Battle of Pliska
Vărbitsa Pass, Balkan Mountains, near Pliska, Bulgaria
What happened
Khan Krum of the First Bulgarian Empire fought the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I. Nikephoros invaded Bulgaria and captured and burned its capital, Pliska. As the Byzantine army marched home through the mountain passes, Bulgarian forces blocked the passes and trapped it. Most of the Byzantine army was destroyed, and the emperor fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the worst defeats in Byzantine history. For more than 150 years afterwards Byzantine rulers avoided sending troops north of the Balkan Mountains, which helped Bulgarian power grow.
What came next
Krum defeated the Byzantines again at Versinikia in 813 and threatened Constantinople. He died in 814.
Did you know?
Krum is remembered for the first known written Bulgarian law code, which included help for beggars and protection for the poor.
Timeline
- 809Krum captures Serdica.
- 20-23 July 811The Byzantines capture and burn Pliska.
- 26 July 811Krum's forces defeat the Byzantines in the pass.
- 22 June 813Krum wins at Versinikia.
- 13 April 814Krum dies.