Battle of Pliska: Byzantine Emperor Killed, Skull Made into a Drinking Cup
Khan Krum turned Nikephoros I's skull into a drinking cup lined with silver. The Byzantine emperor had ignored warnings, pushed 80,000 troops deep into Bulgarian territory, and sacked Pliska on July 20, 811. But Krum trapped the entire army in a mountain pass during their retreat. Three days of slaughter. Nikephoros died alongside most of his men. His son Staurakios survived with a severed spine, ruled paralyzed for two months, then abdicated. Krum reportedly toasted visiting chieftains from his enemy's head for years afterward.
July 26, 811
1215 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Byzantine Empire
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Staurakios
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Emperor
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Byzantine
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Battle of Pliska
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Nicephorus I
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Stauracius
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Nikephoros I
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Byzantine Empire
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List of Byzantine emperors
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Constantinople
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Staurakios
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Krum
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Nikephoros I
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Battle of Pliska
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Khan (title)
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Histoire de la Bulgarie
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