Battle of Ongala

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Battle of Ongala
Part of the Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
Date summer, 680 Location The Ongala area in southern Ukraine Result Decisive Bulgarian victory
Combatants
Bulgaria	Byzantine Empire
Commanders
Asparukh	Constantine IV
Strength
at least 80,000	80,000
Casualties
Light	Almost the whole army

Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
Ongala  –1st Anchialus  – Rishki Pass  –2nd Anchialus  – Berzitia  – Marcelae  – Serdica  – Pliska – 1st Adrianople – Versinikia  – Bulgarophygon  – 3rd Anchialus  – Katasyrtai  – Pigae  – Trayanovi Vrata  – Solun  – Spercheios  – Skopie  – Kleidion  – Ostrovo  – Klokotnitsa  – 2nd Adrianople – Devnya  – Skafida  – Rusokastro

The battle of Ongala took place in the summer of 680 in the Ongala area, an unspecified location in southern Ukraine, slightly to the north of the Danube delta. The battle had an enormous significance and influence not only for the Balkan but also for the European history with the creation of the first Slavic state, Bulgaria.

Contents 1 Origins of the conflict 2 The battle 3 Aftermath 4 Significance 5 References

[edit] Origins of the conflict

In 632 Khan Kubrat managed to unite the Bulgars into the mighty Old Great Bulgaria between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. After his death in 660s the state was threaten by constant attacks by the Khazars from the east and his sons divided. The eldest inherited the throne but was defeated by the Khazars and submerged to their rule. Kortag headed to the north and established the strong Volga Bulgaria, while the third son Asparukh marched westwards and settled with his folk in the Ongala area to the north of the Danube. From there he lauched attack against the Byzantine fortresses to the south. During that time Byzantium was in war with the Arabs who even besieged the capital Constantinople but in 680 the Byzantines defeated them and settled peace. After this success the emperor Constantine IV decided to punish the Bulgars for their attack and lead a 80,000 army against Asparukh. In the mean time the Bulgarian leader made an alliance with the Seven Slavic tribes for mutual protection against Byzantine attacks and formed a federation.

[edit] The battle

The Bulgarians had built wooden ramparts in the swampy area to the north of the Danube. Due to the marshes the Byzantines were forced to attack from different places and by smaller groups which reduced the strength of the attack. The well-organised defence with sudden strikes from the ramparts eventually forced the Byzantines to retreat, and the retreat developed into a stampede. The Bulgar cavalry came out and charged the enemy who immediately ran away and most of the Byzantine soldiers perished.

According to popular belief, the emperor had pains in his legs and went to Nessebar to cure. The troops thought that he was running from the battlefield and fled. When the Bulgars realised what was happening they attacked and easily defeated the discouraged enemy.

[edit] Aftermath

After the victory, the Bulgars advanced to the south and seized the lands to the north of Stara Planina and in 681 they invaded Thrace defeating the Byzantines again. Constantine IV found himself in a dead-lock and asked for peace. With the treaty the Byzantines recognised the creation of a new state within the borders of their empire and had to pay tribute each year, which was a great humiliation for a country which managed to defeat the Persians and the Arabs.

[edit] Significance

This was one of the most significant moments in the European history with the creation of a mighty Slavic state which was to become an European superpower in the 9th and 10th century along with the Byzantine and Frankish Empires and cultural and spiritual centre of Slavic Europe throughout most of the Middle Ages.

[edit] References

• Атанас Пейчев и колектив, 1300 години на стража, Военно издателство, София 1984.
• Йордан Андреев, Милчо Лалков, Българските ханове и царе, Велико Търново, 1996.