In the 10th century, the Byzantine Empire, long on the defensive against the Islamic caliphates, launched a series of ambitious military campaigns to reclaim lost territories. Led by the brilliant and ruthless general Nicephorus Phokas, the Byzantines achieved a series of stunning victories, including the reconquest of Crete and the capture of key cities in Cilicia. This resurgence of Byzantine power, fueled by a new core of elite heavy cavalry and a more aggressive military strategy, marked a turning point in the long-standing conflict between the two powers.