Byzantine–Serbian War (1090–1095)
| Byzantine–Serbian War (1090–1095) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Byzantine–Serbian wars | |||||||||
Vukan I, ruler of the Principality of Serbia during Byzantine–Serbian War (1090–1095) | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Grand Principality of Serbia | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Vukan Vojislavljević |
Alexios I Komnenos John Komnenos | ||||||||
The Byzantine–Serbian War (c. 1090–1096) was part of a series of wars between the Byzantine Empire and the medieval Serbian states. The succession of medieval Serbian states went through several periods of warfare.
In around 1090, Vukan, governor of Raška, declared independence from the mediaval kingdom of Duklja and established the Grand Principality of Serbia. Soon, he launched a series of raids into Byzantine Empire's territories, under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, around Kosovo to expand his territory and influence. The raids were successful due to Turkish incursions distracting the Byzantines.
After destroying village of Lipljan, he negotiated peace, only to resume attacks once Byzantium faced other threats in 1093, capturing cities such as Vranje, Skopje, and Tetovo. The raids were successful because Alexios I was distracted with another Turkish incursion. Though Alexios I forced another truce, hostilities flared again in 1106 when Vukan defeated Byzantine forces once more. These conflicts established a pattern of warfare, diplomacy, and hostage exchanges that defined early Serbian-Byzantine relations.