Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantium.

Episode 128.

The Prudent Course

Last time, the Romans captured the city of Melatine, their first permanent reconquest

of Eastern territory since the rise of the Caliphate.

The news that the Byzantines were a serious military threat spread quickly, and the Hamdened

governor of Aleppo, Seifat Thola, marched into the mountains to contest their presence.

But in 940, news came that yet another coup was taking place in Baghdad, keen to preserve

his status in the diminishing world of the Caliphate, safe-led his army east, leaving northern

Syria and Mesopotamia, undefended.

John, Korkuas, senior commander of the Roman army, saw in Seif's absence a golden opportunity.

In spring, 941, he called up every soldier that could be spared.

He was preparing to boldly go where no Roman army had gone for centuries.

As eastern soldiers began excitedly gathering, news reached Constantinople of Arab pirates

in the Egean.

Romanus ordered the fleet to sail south and deal with them.

Someone in the Roost Trading District of the capital was paying close attention, because

a few weeks later, reports arrived that a huge fleet was crossing the Black Sea, headed

for the city.

The Roosts had launched a similar surprise assault twice before, in 860 and 907.

On both occasions they had good intelligence that told them when the Roman military was

preoccupied elsewhere.

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