Imperial Raid on Dalmatia (Premysloides Dynasty)

Background
After Thessaloniky victory, Emperor Romanos was put in delicate situation. He had to decide, if Imperial army will move to Constantinople, or if they will raid and besiege Venice. Imperial Navy support invasion of Venice, while Imperial Army supported siege of Constantinople. Emperor decided for first stance and assigned admiral Philantropenos to prepare battleplans and whole mission.

Admiral Philantropenos had many informations about rich Venetian cities on Dalmatia shore. Most of them were orthodox Christian cities, but after Fourth Crusade, their population were expeled and replaced by Latin Catholics. Philantropenos decide to raid these cities before invasion of Venice, as these cities had capabilities to attack in imperial rear, if they will be ignored and they are also very rich and imperial forces need money and gold to pay mercenaries, troops and buy supplies.

Raid
First raid targeted Ionian islands, but most local population welcomed imperial forces as saviors and liberators and spontaneously aided imperial forces by their savings, foods and soldiers. "Raid" on Ionian islands was ended by public execution of local Venetian governor.

Real first raid occured in Durazzo, in Venetian Albania. Durazzo changed owner many times in 13th Century. In 1205, it was captured by Venetians, in 1213, city was captured by Epirus Despotate, in 1248 Venetian rule was restored during Latin League invasion. Because of these changes, city garrison was weak and only composed of 500 light equiped footmen. Most of them left city undefended. City was raided, Catholic population enslaved and imperial forces captured about 100 pounds of gold and silver. Most of city port was in desolate condition and shipyard was for many decades obsolete and unused. New imperial province ruler was appointed and initiated city restoration.

Butrint raid was much more dangerous, as local garrison was composed of Venetian mercenaries and Charles of Anjou expeditionary corps troops. Not just numerious then in Durazzo, but also better equiped and fortified. However, most of defense perished when imperial fleet started coastal bombardment by artillery and Greek fire. City was captured after few hours of bombing, but most of town was destroyed, include port and large shipyard, population left city and Butrint remained unpopulated. Imperial forces captured city treasure include 850 pounds of gold, silver and jewels.

Bloodiest raids were on Ragusa and Zara, most prosperous and largest Venetian cities on Dalmatia shore. In Zara, local orthodox population, following their revenge for Sack of Zara, initiated revolt against Venetian garrison and with help of landing imperial troops, they captured city after fierce struggle in city citadel. Because of local revolt, capture of Zara was quick, despite it had strongest garrison of raided cities. Zara was captured in swift raid and mostly intact. Local shipyard and port were immediately prepared to serve imperial navy and imperial trade. Local Catholic population left city or pledge loyalty to Roman Emperor.

Ragusa raid was also bloody, but also symbolic, as in city center were ruins of Diocletian Palace. In this raid, Emperor Romanos personally led his detachment in city landing. Like Zara, Ragusa was large, well-fortified and prosperous port city, but here, imperial navy again used artillery bombardment to penetrate fortification and defense. Then, landing forces of Varangian guard with Emperor Romanos IV. landed on shore and invaded city from south, while Frederick and Strategopulos troops landed from north and city was bombarded from west. At noon 27 July 1249, imperial forces conquered city magistrate and Diocletian Palace ruins. Most of Ragusa population fled away and imperial forces looted nearly 1,000 pounds of gold and silver. Emperor ordered few hundred troops to remain in city and start basic restoration and rebuilding works on Diocletian Palace ruins and also appointed Ragusa as center of Dalmatia Imperial Province.

Last raid was much more blockade and negotations then real raid, as Istrian cities were divided in support of Venice and most of them capitulated before arrival of imperial forces, or decided not to join any side. About half of Istrian troops defected to Empire.

Aftermath
Imperial Raid on Dalmatia was crucial preparation before invasion of Venice itself. Imperial forces secured their rear, restored imperial rule on Dalmatia and in Adriatic Sea and also established half-dozen of supply routes and centers for their army. Except ruined Butrint, all conquered or defected cities and ports supplied imperial forces during siege of Venice.