battle medieval village key known took place july byzantine_empire culmination nearly half century struggle bulgarian emperor samuel late 10th early 11th centuries result decisive byzantine victory battle took place valley mountains near modern bulgarian village decisive encounter occurred july attack rear force byzantine general bulgarian positions ensuing battle major defeat bulgarian soldiers captured blinded order subsequently known slayer samuel survived battle died months later heart attack reportedly brought sight blind soldiers engagement end bulgarian empire reduced ability resist byzantine advances considered pivotal encounter war byzantium heirs samuel subsequently hold byzantine advance finally destroyed background origins conflict date 7th century established state danube provinces result bulgarian state forced fight series wars byzantium order secure continued existence bulgaria invaded north prince time threatened existence byzantium reign lost power conflict raids repeatedly defeated byzantines war continuous conflict fall bulgarian capital war resulted bulgarian emperor forced renounce imperial title constantinople eastern bulgaria came byzantine rule byzantines assumed act end independent bulgaria western bulgarian lands remained autonomous brothers david moses aaron samuel resistance byzantines emerged byzantine emperor ascended throne destruction independent bulgaria ambition opposing western led samuel bulgaria campaign disastrous emperor barely escaping life annihilated byzantine army gates pass years preoccupied revolts rule threat east samuel retook previously conquered bulgarian lands carried war enemy territory series campaigns invasion southern greece reached far resulted major defeat phase war began having secured position launched series bulgaria secured forces took year inflicted heavy defeat samuel battle regained control parts southern macedonia years regular pattern emerged byzantines campaign bulgaria laying siege forts countryside numerically inferior unable offer direct opposition launched raids macedonia greece despite successes achieve permanent results force abandon campaigns bulgaria counter attack failed battle byzantines achieve decisive success war attrition deprived strongholds gradually weakened forces words byzantine historian emperor continued invade bulgaria year destroy way samuel stop open field engage emperor decisive battle suffered defeats began lose strength culmination war came samuel head army resolved stop byzantine army enter bulgarian prelude samuel knew byzantine army invade country series mountain passes took precautions bar built ditches frontier fortified valleys passes walls towers especially pass need pass reach heart bulgaria samuel heavily fortified northern slopes mountain south east castle wide valley convenient place attack byzantine forces purpose previous years disposed strong guard pass safe addition bulgarian ruler chose defensive base located road leading east west rugged terrain south earthworks walls guarded strong bulgarian units samuel decision face bulk army prompted constant defeats invasions devastated country concerns authority nobility fatally weakened campaigns example governor important adriatic port surrendered town face threat samuel gathered large army face byzantines claiming numbered soldiers prepared carefully assembling large army taking experienced commanders including governor modern conquered old bulgarian capitals samuel battle byzantine army marched constantinople drama reached gorge river army entered valley reached vicinity village river bent approached army stopped thick wooden wall defended bulgarian soldiers byzantines attacked immediately repulsed heavy casualties response samuel sent large army able bulgarian nobles strike southwards draw attention away siege reached byzantine troops governor general city son managed defeat outside city walls bloody battle captured soldiers large quantity military equipment marched north join attempt defenders pass unsuccessful army unable pass valley defended despite difficulties byzantine emperor abandon attack ordered general manoeuvre troops high mountain surround continued assaults wall led troops steep path led rear july attacked guards trapping valley bulgarian soldiers abandoned towers face new threat able break line destroy wall confusion rout thousands bulgarian troops killed remainder desperately attempted flee westwards samuel son immediately headed east headquarters fortress aid army desperate fighting near village present day republic macedonia overwhelmed quickly advancing enemy bulgarian soldiers killed captured emperor samuel barely escaped breaking free bravery son mounted father horse took safety samuel returned headed continue struggle developments victory advanced key holding valley way city byzantines seized fortress east advance byzantine emperor sent army surround destroy south clear passage remainder troops laid siege city allowed destroy fortifications army ambushed bulgarian raiders narrow valley soon task complete ensuing battle completely defeated bulgarian commander personally stabbed spear result forced abandon siege retreat return convinced defenders surrender heavy blow town guarded main road south prisoners records completely routed bulgarian army took prisoners according modern historians claim numbers exaggerated 14th century bulgarian translation chronicle numbers prisoners divided prisoners groups men blinded men group left man eye lead home retaliation death favourite general advisor crush bulgarian morale possible reason byzantine eyes rebels authority usual punishment rebels action gained nickname greek slayer samuel died heart attack october reportedly seeing soldiers blinded aftermath death years war followed indicate byzantine success complete modern historians doubt bulgarian defeat complete described historians emphasize death emperor samuel months later bulgaria heirs unable effectively resist attacks bulgaria completely defeated year emperor killed battle bulgaria province byzantine_empire successful uprising led brothers historiography stress significance battle result battle bulgarian army suffered heavy casualties restored ability central government control peripheral interior provinces empire reduced actions local provincial governors decisive outcome war byzantium voluntarily surrendered battle impact serbs forced acknowledge supremacy byzantine emperor borders byzantine_empire restored danube time 7th century allowing byzantium control entire balkan peninsula danube adriatic_sea black_sea
Battle of Kleidion