On this day in 26 July 811 happens one of the biggest battles in IX century .
The Battle of Pliska or Battle of Vărbitsa Pass was a series of battles between troops, gathered from all parts of the Byzantine Empire, led by the Emperor Nicephorus I Genik, and Bulgaria, led by Kan Krum. The Byzantines plundered and burned the Bulgar capital Pliska which gave time for the Bulgarians to block passes in the Balkan Mountains that served as exits out of Bulgaria. The final battle took place on 26 July 811, in some of the passes in the eastern part of the Balkan, most probably the Vărbitsa Pass. There, the Bulgarians used the tactics of ambush and surprise night attack to effectively trap and immobilize the Byzantine forces, thus annihilating almost the whole army, including the Emperor. After the battle, Krum encased Nicephorus's skull in silver, and used it as a cup for wine-drinking. This is probably the best documented instance of the custom of the skull cup.
The battle of Pliska was one of the worst defeats in Byzantine history. It deterred Byzantine rulers from sending their troops north of the Balkans for more than 150 years afterwards, which increased the influence and spread of the Bulgarians to the west and south of the Balkan Peninsula, resulting in a great territorial enlargement of the First Bulgarian Empire.
While Nikephoros I and his army were busy plundering the Bulgarian capital, Krum mobilized his people (including women and Avar mercenaries[15]) to set traps and ambushes in the mountain passes.[16] Initially Nicephorus intended to march through Moesia and reach Serdica before returning to Constantinople but the news of these preparations for a battle changed his decision and he chose the shortest way to his capital.[17] The overconfident emperor neglected to scout ahead. On 25 July his army entered the Varbica Pass but his cavalry told him the road was barred with thick wooden walls and Krum's detachments watched from the heights around.[18] The emperor became panicked by the situation and repeatedly stated to his companions "Even if we have had wings we could not have escaped from peril."[19] Before they could retreat, the Bulgars blocked the valley entrance too.
Nicephoros, unable to face attacking one of the palisades, simply set up camp, despite his generals' pleading. By the third night, Byzantine morale was shattered, Bulgar troops banged their shields and taunted them.
On that night the Bulgarians gathered their troops and tightened the belt around the trapped enemy. At dawn they rushed down and started to kill the panicked and totally confused Byzantines. The tagmata were the first to be attacked. The Byzantines fruitlessly resisted for a short time and perished. Upon seeing their comrades' fate, the next units immediately ran away.
On their way south the Byzantine forces hit a muddy river which was difficult to cross. As they could not find a ford quick enough, many Byzantines fell into the river. The first stalled in the mud with their horses and were trampled by those who came next. The river was filled with so many dead that the chasing Bulgarians easily passed over them and continued the pursuit. Those who passed through the river reached the wooden wall which was high and thick. The Byzantines left their horses and began climbing the wall with hands and legs and hung over the other side. The Bulgarians had dug a deep moat from the inner side and when the Byzantine soldiers were getting across the ramparts, they fell from the high wall, breaking their limbs. Some of them died instantly, others hobbled some time before falling to the ground and dying from thirst and hunger. The Byzantine troops burned the wall at several places but as they were rushing to get across it, they too fell into the moat along with the burning parts of the palisade. Almost everyone perished; some were killed by sword, others drowned in the river or were mortally injured after falling from the wall and some of them died in the fire. Among the nobles killed were the patricius Theodosius Salivara; the strategos of the Eastern armies Romanos and the strategos of Thrace.
Only a few survived the defeat but the majority of them died shortly after they arrived in their homes. The most notable person to be killed, however, was Emperor Nicephoros, who according to historians died on a dunghill on the day of the battle.[20] Nicephoros' son Staurakios was carried to safety by the imperial bodyguard after receiving a paralyzing wound to his neck.[19][21] Six months later, his wounds finally killed him. According to tradition, Krum had the Emperor's head on a spike, then lined his skull with silver and used it as a drinking cup.
[HISTORICAL ISSUE] - 1200 anniversary of the Battle of Vărbitsa Pass
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Re: 1200 anniversary of the Battle of Vărbitsa Pass
), but if none of the serious groups showed any interest - oh well, our loss...
they will want 100 % proofs for every part of the dress and equipment that was used by the bulgars and even then they will still think that it may not be bulgars and for them this is a pure proof that it doesn't exist 
Originally Posted by Bagatyr
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