The victory of the Bulgarians over the Avars also marked the triumph of the ideas of sobriety. According to the chronicles, Krum, filled with apprehension, asked the defeated what they thought was the reason for their downfall. Their answer was that their state had declined because of lies, theft, and drunkenness. Krum introduced severe laws in order to avoid this very end. Legislation provided terrible punishment for criminals, and vineyards were uprooted so their fruit could not be made into enticing juice. judging by subsequent information, as with later reformations of this type, the restrictions were met only with the insatiable thirst for wine and fell through soon after.While the emperor inspected his farthest eastern borders, Krum took the chance, invaded the empire, and took the city of Serdica in 809. Centuries later it was to become the capital of the state under the name of Sofia. The conquest was accompanied with the then customary plunder and atrocities, which did not surprise anyone. The valley of the river Strouma also became part of the Bulgarian state.
Continue reading The Rise of the First Bulgarian Kingdom part I

The Bulgarians found themselves on the Balkans at times that were difficult for Byzantium. Inspired by Islam, Arabs had begun the persistent onslaught from the east that was to continue for three centuries and at times bring the empire to the brink of ruin. The state borders so dear to the heart of contemporary man were practically nonexistent. The garrisons along the border were weak and could not stop invaders. There was a niche in power, which the Bulgarians were quick to fill. They began a series of pillaging attacks to the south. And what was more disconcerting from the point of view of Constantinople, the newcomers began to ally themselves with the Slavs on the time-honoured principle that the enemy of one’s enemy is one’s friend.

Emperor Constantine IV Pogonates decided to follow the example of Alexander the Great and cut through the Gordian knot of increasingly complex problems with one blow. He loaded a large army on ships, sent another by land, and besieged the Bulgarians in their fortified camp. The adversary, however, was experienced in making fortifications. The siege dragged on. There were also numerous Bulgarian parties in the steppe, which attacked the Byzantines from the rear.
Continue reading The Establishment of Danubian Bulgaria

Khan Krum was in power from 803 to 814. He layeth the smack down on Byzantine! But first, Khan Krum joined forces with the Frankish empire of Charles the Great and destroyed the Avar Khanate. Krum annexed the Avar Khanate’s lands and incorporated Transylvania into Bulgaria; in 812 he pushed the frontiers of his domain all the way north to the Tisza {or Tisa, or Theiss} River. Thus Bulgaria’s territory was expanded to cover the lands between the Danube and the Carpathians. A common border was established with the empire of Charles the Great and Bulgaria became an outstanding power in Europe. It is understandable that now the Byzantine emperor felt very alarmed. Nicephorus I Genik’s planned campaign against Bulgaria was prevented by infighting amongst the Byzantines. But Khan Krum wasn’t going to sit still and wait, attack is the best means of defense. In 808-809 the Khan’s soldiers defeated the Byzantine army in the Struma valley, seizing an immense loot and much gold. The defenders of Sredets {Serdika} laid down their arms and surrendered the town which was later to become Bulgaria’s capital. Not long after that Nish and Belgrade fall into the hands of the Bulgarians. Krum was ready to march on Macedonia.
Continue reading Why Khan Krum is maybe the first most important bulgarian ruler