{"slug": "balkans", "label": "Balkans", "wikipedia": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkans", "wikidata": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23522", "qid": "Q23522", "description": "geopolitical and cultural region of Southeast Europe", "entries": 67, "years": 67, "span": [-230, 1354], "span_label": ["231 BCE", "1354 CE"], "topics": [{"title": "Conflict & Security", "count": 40}, {"title": "Exploration & Expansion", "count": 7}, {"title": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "count": 5}, {"title": "Health & Medicine", "count": 4}, {"title": "Religion & Belief", "count": 4}, {"title": "Deaths", "count": 3}, {"title": "Crime & Justice", "count": 2}, {"title": "Disasters & Accidents", "count": 1}, {"title": "Climate & Environment", "count": 1}], "related": [{"slug": "byzantine-empire", "label": "Byzantine Empire", "shared": 19}, {"slug": "pannonian-avars", "label": "Pannonian Avars", "shared": 15}, {"slug": "danube", "label": "Danube", "shared": 9}, {"slug": "slavs", "label": "Slavs", "shared": 7}, {"slug": "thrace", "label": "Thrace", "shared": 7}, {"slug": "moesia", "label": "Moesia", "shared": 7}, {"slug": "anatolia", "label": "Anatolia", "shared": 5}, {"slug": "thrace-theme", "label": "Thrace (theme)", "shared": 5}, {"slug": "pechenegs", "label": "Pechenegs", "shared": 5}, {"slug": "goths", "label": "Goths", "shared": 5}, {"slug": "constantinople", "label": "Constantinople", "shared": 4}, {"slug": "huns", "label": "Huns", "shared": 4}], "items": [{"year": -230, "year_label": "231 BCE", "section": "Deaths", "date": null, "text": "Agron, king of the Ardiaean Kingdom (Western Balkans)", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1276082373#Deaths", "title": "231 BC", "revid": 1276082373, "section": "Deaths"}}, {"year": -54, "year_label": "55 BCE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Spring – Julius Caesar starts the season campaigning in Illyricum (in the Balkan region) against the Pirustae, who have been raiding Roman territory.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364737843#Roman_Republic", "title": "55 BC", "revid": 1364737843, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Republic"}}, {"year": -28, "year_label": "29 BCE", "section": "Crime & Justice", "date": null, "text": "Marcus Licinius Crassus campaigns successfully in the Balkans, killing the king of the Bastarnae by his own hand, but is denied the right to dedicate the spolia opima by Octavian.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1349908551#Roman_Republic", "title": "29 BC", "revid": 1349908551, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Republic"}}, {"year": 167, "year_label": "167 CE", "section": "Disasters & Accidents", "date": null, "text": "The Germans devastate the Balkans and ransack the sanctuary of Eleusis, near Athens.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371302510#Roman_Empire", "title": "AD 167", "revid": 1371302510, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 170, "year_label": "170 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "The Costoboci cross the Danube (Dacia) and ravage Thrace in the Balkan Peninsula. They reach Eleusina, near Athens, and destroy the temple of the Eleusinian Mysteries.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371303023#Roman_Empire", "title": "AD 170", "revid": 1371303023, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 171, "year_label": "171 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "The Costoboci cross the Danube (Dacia) and ravage Thrace in the Balkan Peninsula. They reach Eleusis, near Athens, and destroy the temple of the Eleusinian Mysteries.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371303100#Roman_Empire", "title": "AD 171", "revid": 1371303100, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 193, "year_label": "193 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "April 14", "text": "April 14 – Lucius Septimius Severus is proclaimed Emperor by his troops at Carnuntum, in Pannonia Superior (Balkans). He marches with his army to Rome.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371310592#Roman_Empire", "title": "AD 193", "revid": 1371310592, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 220, "year_label": "220 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Goths invade Asia Minor and the Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371227417#Roman_Empire", "title": "220", "revid": 1371227417, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 238, "year_label": "238 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Maximinus Thrax campaigns against the Carpians on the Danube in Moesia (Balkans). In spite of the payment of a tribute, the Romans fail to persuade the Goths and the Germanic tribes.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371227244#Roman_Empire", "title": "238", "revid": 1371227244, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 265, "year_label": "265 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Gallienus repels the invasion of the Goths in the Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369159579#Roman_Empire", "title": "265", "revid": 1369159579, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 267, "year_label": "267 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "First Gothic invasion: The Goths, originally from Scandinavia, with the Sarmatians (from modern Iran), invade the Balkans and Greece. They ravage Moesia and Thrace.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367427906#Roman_Empire", "title": "267", "revid": 1367427906, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 316, "year_label": "316 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "October 8", "text": "October 8 – Battle of Cibalae: Constantine the Great defeats his rival Licinius near the town of Colonia Aurelia Cibalae (modern-day Vinkovci, Croatia). Licinius is forced to flee to Sirmium and loses all of the Balkans except for Thrace. Peace negotiations are initiated between the two Augusti, but they are unsuccessful.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364758307#Roman_Empire", "title": "316", "revid": 1364758307, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 379, "year_label": "379 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": "January 19", "text": "January 19 – Emperor Gratian elevates Flavius Theodosius at Sirmium, giving him the title Augustus with power over all the eastern provinces. Theodosius comes to terms with the Visigoths and settles them in the Balkans as military allies (foederati).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367645183#Roman_Empire", "title": "379", "revid": 1367645183, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 380, "year_label": "380 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": null, "text": "The Visigothic chieftain Fritigern dies after ravaging the Balkans; his rival Athanaric becomes king of the entire Gothic nation.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1281452530#Europe", "title": "380", "revid": 1281452530, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 396, "year_label": "396 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Revolt of Alaric I: The Visigoths, led by Alaric I, rampage through Greece and plunder Corinth, Argos and Sparta. They destroy the Temple of Eleusis, and harry the Peloponnese. Stilicho makes peace with the Goths, and allows them to settle in Epirus (Balkans).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1276670607#Roman_Empire", "title": "396", "revid": 1276670607, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 421, "year_label": "421 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Rugila, chieftain of the Huns, attacks the dioceses of Dacia and Thrace (Balkans). Theodosius II allows Pannonian Ostrogoths to settle in Thrace, to defend the Danube frontier.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364903948#Europe", "title": "421", "revid": 1364903948, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 444, "year_label": "444 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Attila the Hun establishes his residence along the Tisza River (modern Hungary), and plans the coming campaign in the Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1289774779#Europe", "title": "444", "revid": 1289774779, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 447, "year_label": "447 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Huns, led by Attila, cross the Danube, and invade the Balkans as far as Thermopylae (Greece). During the invasion, Serdica (modern Sofia) is destroyed. For disobeying the terms of the treaty made in 442, Attila triples his demand for tribute to 2,100 pounds (ca. 700 kg) of gold per year; and the ransom for each Roman prisoner to 12 solidi.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367502819#Byzantium", "title": "447", "revid": 1367502819, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantium"}}, {"year": 466, "year_label": "466 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Leo I repels the Hun invasion of Dacia (modern Romania). They ravage the Balkans but are unable to take Constantinople thanks to the city walls, which are rebuilt and reinforced.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364739705#Roman_Empire", "title": "466", "revid": 1364739705, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 471, "year_label": "471 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": null, "text": "Theodoric the Great, age 17, succeeds his father Theodemir as king of the Ostrogoths, settling his people in lower Moesia (Balkans).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365043260#Europe", "title": "471", "revid": 1365043260, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 473, "year_label": "473 CE", "section": "Health & Medicine", "date": null, "text": "The Ostrogoths leave Pannonia, and migrate to Macedonia and Moesia, from whence they ravage the Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364747615#Balkans", "title": "473", "revid": 1364747615, "section": "Events › By place › Balkans"}}, {"year": 474, "year_label": "474 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Glycerius is exiled to Dalmatia (Balkans) and becomes bishop of Salona. Neither the Senate nor the Gallo-Roman aristocracy decide to resist, and Nepos accepts the imperial purple.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360137662#Roman_Empire", "title": "474", "revid": 1360137662, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 476, "year_label": "476 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "Julius Nepos, de jure ruler, becomes legally the last \"Western Roman Emperor\". He governs Dalmatia (Balkans), Morocco, and Northwest Gaul until his death in 480, but has no effective power on the Italian Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355222972#Roman_Empire", "title": "476", "revid": 1355222972, "section": "Events › By place › Roman Empire"}}, {"year": 483, "year_label": "483 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": null, "text": "The Ostrogoths are given status as foederati; they control a large part of Macedonia and Thrace (Balkans).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340789371#Europe", "title": "483", "revid": 1340789371, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 535, "year_label": "535 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": null, "text": "The Byzantine city of Justiniana Prima is founded, and later becomes a bishop's seat of the Central Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1342880383#Europe", "title": "535", "revid": 1342880383, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 558, "year_label": "558 CE", "section": "Health & Medicine", "date": null, "text": "The Avars and the Slavs occupy the Hungarian Plain on the Balkans. The threat of Avar domination prompts the Lombards to migrate to Italy.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364749209#Europe", "title": "558", "revid": 1364749209, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 559, "year_label": "559 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Winter – The Kutrigurs and Huns under Zabergan cross the frozen Danube River, and invade the Balkans. They raid Thracia and Macedonia, but are driven back near Constantinople by a Byzantine force under Belisarius.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1350439939#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "559", "revid": 1350439939, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 565, "year_label": "565 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "November 15", "text": "November 15 – Justin II succeeds his uncle Justinian I as emperor of the Byzantine Empire. He begins his reign by refusing subsidies to the Avars, who conduct several large-scale raids through the Balkan Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364749296#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "565", "revid": 1364749296, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 580, "year_label": "580 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Slavs begin to migrate into the Balkan Peninsula. The Avars, under King (khagan) Bayan I, invade the Lower Danube (modern Bulgaria).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364747518#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "580", "revid": 1364747518, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 582, "year_label": "582 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Siege of Sirmium: The Avars, under their ruler (khagan) Bayan I, aided by Slavic auxiliary troops, capture the city of Sirmium after almost a 3-year siege. Bayan establishes a new base of operations within the Byzantine Empire, from which he plunders the Balkan Peninsula, including Athens.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364751218#Europe", "title": "582", "revid": 1364751218, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 583, "year_label": "583 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Maurice decides to end the annual tribute to the Avars, a mounted people who have swept across Russia and threatened the Balkan Peninsula. They capture the cities of Singidunum (modern Belgrade) and Viminacium (Moesia).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372793107#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "583", "revid": 1372793107, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 591, "year_label": "591 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Summer – Maurice begins a series of military expeditions, to defend the Balkan provinces from the Avars and Slavs. He establishes the Danube frontier (Limes Moesiae) from the Delta to the fortress city of Singidunum (Belgrade), and permits the Byzantines to reassert their authority in the interior.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364751608#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "591", "revid": 1364751608, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 592, "year_label": "592 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Maurice regains the Byzantine stronghold Singidunum (modern Belgrade) from the Avars. By counter-invading their homelands on the Balkans, Byzantine troops increase their pay by pillaging in hostile territory.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364754934#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "592", "revid": 1364754934, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 596, "year_label": "596 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Maurice uses the city of Marcianopolis (modern Bulgaria) as a military base of operations on the lower Danube River, against the Slavs on the Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364739187#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "596", "revid": 1364739187, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 598, "year_label": "598 CE", "section": "Health & Medicine", "date": null, "text": "The Avars rout the Byzantine forces of Comentiolus (south of Haemus Mons), and capture Drizipera (Thrace). A large part of their troops are killed by the plague, after many cities are devastated in the Balkan Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364751875#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "598", "revid": 1364751875, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 599, "year_label": "599 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Maurice refuses to pay ransom for 12,000 Byzantine soldiers taken prisoner by the Avars. Their leader Bayan I orders the execution of the prisoners, and slaughters them all. His failure to buy back the captives destroys Maurice's popularity with the Byzantine troops in the Balkan Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364752063#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "599", "revid": 1364752063, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 604, "year_label": "604 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Avars regroup after they are almost destroyed; together with the Slavs they start pillaging through the Byzantine provinces, west and south of the Danube. Due to the new Persian war, Emperor Phocas has few imperial troops available to defend the Balkan Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364754628#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "604", "revid": 1364754628, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 605, "year_label": "605 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Phocas recognizes Agilulf as king of the Lombards, and signs a peace treaty. He pays a tribute and cedes Orvieto (Central Italy), among other towns. The Byzantine army is withdrawn from the Balkan Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364904400#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "605", "revid": 1364904400, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 615, "year_label": "615 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Balkans are freely overrun by the Slavs, who settle in large numbers in what is now Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia and parts of Greece. The western territories of modern-day Yugoslavia (Bosnia, Croatia and Dalmatia) suffer raids from the Avars, who settle in this region.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364752554#Europe", "title": "615", "revid": 1364752554, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 620, "year_label": "620 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Slavs invade the area around Thessaloniki, which is unsuccessfully besieged. The city becomes a Byzantine enclave surrounded by Slavic territory. Urban life disappears and many towns in the Balkan Peninsula become villages.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364749611#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "620", "revid": 1364749611, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 621, "year_label": "621 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Heraclius concludes a peace agreement (in exchange for an annual tribute) with the Avars on the Balkan Peninsula, giving him a free hand to assemble Byzantine forces in Asia Minor, for non-military expenditure against the Persian Empire.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364755711#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "621", "revid": 1364755711, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 622, "year_label": "622 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Battle of Issus: Heraclius defeats the Persian forces under Shahrbaraz in Cappadocia. He recaptures Anatolia, but returns to Constantinople to deal with the threat posed to his Balkan domains by the Avars, and puts the Byzantine army into winter quarters in Pontus.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368342469#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "622", "revid": 1368342469, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 626, "year_label": "626 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "August 7", "text": "August 7 – In the waters of the Golden Horn, the Persian fleet is destroyed while ferrying reinforcements. The Avars, having suffered terrible losses, running short of food and supplies, burn their siege engines. They abandon the siege and retreat to the Balkan Peninsula. The Byzantines achieve a decisive victory at Blachernae, under the protection of the Church of the Virgin Mary.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1352126742#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "626", "revid": 1352126742, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 635, "year_label": "635 CE", "section": "Geopolitics & Diplomacy", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Heraclius makes an alliance with Kubrat, ruler (khagan) of Great Bulgaria, to break the power of the Avars on the Balkan Peninsula.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364906250#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "635", "revid": 1364906250, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 658, "year_label": "658 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Emperor Constans II undertakes an expedition to the Balkan Peninsula, and defeats the Avars in Macedonia. He temporarily reasserts Byzantine rule, and resettles some of them in Anatolia to fight against the Rashidun Caliphate (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369710051#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "658", "revid": 1369710051, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 681, "year_label": "681 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Bulgarian War: Emperor Constantine IV is forced to acknowledge the Bulgar state in Moesia, and to pay protection money to avoid further inroads into Byzantine Thrace. Consequently, Constantine creates the Theme of Thrace of the Byzantine Empire (located in the south-eastern Balkans).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367426529#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "681", "revid": 1367426529, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 688, "year_label": "688 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Bulgarian War: Emperor Justinian II carries out a Balkan campaign and marches through Thrace, where he restores Byzantine rule. He establishes a theme administration, and migrates many Bulgars and Slavs to the Opsician Theme (Asia Minor).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340806290#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "688", "revid": 1340806290, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 700, "year_label": "700 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": null, "text": "Avar and Slavic tribes conquer Byzantine territories in the Balkans, occupying lands as far south as the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1340806781#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "700", "revid": 1340806781, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 745, "year_label": "745 CE", "section": "Health & Medicine", "date": null, "text": "Bubonic plague in Asia Minor kills 1/3 of the population, and subsequently sweeps through the Peloponnese (Balkan Peninsula) (approximate date).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364906475#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "745", "revid": 1364906475, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 889, "year_label": "889 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "The Magyars, an Ugric tribe from the steppe of Central Asia, move west under the leadership of Árpád. They are pushed by their rivals, the Pechenegs, into the Balkan Peninsula, and become entangled in a war between Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire. The Magyars head north and settle in Great Moravia.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341129924#Europe", "title": "889", "revid": 1341129924, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 896, "year_label": "896 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Summer – Battle of Boulgarophygon: Simeon I invades the Theme of Thrace (in the southeastern Balkans). The Byzantines transfer a new army to Europe, to deal with the Bulgarian threat. The armies clash at Boulgarophygon (modern Turkey); the Byzantines are completely destroyed in battle.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1346094345#Europe", "title": "896", "revid": 1346094345, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 917, "year_label": "917 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "August 20", "text": "August 20 – Battle of Achelous: A Byzantine expeditionary force (62,000 men) under General Leo Phokas (the Elder) is routed by the Bulgarians at the Achelous River near the fortress of Anchialos (modern Pomorie) on the Black Sea coast. Phokas flees to Mesembria (modern Nesebar) and escapes by boarding a ship. Tsar Simeon I (the Great) becomes de facto ruler of the whole Balkan Peninsula, except the well-protected Byzantine capital of Constantinople and the Peloponnese.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364468140#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "917", "revid": 1364468140, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 926, "year_label": "926 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Battle of the Bosnian Highlands: Bulgarian forces under Duke Alogobotur are ambushed and defeated by a Croatian army of King Tomislav, in the mountainous area of Eastern Bosnia. Tsar Simeon I meets his first defeat against Croatia, but overruns the Western Balkans several times.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341509745#Europe", "title": "926", "revid": 1341509745, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 943, "year_label": "943 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Spring – Allied with the Rus', a Hungarian army raids Moesia and Thrace. Emperor Romanos I buys peace, and accepts to pay a yearly tribute (protection money) to the Hungarians. His frontiers now 'protected' on the Balkan Peninsula, Romanos sends a Byzantine expeditionary force (80,000 men) led by general John Kourkouas (his commander-in-chief) to invade northern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364916983#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "943", "revid": 1364916983, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 967, "year_label": "967 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Summer – Sviatoslav I, Grand Prince of Kiev, defeats Bulgar forces in the Balkans at the behest of Emperor Nikephoros II (who pays him 1,500 pounds of gold to invade the Bulgarian Empire).", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364919490#Europe", "title": "967", "revid": 1364919490, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 970, "year_label": "970 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor John I delegates the war in the Balkans to his brother-in-law, the Domestic of the Schools Bardas Skleros, and to the eunuch general Peter Phokas, who begin to gather a Byzantine army in Thrace. At the news of this, a powerful Kievan expeditionary force (30,000 men), along with many Bulgarians and a Pecheneg contingent, is sent south over the Balkan Mountains. After sacking the Bulgarian stronghold of Philippolis (modern-day Plovdiv), they bypass the heavily defended city of Adrianople, and turn towards Constantinople.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365261460#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "970", "revid": 1365261460, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1043, "year_label": "1043 CE", "section": "Crime & Justice", "date": null, "text": "Spring – Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos sends a Byzantine expeditionary force to the Balkans against the rebellious George Maniakes, governor of the Catepanate of Italy. The two armies meet near Thessaloniki in northern Greece. The rebel army – better organized, seasoned and with superior leadership – is initially successful, but Maniakes is killed by an arrow at the moment of his triumph. After this, his army is routed.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365591040#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1043", "revid": 1365591040, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1049, "year_label": "1049 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Spring – Pecheneg Revolt: Emperor Constantine IX decides to transfer 15,000 Pecheneg warriors from their positions in the Balkans to the eastern front. Upon approaching the Bosporus, the Pechenegs decide to turn back, and march through Bulgaria, until they reach the Byzantine city of Serdia. Later, joined by followers, the Pecheneg tribes raise the banner of revolt in Thrace.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1350129777#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1049", "revid": 1350129777, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1072, "year_label": "1072 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Byzantine–Hungarian War (1071–1072): the Hungarians plunders the Balkans on their route to Niš. The war ends with the emerging internal conflict between Solomon, King of Hungary and his cousin, Duke Géza.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1332932811#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1072", "revid": 1332932811, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1077, "year_label": "1077 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Fall – Nikephoros Bryennios the Elder, governor (doux) of the Theme of Dyrrhachium in the western Balkans, and Nikephoros Botaneiates, a general (strategos) of the Theme of Anatolics (modern Turkey), are proclaimed emperors by their troops. Emperor Michael VII Doukas offers Bryennios the title of caesar (co-emperor) if he submits to his rule, but Bryennios refuses. He sets out from Dyrrhachium, and marches towards Constantinople.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1303472978#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1077", "revid": 1303472978, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1081, "year_label": "1081 CE", "section": "Exploration & Expansion", "date": "May", "text": "May – A Norman fleet of 150 ships (including 60 horse transports), led by Duke Robert Guiscard, sets off towards the Dalmatian coast. An army of 15,000 men (including about 1,300 Norman knights) sails to the city of Avalona (modern Albania); they are joined by several ships from Ragusa, a republic in the Balkans who are enemies of the Byzantines.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1312347020#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1081", "revid": 1312347020, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1096, "year_label": "1096 CE", "section": "Religion & Belief", "date": "October", "text": "October – Raymond IV (\"Saint-Gilles\"), count of Toulouse, sets off to join the First Crusade. He travels with his army, accompanied by his wife Elvira and Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy, via Provence through the Balkan route (along the coast of Croatia). He arrives at Dyrrachium to march to Thessaloniki.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365266324#First_Crusade", "title": "1096", "revid": 1365266324, "section": "Events › By place › First Crusade"}}, {"year": 1118, "year_label": "1118 CE", "section": "Deaths", "date": "August 15", "text": "August 15 – Emperor Alexios I Komnenos dies after a 37-year reign, in which he has regained control over western Anatolia (modern Turkey). He stabilizes his frontiers against the wars with the Normans in the western Balkans, and the Seljuk Turks in the East. Alexios is succeeded by his 30-year-old son, John II Komnenos (the Good), as ruler of the Byzantine Empire.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365269195#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1118", "revid": 1365269195, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1121, "year_label": "1121 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Emperor John II Komnenos recovers southwestern Anatolia (modern Turkey) from the Seljuk Turks and then hastens to the Balkans, where the Pechenegs are continuing their incursions. He transfers Byzantine troops to the Danube frontier at Paristrion.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362154597#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1121", "revid": 1362154597, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1122, "year_label": "1122 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": null, "text": "Battle of Beroia: Emperor John II Komnenos transfers the Byzantine field army from Asia Minor (where it has been engaged against the Seljuk Turks) to the Balkans. The Pechenegs who have set up their camp (defended by a circular formation of wagons) near Beroia (modern Bulgaria) are defeated. John orders the Varangian Guard (some 480 men), the elite Palace Guard to hack their way through the Pecheneg circle of wagons, causing a general rout in their camp. Pecheneg survivors are taken captive and enlisted into the Byzantine army.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373038979#Byzantine_Empire", "title": "1122", "revid": 1373038979, "section": "Events › By place › Byzantine Empire"}}, {"year": 1167, "year_label": "1167 CE", "section": "Conflict & Security", "date": "July 8", "text": "July 8 – Battle of Sirmium: Byzantine forces (15,000 men) under General Andronikos Kontostephanos defeat the Hungarians at Sirmium. Emperor Manuel I (Komnenos) consolidates his control over the western Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361983030#Europe", "title": "1167", "revid": 1361983030, "section": "Events › By place › Europe"}}, {"year": 1354, "year_label": "1354 CE", "section": "Climate & Environment", "date": "March", "text": "March - Within a month after the devastating earthquake the Ottomans besieged and captured the town of Gallipoli, making it the first Ottoman stronghold in Europe and the staging area for Ottoman expansion across the Balkans.", "cite": {"url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1325866553#January–December", "title": "1354", "revid": 1325866553, "section": "Events › January–December"}}]}