Tsar Krum united the Bulgarian Kingdom in 811

Byzantine empire for the first time loose emperor and successor in one battle in 811 and suffer crushing defeat from the Bulgarian army.

Tsar Krum united 2 Bulgaria's: Misia with Macedonia

Bulgarian Tsar Kuber brother of Asparukh settle in Macedonia 30 years before.

Снимка

Tsar Krum the Terrible

On July 26, 811 in Stara Planina Mountain Bulgarian army destroy Byzantine aggressor in Vurbitsa pass and kill emperor Nicephorus I Genik and his son crone price Stauracius. In the history of the Byzantine empire where killed in the fight only two emperors: Valens in 378 and Constantine in 1453.

The dead of two emperors at the same time make great impression in Europe and lifted the respect for Bulgarian kingdom. The name of the Bulgarian Tsar Krum will be remember centuries later and will be covered with legends. He was well known with very hard executive power. Krum is said to have made a drinking-silver cup of Nicephorus's skull. In the light of this anecdotic circumstances will be lost the consequences of the battle. Changing the European continent. European diversity of nations and cultures on place of unified Roman empire. The waves of the Great migration of the nations destroy the Roman empire united Europe till 3 century A.D. It rise many nations in Europe. Two of them are established from Tsar Asparukh in Misia and Tsar Kuber in Macedonia.

From the new nations in Europe around year 800 remain only the two Bulgaria's. Resources for them are very limited compared to the Byzantine empire. But in 803 in the North Bulgaria come to power a talented leader Tsar Krum. He recognize that the politic of the 8 century to keep the conquered territories and to fight the Byzantine army was not the right one. To keep the Bulgarian kingdom intact he needs a new policy. Bulgaria need to gain in territories, land and resources. Tsar Krum stake on expansion and unification of the two Bulgarian state and this can't be achieved without war with Byzantine empire.

In 809 he win over Byzantine army in Macedonia and take Serdika and unite the two Bulgarian state, which the historians in Skopje called false conquer of Macedonia, because Macedonia was long before already inhabited by Slavs and Bulgarians. Continue the expansionist policy he incorporate in Bulgaria Aegean Thrace and Rodopi mountain. This expansion and unification of the Bulgarian state alarm Byzantine emperor who started unprecedented attack on Bulgaria in July 811. It take part the whole Byzantine army. They passed the Stara Planina mountain and defeat the 15 000 Bulgarian army and take the Bulgarian capitol Pliska. After the palace was destroyed Krum was said to sue for peace offering Nicephorus I anything he wants. The Byzantine emperor refused the proposal. The Byzantine army enjoy the win in drinking and plunder. Tsar Krum prepare for revenge, fill his army with soldiers from distant area and block the retreat of the Byzantine army when he take all possible passes in Stara Planina mountain. Nicephorus I recognize that he is in the trap. He choose to retreat true Vurbitsa pass. The Byzantine army is attacked from the early morning of the July 26, 811 from the Bulgarian army. Elite forces attacked the emperor camp. Nicephorus is surprised in the tent with his men lovers and is killed instantly. His son Stauracius was so badly wounded and die month later. The Byzantines were crushed like never before. The consequences for Byzantine empire a catastrophically. Having taken his revenge, Krum proposed peace. When met with a refusal, he led his army south to the area between the Struma and the Maritsa, seizing Byzantine towns and strongholds. The population was sent to territories beyond the Danube, so as to incorporate new lands more easily into the Bulgarian state. Then he extended another proposal for peace. Despite his victories, he set a very modest condition: renewal of the treaty from Tsar Tervel's time.

FROM THE BYZANTINE ENCYCLOPAEDIA 'SVIDAS'
Under the Emperor Justinian, Tervel, the ruler of the Bulgarians (700-721), was at the height of his prosperity. Justinian himself, and Constantine, the son of Heraclius, paid him tribute. He would put down his shield, which he carried in time of war, and turn it upside down, then the whip he used to guide his horse, and have money piled on to them until both were covered. He would lay his spear on the ground and from one end to the other and to a great height he would have silk garments piled on it. Filling purses with gold and silver coins, he distributed them to the soldiers, throwing gold with his right hand and silver with his left hand.

In 705 Khan Tervel's army helped Emperor Justinian II to regain his throne. The grateful basileus welcomed the Bulgarian Khan in Constantinople with great honors, putting a royal mantle on his shoulders and showering him with gifts. Khan Tervel and Emperor Justinian stood together as equals at the parade of Byzantine troops. And best of all, under the new treaty of 716 Bulgaria received, for the first time, lands south of the Balkan range: the region of Zagora in Eastern Thrace, through which many strategic routes passed. Defeated and humiliated, Byzantium was committed to pay annual tribute to Bulgaria. Furthermore, the Khan was awarded the title of Caesar, making him second only to the emperor. This was the first time in Byzantine history that a foreigner was bestowed such a title, and a lead seal reading "Mother of God, help the Caesar Tervel" attests to the honor.

The brilliant victory over Byzantine army bring Tsar Krum to the idea to attack the capitol. And so at the beginning of the 9 century the Bulgarians for the first time lay claim to conquer the "Second Rome" Constantinople. The theatre of the battle is southeast Thrace. Krum conquers Messembria (Nessebar) and in his hands is fallen the secret Greek weapon: "Greek fire".

A memorable battle was fought by the town of Versinikia, not far from Adrianople, on 22 June 813. Once again the Byzantine army was routed and Tsar Krum triumphed.

The new emperor Leo V Gnuni, the Armenian (813-820) prepare for a long defense of Constantinople. Tsar Krum stand on July 17, 813 for the walls and he knows the need to be very good prepared for such a move but first he again purpose a peace. Leo V took the proposal seemingly with secret intention to kill Krum. Tsar Krum come to the the appointed place but immediately recognize the trap throw him selves on the horse and run. Despite he was covered with arrows but remain unhurt. His aids was killed or captured. Byzantine insidiousness make Tsar Krum very mad and he straiten the siege of Adrianople, use stone heating and wall heating machines and took the city. Adrianople fell, giving Krum the nickname of Strashny (the Terrible): a stern ruler, merciless to his enemies. 10 000 of the fighters was taken captive and send in Danube Bulgaria. The special preparation for the taking Constantinople take place in the winter months of 814. Tsar Krum took in his army Slavs and Avars. Special attention was taken to have the modern for time military equipment. His 30 000 men army was "dressed full in metal". The transportation of the battering-rams alone required the building of 5,000 iron-bound carts and 10,000 oxen. The Khan's sudden death on 13 April 814 put an end to his dream to enter the imperial palace as a victor.

With his dead Bulgarians loose one of the greatest and courageous ruler. Only in one decade Bulgaria gain immense on territories including new Slavic tribes. Despite he do not achieved what he was planed against Byzantine, he removed Byzantine as a serious enemy for near 200 years. The territorial expansion of the Bulgarian state demand reform of the organizing structure of the state and change to centralized ruling. This way can be reach stability and no place for separatism. The second half of the 8 century shows that internal instability is often more dangerous, than strong foreign enemy.

Clashes with Avars and Byzantines never deterred Tsar Krum from proceeding with the consolidation of his state. He would even learn from his enemy, using Byzantine experience in warring and governing. He ask captive Avars after overwhelming win against Avars for the reasons of the undergoing Avar civilization. They told him that drinking, slander, theft and other viciously crime are the main reason. This urged Krum to introduce law and order in Bulgaria - Bulgaria's first written laws.

The new law in Bulgaria protect private property from theft. Special attention require the new law to give to the beggar enough to stop begging. Against thefts, slanders and drinkers are taken strong punishments. The violators are to be punished with taking properties, cutting extremities or death.

The low and order are the first serious step to erase the differences between Slavs and Bulgarians. The law is equal for all citizen. Byzantine encyclopedia "Svidas" in the X century mention that Tsar Krum to fight drinkers order to eradicate all vineyards.

The next Tsar Omurtag Krum's son make the peace agreement in which the Byzantine empire confirm and accept all Bulgarian territories and recognize the new superpower on the Balkan - Bulgarian Kingdom.

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