Capture of Demetrias by Deljan; inhabitants revolt & return it to doux of Thessalonike

Summary:
Lytoboes of Diabolis, an experienced Bulgarian general, was sent with an army by Deljan to occupy Demetrias. He rebuilt its walls, built siege-engines and then relaxed, feeling safe from external attack.He thought the inhabitants, who had sworn allegiance, were simple and inexperienced. But the inhabitants of Demetrias appealed for help to the doux of Thessalonike. He sent his general Zepe pantheotes with a fleet and an army to recapture the kastron. As soon as his fleet arrived and the people of Demetrias were notified, they captured Lytoboes and handed him over to the Romans 
Dates:
1040 
doux of Thessalonike in 1040 (Anonymus 278)
  • Following a plea from the inhabitants of Demetrias (captured by Petros 102 Deljan and guarded by his general Lytoboes 101), he sent Zepe 101 with a fleet and an army to recapture the kastron (:) Kekaumenos 111.35-112.4
Lytoboes of Diabolis, Bulgarian general at Demetrias (Lytoboes 101)
  • Sent with an army by Delianos (Petros 102) to occupy Demetrias, he rebuilt its walls, built siege-engines and then relaxed, feeling safe from external attack and thinking the inhabitants who had sworn allegiance to be simple and inexperienced (:) ὀχυρώσας δὲ τὸ κάστρον ἀπεμερίμνησεν Kekaumenos 110.20-31
  • Was captured by the inhabitants of Demetrias together with his men and was handed over to the Romans who had been sent by the doux of Thessalonike (Anonymus 278) under Zepe 101, following a plea from the inhabitants (:) ἐκράτησαν τὸν στρατηγὸν καὶ δεσμήσαντες αὐτόν τε καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ φύλακας παρέδωκαν τοῖς Ῥωμαίοις Kekaumenos 112.2-8
  • A veteran soldier, experienced in military matters, called tzelnikos which means general in Bulgarian στρατιώτην ἀρχαῖον καὶ ἔμπειρον εἰς τὰ πολέμια (ὁ γὰρ στρατηγὸς τῇ τῶν Βουλγάρων διαλέκτῳ τζελνίκος λέγεται) Kekaumenos 110.21-22
Petros (Peter) Deljan, Bulgarian rebel (Petros 102)
  • Captured Demetrias and sent there an experienced general, Lytoboes 101, with an army in order to guard the kastron (:) ἧς ἐγκρατὴς γέγονεν Kekaumenos 110.17-24
Zepe, pantheotes and general (?) (Zepe 101)
  • Was sent by the doux of Thessalonike (Anonymus 278) with a fleet and an army to recapture Demetrias, and when the fleet arrived the inhabitants were notified, captured the Bulgarian general (Lytoboes 101), and handed him over to the Romans (:) ἀποστέλλει τινὰ πανθεώτην Ζεπὲ καλούμενον Kekaumenos 112.2-8