anthidon, 634
Antioch, 540
Antioch, 611
Antioch, 969
Antioch on Meander, 1211
Anzen, 838
Apadna, 503
Apamea, 998
Apros, 1305
Apulia, 1155
Aquae Saravenae, 979
Araxes, 589
Arcadiopolis, 970
Arcadiopolis, 1194
Ariminum, 538
Arzamon, 586
Attalia, 1207
Aurasium, 540
Auximus, 539
Azaz, 1030
Babylon, Egypt, 640
Balathista, 1014
Bapheus, 1302
Bargylus, 634
Bari, 1068-1071
Bathys Ryax, 872
Berat, 1281
Veroï, 1122
Balarathos, 591
Bar, 1042
Berzitia, 774
Bitola, 1015
Ganzaka, 591
Bosporus, 1352
Boulgarophygon, 896
Bourgaon, 535
Brindisi, 1156
Brocade, 634
Bursa, 1317-1326
Busta Gallorum, 552
Calavrye, 1079
Callinicum, 531
Campus Ardiensis, 316
Cannae, 1018
Cape Bon, 468
Carthage, 468
Carthage, 698
Cephalonia, 880
Kefalonia, 880
Lipares, 880
Stelai, 880
Castrogiovanni, 859
Chariopolis, 1051
Chersonesus, 447
Chrysopolis, 324
Cibalae, 316
Cillium, 544
Constantinople, 626
Constantinople, 674-678
Constantinople, 717-718
Constantinople, 941
Constantinople, 1047
Constantinople, 1187
Constantinople, 1204
Constantinople, 1235
Constantinople, 1260
Constantinople, 1261
Constantinople, 1422
Constantinople, 1453
Cotyaeum, 492
Crasus, 804
Crete, 824
Crete, 828
Crete, 961
Ctesiphon, 363
Damascus, 634
Damietta, 853
Daras, 530
Daras, 573
Dathin, 634
Dazimon, 838
Demetrias, 1274
Demotika, 1352
Devina, 1279
Diakene, 1050
Diampoli, 1049
Didymoteichon, 1352
Dimitritsi, 1185
Dorostalon, 971
Dranginai, 1040
Dyrrachium, 1018
Dyrrachium, 1081
Caesarea, 1073
Echinades, 1427
Edessa, 1031
Ekato Vounoi, 1050
Emessa, 635-636
Faventia, 542
Fields of Cato, 548
Firaz, 634
Frigidus, 394
Gallipoli, 1354
Gallipoli, 1366
Hades, 1057
Heliopolis, 640
Hellespont, 324
Heraclea, 806
Hieromyax, 636
Hyelion - Leimocheir,1177
Iron Bridge, 637
Ieromyax, 636
Jerusalem, 614
Jerusalem, 637
Kaisareia, 1073
Kalavrye, 1079
Kapetron, 1049
Katasyrtai, 917
Kleidion, 1014
Klokotnitsa, 1230
Kopidnadon, 788
Koundouros, 1205
Krasos, 804
Lalakaon, 863
Larissa, 1084
Lemnos, 1025
Levounion, 1091
Makryplagi, 1264
Mammes, 534
Manzikert, 1071
Maogamalcha, 363
Maranga, 363
Marcellae, 756
Marcellae, 792
Marcianopolis, 377
Mardia, 316
Marj-ud-Deebaj, 634
Marta, 547
Masts, 655
Martyropolis, 588
Mavropotamos, 844
Mediolanum, 539
Melanthius, 559
Melantias, 559
Melitene, 576
Membresa, 536
Mercurii Promontorium, 468
Messina, 843
Milano, 539
Milvian Bridge, 312
Mons Seleucus, 353
Monte Siricolo, 1041
Montepeloso, 1041
Montemaggiore, 1041
Morava, 1191
Mount Lactarius, 553
Mucellium, 542
Mursa Major, 351
Mutah, 629
Myriokephalon, 1176
Naples, 536
Neopatras, 1274
Nicaea, 1077
Nicaea, 1097
Nicaea, 1328-1331
Nicomedia, 782
Nicomedia, 1337
Nikiou, 646
Nineveh, 627
Nisibis, 338
Nisibis, 350
Noviodunum, 369
Olivento, 1041
Ongal, 680
Ophlimos, 622
Orontes, 994
Osimo, 539
Ostrovo, 1043
Palakazio, 1021
Palermo, 830-831
Pancalia, 978
Pegae, 922
Pelacanon, 1329
Pelagonia, 1259
Petra, 549
Petra, 551
Petroe, 1057
Perkri, 1034
Pharsalus, 1277
Philadelphia, 1390
Philomelion, 1117
Phoenix, 655
Pirisabora, 363
Pliska, 811
Poimanenon, 1224
Poson, 863
Preslava, 1053
Prinitza, 1263
Prusa, 1326
Rhodes, 1249
Rhodes, 1309
Rhyndacus, 1211
Rimini, 538
Rishki Pass, 759
Rome, 537-538
Rome, 545 - 546
Rometta, 964
Rometta, 1038
Rousokastro, 1332
Rus Raid, 860
Rus Raid, 941
Rus Raid, 1025
Rus Raid, 1043
Samarra, 363
Sardis, 743
Satala, 530
Save, 388
Saxa Rubra, 312
Scalas Veteres, 537
Sebastia, 1070
Sebastopolis, 692
Sedica, 809
Sena Gallica, 551
Setina, 1017
Shirimni, 1021
Singara, 344
Sirmium, 441
Sirmium, 580-582
Sirmium, 1167
Siscia, 388
Skafida, 1304
Solachon, 586
Spercheios, 997
Strumica, 1014
Strymon, 1185
Sufetula, 647
Svindax, 1022
Syllaeum, 677
Syracuse, 827-828
Syracuse, 877-878
Taginae, 552
Taormina, 902
Tarsus, 965
Thacia, 545
Thannourios, 528
Thasos, 829
Thessalonica, 586
Thessalonica, 615
Thessalonica, 617
Thessalonica, 676-678
Thessalonica, 904
Thessalonica, 995
Thessalonica, 1014
Thessalonica, 1040
Thessalonica, 1185
Thessalonica, 1224
Thessalonica, 1264
Thessalonica, 1430
Thomas the Slav, 821-823
Tornikios, 1047
Trajan’s Gate, 986
Tricameron, 533
Troina, 1040
Tryavna, 1190
Utus, 447
Vasiliki Livada, 1050
Veregava, 759
Versinikia, 813
Vescera, 682
Vesuvius, 553
Vid, 447
Viminacium, 599
Volturnus, 554
Wadi al-Arabah, 634
Yarmuk, 636
Zombos, 1074
Zygos pass, 1053
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Aspis

Battle of Pharos

(Raid of the Rus)
year:

1043

July 1043
A large scale invasion of the Rus who were crashed by the Byzantines at sea and on land ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
enemy:
Rus
location:
At Pharos (now, “Rumeli Feneri”) the northernmost tip of the European coast of Bosporus before the exit to the Black Sea
 accuracy: ●●●●●
battle type:
Naval Battle
war:
Byzantine-Rus Wars
modern country:
Turkey
  The Byzantines(emperor:  Constantine IX Monomachos) The Enemies
Commander: Emperor Constantine IX Prince of Novgorod Vladimir
Forces: 100,000 men
Losses: 24 ships and their crew at least 20,000, 100 ships

Background story:
The Rus of Kiev were a large and warlike nation and at times caused problems in Byzantium, though not as seriously as other neighboring peoples.
The Rus were predominantly Slavic in population, but the ruling class and the warriors were Vikings, whom the Byzantines called Varangians. In the previous centuries they had made at least 3 very serious and eventful raids on Constantinople, while they had also attacked other parts of the empire (mainly on the shores of the Black Sea).
From 1019 to 1055, the Russian ruler was Yaroslav I the Wise, the first to receive the title of tsar. Yaroslav was a capable ruler and sought good relations with Byzantium. Nevertheless, in 1024/1025, during his reign, an incident occurred after a long time, when a group of Rus under Chrysocheir invaded the Roman territory and reached as far as the island of Lemnos in North Aegean, where they were annihilated.
The next raid took place in 1043, and this time it was much more serious.

The cause of the new attack was allegedly the murder of a Russian merchant during a quarrel in the market of Constantinople. This is hard to believe. Most likely, the killing of the merchant was just a pretext and the Russians simply wanted to launch a profitable raid taking advantage of the power vacuum that was created in Byzantium in the previous years, when a series of strange personalities ascended the throne. The current emperor (and Zoe's last husband) Constantine IX Monomachos had been crowned last year with no experience in war. In addition, he had serious problems with the military, who did not want him, so he tried to weaken them, thus weakening the military power of Byzantium. The Rus knew all this well because of their trade relations with Byzantium. After all, in previous raids it had been proven that they had good information in advance about the defensive situation of Constantinople.

rus boat
Thus, in the spring of 1043, a large fleet with 100,000 men set sail from the Dnieper. It was headed by the 23-year-old son of the tsar, Vladimir, prince of Novgorod. The second-in-command was the seasoned Duke Ivan Tvorimiric. The Russian ships sailed into the Black Sea and along the Bulgarian and Thracian coasts to Constantinople.
When the Emperor was informed of the approach of this hostile huge force, he sent envoys to the Rus offering rich compensation. But the ambassadors were dismissed with threats and insults.
The Byzantines had no choice but to prepare for war. At first, the Russian merchants in the capital were transfered inland. Also, the capable Katakalon Kekaumenos was appointed governor in the Danube regions, having the responsibility of guarding the western coast of the Black Sea. Since the fleet was not available, the emperor mobilized some merchant and decommissioned ships which were rigged, armed and equipped with Greek fire throwers. (This story with the armament of old ships is reported in previous Rus raids as well, and that means that maybe the sources are confused about the actual time of this events.)

In July 1043 the Rus ships approached and anchored at the northern end of the European shore of the Bosphorus, just before the exit to the Black Sea. The location was called Pharos (meaning “lighthouse”, currently “Rumeli Fenari”), due to an ancient lighthouse that dominated the port from a hill above.
According to Russian chroniclers, the Russians were convinced that it would be easy to capture Constantinople. That was their objective. Which explains why they were adamant and unequivocally rejected a diplomatic solution that would bring them a lot of gold.

The Battle:
Rus raid
Constantine IX Monomachos
The Byzantines did not wait for the Rus to reach under the walls of Constantinople. The Byzantine fleet hurried to stop them before sailing deeper into the Bosporus. The emperor Constantine IX Monomachos himself took over the command, traveling on the royal ship which was sailing near the shore, towed from the land. A large cavalry force moved in the same direction, parallel to the fleet.

The Byzantines, moving during the night, arrived at Pharos at dawn. The two fleets were lined up facing each other. For a few hours nothing happened. Neither side took the initiative to attack. The Rus had a bad experience against the Greek fire of the Byzantines, while they were probably surprised that they were forced to fight at this location. On the other hand, the Byzantines were hesitant (and perhaps frightened) in the face of the huge number and dense formation of the enemy ships. The overcast and the impending storm also contributed to this general reluctance to engage in battle.

The emperor was watching from a coastal hill. Seeing that nothing was happening, he made one last effort for a compromise (in other words, to pay the Rus to leave). So he sent a delegation again to them. But the Rus remained unconvinced and foolishly demanded 3 liters of gold for each warrior (one liter or pound corresponded to 72 gold coins). The demand was outrageous and left no room for discussion.

After that, the Emperor, enraged by the audacity of the Rus, ordered magistros Basil Theodorokanos to approach the Rus with three dromons and launch some shots in order to break their lines and force them to open up and fight. Theodorokanos did something more: He attacked and penetrated deep into the enemy formation. His ships were surrounded by the smaller Russian ships. For a moment it seemed that the dromons were trapped, but then the Byzantines started using the catapults and throwing Greek fire. Three Russian ships sank on the spot, seven were set on fire and one was captured when Theodorokanos himself jumped on the deck scattering the Rus on it. This fast success, and in fact with only three ships, disorganized the Rus who began to retreat, and when the rest of the Byzantine fleet entered the battle, they abandoned their formation and began to flee to the Black Sea. Many of them were trapped between the Byzantine fleet and the rocky shore.
And then the storm broke out. A strong east wind was blowing the Russian ships on the reefs and rocks, while the Byzantines were showering with Greek fire taking advantage of the favorable wind. In this mayhem, those of the Rus who escaped the fire and drowning, tried to get to the shore where the Byzantine soldiers were waiting and cutting them. It is estimated that 100 Russian ships were destroyed that day. At least 15,000 were the dead. For many days afterwards, the corpses of the Rus were washed on the shores of the Bosphorus.

Emperor Constantine IX stayed in the area for two days and then returned victorious to Constantinople. He left behind two battalions led by Theodorokanos and the parakoimomenos Nikolaos, with a mission to monitor the entrance of the strait. The whole fleet also remained there.

The Russian fleet was able to save many of their own from the sea and the coast. Among them was their leader, Prince Vladimir. After the catastrophe, there was no way they could continue their operation against Constantinople. The only option was to go back. But there was a problem. There was no room for all in the remaining ships. So a unit of 6,000 men landed on the Thracian coast to return on foot. Their leader was Voivode Vyshata.

The Byzantines had the bad idea to go after the Russian fleet. A relatively small squadron of 24 ships chased them. Their leader was admiral Konstantinos Kavallourios. The Russians, seeing the small size of the flotilla behind them, found a way to get some of their blood back: When the Byzantines, exhausted from rowing, anchored in a bay for the night, the Rus trapped them and attacked. 20 of these ships were destroyed and 4 were captured. Almost no one escaped from the crew and those taken prisoner were slaughtered.
Meanwhile, the force of the 6,000 Rus marching north towards their country met the forces of general Kekaumenos in Varna, Bulgaria, and most were killed. 800 of them were captured and sent to Constantinople along with their leader Vyshata.
According to Russian chroniclers, the 800 prisoners were all blinded. Byzantine historians do not mention anything about blinding, while in other cases they are not ashamed to mention such incidents. So the blinding probably didn’t happen.
On their way back, the Russian fleet attacked Byzantine Crimea, and (perhaps) captured the city of Chersonesos.

Noteworthy:
It is probable that Harald Hardrada (later Harald III of Norway) also participated in the campaign of the Rus. Harald had served in the Varangian Guard where he distinguished himself and became its commander. He was a friend of prince Vladimir and kept the gold he earned from Byzantium in Novgorod. In 1043 the Byzantines fired him and he took refuge in Novgorod. So his participation in the campaign is a reasonable guess, although it is not mentioned in the sources of the time.

Aftermath:
After 3 years, peace was agreed with the Russians and prisoners were exchanged. The peace was sealed with the marriage of the son of the tsar Vsevolod I with Anastasia Skleraina, daughter of the emperor Constantine IX from his first marriage. Their son Vladimir II Monomachos was the most important tsar of the Kievan Rus.
The Rus did not cause any problems in Byzantium again as dynastic disputes and civil wars broke out that lasted for centuries.