Hello everyone and welcome to the history of Byzantium.

Episode 134.

Third times the charm.

After being appointed Senior Commander of the Empire's armed forces, Nysavarus focus

return to the Eastern Front and began reorganizing the troops at his disposal.

He seems to have spent the entire summer of 955 drilling his soldiers and putting them

through the maneuvers that we heard about last episode.

Practice was vital in creating a force which could defeat the armies of Safa Dola.

He also recruited more men.

Contemporary tactics are important but superior numbers have a timeless quality.

The Emperor had been persuaded to loosen the purse strings and a stream of mercenaries

made their way to Capodotia to join up with the domestic.

As you may remember from two episodes ago, Safe had re-fortified his frontier bases and

this gave him the confidence to launch multiple attacks in the spring of 956.

However, Nysavarus' most eager lieutenant was also on the move.

John Zimiskees had been promoted by his uncle to become Stratikos of Mesopotamia.

As you can see on the map, this meant he controlled the headwaters of the Euphrates rather

than actually being stationed in Iraq.

John was earning a reputation for bold, almost reckless aggression as a commander.

He raided south from the mountains down toward the city of Amida.

Safe was already heading towards Melatine when Nysav John's movements reached him.

The M.A. decided to target John's home base now that he knew it would be lightly defended.

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