Battle of Trayanovi Vrata

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Battle of Trayanovi Vrata
Part of Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
Date 16 July, 986 Location The Trayanovi Vrata pass, Bulgaria Result Decisive Bulgarian victory
Combatants
Bulgarian Empire	Byzantine Empire
Commanders
Samuil of Bulgaria	Basil II
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties
Light	Very few survivors

The battle of Trayanovi Vrata (Bulgarian: Битка при Траянови Врата) took place in the pass of the same name, modern Sofia Province, Bulgaria.

[edit] Origines of the conflict

In 986 the new energetic Byzantine emperor Basil II sieged the strong Bulgarian fortress Sredets (Sofia). The siege continued for 20 days when the Bulgarians broke out of the city killing many enemy soldiers and burned the whole siege equipment. Basil II was forced to retreat and on the way to Constantinople his army was ambushed by Samuil.

[edit] The battle

While passing through a densely forested valley the Byzantines were attacked by the Bulgarian. They were surprised, paniced and were completely defeated. Basil II was among the very few who survived and was saved only due to his fast horse. The his personal treasure and his tent were captured.

[edit] Aftermath

The Byzantine Empire descented in 10-years civil war. During that time Samuil managed to liberate some Bulgarian lands in northern Thessaly and Thrace as well as to conquer Serbia and strengthen the Bulgarian rule in the western and northwestern parts of the Balkans.