Battle of Marcellae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Marcellae
Part of the Byzantine–Bulgarian wars
Date 792 Location Markeli, near Karnobat, Bulgaria Result Bulgarian victory
Belligerents
Bulgarian Empire	Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Kardam	Constantine VI
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

The Battle of Marcellae was a big fight that happened in the year 792. It was between the Byzantine Empire, led by their emperor Constantine VI, and the First Bulgarian Empire, led by their ruler Kardam. The battle took place at a place called Marcellae, which is now near the town of Karnobat in southeastern Bulgaria.

In this battle, the Byzantines were completely defeated and had to quickly go back to their capital city, Constantinople. This was not the first time a battle happened at Marcellae; there was an earlier one in 756.

Why the Battle Happened

In the late 700s, Bulgaria was getting stronger after some tough times. Their leaders, called Khans, like Telerig and Kardam, brought the country together. This meant they could focus on expanding their territory.

The Bulgarians started moving into an area called Macedonia, where many Slavic people lived. In 789, they went deep into the Struma River valley and won a big victory against the Byzantines. They even killed a Byzantine general named Filites.

To stop the Bulgarians from focusing on Macedonia, the Byzantine emperor Constantine VI decided to attack them in northern Thrace in April 791. The armies met near a fortress called Provat. The Byzantines were forced to retreat, but it wasn't a complete defeat. So, Emperor Constantine VI decided to try again the next year.

The Battle Begins

In the summer of 792, Emperor Constantine VI led his army north once more. On July 20, they met the Bulgarian army, led by Khan Kardam, near the border castle of Marcellae.

The Bulgarians had set up defenses, like walls and barriers, to block the roads leading to the Rish Pass and their capital city, Pliska. For several days, the emperor didn't dare to attack. But by the end of July, some people he trusted, who claimed to know about stars and fate, told him that the stars showed he would win. So, he decided to attack.

Before the battle started, while the Byzantines were getting ready, Khan Kardam secretly hid some of his cavalry (soldiers on horseback) behind the hills around the battlefield.

How the Battle Unfolded

The land where the battle happened was rough and uneven. As the Byzantine army moved forward, their battle lines broke apart. They lost their organized formation.

Khan Kardam saw this mistake and ordered his army to counterattack. This was a very successful move for the Bulgarians. The hidden Bulgarian cavalry rode around the Byzantine army, cutting off their escape route back to their fortified camp and the Marcellae fortress.

The Bulgarians captured the Byzantines' supplies, their treasure, and even the emperor's tent! They chased Emperor Constantine VI all the way back to Constantinople, killing many Byzantine soldiers along the way. A lot of Byzantine commanders and officers died in this battle.

The Bulgarians even used a special weapon called an arkani. This was a long pole with a loop, like a lasso, at one end. It was great for fighting against cavalry because a skilled warrior could easily pull a rider off their horse with it.

What Happened After

After this big defeat, Emperor Constantine VI had to make peace with Khan Kardam. He also had to agree to pay a yearly tribute (a payment) to the Bulgarians.

Four years later, the emperor stopped paying the tribute. This led to another war in Thrace, but that war ended without a major battle. The fighting between Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire continued even after Kardam, under his successor, Krum.

This victory at Marcellae was very important for Bulgaria. It showed that the country had finally overcome its internal problems and was strong and united again. This strength was a key reason for the many victories that Khan Krum would later achieve against the Byzantines.