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Birth:          ABT  940 
Death:          19 Jul  998 Battle of Apamea
Cause of Death: killed in battle

Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damian_Dalassenos
Damian Dalassenos (Greek: ?aµ?a??? ?a?ass????; ca. 940 – 19 July 998) was a 
Byzantine aristocrat and the first known member of the Dalassenos noble family. He is 
known for his service as the military governor (doux) of Antioch in 996–998. He fought 
the Fatimids with some success, until he was killed at the Battle of Apamea on 19 July 
998.
Biography[edit]

Damian is the first attested member of the distinguished Dalassenos clan.[1] His early 
life is unknown, but for genealogical reasons he is estimated to have been born in ca. 
940.[2] Nothing is known of him before 995/6, when Emperor Basil II appointed him 
governor of Antioch in succession to Michael Bourtzes following the latter's defeat in 
the Battle of the Orontes in September 994.[3][4] This post was one of the most 
important military positions in the Byzantine Empire, as its holder commanded the 
forces arrayed against the Fatimid Caliphate and the semi-autonomous Muslim rulers of 
Syria.[5] In this capacity, he held the high title of either patrikios (according to John 
Skylitzes) or magistros (according to Stephen of Taron).[6]

Dalassenos maintained an aggressive stance. In 996 his forces raided the environs of 
Tripoli and Arqa, while Manjutakin, again without success, laid siege to Aleppo and 
Antartus, which the Byzantines had occupied and refortified the previous year, but 
was forced to withdraw when Dalassenos with his army came to relieve the fortress.[7] 
The Fatimid defeat was compounded by the sinking of a Fatimid fleet, that was 
intended to support Manjutakin's operations, before Antartus.[8] Dalassenos repeated 
his raids against Tripoli in 997, taking many captives. He also attacked the towns of 
Rafaniya, Awgh, and al-Lakma, capturing the latter and carrying off its inhabitants into 
captivity.[7][8]

In June/July 998, he marched his troops to Apamea to seize the city after a 
catastrophic fire had burned down its provisions. The Aleppines tried to seize the city 
first, but withdrew at the approach of Dalassenos, who could not permit a vassal to 
grow too strong.[9][10] The local Fatimid governor, al-Mala'iti, called for aid, but the 
relief army under Jaysh ibn Samsama was delayed by having to deal first with 
suppressing the Byzantine-sponsored rebellion of Tyre.[8] After Tyre had been 
subdued, Jaysh moved his army to Damascus, whence he proceeded to confront 
Dalassenos. Ibn al-Qalanisi reports that by this time, Apamea was near surrender due 
to famine. In the resulting battle, fought on 19 July 998, the Byzantines were initially 
victorious, but a Kurdish officer managed to kill Dalassenos, whereupon the Byzantine 
army collapsed and fled. Two of his sons, who accompanied Dalassenos, were taken 
captive to Cairo, where they remained for ten years, while Stephen of Taron somewhat 
dubiously reports that one of his sons was killed.[6][8] Damian Dalassenos was 
succeeded as doux of Antioch by Nikephoros Ouranos.[11]

Family[edit]

Damian Dalassenos had at least three sons:[1][8]
Constantine Dalassenos, doux of Antioch in 1025 and a favourite of Emperor 
Constantine VIII (r. 1025–1028).
Theophylact Dalassenos, also a doux of Antioch.
Romanos Dalassenos, katepano of Iberia.

Theophylact was most likely the father of Adrianos, the maternal grandfather of Anna 
Dalassene, the mother of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, founder of the Komnenian 
dynasty.[12]


Marriage To ----- ----- ()
    m.  

Notes


Children by ----- ----- 
DALASSENOS Theophylactos (ABT  960 - AFT 1039)

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