To Pliska: from the Ongal through Varna

Abstract

After being successful against the Arabs, the Byzantine emperor Constantine V Kopronymos settled Syrians and Armenians in Thrace and refused to pay the tax. In response, the Bulgarians marched to Constantinople in 756. Then Constantine V ships attacked the Bulgarian Ongal (“water center”) with 500 and burned the land. In the following years he attacked Bulgaria through the Balkan mountain passes and through Varna. A political crisis arose in Bulgaria and elected tribes were put on the throne – Vokil/Ukil and southern Ugain clan. The crisis ended when in 775 Constantine V contracted anthrax and died of a „blue pimple“.