Georgios Maniakes pitched his camp two days away from Thessalonike and attacked the great imperial camp at Ostrobos late in the afternoon. He had a battle-hardened army. The enemy ranks were more spectators than opponents. He fought at the head of his troops and whoever was injured by his sword escaped with half or more of their body maimed, for he was known to be invincible and firm. He caused great harm to the emperor's soldiers, terrified them with his irrestistible attacks and blows, and had almost won the battle, acclaimed by most of the enemy soldiers, but in the end fell off his horse. He remained lying on the ground. His opponents thought this was a trick until they realised the truth, approached and found him covered in blood and injured, and thus he lost the battle. As his squire was not there, his horse ran free between the armies. His head was removed and sent to Stephanos Pergamenos, who sent it on to Konstantinos IX. There were many stories claiming that his death was the result of divine intervention; the identity of the man who killed him was still unknown as Psellos wrote