Battle of Trayanovi Vrata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Date	16 July, 986
Location	The Trayanovi Vrata pass, Bulgaria
Result	Decisive Bulgarian victory

Combatants

Commanders

Strength

Unknown

Casualties

Light

Very few survivors

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 Trayanovi Vrata (Bulgarian: Битка при Траянови Врата) was a battle between Byzantine and Bulgarian forces in the year 986. It took place in the pass of the same name, modern Sofia Province, Bulgaria.

[edit] Origins of the conflict

In 986 the new energetic Byzantine emperor Basil II besieged 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 all of the 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 forces. They were surprised, panicked and were completely defeated. Basil II was among the very few who survived and was saved only due to his fast horse. His personal treasure and his tent were captured.

[edit] Aftermath

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