5 – The Bulgarians (813)
Khan Krum is one of the best-known leaders of Bulgaria as he managed to double the kingdom’s territory during his 11+ year reign. Krum’s desire to expand Bulgarian territory led to direct conflict with the Byzantines. He enjoyed several notable victories over his new enemy including a win at Struma valley in 807 and two years later when he forced a garrison at Serdica to surrender. He gained notoriety for slaughtering the 6,000 men at Serdica despite making a promise to spare their lives if they surrendered.
Krum won his most famous victory at the Battle of Pliska in 811 when the Byzantine Emperor, Nikephoros I, was killed in battle. He continued marching forward and had another major victory at the Battle of Versinikia in 813 when he routed the army of Emperor Michael I Rangabe. Michael was forced to abdicate in favor of Leo V (the Armenian). By now, the city of Constantinople was in Krum’s sights, and he reached the outskirts just six days after Leo was crowned.
However, his attempt to intimidate the city into surrender failed, and he decided to ravage the surrounding land for a few days. After a meeting where the Byzantines tricked the Bulgarians, the irate Krum sought vengeance, and he started pillaging and destroying as many monuments and ornaments near the city as possible. Krum spent the winter of 813 preparing for a new attack.
Meanwhile, Leo ordered the creation of a new wall outside of the one built during the reign of Heraclius and a wide moat was dug. However, the precautions were unnecessary because, on April 13, 814, Khan Krum died before he could launch his latest assault. He was succeeded by his son, Omurtag, but the ensuing struggle for succession ensured the end of the Bulgarian attempts to take Constantinople. One wonders whether or not Krum would have been the first to take the city had he not died.