ABSTRACT
The early eleventh century was marked by peace and an alliance between Byzantium and Hungary during the reign of its first Christian king, Stephen I. Hungarian troops were helping Emperor Basil II fight Samuel’s empire. After 1018, the Serbian lands of Raska (Rascia), Dioclea and Zahumlje had the status of Byzantium’s vassal principalities and were governed by their own rulers. It is likely that after what seemed to be a small conflict, the Hungarians remained allies with the Byzantines, as illustrated in an interesting episode documented by a Byzantine historian, Michael Attaleiates. Vojislav suddenly attacked the Byzantine military camp by night, with sounds of trumpets that were to give the impression that the army was far larger. He also had spies who tricked the Byzantines into believing that they were outnumbered and surrounded. During September and October of 1072, the new doukas of Bulgaria arrived – Damianos Dalassenos. This military commander was captured during a fierce battle near Prizren.
