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Battle of Anchialus (708)

Battle of Anchialus
Part of the Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
Battle of Anchialus (708).png
Date 708
Location Anchialus
Result Bulgarian victory
Belligerents
Bulgarian Empire Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Tervel Justinian II
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Heavy

The Battle of Anchialus (Bulgarian: Битката при Анхиало) occurred in 708 near the town of Pomorie, Bulgaria 42°33′N 27°39′E / 42.550°N 27.650°E / 42.550; 27.650.

In 705, the Bulgarian Khan Tervel helped the ex-emperor of Byzantium, Justinian II to regain his throne after 10 years in exile. To show his gratitude, Justinian gave the Bulgarians an enormous quantity of gold, silver and silk as well as the "Zagore" area, located between Stara Zagora, Sliven and the Black Sea. Three years later, Justinian II considered himself strong enough to invade Bulgaria and restore his rule over these lands.

The Byzantines reached the Anchialus fortress and set their camp there unaware of the fact that the Bulgarian army was in the vicinity. While the invaders were gathering food, Tervel and his cavalry charged the outermost Byzantine troops. In the same time the infantry attacked the camp. The Byzantines were surprised and confused; most of them perished in the battle or were captured as well as many horses and arms. The emperor was one of the very few who managed to reach the fortress and escaped to Constantinople on a ship.


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