Dyrrachium

The Battle of Dyrrachium (modern Durrës, Albania) in 1081 saw Robert Guiscard defeat the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. This audacious campaign on the Via Egnatia demonstrated Norman willingness to challenge the Eastern Roman Empire directly.

Why it mattered

• Major Norman victory over Byzantium
• Demonstrated Norman Mediterranean ambitions

Chronology (selected)

• 1081: Robert Guiscard defeats Alexios I at Dyrrachium

Further reading

• Anna Komnene, "Alexiad" (c. 1148)

Hub essays

• Region context: norman identity themes and the shared bibliography.
• Castles and fortification: Norman castles — motte to stone.

Caution

Scope: This pin compresses a short episode or mixed contingents. Use chronicles and secondary surveys; avoid treating a raid or crusade episode as stable “Norman rule” unless the dates and administration support it.

On the map

Use Open on map to fly to this pin in the Norman expansion era. Layers are teaching overlays — pair them with charters, excavation reports, and the works above.