Normans against Romans - Battle of Dyrrhachium 1081 DOCUMENTARY

[@KingsandGenerals]

Previous episodes in the series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJuom4Obf8Schq8 Other Medieval Battles: kzbin.info/aero/PLaBYW76inbX46r95D4BjCxiJz7-OeyOtW More about the Varangians: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoPVZWeaYpiaqck&vl=en Consider supporting us by pledging on Patreon www.patreon.com/KingsandGenerals or by pressing the Join button under the video :-)

[@lalruatdikavarte7943]

In 51 minutes nice video.

[@christermi]

I really enjoy your videos ! Anyway , would you consider making a video about the Sacred wars or Agesilaus' spartan campaign in Asia Minor ? These are suggestions that no other channel on KZbin has ever covered , but are quite interesting !

[@christermi]

Also , a history channel from Greece has mentioned your video of the Greco-Chinese war of the Heavenly Horses as very accurate and their primary source for theirs. It seems you're doing a great job !

[@chebeanemouhamedkhalil2760]

What is the name of the track at 4:50 ?

[@AS-zh1wx]

How did Guiscard return to Italy? By land?

[@dragoninthewest1]

In the end the Eastern Roman Empire bribed the Holy Roman Empire to attack the city of Rome. That's a lot of Roman on Roman action

[@lyonvensa]

Seems like it's almost in Roman blood to fight against Romans lol

[@darragho6358]

Funny enough they didn't add the holy until 1157 so at the time it would have been the Roman empire bribing the Roman empire to attack Rome

[@damirradoncic7390]

Did you really call the "Holy Roman Empire" for a Roman empire? How does Charlamagnes proclamation make his German state a successor to the Roman empire? We already have the eastern roman empire?

[@death2denemy]

The Holy Roman Empire is neither holy, roman, nor an empire..

[@martinrdh96]

@@damirradoncic7390 because it was? It was proclaimed by Archbishopry of Rome which is one of the last remnant of the Western Empire. Whether you accept it or not it's up to you to decide.

[@prydain4131]

“Many of the Varangians were veterans of the battle of Hastings” *Proceed to make the exact same mistake

[@kikin310]

that is what varangians do, dont judge them they are just special,. social justice, back lives matter lets burn the city for justice, specially the poor centers.. yes that ones we are trying to protect... facepalm

[@vonbalt4891]

I'll fucking do it again!

[@byzantinetales]

Paid to fight for the losing side isn't bad. Just to give them some credit ,they fought against powerful enemies.

[@iainmac6272]

@@byzantinetales Except they all died....

[@Kirkto7]

@@kikin310 ????????

[@admiralsquatbar127]

When you guys say "confident army" it's like a general who says, "we'll be home by Christmas." You know it isn't going to end well for them.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Yeah, kinda a spoiler. Pride, fall, all that. :-)

[@DonetskiLetsplayshik]

Yeah, everytime a superior army has a choice between starving their opponents out and giving them battle, and chooses battle, you kinda know how this is going to end lol. Didn't Pompey do the same mistake against Caesar at around this exact place too?

[@Cancoillotteman]

@@DonetskiLetsplayshik not the same place, Pompey actually won at Dyrrhachium (I'm almost sure i got the spelling wrong), but he did that specific mistake some months later

[@oddpoppetesq.3467]

@@Cancoillotteman Nah your spelling looks ok from my angle dude and a very good point as well.... The battle of Dyrrachium, was one of the only times Pompey bested Ceasar, and even then it wasnt a decisive victory for the Pompeians, if my memory serves..... Well we all know the end story, lol...

[@Cancoillotteman]

@@oddpoppetesq.3467 "If the ennemy army was commanded by a winner, we´d have lost every thing today", Caesar says it all ^^

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

A couple of my favorite anecdotes from the siege of Dyrrhachium: During a sally, the governor of the city, George Palaiologos, took an arrow to the head. His medics couldn't extract it, so he had them cut off the shaft and wrap his head in bandages, then rode back into battle with the arrowhead still lodged in his skull. As one of George's defensive measures, he erected false battlements. When the Normans gained the wall, the defenders collapsed the battlements, sending the invaders plummeting to the ground. As proof of the quality of Roman armor patterns, when Alexios was withdrawing, he was cornered by a pair of Norman knights. The first one charged him with lance couched and struck him full in the chest, but the armor saved his life and he was merely almost dismounted by the blow. The second knight charged him from behind and struck him full in the back with couched lance, and again the armor kept him alive, with the second blow seating him back on his horse again. He was able to fight his way clear and effect his withdrawal.

[@Oxtocoatl13]

@Anthony Tsatsis I do want to point out that Alexios was caught while retreating, before that he didn't fight personally. There is also a bit of a pattern in the Alexiad that whenever Alexios loses a battle, his personal heroics are emphasized to make up for the defeat. That being said, the Alexiad, especially the earlier bits, are really good.

[@randomuser6175]

@Anthony Tsatsis how many times I heard an emperor or king fighting in a battle? Well almost everytime battle goes to shit for his side :)

[@blacklight4720]

Right... Sounds reliable.

[@geoffwitt4227]

Except that the couched lance hadn't been invented. They were just spear thrusts. Even a heavily armored Knight wouldn't have survived a real lance charge. This is mythology.

[@ThunderAndGuillon]

@@geoffwitt4227 Jousting: am I a joke to you?

[@BulletBill64]

The Saxons lost the battle of Hastings because they chased a retreating enemy too far and got cut off. Those same Saxons here: Wanna see me do it again?

[@RexGalilae]

This one had Normans too tho :D

[@Dennell_Mount_and_Blade]

I feel super sad for those Saxons, I don't know. It's so tragic. I know these were cold-blooded men in battle and were not puppies, but it's a sad end to a sad story. To be fair, at Hastings it was the Fyrd who broke the line, but yeah the Varangian Guard should have known better. Never let emotions get the better of you.

[@oldfrend]

when i saw them attacking beyond the normans' right flank: *STOP YOU FOOLS! GODDAMIT YOU'LL BE SURROUNDED*

[@reed3249]

They weren't saxons they were anglo-danes at best aka huscarls and their descendants from Canutes housecarls.

[@HowlingWolf518]

TBF the Saxons almost broke the Normans the first time they did it, but William rallied them. The *real* lesson is not to do halfway measures in war; either stay on the defensive or go all-in on the charge.

[@tomaschristensen5656]

Last time I was this early, Pyrrhus was still setting sail for Italy.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Beware of the tiles

[@erickbehari6740]

Last time an Balkanic army entered Italy was in around 1460 when Albanians under Skanderbeg fought and won against Orsini and French army

[@erickbehari6740]

@Anthony Tsatsis slavs didn't fought in Balkan let alone Italy

[@erickbehari6740]

@Anthony Tsatsis Another letter was sent to Pius assuring him that the Albanians were fit for battle in Italy, something the Italian rulers did not believe. Source by Schmitt , as you see there was no slav

[@reidf8506]

Imagine if Pyrrhus was born during this and became a Roman general

[@dominykassimonis2180]

"the venetians then arrived to help their greek allies" oh the irony

[@Mr.LaughingDuck]

To be fair, this was a while before they became the backstabbing bastards of the 4th Crusade.

[@aokiaoki4238]

@@Mr.LaughingDuck yes but later they stayed in alliance with the Byzantine up to the end

[@martinrdh96]

@@Mr.LaughingDuck actually The Venetian didn't really backstabbed the Byzantine on the 13th century. Their contract was rendered null and void with the death of their employer. They went unpaid. Go watch K&G episode on 4th Crusade, they already covered it.

[@1020Lester]

Ironacly, the fourth crusade was the irony. The venetians always "helped" (as long the byzantines paid them) the ERE.

[@alex3987654]

​@@savioblanc To be clear, Venetia never gave a f....... about the Slaughter of the Latins. First, a lot of Venetians have left Constantinople when it happened, because of the ongoing war between Venice and Byzantium. The ONLY thing Venetia wanted and was interested, it was gold and only gold. A strong byzantium state was a nightmare for Venetian because they were controlling the crucial eastern trade roads. The Crusade, led by stupid, incapable and malleable leaders was a dream occasion. Alexios IV was a stupid prince and promised unrealisable gifts, Domenico Dandolo wasn't interested in helping Byzantine, it was either destroy a powerful rival or install a pupett on the throne.

[@nalcoh]

*Something bad happens* Kings and Generals Narrator: "The situation was getting dire"

[@KingsandGenerals]

Do we overuse this sentence? :D

[@thespunkman8]

@@KingsandGenerals nah man the epic narration is one of the best things in this exelent channel. keep up the good work.

[@MrQwertyman111]

@@KingsandGenerals The situation will become dire in the comment section if you reduce the use this phrase ;)

[@velinureddin]

The war will be inevitable if you stop using it.

[@talmidshooter6797]

@@KingsandGenerals You MUST keep using it

[@brentoculam7407]

"Motivated principly by the pragmatisms of gold" Never have I heard a more accurate statement describing the Republic of Venice.

[@Kbuildsmodels_24]

Brent Oculam Cant wait to see Venice sink in that lagoon in a few years while Istanbul still stands.

[@alex3987654]

@Xen Humanity generally but especially Venetia haha.

[@Shadowscht16]

They are merchants afterall

[@LostShipMate]

This really is one of the most consistent military channel on KZbin. Every episode is clear cut, informative, and entertaining all on a regular release schedule.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks :-)

[@KingExituS]

Belisarius: They call me the last badass Roman. Alexios Komnenos: Let me to introduce myself!

[@ericponce8740]

The first 3 Komnenos Emperors saved Eastern Rome from total destruction.

[@alex3987654]

@@ericponce8740 At least Alexios saved it yes, Isaakios was very sucessfull and strengthened it, Manuel brought it to the peak of its glory during XII century but failed to re-conquer Anatolia unfortunately

[@giannisg3387]

@@alex3987654 *Ioannes was very successful and strengthened it

[@alex3987654]

@@giannisg3387 Thanks ! Ioannes II indeed ^^ so many Isaakios, Ioannes and Alexios in this Komnenos Family I was confused with his brother, uncle, great uncle (Ist), nephew and son lol. This Emperor is less know than his father and son but he was a very good emperor in my opinion, unlike his son he was focused on destroying the turkish in anatolia haha.

[@giannisg3387]

@@alex3987654 Indeed, he was a brilliant strategist, focusing on sieges instead of pitched battles! Also, I feel you buddy, even as a Greek, I sometimes have trouble remembering who of them did what!

[@kohterg3713]

I live in Dyrrhachium! Greetings from the ancient city of Dyrrhachium!!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Greetings! :-)

[@kohterg3713]

@@KingsandGenerals I used to walk everyday under the gate of the western wall to go to the beach.. and during Easters we would light candles all along the wall and under the gate (we call that "the knights gate") . Wish I could post photos here.. the remains of the wall and towers still gives you the vibe from ancient times..

[@dand7763]

@@pipebomber04 DURRËS (Albania) is now

[@andreaspapachristos5947]

@@dand7763 i think durrachium is in latin language because in greece historians call it durrachio

[@aokiaoki4238]

@@andreaspapachristos5947 Latin Dyrrachium Etymology Borrowed from Ancient Greek Δυρράχιον (Durrhákhion).

[@bigcat5348]

"given that he admitted he felt really bad about it and would give it back someday maybe"

[@d.m.collins1501]

I love his delivery on that line, too. No one does dry humor like Kings and Generals.

[@tylerellis9097]

Aleksa Petrovic Antioch eventually submitted so all in all that ended well enough...,

[@AlphaSections]

Sounds like the best deal ever! I take your stuff and I promise to return it someday, maybe. if I feel like it.

[@totoianugheorghelucian488]

I was literally on the verge of chocking myself when I heard that 😂😂

[@talmidshooter6797]

I laughed out loud at that, but that's how diplomacy is done pro-forma

[@Artur_M.]

The phrase "permanent presence of the pathologycally violent knights" at 3:09 made me chuckle. It feels like it would be a good title of something.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Decided to keep it :-)

[@LouisDavern]

A catastrophic defeat for Alexios, imo more damaging than Manzikert in the short term. The fact that he managed to recover and thrive shows just how good a ruler he was.

[@dimifisher]

Why more damaging than matzikert?

[@timogamer5794]

@@dimifisher Because most of the army at Manizkert escaped and most of the prisoners including the emperor where released by the Turks. Here most of the army was destroyed and many units that existed for centuries where lost.

[@judsonwall8615]

@@timogamer5794 Also, before Manzikert, Rome was still a very strong (although fracturing) power. Before Manzikert, the Roman Empire was at its medieval territorial height. It could march out 40,000 strong armies annually. It was still cohesive. It could tax. It had holdings in Italy, in the Balkans, had all of Anatolia and a good chunk of Syria. Manzikert happened when Rome was on its second emperor in 12 years. Dyrrachium was devastating because of its timing. Rome was basically just the southern Balkans and Constantinople. It was on its third emperor in four years (not counting the approx 10 attempted emperors in that time). Alexios had only been on the throne for a few months. He badly needed legitimacy. Rome had Turks at the door in the east, pechenegs on the door in the north, and normans in the west. This battle could’ve easily led to the fall of the Roman Empire in 1081. It didn’t because of Alexios, but it was a damn close thing.

[@Liquidsback]

Wouldn't it be awkward if the Roman Emperor in Constantinople had to ask for help for some reason and some of the people willing to help were the Normans. That would be hilarious if that ever happened. Right, right?

[@rottengluten5456]

You mean like the first Crusade.

[@DarthPlato]

Yes--and the presence of the Normans nearly scuttled the entire First Crusade while still at Constantinople.

[@GiovanniGeo]

but let us not let a decade long rivarly which resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides get in the way of a good crusade

[@SultanKhan-nd6gs]

Waiting for this for a long time!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for your patience :-)

[@SultanKhan-nd6gs]

Kings and Generals, I am considering to be a patron

[@oddpoppetesq.3467]

The best things come to those who wait, K&G isnt an exception 🥰

[@gillysuit9283]

@18:15 So let me get this right, the Roman Empire was paying the Holy Roman Empire to attack Rome!?

[@KingsandGenerals]

Yes!

[@emresar6364]

Byzantine Army: Skythikon, Vardariatoi, Dismounted Latinkon, Trebizond Archers, Varagian Guards. :)

[@hotpoteita245]

oh, total war medieval i see

[@Thessaloz]

And Cretan archers :) I played with them so many defences :D

[@emresar6364]

@@Thessaloz One of the best mercenaries by far.

[@alex3987654]

Ready to re-conquer Eastern Roman Empire on Medieval II haha :)

[@rocekth]

I see no Greek firethrowers here, nor Byzantine Guard Archers

[@nikolamaksic4790]

Anna Komnena deserves her own episode on voices of the past channel. Remnant of the past scholar and all around educated woman with imperial ambition, living in the peek of christian medieval period is a half hour must.

[@oscardelafuente8649]

Ost did an episode on her

[@tylerellis9097]

But also a Perfect representation of the term “Byzantine” and a member of the nobility Emperors like Basil II tried to destroy. Good thing she got cucked by Ioannes

[@quattrosaltiinpadellaconbu7143]

Another one interesting strong female character of the period was Matilda Of Canossa! she was the lady of north-Italy and fought Henry IV when he descends in Italy. At the beginning she was defeated in 1080, but later in the battle of Sorbara she expelled the emperor form Italy. Moreover she was identical to Sophie Turner and her personal story was very similar to Sansa Stark!

[@chronikhiles]

Overly Sarcastic Productions did a video on her. :)

[@quattrosaltiinpadellaconbu7143]

@@Aemond2024 we had the proof she was a knight, it was normal on many parts of Europe that a noble woman could learn to fight, and in the battle of Bianello she has defeated the imperial army charging at the heavy cavarly at the formation with the imperial vessel, after capturing and burning it the imperial forces fled away. We know this informations bot from itlaian and german sources of that period, and in particular the "Vita Matildis" a biography written by a monk lived during this epoch. Strong women existed and they were important both for diplomacy and in some cases battle tactics, this dosen't make them better than men but because it's stupid to compete between sexes, we are all humans!

[@ahistoryofbritain9612]

Brilliant as usual! I feel the existence of the Norman's in Italy is a topic that I had no knowledge of at all until your series! In UK history they just come from Normandy and take over the UK and done, you know nothing more other than they had come from the North originally, always good to learn more!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@robertwright4906]

The Irony, Pompey was defeated by Caesar because he fought a pitched battle for honor instead of starving Caesar’s army. Alexios was defeated because he fought a pitched battle for honor instead of starving out the normans.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Some locations are battle magnets

[@Matthewgriffiths18]

Tbh the saxons lost this battle , literally did the same thing as they did in hastings

[@indraneilpaul1309]

Pompey won at Dyrrhachium! The loss you speak about is the later battle at Pharsalus.

[@dragoninthewest1]

I don't see the irony. It's coincidental or serendipitous. Irony is having something happening in the opposite way to what is expected. You know like John Travolta being killed by Bruce Willis when he has his pants down in Pulp Fiction. The irony was that John Travolta was supposed to caught Bruce Willis.

[@crazykobold1644]

Alexios decided to engage Normans in a pitched battle not because he was stupid or hot-headed, it was mostly because his position on the throne was very insecure and there was huge pressure on him to win and boost his legitimacy. That he held on after this loss is nothing short of a miracle, and his mother and brother Isaac played a big role in preserving his reign.

[@SOP83]

The complex, and shifting, web of alliances is fascinating.

[@annieroseloquinario2044]

Well it hapened today like USA or qatar when they blockaded they were save by network of allies.

[@lanceleader163]

@17:19 I teared up. What a vicious battle. Kind of glad the Emperor made it out alive. And your use of the soundtracks is phenomenal.

[@stavka6923]

Read this part of history before in The Alexiad. Happy to see this visualized.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@nerobernardino88]

When you have a Shimakaze pfp and learned about the topic already: "I am speed!" - You

[@lapieuvre30]

This is my favorite time period! I hope you'll talk about the rivalry between Alexios and Bohemond in the next episodes

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on the way!

[@hach7882]

Serbs and Turks be like:"Yea, i'm just gonna leave" xD Good to see old enemies working together lol

[@KingsandGenerals]

"Why are we fighting these Norwegians, exactly?"

[@bilgeturkkan6095]

Turks and Serbs worked together many times in the past. There are many similarities in our foods, music, instruments etc. I don't know why people still say that we are enemies. Maybe, because they see the Ottoman Empire as 'Turkish', but the truth is that the empire was multi-ethnic.

[@iglutv7758]

@@nikolaoneill198 the serbs were loyal subjects and didnt betray the ottomans, even when other beyliks did. You also make it sound like there was a mass recruitment of serbs, when in fact the janissaries were a fraction of the army. And let's not forget the fact that christians were spared from military service or the fact that balkanian raiders happly went ahead of the ottoman army too loot before the army arrived.

[@enesakhan4032]

@@nikolaoneill198 i wont say that Ottomans didnt do shit to serbs or others .. we are talkin about wars .. it never peacefull .. lots of killing definetly happened for both sides .. taking children was allways for one child from each family and taken children was never seen as a tool .. they could even rise to top .. there are lots of viziers,military officers etc. whose roots are from diffirent race you see (especially Serbian ones) ... and even if they wouldnt rise to top they would given lands and money in exchange to educate new recruits for military and cultivate the land ... and forcing to islam was only for the taken children .. in Ottoman Empire forcing common folk to a religion didnt exist they were free in their religion .. yes they were treated as minority in taxation and etc. ..

[@ggoddkkiller1342]

@@nikolaoneill198 Sure no European ruler was forcefully collecting children, recruiting millions nor impaling people on stakes or burning them alive?? Vast majority of European population were not villein who had same rights as slaves, right??? There is a very serious reason why many European nations cooperated with Turks including Serbs as European rulers weren't any better than them at all...

[@22vx]

So much at stake and so many moving pieces to track - Gotta love the intricacy of it all! And now Bohemond is left in charge of the army in Greece as his father leaves for Italy. Perfect spot to stop... until next time!

[@sakdavid]

I love how the Eastern Romans are called Romans, Eastern Romans, Byzantines and Greeks interchangeably.

[@geletoz]

That comfuses me even though am getting it, it is not making sense..one name is enough

[@judsonwall8615]

It should just be the Romans. Medieval Romans if you need clarification.

[@arx3516]

@@judsonwall8615 by that time the lombards were far more roman than the byzantines have ever been.

[@judsonwall8615]

@@arx3516 Disagree. The Romans were quite simply the Romans. The lombards were latinized Germanic peoples. Nobody was more Roman than the Romans living in the Roman Empire, by definition.

[@gilpaubelid3780]

@@judsonwall8615 Although I don't agree with him, there is nothing quite simple about the term "Roman". It had different meanings through history and it was used by completely different people. The ancient romans and the Byzantines (Greeks with Roman citizenship) were both Romans based on different definitions of the term. If someone wanted to tell me something about the Byzantines and referred to them simply as "Romans" certainly this wouldn't be enough in order for me to understand what he was talking about. The first thing that would come to my mind would be that he was saying something about ancient romans not about medieval Greeks.

[@hugovanelsen8629]

Nobody: Kings and Generals: T H E O L D F O X

[@lshe97]

3:58 "[Guiscard] was allowed to keep the lands he had taken from the Papal States, provided he admitted he _felt really bad about it,_ and made an empty promise he would give it back _someday maybe."_ I have a feeling that the agreement wasn't taken that seriously. Might be just me though.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

Diplomatic language is not to be taken lightly. The formula that seems funny today, gives a legal base to pretend tomorrow, because with that letter the Norman prince admitted that the lands weren't his own. At that point in middle age very few powers considered a temporal horizon longer than a human life. The Church was one of them "now the Normans are too powerful, but it will not always be like that". Notice that, when eventually would have came the time when a weakened Norman state would have had to gave back those lands in exchange of something, the existence of that letter would have made that less dishonorable for them too.

[@thekingsamar5781]

You teach way better than any history teacher i have ever encountered. Great job. Keep it up.

[@adriancaine5278]

It makes me happy to see the Eastern Roman empire being referred to as Roman, which it was, instead of just "Byzantine"

[@alex3987654]

Exactly, Byzantine was never used during Empire's Life, it was added several centuries after their destruction.

[@aldricvalentine6817]

@@GeraltofRivia22 And it matters because...........?

[@kapoioskanenas2337]

@@GeraltofRivia22 yeah because the roman republic was roman...

[@Vitalis94]

@@GeraltofRivia22 The empire is a direct continuation of the Roman Empire, as far as states are concerned, at least until 1204, if not 1453 itself. They call themselves and their language Roman. What gives us the right to deny it to them?

[@tylerellis9097]

Geralt of Rivia Roman became a nationality after the Edict of Carcella. And Byzantine Culture was very much a continuation of late Roman Culture, Roman influence was very strong until the Empires destruction in 1204.

[@wretchedegg2208]

The Normans are probably my favourite K & G Series at the moment.

[@KingsandGenerals]

We like it, too! More on the way!

[@aaronmarks9366]

This Norman trilogy has been spectacular!

[@KingsandGenerals]

2 more videos on the way!

[@serggoms8532]

Wow just wow thanks for making history more theatrical and poetical episodes

[@TheSamuraijim87]

"Their kind had never been seen in the land of the Romans, neither among those who were barbarians or Greeks..." - Anna Komnena This video was great! It should be mentioned that the defeat at Manzikert wasn't really crushing, as the armies remained operative in Anatolia. Rather it was the civil war it precipitated among the Greek military class, which led to Turkish settlement in Anatolia. Also, it would probably have been worth mentioning the major role of Robert's wife Sichelgaita, probably among the most noteworthy women of her time. Still amazing work. Robert Guiscard was a really remarkable leader, and his achievements are criminally underrated.

[@Tommykey07]

Exactly. What also hampered the Byzantines were the Pecheneg raids in the Balkans, which kept the Byzantines from devoting their resources in Anatolia. The Turks also frequently hired themselves to the Byzantines as mercenaries.

[@TheSamuraijim87]

@@Tommykey07 and the revolt of Bodin and the Bulgarians.

[@jozzieokes3422]

Your content never stops in it's quality. keep it up K&G

[@KingsandGenerals]

Appreciate it!

[@jozzieokes3422]

@@KingsandGenerals thx so much

[@Nick-hi9gx]

Just watched a documentary on the Normans on Magellan, then decided to watch this, which I'd had in an open tab for a few days.

[@treatyofwindsor]

Chasing after a fleeing enemy, clearly didn't learn from hastings.

[@lolhiho1]

Pll ?

[@talmidshooter6797]

It's amazing how they did the same thing AGAIN, and right after the first time

[@byzantinetales]

Historically acurate names on the map, Roman empire on the map! Kudos!!!

[@brokenbridge6316]

As soon as the Normans burned their ships I knew who was going to win the coming battle. And it was glorious to watch. My compliments to all those who made this video a reality.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@KingsandGenerals----Your welcome. I love your channel. The history and animation are both great.

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@KingsandGenerals---Hey I've been into history since the mid 90's and have read a lot of interesting historical subjects since then. And I've been considering starting my own historical KZbin channel. Do you have any advice on what to do and what not to do?

[@adamschaeffer4057]

"My mother told me Someday I would buy Galley with good oars Sail to distant shores Stand up high in the prow Noble barque I steer Steady course for the haven Hew many foe-men, hew many foe-men

[@KingsandGenerals]

There is something about the sea. :-)

[@Crytica.]

*My 1% viking dna INTENSIFIES*

[@Dennell_Mount_and_Blade]

@@Crytica. Pls correct it to intensifies, just for me

[@Crytica.]

@@Dennell_Mount_and_Blade Because you asked so nicely

[@panhermides5035]

10:49 The Venetians with Greek Fire? How they got it? Have you got any historical source?

[@SuperCrow02]

Greek fire is confusing. One minute it is the most guarded secret of the Emperors, the next minute everybody has it, and then it's just gone.

[@matthewneuendorf5763]

I have a vague recollection that Alexios managed to get a few of his ships to link up with the Venetians. That would neatly explain the use of Liquid Fire in the battle. Of course, it could just be that every non-Roman source refers to anything incendiary as Greek Fire even if it wasn't. They did that a lot with Arab naphtha bombs and such in accounts of later crusades.

[@emperordemetrius3832]

@@SuperCrow02 I think the recipe was the most guarded secret, not the machine or the Greek fire itself. For example if someone looted it or found it, he could use it but not create it again

[@rocekth]

@@emperordemetrius3832 It's confusing, the Bulgarians captured siphons and the thing itself but couldn't use it, I think Matthew Neuendorf has the correct idea

[@alex3987654]

@@matthewneuendorf5763 Maybe Venetians used Byzantines Crews ? Or yes Byzantines ships, As Indeed they never revealed the formula of Greek Fire, it was maybe their most guarded seret indeed. Venetians didn't know the formula because they never used it against Byzantium during the Byzantine-Venetian wars.

[@0ak3nshi3ld88]

This is one of the very best KZbin channels in the entire history of Mankind.

[@amei653]

When You Realize That Eastern Roman Empire Bribe The Holy Roman Empire To Attack Rome. You Know It Roman

[@johnwest901]

Almost 30 years later, the same Alexios would trounce Guiscard's son Bohemond at the same location at this battle, showing how much he had been able to strengthen the Empire. One of the more interesting Byzantine/Roman Emperors. Remarkably long reign given the periods of relative decline before he came to power.

[@darthslain]

and bohemond would later fight on his side in the crusade......if i have it right

[@johnwest901]

@@darthslain yes, and become Prince of Antioch. Quite the resume in the end.

[@tylerellis9097]

Whispers......Ioannes Komnenos was a Better Emperor.

[@kanyekubrick5391]

Dang. Romans paying Germans to sack Rome...

[@KingsandGenerals]

Yep, stuff got confusing :-)

[@julianm.3376]

Wow your quality has improved AGAIN with the visuals and those info boxes. Great job guys

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@kaizikenpinas]

Love this. So happy you guys covered Alexios I 😁 Can’t wait for future Basil II episodes 😁

[@zakaria497]

All of your content is high quality! I prefer these videos then your podcast, these are so much more immersive. Love your storytelling

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! Podcasts are also good though :-)

[@zakaria497]

Kings and Generals yeah I didn’t say they weren’t, just your videos is longer and like to watch the animation:) can you blame me bro

[@rpavangchhia8953]

this 20 mins video felt like a 5 mins video,its so good.

[@ΚωνσταντίνοςΧΙ]

Great work in this channel. I really enjoy all the documentaries. Big credit that you say east Roman empire and not "Byzantine". That's the right way to call it and almost nobody call it the right way. The word Byzantine came from west Europe around 16th-17th century because they didn't like the fact that "Byzantines" was the carriers of the Roman empire legacy.

[@markhenley3097]

I find it intriguing how at this time people were fighting to be the successor of Rome, all while Rome still existed.

[@KingsandGenerals]

It will get even more weird after Moscow becomes "the third Rome" :-)

[@azazel688]

That damn EU4 expansion! 😤

[@monkey_ona_donkey6272]

@Mongolian Khan so were the proper Romans

[@Vitalis94]

@Mongolian Khan If they weren't Roman, then England at the time wasn't English, as the upper elite spoke Norman French. :P

[@julianfrost4827]

@Mongolian Khan They were not the real Roman Empire. They were THE Roman Empire. Constantinople had been the capital of the Roman Empire for 700+ years by this time in history. It is not something you can really argue against unless you are attempting to distort history.

[@dominikbradvica9406]

Hell yeah,loving this fight. Vikings (Normans) meet Romans(Byzantines), just epic

[@KingsandGenerals]

Indeed! We love making these "worlds collide" episodes!

[@tylerellis9097]

Vikings were in the Varangian Guard. Normans were ethnically and Culturally French at this point

[@balgunercan]

11th century is maybe the most interesting era of Eurasia. Normans, Greeks, Serbs, Turks, Arabs, Saxons... fighting almost in every corner.

[@xhuljanomuca4342]

I was just searching for a good video to watch while eating. Thanks K&G. Btw, I live only 30 minutes away from Dyrrhachium :)

[@KingsandGenerals]

Nice! I have been in that area. From nature to history, it is beautiful!

[@xhuljanomuca4342]

@DuskWolf sepse historia qe ne mesojne ne shkolle nuk prek asgje te rendesishme, apo ngjarje tetilla si kjo ose beteja e Caesar me Pompey.

[@gameoflife9576]

@@KingsandGenerals I am only 2 hours away.

[@gameoflife9576]

@Klaidi Rubiku e shkaterruan historine tone me qellim.Ajo qe mesojme ne shkolle na ben qe te largohemi nga vendi e jo te jemi krenare per te.

[@connorgolden4]

K&G, I think you’ve beat down the Eastern Romans enough, how about some ERE victories for once!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Working on it!

[@helio7455]

@@KingsandGenerals i want east ındian company plsss

[@toddchavez8274]

Are there really even that many? lol

[@ROBERTJMKLSDM7Q]

"A baptism of chaos and flame" Probably my favourite sentence I've ever heard on this Channel.

[@Κονανογαργαρος]

There is a book that chronicles the events written by the Byzantine princess Anna, daughter of the emperor Alexios A Komninos. It called ALEXIAD.

[@stare8562]

OH MY GOD DUDE STOP, THE MUSIC IS ON POINT AND THE MAP JUST LOOKS SO FUCKING AMAZING STOP BEING SO GOD DAMN AMAZING

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for being with us :-)

[@stare8562]

@@KingsandGenerals No thank you for being with me, you're the reason I'm such a huge nerd and always look forward to your amazing videos.

[@solinvictus1214]

I read Romans Vs Normans and it caught me off guard lmao, then I remembered

[@KingsandGenerals]

Yep, all the way to 1453. :-)

[@justinleecw]

Rhys Gregson Never forget Trebizond!

[@batuhun7283]

Yeah we turks coquerd the roman empire make the anatolia turkia

[@ostrogothiccyoutube8118]

@@batuhun7283 WE WUZ TURKZ

[@hellothere4858]

Age of empires more true everyday

[@AtrioxDark7777]

I see what You did there ", Norman knights turned north for war , lands and BOOTY !" Great series love it , I am following your channel for a long time !

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@umiddey8714]

Last time I was this early, Odin still had both of his eyes.

[@KingsandGenerals]

You have to sacrifice something for the wisdom of the world :-)

[@umiddey8714]

@@KingsandGenerals Indeed!

[@stevenseemungal5764]

@Klaidi Rubiku Don’t worry bro he’s just high.

[@nativeamericanhistory]

Incredible content and production quality. Channels like this motivated me to start my own channel.

[@petebondurant58]

You had me at "pathologically violent knights on his southern doorstep."

[@jonnyjonny4537]

Gretings from Enkelana today Pogradec love my Shqipez

[@mujii_22]

Amazing this is the true drama series

[@KingsandGenerals]

Yep, gets even more dramatic in the next episode!

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

*in a thick southern drawl* “Them Norman boys are at it again.”

[@maldito_sudaka]

this channel is a blessing

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you

[@kristizoto7828]

HELLO FROM DURRËS ancient DYRACHIUM 🇦🇱☦️

[@KingsandGenerals]

Greetings!

[@gameoflife9576]

Damn it's summer.I'm considering to go there on vacation.

[@issith7340]

congratulations for the correct sound of the greek names and places!!!! Finally someone who doesn’t mix and confuse greek with latn!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻

[@thedoruk6324]

Normans were too *OP* They have been *Nerfed* down(!)

[@KingsandGenerals]

That will come :-)

[@thedoruk6324]

@@KingsandGenerals Historical Endgame - The Normans :]

[@snakeenjoyingacanofbeans5219]

😭

[@alsiyonealternate]

@Klaidi Rubiku I love your quote. So true. 😀

[@abloodorange5233]

This so interesting! So much history left to be told.

[@taxiarchiskalyvas8198]

Byzantine empire brings a tear in my eyes 😥🇬🇷🙏

[@blockie9706]

What does Byzantine has to do with indian company flag 🇬🇷 tho ?

[@taxiarchiskalyvas8198]

@@blockie9706 you think you smart now or funny? Either way you have no idea boyy. Where are you from if you mind? 😜

[@V-man117]

Vikings vs Greeks. Normans vs eastern Romans. Awesome stuff!

[@swaminathanbalakrishnan5182]

Byzantium : Money, best army, who could beat us? Treachery : Allow me to introduce myself...

[@torva360]

It's always interesting to watch your videos around this time period. I feel the tension increase the closer things get to 1095.

[@justinian-1st]

I've never seen two cubes routing six cubes before.

[@thomasjunker5415]

"And made an empty promise to give it back, someday... maybe." That had me laughing so hard

[@neutronalchemist3241]

Diplomatic language is not to be taken lightly. The formula that seems funny today, gives a legal base to pretend tomorrow, because with that letter the Norman prince admitted that the lands weren't his own. At that point in middle age very few powers considered a temporal horizon longer than a human life. The Church was one of them "now the Normans are too powerful, but it will not always be like that". Notice that, when eventually would have came the time when a weakened Norman state would have had to gave back those lands in exchange of something, the existence of that letter would have made that less dishonorable for them too.

[@wenqiweiabcd]

> English veterans from Hastings go after fleeing enemy again, get cut off and destroyed, again ...I guess some people just never learn...

[@Sky-ms3fb]

Man you just have to love them Normans

[@culiusjaesar]

10:55 i would like to know if any of you have any sources of how the venetians came to posses greek fire in the first place . Did the Greeks give it to them or did they buy it before the war . Its really intresting given how secretive the greeks were with this particular weapon .

[@julianfrost4827]

I thought it was their version of it, not made from the same ingredients and not as effective either.

[@sirholycow]

Fascinating video as usual.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@gabrielferreira1531]

Seriously, Robert Guiscard deserves a HBO show so badly.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Hell yeah, I would watch that!

[@Vitalis94]

Normans, and even more so, Byzantines sure do as well!

[@Drvol1]

Greatest adventurer in between Julius Caesar and Napoleon 👍🏼

[@politicallyincorrect2564]

He in his 11 brothers. His other brother occupied Sicily with loaned forces. They did not even have any wealth. Their father was a minor lord or whatever but that did not stop them from greatness 😅

[@Nly737]

Awww yeah, been waiting impatiently! Thanks K&G, you guys are great:)

[@KingsandGenerals]

Our pleasure!

[@Zantides]

Nice video, i didn't watch it yet but it's probaly good. Gotta sleep first, it's 4 in the morning 😎

[@KingsandGenerals]

Good night :-)

[@AlexandruCandet]

@@KingsandGenerals here is 4pm...😁

[@AlexandruCandet]

@@KingsandGenerals so you gived him the video before you made it public...🤪

[@vic-mn5ws]

@@AlexandruCandet channel supporters get early access

[@Zantides]

@@AlexandruCandet I paid to see it early 🤪

[@leoahlburg1504]

I like the music. Underrated game with great multiplayer sieges.

[@Irmarinen]

"However, the younger, more hot-headed generals demanded an immediate, full-scale pitched battle, predicated on honour and pride." OH, FFS! This, Gentlemen, is how you lose the battle...

[@ArtAniStokuv]

Kings and Generals after being a channel loved that you wait for each series now you are distracted by how many series they are starting , I'm one of your most devoted fanatic fan , and my advice if you want to take it, don't let your audience feel "disrespected" by giving them not what they were waiting for, the Ceaser series and Roman series is almost your top by far "these days" do other series too yes but after you finish the Roman series, you are creating value on YT which very few do these days so don't overwhelm "the majority" of your audience who can't handle too many series at the same exact moment.

[@zhshsG7]

Oh wow, this is probably the best animated video I have seen to date from you guys. If I may, which game's footage are you using? Is it modded? Thanks in advance, and keep up the good work!

[@KingsandGenerals]

It is Total War: Attila

[@RagingAura]

It's my boy, Alexios! Finally a series that has the Komnenoi!

[@gigasigma8373]

This city has so much history and archaelogical places its unreal. The biggest amphitheater in the Balkans is here, a massive Castle, a Venetian Tower, the ancient hellenic port from the colony of the greeks when it was called Epidamnos in 7th century BC (sadly its under a building) the only remaining door of Via Egnatia but sadly thats also under a building, basically the via egnatia door is under the building the hellenic port is. Its pretty messed up lol. This is just the important things, there are much more.

[@bshtegtari]

It's true Durres is so rich in history. The problem is that the major part of its history rest buried under the ground. Frequent earthquakes (it is a very sismic area) has caused the ancient city to sink continuously up to three meters deep and over it is build the modern city. Everywhere they dig to lay foundations for a new building they will find rovines of the old Dyrrachium. Some are kept untouched but to preserve this rovines is a true challenge since you have to dig deep in a swampy area that tend to be covered by water and the high demand for new apartments leaves little space for an archaeological site.

[@antoinemonks4187]

Another great vid. I think this presentation is the best. Nice, but not so flashy as to distract from the narration. And I love having the year in the upper right. Also; soldier at 13:54 'What's that thing floating above me head???'

[@RexGalilae]

Drinking game: 1 shot every time Robert Guiscard is called an "old fox"

[@andreasleonardo6793]

Super nice historic video thanks

[@Tommykey07]

The Anglo-Saxons in the Varangian guard made the same mistake as they did at Hastings.

[@caleb513]

Hardly anything can match the excitement I feel when there is a new K&G video.

[@krspaceT1]

Odd how often Greeks a d Italians clash in history. Makes me think of Heroes Of Olympus and the demigod clashes