Pliska 811 - Byzantine - Bulgarian Wars DOCUMENTARY

Our new animated historical documentary series on the Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars will start with the story of the battle of Pliska or battle of Varbitsa pass between the Eastern Roman emperor Nikephoros I and the khan of the First Bulgarian Empire Krum. The story starts right after our video on the Umayyad Caliphate's siege of Constantinople in 717-718, during which the allied Byzantine-Bulgar forces stopped the Muslim expansion in the region.

The script video was written by Matt Hollis.

Sources:
Paul Sophoulis - Bulgaria and Byzantium 775 - 831
Dennis B Hupchick - The Bulgarian-Byzantine Wars for Early Medieval Hegemony
R.J Crampton - A Concise History of Bulgaria

#Documentary #Pliska #Krum

[stepanpytlik]

Being ambushed and destroyed in a narrow pass somewhere in the mountains literally became a Roman tradition

[Mattyhollis]

15:01 *freezeframe*


"So, you're probably wondering how I got myself into this situation." - Nikephoros I

[overassassin]

12:58
"They saw a fortified log palisade, blocking their path, which Nikephoros dismissed as a means to prevent entry, rather than deny exit"

*Foreshadowing intensifies*

[breaden]

Officers: We’re walking into a trap
Nikephoros: Yes
Officers: Should we retreat or prepare for battle?
Nikephoros: No

[SeleucusNicator]

I never learned about the Byzantine-Bulgarian wars in school, nor do I have any books about said conflicts. Videos likes this, where I get to learn about something I had no prior knowledge of, are why I love this channel. <3

[VladTevez]

Trivia: When the news of the defeat reached Constantinople, the people went to the tomb of emperor Constantine V "the Dung-named" (nick-name given to him by his iconodules enemies) and cried out to rise up from the tomb and save the empire

[drashko]

In Bulgaria, we call this battle "Battle of Varbitsa Pass" as it did not take place in Pliska. I am sure many more interesting episodes are coming: Battle of Achelous, Trajan's Gates, Kleidion or Klokotnitsa. You can also cover the battle of Adrianople of 1205 between Bulgaria and the Fourth Crusade where the crusader emperor Baldwin faced pretty much the same faith as Nicephoros.

[innageorgievadoychinova]

They forgot to mention the most famous quote in Bulgarian history: ''Не щеш ли мира на ти секира'' roughtly translated it would be ''if you don't want the peace you get the axe'' which is presumably what khan Krum said to the emperor before he chopped his head off!

[dwolfstudio]

When I was in school, this story always fascinated me!


I remember that when Nikiphor realised that the Bulgar Army was marching fearlessly, his words were:
"Even if we had wings, we could not escape!"

Thank you, you made my day!

[MirGamesBG]

Finally, for so long, I waited to see an episode about Bulgaria.

[Simoo]

OH MY GOD, yesterday I was just talking about how the wars between Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire have always been one of the most underrated episodes of history in the world. A 700 year long period that is hardly taught in schools around the world but deserves more attention.Damn, absolutely impressed with you guys that you are covering something about my own country.

[CodeineTuttiFrutti]

I asked for this video a year ago, you told me that you were going to make it and you kept your promise! Great video as usual!

[Monkechnology]

Krum: *drinks wine from the emperor's skull *
Khorne: that's my boy!

[countbinfaceglobalpresiden]

BazBattles: *Posts battle of Ongal*

K&G: *Posts battle of pliska*

All related to the Bulgarian - Byzantine war

*COINCiDENCE I THINK NOT*

[VladTevez]

Mostly known as "the battle where the emperor became a silver cup"

[atti]

The Bulgarian-Byzantine wars were fought throughout 7 centuries, I hope you will make more videos about them.

[thnos]

Ah yes. The good old tactic of "let's go meme about in unfavorable terrain while not giving a damn about our enemies what could go wrong?"

[aleksandarvil]

Nikephoros I _'The Logothete'_ : **invades Bulgaria and besieges, then loots Pliska in 811**

Khan Krum : *"I'm about to end this emperor's whole career."*

[rageraptor]

14:40 This must have been one of the most badass and terrifying scenerios ever. Amagine having your commanders argue with your leader about what to do while playing games at your camp of operations. Then suddendly a distant howle followed by distant thunderous sound of hooves and shouting followed by clanging metal as you begin to realize your camp is about to be attacked. Then seing an army in the horizon line with thousands of charging troops as dawn breaks and you hasten yourself for battle.

[Liquidsback]

At least they didn't fight each other over a Stray Dog.