The Battle of Kalavrye was fought in 1078 between the Byzantine imperial forces of general (and future emperor) Alexios Komnenos (pictured) and a force led by the rebellious governor of Dyrrhachium, Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder. Bryennios had rebelled against Michael VII Doukas (reigned 1071–78) and had won over the allegiance of the Byzantine army's regular regiments in the Balkans. Even after Doukas's overthrow by Nikephoros III Botaneiates (r. 1078–81), Bryennios continued his revolt, threatening Constantinople. After failed negotiations, Botaneiates sent the young general Alexios Komnenos to confront him. The two armies clashed at Kalavrye on the Halmyros river. Komnenos, whose army was considerably smaller and far less experienced, tried but failed to ambush Bryennios's army, which in turn fell into disorder after its own Pecheneg allies attacked its camp. Reinforced by Turkish mercenaries, Alexios lured the troops of Bryennios into another ambush through a feigned retreat. The rebel army broke, and Bryennios himself was captured. This is one of the few battles that was described in detail by Byzantine sources. (Full article...)
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