Kalavrye, Battle of

The Battle of Kalavrye (also Kalavryai or Kalavryta) is fought in 1078 between the Byzantine imperial forces of general (and future emperor) Alexios Komnenos and the rebellious governor of Dyrrhachium, Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder.

Bryennios had rebelled against Michael VII Doukas (r. 1071–1078) 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. 1078–1081), Bryennios continues his revolt, and threatens Constantinople.

After failed negotiations, Botaneiates sends the young general Alexios Komnenos with whatever forces he can gather to confront him.The two armies clash at Kalavrye on the Halmyros river.

Alexios Komnenos, whose army is considerably smaller and far less experienced, tries to ambush Bryennios's army.

The ambush fails, and the wings of his own army are driven back by the rebels.

Alexios himself barely manages to break through with his personal retinue, but succeeds in regrouping his scattered men.

At the same time, Bryennios's army fall sinto disorder after having seemingly won the battle, and due to the attack on its camp by its own Pecheneg allies.

Reinforced by Turkish mercenaries, Alexios lures the troops of Bryennios into another ambush through a feigned retreat.

The rebel army breaks, and Bryennios himself is captured.The battle is known through two detailed accounts, Anna Komnene's Alexiad, and her husband Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger's Material for History, on which Anna's own account relies to a large degree.

It is one of the few Byzantine battles described in detail, and hence a valuable source for studying the tactics of the Byzantine army of the late 11th century.

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