The surrender of Bari in 1071 marked a pivotal moment in the history of southern Italy and the larger conflict between Byzantine and Norman powers. Robert Guiscard, a prominent Norman leader, had been engaged in military campaigns aimed at expanding his dominion over Italy. For decades, Bari had served as a crucial Byzantine stronghold, acting as a strategic location for the Byzantine Empire's efforts to maintain influence in the Italian peninsula. The siege of Bari was part of Guiscard's broader strategy to eliminate Byzantine power in the region and solidify Norman control.

The siege began in earnest in the spring of 1071, with Guiscard employing tactics that combined direct assaults with blockades to weaken the city's defenses. The Byzantine defenders, facing dwindling supplies and reinforcements, struggled to maintain their hold. Notably, local alliances and the willingness of some citizens to switch allegiances contributed to the city's fate. As conditions in Bari deteriorated, the Byzantine forces were compelled to negotiate surrender terms.

When Bari fell, it signified not just a military victory for Guiscard, but also a shift in the balance of power in southern Italy, effectively ending Byzantine authority and heralding the rise of Norman dominance in the region. The fall of Bari also led to a series of subsequent conquests by Norman forces, reshaping the political landscape of Italy.