Abulchares died in 1068, the same year as the former catepan Argyrus. Their deaths were a blow to the Byzantines. After his death, Bari, which he had resupplied, was besieged and taken by the Normans under Robert Guiscard. Perenos was appointed catepan, but was unable to cross the sea. According to Amatus of Montecassino, a catepan named Avartutele came to Bari in 1069 and sent for a relief force. There is no other record of a catepan of this name, and it may be an error for Abulchares, who was already dead when the siege began.