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Battle of Montepeloso(Battle of Monte Siricolo) |
year: 10413 September 1041 |
| A defeat of the Byzantines by the Normans | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
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enemy: Normans, Lombards
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location: Between Castelo Monte Serico and Montepeloso (modern Irsina in the province of Matera)
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accuracy:
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battle type: Pitched Battle |
war: Norman Conquest of Southern Italy |
modern country:
Italy |
| ▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Michael IV the Paphlagonian) | ▼ The Enemies | |
| Commander: | Catepan Exaugustus Boioannes | Atenolfo, Guillaume d’Hauteville |
| Forces: | 10,000 (?) | 700 knights (?) |
| Losses: |
| Background story: |
| Exaugustus Boiannes, replaced Michael Doukeianos as catepan of Italy, after the latter's disgrace in defeat at Montemaggiore on May 4. Boioannes did not have the levies and reinforcements that Doukeianos had at his command. He arrived only with a Varangian contingent. Boioannes decided on trying to isolate the Lombard rebels in Melfi by camping near Montepeloso. The Normans sortied from Melfi and camped on the Castlelo Monte Serico (Monte Siricolo according to historical sources), near Montepeloso. |
The Battle: |
 Wiiliam d’ Hauteville or Altavilla The Normans, as mere mercenaries, turned the captive catepan over to the Lombard leader Atenolfo in Benevento. The latter accepted a large payment in return for the catepan's liberation and promptly kept the entire ransom for himself. Boioannes was free, but not in command any longer. |
Aftermath: |
| After the battle, the revolt ended, because on the one hand the Byzantines had been defeated and on the other hand because Atenolfo had taken all the ransom of Voioannis and left for Benevento, leaving behind the indignant Normans. The Normans dominated the interior of Puglia. In the spring of 1042 they captured Bari and proclaimed Argyros “Duke of Italy”. Argyros later joined the Byzantines and became Catepan of Italy, so the area remained Byzantine for a while longer. |
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