In 1014, a crushing mountain ambush earned a Byzantine emperor the nickname 'Bulgar-Slayer'
Byzantine Emperor Basil II secured a brutal victory in the Belasica mountains, utilizing a daring pincer movement to trap and dismantle the Bulgarian army in one of history's most ruthless military maneuvers.
In 1014, the Byzantine-Bulgarian wars reached a terrifying climax at the Battle of Kleidion. Emperor Basil II utilized a mountain trail to outflank the Bulgarian forces, trapping them in a narrow pass. The victory was so absolute that it effectively broke the Bulgarian resistance for decades.
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