Battle of Bar

Prior to the war, Doclea had a nominal relationship of suzerainty with the Byzantine Empire; however, around the start of the 11th century, Docleates waged a series of successful wars aimed at the complete independence of Doclea and termination of suzerain status. Byzantine army moved into Doclea and set up camp in the area near medieval Bar.

The battle took place on the mountainous area between Bar and Crmnica after midnight, on October 7 in 1042. Prior to the battle a man from Bar entered the Byzantine camp and spread false information about huge army causing panic among the Byzantines. Stefan Vojislav, along with three of his sons, led the Docleates into battle. Docleate Army slowly moved down the hills along with shouting and blowing horns and trumpets so it would appear much larger than it really was. The Byzantines were trapped in the mountainous area, as the Docleates blocked the passage. Docleates caught the Byzantines unprepared and managed to cause chaos among the Byzantine ranks and after heavy fighting rout the remaining Byzantine forces. Some historical records claim that two thirds of the Byzantine army had been killed. Byzantine historian John Skylitzes (1040–1101) claimed that 60,000 Byzantines participated in the battle, but these records are considered inaccurate. Most historians agree that there were about 40,000 Byzantines. Numbers of the Serbian army are unknown, but are considered to be largely inferior to the Byzantines. Voislav dispatched 50 Greeks to tell the rest about the huge victory for the Slavs.