Konstantinos IX, when some 400 Russian ships arrived in the Sea of Marmara, gathered all the fighting ships and other war vessels, established infantry positions along the nearby coastline, and on a Sunday he sent out his forces. Psellos stood near him as the Rus' lined up their ships, watching from a distance what was going on, from a hill which sloped gently towards the sea. Jaroslav ranged his ships in a continuous line from one coast to the other, ready to attack or defend, a sight which terrified all who saw it. When much of the day had passed and the Rus remained quiet and did not break their formation, the emperor ordered Basileios Theodorokanos to take three of the warships and launch missiles against them, in order to draw them into battle. Basileios advanced into their midst instead, burnt seven ships with Greek fire, and sunk three with their crews. He jumped onto a Russian ship, captured it, and slew or overpowered its crew, overawed by his courage. Since the attack was so successful with three warships, the emperor signalled to some of the others to put out. Seeing them approach the barbarians abandoned the fight and broke formation, backed water and began to flee. A storm completed the rout. The Byzantine fleet remained there for two days before returning to the capital