Tsar Simeon I of Bulgaria fleeing from the Magyars, from the Madrid Skylitzes manuscript 11th-13th C. CE
At the time of the Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 894–896 CE the Hungarians/Magyars were living in Etelkoz, a state around the northern Black Sea where parts of Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania are today. The Magyars joined in on the side of the Roman defenders against the Bulgarian invaders. While the Roman navy ferried the Magyars into Bulgarian territory, the majority of the Roman army was busy fighting the Arabs in the east. The Roman forces that remained had already been defeated by the Bulgarians when the Magyars arrived. The Russian Primary Chronicle states that the Magyars then conquered Bulgaria:
"(899-902). The Emperor Leo incited the Magyars against the Bulgarians, so that they attacked and subjugated the whole Bulgarian country." (The Russian Primary Chronicle, Laurentian Text, translated and edited by Samuel Hazzard Cross & Olgerd P. Sherbowitz-Wetzor).
"At that time, the Bulgarians had disregarded the peace treaty and were raiding through the Thracian countryside. Justice pursued them for breaking their oath to Christ our God, the emperor of all, and they quickly met up with their punishment. While our forces were engaged against the Saracens, divine Providence led the [Hungarians], in place of the Romans, to campaign against the Bulgarians. Our Majesty's fleet of ships supported them and ferried them across the Danube. [Providence] sent them out against the army of the Bulgarians that had so wickedly taken up arms against Christians and, as though they were public executioners, they decisively defeated them in three engagements, so that the Christian Romans might not willingly stain themselves with the blood of the Christian Bulgarians." (Leo the Wise, Tactics).
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| Tsar Simeon I, pursued by the Hungarians, taking shelter in the stronghold of Drustra, miniature, Skyllitzes Matritensis, fol. 108v, detail. Manuscript dated to 11th-13th C. CE. |
Source:
Quote:
Arnold Toynbee, Constantine Porphyrogenitus and his World, page 460
The Taktika of Leo VI
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