Army of Dyrrachion sent against Voisthlav (of Serbia), but was almost wiped out

Summary:
Michael, doux of Dyrrachion, was sent letters by Konstantinos IX ordering him to gather the army of Dyrrachion and troops from nearby themes with their commanders, and go to fight against Voislav of Serbia, who was ravaging the region. He gathered some 60,000 troops and crossed difficult passes, where he failed to place a garrison to guard them for his return. He pillaged the plains beyond, while the Serbs occupied the passes awaiting his return. On his way back his army was attacked with stones and arrows from above, and as a result some 40,000 men were killed while he escaped with a few men through the mountains 
Dates:
1042 
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • Sent letters to the governor of Dyrrachion (Michael 114) ordering him to gather the army of Dyrrachion and troops from nearby themes with their commanders, and go to Triballoi to fight against Stephanos (Voislav 101) who was ravaging the region (:) Skylitzes 424.65-71
  • When a rebellion broke out in Serbia he wrote to the governor of Dyrrachion (Michael 114) who marched against the Serbs (:) Glykas 594.3-7
  • When the ravaging of Voislav (Voislav 101) was reported to him, he wrote to the governor in Dyrrachium (Michael 114) that he should engage with Voislav 101 (:) Zonaras 17.20.8
Michael, doux of Dyrrachion in 1042 (Michael 114)
  • Was sent letters by Konstantinos 9 Monomachos ordering him to gather the army of Dyrrachion and troops from nearby themes with their commanders, and go to Triballoi to fight against Stephanos (Voislav 101) who was ravaging the region (:) Skylitzes 424.67-71
  • Dealt with his task (to defeat Voislav 101) unwisely and thus caused great trouble to the empire, for he gathered some 60,000 troops and entered Triballos through difficult passes where he failed to place a garrison to guard them for his return (:) ἀφυῶς καὶ ἀτέχνως ἐπιχειρήσας τῷ ἔργῳ Skylitzes 424.72-79
  • Pillaged the plains of Triballos while the Serbs occupied the passes awaiting his return, and on his way back his army was attacked with stones and arrows from above, and as a result some 40,000 men were killed while he escaped through the mountains (:) Skylitzes 424.79-425.97
  • Invaded Diokleia with his 40,000-strong army to plunder, but on his way back through the kleisourai via which he had arrived he was defeated by Tribounios the Serb (Voislav 101), who had in the meantime occupied the passes (:) ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ κακοβουλίας, μᾶλλον δὲ ἀπειρίας ἑάλω Kekaumenos 104.13-20
  • Ordered by the emperor (Konstantinos 9) to deal with the rebellion in Serbia, he gathered a 60,000-strong army and marched into the land of the Triballoi but attacked in such an unskilful manner that he caused 40,000 men and 7 generals to fall (:) ἀνεπιστημόνως πάνυ τοῖς Σέρβοις προσβαλών Glykas 594.3-7
  • Himself just escaped safely with a few men, but he laid low there the entire remaining army, since they had been unable to raise a hand and ward off their slayers (:) Zonaras 17.20.9
  • Inexpertly undertook battle against (Voislav 101) Voislav (for he was unversed in strategic experience), and was responsible for a great disaster to those who took the field with him (:) Zonaras 17.20.9
  • When the ravaging of Voislav (Voislav 101) was reported to the emperor (Konstantinos 9), Konstantinos 9 wrote to Michael 114 that he should engage with Stephen (:) Zonaras 17.20.8
Voislav Stefan, ruler of the Serbians (Voislav 101)
  • Michael 114 inexpertly undertook battle against him, and was responsible for a great disaster to those who took the field with him (:) Zonaras 17.20.9
  • When his ravaging was reported to the emperor (Konstantinos 9), Konstantinos 9 wrote to the governor in Dyrrachion (Michael 114) that he should engage with Stephen (Voislav 101) (:) Zonaras 17.20.8
  • Occupied the kleisourai through which Michael 114 had marched on his way to plunder Diokleia, and defeated him on his way back through the passes (:) Kekaumenos 104.13-20