Byzantines retreated from Preslav; Pechenegs controlled all the roads & massacred them, including Basileios

Summary:
Basileios the governor of Bulgaria persuaded Michael the akolouthos to abandon plans for a battle and to withdraw, partly because he feared that Michael might steal a common victory. Tyrach, the Pecheneg commander, realising that the Romans had decided to lift their siege of Great Preslav and withdraw, sent troops to the passes they were going to march through, ambushed them, and most were annihilated. Basileios paid with his life, falling from his horse into a ditch and being killed by some Pechenegs. Michael escaped with other survivors to Adrianople 
Dates:
1053 
Basileios, governor (?) of Bulgaria (Basileios 109)
  • Wishing to steal another person (Michael 118)'s victory, he did not provide for his own safety, and when his counsel to abandon the war prevailed and he was fleeing on his proud horse, he fell off his mount in a ditch and was killed by some Pechenegs (:) περιτυγχάνει διώρυγι, καὶ τοῦ ἵππου ταύτῃ ἀεροβατῆσαι οἱονεὶ βουληθέντος ἐκτρέπεται τῆς ἕδρας αὐτός Attaleiates: History 38.17-39.18 / 29.26-30.20
  • Ordered to take his Bulgarian troops by the emperor (Konstantinos 9) who wished to finish with the Pechenegs, he was sent against them along with Michael 118, but was killed in an ambush during the retreat after the failed siege of Great Preslav (:) Skylitzes 475.17-476.36
Michael, akolouthos and commander of the army (Michael 118)
  • Following the defeat of the Roman army by the Pechenegs after the failed siege of Great Preslav, the capture and massacre of many troops, and the death of Basileios 109, he escaped with other survivors to Adrianople (:) Skylitzes 476.36-37
Tyrach, Pecheneg leader (Tyrach 101)
  • Realising that the Romans decided to lift their siege of Great Preslav and withdraw, he sent troops to the passes they were going to march through, attacked them, and they were annihilated (:) Skylitzes 475.29-35