Ioannes Bryennios defeated at Athyras by Alexios Komnenos & Roussel

Summary:
Roussel de Bailleul, who had been held in prison by Michael VII in the capital, tried to escape to Lampe to join Nikephoros Botaneiates. He failed, and was returned to prison. But Michael had been reminded of his usefulness, and in the current crisis was compelled to seek his help: he set him free, forgave him for previous actions, made promises, and offered him gifts and honours. He first sent him to the walls to test the loyalty of Franks supporting Ioannes Bryennios, with no success. But later when Bryennios was camped in a poorly-defended position at Athyras, Michael met Roussel in the church at Blachernai and received from him the most sollemn oaths of loyalty. He then sent him against Athyras, in command, with Alexios (I), of his Varangian troops and any others he could gather. Alexios and Roussel attacked Bryennios' camp, and defeated and dispersed his men. Bryennios withdrew in flight to Raidestos, but the victorious imperial forces were too uncertain of the future to pursue him, and Alexios and Roussel could not persuade them 
Dates:
1077 
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • Following the decision to attack Ioannes 61, encamped at Athyras and undefended, he was put together with Roussel 61 at the head of the troops then present at Constantinople (:) στρατηγοῦντος τοῦ προέδρου Ἀλεξίου Attaleiates: History 253.14-18 / 183.1-4
  • Pursued together with Roussel 61 some men of Nikephoros 62 Bryennios who had been chased out of Athyras by the emperor (Michael 7)'s Varangian troops, but when he wished to continue pursuing them, his men refused, fearing the outcome (:) παρὰ τῶν ἰδίων οὐκ εἰσηκούσθησαν, δεδιότων τὸ ἀποτέλεσμα Attaleiates: History 254.18-22 / 183.22-25
  • Accompanied by Roussel 61, he led an army from Constantinople against Ioannes 61 who was encamped at Athyras (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 175.16-17
  • Beset on all sides, Michael 7 freed Roussel 61 from prison and, appeasing him with words and money, persuaded him to attack Ioannes 61, along with the proedros Alexios 1 Komnenos, who commanded the troops Michael 7 had in Byzantium (:) Zonaras 18.17.27
Ioannes Bryennios, brother of usurper Nikephoros (Ioannes 61)
  • Fled with his men to Raidestos (after his troops were attacked and dispersed at Athyras by the Varangian soldiers and Alexios 1 Komnenos and Roussel 61 de Bailleul, sent by Michael 7 Doukas) which he entered (:) καὶ ταύτης ἐντὸς εἰσελήλυθεν Attaleiates: History 261.19-21 / 188.6-8
  • Following the attack on Athyras where he was encamped by troops from Constantinople under Alexios 1 Komnenos and Roussel 61 during which his green coaches were captured, he fled to Raidestos (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 175.24-25
  • Beset on all sides, Michael 7 freed Roussel 61 from prison and, appeasing him with words and money, persuaded him to attack Ioannes 61, along with the proedros Alexios 1 Komnenos, who commanded the troops Michael 7 had in Byzantium (:) Zonaras 18.17.27
Emperor Michael VII Doukas (Michael 7)
  • When his troops returned from their pursuit at Athyras of Ioannes 61 Bryennios and his supporters (who had earlier encamped before Constantinople), he was overjoyed (:) χαρά τις τοῦτον καὶ τοὺς περὶ αὐτὸν περιέλαβε Attaleiates: History 255.5-6 / 184.3-4
  • Put Roussel 61 (who tried to escape) in chains but then remembered his bravery, was compelled by the difficult situation to seek his help, set him free, granted him forgiveness for previous actions, made promises, and offered him gifts and honours (:) καὶ τιμαῖς καταμαλάξας τὴν τούτου ψυχήν Attaleiates: History 252.21-253.9 / 182.15-23
  • Brought Roussel 61 over to his side, prepared him to face the enemy (troops of Ioannes 61 Bryennios), and sent him to the walls (of Constantinople) in order to talk to the Franks who were supporting Bryennios (Nikephoros 62) (:) πρὸς εὔνοιαν μεταθέσθαι καὶ πίστην παρασκευάσας ἀπόρπητον Attaleiates: History 253.9-13 / 182.23-26
  • Was given terrible oaths of loyalty by Roussel 61 whom he met up with in the shrine at Blachernai and who was sent together with Alexios 1 Komnenos against Ioannes 61 Bryennios, encamped and undefended at Athyras (:) ὅρκοις οὖν φρικωδεστάτοις τὰ πιστὰ δεδωκὼς τῷ βασιλεῖ Attaleiates: History 253.18-20 / 183.4-6
  • Faced with Bryennios (Nikephoros 62)'s rebellion he remembered Roussel 61, released him from prison, honoured him with dignities, incited him with kind words against the rebel, and sent him to talk to the Franks in the rebel's army (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 175.8-14
  • Beset on all sides, he freed Roussel 61 from prison and, appeasing him with words and money, persuaded him to attack (Nikephoros 62) Bryennios’ brother (Ioannes 61), with the proedros Alexios 1 Komnenos, who commanded the troops he had in Byzantium (:) Zonaras 18.17.27
Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3)
  • Resided at Lampe when Roussel 61 (imprisoned by Michael 7) escaped and attempted to join him before being captured again (:) τῇ Λάμπῃ ἐνδιατρίβοντα Attaleiates: History 253.2-3 / 182.18-19
Roussel de Bailleul (Roussel 61)
  • Following the decision to attack Ioannes 61, encamped at Athyras and undefended, he was put at the head of the troops present at Constantinople, took terrible oaths of loyalty before the emperor (Michael 7) at Blachernai, and left at night (:) νυκτὸς ἐξῆλθε τῆς πόλεως Attaleiates: History 253.14-21 / 183.1-6
  • Pursued together with Alexios 1 Komnenos some men of Nikephoros 62 Bryennios who had been chased out of Athyras by the emperor (Michael 7)'s Varangian troops, but when he wished to continue pursuing them, his men refused, fearing the outcome (:) βουλόμενοι δὲ τὸν διωγμὸν ἐπιτεῖναι καὶ πολλοὺς σφῆλαι τῶν ἐναντίων Attaleiates: History 254.18-22 / 183.22-25
  • Sent by Michael 7 to talk to the Franks supporting Bryennios (Nikephoros 62, whose army attacked Constantinople) he failed to change their mind, took oaths of loyalty, and marched with an army under Alexios 1 to Athyras against Ioannes 61 (:) ὄρκοις ἀσφαλέσι πρότερον τὰ πιστὰ δεδωκώς Skylitzes Continuatus 175.13-19
  • Beset on all sides, Michael 7 freed him from prison and, appeasing him with words and money, persuaded him to attack (Nikephoros 62) Bryennios’ brother (Ioannes 61), with the proedros Alexios 1 Komnenos, who commanded the troops he had in Byzantium: in association with Alexios 1 (:) Zonaras 18.17.27
  • Escaped, intending to join Nikpehoros 3 at Lampe, but was rearrested and put in chains by Michael 7 who then realised that he could be of use to him; he was thus set free, forgiven for his past actions, and granted gifts and honours (:) καὶ πολλοῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐπαγωγοῖς χρησάμενος ῥήμασι Attaleiates: History 252.21-253.10 / 182.15-24
  • Brought over to the emperor (Michael 7)'s side, he was sent to the walls (of Constantinople) in order to talk to the Franks who were supporting Bryennios (Nikephoros 62), but failed to change their mind (:) οὐκ ἔπεισε τούτους καὶ προεχώρουν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω πρὸς τὰ τῆς ἑσπέρας ἐνδότερα Attaleiates: History 253.10-14 / 182.24-183.1
  • Attempted to escape and join Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) but was captured and remained imprisoned until the emperor (Michael 7) released him and honoured him with dignities and incited him with kind words against Bryennios (Nikephoros 62) (:) Skylitzes Continuatus 175.8-13