Portal:Bulgarian Empire/Selected article/14

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Khan Krum (803 - 814) was among the greatest and most significant rulers of Bulgaria. During his reign the territory of the Bulgarian Empire expanded twice reaching the Pannonian plain to the north-west, the Dnieper river to the east and Odrin to the south. Krum scored major victories on the battlefield against the Avars and the Byzantines. He also instituted the first known Bulgarian law code.

Between 804 and 806 the Bulgarians defeated the Avars and completely destroyed their Khanate which was divided between Bulgaria and the Frankish Empire. The Bulgarians took control of Transylvania and its rich salt mines. After that Krum turned his attention to the Byzantine Empire and in 809 he captured the important city Sofia. As a response the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus I launched a major campaign against Bulgaria in 811. Initially Nicephorus achieved success and seized the Bulgarian capital Pliska. However, on their way back the Byzantines were decisively defeated in the battle of the Varbitsa Pass and their Emperor perished along with most of his troops. Two years later the Byzantines were routed at Versinikia and Krum prepared to take their capital Constantinople but he died on 13 April 814 at the height of the preparations.