Battle of Pliska
From Warlike
Q403416
The Battle of Pliska or Battle of Vărbitsa Pass was a series of battles between troops, gathered from all parts of the Byzantine Empire, led by the Emperor Nicephorus I, and the First Bulgarian Empire, governed by Khan Krum. The Byzantines plundered and burned the Bulgar capital Pliska which gave time for the Bulgarians to block passes in the Balkan Mountains that served as exits out of Bulgaria. The final battle took place on 26 July 811, in some of the passes in the eastern part of the Balkans, most probably the Vărbitsa Pass. There, the Bulgarians used the tactics of ambush and surprise night attacks to effectively trap and immobilize the Byzantine army, thus annihilating almost the whole army, including the Emperor. After the battle, Krum encased the skull of Nicephorus in silver, and used it as a cup for drinking. This is one of the most documented instances of the custom of the skull cup.
52-manasses-chronicle
John Harris Valda - Annihilation of the Greek army in the battle of Pliska, 811John Harris Valda - Annihilation of the Greek army in the battle of Pliska, 811| Type | Subtype | Date | Description | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| event | armed conflict | 759 | Battle of the Rishki Pass | battle | Wikidata |
| event | armed conflict | 811 | Battle of Pliska | battle | Wikidata |
| event | armed conflict | 970 | Battle of Preslav | battle | Wikidata |
| event | armed conflict | 1279 | Battle of Devina | Byzantine Empire, battle, Second Bulgarian Empire | Wikidata |
| site | fort | Ktenia | fortress | Wikidata | |
| site | fort | Sikera | fortress | Wikidata | |
| commons | image | 52-manasses-chronicle | Commons | ||
| commons | image | John Harris Valda - Annihilation of the Greek army in the battle of Pliska, 811 | Commons | ||
| commons | image | John Harris Valda - Annihilation of the Greek army in the battle of Pliska, 811 | Commons | ||
