The two armies met at an open-field battle near Demotika (modern Didymoteicho) in October 1352,[1] which would decide the fate of the Byzantine Empire, without the direct involvement of the Byzantines.[4] The more numerous Ottomans defeated the Serbs, and Kantakouzenos retained the power, while Palaiologos fled to Venetian Tenedos.[4] According to Kantakouzenos about 7,000 Serbs fell at the battle (deemed exaggerated), while Nikephoros Gregoras (1295–1360) gave the number as 4,000.[3] The battle was the first major battle of the Ottomans on European soil, and it made Stefan Dušan realize the major threat of the Ottomans to Eastern Europe.[4]