The Normans first become involved in Balkan politics during Kresimir's reign, and he soon comes in contact with them.

After the 1071 Battle of Manzikert, where the Seljuq Turks routed the Eastern Imperial army, the Serbs had instigated a rebellion of Slavic boyars in Macedonia.

In 1072, Kresimir had lent his aid to the uprising.

However, against all odds, the empire had relatively quickly retaliated in 1074.

In 1075, the Norman Count Amico invades Croatia from southern Italy, either at the command of Constantinople or on behalf of the Dalmaitan cities (by invitation to protect them from Croatian domination).

Amico besieges Rab for almost a month (late April to early May).

He fails to take the island, but he allegedly does manage to capture the Croatian king himself at an unidentified location.