Editing Isaac I Komnenos (section)

====Proclamation of Isaac as emperor and the Battle of Hades====
Fearing that their plot was about to be discovered, the eastern generals hastened to act: the conspirators resident in the Anatolic Theme, [[Romanos Skleros]], Michael Bourtzes, [[Nikephoros III Botaneiates|Nikephoros Botaneiates]] and the sons of [[Basil Argyros]], hastened to find Isaac Komnenos at his estates near [[Kastamonu|Kastamon]] in [[Paphlagonia]], and on 8 June 1057, at a place called Gounaria, proclaimed him emperor.{{sfn|Wortley|2010|pp=455–456}} It is unclear whether any of the rebels held command of troops; rather, according to Kaldellis, "they had to canvass for support among the officers and soldiers and forge orders of imperial appointment for themselves".{{sfn|Kaldellis|2017|p=218}} Thus Skylitzes reports that Kekaumenos had to forge imperial letters to mobilize the regiments of the [[Armeniac Theme]]. With this force he went to join Komnenos.{{sfn|Wortley|2010|pp=456–458}} Leaving his family for safety with his brother at the fortress of Pemolissa on the banks of the [[Halys River]], Komnenos advanced west towards [[Constantinople]].{{sfn|Wortley|2010|p=458}} 

At the same time, the western regiments, and some of the eastern ones too, remained loyal to Michael VI. The emperor placed them under the command of Theodora's eunuch favourite, the ''proedros'' Theodore, and [[Aaron (son of Ivan Vladislav)|Aaron]], Isaac's brother-in-law; unlike previously, he now showered his commanders with honours to secure their allegiance. The loyalist army assembled at [[Nicomedia]], controlling the direct route to the capital. Therefore Komnenos turned south and seized [[Nicaea]] as his base of operations.{{sfn|Kaldellis|2017|p=218}}{{sfn|Wortley|2010|pp=458–459}} 

The two armies met at the [[Battle of Hades]], near Nicaea. In a hard-fought battle with many casualties, the loyalist left defeated the right wing of the rebel army. On the other flank, Kekaumenos broke through the loyalists to capture their camp and decide the battle, while Isaac held the centre.{{sfn|Kaldellis|Krallis|2012|pp=99, 101}}{{sfn|Wortley|2010|pp=459–461}}{{sfn|Sewter|1953|pp=214–215}}