Battle of Salonica (1040)

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
conflict=Battle of Salonica
partof=the Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
date=1040
place=near Thessaloniki, Greece
result=Bulgarian victory
combatant1=Bulgarian Empire
combatant2=Byzantine Empire
commander1=Peter Delyan
commander2=Michael IV the Paphlagonian
strength1=Unknown
strength2=Unknown
casualties1=Unknown
casualties2=Unknown

The battle of Salonica ( _bg. Битка при Солун) occurred in 1040 near the city of Thessaloniki (Salonica) in contemporary Greece between the Bulgarians and the Byzantines. The battle ended with a Bulgarian victory.

Origins of the Conflict

In 1018 the Byzantines conquered Bulgaria after a bitter half-century struggle. In 1040 one Delyan who claimed to be a descendant of the great Emperor Samuil led an uprising against the occupiers which broke out in Belgrade and was proclaimed Emperor under the name Peter II after the sainted Emperor Peter I (927-969). At the same time the Bulgarians in what is now Albania also revolted under the officer Tihomir. The two leaders met and to avoid distraction Peter Delyan was chosen as the only commander of the rebel army and Tihomir was killed.

The battle

After the two armies united Peter II Delyan marched eastwards to Thessaloniki where at that time was the Byzantine Emperor Michael IV. The Byzantines were defeated and Michael IV had to flee for his life leaving his personal tent and large quantity of gold and silver.

Aftermath

Soon the Bulgarian successes continued as they seized the important Adriatic port Dyrrhachium. Another army invaded Thessaly and liberated its northern parts. That caused serious troubles for the government in Constantinople which had to act swiftly in order to stop the restoration of the Bulgarian Empire.

References

*Йордан Андреев, Милчо Лалков, Българските ханове и царе, Велико Търново, 1996.