Battle of Montemaggiore

The Battle of Montemaggiore (or Monte Maggiore) was fought on 4 May 1041, on the river Ofanto near Cannae in Byzantine Italy, between Lombard-Norman rebel forces and the Byzantine Empire. The Norman William Iron Arm led the offence, which was part of a greater revolt, against Michael Dokeianos, the Byzantine Catepan of Italy. Suffering heavy losses in the battle, the Byzantines were eventually defeated, and the remaining forces retreated to Bari. Dokeianos was replaced and transferred to Sicily as a result of the battle. The victory provided the Normans with increasing amounts of resources, as well as a renewed surge of knights joining the rebellion.

Battle of Montemaggiore
Part of the Norman conquest of southern Italy

A runestone from Södermanland, Sweden, in contemporary Ringerike style commemorating a Varangian Guard fallen in Langbarðalandi
Date4 May 1041
Location
Ofanto river, near Cannae, Byzantine Italy
41°21′0.000″N 16°13′0.001″E
Result Norman victory
Belligerents

Byzantine Empire

  • Varangian Guard

Normans

  • Lombard auxiliaries
Commanders and leaders
Michael Dokeianos
Harald Hardrada		 William Iron Arm
Rainulf Drengot
Strength
several thousand (Brown)
18,000 (Bari Annals)		 700 Norman knights
1,300 infantry soldiers (Humble)
Casualties and losses
Heavy Unknown
Location within Italy
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