Battles & Campaigns · 1167
Battle of Sirmium
Sremska Mitrovica (ancient Sirmium), Serbia
What happened
The Byzantines used horse archers to lure the Hungarians into a charge. The Byzantine left wing broke, but the centre and right held. Counterattacks and Kontostephanos's reserves then drove the Hungarians back, and their army fled.
Why it matters
Hungary asked for peace on Byzantine terms. It accepted Byzantine control of Bosnia, Dalmatia, part of Croatia and Fruška Gora.
What came next
Béla, who had been raised at the Byzantine court, later became King of Hungary with Byzantine help.
Did you know?
Emperor Manuel I could not lead the army himself because a horse fell on him while he was playing polo.
Timeline
- 26 Aug 1071Battle of Manzikert.
- 8 Jul 1167Battle of Sirmium.
- 1172Béla III takes the Hungarian throne.
- 17 Sep 1176Battle of Myriokephalon.