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Byzantine–Serbian conflict

Type Event Region Balkans Time 1331–1334

In the 1330s Stefan Dušan exploited the defection of Byzantine general Syrgiannes Palaiologos to seize Macedonian fortresses, reaching the walls of T…

Timeline

  1. 1331–1332Serbian–Byzantine frontier · SerbiaAfter Stefan Dušan killed his father and seized the throne, the fragile peace under the Treaty of Chernomen could not hold, and the two sides repeatedly clashed over fortresses along the Macedonian and Albanian frontiers.
  2. 1333–1334Ohrid and Prilep · MacedoniaThe former governor of Thessaloniki, Syrgiannes Palaiologos, defected to Dušan with his fortresses; Serbian forces took Ohrid, Prilep, Strumica and Kastoria, advancing to the walls of Thessaloniki.
  3. 1334Thessaloniki front · GreeceThe Byzantine general Sphrantzes feigned surrender, entered the Serbian camp and assassinated Syrgiannes, depriving Dušan of his inside help; with Byzantium repelling Turkish raids and Hungary threatening the north, Dušan agreed to peace, and Byzantium recognized Serbian control of Ohrid and other places.

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