Alexios' first major military test against Robert Giscard's Normans at the port of Dyrrachium. The Varangian Guard — largely exiled Anglo-Saxons eager for revenge against the Normans — stopped the Norman charge with great effect, but undisciplined rank-and-file broke to pursue retreating Normans, were massacred when Norman cavalry turned around, and the isolated Varangians were cut down to a man. Alexios barely escaped in disguise and Dyrrachium fell.
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Episode 14 (16 mentions)
Alexios' first major military test against Robert Giscard's Normans at the port of Dyrrachium. The Varangian Guard — largely exiled Anglo-Saxons eager for revenge against the Normans — stopped the Norman charge with great effect, but undisciplined rank-and-file broke to pursue retreating Normans, were massacred when Norman cavalry turned around, and the isolated Varangians were cut down to a man. Alexios barely escaped in disguise and Dyrrachium fell.
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