Constantine was the last emperor who took an interest in recovering ground in Italy, but Sirianus was on the defensive against the Norman state and recovered no territory. According to the annals of Lupus Protospatharius, the Norman duke Robert Guiscard captured Oria and Brindisi in the year of his appointment and Taranto in the following year.
Constantine was the last emperor who aimed to regain lost Italian territories, whereas Sirianus was on the defensive against the Norman state and failed to secure any gains. According to Lupus Protospatharius' annals, Robert Guiscard's Norman forces conquered Oria and Brindisi shortly after his appointment, followed by Taranto in the subsequent year.