Basil Mesardonites facts for kids

Basil Mesardonites (died 1016) was an important official for the Byzantine Empire. He served as the Catapan of Italy from 1010 until his death in 1016 or 1017. A "Catapan" was like a powerful governor or a viceroy, representing the Byzantine Emperor and ruling a part of the empire. Basil was in charge of Byzantine lands in Italy during a very challenging time.

Basil's Important Role in Italy

Basil Mesardonites took over as Catapan after the previous one, John Kourkouas, was killed in battle. John had been fighting against the Lombards, a group of people who were rebelling against Byzantine rule. This rebellion was led by a man named Melus.

Putting Down the Rebellion

In March 1010, Basil arrived in Italy with fresh troops from Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. He also brought Leo Tornikios Kontoleon, a military leader from Cephalonia. Basil immediately began to attack the rebels in the city of Bari.

The people of Bari, who were mostly Greek, talked with Basil. They convinced the Lombard leaders, Melus and Dattus, to run away. On June 11, 1011, Basil entered Bari and brought the city back under Byzantine control. He was not harsh with the people after his victory. Instead, he simply sent Melus's family, including his son Argyrus, to Constantinople.

Making Peace and Alliances

After securing Bari, Basil worked to make friends with as many Lombard rulers as possible. He visited Salerno in October, where Prince Guaimar III was technically a Byzantine ally.

Basil then went to Monte Cassino, a famous monastery. This monastery was hiding Dattus, one of the rebel leaders. Even though Dattus was there, Basil confirmed all the special rights and lands that the monastery owned in Byzantine territory. The abbot (head) of the monastery, Atenulf, was the brother of Pandulf IV, the prince of Capua. Because of Basil's kindness, the monastery soon forced Dattus to leave, and he fled to lands controlled by the Pope.

Basil Mesardonites managed to keep peace in the Byzantine lands in Italy until he died in 1016 or 1017. After his death, Leo Tornikios Kontoleon, who had arrived with him, became the new Catapan.

Who Was Basil Mesardonites Really?

Some modern historians believe that Basil Mesardonites might be the same person as Basil Argyros. Basil Argyros was a member of the important Argyros family and the brother of a future emperor, Romanos III. A historian named John Skylitzes wrote that Basil Argyros also fought against Melus's rebels.

Sources

• Norwich, John Julius. The Normans in the South 1016–1130. Longmans: London, 1967.
• Chalandon, Ferdinand. Histoire de la domination normande en Italie et en Sicile. Paris, 1907.