Book IX Summary and Analysis

Book IX opens with Alexius's operations against Tzachas and the Dalmatians. Alexius receives reliable information on Tzachas's movements. He saw himself as having Imperial authority and was amassing an appropriately sized office. John Ducas engages Tzachas on the land when he could but achieved little, which frustrated Alexius. Ducas doubled down and continues to battle Tzachas and Tzachas eventually backed down. Ducas is able to capture many of Tzachas's vessels but not before Tzachas could bring in some Turks on his side. However, with help, Ducas is eventually victorious.

Alexius hears that there has been a rebellion in Crete and sent Ducas to quell it; the people murdered the rebels and submitted to Ducas. Similar trouble arose on Cyprus and then Tzachas got involved and attacked and conquered Smyrna. Alexius selected the Thalassocrator to fight Tzachas. Alexius tells the...