Roussel rode against Turks, & defeated their vanguard near Metabole

Summary:
Roussel de Bailleul resolved to attack the Turkish army sent against him at the instigation of Michael VII and Nikephoritzes, despite the advice of the kaisar Ioannes Doukas in favour of prudence. He was told to wait and find out how many the enemy were, but spurned this as insufferable delay. He managed to rout and disperse a small contingent of Turks near Metabole (a much larger army was to appear later) 
Dates:
1074 
Ioannes Doukas, kaisar (Ioannes 62)
  • Tried together with some of the military leaders to convince Roussel 61 (at Metabole) to postpone his assault on the Turks (pushed by Michael 7 to attack the rebel) until they had a clearer idea of their numbers, but was not heeded (:) ὡς δὲ ἀνέστελλον αὐτοῦ τὴν ὁρμήν Attaleiates: History 190.2-4 / 140.13-14
Roussel de Bailleul (Roussel 61)
  • Informed at Metabole that 5,000 to 6,000 Turks appeared (pushed by Michael 7 to attack him), he ordered his 2,700 troops -no Roman had joined them yet, for news that Ioannes 62 had been proclaimed emperor had not spread yet- to prepare for battle (:) τὸ ἐνυάλιον ἀλαλάξαι προσέταττε Attaleiates: History 189.19-190.2 / 140.9-13
  • Ignored the advice of Ioannes 62 and some military leaders to postpone his assault on the Turks until they had a clearer idea of their numbers, saying that it is inconceivable for a Roussel to hesitate for the sake of 6,000 Turks, and attacked (:) ταχὺ τὰς τάξεις καταστησάμενος ὥρμησεν ἐπ ᾿ αὐτούς Attaleiates: History 190.2-7 / 140.13-17
  • Prepared to attack the Turks who appeared near Mount Sophon (sent by Michael 7), was urged by Ioannes 62 and his generals to hold back and learn of their numbers first, but considered it shameful to be afraid of 6 or 10,000 Turks and attacked (:) ἀδοξίαν ἄκραν ἡγούμενος εἰ πρὸς ἓξ ἢ δέκα χιλιάδας ἀμφιγνωμονεῖ Skylitzes Continuatus 159.10-15
  • When Turks unexpectedly appeared, he went against them recklessly with barbarian boldness, and the Franks felled many of the Turks, while the rest they routed in flight and pursued without respite (:) Zonaras 18.16.24