Byzantine Battles: Revolt of Tornikios

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4 th century

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5 th century

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6 th century

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7 th century

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8 th century

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9 th century

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10 th century

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11 th century

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12 th century

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13 th century

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14 th century

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15 th century

Revolt of Tornikios	year: 1047 25-28 Sep 1047
Defeat and failure of the rebel Leo Tornikios to capture Constantinople	★ ★ ★ ★ ★

enemy: (Civil War)	location: Constantinople	accuracy: ●●●●●
battle type: Siege	war: Military Revolts	modern country: Turkey

	▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Constantine IX Monomachos)	▼ The Enemies
Commander:	Emperor Constantine IX	Leo Tornikios
Forces:	Unknown	Unknown
Losses:

Background story:

Leo Tornikios was a nephew of Emperor Constantine IX, born in Adrianople. Although favored by Constantine, –he was doux of Iberia– Tornikios conspired against him. When a revolt broke out in Thrace by some of Tornikios’ supporters, he was swiftly recalled to Constantinople, where he was tonsured but was not imprisoned.

The Battle:

the attack of Tornikios in the Skylitzes manuscript

Tornikios fled the capital to Adrianople, where he gathered his supporters and a number of disgruntled generals and raised them in revolt against Emperor Constantine's misgovernment. Proclaiming himself emperor, he marched against the capital with his forces and set up his camp opposite the Walls of Constantinople.
An ad hoc force of armed citizens who sallied out to meet him was easily defeated. This victory spread panic to the capital's defenders, who momentarily abandoned their posts on the walls and their gates.
Tornikios, however, hesitated, and lost the opportunity to take the city. During the night, the emperor managed to restore order and re-occupy the walls, awaiting the arrival of the Anatolian army. The siege lasted 4 days, from September 25 until September 28. Two assaults of Tornikios' men on the walls were turned back by the defenders under the personal leadership of Emperor Constantine, who, despite suffering from gout and having no military experience, showed courage and energy.
After the failure of his assaults, Tornikios was forced to withdraw westwards, while his followers started to abandon him. Finally, he was captured at Boulgarophygon and he was blinded along with John Vatatzes, one of his generals.

Aftermath:

The rebellion of Tornikios and the dismissing of troops in the aftermath weakened the army of the west, and in the following years the Balkans suffered from Pecheneg raids that created very serious problems.
In the East, the absence and the disorganization of the army facilitated the penetration of the Seljuk Turks who had just made their first appearance on the eastern border.

Byzantine Battles

Revolt of Tornikios

1047