Two rival armies camped close together, testing each other's will, then drawn up in battle formation

Summary:
Theodoros, domestikos of the scholai and Aaron, brother of Alousianos were put in command against Isaakios (I): they crossed to Chrysopolis and Nikomedeia, sent troops to capture the Sangarios bridge, camped on Mount Sophon and prepared for war. According to Skylitzes, Isaakios' men in many skirmishes tried to convince the army of Michael VI to defect, but failed. He ordered them to limit their forays and remain in camp - a decision interpreted as weakness. Psellos reported more mass desertions from Michael to Isaakios. The armies faced each other at no great distance, but there was no action. Michael VI's men were more numerous, but Isaakios had superior force and order, especially his men's cohesion and firm loyalty to him. When the army of Michael VI moved their camp closer, Isaakios drew up his army in battle order, placing Katakalon Kekaumenos at the head of the left wing, Romanos Skleros on the right, Isaakios himself leading the centre. In the other army Aaron led the left wing, having under his command Lykanthes, Pnyemios the Iberian and Radulf the Frank. Basileios Tarchaneiotes, stratelates of the West, led the right wing. Theodoros, the domestikos of the scholai, was in overall command. The battle took place at a spot locally called Hades 
Dates:
1057 
Aaron, brother of Alousianos (Aaron 101)
  • Led the left wing of the army of Theodoros 105 (sent by Michael 6 against the rebel Isaakios 1 Komnenos) having under his command Lykanthes 101, Pnyemios 101 and Radulf 101 the Frank (:) Skylitzes 494.38-495.40
  • Appointed by the emperor (Michael 6) fellow commander and advisor to Theodoros 105, he was sent against Komnenos (Isaakios 1), crossed to Chrysopolis, reached Nikomedeia, sent troops to capture the Sangarios bridge, and encamped on Mount Sophon: in association with Theodoros 105 (:) συνάρχοντα καὶ σύμβουλον Skylitzes 493.81-90
  • Decided along with Theodoros 105 to draw their troops in battle order against the enemy (army of Isaakios 1) (:) Skylitzes 494.33-35
  • Encamping opposite the foe (Isaakios 1) joined battle at a certain place named by its inhabitants Hades: in association with Theodoros 105 (:) Zonaras 18.2.21
eastern commanders insulted by Michael VI (Anonymi 6032)
  • Isaakios 1 Komnenos and Anonymi 6032, who had conspired with him, assembled and turned to work, while the army registers streamed over to him from all directions: in association with Isaakios 1 Komnenos (:) Zonaras 18.2.13
Basileios Tarchaneiotes, stratelates of the West (Basileios 112)
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Following the unsuccessful attempts by his men during numerous skirmishes to convince the enemy (army of Michael 6) to defect, he ordered them to limit their forays and to remain in the camp, and his decision was interpreted as a sign of weakness (:) Skylitzes 494.21-26
  • When the enemy (army of Michael 6) moved their camp closer to his he drew up his army in battle order and placed Kekaumenos (Katakalon 101) at the head of the left wing, Romanos 104 Skleros at the right wing, himself leading the central wing (:) Skylitzes 494.29-33
  • Michael 6's army faced his at no great distance, but there was no action: Michael's men were more numerous, but his had superior force and order; more important and amazing was their unbroken cohesion and firm loyalty to him (:) τό γε μεῖζον καὶ θαυμασιώτερον ... ἡ πρὸς τὸν κρατοῦντα πίστις βεβαία καὶ ἀσφαλής Psellos: Chronographia VII 11.7-15
  • (Michael 6's) camp emptied and broke up as every day many deserted to Isaakios' ranks (:) αὐτομολούντων ὁσημέραι πολλῶν ἐπι τὴν τυραννικὴν σύνταξιν Psellos: Chronographia VII 11.16-18
Katakalon Kekaumenos (Katakalon 101)
  • He led the left wing in the army of Isaakios 1 at the Battle of Polemon-Hades (:) Psellos: Chronographia VII 3.12
  • Was placed by Komnenos (Isaakios 1) at the head of the left wing of the army in order to engage in battle (against the troops supporting the emperor Michael 6) (:) Skylitzes 494.31-32
Lykanthes, military commander who captured Bryennios for blinding (Lykanthes 101)
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • His army faced the eastern ranks at no great distance, but there was no action: his men were more numerous, but the others had superior force and order; more important and amazing was their unbroken cohesion and firm loyalty to Isaakios 1 (:) πλήθει μὲν οἱ βασιλικοὶ τὸ πλέον ἐδείκνυσαν ἔχοντες Psellos: Chronographia VII 11.7-15
Radulf the Frank, military commander under Michael VI (Radulf 101)
Romanos Skleros, brother of Maria Skleraina (Romanos 104)
  • Was placed by Komnenos (Isaakios 1) at the head of the right wing of the army in order to engage in battle (against the troops supporting the emperor Michael 6) (:) Skylitzes 494.32-33
Theodoros, domestikos of the scholai (Theodoros 105)
  • Appointed chief commander of the army by the emperor (Michael 6), he was sent against Komnenos (Isaakios 1), crossed to Chrysopolis, reached Nikomedeia, sent troops to capture the Sangarios bridge, encamped on Mount Sophon and prepared for war: in association with Aaron 101 (:) Skylitzes 493.79-90
  • Decided along with Aaron 101 to draw their troops in battle order against the enemy (army of Isaakios 1) (:) Skylitzes 494.33-35
  • Encamping opposite the foe (Isaakios 1) joined battle at a certain place named by its inhabitants Hades: in association with Aaron 101 (:) Zonaras 18.2.21