People's Crusade
In 1018, the Theme of Bulgaria was established by Emperor Basil II, who had conquered Bulgaria and Serbia. Niš was one of its main cities. Prince Constantine Bodin was crowned Emperor of Bulgaria in 1072, amid the Bulgarian revolt against the Byzantine Empire. Bodin conquered Niš, but was later captured. During the People's Crusade, on July 3, 1096, Peter the Hermit clashed with Byzantine forces at Niš, losing a quarter of his men, but managed to march on to Constantinople.