Battle of Zygos Pass

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Battle of Zygos Pass
Part of the Pecheneg Revolt
Date1053
Location
Zygos Pass
Result Crushing Byzantine defeat
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire Pechenegs
Commanders and leaders
Nikephoros Botaneiates
Basil the Synkellos		 Unknown
Casualties and losses
Heavy casualties Unknown

The Battle of Zygos Pass was a battle between the Byzantine Empire and the Pechenegs. The Byzantine army, under the command of Basil the Synkellos, Nikephoros III, and the Doux of Bulgaria, to guard the Danube during the Pecheneg revolt. The Byzantines were ambushed by the Pechenegs and destroyed. Surviving Byzantine troops, led by Nikephoros, escaped. They traveled for 12 days to Adrianople, while under constant Pecheneg attacks. Nikephoros III first gained notoriety after his actions during the battle. Because of this he was promoted to magistros. The battle was still a defeat for the Byzantines. Forcing emperor Constantine IX to sue for peace.[1]

Battle[]

During the Pecheneg Revolt Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos sent Nikephoros III, Basil the Synkellos, and the Doux of Bulgaria to guard the Danube river.[2][1] While traveling through the mountains Basil decided to not attack the Pechenegs.[2] Basil then ordered his army to march out of the mountains.[2] While marching out of the mountains Basil fell into a trap laid by the Pechenegs.[2][1] Resulting in the destruction of the Byzantine army. [1] Nikephoros would rescue the cavalry by ordering them into a tight formation, preventing the Pecheneg's horse archers from inflicting many casualties on the Byzantines. Nikephoros withdrawed and encamped his army to a nearby river bank. Byzantine scouts would ensure he was never taken by surprise. Nikephoros held out against the Pechenegs for eleven days. During these eleven days the Pechenges shot the Byzantine horses, forcing them to continue on foot. The Pechengs also unsuccessfully tried to persuade the Byzantines to surrender. One Byzantine soldier offered Nikephoros a horse to escape on. However, he refused the offer. On the twelfth day Nikephoros reached Adrianople. Once the Byzantine army reached the city the Pechenegs fled. Because of Nikephoros' actions at this battle, emperor Constantine IX awarded Nikephoros the title of Magistros. Despite thiss, the battle of Zygos Pass was still a crushing Byzantine defeat, and Constantine IX sued for peace with the Pechenegs.[2][1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e Maynard, Daniel. The Last Bringer of Victory: Nikephoros III Botaneiates AD1078-1081.
  2. ^ a b c d e Attaleiates, Micheal (2012). The History. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-05799-9.
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