Bohemond captured several towns, then began the siege of Larissa, defended by Leon Kephalas

Summary:
While Alexios was away gathering troops, Bohemond took the opportunity to send a contingent of armoured knights who succeeded in taking Pelagonia, Trikala and Kastoria. He and his main army reached Trikala, whilst a detachment succeeded in taking Tzibiskos; from Trikala he went to besiege Larissa, which was successfully defended by Leon Kephalas for six whole months. Alexios was still gathering mercenaries, and so could not intervene immediately 
Dates:
1083 Spring 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • He left the west for Constantinople in order to raise forces for the campaigns of the next year, and so was unable to act immediately to help Leon 177 and raise the siege of Larissa (:) Anna Komnene 153.1-154.20
Bohemond of Taranto (Bohemond 61)
  • Attacked with his armies Larissa which was successfully defended by Leon 177 Kephalas (:) παρὰ τοῦ καταράτου Βαϊμούνδου καὶ τοῦ παντὸς φραγγικοῦ φοσσάτου ἀπεκλείετο Lavra 258.3-5
  • While Alexios 1 was obtaining troops from Sulayman 5000, he took the opportunity to send a contingent of armoured knights who succeeded in taking Pelagonia, Trikala and Kastoria (:) Anna Komnene 154.6-9
  • He and his main army reached Trikala, whilst a detachment succeeded in taking Tzibiskos; from Trikala he took his army to the walls of Larissa (On the feastday of saint Georgios (23.5.1083):κατ ᾿ αὐτὴν τὴν τοῦ μεγαλομάρυτος Γεωργίου μνήμην) Anna Komnene 154.12-14
Leon Kephalas, vestarches and primikerios of the vestiaritai (Leon 177)
  • Defended Larissa against Bohemond 61 and his armies (:) κόπων καὶ τροπαίων τῶν παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ επιδεδειγμένων ἐν τῶ κάστρω Λαρίσσης Lavra 258.3-5
  • With great bravery defended Larissa against Bohemond 61's whole army and all his cunning for six months, with very little help from Alexios 1 (:) Anna Komnene 154.14-16