Battle of Pliska (Byzantine/Roman Empire vs Bulgarian Empire)

The Battle of Pliska (Битката във Върбишкия проход) or Battle of Vărbitsa Pass was a series of battles between 80,000 troops of Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire, led by the Emperor Nikephoros I (Nicephorus I) and Forces of Bulgarian Empire, under Khan Krum. The Byzantines successfully defeated Bulgarian garrison of guarding their capital. After eliminating the defenders, on 23 July 811 The Byzantines plundered and burned the Bulgar capital Pliska (Плиска) which gave time for the Khan Krum to block and set up ambush on passes in the Balkan Mountains that served as exits out of Bulgaria (Vărbitsa Pass). The final battle took place on 26 July 811. There, the Bulgarians used the tactics of ambush and surprise attacks to effectively trap and immobilize the Byzantine forces, thus annihilating almost the whole army, including the Emperor Nikephoros I along with elite imperial guard Vigla Tagmata. After the battle, Krum encased Nicephorus’s skull in silver, and used it as a cup for wine-drinking.