Battle of the Rishki Pass

Part of the Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars

Date	759
Location	Stara Planina
Result	Bulgarian victory

Belligerents

Bulgarian Empire

Byzantine Empire

Commanders and leaders

Vinekh

Constantine V

Strength

Unknown

Very large army

Casualties and losses

Light

Heavy

Coordinates: 42°56′14″N 26°56′22″E / 42.93722°N 26.93944°E / 42.93722; 26.93944

The Battle of the Rishki Pass (Bulgarian: Битката при Ришкия проход) took place in the pass of the same name, in Stara Planina, Bulgaria in 759. It was fought between the Bulgarian Empire and the Byzantine Empire. The result was a Bulgarian victory.

Between 755 and 775, the Byzantine emperor Constantine V organised nine campaigns to eliminate Bulgaria and although he managed to defeat the Bulgarians several times, he never achieved his goal.

In 759, the emperor led an enormous army towards Bulgaria but Khan Vinekh had enough time to bar several mountain passes. When the Byzantines reached the Rishki Pass they were ambushed and completely defeated. The Byzantine historian Theophanes the Confessor wrote that the Bulgarians killed the strategos of Thrace Leo, the commander of Drama and many soldiers.

...
Wikipedia