A notable Byzantine general during the mid-9th century who scored a crushing victory against the Arabs. Petronas was a notable Byzantine general and leading aristocrat during the mid-9th century. In 856, Petronas led a counter-attack into the Arab Empire, annihilating the Arab army at Amida. After penetrating deeper into Arab territory than any Byzantine commander since the beginning of the Muslim conquests, he returned victorious with many captives. In 863, an Arab army raided deep into Byzantine territory. Petronas was placed in charge of all Byzantine troops assembling to confront the invasion, and through a brilliant coordination effort, three separate forces managed to converge on the Arab army, encircle it, and destroy it at the Battle of Lalakaon. The defeat of the Arabs and their Paulician allies became a turning point in the Arab–Byzantine Wars. With this victory, Petronas were able to secure the eastern borders, strengthen the Byzantine state, and set the stage for the Byzantine conquests of the 10th century.