Kekaumenos joined the other rebels, & Isaakios (I) led them towards Nicaea

Summary:
Having been joined by Katakalon Kekaumenos and sent his family to safety, Isaakios felt able to advance. He set out across th Sangarios to get control of Nicaea, so that he might have the city as a base or refuge, however the scale of fortune turned for him. Though this was his first such campaign, he organised his soldiers in a careful and professional way. He was joined by many supporters of every kind. He cut off routes to the city to establish a blockade, while Michael VI was passive 
Dates:
1057 
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Was very pleased at and much encouraged by the news that Kekaumenos (Katakalon 101) was on his way with a strong army (of Armenians from Sebasteia, Tephrike, Melitene, and elsewhere), and awaited his arrival (:) Skylitzes 491.43-46
  • Joined by Kekaumenos (Katakalon 101) he felt secure, handed his wife (Aikaterine 101) and valuables to his brother Ioannes 63 whom he sent to the fort of Pemolissa, crossed the Sangarios with his army, and marched to Nicaea amidst praise and acclaim (:) καὶ ὃν εἶχε πλοῦτον Skylitzes 492.49-56
  • Then he set out for Nicaea, having already been proclaimed emperor by all those marching with him. He wished to gain control of Nicaea, so that he might have the city as a base or refuge, whichever way the scale of fortune turned for him (:) Zonaras 18.2.18
  • In this strict order he now came near to the City; Michael 6 now only had authority over Byzantium; those who had influence with him made no plan against this daring as if nothing unusual had happened (:) οὕτως καὶ συνταξάμενος ἀκριβῶς ἐγγὺς ἤδη τῆς Πόλεως ἐγεγόνει Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.1-4
  • He classified his troops, separating out the nobler and those whose boldness was intelligent and nobility steady; these he split among the contingents and trusted the war to them; they were greater in number, but the rest were not inferior (:) τοὺς γενναιοτέρους ἀποκρίνας τῶν ἄλλων Psellos: Chronographia VII 7.14-20
  • He first ordered his men to keep their separate groups and not to mingle or become confused, but to advance in silence as if they were standing in battle formation and likewise to pitch camp (:) αὐτοῖς ἐγκελεύεται συνειλέχθαι καθ᾿ ἑαυτοὺς καὶ μὴ συγκεχύσθαι, μηδὲ συντεταράχθαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 8.1-4
  • A great many noble supporters joined the revolt when they heard that he had been made emperor and that the noblest families with well-known names had joined him; within a short time others joined, eager to get there first (:) ἠκηκόεισαν ξύμπαντες ὅτι στρατηγὸς γενναῖος αὐτοῖς βεβασίλευκε Psellos: Chronographia VII 5.13-20
  • He settled the campaign rations for each man and the equipment sufficient for a military march, he made some promotions, distributing the higher ranks to the better men, the lesser to the lesser (:) τὸ στρατηγικὸν ἑκάστῳ σιτηρέσιον τάξας Psellos: Chronographia VII 8.4-8
  • Having long wanted to replace political succession with a military emperor, when people saw him, against all expectation, leading a rebellion and taking decisions, without more ado they rallied to him, well equipped and prepared for war (:) κορυφαῖον γεγενημένον τοῦ τυραννικοῦ σκέμματος Psellos: Chronographia VII 6.1-13
  • He entrusted his person to his family, put them in a circle round him, advanced fearlessly and again encamped; nights he spent awake in the cares of a leader, by day he showed his brilliance in action, advancing as on a predetermined task (:) ἡμέρας δὲ λαμπρότερός τε τοῖς πράγμασιν εἴδετο, καὶ ὡς ἐπὶ προκειμένῳ προῄει τῷ πράγματι Psellos: Chronographia VII 8.8-13
  • Although in his first command he acted with more wisdom than audacity; as he knew an army needs wealth, he first cut off all roads to the City, leaving an adequate guard on each; no one was allowed to move in or out without his permission (:) συνετώτερον ἢ τολμηρότερον τὸ πρᾶγμα μεταχειρίζεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 7.1-8
Katakalon Kekaumenos (Katakalon 101)
  • Led together with Isaakios 1 the commanders who refused to march against the Persians (Turks), as requested by Michael 6 and crossed the straits to muster an army and rise in rebellion անցին ընդ ծովն, և ժողովեցան զօրք բազումք, որոց ոչ գոյր թիւ։ Որոց առաջնորդ էին Կոմիանոսն [...] և Կամենասն Aristakes 103.20-22 (95)
  • Rose in rebellion against the emperor (Michael 6) and swore not to recognize his authority when the latter asked the leading commanders to march against Persia (the Turks) threatening to appease with their salaries the enemy: in association with Isaakios 1 (in the year 506 (1057-1058), in the 10th Roman indiction:) Aristakes 95.103
  • On his way to Komnenos (Isaakios 1, encamped at Gounaria) he brought over to the rebels' side (against Michael 6) the tagma of Armeniakon and, either willingly or unwillingly, the theme's leaders, and marched on to meet up with Komnenos (:) Skylitzes 491.46-492.49
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • In this strict order Isaakios 1 now came near to the City; Michael now only had authority over Byzantium; those who had influence with him made no plan against this daring as if nothing unusual had happened (:) ὥσπερ μηδενὸς καινοῦ γεγονότος Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.1-4