Battles & Campaigns · 763
Battle of Anchialus (763)
Pomorie (ancient Anchialus), Bulgaria
What happened
Telets's horsemen had been raiding Byzantine border lands. Constantine V marched out of Constantinople with a large army and a fleet. The Bulgarians came down from the hills to attack near Anchialus, and the fighting lasted from mid-morning until sunset.
Why it matters
It was a Byzantine victory, though both sides lost heavily. According to the main account, the Byzantines did not make use of the advantage it gave them.
What came next
Constantine V returned to his capital in triumph, and the wars with Bulgaria went on for decades.
Did you know?
An earlier name of the town, Anchialus, comes from Greek; today it is Pomorie on the Black Sea.
Timeline
- 16 Jun 763Constantine V marches out of Constantinople.
- 30 Jun 763Battle of Anchialus.
- 792Bulgarian victory at Marcelae.
- 811Battle of Pliska.