Byzantine Empire The Battle of Olivento was fought on 17 March 1041 between the Byzantine Empire and the Normans of southern Italy and their Lombard allies near the Olivento river, between the actual Basilicata and Apulia, southern Italy.

Here he was met by an army of 300 Norman Knights and 600 infantry under Rainulf Drengot, Arduin and William Iron Arm.

[1] After the envoy was given another horse he was sent back to Dokeianos with the Normans' reply choosing battle.

However, the Normans resisted and counter-attacked, defeating the Byzantines with a decisive cavalry charge.

The battle of Olivento was the first of the numerous successes scored by the Normans in their conquest of southern Italy.