In 967, the Byzantines and the Fatimids hastily concluded a peace treaty to cease hostilities in Sicily. Both empires had grander issues to attend to: the Fatimids were preparing to invade Egypt, and tensions were flaring up on mainland Italy between the Byzantines and the German emperor Otto I. The constant tension between the Germans and the Byzantines was largely due to mutual cultural biases, but also to the fact that both empires claimed to be the successors of the Roman Empire. Conflicts in southern Italy were preceded by religious contests between the two empires and by the malicious writings of Liutprand of Cremona. Otto first invaded Byzantine Apulia in 968 and failed to take Bari. Early the next year, he once again moved against Byzantine Apulia and Calabria, but, unable to capture Cassano or Bovino, failed to make any progress. In May he returned north, leaving Pandulf Ironhead to take charge of the siege. Pandulf was defeated and taken prisoner by the Byzantine general Eugenios, who went on to besiege Capua and enter Salerno. The two empires would continue to skirmish with each other until after the reign of Nikephoros, but neither side was able to make permanent or significant gains.
in 967 the byzantines and the fatimids hastily concluded a peace treaty to cease hostilities in sicily both empires had grander issues to attend to the fatimids were preparing to invade egypt and tensions were flaring up on mainland italy between the byzantines and the german emperor otto i the constant tension between the germans and the byzantines was largely due to mutual cultural biases but also to the fact that both empires claimed to be the successors of the roman empire conflicts in southern italy were preceded by religious contests between the two empires and by the malicious writings of liutprand of cremona otto first invaded byzantine apulia in 968 and failed to take bari early the next year he once again moved against byzantine apulia and calabria but unable to capture cassano or bovino failed to make any progress in may he returned north leaving pandulf ironhead to take charge of the siege pandulf was defeated and taken prisoner by the byzantine general eugenios who went on to besiege capua and enter salerno the two empires would continue to skirmish with each other until after the reign of nikephoros but neither side was able to make permanent or significant gains