Battle of Silistra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Silistra |
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| Part of Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria | |||||||
 Rus' invasion of Bulgaria |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Bulgaria | Kievan Rus | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Peter I of Bulgaria | Sviatoslav Igorevich | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 30,000 | 10,000-60,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Heavy | Heavy | ||||||
The Battle of Silistra was an important fight that happened in the spring of 968. It took place near the Bulgarian town of Silistra, which is now likely in Romania. This battle was between the armies of the Bulgarians and the Kievan Rus', led by Prince Sviatoslav. The Rus' army won this battle.
When the Bulgarian emperor Peter I heard about the loss, he gave up his throne. This invasion by Prince Sviatoslav was a huge blow to the Bulgarian Empire. By the year 971, Bulgaria had lost its eastern lands to the Byzantine Empire.
Contents
Why Did the Battle Happen?
Starting in the 940s, a group called the Magyars often raided the Bulgarian Empire. Emperor Peter I couldn't stop these attacks. The Byzantines didn't want to help either. So, Peter I made a deal with the Magyars. He let them pass through Bulgaria to attack the Byzantine land of Thrace.
In 968, the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II Phokas decided to act. He paid the Kievan prince, or knyaz, Sviatoslav Igorevich. The Byzantines wanted Sviatoslav to attack Bulgaria. This was because Bulgaria had allied with the Magyars, who were raiding Byzantine lands.
How Did the Battle Unfold?
Prince Sviatoslav Igorevich gathered his army. Some say he had 10,000 soldiers, others say up to 60,000. He began his campaign in early spring 968. His army met the Bulgarians near Silistra. The Bulgarian army was smaller than the Rus' forces.
The battle lasted all day long. As night fell, it looked like the Bulgarians might win. But Prince Sviatoslav's brave actions inspired his soldiers. The Rus' army fought harder and finally won the battle.
After their defeat, the Bulgarian tsar (emperor) had to retreat to a fortress called Druster. Sviatoslav's army then freely raided Bulgarian lands. But soon, Sviatoslav received urgent news. Another group, the Pechenegs, were attacking his capital city, Kiev. So, Sviatoslav returned home, taking a lot of treasure with him.
What Happened After the Battle?
The Rus' forces continued their successful campaign for a while. A Bulgarian historian, Vasil Zlatarski, wrote that Sviatoslav captured 80 towns. These towns were in northeastern Bulgaria. The Rus' looted and destroyed them. However, they did not stay and occupy these towns permanently.
Tsar Peter I was very upset by the news of the defeat. He suffered an epileptic stroke. The Rus' army spent the winter in a place called Pereyaslavets. Meanwhile, the Bulgarians went back to the fortress of Dorostolon, which is also Silistra.
Prince Sviatoslav Igorevich eventually had to go back to Kiev. This was because Bulgarian leaders used clever diplomacy. They encouraged the Pechenegs to attack Kiev. While Sviatoslav was away, the new Bulgarian army fought back. They managed to take back the fortress of Pereyaslavets. They also pushed the Rus' soldiers out of other captured fortresses in Bulgaria.
Was There a Siege?
What exactly happened after the battle is still debated by historians. Russian historical records say that after winning the battle, the Rus' warriors captured Dorostolon and other Bulgarian cities. However, Bulgarian records claim that the Bulgarians successfully defended against any siege by the Rus'. Some historical accounts don't even mention a siege happening after the battle at all.
