On 9 May 1009, a critical spark ignited in Southern Italy—one that would reverberate through the region’s political landscape and signal the beginning of the end for Byzantine control in the area. This date marks the beginning of the Lombard Revolt, a bold uprising led by disaffected Lombard nobles, primarily centered around Bari, a key city within the Byzantine-controlled Catepanate of Italy.
The background
By the turn of the 11th century, the Byzantine Empire had reasserted its dominance in parts of Southern Italy after periods of fluctuating control. While this restored some order, it also fostered resentment among the local Lombard aristocracy, who were frustrated by imperial taxes, foreign governors, and a lack of autonomy. Many saw Byzantine rule not as a stabilizing force, but as an oppressive yoke limiting their local power and traditions.
9 May 1009: The spark
On 9 May, the revolt began in Bari, when a faction of Lombard nobles, led by Melus of Bari, openly rebelled against the Byzantine administration. The choice of date was likely strategic, taking advantage of political unrest and the absence or weakness of Byzantine military oversight at the time. Melus, a well-connected noble from a prominent family, quickly emerged as the face of the rebellion. Alongside him stood Dattus, his brother-in-law, who brought military experience and further legitimacy to the cause.
The uprising quickly spread beyond Bari, tapping into deep-seated frustrations across Apulia. Towns with significant Lombard populations followed Bari’s lead, and Melus positioned himself as a champion of local independence. For a time, the rebels saw significant success, capturing key territories and establishing a rival power structure to the Byzantines.
The broader significance
Though the initial outbreak was localized, the events of 9 May 1009 set into motion a series of transformations that would reshape Southern Italy. In his effort to sustain the revolt, Melus reached out to foreign powers, including the Normans, whose arrival would permanently alter the balance of power in the region.
The rebellion ultimately failed in military terms, being crushed by the Byzantine general Basil Boioannes by 1011. However, its symbolic importance as the first major crack in Byzantine control cannot be overstated. It sowed the seeds for later Lombard-Norman cooperation and paved the way for the eventual Norman conquest of Southern Italy.