Battle of Montemaggiore 1041

During a fresh offensive in southern Italy, Norman and Lombard forces beat a Byzantine army at the Olivento (17 March). The Norman William d’Hauteville then attacked again at Montemaggiore, on the Ofanto river, near Cannae. Though the catepan Michael Doukeianus had called up a large Varangian force from Bari, the battle was a rout and many of Michael's soldiers drowned in the Ofanto on the retreat. After the defeat, Michael Doukeianus was relieved of his duties and sent to Sicily. He was replaced by Exaugustus Boioannes, who was also beaten later the same year at Monte Siricolo.

Background

The battle was fought on 4 May 1041, less than two months after the Battle of Olivento, the first battle of a renewed revolt of Lombard-Norman forces against the Byzantine Empire instigated by Arduin the Lombard. The battle at Olivento was the first battle between Normans and Byzantines since the Battle of Cannae in 1018, but the outcome shifted this time from Byzantine victory to defeat.

While the Normans originally only fought as mercenaries in Italy, they took increasing control during the 1041 revolt, and started to carve out territory for themselves after the Battle of Montemaggiore. The site of the battle was the river Ofanto near Cannae, but the name of the mountain Montemaggiore is usually used to refer to the 1041 battle.