The Capetanate of Italy approximately when Kalokyros ruled
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The Capetans Fall
The Emperor was appauled at Kalokyros' attempt to siege the Queen of Cities, his capital. Basil and his nephew Romanos had stationed themselves at a fort outside of Constantinople (located on the Black Sea coast), and prepared to fight the enemy at their own grounds. After they were able to wipe out an entire scouting party of the enemy, Basil ordered the burning of the enemy camps on the 12th of December 996. The razing was successful and the Capetan and his army were in chaos, most of the soldiers fleeing across Thrace. This broken army was mainly consistant of native Italians and founded the base population of the Thracian Latins. With the loss of most of his army, Kalokyros' loyal Greek soldiers followed him eastward to the city of Dyrrachium[1], which they arrived at in Spring 997. Their "conquests" in Hellas were not to last although many generals still controlled forts in the south, allowing them to continue "ruling" there for a number of years.
The imperial army that consisted of the themata[2] of Thrace, Phillipolis[3] and Bithyinia; wiped out Kalokyros' followers as they marched through Thrace and Macedonia, crossing the Pindos mounatains into Epirus. WHen they arrived in Eprius they were greeted by multiple Italian forces that had crossed the Ionain Sea to support Kalkyros. Basil was a wise man, not a foolish one, and decided to attempt an attack on the Capetans territories, instead breaking the army to attack his generals who were still in power in Hellas. Romanos was set to Morea[4] with his father to lead an expedition into the occupied territories of Kalokyros.
Once in Morea, he and his father quickly plowed their minor force across the Ithmus of Corinth[5] into Attica[6] where a rebel army ambushed them. They were able to liberate the city of Thebes[7] by early winter where they camped and pulled in forces from across the Aegean. By the time winter passed, the army had tripled in size and quickly forced the rebels in Attica to the sword. Basil had liberated Larissa[8] and most of Thessaly throughout the winter months, slaughtering the rebels on sight. The rebellion was severely weakened by the time the two armies met in mid 998 outside of Athens. The city had been devastated by the rebellion and it was in serious need of repair. Basil ordered architects from Constantinople to rebuild the city. Romanos argued to attack the rebels in Epirus, ending their influence in the Balkans. Basil decided to accept his plans and marched to Dyrrachium arriving on the 12th of October 998. An army under Kalokyros sallied forth a few weeks into the siege but failed terribly, ending the Kalokyros having to leave Epirus for good. He had shown all the dynatoi and all those who stood in his way: The dynasty of Macedonia was not standing down.
[1] The city of modern day Durres, Albania.
[2] The armies of themes in the Byzantine Empire. Themes were set regions that had their own personal general and army.
[3] Modern day Western Thrace (Greek Thrace). Eastern Thrace (Turkish Thrace) in this time was just known as Thrace.
[4] The modern day Peloponnese (Morea was the medieval name).
[5] A small land bridge between the Peloponnese and the rest of Greece.
[6] The region in which Athens is located.
[7] An ancient city located near the Isthmus of Corinth.
[8] The largest city in the region of Thessaly, located near eastern coast of Greece.