Harald Sigurdsson and the Russo-Byzantine War of 1043
Abstract
The present article analyzes Kekaumenos’ commentary on the service of Harald
Sigurdsson in the Byzantine army. Special a¯ ention is given to the composition of
Consilia et Narrationes and the historiographic perception of this text. It then discusses
Kekaumenos’ commentary in light of Harald’s adventures in the Haralds saga
Siguðarsonar and the story about the a¯ acks of Rus’ in the Byzantine literature. The
author a¯ empts to show that Constantine IX Monomachos tried to leave the large
groups of mercenaries in Constantinople. Furthermore, the emperor’s a¯ itude to
Harald and his warriors was related to the events of Russo-Byzantine war in 1043.
Constantine IX Monomachos dispersed these mercenaries into the themes. John
Scylitzes wrote that the emperor put a guard over them to prevent them from inciting
a rebellion. These arrests could explain Harald’s mysterious detention in the
reign of Constantine IX Monomachos. It is possible to conclude that Harald’s detention
was caused by the Russo-Byzantine war in 1043.