Byzantine revolt at Edessa

1041

George Maniakes, the brilliant general who had retaken Edessa and parts of Sicily for Constantinople, rebelled against Emperor Michael IV. He marched on the capital with Varangian guards at his side and was killed by a lucky arrow just as victory seemed certain. Byzantium's eastern defenses were left gutted, a catastrophic loss of military talent at the worst possible moment for the empire's frontier security.