Editing 1081 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[April 1]] &ndash; Emperor [[Nikephoros III Botaneiates|Nikephoros III]] is forced to abdicate the throne, and retires to the [[Church of St. George of Samatya|Peribleptos]] monastery. He is succeeded by [[Alexios I Komnenos]], who is crowned on [[April 5]], as ruler of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. His brother-in-law [[Nikephoros Melissenos]] supports Alexios as new emperor, in exchange for the title of ''[[Caesar (title)|Caesar]]'' (co-emperor), and is appointed as commander of the Byzantine armies in the West.<ref>Brian Todd Carey (2012). ''Road to Manzikert: Byzantine and Islamic Warfare (527–1071)'', p. 158. {{ISBN|978-1-84884-215-1}}.</ref>
* [[May]] &ndash; A Norman fleet of 150 ships (including 60 [[Horse transports in the Middle Ages|horse transports]]), led by Duke [[Robert Guiscard]], sets off towards the [[Dalmatia]]n coast. An army of 15,000 men (including about 1,300 Norman knights) sails to the city of [[Vlorë|Avalona]] (modern [[Albania]]); they are joined by several ships from [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusa]], a republic in the [[Balkans]] who are enemies of the Byzantines.<ref>Norwich, John Julius (1995). ''Byzantium: The Decline and Fall'', p. 16. London, United Kingdom: Viking. {{ISBN|0-670-82377-5}}.</ref>
* [[October 18]] &ndash; [[Battle of Dyrrhachium (1081)|Battle of Dyrrhachium]]: After taking the island of [[Corfu]], Robert Guiscard advances to Dyrrhachium (modern-day [[Durrës]]), and lays siege to the city. Alexios I Komnenos attempts to defend [[Illyria]] from the [[Normans]] (the first recorded mention of Albania), but is defeated by Guiscard, outside Dyrrhachium, the Byzantine capital city of Illyria.